Être Vol. 5

ETRE spring + summer 2019

volume 5

1

2

Table of

CONTENTS 04

letters

leadership & staff

12

Bloom

allure

47

beauty

Local

Modern Groupie

21 business

spotlight

27

cover story

41

Revival

52

mimi power

one of a kind

18

17

we mean

36

08

06

33 twins 46

under the canopy

54

local taste

3

Leadership

4

Spring + Summer 2019 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Wolverton CREATIVE DIRECTOR Elizabeth Costa CONTENT EDITOR Allie Allsup FASHION EDITORS Jasmine Ball Monay Pierre ART DIRECTOR Layla Adkisson DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Hollis Hoggard STYLISTS Alex Parker Bethany Pickard Haileigh Cain Julia Symonds Karli Reed Madeline Tyre Payton McNeece Samuel Musgrove

STAFF Ajia Davis Alden Chapple Alexa Hull Alexa Ward Ashley Johnson Bailey Berry Brennan Byrne CC Caruth Della Jones Gabi Jackson Hannah Hancock Hannah Oliver Jacquelin Lee Jaylin Gillard Kate Mayo Keanna Wilkins Lessley Dooley Lydia Neuhoff Marisa Hull Presley Flowers Sara Beth Pritchard Tori Suggs

5

President's

LETTER

I

find that we often underestimate the influence of the small things in life. It’s funny to me how one small decision has changed my whole college experience. I can remember the day when I was introduced to fashion and the idea that it could be a career path for me. I remember the day my older sister called me from her college dorm room to tell me about this club on campus called Fashion Board. She had told me that it was everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. She was right.

Serving as the 2018-2019 president has been the most rewarding experience. When the position for president opened up I wasn’t really phased. I knew that it was something I wanted to do, but I just didn’t think I was ready. With Fashion Board being one of the largest and oldest organizations on campus, I was terrified I wouldn’t be enough for the organization.

With a little encouragement from our former president and other members, I decided to give it a shot. I felt so honored that other people thought I could help lead an organization that had already given me so much.

Being a part of Fashion Board has given me so much joy. It is a place where everyone can feel accepted and unapologetically themselves. I think that the most beautiful part of Fashion Board is its members. As people, we desire to be loved and feel supported and encouraged. That is Fashion Board. It’s a place where I am challenged, inspired, and confident. It is family.

I want to thank this team. I cannot express how thankful I am for every single one of you. You have made this year incredible. My one decision to join this organization has changed my life forever. I have grown beyond measure as a person and as a leader. I owe all of that to this club. I am so honored and excited to do this all with you again next year.

All my love,

Emelia K ell Armond 6

Editor's

LETTER

W

hen our team sat down to plan this issue of Etre, I knew I wanted it to be one thing: bold. I wanted each shoot to push the limits of what we thought we could do.I wanted to take all of our ideas and go one step further with them. I wanted for each story to dive deeper, for the photo shoots to be more intriguing and for our online presence to blossom. The 2018-2019 Etre team accepted this challenge with excitement, and I could not be prouder.

Living a bold life is something that I have been striving to do recently, and being surrounded by this team has made that an easy thing to do. Every single member inspires me every day to take risks, be myself and dream big. The constant creative energy and different perspectives this team presents to me makes me want to be the most daring and truest version of myself.

Serving Etre and this organization has been an incredible learning experience and is one that I will carry with me always. I have learned to be patient, firm, fair and kind. I have learned that I will never please everyone, and that is ok. I’ve learned to trust my gut, but have an open mind. I have learned to never underestimate the power of an iced coffee. Most importantly, I’ve learned from this team that with hard work, the stars are the limit.

To every member of this team and every person who has supported us over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Lauren Wolverton 7

One of a Kind

By:Lauren Wolverton Photos:Osvaldo Ballesteros Styled by: Madeline Tyre & Bethany Pickard Clothing Provided by: Libby Story

She wore a hot pink denim jacket she bleached herself layered over a cool graphic t-shirt.

Megan Townsend is the manager of Libby Story in Starkville and the founder of Timber June, a line of handcrafted tees and flannels. Inspired by everything from famous works of art to Townsend’s favorite Rock & Roll songs, her creations are anything but ordinary.

Some are a combination of two thrifted tees sewn together with splatter paint bleach designs, while others are sprinkled with sequin seams and fringed sleeves.

Before she officially started Timber June, Townsend made pieces for herself as a creative outlet.

“I’m a Virgo, so I’m very in my head all the time,” Townsend said. “I find being creative and making things therapeutic. It’s a release of everything that’s in my head.”

After putting a few of her tees in Libby Story, Townsend realized what she was creating for fun was actually catching on with her customers. She started selling more in the store, making custom designs, and even started selling at stores out of town. She said she hopes to one day sell her pieces wholesale.

Townsend said that while Timber June is a way for her to express herself, she cares about

8

her customers and loves to share her creative outlet with them.

“I love it when someone finds something in the store that I made,” she said. “I like helping people find that special something that’s going to be theirs.”

Townsend said her favorite tee she ever made sold at Libby Story. She admitted she was sad to see it go, but was content knowing it found a good home.

“I don’t make anything twice,” Townsend said. “So with every piece that sells, I really feel like that person was meant to own it.”

9

10

11

Bloom Photos by: Sara Beth Pritchard Styled by: Alex Parker

12

13

14

13 15

on repeat: By: Bailey Berry

Photo by Abby Grace Gordon

SONG / ARTIST

Child / B77 Submarine Life / Teleman If I ever feel better / Phoenix Toi Et Moi / Paradis Freelance / Toro y Moi Satellite / STRFKR Bernstein Gold / Marti Fischer PS2 / Litany Sunflower (feat. Steve Lacy) / Vampire Weekend My Jinji / Sunset Rollercoaster Touch / Daft Punk, Paul Williams Only You / Steve Monite Fantastic Man / William Onyeabor Walking in Rhythm / The Blackbyrds Tailwhip / Men I Trust Flamingo / Kero Kero Bonito Hungry Hippo / Tierra Whack Cyber Stockholm Syndrome / Rina Sawayama Salvia Plath / Salvia Plath On Top / Hoops You / Mk.Gee So Easy / Paul Cherry Lovers Rock / TV Girl Skiptracing / Mild High Club Clueless / The Marías

We Help Doctors Help People.

Take Our Quiz ForceMedia.com/quiz

16

Modern Groupie By: Bethany Pickard

G

roupie. A word defned as “a person, especially a young woman, who regularly follows a pop music group or other celebrity in the hope of meeting or getting to know them.” Often this word carries a negative connotation, conjuring images of girls who form fleeting relationships with rock stars to gain notoriety.

So, what does a modern groupie truly look like? In my experience, it looks like this: tired eyes at 6am, smearing glitter on peoples’ faces outside a venue. It looks like 12 hours of sitting outside, having singalongs, and helping your other groupie friend adjust his gold wig. However, it also looks like what one might expect from a “groupie”: staying out late the night before, partying with a member of your favorite band and learning inside stories about the group you’ve followed around for a decade.

How did my little misfit group of friends end up here? We’re young people from every corner of the country, brought together to follow around the people who have inspired us for half of our lives.

People tell us, “Oh, you’re so lucky. The band just loves you.” The luck is definitely a factor, of course, but most of our “luck” isn’t actually luck at all, really. It’s the result of flying around the world, queueing outside venues for hours, and doing what we could to find our way into the world of the band we adore. Sure, these people we’re trying to be friends with are Grammy-nominated musicians who have been touring the world almost constantly since 2009, but they’re just people. People that we loved and wanted to get to know.

Now we’re there, just a message away from the musicians we adore. I’ve gone from sitting in my room, blasting the band’s first record and begging my parents to let me see them live, to texting a member of the band to congratulate them on being named one of the best lives acts in the world. Rumors follow us groupies, of course; from whispers in the lines for shows about my friends paying the band to hang out with them, to aggressive and accusatory anonymous messages online. Rumors come with the territory, I suppose, but gossip won’t stop us from going to every single show we can, dancing in the front row to songs we’ve heard a million times before. We do it for the music, and for each other. The people I’ve met in this journey are individuals who I will love forever; we’ve bonded over this shared love of something so much bigger than ourselves. The show will end one day, but I’ve always got my groupie friends and the music that changed our lives.

17

SAGE

Local Spotlight

Photos by: Abby Grace Gordon Clothing: George Mary’s

16 18

AlwaysOrganic, Always Eclectic

17 19

114 E Main Street Starkville, MS 39759 (662) 325-3521

Purveyor of handmade wares, earthen elements, conscious oddities, heirloom goods, and ritual essentials for a free spirited and magical lifestyle.

106 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive W Starkville, Mississippi

20

We Mean Business seriously fearless hair

By Lauren Wolverton Photos by: Abby Grace Gordan Styled by: Jasmine Ball, Monay Pierre Haileigh Cain & Alex Parker

21

P

ick up any young adult advice book and you’re guaranteed to see a version of the phrase “be yourself”. You’ll probably also see a version of “take risks”. People on

Mississippi State’s campus follow this advice every day, whether it be changing their major to what they are truly passionate about or trying a new latte flavor at their favorite coffee shop. I sat down with a group of black and biracial college women following this advice by embracing their truest selves… and their truest hair.

After Jasmine Ball’s older sister faced criticism at work because she wore her natural hair, it sparked a conversation between our team members. Ball, along with Monay Pierre, Alex Parker, Gabi Jackson, Keanna Wilkins and Ashley Johnson talked with me about making the decision to embrace their natural hair. Each woman shared her own unique hair journey full of misconceptions, inspirations and challenges.

Let’s first establish that natural hair is not crazy, unstyled, unkempt hair. “Natural hair” simply

22

means hair that is not chemically altered and manipulated. This was one of many misconceptions brought up during our conversation.

Another misconception is that going natural is an easy thing to do. Thinking a woman can just wake up one day, decide to go natural, wash her hair and call it a day could not be farther from the truth. There are so many different hair types and textures to learn, and there’s even more variety when it comes to what products to use. Learning what kind of natural hair routine works has taken some of them years because they’ve been perming or straightening their hair since they were as young as five years old.

“When you’re little, your parents choose your hair. You have to make the decision to go natural,” Jackson said.

Parker had a particularly interesting hair journey being biracial and admits she is still learning exactly what works best for her hair.

“I grew up with the white side of my family, and no one knew how to take care of my hair,” Parker said. “I’ve been experimenting with my hair for three years, and I’m still not fully confident.”

Wilkins agreed that the transition process is long and expensive, but added that she thinks experimenting with her hair is “the fun part”. She said she now loves to draw inspiration from women around her, but initially had no one to look to.

“I had to inspire myself to wear my natural hair,” Wilkins said.

Parker said she too struggled to find someone to look up to who had the same hair as she did.

“I found a Barbie that was mixed like me, but she had straight hair,” Parker said. “So, my mom totally had to encourage me to wear my natural hair.”

When I asked why so few women wear their natural hair, they said that everything boils down to a lack of representation.

More women with natural hair in entertainment, leadership roles and everywhere else will give young girls someone to look up to and identify more strongly with.

This change is coming. More and more women are choosing to wear their hair natural after celebrities like Lupita Nyong’O, Viola Davis, Tracee Ellis Ross and more with a platform are doing the same. Everyday women are pushing for change, too. In fact, one freelance writer out of New York just collected over 28,000 signatures on a petition calling for natural hair to be represented on the emoji keyboard.

“It starts with you,” Pierre said. “I felt like a role model when I started wearing my hair natural. You can be that role model for people.”

All five women agreed that is not a bad thing for a woman to choose not to wear her hair natural.

“Just because a woman has a sew in, don’t assume she hates her race or doesn’t like the way she looks,” Jackson said. “I promise you she does.”

For these women, the most important thing is being the version of themselves that makes them feel the most confident and true.

“It’s just about celebrating all hair types,” Pierre said. “All girls who embrace themselves encourage me.”

23

24

Who to Follow:

@kikilayne @lupitanyongo @naturallytemi @browngirlfriendly @jackieaina @elainewelteroth @karenbritchick @michelleobama @msamberpriley @violadavis @zendaya @yarashahidi @traceeellisross @daniebb3

25

26

Give me a

Ring

By: Allie Allsup Photos by: Hunter Hart & Saxon Wilson Jewelry on cover and pictured above provided by Deep South Pout

27

Quick! At this exact moment, which of the following is closest to you: your wallet, your keys, or your phone?

If you are like most people, the common answer would be your cell phone. As years of digital enhancement have come and gone, more and more we see people using their phones for pretty much everything and a whole lot of nothing, too. They’ve become the unreliable accessory we never meant to have, but always need.

And why should it be that way? Why have phones become something we cannot live without? Is it the glam of having the hottest new thing on the market or is it because Apple has taken over the world? A little excessive, but not entirely a false statement. More and more people flock to phone stores in search of the newest Apple product, and for what? More times than not this tiny, little device that can give you the world is in your hand one minute and out the next. Bam! Shattered. Broken. Donezos. That accessory you’ve been hanging on to for so long is on the ground, face down, screaming at you to pick it up. And we do. And then we grieve for the fact that its gone. Well I say it’s time for us to put that accessory away for a chance at bringing back the joys of staple pieces! Those fun-loving accessories that bring about new styles and old trends together.

Anything can be an accessory, your hair, your clothes, your car. Accessories are a way to help us fit in or help us to stand out. They are meant to shine on their own, which is why people love them. They can even make or break an outfit.

28

Whether it’s a shoe obsession or rings on every finger, what you wear can definitely reflect the mood with which you want others to see you. It’s how we dress, how we talk and walk, it’s everything. Accessories help people to feel better, that’s the simple fact about it.

Bottom line: Accessories show our fun side, our real side. They are us because they are what we wear. We put on accessories because they make us feel confident, they make us feel. And that’s a good thing because in an age of cell phones, feeling comes not so often. Phones take away our physical contact, and while we can show off all of our great accessories with them, it’s just not the same. Whatever happened to just living in a moment?

Picture it: you’re at a concert, the opener has just left the stage and the main band is coming out. Quick! What do you do? We pull out our phones and we record the whole show. By doing this we take away a little bit of our lives because we see it through the lens in front of us. By constantly worrying about where your phone is or videoing the latest, we miss out on the world around us, we miss out on truly living.

The phone, like a lot of things, has gradually grown from something useful to a full blown out monster, always wanting and needing your attention. It’s become so bad that we find ourselves lost without it and desperate to find it if it is lost. Instead of connecting us with the world, it has become something that puts distance between us and the rest of the world. And the big kicker as to why it is seen as an accessory is because it has steadily gone from something rolling around in a bag to something that always has to be in your hand.

For some people, accessories are their art. They are a way to over-indulge in a not so in your face type of way. And, they can be anything. The phone is no different. But what we need to remember, and what I am trying to get across with this article, is to not let the days pass you by because you are staring at that accessory in your hand. Let’s put the phones away. Let’s live face to face again, not phone to face. And let’s see those accessories up close and personal rather than through pictures. Because like it or not, accessories make it or break it, so let’s not break it because a phone is taking all of your attention.

29

30

31

32

TWINS By: Jacquelin Lee Photos by: Keanna Wilkins Styled by: Sam Musgrove & Bethany Pickard

33

Castor and Pollux

In Greek mythology, the Dioscuri represented the twin brothers Castor and Pollux.

The two shared their mother, Leda, but differed in fathers. Castor was a son of the king Tyndarus of Sparta, while Pollux was the son of Zeus, making Castor a mortal being and Pollux an immortal demigod. Each twin signified something completely unique and individual, and together they were an unstoppable force. Pollux embodied the strength and longevity that defined most demigods, whereas Castor was more suited for the natural world, being skilled with horses and other earthly matters.

The duo was interconnected and shared a bond that couldn’t be broken, and when Castor passed away in battle, Pollux was overwhelmed with agony at the loss of his twin. He begged Zeus to allow Castor to share his same immortality. Zeus understood the bond of the twins and recognized their power and heroism as a pair. He promised Pollux that he would reunite him with his brother in the heavens.

The two were placed in the sky and were represented by two stars which marked the twin’s heads. The constellation was then granted the name Gemini, which is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.

The sign Gemini represents strength, duality, and versatility. The twins I see around me truly embody the positive aspects of the Gemini. They gain a sense of strength from being with each other, and their differences are highlighted when they are together. Like Castor and Pollux, the bond between a set of twins is hard to break, and their power together can be amazing to observe.

34

35

36

Allure

By: Bailey Berry Photos by: Jordan Henderson Styled by: Payton McNeece & Julia Symonds Clothing provided by Libby Story

Beauty is often something we put so much emphasis on that we seem to lose ourselves within it.

What is beauty?

An hourglass figure?

A symmetrical face and big, round eyes?

A well-respected closet and a bubbly personality?

That’s what the world tells us – Or at least that is what we are told to believe.

We hold ourselves to such high standards that we are destined to believe that we are unworthy of beauty – unworthy of the love and happiness we truly deserve.

Beauty is more than the magazine covers.

It is more than a perfect body and tight smile; it is accepting yourself and the allure you radiate.

It is embracing your differences, and ultimately finding reconciliation within them.

37

38

39

40

Under the

Canopy

Photos by: Sara Beth Pritchard Styled by: Karli Reed & Payton McNeece Clothing provided by George Mary’s

41

42

43

44

45

Revival By: Lydia Neuhoff

People always say if you are not happy with something, change it. As easy as that may seem, purposeful change is a daunting task, but at times it is necessary. But only when YOU deem it necessary. Although there is help and support, a plant must grow on its own. You decide when you blossom, and with that decision, comes obstacles, such as self-sabotage, toxic relationships, and negative environments. Any extra emotional weight and baggage, cut it off. Any person draining you of light and energy, cut it off. Any place of oppression and defeatist attitudes, cut it off. The version of you that you envision for the future is so much closer than what you think. All you have to do is take daily steps towards that person. Be bold and brave and unapologetic. Stop worrying over what others think, no matter if they have “good intentions”; you know yourself on such a deep level that no one else will ever reach or understand. People will try to mold you and distort you into what fits their world, but you have to make your own world, your own kingdom, where you are at the top. If they aren’t raising you up, then they are only dragging you down. Be, say, and do what is authentically you. Be your own source of power.

Be your biggest fan. Know that you are worth greatness and success, and you deserve all that is good. You’re out there, just go get you.

46

GLOW Photos by: Abby Grace Gordon Beauty by: Ajia Davis, Callie Wells & Layla Adkisson

Drape by: Elizabeth Costa

47

“The Glow” has been my biggest obsession in makeup this year. Soft, illuminated skin, glossy lips and eyes and a dewy highlight is the look that keeps everyone in awe. And let me tell you something… it is not hard to accomplish.

FACE: To achieve that dewy skin finish, try mixing your favorite liquid foundation with a liquid highlighter. The liquid highlighter gives the skin this beautiful layer of shine while keeping it very natural. I also love to mix a pink or coral blush with a pink toned highlight to add a light flush of color to the cheeks. For highlighting the cheeks, you do not have to pack on the highlighter (but you totally can for a little extra glam).

Instead, try using a softer highlighter that will catch the light and eyes but won’t take away from your naturally illuminated skin.

EYES: When you want a beautiful, glossy, glowing eye look, stick with shadows that have a little shine, but minimal glitter.

These shadows give an easy, light shine on the lids without overdoing it. You can also try topping your favorite matte eyeshadow with lip gloss. This gives that color on the lids a beautiful layer of soft shine.

LIPS: A high shine lip gloss works great but you can also try topping your favorite nude lippie with lip gloss. Adding some gloss makes the lips pop and can sometimes give the effect that the lips look plumper than they actually are.

Drape by: Jasmine Ball & Monay Pierre

48

Achieving this look is easier than your favorite beauty bloggers make it seem. Finding your glowy look will have you shining beautifully all spring and summer‌and fall‌.and winter!

While applying your new-found glowing makeup routine, remember that the most important thing is the natural glow that you possess within yourself with or without the makeup. Makeup is so much fun and we can be creative and expressive through it, but remembering to love yourself and recognize the light that you carry, is where the real shine comes through.

49

Drape by: Layla Adkisson

50

Drape by: Jesse Newton

51

MiMi

By: Marisa and Alexa Hull

S

Power

pending the week at Mimi’s is always a good time for us. Not only do we get to strengthen our bond and learn valuable life lessons from our kind, wise Mimi, but we also get the opportunity to really amp up our closet by transfusing it with mimi-style. One thing we love to do is investigate her closet and essentially commit theft by snatching a few pieces to incorporate into our own wardrobes. Some of our most cherished mimi-styles include structured blazers, faux fur coats, and silky ascots. In fact, our chaotic style merged with a subtle hint of mimi-power flavor makes us feel cool, confident, and glam like we are about to hit a retro cinema with our fierce girl gang back in the 60s.

By reviving and sporting pieces from Mimi, we class up every joint we enter and let the garb soak in many compliments. We highly encourage everyone to give vintage second hand clothes a whirl because they are oh so special. You’ll light up a room and look like you win awards. Also, to sweeten the deal, Mimi’s clothes ensure a connection with previous decades and allow the opportunity to day-dream and envision all the charming places they have been and the exhilarating stories they could tell.

52

53

Local Taste

By: Della Jones Photos : Elizabeth Costa

L

oved by everyone in Starkville, Daniel Maxwell specializes in rustic cooking wherever he can get in a kitchen. Born and raised in Knoxville, Maxwell has been cooking since he was ten years old and continued to shine through his creative “buy local” food.

He learned to cook… from his parents at a young age. His earliest memory with food is touching a hot pan his father told him not to touch. Maxwell said he was hooked on cooking ever since then.

His cooking style… is rustic cooking. Maxwell wants the ingredients to speak for themselves and get as much flavor as he can out of the food. He says to keep food simple, but make it a little weird in order to make it unique. One of the ways he incorporates flavor to make his dishes special is by using herbs from his own garden.

His signature dish, first dish he learned to cook, and food guilty pleasure… is steak. Maxwell has cooked so many steaks he can now do it with his eyes closed. He first learned to cook college types of food like mac and cheese and his food guilty pleasure is any type of dairy.

Butter, cheese, you name it he loves it!

His food inspirations are… his parents and

54

Francis Mallmanan, an Argentinian chef and restaurateur.

His favorite part of his job/best compliment… putting smiles of people’s faces. His best compliment he can receive for his food is dancing!

Advice to future chefs… is to get a cast iron skillet and take care of it because it will take care of you. He advises people wanting to cook to just get into the kitchen and put food on fire.

However, don’t move to fast or you will burn everything.

Summer food tips... cook over an open fire, but it doesn’t have to always be meat on a stick. Use a cast iron skillet and citrus elements in order to make everything fresh in one pan. An added bonus is you can use the leftovers for sandwiches the next day.

Sweet Tea Brined Chicken and potatoes What dish should everyone know how to cook to perfection...pan-roasted sweet tea brined chicken with potatoes.

Ingredients

1 pint sweet tea 1/2 cup salt 1 cup vinegar Baby yellow potatoes 2 chicken breasts (bone-in) 1 lime or lemon

1 cup cherry tomatoes 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 heads of garlic, peeled 3 Tbsp butter Fresh rosemary

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 2. Mix the sweet tea with the salt and vinegar to make a brine. Add the chicken and let sit overnight.

3. In a large cast iron skillet, roast the potatoes in the butter with salt and pepper for 10 minutes on 350.

4. Add the chicken skin side down and move the pan to medium heat on the stovetop.

5. After 10 minutes or until the skin is brown, flip the chicken and add the rest of the vegetables.

6. Return to the oven. Once the potatoes are soft, the chicken should be cooked through.

7. Add the white wine and the lime or lemon to make a pan sauce.

55

56