Mode Magazine Spring/Summer 2020

Spring/Summer 2020

THE FACES OF HEROES

Congr

CLASS O

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grats...

OF 2020!

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Credits Credits Jeffrey Pelayo Mackenzie Merriman Emily Malacane Stephen Pastore Katelyn Benzinger Maggie Peknic Jessica Laemle Jessica Sudol Sarah Lobdell Alexandra Lange Deirdre Merritt Max Quintas Alexandra Lange Maggie Peknic Kathryn Schulte Meah Nizan Prutha Chavan Katie Schulte Anthony Gambino Erin Foley Katie Schulte Cristina Tagliavia Madison Rhoad Ryan Smith

Layout

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Copy Editors Models Nina Carbone Stephen Pastore Caleb Rocha Ava Kuehner Erin Foley Paige Keeler Summer Huber Deirdre Merritt Izzi Budetti Mia Kroeger Cristina Tagliavia Christina Chao Teresa Jacob Liam Scott Ryan Sophie Smith Paige Kowal Samantha Petruzzelli Juliana Bettamio Jacqueline Moran Kimona Dussard Kishell Davis Samantha Wu Katie Schulte Monica Santiago

Alexandra Benavides Prutha Chava Abbey Cloonan Katie Crist Natalia Kimmelshue Alexandra Lange Zoe Mader Amelia Still Virginia Thior Kristen Williams

Photo Team Claire Reynolds Emma Castiglione Mia Pollack Natalie Lamb Olivia Vizza Prutha Chavan Paige Aloise Anthony Gambino Kyle Hall Isabelle Hesse Jordin O’Hara Gillian Roberts Emily Malacane

Table of Contents

2 Class of 2020 Collage 4 Credits 5 Table of Contents 6 Letter from the Editor

Hello & Goodbye

8 Dress to Express 9 The New Roaring 20s 10 Right Round 11 The French Phenomenon 12 Fashion’s Biggest Influencers 13 From College to Career 14 Rams Lend A Helping Hand

Fashion

16 Mental Health During a Pandemic 17 The Most Essential Essential Oils 18 Gen Z Girls: Shapers of the World 19 Becoming New York 20 Boujee Insta vs. Anti-Capitalist Twitter 21 Supplements & Influencers 22 Disposable Cameras: Capturing the Past 23 Join the MODE Family

24 Wingardium Blend-iosa 25 Glossier: Beauty for You and Me 26 Beauty Game-Changers of The Decade

Feature Stories

Lifestyle

28 Hair and Representation 29 The Case of the Coconut 30 The Power of Sisterhood 31 Know Who You Are Before You Know Whom to Love 32 33 34 35

Higher Standards: Women in Music A Musical Compass: Taylor Swift Mean Girls 2.0 New York’s Art-House Movie Theaters

36 Meet the E-Board

Beauty

Love & Relationships

Arts & Entertainment E-Board

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

| EUSSI .ON 02 Â |

Looking back on my time with MODE Magazine, I am forever grateful for this club, for the people and for the impact they had on me, as a leader and as a person. I came into this club a nervous transfer student with just a complete and utter love for fashion and lifestyle and the urge to spread the joy it brings me. I am leaving with so much more than that, I am leaving with an extended family.

0202S/S

Mack's Message Mack's Message

The spring semester has come and gone, although not the traditional ending to the school year, it still will remain a semester for the books. This semester will not go forgotten, not only for the unforeseen circumstances that were COVID-19, but for the rallying community that came together in hard times in a community we call a Ramily. This issue features our Ramily, our fellow students doing the most to aid the community and lift spirits during hard times.

Being a senior this semester hit hard as it did for so many not only at Fordham, but around the world. I lean on the saying tough times don't last, but tough people do. I have watched as around the world people have compromised and gotten creative with ways to stay a float, keep their businesses running, keep people's spirits up and care for one another in tough times. MODE has done the same, we have curated an online issue that we are proud of and hope can be even the tiniest ounce of light and distraction for you to enjoy.

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THIS ISSUE IS FOR YOU, OUR READERS, WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHEREVER YOU ARE, JUST KNOW WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE TO OUR EXTENDED MODE FAMILY.

A THANK YOU FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

u o Y k Than

To anyone who has picked up a copy of MODE, been a part of this club, donated to our fundraisers or simply just spread the word. It truly has been amazing to work with such creative and talented people and to lead a completely student run magazine.Â

While I am sad to be saying my goodbyes to this amazing publication, I know that it will be in great hands and I look forward to the future evolution of the magazine just as much as I have over my years with MODE.

Signing off as Editor In Chief with all my love,

Mackenzie Merriman FCRH Class of 2020 7

Dress to EXPRESS

H

By Nina Carbone, Annie Kinsella, and Caleb Roch

ave you ever seen a man in denim short-shorts or a woman wearing suspenders? What about a man with painted nails? Did you stop and look twice? Society has ingrained into us stereotypes of how men and women should dress. It is up to us to accept those who break these gender norms. Fashion offers people the chance to express themselves however they would like, and it is our responsibility to support and encourage their style.

Luxury fashion brands have been pushing the envelope on gendered clothing for years—everyone remembers Kanye’s Givenchy skirt, right?

On the other hand, smaller, daily-wear fashion brands are not as forward with their gender inclusion. Brands like H&M and Zara have released gender-neutral lines, neither of which were well received by the public. Zara’s line, for example, featured less minimalistic staples consisting of oversized tee shirts and sweatpants. This sparked a dialogue concluding that androgynous clothing is

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primarily more masculine rather than feminine.

Starting in childhood, “tomboy” girls are more widely accepted, whereas “sissy” boys are bullied and ridiculed. Now it is socially acceptable for women to wear clothing that was previously reserved for men, but it is never completely devoid of femininity.

The “boyfriend” style is commonly advertised as a heteronormative way for women to incorporate more masculine pieces into their daily wardrobe. Yet, femininity is seen as weak or lessthan and is often used as an objectifier of gender and sexuality. During this progressive time, this double standard is unnecessary and does not align with the current push for equality. In order for society to accept ungendered clothing, we need to embrace both masculine and feminine styles.

In this new decade, we need to recognize that individuality inspires creativity and adds dimension to the world. Falling into gender norms is habitual for us, but the fashion industry is the perfect place to start changing ideas of normality.

Society has made significant steps toward gender-inclusion and acceptance. One should be able to wear whatever it is that makes them feel happy and confident—dress for yourself, dress to express.

Welcome to the new Roaring

’20s! An era just as liberating as the first. A time full of technological innovation and immense creativity, but mainly a time to start a new century of fashion history. Most people think of “The Great Gatsby” when they hear the 1920s. The “Gatsby” look is a distinct one, and bits and pieces from those iconic 1920s looks are making their comeback with a modern twist. While new trends continue to emerge, there are some timeless styles from the 1920s that are even incorporated into mainstream fashion.

Since the ’20s, pearls were a much-needed accessory to top off an outfit. They were mainly worn as long-line necklaces and incorporated into headbands.

Today, pearls continue to be worn, but as earrings and hairpieces, such as barrettes. Aside from pearls, the

bob haircut is a timeless hairstyle that ruled the ’20s and today many celebrities, including Kaia Gerber, Beyonce, and the icon herself, Anna Wintour, embrace it.

Believe it or not, Harper’s Bazaar predicts feathers to be a huge trend this spring, as it was seen on the runways and in the streets during NYFW. Similar to the way feathers were used in the ’20s as an accessory and draping, they’re coming back into style in the form of trim. Markarian’s Fall 2020 RTW collection incorporated this flirty feather trend.

After years of tight, form-fitting clothes ruling over fashion trends, people are embracing loose-fitting clothing as seen in the Roaring ’20s. Wide-leg trouser pants, mid-length

skirts, monochrome power suits, and oversized everything are in. Billie Eilish’s signature style consists of this baggy look.

Similar to the tiered style flapper dresses, tiered dresses and skirts are also predicted to be a huge trend this spring according to Harper’s Bazaar.

Both tiers are A-line; however, the ones now have shorter layers and a little bit of flare and volume.

Even Alexander McQueen and Dior featured these looks in their Spring 2020 RTW collections.

While ’20s-inspired trends are not exactly the same as their predecessors, designers, celebrities, and fashionistas alike are embracing ’20s style in ways they might not even realize. The bottom line is: ’20s fashion is clearly here to stay.

— samantha wu

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R O U N D

R I G H T

Apparently the first sighting (pun intended) of the modern eyeglasses was in 13th-century Italy, and wouldn’t you know it, but they were round-rimmed. For the next 600 years, glasses evolved both in their ability to help with vision and as a fashion statement.

However, the round spectacle fell out of vogue, and glasses in general found themselves extradited to rest on the noses of 17th-century squares.

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and guy looking to hit the Ritz in style, a simple yet stylish pair of round rimmers were the perfect accessory.

Fast forward to the 1960s, and the round-rimmed glasses saw a resurgence in popularity that rivaled the mini skirt. Maybe the best way to illustrate just how ubiquitous they were would be to cite some famous ’60s sightings— Janis Joplin, Elton John, Mahatma Gandhi, and, of course, John Lennon. By their association

However, as the 20th century rang in, so did an industrial with these celebrities, these age that included the fabrication of glasses became synonymous with affordable eyewear. Starting in the expressing peace and love.

1920s and continuing into the ’30s,

The ’70s crept in with disco glasses were spotted on everyone from motion-picture stars to corrupt and punk, and the round glasses were nowhere to be found. In fact politicians. Surprisingly, the rim style of the “in” crowd was round. glasses, in general, were a fashion In some cases, they could be found faux pas. The ’80s and ’90s were plated in gold and bedazzled with known as the decades of greed and excess, and what better time to rhinestones. For the average gal

take a symbol of peace and turn it on its head. Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath’s bat-head-biting frontman, and Mickey Knox, leading psycho of “Natural Born Killers,” both took to sporting the round rims and made them a token of pure evil and rock and roll.

However, 2001 gave the world someone who could defeat evil, despite only being a bespectacled 12-year-old. Need I say more?

Over the last 700 years, the round-rim glasses have endured an unruly metamorphosis, and they have represented radically different things to various subcultures. These simply styled ocular aids are now a staple of diverse fashion culture.

By: Anthony Gambino

The

Fr en c h

PHENOMENON Article & Illustrations by Grace McCarty

“The French Girl” has become one of fashion’s greatest archetypes entirely against her own will. We are obsessed with her. She is the epitome of effortlessness.

Here in the States, we watch her every move, dissect her whole look, and wonder tirelessly how she can make chic appear so easy. In doing so, we have entirely missed the point.

There is a priceless irony in the strenuous attempts of American women to capture the French look. The Parisienne’s best-kept secret? She doesn’t care. The French Girl does not care what you think, what I think, what her mother thinks, what Anna Wintour thinks, or, least of all, what her date thinks about her appearance. She dresses comfortably and confidently, with no one to appease but herself. Many have tried to pin her down by observing patterns in her ensembles: oversized but structured garments, muted colors, flat shoes, silk scarves.

What is so often missing in these attempted recreations, however, is the French fashionista’s attitude.

Marina Knonosh, former New Yorker and French Girl in Training, tells Vogue that the concept of a woman changing her outfit multiple times a day is entirely foreign in Paris. The concept of handcrafting a new outfit specifically for a date is borderline outrageous.

One Parisian local shared with Harper’s Bazaar that men’s dress shirts make her feel most feminine; she wears them everywhere. Vogue’s most popular “Get Ready with Me” segments often feature French influencers as well. These glimpses into Parisians’ morning routines differ dramatically from the (literal) 38-step daily rituals outlined by certain American celebrities. Jeanne Damas knows no foundation except sunscreen. Camille Rowe praises cheap products from French pharmacies. The two share a distaste for mascara and work around imperfections rather than masking them. They feel naked without a classic red lip, which they smudge on with a finger, rubbing whatever’s leftover into their cheeks as a blush. In less time than I spend crafting my “natural waves,” they are ready for work, dinner, a walk in the park, a night out, a café pitstop, or, preferably, all of the above.

If she cared enough, French Girl would attest that the fatal American fashion flaw is effort. The evidence is blatantly smeared across American fashion and beauty ads; we are constantly being told how to “get the look,” and the look is never ours. We eat up so-called “beauty secrets,” straying from our own fashion instincts and the clothes in which we feel most ourselves. We want to look like other people in order to impress other people. Perhaps the real fashion tip to live by is right out of the French Girl Playbook: unapologetic comfort in one’s own skin is the ultimate accessory.

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Anna Wintour, Chiara Ferragni, Alessandro Michele, and Edward Enninful are some of the fashion industry’s major influencers.

Each one of them has used their styles and brands to shape the fashion world to what it is today.

Fashion’s Biggest Influencers

By Ryan Smith

Anna Wintour is, without a doubt, the most powerful and influential figure in the fashion industry today. Wintour is known for her bold yet elegant style paired with her blonde bob and iconic black sunglasses. Anna has been Vogue’s Editor in Chief since 1988. To designers throughout the industry, Anna’s seal of approval means everything. Her influence even stretches as far as to her ability to save the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s failing costume exhibits and turning it into one of the world’s Ig: @voguemagazine biggest fashion gala’s of the year.

Chiara Ferragni is one of the revolutionary forces that started the blogger and social media influencer era in the fashion industry. Ferragni started her fashion blog “The Blonde Salad” over ten years ago and has branded herself into a global powerhouse. Ferragni is a pioneer in this Instagram influencer era, with over 18 million Instagram followers. Her wedding engaged Ig: @chiaraferragni as much online activity as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Ferragni’s signature style and ability to connect consumers directly to products make her a front-row regular at fashion weeks across the globe.

Alessandro Michele has been the creative director at Gucci

since 2015 and has played an instrumental part in rebranding the Italian luxury house into the global icon it is today.

Michele’s style is all about bringing vintage designs back into today’s streetwear. Michele is not afraid to mix and match bold patterns to create true artistic expression. Michele has been instrumental in introducing the idea of gender fluidity into the fashion world. One of the best examples of this is Harry Styles’ Met Gala look last year; when he wore a high waisted frill top jumpsuit, with a pearl earring and heeled boots.

Ig: @alessandro_michele

Ig: @edward_enninful

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Edward Enninful is known throughout the fashion world for his commitment to diversity and female empowerment. Enninful became Editor in Chief of British Vogue in 2017, making Enninful the first-ever male editor of a Vogue publication. In his short time as Editor, Enninful has been a significant influence in the fashion industry’s willingness to be inclusive to all ethnicities, religions, and body types. This can be seen throughout Enninful’s covers stories of the famous magazine. For instance, one of Enninful’s most renowned cover stories was last year’s September issue titled Forces for Change, where 15 women were featured on the cover. The story behind the cover was about how these 15 women wanted to change the world.

F

or the past four years, my priority in outfit choices has been comfort.

What oversized sweater can I throw on that will look good with my leggings? What jeans work with my white sneakers? The questions go on and on but the idea stays the same: comfort. After these four glorious years of being able to wear athleisure 95% of the time, transitioning into the work environment seems quite daunting. But it doesn’t have to be.

When venturing into a “career wardrobe,” my go-to’s are stretchy trousers from H&M. They look just like work pants, but fit like yoga pants–accentuating everything you want them to while never being uncomfortable. I have often considered wearing them to class because of their comfort but have always stopped myself because how professional they look. Flowy skirts are also very comfortable and easy to throw on with a sweater or even a short-sleeve shirt paired with a blazer.

These skirts are breathable and easy to wear.

Add a colorful print for more fun, or keep it professional with a muted tone.

If you are going into a field with a strict professional dress code, your choices of tops may be more restricted. So, although the office might not let you wear a t-shirt, an easy fix is to buy a professional looking blouse a size up. Not to the point where the blouse becomes a dress, but just big enough for some extra wiggle room. Both cotton tops and blouses are perfect to layer with a blazer or a sweater, depending on the seasons and your style.

Finally: shoes. Mule slides are one of my favorites because they look professional but are very comfortable. Most importantly, they are easy to slip on an off. So, if you want to wear sneakers on your communte and change at work, mules will be your best

From From College College ToTo Career: Career: A change in your wardrobe By: Cristina Tagliavia

friend. Booties are another perfect workshoe.

They are fashionable, have a little bit of a heel, and look great for whatever activities you have planned after work.

Dressing professionally doesn’t mean dressing uncomfortably. Nor does it mean you have to look like everyone else. Always feel free to pick out a fun pattern that expresses your personal style and wear it confidently. Just remember that as long as you look professional and are confident in what you are wearing you can never go wrong.

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S/S 2020

2) Gregory Prentiss, a Buffalo native, found himself away from home due to family related matters upon this Coronavirus outbreak. While he was away from home he was often thinking about the conditions New York was facing. Afterall it was one of the hardest hit spots. You have heard over and over again how important it is to support local and Gregory took this to heart.

He decided he wanted to help give back to his own local community.

HANNAH BROWN 1) For Hannah Brown sewing comes naturally, since the age of 6 Hannah has been creating with a needle and thread.

At first Hannah says, “This whole mask making initiative started out as a pass time while in social isolation” in her home city of Boston. It just so happens that this has been in high demand with the increase of need for homemade facemasks. Hannah's mother is a hero, otherwise known as a nurse fighting for her community on the front lines. When Hannah's mom told her that their local hospital was accepting hand sewn masks, she did not hesitate to step up for her community.

Looking for nothing, but to help her community, Hannah tells me that many community members saw what she was doing and were so supportive of her initiative that they donated funds and supplies to help her continue to sew masks. Eventually her mask making peaked the interest of more and more community members and they started asking if she would make them masks as well. This was the beginning of Han-crafted. An instagram dedicated to Hannahs talented seamstress skills, which happens to currently be showcasing her mask making efforts.

We are all going through this pandemic together and Hannah has proven to make the best out of the situation given the circumstances. All while doing something she loves, After finding out her summer internship was cancelled and she was let go from her job at J crew, Hannah tells MODE, “ I decided to turn a terrible situation of being in social isolation and losing my two jobs into an opportunity to build a brand and help people while doing so, especially during such a trying time. I have continued to make and donate masks for both healthcare workers, as well as make them for the public. Since the start of this amazing journey I have made over 1300 masks for healthcare workers, friends, family, and community members.”

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Gregory teamed up with a high school friend Julia, who works at DAvolio, a local to them restaurant and together they were able to go above and beyond.

He tells me that their original goal was 4,000 and then this quickly turned into 5,000. In less than a week they had raised almost 500 over their goal and ultimately were able to make and deliver 475 meals to frontline workers at St. Josephs in Buffalo!

Gregory’s return date back to Buffalo was set for Mother's Day weekend. So naturally he planned to do a fundraiser to feed all the 475 workers at the largest COVID hospital in Buffalo, St. Josephs on Mothers Day. Gregory says, “I wanted to do Mother’s Day because I feel they should be with their families on Mother’s Day and unfortunately these workers are grinding 12 hour shifts a day, so we wanted to think of a way they could have a little celebration since they can’t be with their families.” Each meal contains 1/2 sandwich, 3 slices of pizza, salad, and a dessert. Talk about a heartwarming Mother's Day!

GREGORY PRENTISS

Rams Lend A Helping Hand

3) I also got a chance to chat with Fordham Experimental Theaters Vice President Emma Paolini. Emma handles club communications, organizes new initiatives, and keeps tabs on all of the logistical stuff for the club so when the time came to organize a fundraiser to help with COVID relief funds, she was just the person for the job.

FORDHAM EXPERIMENTAL After her study abroad program was cut short mid THEATER march due to coronavirus she had an idea to raise MEMBERS

awareness with a fundraiser through FET. She says, “we were all feeling pretty powerless and scared and wanted to do something to help, plus I wanted to find a way to bring the community together and hopefully make people smile.”

MADDIE RIZZO

RAMS FIGHTING COVID

In the end there were about 15 alumni involved in the project and around 40 people on the zoom call watching, FET ended up raising almost $4,000 for St Barnabas in total Emma says, “[This] was more than I ever imagined.

Everyone came together for a great cause and I am so proud of our club!”

4) Many Fordham students can easily agree that Edwards Parade holds a special place in their hearts. Warm days on Eddies are where some of the best Fordham moments are spent. Maddie Rizzo started a project inspired by her favorite memory of a Fordham day on Eddies. Not only to raise the spirits of her fellow classmates with a special Fordham token, but to bring awareness and raise money for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 10% of the proceeds are being donated to NYC Health and Hospitals, which provides meals, groceries, laundry, and other funding to NYC health workers.

Maddie tells me, “I wanted to create something positive for the Fordham community that I miss so much, while also contributing to the health workers who are fighting on the front lines.” Maddie has made a t-shirt design available on Bonfire as “FU2020 Shirt” and a redbubble design also available for purchase under rizzoart. Thank you Maddie, you are truly a light in this world in a time where it is needed most.

Rams Lend A Helping Hand

Ultimately the club decided on donating to St Barnabas hospital which is locally located in the Bronx, a dear neighbor to Fordham. Hence the urge to help and support local. The idea from the beginning was to hold some form of virtual fundraiser via social media and from there the possibilities were endless.

Emma explains the fundraiser to me as follows, each umbrella group within the club would have a day of the last week of March during which they would complete tasks in return for donations to St Barnabas Hospital.

They also had a day for the club’s general membership (people not part of an umbrella group) and alumni. This was a fundraiser for everyone, bringing the Fordham community back together for a great cause. Emma tells me, “ We had people shaving their heads, sharing cringey diary entries from their childhoods, writing custom stories, telling jokes, and so much more. One group of alumni even wrote a screenplay based on suggestions from donors and held a zoom call where they read the screenplay out loud.”

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mental health during a pandemic katie schulte

D

uring these unprecedented times, it is essential to stay both physically and mentally healthy. Though there are mandates in place on how to protect yourself physically such as social distancing, mental health is unfortunately not as clear. No matter your circumstances are, however, it is important to know you are not alone.

Despite students being home for the semester, Fordham still has been resources available. Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) remains committed to the student body and has clinical services available 9-5 (EST) Monday through Friday. If you need to schedule a walk-in, you can call 718817-3725 for Rose Hill, or 212-636-6225 for Lincoln Center. Given the high stress of the pandemic, Fordham understands students need their help even more so now. Besides individual consultations, they also have created a support group for international students that remain on campus. Another support group is held for all students on Mondays and Tuesdays on Zoom—check out their Instagram for the ID number and code!

quick facts:

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1 in 5 adults in the US (about 48 million experience mental illness

CPS also provides recommendations for how to manage stress. Above all, it is essential to recognize that everything you are feeling is completely valid. Life as we knew it was disrupted; for this reason, they also recommend trying to stick to routine as much as possible (emphasis on the as much as possible). This means sticking to your class schedule, eating three meals regularly, getting a good night’s sleep, working out, or going to club meetings.

With that being said, it’s important to stay connected with your friends and the Fordham community. This is what a new organization on campus is focused on: Lean on Me. It’s a chapter of a national organization created by students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It is a peer text line for confidential support in non-crisis situations and the group at Fordham is working with CPS to create a place on campus. Though the Fordham number is not active yet, the community is, and they are working to create a safe space for rams to support one another on campus especially now. This week, they will be posting a campaign on their Instagram to post tips on how to take care of yourself during this time.

Other organizations and clubs on campus are working hard to keep students connected and active. Rose Hill’s Commuter Services and LC’s health and wellness club BeWell, for

of this 48 million, only 43% received treatment

example, are sharing activities to do during quarantine like working out or making new recipes. The Fordham Ram also had a series called the “Quarantine Diaries” where students shared their experiences.

Beyond Fordham resources, the Mayo Clinic and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommend getting enough sleep, partaking in physical activity, eating healthy, relaxing, and limiting screen time. Find what helps you feel calm, whether it’s listening to new music, doing yoga in your room, or taking a walk outside if you can maintain distance from others. If you begin to feel stressed by the news or from the overflow of information online, take a break from social media. Though it’s important to keep up with local and national recommendations like updated stay at home orders, hearing commentary or conflicting theories about the coming months can drive you in circles.

Take time to find what works for you.

As we are all in different circumstances, there is no one size fits all solution to self-care and mental health. It is important to know that you have the resources and community behind you still no matter how close or far we are from one another.

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or 1-800-2718255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

you are not alone.

anxiety disorders are the most common at 29% (mood disorders are 20%)

The Most

Essential

Essential Oils By: Emma Schmitchel

he popularity of essential oils has skyrocketed because T of the media’s increased focus on self-care, mindfulness, meditation, and mental health. As a proponent for these topics,

I’ve started incorporating essential oils into my everyday routine. I strongly suggest that everyone should give them a try.

Essential oils are 100 percent natural and can be used in a variety of ways. Personally, I use a diffuser to diffuse the oils in my bedroom before I fall asleep and when I wake up in the morning. Before I leave for the day, I like to rub a drop of oil onto my wrists to serve as both a perfume and comforting aromatherapy at the same time. Whether you decide to use your essential oils in soap, skincare, diffusers, or straight from the bottle, try them out and see what works for you. There’s no wrong way to use ’em!

Here’s how to navigate your options, depending on your needs:

If you need to catch some “Zzz”s:

If you need to wake the heck up:

If you need to feel fresh & clean:

If your skin is breaking out:

LAVENDER OIL

PEPPERMINT OIL

LEMON OIL

TEA TREE OIL

Lavender oil is the choice for you! Lavender is known for its calming properties and its ability to relax muscles and reduce stress. Using this oil before bedtime is the perfect tool to help you unwind and drift off to sleep easily.

Peppermint oil will do the Try some lemon oil! Lemon oil is known for being a trick! This oil is perfect for germ-fighting disinfectant energizing the senses and breaking you out of a tired and can diffuse the air in a stuffy, messy room. Other slump. Inhaling a peppercitrus oils such as orange mint scent in the morning oil and bergamot oil are has been proven to help increase concentration and commonly used to reduce inflammation, due to their focus. Overall, it’s a great healing properties, and way to wake up feeling fresh can even foster a happier and ready to conquer the mood. day.

Try applying some tea tree oil! Use a cotton swab soaked in tea tree oil to spot-treat pimples, zits, and oily areas. Besides topical use, anti-inflammatory properties in tea tree oil can revitalize skin when inhaled or diffused.

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Gen Z Girls

F

SHAPERS OF THE WORLD

rom the butt of the joke to the culture makers.

The girls who just a few years ago were made fun of for liking boy bands and reading “Twilight” have officially grown up. It seems as if it’s an adult right of passage to poke fun at young girls for their interests (ever heard of Beatlemania?). Well, Generation Z’s young women have been through that, rejected it, and are here to shake things up. What’s the harm in appreciating a nice game of vampire baseball with “Supermassive Black Hole” by Muse playing in the background?

It’s easy to call Gen Z young, but whether older generations like it or not, it’s the group that’s building the society we’re going to live in. It’s spearheading social media and modern comedy. It’s got the fashion mavens, the music prodigies, and the star-on-the-rise actors that the world can’t get enough of. But in addition to that, the girls of Gen Z are activists when no one else will speak, and they’re humanists when no one else will care. They’re politically involved and ecoconscious. They’re aware that the time for sitting on the sidelines is over, and they’re already getting their hands dirty.

They’re Zendaya, Billie Eilish, Kaia Gerber, or Greta Thunberg; they’re your friends, your relatives, your inspirations, or maybe even you. Growing up in the 21st century, these girls fostered their cultureshaping character with the help of the post-modern

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By Kristen Williams

feminist ideology that’s becoming more and more acknowledged—that a woman can be whatever she wants to be.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the girls of Gen Z because before you know it, they’re going to be out running our country. If these ladies learned anything from their eighth-grade case of One Direction infection, it’s that they “light up this world that nobody else.” (And while we’re at it, “Let’s have another toast to the girl almighty.”)

Becoming New York by, Grace Rooney

P

eople move to New York City for all different reasons. For some it is the opportunity to be in a major city, whether it be for fashion, business, politics, or any of the other industries that are centered here. For others, it’s the acceptance that comes with a liberal city like New York.

For me, it was about all of these things and more; New York has an electric energy that cannot be denied.

Choosing to move to New York for my college years was not an easy decision.

I grew up in a beach town where the population is equivalent to the population of Tribeca alone. Most people who went to my high school go to the state public school or stay in a close vicinity. When I decided to come to New York, it was a drastic change. It’s a change that many people across the country have undergone, and the daunting aspect of my New York lifestyle certainly wasn’t unique to me.

Almost everyone I have spoken to who isn’t from a major city has had

experiences similar to mine. I remember questioning my own sense of style when the girl down the hall (now one of my best friends) told me that she had her closet color coordinated. Another one of my friends said that she instantly felt the need to “step up her game” when she moved here. We felt like we had to be Carrie Bradshaw to be worthy of living here.

What I’ve learned in the few months I have been here isn’t to color coordinate my closet or buy more expensive clothing.

It’s that my sense of style is important to me, and that is what a New York lifestyle is about. Here, no one cares about what your closet looks like or how much money you spend. What matters is that you love what you’re doing, and that your own sense wof style becomes refined in its own right, independent of anyone else.

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Boujee* Insta VS.

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he lifestyles of the rich, or the filtered presentations of glamorous lives, flood our Instagram feeds. The younger generations present an aesthetically pleasing version of their lives, and the most luxurious pages are envied. What makes this interesting is that much of the younger generations (Millennials and Generation Z) are simultaneously critical of the capitalist system that allows for the disproportionate affluence. People on Twitter question whether it’s ethical to have billionaires, while Instagram seems to be a competition of who can show off the best lifestyle.

Some Instagram accounts share photos of inspirational quotes that support their theme of happiness, growth, and living their best lives. It’s a platform we use to portray joy and positivity.

However most of us know that people are not as happy as they seem, and many of those people are not as skinny and flawless as they look (thanks to Photoshop and Facetune). Our generation USES INSTAGRAM to show the perfect version of our lives. witter is a different world. People are critical of life and society, with most viral tweets being incredibly depressing. Famous Twitter celebs don’t try to show off wealth. In fact, there’s a strong culture around jokes about being broke and a lot of anger toward the top one percent in the United States.

AntiCapitalist Twitter

* “High class, flossin’, ballin’. One who posesses swag. Elite, rich.”

Social media culture has simultaneously become focused on the jovial flaunting of wealth and on the tackling of controversial political, economic, and social issues. A stereotypical college student’s Instagram post is about partying or brunch. The stereotypical college tweet is about being poor, college being an expensive scam, and being depressed (very often about wanting to get hit by a car).

The younger generations are presenting themselves and what they care about in a drastically different way on each platform. People on Twitter are angry about the economic system in the United States that allows extreme income inequality to exist, and many more people are supporting socialist-leaning views due to this anger. Yet, the same age group on Instagram is leaning into the capitalist idea, indulging in consumerism and a luxuriously portrayed life.

When asking Fordham students ,“Who would you follow?”the preferred was a Twitter user with Anti-Capitalist behavior.

By Brenna Powers 20

A lot of the same millennials and Gen Z kids that are living boujee lives on Instagram are criticizing the wealthy on Twitter. People are both envious of luxury and eager to take down the wealthiest in the country—two social media platforms, but two wildly different representations of the self. On Instagram, everyone likes to “flex,” yet, on Twitter, want to be “woke.” Even those that advocate heavily for their views still participate in the rich-kid vibe of Instagram (see: Jaboukie Young-White, no shade to him though). Some people want to show the world (what looks like) their best life, what their political views are, how their day went, or tell jokes. Instagram and Twitter-famous millennials continue to show the drastic divide within social media.

The Secret Behind Supplements: What Influencers Are Really Promoting

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very day, our lives are flooded with information, Ingredients, side effects, allergens, and placebos are all and it can be hard for the average consumer to concerns that I hope more of us take seriously. Dietary distinguish fact from fiction. In a world where young supplements can provide great health benefits, but adults turn to social media for the latest trends and they are not for everyone. Some products labeled in products, danger lies ahead. Influencers, who already the health industry are reviewed by the FDA as a food, have the mainstream’s “perfect” physique and desirable not a drug. The FDA also does not have the agency to appearance, promote a variety of products online that test all new health supplements for levels of safety and claim to provide rapid health benefits. If you are an efficacy. This means that the jury is still out on potential avid user of social media, you have probably heard of side effects, interactions with medications, and actual products such as SugarBearHair quantitative benefits. gummies, FitTea, Flat Tummy’s appetite-suppressant lollipops, or At the end of the day, we all want even waist trainers. Influencers like to look our best, have glowing Jemma Lucy and the Kardashians skin, grow healthier hair and nails, are infamous for advertising a and feel more confident in any majority of these products, leading way we can. I, too, have stopped to millions of dollars going into my incessant scrolling to read a an industry that is unregulated caption saying, “This tea helped by the U.S. FDA—just because me lose 15 pounds in three weeks!” they took a picture in front of a or “I have never gotten a better mirror, wearing workout clothes, night’s sleep!” However, all of and showcasing the product. these products are just fueling the Even fitness trainers, whose damaging, unattainable beauty job is to work out the most standards placed upon young prestigious clientele, make an extra people, especially women, today. buck promoting vitamins and The influencers who get paid to supplements for boosting energy, promote them also have strict getting sleep, building muscle, workout regimens, extreme diets, and burning fat. Health expert and, in many cases, multiple Dr. Oz has repeatedly covered cosmetic procedures that give them different supplements on his show, their “flawless” looks. It is unfair

By Olivia Vizza claiming them to be the newest, and unsafe for these same people best way to lose weight, and to sell false promises in the form completely contradicting himself of a pill, tea bag, or lollipop instead the following week by promoting a of inspiring others to cook healthy, new combination of mystery herbs unprocessed meals and exercise or extracts. regularly. Let’s face it: No one is going to get a butt or As someone who takes supplements for reasons a waist like Kim Kardashian’s just by drinking tea or of deficiency and doctor’s recommendations, I find it sucking on a lollipop. Instead, there will be a growth in troubling that so many people are spending their money popularity surrounding diet culture and an unhealthy on vitamins, weight-loss supplements, “fit” teas, and dependence on supplements that overshadow clean gummies only because “insta-celebs” are paid to tell eating and exercise, which is usually cheaper and way them they work. more effective than buying a bottle of pills.

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By: Alexandra Lange

t’s often said that everything comes back into style eventually. Whether it be vintage fashion trends revolutionizing our wardrobes or record players changing the way we listen to music, if you wait long enough, old trends will be recycled. Just walk into any Urban Outfitters, and you’re sure to see row after row flooded with vintage goods.

The latest retro trend has been revived in photography: disposable cameras. Some may find this surprising because of the technological advances in photography—like smartphone cameras and high-tech DSLRs—over the last decade, but disposables are back and better than ever.

In a social media–focused world that values creating a flawless image, many have become obsessed with capturing the perfect Instagram photo. It’s become so easy to fall into this lifestyle since smartphone cameras can instantly capture any moment and erase any shot that doesn’t reflect the image you are seeking to maintain.

Millennials and Gen Z, however, are streaked, oversaturated photos from oldperfectly edited iPhone pictures. These moment with no delete or retake option. most candid, spontaneous moments seems to have forgotten about.

The thrill of taking a photo turned out until days later has against the disingenuous Instead of centering their the perfect Instagram regaining authenticity cameras. They allow memory from their on the moment the photo.

Celebrities have trend as well, with influencers dedicating to sharing their film star with over 15 million @davidsdisposable last have also been using opting for a more downphotos you typically see Even if you don’t own a to go through the process apps that offer film-camera popular, HUJI Cam, adds to photos. It even prints a photo to complete the vintage

recently favoring the grainy, lightschool disposable cameras over film photos are taken in the They let you capture the the social media generation and not knowing how it led young people to rebel ethos of social media. social lives around taking photo, many feel they are in their lives by using film people to receive a tangible adventures and focus more itself than the actual look of wholeheartedly embraced this many popular YouTubers and social media accounts exclusively photos. David Dobrik, a YouTube subscribers, created his account June. Models, such as Gigi Hadid, disposable cameras at fashion shows, to-earth vibe than the overly edited of models. disposable camera or don’t want of developing photos, many effects now exist. The most light leaks and grainy effects timestamp in the corner of each aesthetic.

For those who really want to have the disposable camera experience on their smartphones, the app Gudak Cam allows users to take 24 low-resolution photos through a tiny screen resembling a disposable camera. Once you use up your 24 photos, the app makes you wait an hour before taking another. After three days, users can access their photos and save them to their camera rolls.

Disposable cameras transport you back to a simpler, more authentic world where every photo has real meaning. They are as aesthetically pleasing as they are an escape from the pressure of the world of social media.

For just $10 (or even for free with apps!), you can go back in time and see life from a whole new perspective.

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Join the MODE Family!

Check out our blog! fordhammode.wordpress.com Follow us on Insta! @modemagazine

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alessandra carino

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eauty inspired by real-life,” “Skin first, makeup second.” These are the philosophies of Glossier, one of the trendiest, fast-growing beauty brands currently on the market. These slogans encompass a brand motivation that sets it apart from its competitors. When Emily Weiss, Glossier’s foundress, began her blog, Into the Gloss, in 2010, a billion-dollar corporation is the last thing she thought she would be creating. Eventually, in 2014, she launched Glossier, an online store with only four products: the Soothing Face Mist, Priming Moisturizer, Balm Dotcom salve, and the

Perfecting Skin Tint foundation. Upon first glance, it might seem like these were regular beauty products you could find at any beauty supplier, but Weiss was aiming for something new and different.

“Skin First Makeup Second” Glossier focuses on you. Each product is designed not to cover you up, but to bring out your natural beauty. The brand places a great emphasis on skincare. Its philosophy is that instead of putting on a “new face,” we are to take care of the skin we have. Only then do we add makeup to the routine.

Glossier practices the importance of individualism as a core part of their brand, not only with its skincare, but with its perfume, Glossier You, as well. It has been formulated in such a way that it smells different on everyone who wears it. It works with your body’s natural chemistry to make you smell like the freshest version of yourself.

“Beauty Inspired by Real-Life”

Another unique aspect of Glossier is its minimalism and the functionality of the products. The user-friendly products were designed with the average person in mind. Products like their Boy Brow, Stretch Concealer, and Cloud Paint are staples in so many makeup bags because anyone can use them, and they look great. Many people are intimidated by makeup, but Glossier offers a “justenough” approach for those looking to explore the beauty world while maintaining a simple routine.

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Beauty Game-Changers

of the Decade

By Anita Tataj Beauty has always been at the forefront of change.

With each passing decade we see trends come and go; from sleek, healthy hair in the ’70s to bold, punk rock makeup in the ’80s. The last 10 years have been nothing short of that. Here are Mode’s five biggest beauty game-changers of the 2010s.

Makeup mogul Kylie Jenner’s billion-dollar business Kylie Jenner took her fans’ obsession of overlined lips and converted it into a billion-dollar makeup company: Kylie Cosmetics. With such a move, Jenner took mega-fame under her own control and built up a line that was once just $25 lip kits into a business worth $900 million, according to Forbes. Nonetheless, she’s not the only member of her family empire to build a cosmetics brand as her sister Kim Kardashian West’s beauty line, KKW Beauty, has brought in over $100 million in sales.

The “Fenty Effect” and shade-range inclusivity Since launching in 2017 with 40 different foundation shades, Fenty Beauty has expanded to 50 shades, completely raising the bar for all other cosmetic brands. The shade range for foundation has grown incredibly in the last decade, and we can thank Rihanna for that. Rihanna leads with inclusivity at the forefront of all of her brands, from Fenty Beauty to her Savage X Fenty Lingerie line which coins the terms “All Styles, All Sizes!” and “Designed for Every Body.”

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The emphasis on skincare Now more than ever, people are willing to pay a pretty penny on skincare. People invest on skincare rather than cosmetics, leaning toward sciencebased brands that use high-grade ingredients. Many beauty brands, like Glossier, are embracing this skincare shift by pinning the emphasis on taking care of the skin you have, before adding the makeup.

The Big Brow British model Cara Delevingne paved the way for the eyebrow trend that would soon take over the decade when she walked in a Burberry fashion show in 2010. Microblading and eyebrow tinting would rise in the next 10 years to revolutionize the beauty ideals surrounding eyebrows completely.

Influencer Beauty: the rise of #beauty and the YouTube beauty vlogger Perhaps the biggest beauty phenomenon of the last decade: young makeup artists finding their voice on YouTube and growing their followers to the millions.

YouTube stars like James Charles have grown to create makeup collaborations with famous beauty brands like Morphe, or have even produced their own beauty companies, like Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

This platform has not only revolutionized makeup beyond bricks-and-mortar stores, but it also encourages positivity within the beauty community.

Social media has allowed Nikita Dragun to use her beauty channel to advocate for trans rights, while male makeup artists, like E!’s 2019 People’s Choice Awards’ Influencer of the Year Bretman Rock, use their channels to encourage males in the makeup scene.

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Hair & Representation

Last semester, in Mode’s Fall/Winter 2019 issue, we featured an article titled “Curls, Coils, and Kinks.” Though we intended to mention Type 2A-4C hair, we mistakenly put Type 1A-3C hair instead. The people writing the article and those that reviewed it were admittedly not as educated on the topic, and we understand how this becomes problematic, especially for underrepresented communities. It was never our intention to hurt anyone or leave anyone out. It was an oversight and a mistake. We know better now and we are trying our best to do better too. There is not enough representation for people of color, especially black people and women of color, and we apologize that we took part in that underrepresentation. We want to change that. This was a lesson we learned from and one we will never forget in future projects. This does not reflect what Mode stands for, as we are a collective that celebrates all people. The two women we want to feature on this page are Kimona Dussard and Kishell Davis. These women have fantastic personalities, respected leadership positions at Fordham, and a lot to say about representation! We hope you are able to learn from their insight.

We are grateful for those that reached out to us, the women that agreed to share their insight, and most importantly, the people that speak up when it comes to topics like this. We are glad that you find courage in being a voice for your communities. You are an inspiration to many.

Who are your inspirations and why?

Michelle Obama and Olivia Pope. I know Olivia Pope is a fictional character BUT she was the first strong black woman that I saw as the main character of a TV show. She wasn't just the sidekick you know? And Michelle Obama is just all kinds of amazing!

They are two strong black women that remind me that I can take whatever the world throws at me.

What type of hair do you have and how do you maintain/take care of it?

I've got 4c (kinky curly) hair. My hair routine consists of a LOT of deep conditioning and two strand twists.

Kimona Dussard FCRH 2020 Major: Political Science Minor: Peace & Justice Studies “Follow me on insta @KimonaElizabeth”

Why is representation necessary, especially at Fordham?

There are so many reasons I could go into for why representation is necessary, but I think the main reason is that without representation minority groups are only perceived by their stereotypes. Not only does that lead to so many microaggressions, but in a predominantly white institution like Fordham it can make minority students question whether they belong or are appreciated in this community.

Who are your inspirations and why?

The people that I am most inspired by are Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. My forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, is the epitome of hard work, perseverance, resilience, the embodiment of the American Dream, and so much more. She grew up in Southside Chicago, where her odds of failure were higher than her chances of success. Yet, she managed to surpass the odds. She has degrees from Ivy Leagues universities, she is a lawyer, a philanthropist, an activist, and most importantly, an inspiration to black women such as myself who are determined to succeed. Oprah Winfrey sets the standards for love, compassion, and the fellowship of mankind. She cheerfully gives back to her community and to the world. She institutes programs and opportunities that allow those that are disadvantaged to advance their education and further their careers. These inspirational women set the standard, and I have so choice but to emulate their excellence.

What type of hair do you have and how do you maintain/take care of it?

I am very spontaneous. Naturally, I have 4C kinky afro hair, but I’ve worn my hair shaven since I was 17. I like to switch up my styles, depending on the day, event, or my mood. So if I want, I may rock a wig – an afro, straight hair, a bob, pink hair, or wear my shaven hair. I personally do not have much upkeeping to do. But months where I decide to grow my natural hair, I like to use the Cantu line of products, Shea Moisture products, and a variety of oils. Using these products, I feel it is best to let my afro out, or wear a productive style such as braids.

Why is representation necessary, especially at Fordham?

Representation matters! The black community is diverse in many ways – language, culture, religion, educational background, immigration status, sexual orientation and so much more. Proper representation allows for our voices and concerns to be heard. It says “WE MATTER,” and “WE ARE GOING PLACES!” Additionally, it allows us to redefine standards, and reshape primitive customs. When we get more black and brown students at Fordham, we are inviting and opening the opportunity for growth within Fordham and the black community.

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Kishell Davis FCLC 2022

Major: International Political Economy Minor: Economics & English “I am a Marine Corps ROTC student and I absolutely love it! The military provides great opportunities for everyone to succeed, and further their career. It instills discipline and strength and is one of the most diverse organizations I’ve been involved with. I [also] love reading, volunteering, and exercising, and finding various ways to give back to my community.”

The Case of the Coconut By: Virginia Thior

“What are you?” “You look so exotic?”

“Can I touch your hair?”

These are just a few of the endless amount of questions that a girl of mixed race comes across. Growing up, I felt that I was too dark for my white friends and too light for my black friends. I was often told that I was a coconut—black on the outside but white on the inside, merely because of the way I sounded. People would say: I sounded white but looked black, I had white interests, I was an intellectual, or when I sang I preferred to sing more classical tunes. In college, I’ve realized that these ideas were reiterations of toxic racial norms.

In the past, the real world often pushed and pulled me between my Greek and Senegalese ethnicities.

However, at home, I was immersed in both of these very different cultures while still connected with a fully American background.

College helped me realize that embracing all sides of yourself is important, but being true to who you are with cultures aside is the key. I used to be the only biracial girl in the room; now as I’m surrounded by so many walks of life and meeting more mixed-race girls, my eyes have been opened. Gaining new perspectives made me see that my experience is a common one, whether you’re half Greek, half Senegalese; or half Pakistani, half Columbian; or half Italian, half Cambodian. You are not your mix of ethnicities, and, although they make you unique and add a rightful flare to your life, your personality is what should hold priority in what sets you apart.

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The power of sisterhood

By Emily Malacane When I was watching the Netflix original movie “Someone Great” for probably the fourth time, it brought tears to my eyes. Not because of the tragedy of a long-term relationship coming to an end, but because of the strong female friendships. I saw not only myself but also my beautiful friends in the characters. The laughing, the crying, the dancing, the heartbreak, the fights, the support—all of it.

I am nothing without my girlfriends. They lift me up, they ground me, and they are the reason that I am the confident woman I am today. Beyoncé said it best, “I love my husband, but it is nothing like a conversation with a woman that understands you. I grow so much from those conversations.”

I think about all of the women who have supported me to this point. I remember all of the genuine girl-hug greetings. I reflect on all of the compliments from strangers in the women’s restroom at a bar. I think about all the “I love you”s exchanged, and how they are just as meaningful as the first time those words left our lips.

“Sex and the City” was the first mainstream show that we, as women, could see our own friendships represented in its characters. As Charlotte said, “Maybe we can be each other’s soulmates. And then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have

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fun with.” I wonder about the validity of this idea often. My friends are the first people I go to with good news, and they are the ones who immediately know when I’m sad. They are the people that I pour every ounce of my love and energy into, and to me, that is the definition of a soulmate.

A UCLA study (conducted by two women) found that when women are stressed, they release a hormone called oxytocin. This delays the feeling of stress and creates a calming effect on the body.

Typically stress invokes a fight-or-flight response, but oxytocin delays it and makes a woman feel inclined to tend to her children or gather with other women.

This hormone is enhanced by, you guessed it, estrogen. Testosterone, however, reduces the effects of oxytocin. It’s not just feminine instinct for us to surround ourselves with other women; it’s a part of our bodily chemistry.

Keep the women in your life close to you. Plan a few more girls’ nights out, shopping trips, coffee dates, and movie nights. Cherish and appreciate the support and validation that they give you. We are only as great as the women standing next to us.

So here’s to the girl gang. Let’s keep growing, together.

Know who you are before you know whom to love

By Emily Abate

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be in a relationship? Or better yet, why do we feel pressure to have fun while being single? Truth is, being either single or in a relationship is hard work either way. It’s tough not to be envious of our friends who are “so in love” with their partners while we are single and alone, but we also tend to yearn for the carefree single life when in a committed relationship. People tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side without getting to the root of the problem. Somehow, it seems as if all our problems would disappear if we were just in a relationship or just broke up with our partner, right?

I’ve had my fair share of time being both single and taken.

Though I am still young, I can confidently say that each relationship, broken heart, and girls’ night out has taught me valuable lessons about myself. Beyond that, it has taught me what I want and look for in a future partner. No matter if I am in a relationship or single, my number one priority is and always will be me. While that might sound selfish, the cheesy line of “I can’t be a part of two until I am a better one” puts it into perspective: we cannot be in a relationship with

another until we learn how to love ourselves and truly become comfortable in our own skin, without relying on our partner to validate us. The acceptance and self-love we are looking for can only come from ourselves.

When your spirits are down over a fight with your partner or being the only single friend of the group, just remember the benefits that each side offers. Learn to love your own company, and the right partner will find you when you’re least expecting it. In the meantime, take the time to focus on your life goals and what makes you “you.” While these are still things you should focus on if you are in a relationship, being single gives you that extra deep thinking time to narrow in on what is important in life. Continue to focus on what you have rather than what you don’t, and love within yourself will find you.

Stop wishing about what could have been and be comfortable with yourself, whether that means building a stronger relationship with your partner or taking the time to focus solely on yourself! At the end of the day, it is all about how you feel and being able to love yourself no matter what your relationship status is.

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Throughout their careers, women in music constantly have to reinvent themselves to remain relevant in our ever-changing pop culture landscape. Female artists are held accountable for everything from what they wear to their vocals and performing ability. In general, much more is expected from women in music and often the expectations are impossible to achieve. Media outlets add fuel to the fire as they use headlines to pit female artists against one another in hopes of igniting a feud. Overall, female artists are repeatedly used as chess pieces by the media to advance petty narratives. Their ultimate goal is to make good press. In doing so, they only add to the double standard placed on women in music.

Even the Recording Academy, the host of the prestigious Grammy Awards, have shown that they expect more from female artists. Following the 2018 Grammy Awards, then Recording Academy president Neil Portnow said women need to “step up” in response to criticism about the predominantly male nominees. That year, Lorde was the only woman nominated for album of the year for her critically acclaimed sophomore album Melodrama.

Yet, come Grammy night, Lorde was a no-show because she was the only album of the year nominee not offered a solo performance. However, the Recording Academy is no stranger to misogyny. In 2019, women dominated the pop landscape as shown by the Grammy nominations for pop solo performance; four out of the five nominees were women. Kesha’s powerful comeback single Praying sent shockwaves worldwide as she opened up about her healing following abuse. Likewise, Lady Gaga’s Million Reasons had powerful lyrical content that detailed a heart-wrenching breakup. Yet, Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, whose basic lyrical content simply objectifies women, took the Grammy for best pop solo performance. The worst part of all, Ed Sheeran was the only male nominee in the category and did not even show up to the ceremony. Ironically, that Grammy ceremony was dedicated to the Me Too movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault, the central theme of Praying. The outrage continues as the academy dedicated an entire performance to the Me Too movement with none other than Kesha’s Praying. Yet, they decided to award Shape of you after using Kesha’s highly anticipated return to music for promotion.

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Speaking of performance, women in music are constantly expected to be perfect with show-stopping choreography and vocals while men can simply pass with a t-shirt, jeans, and a guitar. A perfect (no pun intended) example of this is Ed Sheeran and Beyonce’s performance of Perfect at the 2018 Global Citizens Festival. Ed Sheeran wore a long sleeve shirt and jeans while Beyonce donned a stunning pink couture gown.

Despite these trends, the music industry has begun to take steps in the right direction. Just this past year, talented new artists such as Billie Eilish and Lizzo dominated the charts with their songs Bad Guy and Truth Hurts respectively. Their mainstream success was met with praise at the 2020 Grammy awards where Billie Eilish swept the big four categories; Lizzo took home 3 awards out of the eight for which she was nominated.

Still, the music industry has a long way to go before women are truly respected, represented, and held to the same standard as their male counterparts. We as fans need to stop expecting so much more from our favorite female artists. We need to praise women in music for their talent rather than critique them for every minuscule mistake.

Female Music Icons

A MUSICAL COMPASS Why Artists Should Follow in Taylor Swift’s Footsteps

By Katelyn Benzinger

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hether you love or hate her, it’s impossible to deny that Taylor Swift is awfully good at commanding attention. Having a spotlight that burns as bright as hers can prove to be too much for some, but she works it to her advantage.

What one may write in a diary, Swift translates into song; this is her forte. Her songwriting process is nothing short of fascinating and honest. By channeling her thoughts and poetically stringing them together, she makes you feel as if she can read your mind. While the experiences she’s gone through are unique to her, Swift’s transparency makes her universally relatable. That being said, she does not typically describe what a song explicitly means to her as she creates it. She encourages listeners to interpret her words in a way that best suits their own situations, making her music about her audience, as opposed to herself.

Engagement is Swift’s superpower. She pushes the bounds of success by involving her fans in every move she makes. Instead of hiring a team to work on fan interaction, she personally takes time out of her day to check in with her fans and familiarize herself with the things that are going on in their lives. Taking this relationship with them a step further, she reaches out by sending cards, gifts, flowers, and even inviting some of them into her home to hear albums before they are released. By treating her fans as if they are close friends, she fosters an environment of boundless admiration and fierce support.

With a fanbase as loyal and observant as Swift’s, she consistently challenges herself to come up with new ways to keep things exciting. One of the ways she does this is by embedding clues and secret messages into everything she does: performances, interviews, music videos, red carpet outfits, you name it. Swift is always thinking ahead—years ahead. As wild as that may sound, she plans out the themes, or “eras,” that will surround her next album before she even finishes writing the songs. Swift has trained her following to stay on their toes at all times, regardless of the circumstances, making her a marketing genius.

Swift’s ridiculously large platform gives her an extended opportunity to project her voice, whether it be pulling her work from streaming platforms to make a statement about compensation for smaller artists or finding her political voice and advocating for hot-button issues such as women’s rights and equality. By taking advantage of the amount of people viewing her posts, she has been able to make a real difference. After Swift’s Instagram post placing emphasis on the importance of voting (blue), Vote.org reported over 65,000 new registrations in under 24 hours.

Swift has also shed light on some of her more personal struggles, such as her battle to own her discography, family illnesses, and body-image issues. She discusses these topics in her recent documentary, “Miss Americana.” Publicizing the not-so-pretty parts of her life adds to her transparency and authenticity.

Everyone, especially those in the music industry, can learn a thing or two from the way Swift approaches life. You don’t achieve her level of success without the perfect combination of strategy and humility. By playing her cards right, Taylor Swift has been able to solidify the superstar status she holds today.

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2.0

By: Charlotte Falvey “Mean Girls” is coming back to the big screen. Tina Fey hit it out of the park with “Mean Girls the Musical” on Broadway, and this musical adaptation will soon see its own film.

After seeing the musical twice, I can confidently say I am obsessed. I may even be stalking the cast on Instagram as we speak. The August Wilson Theater is decked out in hot pink. The outfits both on stage and in the audience are to die for. The girl power is in full swing, and the vibe is on point. It truly is the perfect girls’ night out, bachelorette party, or even a date.

What I love most about the musical is its message. No, not the message of mean girls and high school drama but the message of body positivity and finding your place. The infamous Regina George is now played by 19-year-old Renee Rapp, who is the focal point of the show. She has created a discussion around body image and self-love that has reached her fans and beyond. During the musical, she belts out “I never weigh more than 115” as she brags about her slim figure. Earlier this year, Rapp discussed her role as Regina to Teen Vogue and stated “I think it’s really important that I’m not a Regina who’s 115 pounds.

I don’t even remember ever weighing 115 pounds, I was probably very young. I’m a tall girl.” Rapp has breathed new life into the character of Regina George and has made girls around the world feel empowered and included, regardless of their height or weight.

The theme of female empowerment continues throughout the show as Janice belts out lyrics from the song “I’d Rather Be Me.” She affirms, “Whatever they say about me, I don’t care,” and “I’d rather be me than be with you.” The song continues on and urges women and girls of all ages to push aside stereotypes and be themselves. This song is a key component of the musical, as it reminds the audience to empower one another, love themselves, and not change for anyone. This song is a major and much-needed addition to the original 2004 film’s soundtrack.

“Mean Girls the Musical” is an essential viewing for any young woman because it has an underlying message of body positivity and girl power that we all can benefit from. I walked away from the musical feeling confident, and I am looking forward to the new movie adaptation.

So thank you, Tina Fey, for making “Mean Girls” a little nicer and more inclusive.

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New York’s Art-House Movie Theaters by, Maggie Peknic

IFC Center, 323 6th Ave What as aa church church What started started as is is now now the the IFC IFC Center, Center, the the perfect theater for indie perfect theater for indie films. Before Before becoming becoming films. the IFC, the theater was the IFC, the theater was originally the Waverly originally the Waverly Theater, famous for Theater, famous for initiating weekly midnight initiating weekly midnight screenings of the Rocky screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

As a Horror Picture Show. tribute to its past, the As IFC aCenter tributecontinues to its past, to the screen IFC to cultCenter moviescontinues at midnight screen cult and movies at on Fridays Saturdays, dubbing them, “Waverly midnight on Fridays and Midnights.”

If you’re a big Saturdays, dubbing them, cult cinema fan, this isIfthe “Waverly Midnights.” theater for you! you’re a big cult Before cinema the movies are played, fan, this is the theater for short films are shown you! Before the movies instead of ads, allowing are shorttofilms the played, moviegoers dive are shown instead of ads, further into film. The IFC allowing the moviegoers to also hosts Q&As with some dive further film. and The of the films’ into directors IFC alsoand hosts with actors is a Q&As host for DOC NYC, of one offilms’ the largest some the directors documentary and actors andfilm is afestivals. host for DOC NYC, one of the largest documentary film festivals.

Like everyone else this past year, I was dying to see “Little Women,” but it sold out at both my local AMC and Regal Theaters. Desperate to see the movie, my friend and I went to a lesser-known theater a town over from us. We had never gone before, since it was a smaller theater, which we assumed wasn’t as nice as AMC or Regal. However, when we walked out of it, we both agreed that it was the best viewing experience we ever had! The vintage architecture of the theater, the ticket booth located on the outside wall, and the red carpet and velvet curtains transported us to Old Hollywood. Even though it was small, it allowed for an intimate viewing experience.

Coming back to Fordham, I wanted to explore more of these vintage, independent theaters in New York City. Check out these three art-house movie theaters below to get a unique viewing experience and watch some indie films you won’t find anywhere else!

Film Forum, 209 W Houston St Originally opened in 1970 with only 50 folding chairs, the Film Forum is now the only autonomous, nonprofit cinema in New York. Since then, the theater has grown to include four new screening rooms. In these rooms, new independent films and repertories are carefully chosen to be played. Film Forum also offers multiple events and discussions with filmmakers. It’s one of the few theaters that offers a double feature— two movies for the price of one! Perfect if you’re on a tight budget. The theater is open 365 days a year, so visit it whenever you’d like.

Cinema Village, 22 E 12th St As the oldest continuously operated cinema in Greenwich Village, Cinema Village is the place to see repertory and indie films.

The theater has three screens, which allows films to be played for weeks on end. One film once stayed in the theater for 28 weeks!

The theater truly embodies independent film, as its main priority is freedom of expression. This can be seen in its multiple Q&As and film festivals, such as the Manhattan Film Festival, which it hosts.

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