ESQUE MAGAZINE issue #1 - January 2020

from ESQUE MAGAZINE issue #1 - January 2020

by esquemag

ESQUE MAGAZINE

ISSUE NO.1 | JANUARY 2020

THE ESSENCE OF FASHION

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Get to know the editors and why we started ESQUE magazine

2020 TREND PREDICTIONS

All of the looks that we expect to be hot in the new year!

SUSTAINABLE FASHION

How fast fashion and our desire to stay ahead of trends has completely transformed the fashion industry & the negative effects it has had on humanity

DEATH OF THE GUCCI BELT

Why we hate the Gucci belt and how to make a more original statement with a designer belt

JOIN ESQUE

Want to join our team? Contact us!

INTRODUCTION: MEET OUR EDITORS

We are two college students studying fashion based in Virginia and New York with the intention of encouraging others to share our passion for style. This magazine started as a sort of " What if?" between us until we finally decided to put our love for fashion into a real project - one that could bring us gratifying results. So, we present to you: Esque.

Whether you are just skimming through the pages out of sheer boredom or are here with a similar genuine enthusiasm, we hope that you sincerely enjoy the experience of reading Esque as much as we enjoy creating it.

WHY FASHION MATTERS

Although many view our field of study as superficial and shallow, the things we wear have so much potential to display who we really are and influence those around us. Take every outfit as an opportunity to enhance your best qualities that will reflect in every aspect of your life.

As a part of a generation faced with many upcoming hurdles, we are committed to using our degrees to better the fashion industry, and thus the world.

**PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT BARBOUR/STRINGER/Getty Images**

TREND PREDICTIONS

SHEER FABRICS

Sex appeal has been, and always will be a major factor in how people dress and what becomes trendy. Sheer clothing can be extremely sexy and adds a cooling effect to clothing in the spring and summer. Sheerness took over the S/S 2020 runways and will soon advance to our closets.

DECORATIVE SUITS - FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Business apparel doesn' t have to stay in the office! We have seen women starting to adorn themselves in blazers and patterned pantsuits, so something both men and women can play with is a full patterned suit.

MINI BAGS

This little accessory can be used to accentuate any outfit and comes in a variety of styles, colors, and other variations. We' ve already seen fashion icons like Bella Hadid and Rihanna rocking these miniature bags so it is about time these statement pieces reach the masses.

**PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXELFORMULA/SIPA/SHUTTERSTOCK**

LEATHER

In 2020 we will see leather like we' ve never seen it before. Leather in all different colors and all different styles will make its way into every person's wardrobe in the new year. We all own leather skirts and jackets, but get ready for shirts, dresses, and more!

POLKA DOTS

Many may think that polka dots are an outdated fashion reserved for young girls and senile ladies, but the most recent fashion weeks say otherwise! We sense elevated polka dots rising in the fashion cycle. They can be used to add a pop of color or patterning on virtually any outfit imaginable.

RUFFLES

Having an ultra- feminine style is definitely in trend right now, and what is more feminine than ruffles? Adding ruffles to clothing adds a womanly dimension that pairs perfectly with just about anything.

MONOTONE

Wearing an outfit of just one color used to be a huge fashion don't, but high fashion designers have shown us that it is okay! Sticking to one color allows you to play with texture, drape, and more. Also, mixing up shades of one color in an outfit is sure to be a hit.

FLORAL PRINTS

Floral prints can take on a variety of different forms, from delicate patterns to bold prints and we predict that both will be popular in 2020. Floral is often thought of as a girly pattern, but a floral printed men's suit is to die for.

CHAIN BELTS

Belts are often a necessity, so why not make them fashionable at the same time? We predict a shift from the classic leather belt towards the more urban metallic chain belts. Read more about belts on page 10!

THE DANGERS OF FAST FASHION

DO YOU CONTRIBUTE TO UNETHICAL FASHION PRACTICES?

With multiple news sources exposing us to the negative and horrifying effects of the world's intense desire to keep up with rapidly changing trends, we have become more aware of the unfair treatment of sweatshop workers and destruction of our own environment. Despite this knowledge, our frugality often convinces us to overlook these problems. Our clothes are our second skin and in many ways they tell more about ourselves than we are able to say, so when we choose to wear cheaply made and cheaply sold goods, we communicate a lack of regard for people less fortunate than us. It is important that we put on a skin that shows we care for the people we share this Earth with and for our planet itself. The exponential growth of the fast fashion industry has forced factory owners all over the world to cut costs and sacrifice safety in order to stay in business.

Factory workers now make around $3 per day, which is not even close to enough money to live a safe and comfortable life. The worst part about this is that these issues caused by low wages are the best case scenario. Regardless of concerns from employees, factory owners have consistently ignored safety violations, causing buildings to collapse, resulting in thousands of casualties. The deaths don’t even stop there. Going even further back to the source, the farmers that grow the cotton and other necessary materials for textiles have a shockingly high suicide rate as a result of not being able to keep up with the ceaseless demand. As consumers, our purchases have directly led to these negative consequences. The amount of waste produced by just our clothing is reaching ridiculous levels. It is easy to place accountability on the entire industry for its dangerous working conditions, disgustingly low wages, and the harm it causes towards the environment but, the hard truth to consider is that this is all a direct result of every article of clothing that we purchase individually.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THESE SEEMINGLY IRREVERSIBLE ISSUES?

Ultimately, the clothes that we put on our bodies are not worth the damage that they cause. We urge our readers to shop consciously and take more time to consider the effects of every purchase made. We feel it is more admirable to buy more costly, high quality items less frequently than to have a new wardrobe each week filled with clothes that were made with the help of unethical sourcing.

SOME ETHICAL BRANDS WE SUPPORT - AND YOU SHOULD TOO!

Adidas

Alternative Apparel

Amour Vert

Athleta

Columbia

Everlane

Levi's

Lou & Grey

Patagonia

People Tree

Pour Les Femmes

Reformation

Thought

Vetta

DEATH OF THE GUCCI BELT

HOW TO ACCESSORIZE WHILE MAINTAINING INDIVIDUALITY

Gucci belts have taken social media by storm as arguably the most popular accessory, Nowadays, they seem to be everyone's go-to item to throw over a pair of jeans in order to dress up an outfit and showcase a designer piece. That being said, plastering the golden double G on your waist may not make the iconic statement you think it does. The Gucci belt has become so mainstream that it is no longer a statement of unique fashion. Quite frankly, all it says is that you have $350 to spare and no creativity, Here are some alternatives that we think can easily level up your look and should be everyone' s next staple accessory!

HERMES H BELT BUCKLE & REVERSIBLE LEATHER STRAP

If you cant stay away from branded belts, the Hermes H belt is definitely a bigger statement than the over- praised double Gs. This belt is extremely versatile with two colors to match any outfit, and the H buckle is subtle enough to impress in a more modest way!

B-LOW THE BELT MARGAUX WAIST

The absolute best way to add some individuality to an otherwise simple outfit is to wear a belt with a bold statement buckle. Our current favorite is this waist belt by B- low The Belt! It provides a more feminine look but is still prominent enough to catch people' s eyes!

CHANEL CHAIN BELT

Spotted in Chanel's Spring/Summer 2019 Ready-to-Wear collection, this belt is the perfect accessory for those who are willing to spend more for an iconic piece. This belt provides a timeless, classic look, but still appears modern and fresh. Chanel provides many variations of their beautiful chain belt, some with more prominent logos than others, depending on what you are looking for!

**PHOTO COURTESY OF @STYLEBYYEYE ON INSTAGRAM**

OFF- WHITE INDUSTRIAL BELT For more of an edgy, casual look, this belt is the perfect item to tie over an outfit for any occasion. Off-white has become one of the biggest trends currently and for good reason. Their distinguishable logo takes any style to another level.

VERSACE BAROQUE BUCKLE LEATHER BELT

The simplest way to describe this belt is just that it is beautiful. The gold buckle is stunning from afar, and gets better and better as you get closer to the details. This belt would pair perfectly with a dressier outfit!

ESQUE MAGAZINE

JOIN OUR TEAM

BECOME A PART OF ESQUE

We are looking for creative and collaborative people who love fashion as much as we do to come and be a part of the Esque team!

Interested? Contact us at esquemag@gmail.com

"YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE... BUT MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES FIRST"

This article is from:

ESQUE MAGAZINE issue #1 - January 2020