Coulture Fall/Winter 2016 • Part 2

COULTURE

FALL/WINTER 2016

THE COLORING BOOK

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Sci-Fi City EXPLORING SINGAPORE

Photographed by Eric Lee

Remington Remmel

The second you take a step out of your plane into Changi International Airport, you will notice that there is something different about this place. A deep breath will show that it’s not the air; no that’s the same, though maybe hotter than the weather to which you are accustomed.

It’s not the people either – your cabby will be quite nice I’m sure. Skyscrapers are tall and plentiful; you have seen that before. You may never figure it out. But in a Southeast Asian city where English is the primary language, gum is not allowed, the structure of every other building leaves you wondering “how?” or “why?” and leaves are swept from the street as they fall, this air persists; all you can do is drink it in. Since Singapore became an independent sovereign state in 1965, it has built itself into a global city of international significance as the gateway to Southeast Asia. It is a unique city with a unique culture, constituting a blend of Chinese, Malay and Indian – all with a Western tint. Whether you are here for a day or a month, there are plenty of things to see and enjoy in Singapore.

WHERE TO EAT

The variety of food in Singapore is endless; along with any Western dish you would like, you can also try a number of Singaporean specialties, inspired and modified from the cuisine of nearby cultures. Some dishes not to be missed are Chili Crab, Satay, Laksa, and, while you are at it, why not give the stingray a try? And the best part is that it could not be easier to sample so many different dishes – all you have to do is go to your closest hawker center. Hawker centers are food areas with many different food stalls serving hosts of food from all over Asia, and there are dozens of these centers around the city.

While it is difficult to go wrong, the one place you must not miss is Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles in the China Town Hawker Center. Chicken rice is a deviously simple dish; the rice and chicken can both be prepared in an infinite number of ways.

That being said, it is hard to say anyone has perfected the art, but Chan Hon Meng has sure come close. In fact, the stall has even been granted a Michelin Star for culinary excellence. It will not be hard to miss – just spot the line winding around the center – but the wait is well worth it. I guarantee it will change your perception of what chicken can be, all for about $2.50.

The official closing time is 6 p.m., but the owner closes when he runs out of chickens, which is often closer to 5 p.m. So get there early.

WHERE TO VISIT

Just because Singapore is a small country does not mean there is little to do. There are a couple of iconic things that are important to see. The first is the Marina Bay area. Sandwiched between the gleaming glass towers lining the central banking district and the harbor, the Marina Bay Sands complex is a structure unlike any you have ever seen before, with three independent structures conjoined at the top by a long, boat-like structure, which can only be described as extraterrestrial. While its primary purpose is serving as a luxury hotel complex for those willing to spend a pretty penny; its secondary purpose is to add to the myriad modern architectural triumphs of the Singapore skyline. To top off the glitz and glam, the base of the hotel is a luxury mall with all your -ucci’s and -ada’s.

If at this point you do not already feel as though you are in a science-fiction movie, then the ArtScience Museum, also in the Marina Bay vicinity, will teleport you there. The intersection of art and science is in the architecture and public artwork everywhere in Singapore, but there’s no better place to explore that relationship than in this lotus-shaped building designed by Moshe Safdie, which is sometimes referred to as the “welcoming hand of Singapore.” As its name suggests, the ArtScience Museum explores the coalescence of art and science through a number of interactive and highly entertaining exhibits. You will

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Photographed by Eric Lee and Remington Remmel

46 | C | Cityscape

Photographs by Eric Lee

Cityscape | C | 47

Photographed by Eric Lee

SINGAPORE BUILT ITS OWN FOREST OF NOT JUST REGULAR TREES BUT OF SUPERTREES. A DOZEN OF THESE MAGNIFICENT STEEL STRUCTURES FLOURISH INTO THE AIR LIKE THE LOVE-CHILD OF A SKYSCRAPER AND A SEQUOIA.

find yourself immersed in a room filled with interactive projections of flora and fauna changing every second to reflect the seasons. Or perhaps you will be meandering through a gallery of M.C. Esher woodcuts and tessellations. Either way, it is sure to be an experience unlike any other you have had before.

A jump, a skip and a few escalators later you will be out of the complex and en route to the Gardens by the Bay, a beautiful garden area with plenty more structures that will have you going, “What the…” The first stop in the gardens ought to be the Supertree Grove. Yes, that is correct: Singapore built its own forest of not just regular trees but of Supertrees. A dozen of these magnificent steel structures flourish into the air like the lovechild of a skyscraper and a sequoia.

If you stay past dark, the trees will light up in an explosion of color.

You may even be able to catch one

of the nightly light shows at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

When you are done gallivanting in the gardens, you can take the MRT to one of the many prawn fishing establishments throughout the city. Prawn fishing is a unique, leisurely activity where you rent a rod, usually by the hour, and sit by a pool of prawns waiting for one to strike. And why not get a tower of Singapore’s own Tiger beer to lubricate the conversation?

48 | C | Travel Feature THE MOON AND STAR: A Turkish flag waves over the Bosphorous Strait.

ISTANBUL The Culture and the Coup Joseph Held I stood at the Kadikoy Sahil, a shoreline walkway on the Asian side of Istanbul. A cool mist blew against my face as I stared across the Bosphorus Strait, a choppy channel of water dividing the city into Europe and Asia.

An orange, summer sun painted the sky yellow and pink, slowly hiding behind a minaret on the horizon. The air carried the scent of seafood and the voices of vendors, many of whom had been there since the late morning. A large Turkish flag waved with splendor, casting a red shadow on passersby.

Under this one flag exist the cultures of two continents. And the city streets offer visual proof of this coexistence: a tattoo parlor beside a mosque, a Starbucks beside a kebob shop.

During a ferry ride from Besiktas to Kadikoy, two young girls sat across from me. One was dressed in a hijab and abaya, a loose, floor-length garment worn by women; the other in tighter-fitting, more revealing summer clothes. The girls’ contrasting attire embodied the stereotypes of the cultural spectrum, but their friendship seemed uninhibited.

In the weeks to follow, I continued to notice friendships between what I believed to be polarized members of society. These friendships are representative of the diversity found in Istanbul’s broader culture. Although I originally perceived the contrasting cultures as unable to integrate, I learned that the people of Istanbul value the melding of East and West, incorporating a myriad of religious views and ideologies.

The men and women of Istanbul are friendly, willing to halt their plans to share a chai tea or walk to the closest ice cream cart. Hospitable and respectful, many generously spare their time even to strangers. The community of the city is close. Siblings work in family-owned businesses, and neighbors greet one another on the streets. The culture is inviting.

Yet the communities and the culture are also in the midst of an attack. Subgroups within the city seek to erect a cultural divide in addition to the pre-existing geographical one.

News stories cover the violence in the city, but the world rarely hears the voices of the people desiring peace. *** A fluorescent street light shined

on the patch of grass where I sat.

Faint music and laughter from the party nearby floated past as a Turkish university student spoke to me about his experience living in Istanbul.

He described a troubling image: constant fear of the unknown. The recent attacks on the city left him frightened and fearful for his life.

As of July four attacks had occurred in Istanbul, leaving at least 69 killed. The Islamic State group and Kurdish militants had each claimed responsibility for two of the deadly bombings.

“I can be murdered on the metro bus,” the student said.

Before his words resonated fully with me, a man ran up to us screaming a Turkish phrase. The student’s expression translated for me the unfamiliar shouts. Something was wrong. In moments, a chaotic mumble of voices filled the area, as people called loved ones and searched the internet for answers.

Two bridges had been seized, the student read from an article he found. Panicked, he quickly left for his cousin’s apartment before I could ask him for his name. With questions still unanswered, people flooded the

streets to return to their homes.

News anchors on televisions behind storefront glass explained that a military faction had taken control of the Fatih Sultan Mehmetand and the Bosphorous bridges, which connect the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

The militants were attempting a coup d’état.

That night, I sat in my bed refreshing The New York Times app on my phone as I waited for the next news update. The violent protests were miles from the hostel where I stayed, but the sounds of jets and fighting broke through the bolted windows. My flight home, scheduled on the following morning, was canceled, and the U.S. Consulate advised American citizens to stay off the streets.

The next day, I awoke to Turkish kahvalti, a breakfast of vegetables, fruits and bread. Manana, the woman who ran the hostel, made breakfast for the confined guests. The television in the common area updated us on the events from the previous night.

At least 290 people died. Manana’s family sat in the corner silent, looking at the screen with grief. Their country was in chaos. The government was divided from the military.

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THE STUDENTS’ EXPRESSION TRANSLATED FOR ME THE UNFAMILIAR SHOUTS. SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

CHOOSE FOR YOURSELF Colorful street art on a building in Istanbul.

50 | C | Travel Feature THE BULL CITY Buildings crowd the shorelines of Istanbul.

Photo by Ashton Eleazer.

A HAGGLER’S PARADISE A outdoor market in Merdivenkoy. Photo by Joseph Held.

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From a cabinet in the kitchen, Manana’s son unfolded a Turkish flag. He placed it in the first-floor window facing the street, a sign of solidarity with the country.

A poster of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, hung on the wall – it is displayed in many Turkish homes. His eyes gazed at the empty cobblestone streets, accented with brightly colored concrete spheres that not only marked the pedestrian walkways but also told a story.

Turkish legend has it that a retired painter, who wandered the streets of Istanbul, thought the city was too dark. In an effort to change that, he painted the steps in a public park vibrant colors, but when authorities found the newly painted steps, they covered them in gray. In a demonstration of outrage that the art had been erased, the people of Istanbul took to the streets and painted steps, doors and the concrete street dividers colors of every shade.

The vivid colors reflected the bold statement taken to uphold a spirit of free expression. With empty streets, the colored dividers served as reminders of the comradery of the people of Istanbul, now disrupted by violence and upheaval.

Within the hostel, the guests passed the hours reading and playing card games.

A small, gated courtyard behind the building provided a sanctuary to soak in the soothing sun. For meals we were limited to Papa John’s and Burger King delivery, a dismal alternative to the traditional Turkish food to which we had become

accustomed.

Later that day the airport reopened, and I scheduled a flight home. My future was clear: I would be leaving in two days. But the citizens of Istanbul had nowhere to go; this was their home. There was no escape from the unknown that hung over the city.

The airport was crowded and rushed. Tourists filed through multiple security checkpoints on their way to their gates. Suddenly, the sound of claps filled the terminal as the immigration and visa desk opened. Hundreds of Turks rushed to plead their case with the hope of leaving the country. A father held a sleeping child.

A mother comforted her toddler through the commotion. In moments, their fates would be sealed. For some this meant happiness, and for some this meant a return to a city in fear.

I felt guilty. I had done nothing to earn my position; our roles could have easily been reversed. Nevertheless, I was the one with a ticket home. As the airplane lifted off the tarmac, I saw a final glimpse of the red-roofed city. “Take it all in, one last time,” I told myself.

The bright yellow building with the flat roof; the large fishing boats at the dock; the coffee shop with potted plants in the window; the man balancing a basket of breads on his head; the call to prayer five times a day. These are the sights and sounds of Istanbul, through which the ongoing story of this city is written.

A CHOPPY CHANNEL The water of the Bosphorous Strait. Photo

by Joseph Held.

52 | C | Camera Obscura

Faces of Carolina The azaleas blooming around the Old Well, the Bell Tower silhouetted in the vibrant colors of a Carolina sunset, the beauty of Polk Place in the fall – these icons all come to mind when reflecting on the beauty of UNC-Chapel Hill. Beauty, however, transcends far beyond the storied landmarks and scenic nature in Chapel Hill; one of our campus’ most unique sources of beauty lies within the makeup of our student body, a diverse fabric comprised of many cultures and traditions.

Cultural background is an integral and often overlooked piece of someone’s story. It, like experience or personality, plays a unique part in how someone experiences daily life, whether it be through their passions, goals or even personal style.

Coulture extended an invitation to members of the student body to celebrate their cultural background and share the way it has shaped their personal style, in a mission to highlight the beauty of diversity in some of Carolina’s priceless gems.

Written by Elise Holsonback Photographed by Alexis Fairbanks and Elise Holsonback

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NATASHA SHAH: INDIAN // FIRST YEAR My culture defines who I am as a person, and it has taught me to always celebrate life, so that is why I try to always dress in vibrant colors.

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JUN CHOU TAIWANESE // SENIOR

I was born in Taiwan, a small Asian country with the best people and culture. The country’s night market culture is insane-- they sell all sorts of things from street foods to rad clothes and accessories. Growing up exposed to those environments definitely contributed to my desire for unique and cute items.

You never know what you’re going to find when you go -- the dress I’m wearing was only $3 at a night market!

CHALKAA

Chalkaa allows us to use our love of dance to combine our Indian roots with modern elements, forming our own unique cultural identity. We compete across the nation and hope to add our own contribution to the amazing cultural diversity here at UNC.

VISHAL NAIK INDIAN // FIRST YEAR

Through Indian dance, we have the opportunity to connect to our roots while creating friendships that last a lifetime.

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AARON WILLIAMS HAITIAN AMERICAN // SENIOR I am Black and Haitian American , but even before that I am Miami. A place where we creatively mix southern fashion with Carribean casual flare. There are so many different people ,and the beauty in that is many styles dance together to form our fashion flavor.

GAURI GOSWAMY INDIAN // FIRST YEAR

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ANGELA TETTEY GHANAIAN // SENIOR

From top left to right of each row SHATAKSHI SHEKHAR INDIAN // JUNIOR Chalkaa allows me to express my Indian and American culture simultaneously. It’s the best of both worlds! ZENORA SAELUA AMERICAN SAMOAN // SOPHOMORE I am an afakasi, which means my father is from American Samoa and my mother is Caucasian. I am wearing a puletasi and ula nifo necklace. These two items are unapologetically Samoan, just like me. Afakasi translates to “half-caste” in Samoan, which sounds like my mother’s half of me holds me back. Instead, she is the reason why I feel like I can proudly wear this puletasi anyday on a campus that has less Pacific Islanders than the fingers on my two hands. She’s raised me to be confident, and that is what I am when I wear this outfit. MANU KRISHNAMURTHY INDIAN // SOPHOMORE LAURA VELAZQUEZ COLOMBIAN // SOPHOMORE I don’t have distinct clothes or accessories because I’m Colombian. Instead, “wearing” my Colombian identity means that I wear a huge smile, welcome you with a hug, and maybe I can teach you how to dance. CAROLINA PALACIOS HISPANIC, COLOMBIAN, ECUADORIAN // JUNIOR MEELAD ALINAGHIAN PERSIAN // SENIOR Persian people dress with a lofty and classy look, which is why I wear what I wear today. MAEBELLE MATHEW INDIAN // JUNIOR ROHUN SHAH INDIAN // SOPHOMORE Since I was a little kid, my Indian culture has had a tremendous impact on me. As a member of Chapel Hill Chalkaa, I can continue being in touch with my culture through the art of Bollywood dance.

PAMELA PENG CHINESE // SOPHOMORE I tried to blend in other cultures in order to meet people and make friends while traveling abroad. Then I realize that my friends actually appreciate my own culture, because it defines who I am.

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STRAIGHT OUTTA

CAPE TOWN ArtIsan entrepreneurs are the true trendsetters In Cape Town,South AfrIca WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALEXANDRA HEHLEN

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TAKE THE FIELD A cotton dress and Basotho blanket coat by WEISS Cape Town.

The Basotho blanket is a traditional staple for the people of Lesotho, a kingdom and country in southern Africa, landlocked

by South Africa.

Shop at etsy.com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen, styling by Jody Scott, makeup

by Yuki Shoji

60 | C

“WHAT DAY IS IT TODAY? “MANDELA DAY!” “WHAT DAY IS IT TODAY? “MANDELA DAY!” “WHAT DAY IS IT TODAY? “MANDELA DAY!” The voices of hundreds of schoolchildren grew louder and louder, melding into a euphoric chorus that spilled right out of the schoolyard, rushing over dirt roads and past rickety shacks, maybe across the entire township. I had never been surrounded by so many joyful children in my whole life.

Then they all broke into song, their hands glued to their hearts and their eyes full of reverence. They were right: today was Mandela Day, a special day indeed. In 2009 in honor of Nelson Mandela, the United Nations declared “Mandela Day” to be July 18, the former president’s birthday. According to an article in BBC News, South African charities encouraged everyone on this day to “give 67 minutes to a good cause – reflecting the 67 years Mandela has spent as an activist.” And, though Mandela has since passed, this is exactly what many Capetonians still do.

For entrepreneur Dave Hutchinson, this was the perfect day to give out 5,000 pairs of free school socks at Dunoon Primary in Dunoon, a township in Maitland, Cape Town, South Africa. Hutchinson is the founder of Sexy Socks, which sells wildly patterned socks that are, well, superbly sexy. The socks are anti-odor, made of bamboo and locally manufactured in Cape Town – and for each pair of socks sold, the company donates a pair of school socks to a school child in need.

Scads of white socks arrived in massive bags,

which a crew of volunteers schlepped into the schoolyard at the start of the afternoon, along with boxes of sandwiches and sweets. Past the gates of the schoolyard, peeking out just above a sea of tin-roofed shacks, hid Table Mountain, recently proclaimed a wonder of the world.

Dunoon Primary was under construction, and a shiny new building neared completion, a stark contrast to the dusty roads and ramshackle shops and homes crowding the rest of the township. The sky shone bright blue, with just a smattering of smoggy clouds. Right now the children still sat in class inside portables, and the air was calm and quiet.

Until, single file, clasped hand-to-hand like a chain of paper dolls, filed out dozens of beaming kindergartners. They plopped down in the courtyard in rows, staring doe-eyed at the socks and sandwiches.

Each waited obediently in line to collect their gift, and soon the air was an undulating mess of children’s arms and hands, excitedly waving brand new socks.

Because new socks were a big deal – they were part of the school uniform, kept toes warm and prevented blisters.

“The excitement on these kids’ faces every time they got their socks was super exciting,” said Hutchinson in a video on Sexy Socks’s Facebook page.

Hutchinson has visited multiple schools in Cape Town for these “sock drops,” where he gives out the socks and also speaks to students about the importance of social entrepreneurship. “I strongly believe that entrepreneurship is the way forward for South Africa,” he said in the video. “I believe that entrepreneurship is the only way that a lot of these kids are going to change their circumstances and change the circumstances of

their community.”

That certainly seems to ring true, especially since these children are growing up in downtrodden communities and in a country rife with systemic racism that is historically ingrained yet also fresh, reinforced by corrupt, governmental practices. During Apartheid entire communities were destroyed and razed to make room for “white-only” neighborhoods; non-white South Africans were forcibly removed to newly designated, segregated areas called townships.

Apartheid ended in 1994, only two years before I – and many of you college student readers – was born.

In this country it is normal for people to call each other by the color of their skin (“white,” “black” and “colored”). Millions live in townships, some of which are slums that extend as far as the eye can see. And the government is corrupt under the rule of President Jacob Zuma, who, according to Al Jazeera, spent $23 million in public funds to upgrade his own home.

According to Statistics South Africa, Cape Town in 2011 had an unemployment rate of 23.9 percent.

The government, citizens and immigrants alike tout what they call “job creation,” which involves making new jobs almost out of thin air, employing people in roles that often machines or consumers themselves could do. The government has appointed “car guards,” people in orange vests who flag down parking spots and are paid by drivers to keep an eye on the parked cars. Not all guards are appointed by the government – some people desperate for income don their own neon vests and do the job.

Job creation is apparent at gas stations, too, where attendants at each pump fuel up drivers’ cars and process payments. And at almost every stoplight wait

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LAY OF THE LAND A cotton dress and Basotho blanket coat by WEISS Cape Town.

The Basotho blanket is a traditional staple for the people of Lesotho, a kingdom and country in southern Africa, landlocked

by South Africa.

Shop at etsy.com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen, styling by Jody Scott, makeup

by Yuki Shoji

vendors, holding up bags of guavas and bouquets of roses for sale. The idea of taking things into your own hands is not a foreign concept in Cape Town, and with an eye to potential holes in the market, entrepreneurs in the city have done just that.

“Since social entrepreneurship is a relatively new concept in South Africa, Sexy Socks is kind of setting the trend of what it exactly it means to be an enterprise like this,” Hutchinson said in the Sexy Socks video. “And our ultimate mission is that we can create and we can prove to South Africa that there is sustainable, viable alternatives to the way business is done in South Africa today.”

In fact, Cape Town is a growing a hub for entrepreneurship and small business. Though the city has McDonald’s and KFC, you will be hard-pressed to find other franchises such as Starbucks; so homegrown (and much tastier, in my opinion) alternatives have flourished. Cape Town has its very own (and very exceptional – watch out, Italy) coffee culture, fashion design scene and home-furnishing industry.

Entrepreneurs are starting businesses of all kinds, but many focus on food, furniture, home decor and – my favorite – fashion.

Cape Town is a place of stark contrasts – one block may shelter homeless people taking refuge on the sidewalks, cocooned in a mess of blankets and bags, and another street 15 minutes away may showcase some of the most expensive real estate on the continent. The well-off here seem to invest their wealth more in chic houses and expensive cars than clothes that obviously boast status. Why? Maybe it is a question of safety – dangling a Louis Vuitton bag on your arm in public can make you a target, someone

who may also have plenty of cash and an iPhone stowed away.

Or maybe it is a matter of taste. In a city bordered on one side by picturesque beaches and flanked on the other by a wonder-of-the-world mountain, the last thing you’ll find here is fashionistas traipsing around the streets in ostentatious fur coats and high-end jewelry. The city houses a burgeoning local fashion and lifestyle industry; with distinctive work on offer from highly skilled artisans and entrepreneurs, mainstream brands become boring. Why purchase a Céline bag when you could get a springbok purse made by a local father who works to send his daughter to school?

Why buy Burberry when there’s a more unique coat down the road, created by a local designer with an exceptional eye?

Cape Town’s artistic epicenter is located in Woodstock, a suburb of the city that used to house bustling textile mills and industrial factories. Today Woodstock is often (and quite lovingly) dubbed “the hood,” not the safest at night but during the day a hub for Cape Town’s creative visionaries who are revitalizing the old, run-down buildings and workspaces that used to house the city’s once-bustling textile industry. You can find everything from highend, designer clothing to ultra-modern furniture to state-of-the-art cufflinks.

The essence of Capetonian fashion seems to emanate from Woodstock. If you look past the tourists at the area’s Saturday food and clothing Neighbourgoods Market, you will see locals furnished in what constitutes the city’s signature aesthetic. Think clean, modern cuts, seasoned with a dash of hipster and accessorized with minimalistic jewelry.

Through effortless (and slightly grungy) mixing and matching, the fashion-forward prove their good taste but do not parade it. Practicality is a priority; comfort, warmth (many Capetonians hate the cold), heels of moderate height and pockets are common themes. Sometimes African influences sneak in, too, such as patterns of South African taxicabs, baggy pant styles characteristic of Hausa horseback riders and fabrics commonly worn by indigenous peoples of South Africa.

Woodstock is like a goldmine – it may not look like much from the outside, but if you do some exploring, you may find hidden gems like a hole-in-the-wall, vegan restaurant or a shoe shop where sandals are crafted in-house. And in this neighborhood lies Threads Project, where I worked for two months this past summer.

“Threads Project is a platform for emerging artisans to market their creative products directly to the consumer,” according to threadsproject.co.za.

“Current online retailers have taken an impersonal, corporate stance in direct resistance to the creative’s vision and nature. The entrepreneur’s initial creative juices and unique vision take a backseat to the corporate’s stringent guidelines. That’s why we’d rather provide an organic and supportive environment for all artisans to flourish.”

For artisans who make high-quality products but may have difficulty reaching large audiences, Threads provides a perfect opportunity for these business owners to make connections and broaden their reach.

The project even assists artisans with entrepreneurial challenges and business strategies, ensuring they have the proper support to grow.

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EAT YOUR HEART OUT A leather Olivia Lincoln backpack, 100 percent made in South Africa.

Shop at olivialincoln.com Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen

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COASTAL QUEEN A Basotho blanket coat by WEISS Cape Town. The Basotho blanket is a traditional staple for the people of Lesotho, a kingdom and country in southern Africa, landlocked

by South Africa.

Shop at etsy.com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen, styling by Jody Scott, makeup by Yuki Shoji

64 | C | Feature Threads takes the form of a physical and online “concept store,” which is a retail space subdivided and allotted to different artisans, each of whom bring in their displays and products to personalize their sections. The place is colorful, eclectic, artsy and well-merchandised – sort of like a South African Anthropologie, if you will. Hutchinson’s Sexy Socks have their own display, as do dozens of other artisan entrepreneurs selling handcrafted boots, bags created from recycled materials, high-quality leather goods, pottery and even swim trunks.

Just a few steps away from the rack of Sexy Socks at the front of the store are some beautifully organized shelves full of leather accessories in both neutral colors and rich berry hues. These are Olivia Lincoln purses, shoes, backpacks and bracelets, designed with a focus on comfort and practicality for the modern, stylish woman. The brand’s sturdy, leather backpacks are designed with plenty of pockets (big enough to zip in a cell phone – score!), and some purses are even two-in-one bags and clutches.

“I started as a fashion designer,” said Lincoln, founder and namesake of the brand. “And then I started traveling around the world, and I saw that there actually is a gap for exclusive handbags, goodquality handbags – but at a good price. Because the prices that handbags are going at is crazy. I wanted to make it beautiful and affordable.”

Indeed, you can snag a high-quality, leather clutch – crafted from shining leather and accented with a fur heart – for R2,800 (or just over $200, for our American readers). One Olivia Lincoln handbag, so beautiful in form that it could be a cousin of the Hermès Kelly Bag, goes for R2,960 (about $217). For a luxury product that is practical and unmistakably high-end, this is a smashing deal.

And the best part? The products are made in Woodstock, and all the materials are from South Africa. “The reason why I’ve chosen Threads is that I love that they do South African brands,” Lincoln said.

“I am so pro South African brands (and) made-inSouth-Africa products.” And it is true; sporting an Olivia Lincoln item – often accented with the signature Olivia Lincoln heart – is kind of like wearing a little bit of South Africa on your sleeve.

WEISS Cape Town, another brand that sells its clothes at Threads Project, also manufacturers in Woodstock and is well-connected to Cape Town’s local fashion scene. Six years ago, founders Debbie Morris Bunzek and her husband Peter began the clothing label, with she designing and he handling manufacturing. “We noticed a gap in the market of affordable, 100 percent cotton clothing and a complete, coordinated range of white garments,” Bunzek said.

“And hence the name WEISS.” The team started with a collection of 25 to 35 mixand-matchable pieces, subsequently introducing more colors, a knitwear line and a linen range. Originally WEISS began with a focus on coordinated dressing, but this was difficult; because the brand stocked in just two boutiques where the owner was not always there to show customers how to mix and match, the brand shifted direction.

“We aim to find the item,” Bunzek said, explaining that WEISS now strives to spot demand for specific products and fill the gap. “For winter, the Basotho blanket was the item.” The Basotho blanket is a traditional staple for the people of Lesotho, a kingdom and country in southern Africa, landlocked

by South Africa.

Forging a contract with the only wholesaler of the Basotho blankets, this past winter Bunzek cut and shaped dozens of blankets into loose-fitting coats, jackets and vests. “I thought, ‘How can I make it feel like you’re wearing a blanket?’” Bunzek said. And she succeeded – the coats are cozy and warm but also spice up any outfit with colorful sophistication.

Bunzek has been designing since she was 9 years old, when she and her mother got into an argument about the hemline on a dress her mother was designing for her. “Eventually through frustration (my mother) put the pins down and said, ‘Make it yourself.’

And I did,” she said. At age 11, Bunzek was designing clothes for her mother’s friends, and at 14 she had her

own shop where customers stopped by on Saturday mornings.

Originally from Durban, South Africa, Bunzek studied fashion design at Natal Technical College in her home city. After three years she felt stifled and began working for an American woman who founded South Africa’s first boutique. “Two years later she went back to the United States,” Bunzek said. “I took over the factory and continued manufacturing under my own label, Debbie Morris Collection.”

Then she ventured to Colorado, where she partnered up with the same woman and opened a clothing store. Bunzek learned the ins and outs of consumer selling and eventually felt inspired to come back to South Africa and continue doing consumer selling on an appointment-only basis. She subsequently worked in real estate for about seven years, “And then I met Peter,” she said. “And the rest is history.”

The duo understands how difficult it can be to succeed as an entrepreneur in Cape Town, which is a highly seasonal city that floods with tourists in the summer and lies dormant in the winter. Beating seasonality is a key issue for many small-business owners. “And that’s why our ideal would be to export,” Bunzek said. “Obviously that’s first prize, if we had one or two outlets outside of South Africa that would carry us through winter because our winter is so slow.”

Forging relationships in the local artistic, entrepreneurial and fashion communities is key to keeping business strong. WEISS broadens its reach and does consumer research by participating in markets; the brand was at Cape Town’s Upmarket Market at the end of 2016 and will be at a market held at the city’s Company Gardens every Saturday from October to March.

“We like to be there, and on a more casual basis rather than in a shop. We choose the market where we’re in direct contact with mostly tourists,” Bunzek said. Tourists make up a significant portion of WEISS’ customers, and these markets offer an opportunity to gain loyal clients who keep ordering from the brand even after their stay in Cape Town. “I think the topend tourists really enjoy meeting the designer,” she said. “And they find it really unusual.”

She has a point. Walk into any boutique in Cape Town, and there is a good chance the person working behind the till is the designer themselves. And if that is not the case, then there is still a high chance that all the store’s clothes were made in South Africa.

Cape Town is one of the fashion capitals of Africa and of the world, and the city stands out among its counterparts. I would be hard-pressed, for example, to walk the streets of Milan, Italy, and find just a few boutiques where I could chat with a designer in the flesh.

Even though starting a small business in Cape Town is not always easy, the city does provide a creative environment for ideas and ingenuity to flourish. “I think (Cape Town is) unique because of the amount of creativity and the platform for creatives to showcase their product. And I think that is growing,” Bunzek said. “The idea of the concept stores are popping up all over the place.” For aspiring designers and small artisans, concept stores like Threads Project offer a cheaper alternative to opening a studio or store. “I think that’s what makes Cape Town a popular destination for creatives, whether it’s photography, whether it’s styling, whether it is modeling,” she said.

For me, young shoppers like you and the fashion world, Cape Town is a much-needed breath of fresh air. The city’s creative and entrepreneurial drive is infectious, shaping business owners and consumers.

The free-flowing wind and sea seem to swirl right into breezy and artfully loose garments. The ridges and rocky intricacies of the mountains, so perfectly highlighted in orange when the sun sets, almost imprint themselves on the elaborate stitches and details that designers handcraft. Capetonians are tied to nature, and they seem unapologetically sure of themselves. Their style consequently does no boasting – like the landscape and never-ending waves, it just is.

And it invites us to partake.

I AM SO PRO SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCTS AND MADE-IN-AFRICA PRODUCTS

OLIVIA LINCOLN

Feature | C | 65 LION’S SHARE A Basotho blanket coat by WEISS Cape Town, shot in front of the city’s iconic Lion’s Head mountain.

The Basotho blanket is a traditional staple for the people of Lesotho, a kingdom and country in southern Africa, landlocked by South Africa.

Shop at etsy.com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen, styling by Jody Scott, makeup by Yuki Shoji

COOL HEAD A doek headwrap, styled with a Basotho blanket coat by WEISS Cape Town.

Shop the blanket at etsy. com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Alexandra Hehlen, styling by Jody Scott, makeup by Yuki Shoji

SEXY SOCKS These babies are anti-odor, made of bamboo and locally manufactured in Cape Town. For each pair of socks sold, Sexy Socks donates a pair of school socks to a school child in need.

Shop at sexysockssa.com Photographs by Alexandra Hehlen

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LEMON ZEST WEISS Cape Town’s Cocoa Butter range, which is made of 100 percent cotton and manufactured in Cape Town.

Shop at etsy.com/shop/WEISScapetown Photograph by Abrie de Koning, styling by Jody Scott

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68 | C | Feature

SUSTAINABLE FASHION first NATURE THE BALANCE OF NATURE Starry Nights Chiffon Dress in Smoky Sapphire and Silver Symbology Clothing; ankle boots shop similar at Coclico.

S F

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Feature | C | 69

70 | C | Feature Fashion draws inspiration from everything: music, current events, cuisine. But perhaps the most common catalyst for designers’ creativity is found just out the window, in the murmur of rustling trees and the patterns ocean waves trace on sandy beaches. Nature has driven designers across the globe to create pieces that reflect our surroundings and the perpetual existence of a larger creation. Every season runways are flooded with pieces that derive their influence from the depths of the ocean, the highest peaks of the Himalayas or the simplicity of a spring garden.

Parallel to fashion, nature is always changing. It is a mass creation of worldwide stature, unparalleled by any other medium. Nature provides the fashion world with so much, and it seems only fitting that we find a way to give back.

With an eye to the tremendous and negative environmental impact of fast fashion, designers and artisans today are beginning to turn to sustainable fashion, which emphasizes ethical treatment of workers and environmental production process and fabrics. Sustainable garments and accessories are created from recycled or upcycled materials, or from natural fabrics that may use non-toxic chemicals. Such fabrics require less than half as much water and energy to grow. Recycling is just as important for clothing as it is for paper, cardboard and waste. We are sure sustainable clothes can be just as fashionable as the latest items you snagged from Zara – so sure that we dedicate a photo shoot to sustainable pieces, crafted by empowered workers or dreamed up by environmentally conscious minds.

In the following pages, you will find a wedding dress designed by our Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Hehlen from 100% recycled materials. “We

throw away millions of tons of plastic every year, much of which ends up in our oceans,” she said. “Oceanic forces erode plastic pieces to microscopic particles, which even the smallest sea creatures ingest. We are truly married to plastic, which is why I chose to design a wedding dress.” The dress won the Grand Award at the prestigious Santa Fe Trash Fashion and Costume Show in 2013.

The bodice is crafted from plastic feathers, each hand-cut from white milk jugs. The long, gathered skirt of the gown is made of three plastic tablecloths and detaches to leave a shorter, after-the-ceremony party skirt made of a synthetic tablecloth.

All the tablecloths used were party decorations and would otherwise have been trashed.

Other pieces featured are provided the Exotique, a boutique located in Durham, North Carolina. This boutique sells clothing and jewelry made by artisans in countries such as Ghana, supporting their businesses and economically empowering them.

“Not only [does Exotique] pay me full wages promptly, but they also bought me a generator,” said Salome Deku, an artisan who partners with the boutique. “Before I used to work by candlelight because of electricity shortages. Now I’m 34 years old and have two kids of my own.”

We also feature a designer bag by Whitby, a luxury handbag company that donates its profits to organizations that fight to abolish slavery and human trafficking across the world.

Nature selflessly provides so much to humanity,without the ability for self-defense. It is our responsibility to protect the source of so much beauty, inspiration and precious resources. If together we shop sustainably, we can make a big difference for our planet and its people.

CURRENT CHANGE Beaded Starburst Caftan Symbology Clothing; handbag Whitby.

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MARRIED TO PLASTIC Wedding gown made of 100% recycled materials Alexandra Hehlen.

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74 | C | Feature

UNDER THE SUN Dress The Exotique in Durham.

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AYE AYE, CAFTAN Caftan The Exotique in Durham.

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TOP OF THE ROCK Button Up Shirt in Moon Phases with Nehru Collar Symbology Clothing; jeans shop similar at Noble Denim; jeans shop similar at OlibertĂŠ.

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TAKE A STAND Cherry Blossom Kimono Maxi Wrap Symbology Clothing.

ROCK CANDY Top The Exotique in Durham; jeans shop similar at Goodsociety.

Feature | C | 79

MERMADE WITH LOVE Top shop similar at Azura Bay; skirt The Exotique in Durham.

80 | C | Connect

Photograph by Rachel Greene

Behind the Scenes at Coulture

Connect | C | 81

Photograph by Elise Holsonback

Hannah Lee The models who stood in the middle of the road let the darkness of night engulf them. It didn’t matter that we could not see; nor did it matter that the air chilled us to the bone. This was the plan for the photo shoot. Capture the stars and capture the depth of the harsh, naked rock that swallowed the length of the road behind us.

One photographer laid on her stomach, holding the camera while the other photographer held a portable, hand-sized flash that she faced toward the model. It required perfect timing and patience to capture the shot. Once the click of the camera went off, the model needed to move quickly out of the shot, or else the camera would pick up a ghost of the model moving.

Everyone froze, both literally and figuratively, as we waited to see how the one picture developed.

It took nearly an hour and a half to shoot only 10 photos.

This was the first time UNC-Chapel Hill’s fashion magazine, Coulture, traveled outside of the Triangle for a photo shoot.

Two photographers and four models were all it took for the Coulture team to drive to Black Mountain and escape the convenience and comfort of having a photo shoot on campus. No stylist. No makeup artist. Just two cars filled to the brim with clothes, accessories, cameras, camera equipment and, of course, snacks.

We stayed up until 2 a.m. to shoot the stars, just to wake up at 5:30 a.m. to shoot the sunrise, and then there were some who had to climb up a mountain in three-inch, heeled booties to get the perfect shot. It wasn’t easy.

“We wanted the designs to be fully immersed in nature and for our readers to see the connection between environmentalism and fashion,” said Alexis Fairbanks, the photography director. “The designs we used for this shoot were sustainably and ethically made, and we wanted to showcase those qualities with the location we chose.”

When Fairbanks was behind the camera, her sarcastic, upbeat personality became serious and quiet as she focused into the viewfinder of the camera. She is always more engaged in the lighting and scenery of the shot rather than in directing the model. She is not like most fashion photographers, who focus on the clothing and body movements.

“Well, it’s all about lighting,” Fairbanks said.

“During the night shoot, I was mostly just thinking

about setting off the flash at the right time and praying that a car didn’t drive by and ruin the shot.”

Over the course of two days, we stayed at a dull, khaki-yellow-colored motel. The teal door, easily visible from the parking lot, gave the second photographer, Elise Holsonback, an uneasy feeling.

Never had she stayed at a motel before “It was charming in a way, a little sketchy, but it had its upsides, probably because I was excited about the shoot,” Holsonback said. “There were cigarette burns in the blanket, and the outside was questionable, but I was with my friends, ready to create some beautiful things, so I was blind to any negatives.”

Within an hour of our arrival, the motel room spun into a tornado of makeup, clothes and leftover food. Model Sophia Purut and I leaned over the bathroom mirror putting on our mascara.

Holsonback stood on the other side of the room behind model Daniela Rangel as she braided Rangel’s thick, jet-black hair. Fairbanks and Tristin Moeller, the only male model, lounged in the bed watching it all.

“It was kind of weird watching Dani walk around in her bra for a while,” Moeller said as he laughed. “But it wasn’t entirely weird because a lot of my friends are girls, and it’s not like I haven’t been exposed to that before.”

Makeup done, bags packed and models dressed, it was midnight before we discovered an overlook on the mountain perfect for the night shoot the photographers envisioned.

Stars glimmering in the sky and the gentle hum of cars driving below, everything seemed well in order, until the female models stepped outside the car. It was 45 degrees. All three wore short, thin dresses.

“The cold weather is discomforting for a warm-blooded Miamian like me,” Rangel said. “But despite the cold and our clothes not necessarily keeping us warm, I had fun staying warm by dancing around with the other models. Talk about a tropical solution.”

But this did not compare to waking up at 5:30 a.m. and getting only three hours of sleep.

In the car by 6:45 a.m., the team had one goal in mind: Find the perfect overlook for a sunrise picture. No buildings. No cars. Just the scenic depth of the mountains in the background.

At 7:49 a.m., somewhere near the Grove Park Inn, Fairbanks, Holsonback and I, still in the dark gray Mazda, despairingly watched as the sun began to rise.

“Every plan we had went wrong somehow,” Holsonback said. “Our plan to get amazing sunrise shots ended up with us driving around for an hour in the wrong direction...I think we are pretty plan-oriented people as far as photo shoots go, and those little conflicts threw us off.”

Not until an hour later did the team find the perfect overlook. We all sprung out of the car, thankful to finally stretch our limbs and breathe in the crisp mountain air.

Behind us stood a slanted mountain wall with a steep, almost vertical path that led to the top about 50 feet above. Fairbanks charged up the mountain with a calm and content attitude. Her hands and feet moved in perfect synchronization as one foot stepped into the previous spot of her hand.

Then there were three female models who were in 3-inch, heeled, ankle booties.Every step we took landed in a slippery slope of dirt. We grasped onto any branch, rock or dip in the ground we could hold onto. A 30-foot trek felt like a 2-mile hike.

Wearing a long, transparent dress, I was more worried about flashing someone than I was about falling. Priorities. But more than the physical adversity that many of us confronted in the shoot, we felt emotional adversity, too.

“On a more emotional level, shooting is always difficult for me personally,” Rangel said, “because I tend to have a poor body image and self esteem, which is unknown to my colleagues because I always seem really confident, but the truth is every shoot is a step toward feeling confident.”

Meeting Rangel, no one would have guessed she felt this way about herself. In the motel, she skipped around the room. In the car, she happily sang to the tunes. And during the shoots, she always laughed and cheered on the other models.

“Even though I’m not getting paid, every time I shoot I come out feeling stronger,” Rangel said.

“For me, I do it for the sense of empowerment.”

Rangel looked like a mermaid as she sat on top of a big rock with her long, yellow, pineapplecovered skirt draped over the edge. After Fairbanks gave Rangel a preview of the photos on her camera, you could see the hint of a smile in her eyes as she slowly made her way back down the mountain.

After 29 hours of being together, the team, exhausted and tired, managed to still hold a smile and carry easy conversations on the drive back to Chapel Hill. Because we were satisfied. Because we knew that it was a weekend well-spent.

82 | C | Contention

VACCINES: Get Them Caroline Reed Remember that instance in high school when an outlandish rumor begins to circulate? There is normally no concrete evidence behind said rumor.

Nor does anyone know where this rumor began. And yet, for many months, maybe even years, the rumor will stick.

So here is a similar situation: “There is no proof that vaccines don’t cause autism.” For some mysterious reason, this highly controversial statement rumor has buzzed around the vaccine debate. For those who are worried about the rumor, more than 40 studies have been released by the American Academy of Pediatrics that show no link at all between vaccines and autism.

It is scary to get behind the idea of something so controversial, but when it comes to getting vaccinated, it is worth it. Vaccinations are a blessing to modern science and allow much of the developed world a privilege many people are not allotted.

Everyone has the right to make personal decisions when it comes to their body and health. But in a world where you can avoid serious illness such as polio, hepatitis B, tetanus and HPV by getting vaccinated, why not do so?

Arguments about “natural immunity” and its superiority to “vaccine immunity” do not hold fast either. Natural immunity arises from contraction of a serious disease and the body’s potential defeat of

this infection. You will end up with a similar immune response post-infection or post-vaccination – the difference is one does not require toughing through a potentially threatening infection.

Vaccines allow for more personal freedom. The healthier an individual is, the more opportunity they will have. In a lot of cases, an individual is not allowed to travel into and out of certain countries without certain vaccinations. This is to protect both the individual and the people who may come in contact with them.

When the technology is available, it is irresponsible not to take advantage of it. By refusing to get vaccinated, you are potentially jeopardizing your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of the people who cannot afford vaccination (due to factors such as pregnancy, lack of accessibility and chronic disease). It is best not to take for granted a consequence-free solution to a serious problem.

In sum: Get your shots. Do it. Do it now. Get your shots. Do it today, or do it tomorrow, or even in the next few weeks. Just do not let bizarre rumors and public fear narrate your own well-being.

Illustration by Elina Rodriguez

THE HEALTHIER AN INDIVIDUAL IS, THE MORE OPPORTUNITY THEY’LL HAVE.

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“THE LOBSTER” Yorgos Lanthimos’ Most Recent Film Rides on the Crest of Greek Weird Wave Rachel Greene Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos has a flair for the surreal. Since his debut as a mainstream filmmaker, Lanthimos has won numerous awards and been praised for his sardonic, slightly unsettling world-view. As part of a new movement in Greek cinema, known as Greek Weird Wave to film critics, Lanthimos is helping pave the way for new, independent filmmakers in a country where statesponsored films are the norm.

Released in May 2016, “The Lobster” adds another dimension to Lanthimos’ oeuvre. The plot centers around David, played by Colin Ferrell, who is in danger of becoming an animal following his recent divorce. Lanthimos’ half-dystopian, half-sciencefiction world mandates that anyone who does not have a partner by a certain point in their life be turned into an animal of their choosing – David’s brother is a dog, of whom he takes care. You can probably guess what animal David requests to be turned into if he does not find a love interest by the end of his stay at a couple’s resort.

As David’s 45 allotted days at the resort dwindle, he tries unsuccessfully to find a partner, even going as far as to change his entire personality for the sake of remaining a human. Others in the resort force love.

Incapable of doing that, David eventually escapes and joins a group known as “The Loners” who live in the forest. As a rebel group, The Loners do not allow any

romantic relationships in their community. Naturally, David and another member of the Loners slowly fall in love. The film ends with their escape and the beginning of their reintegration into mainstream society.

Despite centering almost entirely around love, “The Lobster” is not romantic. In the film true love does not exist. One simply goes through the motions of finding and keeping a partner. Relationships, pseudo-romantic or otherwise, are marked with underlying tension. Although some people may be inclined to read it as a commentary on the modern dating scene, that seems far too reductive and Americentric. “The Lobster” may take place in the future, but it feels too timeless to be relevant to one specific time period.

“The Lobster” is weird. It left me slightly uneasy in the best way possible. I am still unsure if the ending is happy or sad. It is definitely not a “happily ever after” even though it meets the standards for one.

Lanthimos’ work is, perhaps, best described as “David Lynch meets Wes Anderson.” Lanthimos bends reality in such a way that makes major changes seem natural. Most of the dialogue is deadpan, revealing little emotion – but it works and is even poignant.

Lanthimos is different but not unfamiliar. “The Lobster” invites its viewers to branch out, to think about the surrounding world and to accept that sometimes there is no right answer.

| Caught Our Eye

The Empowering

BLOGGER

Written by Ashlyn Siske Photographs courtesy Samantha Busch Beauty, brains and a heart of gold – Samantha Busch has got it all and is a role model for young women across America.

Wife of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion, Kyle Busch, Samantha is no stranger to the spotlight. She has used her spotlight to help others, using the Kyle Busch Foundation and Samantha Busch: A Lifestyle Blog as a springboard for action.

Samantha is making a difference in the lives of young women and girls everyday through her two projects by promoting positive messages and providing support for those in need. At the same time, she is a full-time mother and wife who travels almost every weekend to racetracks across the nation.

The Kyle Busch Foundation

Kyle Busch established the Kyle Busch Foundation in 2005. In the beginning, his goal was to help children at children’s homes all over the country.

After a while, however, Kyle and Samantha decided to focus their efforts on Charlotte.

“We found that we really like the personal experiences, and we like to keep things close to home,” Busch said. “We can actually go there and visit to make sure we are really doing everything that they need.”

Busch is the executive coordinator of the foundation, or as she says, “the one who comes up with all the crazy ideas.” Busch focused the foundation on three main initiatives: The Bundle of Joy Fund, a prom dress drive and assisting children’s homes.

The Bundle of Joy Fund is the foundation’s main project. Busch, who struggled with infertility herself, felt it was only natural to help others going through the same process. Her own emotional journey to having her now 1-year-old son, Brexton, encouraged her to help other couples feel the same joy she does everyday as a mother.

Through July the foundation had helped 13 families undergo the in-vitro fertilization treatment and raised over $140,500 to help pay for the treatments.

“When you are going through hard things, it sucks, and you wonder why,” Busch said. “But honestly after seeing the things we have been able to do for other people, I am so happy that we struggled now.”

The prom dress drive is also a natural extension of Busch’s own life experiences. In high school she had to borrow a dress for her high-

school prom. This prompted her to create a prom dress drive, with dresses purchased by the foundation and donated by fans from all over the country.

“To a young girl, prom is everything, and I think a lot of times, since it’s something like prom, it is overlooked because it’s not about wellness,” Busch said.

She hopes to help more families and more young girls in the future.

She wants to fund more of the 40 to 50 applicants for the Bundle of Joy Fund and have them create their own happy families. With the prom dress drive, she hopes to ease more young girls’ worries about how they are going to afford their prom dresses. The growth she wants to see is in helping more women, couples and children in the Charlotte area.

So why does Busch keep writing her blog even though she is busy traveling full-time, raising her son Brexton and working with the foundation? She says she loves the relationships that she forms with the women who read her blog. Busch’s favorite part is when she meets these women and talks with them. Nine years ago Busch met a young girl at a race who was accepted to her alma mater. As a surprise, Busch put together a care package and sent it to the girl.

“Having a connection with these women is why I continue to do what I do,” she said.

Visit Samantha’s blog at samanthabusch.com, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ samanthabusch.

Caught Our Eye | C | 85

The Blog

Busch’s blog started out being popular among NASCAR communities and fans. The Purdue University graduate decided to create the blog as her own activity after she married her husband in 2011. Her blog showcases easy recipes, workouts, and her fashion and lifestyle posts.

She decided to start a blog after fans on Twitter asked her about different lifestyle routines and track outfits. Busch answered fans on Twitter, but she realized that those responses would be buried in her feed after a while. She wanted a place where fans could go and find her tips without scrolling endlessly through her posts. So she began posting different workout videos, recipe blogs and fashion posts on her own blog.

Most of the women who were asking questions are fans of her husband and NASCAR. Busch enjoys the fact that there are a good amount of women who enjoyed racing and wanted to be “girly girls.”

“I feel like there are a lot of women like me who enjoy sports and are also hard-core girls, so it’s been really fun,” Busch said.

If you go to any one of her blog posts and scroll to the comments, you will most likely find a comment from a mother

about how Busch is the perfect role model for her daughter. She feels humbled by these comments and loves any interactions she has with these women who look up to her. All of her posts send a message for young women to be comfortable in their own skin and to be true to themselves.

“I’m going to keep on staying true to myself, and I think that’s the best thing for a girl to learn,” Busch said. “Do what you love and be who you are.”

Busch’s most emotionally-moving post was her four-part story about her in-vitro fertilization journey, which she posted in 2014. This was Busch’s “rawest” post, and she contemplated a long time before writing it. She feared people would mock her and make judgements because she went through the in-vitro process. Instead readers accepted her journey with a loving embrace. Fans offered their congratulations and well wishes in the comments section. Some even shared their own stories of infertility or troubles with having children.

“I felt like God was saying I went through this for a reason, so he’s using me to do something good with it,” Busch said.

86 | C | Coordinate Me

OUTBOUND AND OUTFITTED Written and styled by Piper Anderson Photographed by Alexis Fairbanks

Whether you are exploring the snowy streets of Copenhagen or lounging in a Paris café, wearing effortless and comfortable clothing while you travel is a must. By choosing simple basics and sticking to soft neutrals that pair with anything, you can save space in your suitcase and still be a total fashionista. Layer with thick fabrics to keep warm in the chilliest weather.

ACCESORIZE ME, CAPTAIN Accessories not only make your outfit – they keep you cozy, too.

Choose fluffy wools and soft fleeces for maximum insulation. Also, a fun passport holder will make you smile and lessen the chances of losing your gateway to the world.

Purse Guess; hat Nine West; scarf The Gap; sunglasses L Squared Boutique; fingerless gloves Sundance; necklace Julie’s Boutique; passport holder Paperchase.

Coordinate Me | C | 87

EASY PEASY This no-fuss outfit is sleek, classy and perfect for busy itineraries.

Top White House | Black Market; jeans Levi’s; jacket TCEC; necklace Fedora Boutique; fingerless gloves Sundance; socks Free People; sunglasses L Squared Boutique; passport holder Paperchase.

COULTURE

FALL/WINTER 2016

THE COLORING BOOK

THIS IS YOUR COVER

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