Letter From the Editor
Horror & Fashion Article
Vampirism & Fashion Article
Witchery & Fashion Article
Interview With Mila Böjka
Interview With Alba Cruz
Glamour & Fashion Article
Why, hello there, ghouls. This secondary volume edition embarks to correlate themes of horror with fashion as a statement piece during the Halloween season. These themes display throughout the magazine in visual representations such as surrealism, glamour, fashionable gore, and pure campness. For most, Halloween is a favorable and nostalgic season. This is the reason that I chose to celebrate Halloween's core visual horror-based themes with the rest of the Diversify team. Although a plain explanation, how could anyone resist the nature of horror? After all, it is embedded in our societal roots.
Just as important, I must admit that the positive outpour for Diversify's debut volume astonished me. Therefore, from the bottom of my decomposing, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark heart — thank you. Lastly, Diversify invited several models from different brands, such as Admir Prestige, and Magnolia to showcase their artistic f in the spirit of Halloween. We are grateful to high these models' artistic visions.
Horror and fashion may seem like two completely different concepts, but they actuallyhavequiteabitincommon.For one, both horror and fashion are all about creating an effect. Whether it's a scary movie that's trying to make you jump out of your seat or a fashion show that's trying to dazzle you with the latest designs, both rely on creating a certainreactionintheiraudience.
Another similarity between horror and fashion is that both are highly creative genres. Some of the most iconic horror movies are known for their groundbreaking special effects, while theworldoffashionisalwayscomingup with new and innovative designs. Even though they're different mediums, both horror and fashion require a lot of imaginationandcreativitytosucceed.
In recent years, the two have become increasingly entwined. High fashion designers have been incorporating elementsofhorrorintotheircollections, and the runway shows have become increasingly theatrical affairs, complete with gothic sets and spooky soundtracks.
This trend has been embraced by the fashion world at large, with magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar featuring editorials with a dark, haunting edge. Even celebrities are getting in on the trend, with stars like RihannaandLadyGagaembracingtheir innergothforred-carpetevents.
So what is it about the horror that has captivated the fashion world? One theoryisthatitprovidesanescapefrom every day, a chance to tap into our primal fears and let our dark side run wild. Whatever the reason, there's no denying that horror and fashion make foradeadlycombination.
Horror and fashion are both industries that are constantly changing and evolving. What was fashionable yesterday might be out of style today, andwhatwasonceconsideredtooscary for the mainstream might eventually becomeamainstreamhit.Inbothcases, what's popular is always in flux, which keeps things interesting for both consumersandcreatorsalike.
Thehorrorgenrehasalwaysbeenoneof the most popular genres in movies and TV. In recent years, it has also become one of the most popular genres in fashion. Designers such as Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, and Ann Demeulemeester have all created collections inspired by the horror genre. These collections often feature dark colors, gothic details, and hauntingly beautifulclothes.
One of the most popular and enduring horror icons is the Vampire. Vampires are usually shown as fashionable, welldressed creatures who are often the center of attention. They are also often associated with sex and seduction. Another popular horror icon is the werewolf.Werewolvesareusuallyshown as large, hairy, and ferocious creatures. They are often seen as menacing and dangerous. However, they can also be shown as misunderstood and gentle creatures.
There has always been a love affair between horror films and fashion, whether through risk, danger, and seduction—horror implements the fear of the unknown and intrigue into the mind of its viewers. Scary monsters and cinematic super creeps inspire the fashionindustryalike,inspiringnolimits to the horrors that the media can producewithitsvogue.
Vampirism has been a popular theme in fashion for centuries. From the gothic looks of the Victorian era to the more modern and sleek looks of today, vampires have always been a source of inspiration for designers. The recent trend of " vampire chic" has brought vampirism back into the mainstream, with celebrities and everyday people alike embracing the dark and mysteriouslook.
Vampirism has been around for centuries, with the first documented case being in the early 18th century. At thattime,peoplebelievedthatvampires were real and that they could be killed by cutting off their heads or driving a stake through their hearts. In the 19th century, Bram Stoker's Dracula novel popularized the idea of vampires and vampire hunting. Today, vampirism is often used as a metaphor for addiction or other dark desires. It can also be seen as a form of self-expression, as in the gothsubculture.
Though the overall aesthetic of "vampirism" has not changed much in the last few hundred years, there have been some adjustments. Perhaps the mostobviouschangeisinfashion.While early vampires were known for their dark cloaks and hoods, modern vampires have adapted to the times and now often dress in all black. They also tend to wear more stylish and formfitting clothing to show off their inhumanlyperfectfigures.
Another change that has occurred is that vampires have become more open about their existence. In the past, they would only reveal themselves to those they knew they could trust. Nowadays, however, there are vampire clubs and social gatherings where like-minded individualscanmingleandnetwork.
The particular characteristics of vampires in the film Nosferatu are carried over into the vampires of Twilight. In both, the vampire is seen as an elegant creature with a dark and mysterious past. They are also both very stylish, with Nosferatu wearing a cape and Twilight's vampires wearing designer clothes. However, the vampires in Twilight are more clean-cut and wellgroomed than Nosferatu's vampires, whoaremorerough-looking.
Vampirism has had a big influence on fashion. The most popular style is the gothic look which consists of black clothing and dark makeup. This look is meanttoresemblethetraditionalimage of vampires. Vampire fashion also includes a lot of lace, ruffles, and velvet. ThesefabricsareoftenseeninVictorianstyleclothing.
Vampires have been a popular style icon for centuries. In recent years, vampire fashion has become more mainstream, with celebrities and everyday people alike sporting looks inspired by the undead. Whether it's dark clothing, gothic accessories, or simply a smoky eye, there are many ways to add a touch of vampirism to your style. If you're looking to add a bit of mystery and intrigue to your look, consider taking someinspirationfromvampires!
There are many style icons in the world of vampirism. Some of the most popular include the vampire Count Dracula, who is known for his dark and stylish clothing, and the vampire Lestat, who is known for his flashy and extravagant style. Other vampire-style icons include the vampire Elvira, who is known for her dark and sexy style, and the vampire Barnabas Collins, who is known for his classicandsophisticatedstyle.
October is the month wherein Wiccans viewSamhainasthepassingoftheyear, incorporating common Wiccan traditions into Halloween celebrations. With these traditions, Samhain celebrates the deceased with a festival onOctober31st,featuringabonfireand communions honoring those departed fromourworldlyrealm.
DuringtheseDruidtraditions,countless Wiccans incorporate their alternative fashion preferences into the Wiccan traditionsandtheirmereexistence.This fashion style incorporates powerful, magical, dark, and dramatic themes into its style influenced by witches, whether in a non-fiction or fairytale interpretation.
By night, Witchcore turns vampy — think black Latex attire from Balenciaga. Addressing Halloween as "Samhain", however, does not represent themodernwitchwholly.
Today, witchery revolves around the sentiment of normalizing a woman's darker side, reconnecting with Wiccan practices and sacred care, and representing individualism per person. There are plethoras of varying identities and aesthetics in witchery as a stylistic penchant.
For instance, 'Witchcore' is an aesthetic movement coined by the influencers of the TikTok generation and centers aroundcontemporarywitchcraft.
In 2020, Cottagecore garnered mainstream success. Similarly, Witchcore rise to celebrate the moody and beautiful world of Witchcore. Some individuals, however, step into radical territories with their adherence to their aesthetics and disregard the problematic aspects of their group approaches.
Witchcore is not for individuals that solely identify as witches. Witchcore is an admixture between Naturecore and Dark Academia with a dash of traditional witch elements. Simply, anything that you can envision that a witch would own or be associated with would appear in the aesthetic that is knownasWitchcore.Crystals,cauldrons, tarot cards — and of course, the infamousblackcat.
For clothing attire, black is a must — accompanied by pieces such as flowy clothing, silver jewelry, and oversized hats.Classicwitchattireinspirationmay derive from The Craft, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and most importantly, American Horror Story: Coven. As individualism is a profound asset in the Witchcore aesthetic, distinctive accessories are essential for the daily witch's closet. A traditional witch broom might even protect you fromalikelyLosSantosabduction.
Smudging or sage burning is a popular aspect of the Witchcore community. Most do not realize that this could be recognized as a form of cultural appropriation — in particular, appropriating Native American cultures. Indigenous people were once punished for practicing these traditions, prompting those that viewed the traditions as spiritual ceremonies with diminishedsupplies.
Witches, however, experienced prejudice in history prior to its acceptanceasamainstream"aesthetic". Witchcore has developed as a way to explore witchcraft in a non-threatening and non-stigmatized manner. Overall, the most important aspect of witchery andfashionisstayingtruetoone'sself.
Influenced by her parental figures, Mila's father was known as a renowned pianist, whereas her mother immersed her creativity in the artistic lens of painting. These inspirations provided Mila with a "love for the visual, playing withcolors,landscapes,compositions".
With an excessive push to the creative, Mila's passion developed from musical composition to the production of instrumentals to DJing: "Playing with tempos, BPM, and melodies... Making mashups of the music you like the most, then create new sounds by mixing two sounds that have nothing to do with each other. It's like production, that'swhatIenjoyedthemost."
In Los Santos' sonic soundscape, Mila has earned prestige for her alternative and fresh interpretation of musical production. In her own words, Mila states: "All that love, all that hate, both combined to form an overwhelming passion for the art, for the manipulation of sines." Truly, this statement emphasizes Los Santos' reactiontotheDJ'sunorthodoxsets.
"That's when I discovered the gay culture of Liberty City, mixing ballrooms, club kids, gay bars [...] It's another level. Love, support, a desire to excel."Straightforwardly,Milaaccounts for her musical inspirations deriving fromtechnomusicandgayculture.
"When I first got into this business, believe it or not, I was mixing pop but also EDM [...] Then Monique, a drag queen from a club I was playing in, told me one night, 'Girl... It's boring, try techno'. That night, when I got back to my studio as big as a broom closet, I did some research, composed a playlist, then played my first techno set, it was... a revelation."
"Thanks to gay culture, I was able to become the woman I am today [...] I felt, at that time, like the main protagonist of a techno cabaret [...] The origin of techno is the mixture of dance music and rock, under the wave of new technologies and the hijacking of electronic instrumentation, by the black, homosexual, and white minority cultures of Detroit. I feel it is my duty today to represent and offer Los Santos my own technocabaret."
At the age of nineteen, Alba Cruz began her modeling career for a sense of validation. "I enjoyed the spotlight on me and posting to social media, getting likes and followers," says Alba. Yet, the industry had its effects on the woman, despite its glamorized view through the lens of social media. The fashion industry for the womancuratedanimageofcontradictions.
"Itisnotjuststandinginfrontofalens, wearing pretty clothes, and striking a pose," Alba continues. "Some experiences have ruined it [modeling] for me but that is everywhere, especially when you're a model." As defined by Alba, the parallels between the modeling industries' positive and negative attributes muddy throughout thedurationofthemodel'sexperience.
Growing up in a divorced household, Cruz necessitated her place in the industry to seek validation. That said, discrimination remains an ostracizing experience for models alike. "Racial discrimination still exists and it's more cutthroat within smaller agencies," claims Alba. "Many models have also complained about being sexually harassed or have been hinted to carry out sexual favors for a better shoot," continues Alba's explanation of the unspoken labors for models. These unspoken labors were not Alba's sole concernswiththefashionindustry.
If this sounds excessively self-validating, that is because the fashion industry prospects models that are seeking selfvalidation, fame, and accessible monetary gain. "I strongly advice not to get lured into the agency just for pure fame and status with in mind," warns Alba. Yet another concern for Alba with the modeling industry is illustrated in her following statement: "Also, do stay away from predators and creeps. There's a lot of them in this industry that does not understand the art behind it and is solely focused on business."
"It's all in your head. What you do, what you say, what you think... it's all up there. If you've got good control over your brain, you will surely triumph over pressure and suppress it." Alba's statements validate the concernsthatthefashionindustryvisage.
Glamourinfashioncanbedefinedasan extravagant aesthetic. The two pair traditional accessories with shimmer to create an elegant appearance. As of recent, spotlight-stealing attire has marched ahead of the holidays. From cut-outs to low-rises, this minimalistic stylehaswonitsplaceinthemonthsof Autumn. These ingenious attires emerge as feverish trends amidst other stylisticchoices,readytoblossominthe upcomingseasonalmonths.
In the 1930s, the fashion landscape interchangeditsinfluencesduetofilms, and Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Shirley Temple. Classic, Golden Age, and Old Hollywood introduced classical glam silhouettes and fashion into the mainstream norm. Thus, Hollywood stars directly introduced fashion and propelled glamourasamainstreamsuccess.
Women's fashion saw profound change throughout history, from the Great Depression, World Wars, and the Cold War. With a limited income per person and the evident struggle faced by said individuals during these times, glamorous attire is understandably regarded as the least of the people's concerns. Nonetheless, the mainstream's glamorization of such marketed products through their starlets metamorphosed the fashion industrythatweasciviliansrecognizein the modern age, evolving past its originsinthecurrentfashionindustry.
The word "glam" formally means "extravagantly showy glamour", deriving from 1700s Scotland as a variant of Scottishgramaryemeaningmagicspell, said to enhance one's physical appearance. The word, "glamour," however conveys drama, luxury, and mystery. It is said that a glamorous person embodies all of these characteristics.
ClassicHollywoodmoviestarsexemplify glamour in their fancy, glitzy, sexy but elegant glamour chic aesthetic choices. Therefore, inspiration for such styles may derive from vintage films, redcarpet premieres, elaborate mansions, cocktails parties, haute-couture fashion shows, and exceptionally luxurious presentations of one's character. This burdens the question: How do modern women and men suit themselves for glamour?
Vogue Business reports a surge in elevated knitwear with embellishments, metallics, or cutouts. Traditional glamour is returning to its longestablished roots with mini-cocktail dresses, embellished tops, and volume. These trending illustrations exemplify therecommendedattireforthemodern person's closet pre and post the seasonaldraughtinessofFall.
Nevertheless, one's style has the potentialtofitintotheglamorousmold even without the finer luxuries. The most glamorous thing one can do is to radically and unapologetically be themselves.Glamourdoesnotrepresent a "one-size-fits-all" categorization, therefore, individualistic variations in stylereflectsterlingglamour.
As civilians, we may not have a blockbuster movie to star in, paparazzi to thump with our designer cars, or a redcarpettoattendbutthereareplenty ofreasonsforustowearpiecesthatare reminiscent of old Hollywood's romance and stardom. The reminiscent old Hollywood starlet image influences confidence, self-care, determination, andalluretoattracttheoppositeand/or samesexforaperson'swhims.
strike a pose.
Faith Labelle
Alora & Faith Labelle
Rosemary "Vodka Kitty Princess" Clarke
Heaven Ansley
Piper Labelle
Chloe Hendricks
Ashley Hendricks
Faith Labelle
Mila Böjka
Maxwell Trevino
Alba Cruz
Genevieve Monet
Kendra Lavigne
Paloma "Gordibuena" Gaitán
Maxwell Trevino
Faith Labelle
