Bricolage 4th Edition 2023

Welcome, Readers,

We want to show you what BRICOLAGE is all about. Students in the Apparel Merchandising and Design program plan and complete photoshoots and write journal articles to express their creativity, apply project management skills, practice fashion styling, hair and makeup, and much more. Images are then selected by us or our BRICOLAGE editorial team and put into the magazine that you have in your hands. We could not accomplish this work without our amazing BRICOLAGE team, so a special shoutout to them for all their hard work!

This issue is all about “Balance.” What is the meaning of balance? How did we choose this theme? Balance can be defined in multiple ways. It is more than an equal or unequal distribution of weight. Balance can also allude to our lives and all the many tasks, relationships, and things we juggle every day. It is this latter depiction of balance that we wanted to capture, balancing family, friends, work, college, and even our fashion magazine, BRICOLAGE.

We hope that you enjoy what we have come up with for the fourth issue of BRICOLAGE. We are excited to have you see all our creativity brought to life! Thank you for picking up our magazine. Hopefully, we have inspired you and many more to be creative while having balance.

Happy reading!

Paige Kramer

Marifer Recendez

Issue 4 Content 4

Sustainable Fashion Paradox

Trash, rubbish, waste...piling up but it is brought to you in the guise of fashion! The environmental impact of the apparel and textiles industry was the focal point of this photoshoot. Stylists and models designed “clothing” from giant black trash bags and also created garbage earrings from cardboard, plastic strips, and metal. The intention was to represent how much cheap fashion is gunking up our world and littering our lives in the name of fashion.

become waste Resources

According to National Geographic, 91% of waste isn’t recycled, leading to massive increase in waste in landfills and in oceans. It is further put into perspective knowing that billions of tons of plastic and other waste has been made since the rise of plastics production over the decades.

The fashion industry is the second largest producer of pollution in the world. It creates 10% of the world’s carbonemissions. Growingcotton and dying cloth require large amounts of water. Synthetic plastic fibers, that are commonly used in athleisure wear, contribute to microplastic pollution when washed. These microplastics are already found in our food, water, and air. Around 85% of all textiles go to landfills each year.

fast doesn’t last

Over 50% of fast fashion clothing is discarded one Year after purchase

Source: trvst.com

Sustainable Style

What can you do? To reduce thenegative impact on the environmentchoose clothing that is made from natural fibers that don’t require a lot of water such as linen, bamboo, and hemp. Recycled fibers are also a good choice. You should only wash clothes when it is really necessary and don’t use hot water. You can also buy clothes from brands that are sustainable and maintain ethical environmental practices.

Trapped By Our Own Consumption

Every year, millions of tons of textiles and other clothing materials are thrown away across the globe. People are adopting the practice of throwing away their clothes sooner and sooner after obtaining them resulting in landfills filling up with unnecessary waste that can sometimes take over 200 years to fully degrade! During the degredation process, these clothing items produce greenhouse gasses and leak toxic chemicals into the local groundwater and soil ruining the environment! It is crucial that we learn how to produce and consume clothing that promotes sustainable practices for the world around us!

Around 93 BILLION cubic meters of water gets consumed annually by the fashion industry. ~UNCTAD 2020

The fashion industry is known for producing anywhere from 4-10% of global co2 and greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Fashion is also the second largest polluter in the world right behind oil.

500,000 tons of microfibers are released into the ocean each year from washing clothes. That’s the equivalent of 50 BILLION plastic bottles!

~Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017

Descanse en Paz

Marifer Recendez planned and organized this photoshoot to demonstrate her Mexican culture. Models of Hispanic heritage were recruited as representationwas highly important for the authenticty and cultural appreciation of this shoot. Stylists and models collaborated to create looks complete with flower crowns and colorful painted faces. Dia de los Muertas, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrating the lives of those passed and honors their memory. Portrayed as a day of joy, rather than a day of mourning, those celebrating the holiday often paint their faces and wear bright flowers. Prayers are placed on altars to give offerings for deceased family with the intent to encourage visits by the souls of those departed.

?

El La

Flor de Muerto Me da mi calaverita?

Pan de Muerto La Calaca

El Espíritu La ánima

El Copal La Calavera La Ofrenda

Balancing L i f e

Dressing for Success means that what you wear in your everyday life matters. The students used different retailers for this photoshoot to showcase a business casual style. With the overall intention of balance in the everyday setting models wore items like sneakers and denim to tie in both work and life. Calming colors was the main focus, but yellow was also utilized to promote a pop within the color scheme. How is your personal style incorporated into your day-to-day life?

“There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.”

Alain de Botton

Lifting Towards Success!

Written by Marifer Recendez

Do you remember driving off to college and waving goodbye to your parents? One moment you’re living under their roof and all of a sudden, you’re on your own. As one drives off, the rollercoaster of emotions begins. It consists of the thought that one gets to make their own decisions, pay bills, provide their own necessities, and take care of oneself. That sudden change is difficult. Trust me, I know. It took me a while to adapt to my new lifestyle.

When I first moved to Cedar Rapids, I was lost and alone. I still had contact with my friends and family, but it wasn’t the same. As COVID continued, classes were online, and I was in the wrong program. I had the same routine every day: wake up, eat fast food, watch Netflix, and lock myself in my room. It was an unhealthy lifestyle. Until one day, I decided to stop playing the victim and take charge.

Bettering myself was a slow learning process. But here I am now, sharing my journey so you can start yours. The first step to a healthy lifestyle is to just start. The moment a person gets up and says “I want to change,” you are already one step closer to your

goals. I started by making small changes to my life, like eating out. Going out to eat is very tempting and the easiest thing to do instead of doing your own cooking. Ordering food can get pricey and super unhealthy. Instead of ordering food that costs more than it’s worth, try planning budget-friendly meals ahead of time. Even the smallest change makes a difference in your lifestyle. When getting groceries, make sure to get at least two vegetables and two fruits. Cooking or

For example, there are some apps you can download that will remind you to drink water. The main method I used was buying a gallon water bottle that had the times labeled and I would make sure to drink it throughout the day.

Another key to a healthy lifestyle is working out. I know, you’re probably thinking “eww, running and sweating.” But honestly, it is one the most life changing things. Exercising isn’t just good for your body; it is also good for your mind. You’re also probably wondering “Where do I start?” Good question: just start! It is important to get at least an hour of physical activity per day.

It is difficult to know what to do at the gym and feel comfortable. The gym can be intimidating, but just know that no one is paying

buying food can be difficult, but Pinterest is your best friend. I found a variety of meal plans and grocery lists, and then slowly started to learn what foods can bene fit you.

One of the most import ant things one can get into their body is water. Water has a lot of benefits. It really helped me with my acne and water weight. I recom mend drinking at least one gallon of water per day. It sounds like a lot, but there’s a variety of methods to do to hold yourself accountable.

Both are beneficial but have different benefits.

Cardiovascular training is to help your endurance. Some examples of cardio exercises are rapid walking, running, stair climbing, swimming, and cycling. Strength training exercises condition your muscles while supporting balance. Incorporating strength training into your routine can help to stimulate new bone mass growth, which will help you lose weight faster. If you are going the weightlifting route, it is important to do research and make a plan. For example, Monday is back and biceps day for me, and I do exercises that target the back. Those include but are not limited to wide lat pull-downs, close-grip pullsdown, rope-face pulls, spider curls, underhand rows, etc.

Each day I target a different muscle group and end with 30 minutes of cardio. In college it is difficult to stay motivated. First of all, remind yourself of the reason

you are doing this. Another way to stay motivated is to do workouts that you enjoy. If lifting a barbell isn’t your cup of tea, no worries, there are many ways to stay active. I know this is a lot to take in, but once you’re in the groove it’s impossible to stop.

Let’s talk about stress. It is is one of the unhealthiest things one can put on themselves. Stress can affect one’s mood, mental health, weight, and sleep. College is one of the most stressful things I have ever done! It’s difficult to control your stress levels when you are in college. But there are many different ways you can control your stress. If you are ever feeling stressed or feel like you can’t handle it, step one is to stop what you’re doing and breathe. Take at least an hour break to focus on yourself, your homework can wait. One must mentally be okay to achieve one’s goals.

Next, do something you love or enjoy doing. One of

the biggest stress relievers that help me is working out. Working out is therapy, it allows you to take your anger

with your family. As I mentioned before, stress affects your sleep. To improve your sleep, I recommend Lavender Organic Spray by “Nuvo Wellness”. This lavender spray soothes your mind and body. You simply spray it under your pillow and you will have the best sleep of your life.

work, I recommend using a planner. It will make your life more organized and stress free.

and stress and put all of that in your exercises. More activities I recommend include going on a walk, hanging out with friends, retail therapy, binge watching your favorite show, or video chat

Another thing that can be stressful is balancing your social life, work, and school. I recommend managing your time well. Make sure to focus on school MondayFriday. If you do your homework throughout the week, you will have more time to go out with friends or visit family on the weekend. To keep track of your school-

Transitioning from your childhood to adulthood is rough. Something you should always keep in mind is making sure your mental and physical health are good. If those things are not good, it’s going to be much harder to achieve your goals in college. So my advice to you is relax, utilize these tips, and live life one day at a time.

FANCY

Glitz and glamor fused with sweat and action are what the “Sporty Prom” photoshoot is all about! Sports actions are being performed while the models are posing in dresses, heels, ties, and suits. With a warm color pallet of burgundy, olive green, and mustard yellow there is a feeling of fall that students portrayed in the clothing hues. Balance was the main intention of this shoot and might just have you reaching for your formal wear and cleats.

SPORTS

Dress codes

Sports and Fashion have always shared a special relationship - whether we’re talking athleisure, luxury golf watches, or bespoke dressage jackets and tailcoats. Polo, tennis, skiing, and equestrian sports are some of the sports and leisure activities often pursued by aristocratic society. These sports often have strict dress codes even today. The athletic apparel from these sports started to become popular as every day clothing in the 1920s.

Today, professional athletes have become not only role models, but influencers and fashion icons. Michael Jordan not only changed the game of basketball, he transformed the dynamics of fashion and sports both on and off the court. From long shorts, a single gold earring, a shaved head to the iconic Air Jordans, everyone wanted to be like Mike

Dynamic influencers

The GOAT of women’s tennis, Serena Williams, is also known for her on-court fashion. From catsuits to tutus, trench coats to tie-dye, Serena’s court fashion challenged dress codes and dazzled her fans.

fashion

house

Sports brands are not the only ones benefiting from the collaboration between the sport and fashion worlds. Designers such as Armani, Louboutin, and Ralph Lauren have designed Olympic uniforms. Dolce & Gabbana got into the game by designing the trunks, robe, and tracksuits for one of the biggest stars in boxing, Canelo Álvarez.

function & Flare

Maybe you are looking for a new pair of Kobe 6 Protros for the court, or you want to make a statement on the slopes, well, you can get both function and flareno need to choose. Sports and Fashion are a winning team!

L I F E I S S W E E T

Inspiration for this photoshoot was drawn from Katy Perry’s music video, “California Gurls.” Marifer Recendez planned and organized this endeavor as a means of fun and lightheartedness. Models constructed their own tutus and donned rainbow-colored wigs. Their faces were also decorated with makeup and candy sprinkles. Props consisted of a variety of accessories and sweet treat props.

“Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination.”

- Gene Wilder

“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.”

Sarah Louise Delany

“If you want to view, paradise...

...simply look around and view it.“

Super Cute!

A Case for Greater Creativity in Childrenswear

Written by Marifer Recendez

Fashion is a means people use to define themselves. Most individuals think mainly about adult fashion. But children’s fashion is just as important! Many brands neglect to design creative and unique clothing for children. Some of the most common, affordable children’s brands are: Cat & Jack, All in Motion, Art Class, Carter’s, and OshKosh B’Gosh. Yes, children are very active and tend to be hard on the garments they wear. But clothing provides a way for even children to express their individuality. By providing them with clothing that has more character, little ones have more options to develop their own sense of style. In spite of a wide selection of childrenswear, boys’ clothing in particular is lacking in style.

An assessment of the brand, “Cat & Jack” sold at Target demonstrates some of the functional considerations for childrenswear. This brand includes adaptivewear for children. A lot of the clothing features contain flat seams and no tags for a feelgood fit. They also have sensory-friendly clothing with side snap buttons that allow for easy dressing. Some items also feature a hidden opening with abdominal access. However, theses childrenswear garments tend to be neutral or common colors with very little designs or creativity.

Carter’s is another popular but affordable children’s brand. They carry a variety of clothing for infants and toddlers. This is one brand that does provide a little more variety in regard to color and design for their boys’ apparel. Among

these most popular designs are stripes and dinosaurs.

The final retailer reviewed for this article is OshKosh B’Gosh. This brand focuses on graphic shirts and overalls. While originally, this brand made overalls for adult farms, they soon had the idea of making identical overalls for children. These overalls are still made today but in a greater variety of design and patterns. There is also some variety in the pajamas made by OshKosh B’Gosh. These pjs contain a variety of prints like stripes, animals, or cartoons.

During my evaluation of these different brands, I realized they all share the same aesthetics. The brands have the typical stripes and cartoons quite often seen in childrenswear. But children need more variety beyond the basics. The lack of creativity in clothing can potentially confuse children and prevent them from exploring who they are in the future. One solution to this issue is for parents to find brands that offer more creative apparel. Of course, brands themselves could learn more about their consumers’ preferences and expand their merchandise options. This is one reason that I decided to explore designing childrenswear myself. I designed and constructed a boys’ garment with the intention of implementing creativity into it. My inspiration was a giraffe, which is personally, my favorite animal. This outfit contained spots, horns, ears, and a tail to increase the playfulness of the product. My model loved it! Check out the adorable photos here.

No am here! Grab a brain bucket for some burly moves!

Skateboarding is a way to let oneself express creativity. Rolling through the skatepark amongst the graffiti and gliding across the half pipes. This photoshoot represents sk8er style with baggy clothing, graphic tees, and beanies. With a DIY feel to this trend, sk8ing is a reminder to let go, live without judgment, and be free.

“You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.”

- Les Brown

Y2K Fashion Y2K Fashion Y2K Fashion Y2K Fashion

“Y2K” was inspired by 2000’s Fashion. Many of the garments consist of crop tops, denim and graphic tees. The 2000’s were full of color and some iconic prints. Props helped us really capture our vision of Y2K era.

By using old cell phones, cameras and TV’s we really brought the 2000’s back!

That’s *actually* hot.”

-Unknown

BRICOLAGE

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief: Paige Kramer

Co-Editor-in-Chief: Marifer Recendez

Fashion Editors: Madeline Gellersen, Hannah Garcia, Paige Kramer, Marifer Recendez, April Elisha Stanley, Nick Zamora

Beauty Editor: Olivia Hoeger

Co-Beauty Editor: Marion Myers

Copy Editor: Maddie Morris, Nick Zamora

Journalist: Marifer Recendez

Marketing Managers: Madeline Gellersen, Paige Kramer

Head Photographer: Damien Jambor

Photographers: Gabriel Castro, Paige Kramer, Tiffany Timmerman

Fashion Stylists: Gabriel Castro, Marneka Cunningham, Hannah Garcia, Madeline Gellersen, Angel Fraley, Makenna Hammes, Josie Henrichs, Olivia Hoeger, Addy Kellen, Paige Kramer, Natalie Lawrence, Yaxin (Amy) Liu, Christy Logan, Lydia Ludzindya, Ellah Mikesell, Maddie Morris, Marion Myers, Rebbeccah Synder, Cynric Williams

Hairstylists: Gabriel Castro, Marneka Cunningham, Josie Henrichs, Olivia Hoeger, Addy Kellen, Leah Kortenkamp, Paige Kramer, Mackenzie Lynn, Ellah Mikesell, Marion Myers, Collin Nodurft, Leah Runge, Andrea Schliemann, Hanna Talal, Cynric Williams, Nick Zamora

Makeup Artists: Marneka Cunningham, Madeline Gellersen, Josie Henrichs, Olivia Hoeger, Addy Kellen, Leah Kortenkamp, Paige Kramer, Mackenzie Lynn, Leah Runge, Andrea Schliemann, Hanna Talal, Tiffany Timmerman, Cynric Williams, Nick Zamora

Models: Gabriel Castro, Devin Dugan, Kelly Montijo-Fink, Hannah Garcia, Madeline Gellersen, Makenna Hammes, Josie Henrichs, Addy Kellen, Taylor Kinney, Leah Kortenkamp, Paige Kramer, Natalie Lawrence, Yaxin (Amy) Liu, Lydia Ludzindya, Mackenzie Lynn, Ellah Mikesell, Maddie Morris, Collin Nodurft, Marifer Recendez, Leah Runge, Andrea Schlimann, Hanna Talal, Tiffany Timmerman, Cynric Williams, Nick Zamora

Graphic Designers: Kwai Butler, Zebi Kimani, Kyle Mehlberger, Madison Pearson, Sara Roberts, Josh Slusarek

Advising Faculty: David Brandstetter – Graphic Communication, April Elisha Stanley – Apparel Merchandising and Design

Special thanks to our retailers who loaned us merchandise: Express, Target (Edgewood)