Golden Magazine Issue I: COMMUNITY

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PAPARAZZI MINIMALISM VS MAXIMALISM

Letter from the Editors

As we sit down to write this letter, on what’s likely our fortieth video call of the week, we’re at a loss for words. This is more than Zoom fatigue or writers’ block though. It’s a mix of awe and genuine curiosity.

How did we - not just the two of us who began dreaming of Golden early in quarantine, but the whole Golden community - pull this off? Equipped with an unexpectedly large team, no budget, minimal experience, and all amidst a pandemic, it seems almost impossible that we made it here. Admittedly, this experience brought a whole lot of curveballs (looking at you, March in Minnesota, deciding to be 62 degrees the week of our snowboarding photoshoot), but somehow, we’re calling a wrap on Issue I. Flipping through the issue, we hope you will see the substance and spirit of the times that have been factored into each story. Our talented makeup artists express their creativity both in spite of and fueled by the Zoom Age. Priorities are reevaluated as we seek to find a happy medium between minimalism and maximalism. Students welcome you into their apartments-turned-oases. The disrupters behind Femme Fatale Skate discuss the importance of a community made up of individuals who support, uplift, and truly relate to one other.

We’ll let you in on a little secret - we were only able to pull this off because we had a whole community rallying behind us. They say it takes a village, but damn, it took us two (get it- because Twin Cities?). And so, that’s the theme of this issue: community. These stories are united by a sense of authenticity, camaraderie, and togetherness despite being physically apart.

In that spirit, we say thank you. Thank you to our incredible staff, who have worked so hard to bring Golden to life this semester. Thank you to the local mentors and partners we’ve gotten to work with for helping us achieve our vision. And thank you, dear reader, for being here to help celebrate what we are so proud to have built together.

Signs of spring and new growth are everywhere. As we look ahead to what’s next for Golden and a post-pandemic season, we are hopeful. The Twin Cities are re-emerging, but will forever be marked by this past year. Bring it on, future.

Stay Golden, Audrey & Ava Ekman

About Golden Magazine Golden Magazine is a student-run fashion and lifestyle magazine at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Our mission is to embrace the power of getting dressed, celebrate the individual, and break the bounds of typical fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. Our team of over 150 students have been working hard the past semester to bring Golden Magazine Issue 01 to life.

BEAUTY REWIND

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My friends describe me as...

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The year is 2001. You open up your closet and put on..

A. Low rise jeans and a crop top B. A high-low dress over capris C. Flare jeans and a funky belt D. Halter top and a handbag

2 My Friday night spot is...

A. B. C. D.

Sally’s Blarney’s Burrito Loco KK

My ideal night out consists of...

A. B. C. D.

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Going to a movie Dancing at a nightclub Going to a concert A nice dinner

My go-to drink...

A. B. C. D.

Gin and tonic Tequila Vodka Redbull Wine

6

My dream vacation would be...

A. Bora-bora B. Singapore C. Ibiza D. Paris

7

The music I listen to is mostly...

A. Indie B. Rap/Hip-hop C. Pop D. Country

8

I prefer to study at...

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A. B. C. D.

Walter Library The Graduate Coffman The Architecture Library

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My favorite 2000’s trend is…

A. B. C. D.

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Low-rise jeans Trucker hats 2NCVHQTO ƃKR ƃQRU Side-swept bangs

Mostly A’s: Keep it simple!

Say yes to less by embracing your natural beauty. Try out a light brown eyeliner with feathered eyebrows- but don’t forget a swipe of your favorite lip gloss!

Mostly B’s: Include an eye-catching eyeliner!

Bold, creative, and daring, you can make a statement with a colored liner. After your standard makeup routine, go crazy with a colored eyeliner to level up any look!

My go-to throwback movie is...

A. B. C. D.

My favorite food is...

A. B. C. D.

Pizza Sushi Pasta Steak

12

Ten things I hate about you Clueless Mean girls Legally Blonde

My 2000’s female icon is...

A. B. C. D.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olson Avril Lavigne Lindsay Lohan Rihanna

Mostly C’s: Add a striking shadow!

You are fun, exciting, and always down to try something new. What better way to express your wild side than with a fun eyeshadow look? Try a pop of color or glitter!

Mostly D’s: Stick with a statement lip! ;QW CTG EQPƂFGPV CPF GNGICPV CPF [QWT OCMGWR UJQWNF TGƃGEV VJCV )Q YKVJ VJG ENCUUKE TGF NKR QT try out a fun pink or purple!

Y2K Fashion Trends: The Gen Z Remix

By Olivia Trout

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By Aly Ferreira

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Growing up during a time of massive technological

expressions as they were given the creative ability to development, our generation has watched social media step out of their comfort zones and create a look that become a dominant part of communication. In the past, reflected who they are. This shoot was all about social media tended to reflect a somewhat skewed version of capturing individuality, personality, and creativity in everyday life, but as a result of the pandemic, it became an the moment and through the eyes of the youth. escape from all the fear and craziness surrounding our reality. Illustrating the relationship between expression and As the world started to become a scarier and a more “imper- creativity, Model Elizabeth Mack created a glitter fect” place, social media users started to illustrate the chang- tear-dropped look to comment on female empowering reality by shifting their content to be more authentic and ment and gender stereotypes regarding emotion. raw. As a result, many social media users have started to During our interview, Mack stated, “I think in the reject the conformity that comes with social media, and use past and still to this date, women have been/are critithe platform to instead further creativity. I was able to go cized for showing emotion… This look kind of symbehind the scenes of this shoot and gain insight from the bolizes the idea that, yes I cry, yes I’m emotional, but models on how authenticity, individualism and creativity there is beauty in that. I am still beautiful even when I’m crying and so is every other woman!” influenced their looks.

Model Angelli Cedillo chose to share her story through her This look captures the power of individuality and the look by tying in aspects of her own life into her makeup: idea that our emotions and feelings are a part of what “Blue has always been one of my favorite colors and I’ve makes us unique and authentic, they should be always felt an attachment to water. I got the necklace from looked at as something that strengthens us, not makes my swimming teacher when I was younger, my dad got the us weak.

When it comes to individuality and authenticshirt for me in Ecuador, that’s where he’s from. My mom also wears blue eyeshadow every day and I used to play with her ity, there are many things that factor into our distinguished identity, and so many ways we’re able to blue colors in middle school.”

Cedillo felt a personal connection to the color blue and was express ourselves to the world. Creativity comes in able to not only incorporate it into her makeup look, but also many forms, it’s up to you to stand out, allow yourmake a statement with it. Even through a screen this new self to shine, and showcase your true identity, whether it be through what you wear, your makeup, or your sense of authenticity is easily recognizable.

Living in a society full of conformity has led many to avoid presence on social media. You have all the power. any experimentation and creativity, and simply do, wear, and think like everyone else. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, having been alone and at home for an extended period of time allowed many of us to experiment with our own expression and evolve creatively.

Model Hannah Johnson illustrated her originality with the power of makeup by challenging herself to hone in on her creative side: “I wanted to incorporate feelings of love, because that’s immediately what I think of when it comes to the color red. I was trying to go with a fierce expression that also has a gentle, loving side. That’s why I made my lips so edgy and added the heart to play it off. The hearts definitely are symbolizing love and it is my first time doing a look where I had any sort of shape on my face and I was obsessed with it! It really challenged me on intricate details and I love a good challenge.”

Similarly, model Jane Moore used the shoot as an opportunity to challenge herself and have some fun with her look: “I had bought a neon pink palette a while back, but hadn’t really had a full opportunity to play with it, and I thought it would be great to expand my comfort zone and my skills!”

We were able to capture each of the models’ personal creative

Buying the Planet Back

By Macy Nystuen

As college students, it feels as though we are constantly preparing for the future. Whether it be looking for an internship opportunity, deciding on a potential career, or even picking out next semester’s coursework, our consideration of the future often neglects to consider the externalities beyond our individual motivations and desires. While this crucial time in our lives is exciting, we’re also stepping into a furthered role of responsibility. As we consider our own individual goals and aspirations throughout our lifetime, it is necessary we take into consideration the broader needs of our communities, and ultimately the rest of the world.

As our climate continues to rise, so does the sense of urgency to act. Our planet is approaching irreparable damage that can only be altered by our choices. If this generation wants a safe home for the generations after them, the change must start now.

Mindless consumption and mass consumerism have contributed significantly to the depletion of natural resources and the Earth’s physical environment. 70% of the world’s carbon footprint is directly the result of everyday consumer choices. In a consumer-oriented society, products and services are prioritized far above their environmental impact. Each product we consume is responsible for its own carbon footprint in resource procurement, production, transportation, use, waste disposal and recycling. Not only do these products require a large amount of resources to produce, they also output gasses, chemicals and waste in the process.

When the industry is more concerned with pleasing the customers, they’ll use more materials and labor that lead to waste. Although large corporations hold a lot of this responsibility, consumer choices ultimately have the power. Significant impact will not come from taking shorter showers or turning off the lights though, the real necessary change is what you choose to buy.

That being said, one of the biggest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by practicing conscious buying.

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The rise of fast fashion sites has dominated both e-commerce and brick and mortar stores, normalizing this hyperconsumption. Fast fashion items are constantly being produced year-round, as opposed to traditional fashion which has about 3-4 collections a year. 30% of these clothes are never even

sold and 50% are discarded in under a year. This promotes a system that perpetually produces waste with little to no means of removing it. Despite the alarming ethics of fast fashion sites, the ease of ordering lets consumers live without the reality of their purchases. Living sustainably seems unachievable while living in an environment that only encourages waste, but we hold the most power in our buying habits. The most effective way to shop ethically is to buy clothing that has already existed to reduce the number of garments produced. Second-hand stores like thrift and consignment continue to grow in popularity as a guaranteed spot for finding eco-friendly items. This can sometimes be daunting for those who don’t know what they’re looking for, but more resources continue to emerge like Poshmark and Depop.

The point is to simply be more considerate and conscious while making purchases. We've always been encouraged to buy, follow trends and get the newest thing, but these practices are not sustainable in the long run. Our perception of clothing is temporary and disposable. It fills the need for the current trend, but becomes useless after trends die.

As the need to follow trends increases, so will the amount of trends which will decrease their overall lifespan. Eventually they will become so constant that consumers will need a rotating wardrobe to keep up. This begins a vicious cycle that will exponentially increase the supply of clothing, while violently draining remaining nonrenewable r e s o u r c e s .

In order to induce change, we as a society have to change our perception of consumption. Fashion does not have to come at the expense of the planet, nor should it no longer be used as a means of expression. Clothing is an important extension of one’s identity, which is why it should instead just be considered more carefully. Find clothes that you love and represent who you are. Pieces should be mindfully selected with the intention of wearing it for several years, as opposed to paying a small price for poorer quality items. Choosing to be more mindful when making a purchase is a small adjustment that can directly create an impact. The only way to make influential change in the environment is to inspect our everyday choices and habits.

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It’s Ok To Be Al Balancing College Life While Trying to Stimulate Self-Growth

Figuring out alone time as a college student can be complicated. Sometimes you want it, but your roommate won’t leave your room - even though they’ve been there all day. Other times you have the space for it, but the fear of missing out can leave you feeling as though there’s nowhere else you should be but Sally’s Saloon on a Thursday night.

With a generation that is always connected, even when technically alone, it can be difficult to let yourself take the alone time that you need. The concept of FOMO has created a negative connotation around a college student's need for alone time. The idea of being seen as someone who “can’t hang” results in some students getting rid of their alone time altogether, in fear of how their peers may react. However, this fear is often irrational and most students appreciate those who can advocate for their own needs. This is not only due to the maturity and growth that is seen almost instantaneously as people enter college, but also the common understanding that everyone has a lot to do at times - and sometimes taking a breather is important.

Because finding success at a young age has become a personal expectation and social standard as a college student, it can be difficult to justify rest. Whether it be applying for internships, chasing a 4.0, or trying to plan out your life post-grad, it can sometimes feel like if you are not busy all the time, you’re not accomplishing anything. The glamorization of being busy and living a “grinding” lifestyle can lead to students feeling guilty for wanting and even needing time to rest.

This mentality has proven to be more hurtful than helpful. Recent studies have found that the average burnout age is 32 years old, which for many is only about 10 years post-college graduation. The constant busyness and lack of alone time seen in our generation can leave people without the time to actually reflect, reevaluate and think about their experiences and decisions.

As a result, this can deter our growth at a point in

our lives at which growth is so crucial. And while I do support diving head first into your dreams and goals, a second to really examine where you are, and how you got there, is important during this pivotal time in our lives. Even though it may feel out of the norm, taking time to yourself can be a productive and meaningful way of intrinsically analyzing who you are and who you want to be.

Once people begin to acknowledge the importance of alone time, they can often struggle with what to actually do when they are by themselves. Believe it or not, just because you are alone does not mean your only option is watching Netflix. The forced solitude that COVID-19 has brought this past year has been key in trending some exciting activities to do by yourself.

DIY’s such as tie dying sweatsuits, testing out new recipes (even when you haven’t cooked for a year!) and giving your room/ favorite space a total makeover were all over blogs and for-you-pages, and were just a few of the many ways that students found enjoyment when alone.

These activities made it clear that being alone is not synonymous with being bored, but rather it can be a great time for you to challenge yourself and try things you may be too nervous to try in front of others.

Like most things in the world, too much alone time can be just as bad as none. While it is important to have the ability to allow yourself to take a breather (not like I just wrote the last 500 words about it or anything), this past year we have also seen how critical human connection and communication can be. For a generation that has gotten so used to somewhat superficial relationships through social media; the pandemic was a reality check that forced us to analyze who we were interacting with on a daily basis and what worth they were bringing into our lives.

Students began taking advantage of technology, using social media as a tool to stimulate conversation and really communicate with the people that bring value into our lives.

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e extra alone time we’ve had this past year has owed many of us to reflect on the balance ween the relationships we keep with others d the relationship we have with ourselves. ending time apart from friends, family and lly the rest of the world has allowed us to erish all the little moments we have with the ople we love, but also appreciate the intimate ments we have with ourselves. When connecns with others are limited, we have found that nnecting with yourself is necessary.

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place, the word “home” has taken on a new mean People have written about their newfound gratefu for their homes, or their passion project of compl renovating their office space to make it a nice pla work. For many of us, the four walls we are stuck have become incredibly boring - leading to daydr of living out of an RV or travelling full-time whil working remotely. For some, though, those four w have never been constant. In the past year, Ameri suffering from homelessness have had to figure o how to avoid the COVID-19 virus while also tryi find and maintain access to shelter and food. This been especially apparent in the Twin Cities encampments in public parks and spaces expand Wilder Research found that on any given night, more than 6,000 unaccompanied youth are experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. More t 11,000 people of any age experience homelessnes any given day. Both of these numbers were calcu before the COVID-19 pandemic, which has incre these numbers significantly. The largest encampm in Minneapolis’ history was built this past summe Powderhorn Park. Shelter capacities have decreas due to COVID-19 restrictions, meaning that altho the need is rising, the ability of non-governmenta organizations and state programs to help has decreased. Changing climates have made being homeless in places like Minnesota even more cha lenging. Longer, colder winters and hotter summe make living outdoors grueling.

For someone who is under 22 and struggl with homelessness, day-to-day life can be especia difficult. Most young people who are homeless h left their homes due to unsafe living conditions o disagreements with family members. This means they have very few people to rely on, and fewer resources to help them problem-solve. Hope Stre Shelter, a Minneapolis-based shelter for homeless youth, has reached its capacity every night and

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expects that trend to continue. It’s estimated that existing Minnesota shelters can only house one third of homeless youth, leaving the majority to find a couch to stay on or worse. From interviews conducted with case workers, youth suffering from homelessness, and community leaders, it is clear that only a small part of the solution is providing these young adults with shelter- they need a community and a support system as well. Some shelters have programs in place to fulfill this need, but without a permanent address or method of communication, participants can easily fall through the cracks.

COVID-19 has blatantly exposed and exacerbated many of the systemic issues our country has.

The recent rent crisis revealed how many people live paycheck-to-paycheck (almost 80% of Americans).

This is mainly due to the fact that household income growth has been relatively stagnant compared to the cost of living. Since 2000, wages have increased by 10%, housing costs have increased by 31%, healthcare costs have increased by 55%, and college tuition has increased by 57%. Based on research over the past year, it’s estimated that most Americans can’t handle a financial crisis of over $400 without being seriously at-risk for eviction and/or crippling debt.

All of these issues existed long before the pandemic hit, and will continue to negatively impact Americans if no action is taken. Black Americans are far behind white Americans on house ownership (almost a 30% difference between the two) as a result of decades of racist government policies (such as redlining) restricting home ownership. Other obstacles, such as inequities in pay and a low minimum wage that doesn’t reflect inflation are further preventing homeownership in America.

Despite the rising numbers of people in need of housing, Minneapolis has taken a hard stance on disrupting and destroying encampments. Throughout the past year, protests have broken out as Mayor Frey and the city council order evictions with little to no

By Ella Snyder

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notice. Reports of residents’ campsites being bulldozed over and their personal possessions being thrown away have enraged groups like the Minnesota ACLU, ZACAH, and the Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement. Consistent efforts are still occuring to push homeless people further out of sight from neighborhoods, while providing no real solution to their problem. The irony of this is that so many office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and even University dorms over break sit empty, while record numbers of Minnesotans gather in parks around space heaters to stay warm.

Early in the pandemic, hotels in Minneapolis opened their doors to people suffering from homelessness in the midst of protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd. But as the city calmed and time wore on, hotel owners were drawn back to paying customers as stay-at-home orders were lifted and travel slowly picked up. The homeless population in the hotels were evicted and left to seek shelter elsewhere.

While homelessness is a problem caused by systemic issues, there are a variety of current efforts in the Minneapolis area that seek to solve both the short-term effects of homelessness and the long-term problem itself. Mutual aid organizations like CANMN and Minneapolis Sanctuary Movement are some of the fiercest advocates for local encampment residents.

Calling and emailing your local representatives to hold them accountable for protecting people suffering from homelessness are easy steps to take as well.

If you’re a student at the U and are suffering from homelessness, visit the QR code to find support. Other ways to get involved and support our community are also in the QR code.

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Skate History

By Amena Ahmed

Skateboarding began in the 1950s, when surfers from the coasts wanted to cruise on more than just water. They took it to the asphalt, and were known as “asphalt riders-” introducing a sport that would soon become popular across the globe.

In the 1960s, significant brands, like Vans, were introduced. The sport started emerging in places like California and Hawaii, swiftly gaining popularity.

At the beginning of the 1970s, park skateboarding began to gain significant attention, and quickly became the preferred method of skateboarding. At this point, the sport was known in many other countries, and the skateboard started to look like a skateboard, because pieces and parts were being improved by creators for better tricks. The basic trick known as “the Ollie” was invented by 1978, and soon after, street skating and BMX emerged. The 1970’s also gave birth to Thrasher Magazine, one of the most well known skate brands in the world.

The 90s contributed significantly to skate culture. With the creation of Big Brother Magazine and the X-games, people were starting to understand skate culture and the explicitness of it. Many could say skateboarding hit its peak at this point, with more exposure than ever through shows like Jackass and Viva la Bam on MTV. Within skateboarding culture, fashion trends have stayed fairly consistent over time, but it wasn’t until recently that it made an impact on the high-end fashion industry. Since the beginning of its time, baggy clothes have been popular among skateboarders for obvious reasons: clothing that is both comfortable and airy, with the ability to execute tricks. Popular basics, like Dickies double knee work pants, Vans Sk8-His, and really any

cropped baggy jean that you can find will be ready for wear and tear.

Recently, high fashion companies have been admiring and utilizing skate culture in their work. While this is controversial, as skaters don’t want to glamorize skating to the point of turning it into something it’s not, it continues to be done- but we’re not complaining! Evan Mock, a skater known for his ravishing pink hair, has been featured in a variety of campaigns across the industry. Brands including Louis Vuitton and Rag & Bone have highlighted Mock wearing their high-end clothes, but the featured pieces appear so fresh and clean that you wouldn’t want to ruin them skating. There have also been notable collaborations between high fashion brands and skateboarding brands, like the crossover of LV and Supreme. Back in 2017, Hermès embraced the influence of skate culture on the industry by debuting a line of skateboards and longboards. Selling at about $3000 a piece, these boards illustrated high fashion’s infatuation with skate culture, and definitely contributed to shredding of some kind, likely between you and your wallet.

With the help of Tik Tok, skateboarding was reintroduced as a hobby, specifically gaining popularity during quarantine as it became a new and exciting pastime. Whether you were introduced to skateboarding culture via Tik Tok or a fashion magazine, it’s important to note that skateboarding is still a sport-and it’s not an easy one at that. Skateboarding takes time and dedication, and more than anything, it takes discipline.

Fashion is just one aspect of it that everyone is able to join in on and represent, but the sport itself is one to be taken seriously in light of its difficulty.

Skaters you should be looking out for right now (and where to find them)

Max Palmer

Based in NY, Max is known for his street skating skills. He makes tricks out of literally nothing by collecting ”industrial trash” and turning it into his own makeshift park. Using concrete pieces and broken down slappy curbs, the originality in his work is unmatched. Even though he is deprived of any social media, you can find his work on YouTube (look at his Call Me 917 part!!)

Giorgi Armani

This German-born skater just released a wicked video part with Thrasher, called “Skate Mental.” In the grand scheme of things, Armani is considerably underrated, but with his exposure through Thrasher, he’s back on the come-up. You can find him on Instagram and YouTube.

Briana King

Briana is considered one of the best free-flowing, Black, female skaters in the industry today. You may have seen her cruising through the streets of New York City on Tik Tok, where she is applauded for her talent on the skateboard and her bold fashion choices, with pieces from designers like Craig Green. She’s even featured in the female-led film Skate Kitchen starring other notable celebs and skaters, like Rachelle Vinberg and Jaden Smith.

Na-Kel Smith

Yes, this is the dude from the movie Mid-90s. Na-Kel is based in LA, and is known for his insane flow and personality when it comes to his work. Even though he’s kind of a crazy dude, as seen in Illegal Civ videos on YouTube, it’s no question that he’s a killer skater. He’s even feautured on songs with Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt, and has collaborated with the brand Fucking Awesome.

Brandon Westgate

Working for the brand Element, Brandon has the best character amongst the skate community, with not one bad word said about him. He has been skating since 2004, and was labeled Thrasher’s “Skater of the Year” in 2013.

Q&A With Women & Non-Binary Skaters

By Megan DeCook From the outside looking in, skateboarding is commonly misperceived. Whether it be solely a way of transportation, a counter-culture to organized sports, an annoyance to old people, a great video game, etc., society's perspective of skateboarding is broad and the list could go on forever. In a subculture like skateboarding, an outsider’s perspective rarely captures what it truly means to be part of the inside, so to get a better understanding, I asked some tried and true skaters what skating means to them. Follow along as I talk to Alana, Anna, Jenny, and Ruby about their experiences being a part of the skateboarding community.

By Olivia Michel

minimalism

The Real Costs of

By Lizzie Wells

f Contentment Learning to live with less is often considered a hardship. Whether it be the result of the global pandemic or something less extreme, I think it’s safe to say this past year has challenged us to live without many of the little things that give our lives an extra kick. Living in a complex and diverse world, our perspectives are shaped by our unique personas and experiences. As a result, our wants and desires are bound to be different. But what does this tell us about our needs? Does my lifestyle justify my needing more to be happy? Or are we all expected to come to a simiLorem ipsum Lorem ipsum lar understanding of happiness, in its simplest or most basic sense?

Before we were forced to adapt to a lifestyle bound solely by the walls of our homes, the world we lived in was constantly evolving and advancing. These changes were often praised as a factor of our predisposed want for more -- to be more, to have more, to ultimately have the most. Our drive, considered to be ambitious and of self-starting nature, pushes us to these extremes, to reach the maximum and to keep pushing even further. But what is this maximum?

What does it really mean to have the most? This introduces a question we often neglect to consider -- what does this say about the person with less, or even the least?

We’ve all been told the world isn’t fair. When things don’t go our way, when we don’t get exactly what we want, we align this outcome with the fact of unfairness - most likely because we’ve been exposed to people who seem to have it all. Due to the technological advancements of our times, we are able to have a detailed understanding of what else is out there, and how much other people have. This leads to a common conclusion that having more of those things, and living a different life than what you live now, is “better.”

You’ve now marked yourself as “less.” As a result, you start to think that if you had more -- more experiences, more things, more friends -- your life would bring you greater fulfillment, and that’s what we’re all trying to do in the short time we’re here on earth, right?

But here’s the thing. The satisfaction that comes from something attributed to an amount, whether it be physical artifacts, attention, or even love,

all becomes meaningless the minute we base its impact on how much we have, as opposed to focusing on the fact that we have these things at all. I’ve seen it play out in my own life. I’ve let comparisons to those with the “most” control my perception of how happy I can be. I’ve come to the conclusion that every time I think having more of something will make me happier -- specifically happier in a sense of being happy with myself and the life that I live -- I ultimately end up disappointed.

Happiness isn’t the same for everyone. My happy place probably looks different than yours, and whether it’s meant to be that way or not, it just is. The fact is, we can’t change the things that make us happy, but we can alter our perspective on happiness and lifestyle as a whole. Living a more minimalist or maximalist lifestyle ultimately suggests the same thing -- it’s being satisfied with the amount we have that leads to the fulfilment we’re all hopelessly seeking.

So as you embark on this adventure of wrong versus right, take into consideration what you know about yourself. Of course there are many people overjoyed by their overcompensation in money and material things, but remember that a lot of the people we perceive to have “everything” actually feel as though they have nothing at all. And there are those with considerably less that are completely content with satisfying the necessities rather than the extras. Despite their satisfaction, should we think of these people as missing out on experiencing all that our world has to offer?

At the end of the day, we probably can’t even decide if it’s better to live with more or less, and and if we can, we should consider ourselves lucky. The choice you make won’t be universal, and if you are standing at a crossroads, wondering which version of life is the right life to lead, consider this. Happiness won’t come from an amount, a “how much.” If happiness comes, it will most likely come from within. But who we are often is a result of the people we surround ourselves with and the experiences we have had. So as you examine whether or not you should live with a little or a lot, think instead about whether you are surrounding yourself with people who fill you up or make you feel empty. Consider what you do for yourself that fills you up, and most of all, consider what you do for others. Oftentimes we neglect to understand the complicated interaction of elements that make us who we are, or its potential to make or break us.

We aren’t determined by wealth or wellness, and we definitely aren’t determined by how much or how little we have materially. Who we are and what makes us happy is determined by the friendships we have, the love we put out into the world, and the love we give back to ourselves.

Paparazzi Opinion If you were to sit outside on a nice sunny day at the University of Minnesota campus to people-watch for a few hours, you may notice the wide variety of styles within our student body. You might see students walking the streets in Air Jordan 1’s and leather pants, others in a color coordinated sweatsuit, or maybe rocking athleisure. These different styles are just a tiny sliver of what makes up the University of Minnesota student body style.

While you may be thinking, “Well yeah, everyone wears clothes,” there is a deeper aspect to the fabric garments we choose to wear every day.

The trends seen around the University of Minnesota illustrate the connection students have towards one another on campus. Fashion is a form of expression, and I think it’s safe to say many of us started to embrace the idea of fashion as art when becoming a student at a large University like the U of M. Not only does the urban setting play a role in our newfound fashion freedom, but being a member of such a large and diverse student body allows style to tie into our sense of individuality. Fashion across campus is not by any means synonymous, the differentiation between people’s outfit choices are often appreciated and welcomed.

Of course, being in a close knit community and living with/ near friends, our unique fashion choices are likely to be mimicked by either close friends or even strangers. We can bounce off each other with new style ideas and come together when a new trend arises, whether that

By Carly Neville whether that is tie-dye, biker shorts, animal print, or gold chain necklaces. As many of us are too busy to stay on top of every fashion magazine, we might turn to the most accessible inspiration: those around us.The trends around campus spread like wildfire, and this spread showcases our connection as a community.

Fashion is also about individual expression.

Many students make their style a large part of their identity and might naturally be drawn to certain people because of style, but what we wear can also be a sign of the times. Just as sweat suits became popular, we all stayed inside, and in doing work at a desk all day, comfort was something we highly valued. As our values change through different time periods and cultures, our fashion preferences tend to evolve to match them.

Some may say that clothing is placed too high on a pedestal in modern society- but the clothing industry is so ubiquitous, it’s inevitable.

The clothing we wear has a much deeper meaning than pieces of fabric strung together by a thread. Clothing is culture, ideas, time periods, individual expression. Clothing is an art… a form of art with the power to unite an entire community.

Studen

By Irene Stratton

Andrea Nelson told me all ab outfit and the inspiration behind

Tell me about your outfit.

“My corset is thrifted, and my pan thrifted. My pants ripped, so I ju with it and added safety pins to th purse is thrifted and my jacket Zara. I was sort of inspired by Bri with this corset top. I also really way these pants fit. It is importan pants that fit your body shape.”

What is the best fashion adv have ever received?

“Wear what you want because e will judge you regardless. If y good in it then wear it.”

For a lot of us, going to class is the most exciting part of the work week. The University of Minnesota campus is considered “home” to thousands of students, many of whom consider style as a staple of their individuality. Whether or not you use the streets of Dinky to showcase your style, fashion is fundamental to some at the University of Minnesota. The team at Golden set up to observe what students on campus were wearing this Spring. From thrifted fashion to college couture, style at the U of M is nothing short of unique. I was able to get the inside scoop on a few UMN student’s fashion fundamentals, and how their wardrobe plays a major role in expressing who they are.

Momo Abdi spoke to me about his personal style and how his outfit reflects that.

Tell me about your outfit.

“I'm wearing a trench coat. I really like the color green because it pops and gets people’s attention. I am also wearing my favorite chelsea boots. I wear them everywhere.”

What makes your style unique?

“I like to do things that are different but still trendy. I don’t see too many guys wearing long coats. I also love wearing different colors to grab people's attention.”

nt Style Watch

bout her it.

I spoke to Halle Klum about the move towards the monochromatic trend, as she showcased her all black outfit.

nts were ust went hem. My is from idgerton like the nt to find

Tell me about your outfit.

“I am wearing a FUCKTHEPOPULATION leather jacket, Lululemon bucket hat, and I.AM.GIA pants that I wear every day. For shoes I am wearing my patent leather Jordan 1’s. I thought they matched the outfit nicely.”

vice you

everyone you feel

What is the best fashion advice you have ever received?

“Be yourself and wear what describes your personality. Fashion is an expression of who you are.”

Andrew Vixayvong rocked a thrifted leather racer jacket and spills on an outfit he wishes he could take back.

Cam Aiken provided me with insight on the current trends he’s embracing this spring.

What is a trend you regret wearing?

“Definitely bomber jackets. The generic bomber jacket from H&M.”

Tell me about your outfit.

“I put this outfit together half a year ago. I was on instagram and I got an add for the fila crop top.

This piece was really my introduction into womens clothing. This is what I wear in the summer when I feel confident.”

What is one of your favorite trends right now?

“I am really into skinny jeans. I reject that they are going out of style and I can’t stand bootcut jeans.”

Andje Post

Jane Moore

Sarah Edwards & Andrea Sawyer