THE EDGE VOL. 11, ISSUE 1 ELON, NC
THE POWER OF
Bees
MINIMALISM + HAPPINESS
in the Home
THE
Fashion
LAW
LETTER FROM THE
I
editor
t’s that time of year, once again, when we reset. We reset our states of mind, our goals and resolutions, and hopefully our direction in life for the new year. It’s also a time to refocus our thoughts and recenter ourselves around the values of family, generosity, and peace. This semester at The Edge has been no exception to the regenerative mindset that accompanies the transition into a new year. In welcoming several bright minds, increasing online production, and refining and unifying our approach to functioning as a team, things felt very new around here—even for me, a seasoned contributor.
For me in particular, this December marks the end to a formative and meandering three-and-a-half-year journey with The Edge. After experiencing the magic of seven semesters and seven issues, I am proud that this particular issue marks my final goodbye. I am proud of the staff, nearly half of whom joined us for the first time this past September and whose enduring dedication to and love for this publication is refreshing. I am proud of the many leaders whose time at The Edge is also coming to an end. I can only hope that they’ll enter this new season of life not only with the same sense of pride that I feel for what they have accomplished here, but with a renewed, inspired and clear state of mind. I hope that our readers will do the same. Whether you take with you into this new year our advice on curating a minimalist mindset (page 20), a game-changing skin care routine (page 10), or a newfound understanding of the necessity to vote in the 2020 election (page 14), I hope this issue will leave you feeling regenerated. At The Edge, we strive to encourage our readers to always accept their strengths and faults as they are—but to never refrain from bettering and expanding themselves as a student, a creative, and an individual. What better time to do just that than amidst the beginning of a new decade? With that, I present our December issue.
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Do The Harder Thing : Body Image in the Fashion Industry Skincare Game Changers Please Vote Do Colleges Really Care About Mental Health? Minimalism and Happiness in the Home, Heart and Head The Power of Bees Raw Fashion How Do We Do It All? Student’s Best Friend Meeting The Finish Line: Interview with a Former Vogue Editor So, You Like Me, But You Ghost Me? The Fashion Law The Modern Princess Diaries: That Meghan Markle Sparkle
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THE EDGE Editor in Chief Cally Crocco Creative Director Johanna Hilpuesch Design Chief Sara Murphy Director of Photography Joyce Llopis-Martell Copy Chief Nina Crocco Fashion Editor Caroline Saviano Assistant Editor Hannah Jablonski Writer Julia Forman Writer Madison Lemone Writer Marielle Wanner Writer Victoria Marsh Beauty & Wellness Editor Ali Goodman Assistant Editor Lydia Elste Writer Brooke Wilten Writer Brynne Arsenault Writer Grace Badger Lifestyle Editor Fiona Didato Assistant Editor Meredith Touhy Writer Adriana DeLuca Writer Ali Scheinfeld Writer Gabriela Rivas- De Leon Writer Maddie Distenfeld Features Editor Melissa Beck Assistant Editor Ashley Tatum Writer Julia Oakes Writer MaryKate Forte Writer Samantha Steinman Writer Sarah Deloach Designers Zoe Lewis Paige Minsky Grace Fessler John Blakeslee Ashley Babigian Meghan Kimberling
Photographers Erin Pattie Ciani Foy Alec Mandell Gabby Dunlevy Kristin Leechow Leah Hottenstein
Digital Media Social Media Coordinator Jackie Dieker Director of Video Sierra Leavenworth Video Assistant Jazmin Bender
STAFF
picks
WHAT WE’VE BEEN LOVING IN 2019
CALLY CROCCO | EDITOR IN CHIEF
Loyal follower of: @theedgemag, duh! Holy grail product: Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream Gold or silver jewelry: Dainty silver every day
JOHANNA HILPUESCH | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Loyal follower of: @maddiecastellano … for her baby Holy grail product: Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil Gold or silver jewelry: Is it illegal to wear both? Oops
SARA MURPHY | DESIGN CHIEF
Loyal follower of: @lizzobeeating Holy grail product: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Gold or silver jewelry: Gold hoops and anything that matches
NINA CROCCO | COPY CHIEF
Loyal follower of: All things HGTV Holy grail product: SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. Glow Gold or silver jewelry: What about rose gold?!
JOYCE LLOPIS-MARTELL | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Loyal follower of: @adolescentcontent !! Creative projects by dope individuals Holy grail product: Glossier Glitter Gelée Gold or silver jewelry: GOLD!! Hoops, rings, and chain$
CAROLINE SAVIANO | FASHION EDITOR Loyal follower of: @boyslie Holy grail product: Anastasia DIPBROW Gold or silver jewelry: White gold
ALI GOODMAN | BEAUTY & WELLNESS EDITOR
Loyal follower of: @SomethingNavy and @TheEdgeMag! Holy grail product: Rose Floral Toner by Fresh Gold or silver jewelry: Simple and silver for sure
FIONA DIDATO | LIFESTYLE EDITOR Loyal follower of: @sussexroyal Holy grail product: Drunk Elephant moisturizer Gold or silver jewelry: Minimalistic gold!
MELISSA BECK | FEATURES EDITOR
Loyal follower of: @callherdaddy Holy grail product: St. Tropez Tanning Mousse Gold or silver jewelry: Silver baby :)
SIERRA LEAVENWORTH | DIRECTOR OF VIDEO
Loyal follower of: Anything travel but @vanlife.journal is my guilty pleasure Holy grail product: Fenty Beauty Highlighter Duo Gold or silver jewelry: I’m THAT girl who mismatches but def gold at heart
HOW THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS HELPING AND HURTING BODY IMAGE, FEATURING THE GARMENT PROJECT. CAROLINE SAVIANO | FASHION EDITOR 6 | FASHION
FASHION | 7
“Every time I was faced with a decision, I would ask myself, ‘What would make my eating disorder angrier?’ And then I would do exactly that.”
8 | FASHION
of what fashion is about.
PHOTOGRAPHER | JOYCE LLOPIS-MARTELL MODEL | KALLE-ANNE NASSOURA
FASHION | 9
Changers Skincare Game
ALI GOODMAN BEAUTY & WELLNESS EDITOR
10 | BEAUTY & WELLNESS
T
he skincare and cosmetic industries are unlike most. Walking into Sephora can either feel like a wonderland of saving graces or a jungle of overpriced products. With new products and brands popping up what seems like every day, the market is flooded with every type of moisturizer and face mask you could ever want. Every once in a while, new companies surface with products that stir the pot. Without these game changers, the beauty industry would lack the creativity and innovation that set it apart.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS | 11
Seemingly everyone has heard of Glossier, unless, of course, they’ve been living under a rock for the past two years. This brand focuses on creating hydrating skincare products first and makeup second. This an uncommon approach for a beauty brand, yet it’s brilliantly effective. Through their chic and feminine packaging and minimal products, Glossier seems to have the perfect formula for maximum social media coverage and a cult following.
your hair shiny and smelling fresh. They stick to what they know and exclusively focus on creating the best hair products from a natural ingredient: honey!
Kopari is another brand that found their niche and created products that make you feel like you’re on a tropical vacation 24/7. The cruelty-free, vegan company uses coconut as the base for all of their products. They’re best known for their simplest product, the coconut melt. It’s exactly Glossier products do a great job at covering the basics in what you think it is, just coconut oil, yet it will quickly a powerful way. They don’t have a massive range of prod- become one of your favorites. It smells absolutely dreamy ucts or anything too crazy, however their basic everyday and is simple enough to use for just about anything. They products will quickly become your holy grails. Their just released on-the-go coconut melt wipes too, so you serums and moisturizers are beautifully minimal, perfect can have a little boost of hydration without carrying around for the everyday. One of their newer products “Bubble a bottle of lotion in your purse. Their design is genius. Wrap” uses ingredients such as avocado oil and blueberry extract to give your under eyes and lips the perfect plump Aside from the coconut melt, they make other fun prodand hydration they need. All of their products put a cute ucts as well. They have a mineral face sunscreen that’s the twist on the basics while actually proving to be effective. perfect SPF for daily wear. They also make everything from a natural deodorant to a coconut crush body scrub and Anese is a skincare company that’s relatively new to the charcoal-coconut toothpaste. Kopari truly does it all yet game. They throw traditional out the window and make stays true to their holy grail, coconuts. fun products loaded with sarcasm and spunk. They began in 2016 and have caused a stir in the industry ever since. Drunk Elephant may have an odd name, but their products are no joke. The founder Tiffany Masterson created prodThey don’t create just your typical face mask. Their prod- ucts that were effective and free of harmful ingredients. As ucts include a “Down with the Thickness” booty mask and she puts it, “Skin is skin. It knows what to do if we let it.” a “Calm Your Tits” mask for, you guessed it, boobs! They They don’t use any fragrances in their products either. take hints from pop-culture in their names as well. Some While their products are definitely pricey, in our experiof our favorites include the “Bless This Mess” body and ence they have been well worth it. Their quirky packaging hair elixir, and the “Can I Speak to your Manager?” facial and creative branding set them apart in the industry. toner. Their product names are perfectly witty and exactly what the industry needs. Plus, they never test on animals! 2019 overall has been a year of strange trends. It began This is a company we can get behind. with jade rollers and evolved into beauty fridges, that’s right, mini fridges just to keep your skin care products Gisou hair products began with an influencer and a family nice and cold. Both fall under the category of things we of beekeepers. Negin Mirsalehi started her Instagram never thought we would need yet suddenly can’t live account in 2012 and has since accumulated 5.6 million without. These tools are definitely game changers for followers, started her own hair care company, and been your beauty routine, especially when paired with the named one of Forbes 30 under 30. The Netherlands-based products above. blogger used her family’s history of beekeeping to create products unlike any other. All of these companies are successful for different reasons, but all have certain quirks that set them apart. Their first product was a honey-infused hair oil that does Regardless of their cute packaging and social media wonders for your hair. They found their niche and create marketing tactics, none would be as well-known as they all bee-based hair care. Honey not only moisturizers hair are if they weren’t effective. These brands have mastered but also provides vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants the art of creating high quality products that captivate to keep it strong and healthy. One of their signature prod- consumers. We applaud them for their creativity, whether ucts is their honey infused hair perfume, which leaves our wallets want us to or not. 12 | BEAUTY & WELLNESS
PHOTOGRAPHER | KRISTIN LEECHOW
BEAUTY & WELLNESS | 13
SAMANTHA STEINMAN
14 | FEATURES
PHOTOGRAPHER | ERIN PATTIE MODEL | MEGHAN KIMBERLING
of obtaining an absentee ballot and submitting it via mail. FEATURES | 15
Do colLeges really care about
? h t l a e h mental FIONA DIDATO | LIFESTYLE EDITOR
16 | LIFESTYLE
T
wo free absences, and if you miss more your grade will suffer. These two days should be used as sick days for you to rest. This is a standard shared by many professors at most colleges, and it’s typically on most teachers’ syllabi here at Elon. While encouraging class attendance is important, college students tend to suffer from more than just a bad cold or an annual flu keeping them from attending a few classes here and there. I know, shocking. Not only are college students falling ill from the seasonal plague that is the flu, but many are also quietly suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. If you think this sounds like a broken record, there’s a reason why: Barely anything has been done to combat this issue. Here at Elon University, there are seven counselors at the disposal of its students, and this number was an increase from their recent number of counselors in past years. Sure, colleges like Elon might expand their counseling services, but the fact that a ratio of one counselor for every 777 students is better than the recommended ratio is a bit startling. The International Association of Counseling Services suggests at least one counselor for every 1,000-1,500 students. Counseling is one way to accommodate those with mental illness, but that’s about as far as some colleges go. At Elon, students can apply under counseling/health services for granted extensions on assignments and projects in order to assist those struggling with mental illness. Colleges at large, however, tend to put physical illness before mental issues related to stress, anxiety and depression... without even noticing it. Physical illnesses seem as though they are deemed more important, and they are accommodated for, which is great, and also necessary. But mental health days are just as important. According to an article in The LIFESTYLE | 17
New York Times, a 2017 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 34-year-olds. Schools need to start addressing the serious issue of mental health within their student body, as it is unfortunately not uncommon for college students to experience suicidal thoughts or actions. One simple way in which colleges can further accommodate those struggling with mental illness is expanding on a system they already have for physical illnesses, and that would be by establishing mental health days.
things such as the paid maternity leave, and take pride in always being busy. This is not a healthy work culture, and the same culture is being instilled in a generation whose stress, anxiety, and depression levels have drastically increased compared to previous generations. With mental health days, I don’t mean taking a day off to sleep in just because, hang out with friends, or paint your nails. Anyone quietly suffering with mental health would tell you that is most definitely not the case.
We can say from personal experience with mental health problems that taking a mental health day can help a lot. Obviously, it doesn’t completely fix it, and it shouldn’t be expected to. But, like therapy, it helps you take some muchneeded time to help yourself get through each week.
These days would simply be to tend to yourself and do what you need to do to better yourself and your mental health, much like sick days. Like sick days, an individual can’t decide or foreshadow when they won’t feel mentally well enough to go to class. It isn’t a choice, and one certainly would not choose to deal or suffer with mental illness.
American culture is notorious for never taking time to breathe, specifically in the work place. Americans work around the clock, have debates about regulations regarding
College is an especially stressful time of our lives with going to class, planning for the future, dealing with heavy workloads, and experiences the complications young adult life
18 | LIFESTYLE
PHOTOGRAPHER | GABBY DUNLEVY MODELS | SAMANTHA STEINMAN, MEGHAN KIMBERLING, ABBY NOYES, ALI GOODMAN
STRESSFUL
presents. Having people around you that understand this truly helps, especially teachers and the school itself. Yes, schools acknowledge mental health is a serious issue, but rarely is anything done about it apart from designated mental health awareness days and possibly bringing a speaker to campus. You get two penalty-free days from class, and it’s just not enough. Designating specific days for those who may not want open up to teachers about what they’re struggling with can dramatically help. Not everyone would be comfortable with emailing
their teacher to explain they can’t go to class because they just had an anxiety attack. It might be more comfortable to say they need to take a mental health day and for there to be an understanding between both the student and teacher.
Mental health is something people don’t always see from the outside, but it is definitely there for those who struggle with it on a daily basis. Mental health days have the capability to help many students that are struggling mentally to go to class just so they can keep a grade up by a few percentage points. Two free days does not make room for both the physical and mental well-being of college students. LIFESTYLE | 19
Minimalism and Happiness in the Home, Heart, and Head CALLY CROCCO | EDITOR IN CHIEF 20 | COVER STORY
W
e really, really like buying stuff. No, like really. Americans have a tendency to overspend in almost every area, particularly on extraneous, material items. Don’t get us wrong, we love a fresh bottle of Mario Bedesco facial mist or a flashy new Aritzia sweater—that looks a little too much like the one we already own—just as much as the next person. But there comes a point when extra stuff begins to take a toll on our happiness.
searching for the perfect ‘fit, you suddenly can’t believe how many skimpy, stained crop tops you have. You suddenly recall buying those neon pink stilettos that you wore that one time to that one date party. You suddenly notice all the junk that you bought and will simply never wear again or never wore in the first place. Whether it’s stained, ripped, doesn’t fit, or doesn’t flatter you or is a shocking color that was in two seasons ago—it’s junk.
Cue the capsule wardrobe. Often times, minimalism Minimalism is a healthy lifestyle shift that is gaining and capsule wardrobes go hand in hand. A capsule global popularity with the help of Netflix series “Tidying wardrobe is a small collection of seasonal pieces that Up with Marie Kondo” and The Minimalists—two men can be mixed and matched to create dozens of outfits. with a blog, a book, and a podcast on a mission to help Not only is it easier on the wallet to own very few people discover the freedom that comes with owning less. pieces, but it’s easier on the eyes when everything in The Minimalists, Joshua and Ryan, define minimalism as your closet works within the same color family—not to this: a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focus- mention easier on your sanity when literally everything ing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, in your closet can be paired together. fulfillment, and freedom. We suggest opting for neutral basics and keeping the At The Edge, colorful makeup, inspiring and eclectic glitter, neon, and feathers to a minimum. A typical wardrobe pieces, and quirky beauty finds like jade roll- capsule wardrobe includes a few tops, a few bottoms, no ers are our bread and butter. We don’t suggest forgoing more than two dresses, no more than two outerwear these items in the name of minimalism because it’s not pieces, and a few pairs of shoes. There is no optimal about owning as few items as possible. Heck, if jade roll- number here; some people could make due with just 30 ing is what gets you up in the morning, then we want you pieces including accessories, while some feel that 10 to own the best jade roller out there. But we’d also like items from each clothing category is just right. We’ll put to share some wisdom on how eliminating clutter in your it this way, with just three tops, three bottoms, and three home can make room for better things: peace, happiness, pairs of shoes (that all work together) you can make— and quiet in your head and your heart. wait for it—27 outfits! Almost a whole month! There’s math behind it, trust us. There are three main categories of stuff that we typically own: the needs, the wants, and the junk. The needs are Using a capsule wardrobe each season has many benenon-negotiable things such as a place to live, clothes to fits from eliminating the urge to splurge on that fringed, wear, and food to eat. The wants are nonessential things purple jacket to simplifying and minimizing the time that make life more enjoyable—think eye cream, hair acces- spent choosing an outfit each morning. Even saving sories, candles, and the like. In the quest for a simpler and just 10 minutes getting dressed in the morning can happier life, joy is the ultimate goal. So, no, we don’t help you afford 10 minutes later in the day to stop for suggest sacrificing all of your wants if they bring you genu- a coffee, sit down to enjoy a quick breakfast, or go for ine joy. What we do suggest you do is limit the junk. a nice mid-day walk to clear your head. It also guarantees a shopping spree at the beginning of each season Let’s start with clothes. Think about standing in front of to build that perfect, coordinated capsule. (or inside of if you’re living the Carrie Bradshaw life) your closet debating what to wear before a nice day out with Under the bathroom sink and inside your medicine cabifriends. We’ve all been there, in our bra and underwear, net bring up a whole other can of worms. The dark cave already running 12 minutes late and feeling like we have behind our bathroom mirrors tends to be a hub for absolutely nothing to wear. As you scour the floor hoarding products—some empties that need to be COVER STORY | 21
PHOTOGRAPHER | ALEC MANDELL MODEL | SOPHIA GIUFFRE
repurchased, some stashed for when a favorite product runs out, and some forgotten about all together. If faced with having to pack skincare, body care≤ and makeup for a week-long vacation, many would opt to leave over half of those forgotten products at home. C’mon, we know you’ve got them. A Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea body cream that probably expired in 2010? Yep. A Victoria’s Secret body spritz that reminds you of changing in the girls’ locker room after gym class? We’ve got that one too. 22 | COVER STORY
While we have yet to discover the medicine cabinet equivalent of a capsule wardrobe, we do have some tips on how to clear out that space and rid yourself of the junk. Marie Kondo, founder of the Konmari method of tidying up and subject of the Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” suggests this approach: empty out all like items, i.e. all beauty related things, sort them into three categories (keep, toss, or donate), and then return them to their proper home. The key here is that every single item
has a proper home which eliminates the need to stockpile half-used products in a junk drawer. In theory, no such drawer would even exist. A good approach to organizing beauty products is to designate a specific space, such as a single drawer, to one category of product. For example: a hair drawer for hot tools, a makeup drawer for your everyday go-to products, and a shelf designated only to your skin care regime, and so on. See if you can pare back your products to fit within their designated space and live with just that small selection. If you don’t want to part with your arsenal of scented body butters just yet, pack them away into a sealed box—you may be surprised by how infrequently you reach for them, if at all.
Getting rid of junk not only frees up physical space, but its the first step to cultivating a
minimalist mindset. So yes, there is such a thing as too much makeup and too many pairs of shoes. When they become useless is when they become a problem… and we know you have loads of useless in the back of your closet or under the bathroom sink. We encourage you to stop and consider just how much stuff you have. Having less isn’t having nothing. It’s stripping down the junk to the bare minimum, leaving only the things you simply cannot part with because they serve you well or bring you immeasurable joy. Getting rid of junk not only frees up physical space, but it’s the first step to cultivating a minimalist mindset. COVER STORY | 23
24 | COVER STORY
You’ll find you have more money—like actual money, not money in the form of things you bought and left the tags on. That money could be saved, spent on travel, or used to experience memorable events. You’ll find you have more time. Time saved picking out an outfit in the morning is time gained for when you just can’t even and need to take five during the work day. You may even find you have more mental space. Clutter places a subconscious burden on us that we can’t always pinpoint. Having extra stuff may cause you to carry the burden of feeling guilty for your impulse buys. Having extra stuff may make you feel physically overwhelmed simply because it’s there, overwhelming your walls, your desk, and your nightstand. The freedom of having more space, money, and time are sure to feed into greater happiness. It all starts with the stuff you have in your house and leads to happiness in your heart and your head. In the words of The Minimalists, ask yourself, “How might your life be better if you owned fewer material possessions?”
COVER STORY | 25
bees b
THE POWER OF
H
oney: nature’s liquid gold and the only food to have an indefinite shelf life. Bees, honey, and other bee products are the closest nature gets to making pure magic. Because bees have been around for 130 million years, extensive research has been done on the beauty benefits of bee products. These products include raw honey, beeswax, royal jelly, and bee pollen, all of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them amazing for the human body. What makes them even more special is that every bee product can be produced naturally, avoiding the harmful side effects that come with chemical use in many other beauty products. Bees not only provide us with products with major health benefits, but they are essential for the survival of the ecosystem. Bees are in charge of pollinating basically every plant in existence. They are so important to all life, but for now we’ll stick to how bees can help boost our health.
26 | BEAUTY & WELLNESS
BROOKE WILTEN
The first thing you might think of when it comes to our fuzzy, buzzy little friends is honey. The use of raw honey dates back to the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Indians. They used it for treating wounds, infections, colds, and insomnia, among other things. Raw honey is known to be an antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-irritant. Nutritionally, it contains antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, phenolics (those molecules that are responsible for its antioxidant properties), peptides, organic acids and a variety of beneficial enzymes. When mixed with water and hydrogen peroxide, raw honey can clear blemishes and imperfections. Some other bee products and their health benefits include royal jelly, a thick honey-like substance that is produced from bee pollen and natural enzymes. It can improve glucose tolerance and mental well-being. It also keeps skin hydrated and deters bacterial infections, whether it’s eaten or used as a topical lotion.
BEAUTY & WELLNESS | 27
“WHEN MIXED WITH WATER AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, RAW HONEY CAN CLEAR BLEMISHES AND IMPERFECTIONS.”
28 | BEAUTY & WELLNESS
Two other favorites are bee pollen and beeswax. Bee pollen is severely underrated as THE superfood. It gives your cells every enzyme, vitamin, amino acid, and mineral they need for healthy regeneration. Cellular regeneration means less pronounced wrinkles, faster healing time for wounds, a youthful appearance through an increase in collagen, and a shorter lifespan for scars.
oh, honey!
PHOTOGRAPHER | KRISTIN LEECHOW
Beeswax is similar to bee pollen but is applied directly to the skin instead of ingested. It’s organic, which means it won’t clog pores, and it contains hundreds of micronutrients to help soften skin by moisturizing through each layer. It also prevents acne flare-ups, something no one looks forward to, by strengthening the skin’s protective barrier against dirt, which often tends to get stuck in pores.
So, the next time you’re looking for a health refresh, look through your local organic grocery store for things like bee pollen, raw manuka honey, royal jelly, and beeswax products. Not only are they good for you, but supporting the industry helps raise awareness about the importance of bees in the world that we all call home and can hopefully continue to do so for generations to come. BEAUTY & WELLNESS | 29
30 | FASHION
DEFINING RAW FASHION — A MINIMALIST STYLE CONCEPT — WITH INSIGHT FROM KKW BEAUTY MODEL AND FASHION MINIMALIST, TORIN ASHTUN
VICTORIA MARSH
FASHION | 31
I
n recent years, we have seen just how quickly clothing trends can lose speed and momentum. After buying into popular clothing, it often goes out of style. This aggravates consumers, places stress on the industry, and creates the challenge of keeping up with season looks. Clothing should be an opportunity to highlight authenticity over imitation and foster genuine fashion. Raw fashion emphasizes the basic forms that go into creating bold looks.
It relies on warm and cool toned color palettes that compliment clothing and highlight the chicness of minimalism. Influenced by styles from the 1980s and 1990s, it also reinforces the fact that feminine clothing is not limited to skirts and dresses. Raw fashion involves essential pieces like the classic blazer. A blazer can be buttoned up or not based on the occasion or the energy the wearer wants to emit. For everyday wear, the unbuttoned style is recommended! This gives
it a relaxed fit while the collar flatters the neckline and creates a chic look. There has been debated over whether blazers should have cinched waists or boxy shapes. While cinched waists are traditionally viewed as feminine, a looser fit is a classic style that women should not be afraid to wear. The upside of raw fashion is that forms are integrated to provide balance. Oversized and tailored pieces are paired together instead of being styled with clothes of the same fit, which brings a look from trendy to sophisticated. A loose-fitting blazer, for instance, when styled over a fitted top can balance shapes to maintain classic style. The same can be said for trousers. This sleek alternative to skirts lengthens the body and lends a fashion-forward go-to for the colder months. The trouser is a piece traditionally worn by men. In the 1800s, many people held that women did not need to dress for functionality. The comfort of pants was not seen as something that women required, but this changed in the 20th century. World War II resulted in women working in place of the soldiers sent overseas. As skirts and machinery did not mix, pants became widely accepted, and with strong figures such as Rosie the Riveter, an image that challenged gender norms, pants for women lost much of their stigma, and we are not complaining. Today, the trouser is more accessible and accepted for women. It is seen in workwear as a powerful statement. Still, its fabric holds years of controversy, and that makes it a daily symbol of female empowerment. Raw fashion highlights the beauty within strong pieces such as the trouser to emphasize that clean lines and shapes are not specific to gender.
32 | FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHER | JOYCE LLOPIS-MARTELL MODELS | AVERY KUTIS & KALI CLOUGHERTY
FASHION | 33
Raw fashion is a lank
b as v n ca
34 | FASHION
When taking the time to speak with KKW Beauty model Torin Ashtun, the focus was on her bold, minimalist style. She plays with shapes and prints without creating an excessive look and seems to do so effortlessly. Ashtun’s social media account even displays a refined curation of her everyday looks. So, the question is, how did she develop such a balance between subdued and striking fashion?
Cultural and familial roots were Ashtun's source of style inspiration, and handmade clothing molded her appreciation for craftsmanship. By engaging with timeless pieces, Ashtun’s style thrives within modern fashion and doesn’t get lost in the trends. The attempt to find or make clothing that is tailored to the individual is what raw fashion emphasizes.
“Growing up I watched my mom make everything herself,” Ashtun said. “My personal style, which consists of browns and petite, form-fitting clothing, was motivated by putting my touch on every piece of clothing I own. Most pieces I hand made myself, and for the pieces I bought, I tailored each one to flatter my shape. I also take much of my color/ shape inspiration from fine African Art.”
Pieces such as trousers and blazers are classic staples, but they are not all there is to raw fashion. Details like ruching, belts, and hair accessories are minor details that make a major impact on the overall look. Raw fashion is a blank canvas that gives the freedom to focus on tailoring, accessorizing, and learning what makes you feel confident enough to conquer each day.
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36 | FEATURES
HOW DO WE DO IT ALL JULIA OAKES
PHOTOGRAPHER | LEAH HOTTENSTEIN MODEL | FIONA MCNAMARA
? FEATURES | 37
We all know Elon is not one to skimp on professional development, as some of our majors even require internships and professional experience before we’re able to get our degrees and scurry off into the real world. But why settle for simply fulfilling requirements when you have the opportunity to build impressive skills and far-reaching networks?
College is a major slam to our bank accounts. So, whether your on-campus job requires five working hours each week or 10, a little extra money in your pocket is never a bad thing. (Cha-ching!)
Aside from thriving off of tuition, colleges thrive off of the work of its students. The creative ideas and perspectives Whether you’re writing articles for the School of Commu- put forth by students are some that typically seem to be unnications, working with Campus Recreation & Wellness, matched by faculty. or contacting alumni for the Student Professional Development Center, networking with others is a part of your For one of Elon’s student worker mentors, student workdaily to-do list. ers are what make the university function as smoothly as it does, as it is the students who offer insight that supervisors It’s these jobs and internships that provide us with net- and faculty, perhaps, wouldn’t necessarily recognize. working and professional skills that might not always be taught in a course curriculum. Colin Donohue, director of School of Communications student engagement and alumni affairs, instructor, and stuAlly Rardon ’21, a student ambassador for the SPDC, said, dent worker mentor said, “For some of the jobs, especially “For professional development, I think it’s really import- the ones that, perhaps, require a little more creativity, be ant that I’m learning those skills... that I may not necessar- it through writing or design or photography, I think it’s ily learn in class.” great to have students in these roles because they can bring unique perspectives. They can view things through the lens In addition to all of the (super impressive) professional expe- of students, of their peers.” rience and contacts we may connect with in our perspective fields, on-campus jobs help our ever-so-empty wallets. From And really, what would a university be without the work of one group of college students to the next, we know a thing its students? Well, probably just the faculty. Where’s the or two about the good old cry home to mom and dad to ask fun in that? for extra cash. The benefits of having an on-campus job are truly endless. “Having some sort of income, no matter the amount, gives Souped-up resumés , professional experience, networking me the chance to do fun things off campus with friends, like skills, extra cash... the list goes on and on. But again, havgoing out to a nice dinner or seeing a movie,” said Erin Wood ing an additional responsibility to have to manage can be ’22, a student worker for Campus Recreation & Wellness. tough to take on. 38 | FEATURES
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PHOTOGRAPHER | ALEC MANDELL MODEL | ERIN MAYBACH
Student's Best Friend
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ADRIANNA DELUCA
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few weeks into my freshman year at Elon, there was a message in our dorm’s GroupMe that went something along the lines of this: “Hi everyone, I have decided to bring my dog to live wtih me as an emotional support animal to help me cope with anxiety. Ift his makes anyone uncomfortable or if you are allergic, please reach out to me.” That was the end of the conversation, and a few days later we had a little brown dog running up and down the hall. This was three years ago, and since then, the trend has grown a ton. Having been in college for only a few weeks at that point, however, I was surprised yet relieved that there would be an animal in close proximity. As a lifelong animal lover, one of the hardest parts about college has always been not being able to see my own dogs for months on end. Last year, Elon senior Erin Maybach welcomed Winnie, an eight-week-old poodle mix puppy, into her off-campus apartment. Maybach adopted Winnie for the added companionship but also for Winnie to be later trained to help her manage her anxiety and ease her panic attacks. As a student, it may seem like there is no time for any added commitments like taking care of a dog. For Maybach, however, Winnie has helped keep her accountable and prioritize her to-do’s. “For me, having a dog has helped my anxiety and stress levels so much,” Maybach said. “Having a reminder to take breaks throughout my day to play with my dog or take care of her helps me stay present and not get too caught up in the daily mayhem.”
In 2018, a study conducted by the American College Health Association reported that 63 percent of students had experienced “overwhelming anxiety” within the past year. This may be contributing to the spike in ESAs on college campuses. Not only do animals provide companionship, but they can also be a reminder of home, which can comfort those suffering from anxiety in the environment of college. “Sometimes, it makes me anxious because it has become a kind of loophole to getting your dog on a plane for free,” Maybach said. “It has become a bit of a stressor because I didn’t want it to be misconstrued why I had Winnie. I don’t want people thinking I am just in it for the loophole.” Every college has to comply with the Fair Housing Act regulations, which include the law that makes it illegal to ban an ESA from living with a student, whether that be in a dorm or in off-campus housing. There are currently 41 registered ESAs on Elon’s campus. “One thing that I do want people to understand is how uncomfortable it can be when someone asks ‘Oh, what does she do for you?’” Maybach said. “I do understand there is a lot of curiosity, but it is also a very vulnerable thing to talk about what she does for me and my own mental health because it is not necessarily something I want to be completely open with with strangers.”
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are different from service animals since they aren’t allowed in most public buildings and do not have to be trained to perform a specific task to assist their owners as service dogs do. Although the scientific evidence for the benefits of ESAs may be limited, the majority of the population understands the feeling you get when you come home after a long day and your four-legged creature races to greet you. “I even see it with my friends, even if they don’t have diagnosed mental health issues. Everyone has tough days at school,” Maybach said. “I think everyone benefits from Winnie’s presence even if they didn’t know they needed it ... She definitely has a positive effect on people.” LIFESTYLE | 41
Meeting the finish
Line
A former Vogue editor gives The Edge insight into her decision to leave one of the biggest names in fashion to create her own special line:
La Ligne
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eredith Melling is one of the three minds behind the high-end brand, La Ligne, that is set apart by its incorporation of the stripe into each and every one of its clothing pieces. Ironically enough, Melling had certainly earned her stripes in the world of fashion before embarking on her own creative journey. Beyond the designs, the brand itself is uniquely distinct in its presentation. The candid Instagram posts, handwritten fonts, storybook collections, and the members of “La Bande,” all serve as an integral part of what makes the brand unique. “La Bande” is a group of seriously accomplished women who proudly wear their stripes, including Nicole Richie, Mindy Kaling, and Ashley Benson. Melling’s clothes can be worn by just about anyone, and her brand is easily loved by just about everyone. I worked as an intern at La Ligne this summer at their SoHo office and got to know the ins and outs of a brand that is constantly evolving. Melling showed my fellow interns and I what it takes to keep a company moving and growing while also maintaining an immaculate store on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side. In this interview, Melling speaks to her time at Vogue and how she found her happily ever after along a different line. Q: What was the most rewarding part of your time at Vogue? A: All of it! Honestly, it was a dream job come true, and I loved my work and working hard. Overseeing the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund was incredibly rewarding and useful, as I learned so much about the challenges young designers face as they enter the industry, all good information to have going into launching La Ligne! Q: How did working for Vogue change or inspire your view on the fashion industry? A: At Vogue, we were always trained to think about the bigger picture, to look at what is happening in fashion as a reflection of what is happening in society. You know the “cerulean blue” scene in “The Devil Wears Prada”? That’s it! Meredith left Vogue right as the world started to turn to the internet for its fashion content.
PHOTOGRAPHER | GABBY DUNLEVY MODELS | ISABELLE ZOLA & REILLY KRUG
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Q: At what point in your career did you decide to branch out and create your own name?
Q: Did designing/branding your line come easily to you? How did you establish a certain style?
A: Well, I had been an editor at Vogue for 16 years, and toward the end of my tenure, the shift in how people were consuming information was palpable. The last two years I was at Vogue, I was also working on Vogue.com, and the immediacy of it was thrilling. It felt like we were on the brink of a big shift.
A: Well, I love that La Ligne always has a focus, the stripe/ line, and in that sense, it really helps you focus on your design. On the flip side, there are so many things you can do with stripes and lines. The possibilities are almost limitless. That is why early stage branding exercises were very important for us. Defining what La Ligne was and was not early on was key.
Meredith is one three co-founders for La Ligne. She works in collaboration with Valerie Macaulay, another Vogue alum and friend, and Molly Howard, the former head of business development at rag&bone. Q: Did you have any fears or apprehensions in the beginning stages of La Ligne? A: Of course! Everything was terrifying. I went to Summit Series as we were mapping out La Ligne and fundraising, and I saw a speaker who gave a talk about risk. He said many of us focus on downside risk, i.e. ‘If I do this one thing, these bad things may happen.’ But he said it’s equally important to focus on upside risk, i.e. ‘If I DON’T do this, what won’t I achieve/realize/accomplish?’ That really resonated with me. I had to go for it. 44 | FASHION
Q: If you told your younger self you would be the creator of a clothing line, what would she say? A: I would never have believed it. But I also never would have believed I would have been a Vogue editor. As a young girl, I was a jock, an animal lover, and always thought I might one day take over my father’s orthodontic practice. I always loved fashion but never understood how it could be more than a recreational interest. My father was an ortho, and my mother was a child psychologist, and they thought working in fashion meant a summer job at the mall. It wasn’t until I went to Tufts that I began to explore how I could make my interest in fashion into something more than just an interest. And I also got a B minus in biology 101 my freshman year, so it didn’t seem like dental school was the path best suited for me.
Q: The La Bande portraits are very unique to La Ligne. Where did this idea come from? A: The idea behind La Bande is to empower women to make our clothes their own. We don’t make clothes that make the woman. The woman makes our clothes. This is the ultimate expression of that. Last spring, the ladies of La Ligne opened their first storefront in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Melling manages the majority of its day-to-day functions while keeping the brand’s distinctive style intact. Q: What is your favorite part of your job right now? A: I really love having the 360-degree vantage point. I think because La Ligne is my baby, it’s all exciting. Right now, store openings are especially thrilling! Q: Can you name a time when you felt the proudest in your career, either before La Ligne or after? A: Just the other day, I was talking to my 4-year-old daughter about her Halloween costume (which is extensive), and I said to her, “You have so many incredible ideas, India. Maybe you will be a designer when you grow up.” And she said, “I want to be a designer with you, Mommy.” To know that my children admire what I do, instead of resenting how much of my time my job demands, is a proud moment because the work/family/life balance is endlessly challenging, especially when you have four children.
You have so many incredible ideas, INdia. Maybe you will be a designer when you grow up.
Melling’s successes have taken her beyond the realm of her imagination. Just when she reached the pinnacle of her illustrious career at the largest name in fashion, she took a step back, reevaluated her strengths, and moved beyond what most would consider victory at the finish line. We are always told to reach for the stars. Melling got ahold of them and kept moving forward to being a new chapter of her life in which she continues to learn (and teach) about the world of fashion.
MADISON LEMONE
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PHOTOGRAPHER | JOYCE LLOPIS-MARTELL MODELS | JORDAN YOUNG & JILLIAN MENDOZA
C
ongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” If there’s any time to express yourself, the moment is now. With movements like Resist, March for Our Lives, and women’s rights rallies, it is without a doubt that our freedom of speech is integral. However, if the First Amendment protects our freedom of expression, why are more and more labels being sued for the messages they style? We understand it may be complicated to determine if freedom of speech applies to one’s fashion stance. Specific words have different psychological and emotional impacts and responses; certain language may inflame racial or ethnic passions. Revolve produced a shirt last year with “Being Fat Is Not Beautiful, It’s An Excuse” emblazoned. This type of body shaming gives an example of abusing the rights of expression to promote a false sense of superiority. Although contentious, Revolve’s shirt was not illegal. Technically, the fashion empire was exercising its First Amendment right, even if the clothing piece was extremely disrespectful. Visually displayed on clothing, these “obscene” remarks may stimulate even more emotions. We should not completely weaponize censorship since it has its place in society. As the reign of technology and our tense political climate continue to increase, so does the scrutinization of the words we use. One of the most infamous legal cases regarding the total right to expression was Cohen v. California (1971). Paul Cohen, a 19-year-old boy, was sent to trial for disturbing the peace for wearing a jacket with the words “F*** the Draft. Stop the War” in a California courthouse. Cohen communicated his opposition to the Vietnam War through fashion. He used his jacket as an FASHION | 47
ngress shall mak no law respectin establishment o on, or prohibitin the free exercis reof; or abridgin reedom of speech the press; or th ght of the peopl 48 | FASHION
ke ng of ng se ng h, he le
outlet for the disapproving emotions he felt toward the current political climate. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the First Amendment prevented his conviction. Legally, they noted that free speech can be restricted only under extreme situations beyond offensiveness. Yet, the point of art is to be divisive and provocative. Like Zendaya’s Met Gala Camp version of Cinderella, fashion calls for thought-provoking ideas that analyze our current status within society. Style forces us to recognize multicultural points of view. It allows us to celebrate diversity and equality. While certain styles may be offensive, why should the fashion we choose to wear be censored when it addresses so much truth within our culture? Controversial emblems are trending in an enormity of clothing and accessories. Political apparel is beginning to appear throughout Fashion Week as well. During Seol
Fashion Week, models strutted the catwalk in Miss Gee tees adorned with phrases “#MeToo” and “#SpeakUp.” Various designers such as Dior and Christian Siriano are boldly taking a stance on international issues through their designs. We’ve seen designers promoting everything from feminism to climate change. Within this artistic outlet, subtlety is simply nowhere to be seen. With our current political climate, fashion’s symbolism is so much more integral for the messages we are trying to portray. Fashion activism is imperative as a means of expression! The First Amendment protects our freedom of speech and expression, and it should protect the clothing we choose to wear as well. The purpose of this industry is to uphold rigid social democratization through a creative lens. We should not hesitate to call out our leaders and peers on such dire issues! After all, fashion has always been more than just clothes. FASHION | 49
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PHOTOGRAPHER | ERIN PATTIE MODELS | ERIN CASSIDY & KYLE SARGENT
SO, YOU LIKE ME, BUT YOU GHOST ME? NAVIGATING MODERN DATING CULTURE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD MELISSA BECK
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nce upon a time, at a small college in Elon, North Carolina, a pretty girl met a cute boy at a party. They danced together and laughed together, and at the end of the night, they exchanged Snapchats. They added each other back, and the girl sat anxiously waiting for the boy’s Snapchat, which eventually came. She was absolutely overjoyed and immediately responded. Then she waited again, saw that he opened it, and waited for his response… which never came. Sound familiar? Now hold on, we’re not trying to call you out or anything. If you feel that we’ve attacked you please keep reading, we promise we’ll make it up to you. Modern dating is a maze. To say that it’s changed from when our parents met and fell in love would be an understatement. It’s been completely revamped – goodbye to holding doors and asking to hang out in person and hello to texting and Netflix and chill. This may be because most of our communicating is done online. Whether it’s through texting, social media, or dating apps, we spend most
of our time glued to our devices, and that often includes time spent maintaining contact with our love interests. According to social researchers from Psychology Today, “online dating has produced some of the most profound and widespread changes to traditional courtship that have been seen in decades – mainly its effects on interpersonal processes.” Essentially, online dating has hindered our ability to interact in person and, in turn, makes dating face-to-face a lot harder. Erin Cassidy, a single junior at Elon University, talked to us about how Elon’s social life has made it hard to meet guys who share her attitude toward dating. “A lot of the people here, specifically guys, feel pressured to put on this persona of ‘I don’t care, I’m a frat guy’, where all they want to do is hook up, and they’re too cool to date because having a girlfriend will prevent them from doing stuff,” Cassidy said. “So, a lot of the time you’ll be talking to a guy, and then he’ll just ignore you out of the blue.”
Cassidy is not alone in this feeling. According to Hallam, De Backer, Fisher, and Walrave (2018) men have a documented tendency to prefer sexual variety and casual sex and to desire an increased number of partners compared to women. This has been an unwavering fact for centuries now. Historically, men are programmed to spread their seed, while women desire committed relationships that will give their offspring the best chance of survival. Let’s unpack that for a second. As a generation, less and less people are going on dates, and even less people are settling down and entering longterm relationships. And clearly, men are even less inclined to make a girl his one and only than girls are with guys. The biggest contributor to this is none other than our best friend and worst enemy, social media. “It’s ruined dating, and it’s aided hookup culture because these people will talk to you for a week or so, and then they ignore you. Or you see them once and then never again, and that’s the norm,” Cassidy said. “You hear FEATURES | 51
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people say, ‘Oh you guys talked for a Some people do date, but it’s more month, and then he left you on open? common to see guys and girls making Yeah that’s normal,’ and I just think out in the middle of a frat house.” it’s so messed up.” Disappointing to some? Maybe not The social media boom has opened surprising for others. But wait, what a world of online personas where do guys think about all of this? you can showcase your best self or sometimes an entirely different Bradley Sol, a junior at Elon who’s person. This is known as the “digi- “not in a relationship but seeing tal self”, a person on social media someone,”sometimes feels overwhose self-portrayal is deceiving. whelmed and intimidated by modern This can be someone who only shows dating as well, especially when the so-called highlight reel of their considering the role Greek life plays life or even someone who conforms in dating at Elon. to that “I don’t care” mindset when sending messages. “There’s a lot of attractive people at Elon, a lot more attractive than the You know exactly what we’re real world,” Sold said. “So, it’s just talking about. attractive people meeting other attractive people, and that’s how it works” This has created a dating culture that is difficult to trust. Tinder, one of the most used dating apps in 2018, allows you to decide with a swipe of your finger if you like someone based solely off of a few photos and a short bio. It’s that Sol also acknowledged that Elon’s simple. When it comes to modern Greek life plays a role in the social dating and socializing, we’ve become climate and how people who are accustomed to hiding behind a screen attracted to each other interact. where no one can see us and deci- “Sorority girls go to frats to meet sions become less and less human. frat guys, and that’s the biggest party culture and night life there Sophia Welch, a single female at is,” Sol said. Syracuse University, talked to us about how a lot of the hookup culture Cassidy, Welch, and Sol all agreed is due to Greek life. that dating and hookup culture in today’s society has impacted their “(Fraternity) guys get with soror- behaviors when interacting with ity girls, that’s it,” Welch said. people they’re interested in and not “Whether it’s dating or hooking up, necessarily in the best way. it’s like there’s a social hierarchy where they are only allowed to fool “It lowers self-esteem, especially around with one another. when you’re left on open and you
don’t know why…but I definitely think girls feel pressured to act different and conform to get a guy,” Cassidy said. “If you’re someone who believes in something that isn’t ‘normal’ for relationships, it can put you out of the (dating) pool. And if you don’t put out, you’re a prude, but if you put out too much, you’re a slut, and it’s such a horrible double standard.” Girls aren’t the only ones that feel the heat. At Elon and other college campuses, there is a certain persona some guys feel they have to take on in order to fit in. “I feel like being a nice guy here is out of the ordinary,” Sol said. “It sometimes confuses or shocks people. You’re just meant to be a douche bag.” Whether you’re tied down, looking for love, or just here to have fun, we could all benefit from a little more human interaction, directness, and empathy. “I understand if you don’t want to pursue someone or you’re not interested, but it’s so much more respectful to say, ‘Hey you’re a great person, but I’m not looking for anything right now.’” Cassidy said. “Just tell them [the truth]. If you do anything like ghosting, you just leave them wondering, and that’s not fair and can do a lot of damage to someone.” Dating has changed, and people are continuing to adapt to these changes, but we all crave love and attention. So, go out and shoot your shot today! Leave your digital self at the door, and try be as authentic as you can. Send that text. Who knows, it may change your life. FEATURES | 53
THE MODERN Princess Diaries: that Meghan MArkle Sparkle GABRIELA RIVAS-DE LEON
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he year is 1996, and a young Californian girl named Rachel Meghan Markle ventures across the pond for the first time and takes a picture in front of Buckingham Palace, the home of Queen Elizabeth II. Fast forward 22 years, and the same woman rides past Buckingham Palace on her wedding day sitting next to the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Harry.
Markle has revolutionized the world’s perspective of the British royal family. Her dazzling effect is known as the Markle Sparkle, which encapsulates her message of love, activism, and acceptance. She teaches young women everywhere to act with purpose, dress for yourself, and leave a bit of sparkle wherever you go. Growing up as a biracial woman, Markle realized there often was no position of power for her at the table. This feeling of exclusion went on long enough, and she decided to take action. Before her marriage to Prince Harry, Markle was known primarily as Rachel Zane on the popular USA network show “Suits.” While in Hollywood, she utilized this position of prominence to become an ambassador for the charity World Vision, which provides running water and childcare to some of the most underprivileged children in the world. Her activism translated to a long partnership with the United Nations, and her 2016 speech even became a rallying cry to end gender inequality. She stated, “It is just imperative: women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then, you know what, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women’s political participation.” Taking action and standing up for oneself remains essential to Markle’s work as the Duchess of Sussex. At the tender age of eleven, Markle convinced Proctor and Gamble to switch a sexist tagline in the commercials of Ivory Soap to make it more inclusive for both men and women. Advertising household appliances to just women is offensive to both a woman’s diverse interests and a man’s role in the household. Markle grew up in the 1990s when Danny Tanner made sure the “Full House” was spotless, and he has just as much of a right to use Ivory Soap as Aunt Becky! LIFESTYLE | 55
Although Markle was much younger when she wrote to Proctor and Gamble, her message remains the same as when she addressed the United Nations: no one should stay silent in the face of injustice, and those with power should advocate for the voiceless. Still today, she champions the benefits of diversity and inclusion in every aspect of society. Markle advocates for those who cannot vocalize their struggles. They are people, who, like her, do not often get invited to the table. However, critics like to point out her assertive, “bossy” American persona. Markle is authentic, never afraid to be herself and do what she feels is right. She does not shy away from the fact that she is the first African American member of the royal family and speaks publicly against the racism she endures to this day. She recently spoke about the hardships of motherhood and how many people exclude her from conversations on how she and Harry should raise their own child. By raising awareness for her own struggle, Markle creates a safe space for all new mothers and validates some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. She is again challenging the status quo, allowing women to direct the narrative. Similar to her commitment to end gender inequality, Markle ensures that her passions and personality shine through her sartorial choices. This wouldn’t be a true ode to Meghan Markle without talking about clothes! Her now defunct blog “The Tig” shared her current favorites, advice, and important cultural events with thousands of followers. In the same way that she developed her unique voice in the blogging and acting world, Markle now shares her personality on the global stage. By dressing in basics such as white button downs, black and white separates, and a brown tote bag, Markle teaches a master class on how to re-style and revamp your wardrobe without conforming to fast fashion. As a steadfast activist for the environment, she often wears brands that are sustainable and focus on the reduction of the carbon footprint created by the fashion industry. Our favorite two examples are the Veja sneakers and Reformation dress she wore during her visit to Australia. 56 | LIFESTYLE
PHOTOGRAPHER | CIANI FOY MODELS | LAUREN GIBBONS-NEFF, GABY RIVAS-DE-LEON & MADISON FOLEY
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These two options were perfect for the environment she was and deserving of the same respect and attention as their in and are accessible to the average woman. Her sense of male counterparts. style is perfectly adaptable for any lifestyle- perfect for a mom on the go, a millennial working her first job, or a As another wise princess said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, college student. The outfits photographed are recreations but rather the judgment that something else is more important of Markle’s outfits to show the versatility of her wardrobe. than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not All the outfit is missing is your own personal twist! live at all.” (Mia Thermopolis might not be real a real princess, but she would definitely be friends with Markle given the chance). Markle is so much more than just a fashion icon. For me, she represents everything a woman should be in the 21st I encourage you to take a page from Meghan’s book. Take century: herself. Meghan remains a global reminder that courage, act with purpose, and leave a little bit of your own women are complex human beings, capable of many things, sparkle wherever you go. 58 | LIFESTYLE
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