The Lexington Line Spring 2015

THE LEXINGTON LINE LIM COLLEGE Spring 2015

STUDENT

WRITING SHOWCASE

EPOCHOLUTION: BEHIND THE SCENES

ÖHLIN/D TALKS

SPRING FORECAST: NEW AGE BOHEMIA

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THE LEXINGTON LINE

5LETTER FROM THE EDITORS 6EPOCHoLUTION:

10 spring forecast:

The evolution of style

new age bohemia

20 outside the lines:

22 fighting the

professor syd hap

stigma against domestic violence

24 Designer profile:

28 student writing

34 going green:

Ă–HLIN/D

showcase

professor Hilda alfonso

36 student style

45 summer music preview

18 Makeup buys

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the staff Alexandra Pine ‘16 Editor in chief

Maranda Janky ‘17 Managing Editor

Aljon VELASCO ‘16 CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Angela trakoshis ‘17 BEAUTY EDITOR

Ashley Heinke ‘17 CULTURE EDITOR

Sarah Lobel ‘18 SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Faculty advisor: professor John DEMING Faculty MENTOR: professor JESS NOVAK arts & sciences DEPARTMENT CHAIR: Dr. denice yanni

#LEXLINE

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Thanks: Alexis Archer, Jaime Bartholomai, Laura Cioffi, Professor Terance Coffee, Joshua Heller, Jasmine Javier, Seth Jubb, Erikka Olszewski, Rebecca Roberts, Carla Sanders, Kailey Slater, Professor Carlton Spence, MaryElizabeth Styka, the LIM College Bookstore, LIM College faculty, and all contributors to The Lexington Line. special thanks also to MICHAEL LONDRIGAN, dean of academic affairs; dr. christoper cyphers, provost and executive vice president; and elizabeth marcuse, president of lim college.

THE LEXINGTON LINE A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Dear Readers,

This past fall, we were excited to launch LIM College’s online student magazine, The Lexington Line. Our October launch party was a great success, and we have since featured more than a dozen student writers and accumulated a steady stream of readers. As we entered 2015, we assembled a dedicated and creative group of student editors, writers, photographers and designers who have collaborated on ideas to produce our first print edition.

We styled photo shoots, assembled a showcase of strong student writing, researched and produced articles, conducted professional interviews and collaborated with the Fashion Show Production Club to promote its 2015 Epocholution fashion show. We are excited to be laying the foundation for what we know will be an important voice in this institution for years to come.

Thank you to everyone at LIM who played a hand in providing us with this rewarding opportunity.

Sincerely, The Editors

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“…it is incredibly rewarding to see our ideas and hard work turn into results. Producing a high-level event as a student is so rewarding because it is incredible to see how much we are capable of.”

— Alexa Rufus ‘16, Fashion Show Director

LIM College’s 71st Annual Fashion Show Epocholution represents the most notable fashions in history, the ways fashion has evolved through the centuries, and our interpretation of what the future of the fashion cycle will be.

Friday, March 27, 2015 | 7pm until 8:30pm Hammerstein Ballroom 311 West 34th St, New York, NY 10001 THIS YEAR’S CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS & SHOWROOMS Omar Alexander KahriAnne Kerr Alfredo Leija Victoria Claudia Kim Mesches Urban Outfitters Studio Services Red Light PR & More!

THIS YEAR’S CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS 2R Entertainment & Media PR Avitae Caffeinated Water Barclay’s Center Peanut Butter & Co Sennheiser Vineyard Vines The Relaxation Room With Special Host Katie Van Buren of Fuse TV

EPOCHOLUTION: Behind the Scenes Epocholution models strut their stuff in the weeks leading up to LIM College’s 71st annual fashion show.

Photos by: Aljon Velasco

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ostalgic ‘70s influences mixed with modern elements create an updated take on the hippy-chic bohemian era for Spring 2015. 1970s fashion was undoubtedly inspired by the free-spirited demeanor of the psychedelic ‘60s, and the current resurgence of bohemian styles has been taken directly from icons including Farrah Fawcett, Ali MacGraw, Jane Birkin and Bianca Jagger. Floral motifs, suede and (of course!) fringe covered the runways, and subdued color hues including tan, gray and sand are combined with warm colors such as marsala, dusk blue and tangerine for the warm weather season. Pastels in shades of blue, pink and yellow will also be prevalent for spring and will give soft contrasts to the otherwise vintage color scheme.

New takes on old classics such as jumpsuits, maxi dresses and pussybow blouses are feminine staples for spring, and there will undoubtedly be a resurgence in the always-groovy flared bell-bottom pants. Crochet, paisley, ponchos and yes—even tie-dye— will be seen translating fluidly from the runway to the real way, and ultra-sleek pantsuits in bold, geometric patterns will easily become a new, re-inspired classic.

Neutral trench coats accessorized with vintage printed scarves and wide-brimmed floppy hats will finish off your ‘70s-inspired look, while wooden “flatform” sandals, thigh-high boots, and woven pumps will bring your laidback, chic ensemble to the next level.

—Alexandra Pine Models: Samantha Pawluk, Sarah Surma, Magdalena Rejmoniak

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Photo: Aljon Velasco

Photo: Angela Trakoshis

FASHION FORECAST IMAGE

FASHION FORECAST IMAGE Photo: Elisabeth Gil

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—Angela Trakoshis

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OUTSIDE THE LINES: SYD HAP BY MARANDA JANKY

S

yd Hap was always told by her parents to avoid having a “fallback” career plan.

They felt as though she would be better off succeeding at what her heart desired without being distracted. With an artist mother and a father who was featured in the Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum for creating the world’s smallest working camera, Professor Hap has always been surrounded by art and innovation.

Ever since she was a little girl, Professor Hap has been creating dolls and marionette puppets for fun. After high school, she went on to college at Pratt Institute, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, she focused a great amount of her career on doll and puppet design and creation. From the molding and carving of the bodies to the painting of the faces to even the design and construction of their clothing, she has created more than 500 dolls and puppets in her career.

Come 1987, Professor Hap landed an artist’s dream job with King Features as the official product sculptor for America’s classic cartoon sweetheart, Betty Boop. Soon after, she became a master sculptor for Danberry Mint, where she was assigned to create all of the Betty Boop figurine prototypes that would then be created into the physical products for the market. She still holds a lifetime contract with Danberry Mint and King Features.

With a strong passion for her career in art design, Professor Hap

also strived to help others in life.

“I always felt that art was a great healing mechanism that stimulates personal growth while increasing self-esteem and self-respect,” she says.

For 25 years, she has been leading various types of art workshops and classes working with kids and adults alike, including 10 years dedicated to working with homeless veterans.

She made the decision to go back to school roughly 20 years ago and obtained a Master’s in Art Therapy from New York University. She now owns her own private practice working alongside her husband, Rich Kieling, and she acts as the Creative Arts Director with Kieling as the practice’s main director.

She also holds many types of workshops in her Flatiron District studio space. A few of her favorites include a broken dish mosaic class called “From Broken to Beautiful,” a vision board workshop called “Follow Your Heart,” and her basic design workshops like doll-making and Steam Punk jewelry design.

As she continued performing various workshops and classes with-

in her private practice, she was presented an opportunity roughly 10 years ago to teach at LIM College as an Intro to Visual Merchandising Adjunct Professor. While teaching a few days a week at 5th Avenue, she loves sharing her knowledge and expertise with LIM’s future graduates.

As with her many therapy workshops, she’s able to help students express themselves through the work of creating personal inspiration portfolios, mood boards, and mockup window displays feauring everything from music to shoes to contemporary social and political causes.

“I always felt that art was a great healing mechanism...”

Professor Hap’s decision to pursue a career in art with no fallback plan could certainly be considered risky, but she is proof that risks can be worth taking when you are doing what you love.

PHOTOS: MARANDA JANKY

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FIGHTING THE STIGMA

AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

BY ALEXANDRA PINE

L

IM College supported Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October with its Thursdays in Black Campaign, and this compelled me to share my own story.

As many know, domestic violence is defined as an act of abuse by one or both partners involved in a romantic partnership. In the United States, a woman is physically abused or mentally assaulted by their significant other every fifteen seconds. Unfortunately, I once contributed to those statistics.

When I was seventeen, I was in a volatile relationship with someone that I thought was genuine and kind. It started off seemingly picture perfect—he cooked me romantic dinners, and we would go on fun dates and talk endlessly about our thoughts and ambitions. The relationship quickly became rocky, and I admit, it was one of those whirlwind romances between those couples that we all hate—we broke up a dozen times, but we always ended up back together. I was naïve and always so forgiving to his wavering moods and emotional instability.

What I have learned with time is that it is especially difficult to see alarming signals that someone is giving off if you do not want to accept their demons—it is much easier to push the warning signs to the back of your mind than to deal with them head on.

We met towards the end of my junior year, possibly the most crucial point in my entire high school experience. I was a young woman trying desperately to define myself as an individual, yet I was longing to be loved and adored as well.

We dated on and off for five months, and it wasn’t until one mid-August day that everything changed. His potential for physical and mental abuse fully hit the surface.

It was just days before I was to leave for a Caribbean getaway with a friend and her family, and he was unable to accept that I refused to spend all of my free time with him. He ultimately locked and restrained me in his bedroom, taking away my phone, car keys, shoes and dignity. It escalated from there. After three hours, I was able to convince him that I was going to be sick; he unlocked the door, and I bolted. Thankfully, I was one of the lucky ones.

Following this violent attack, I was incredibly lucky to have a proactive and supportive family who advised me to obtain a permanent restraining order.

Since I was unable to make any rational decisions at the time, getting an order of protection against that monster was the only option to keep me safe. The restraining order helped protect me from him various times over the years, and it has allowed me to gain control over the situation, which eventually proved to be extremely empowering.

Learning to cope with the trauma was very challenging, and depression and anxiety quickly became constants in my life. Therapy eventually became my safe haven, and after years of counseling, I was able to understand why the abuse that I experienced remained such a significant presence in my life. I was eventually diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and after many years of searching long and hard for the perfect psychiatrist for me, I was able to accept my past and learn to live in the present.

I was finally able to come to terms with the fact that my abusive ex-boyfriend was a predator, always on the prowl for vulnerable girls to capture, and that it truly was not my fault.

The older that I get, the more and more I learn that I am not alone in my experience. In fact, according to Safe Horizon, the largest organization in the United States devoted to helping victims of domestic abuse, one in four American women experience abuse in their lives.

Hearing those staggering statistics, I can’t help but wonder: why is there still such a stigma against discussing the topic of domestic violence? And why are we,

the victims, so fearful of sharing our stories? In actuality, does the shunning of victims promote fear of communicating experiences that can seriously help others?

It took me seven years to muster up the courage and self-confidence to share my personal experience on the topic— partially because after I obtained the restraining order, I would hear a lot of, “just get over it” and “move on,” as if getting over it was that simple.

But now, I am empowered to share my story with the hope that maybe I will help someone realize that the victims are never at fault. We are still the powerful, strong, ambitious individuals that we have always been. We cannot put our fate and future outside of our own hands, and we must continue to take back control of our own lives. We have talk about it openly and remember that we are victims, yes—but more importantly, we are survivors.

Domestic violence can leave permanent scars, but this does not mean that it needs to take over your entire world.

What I have learned from the abuse that I endured is that help is always readily available. There really are good, kind-hearted people out there willing to assist in any way they can—and my advice is to embrace the offer. There is no shame in asking for help, and there are tremendous benefits from accepting it.

If you or anyone else you know is currently in an abusive relationship, I hope that you find the strength and courage to find help. Always keep in mind that you most certainly are not alone in your struggle.

If you are a student at LIM College, you can seek help at Counseling & Wellness Services, through domestic violence advocacy organizations such as The Joyful Heart Foundation, or via local law enforcement to help ensure safety and protection, and to help end patterns of domestic abuse today and in the future.

PHOTO: ALJON VELASCO

PHOTO: ALJON VELASCO

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Creative Director Jacob Park

ÖHLIN/D founder Anne Deane and Creative Director Jacob Park are on the verge of releasing their Spring-Summer 2015 collection—the young company’s third—and they couldn’t be more excited. Deane started ÖHLIN/D after exiting the finance world in order to “follow her heart’s desire to explore the world of shapes, art and textiles down in Latin America.” She teamed up with Park, who is a close friend, and the two scoured New York City to develop a talented team that would transform a vision into a realized brand. Earlier this year, Park took some time out to chat with The Lexington Line about his approach to the new collection. He and Managing Editor Maranda Janky discussed the brand’s history and future, as well as what motivates him as a Creative Director.

How did you come up with the inspiration for the Deep Blue collection?

The deep blue collection is one half of the full RTW SS15 collection. My main inspiration was Lisa Frank folders, binders and school supplies. I always thought they were so beautiful, and I wanted to figure out how to translate the color stories from those things into clothing. I’m also obsessed with the glam rock scene of the ‘70s and have always been drawn to anything sparkly and loud. I wanted the ÖHLIN/D girl for Spring 2015 to feel like she discovered her mother’s secret wardrobe from the ‘70s.

When did ÖHLIN/D become an official brand? How many collections have you produced? ÖHLIN/D became a realized brand in September 2013. I have executed two out of three collections with the brand, SS15 and FW15. I consulted on the first FW14 collection.

What drives you as a designer and Creative Director?

Fun. I love having fun. I hate severity.

And I love colors. I love making other people want to have fun, and sometimes it just takes the right outfit to make people “let go.”

Who are your team members and what are their roles?

I work with three of the coolest and most talented girls I’ve ever met. Anne Deane (President and founder), Sinead Lawlor (Design Director) and Giselle Ghofrani (Senior Designer, Production Manager and design development).

How many pieces are in the Deep Blue collection?

The SS15 collection has a total of 72 pieces.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

I love working with my team and coming up with something amazing. For a long time in my adolescence, I felt very out of place and isolated. I have now cultivated a life for myself where everyone around me is constantly inspiring me, especially my team here at ÖHLIN/D.

The best thing about putting together a collection is probably feeling connected to such talented people.

Where were you prior to ÖHLIN/D? Before ÖHLIN/D, I had a small stint with an amazing contemporary accessories brand called Bond Hardware, and prior to that, I was at Vera Wang Corp.

What is your background?

From a very young age, I experienced the world through shapes, colors and textures. I’ve always been very visual, which led to a love of expressing myself through what I was wearing and how I was being perceived visually. I was born and raised in California, and my first fashion-related gig was at the age of 16 in Los Angeles interning for wardrobe and costumes on the sets of some commercials and music videos.

Where did you study?

I studied at a small private school in the mountains of Santa Fe, NM, St. John’s College. It is an intense classics program with a focus on philosophy and sciences. My artistic and design sense had to be cultivated completely independently or through extracurricular activities. I taught myself everything and was never formally trained in anything during college.

What are ÖHLIN/D’s future plans?

Our plan is to be in your closet!

PHOTOS: LUKE ABBEY

#LEXLINE

limcollege.edu/lexingtonline

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THE LEXINGTON LINE STUDENT WRITING SHOWCASE LIM COLLEGE ARTS & SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

One Way or Another | Marco Venegas English Composition, Spring 2015

O

nce something depressing happens to you, there’s a good chance you’ll find a way to get over it. But once you do, something else will come your way. It could be something that adds more stress, or it could be something that makes things better. Life is strange, sad, euphoric, and overwhelming with the endless possibilities it includes. No one can be prepared for what’s coming for them.

I can recollect most, if not all, of the bad I’ve encountered in my life. Why is it that it tends to be easier to remember the bad than the good? In fact, a study published by Justin Storbeck and Gerald L. Core in Psychological Science in 2005 indicates that we remember our sad memories accurately and that our happy memories are often somewhat falsified.

One of my more regretful memories was a simple case of childhood mischief involving my friend C.J, a tall and skinny kid with a chipped front tooth and a messy afro. We were exiting a Family Dollar store and a cop was parked outside waiting for us.

It wasn’t until we were handcuffed that I realized how and why this was happening. Turned out that when we left our backpacks in the front of the store, which was store policy, the rattling sound of our spray cans was heard by the security guard. It was illegal for teenagers to be in possession of so much spray paint, because it could only mean one thing. The officer flipped through a notebook he found in my bag and found some sketches of my tag.

Then he saw the tag on a nearby wall. That was it. I was caught.

I felt so weak being held captive. I simply looked at the sky as the sun was setting. I kept my mouth shut. It wasn’t until we arrived at the station that I began answering questions. While being held, the first thing on my mind was how bad I was going to get it from my Mom. Another thought was that being arrested might affect my future endeavors.

We got out after three hours. That was that. I was let off easy, as I was only a 15-year old Catholic school student. Since then, I have promised myself I will be more careful. But this is just one petty memory to look back on and think back on, to use to consider how failures and disappointments are not always necessarily permanent. Because of course everything has an end. It might take a while to disappear, but eventually it will.

I revisit this situation to simply remind myself that overthinking a bad moment, whether in my life or someone else’s, will only bring stress and sadness if there is no corresponding action.

Yet every day I find myself thinking about how bad others have it. I think about the cold weather and empty stomachs that homeless people endure. I think about the insane and the addicted and how hopeless their lives may seem at times. I think about the lonely and depressed. I think about the harsh conditions and treatment of exploited workers overseas. Then I think about how all I’m doing is torturing myself by overthinking situations I cannot control. I realize that I have to do instead of think.

These kinds of thoughts caused me to take action last summer, when I began coming to the city to ride with other cyclists. I kept seeing countless homeless people carrying themselves with a pungent stench. I kept noticing signs asking for food or money. See, at the time I was working, and I was able to get food with the help of money. But instead of giving them money, I bought fruits and pizza pies for them. I go to only two fruit vendors, one on the corner of 45th and 3rd, the other between 25th and 26th on 8th, and two pizza parlors, one on the corner of 25th and 6th and the other on 14th and 1st. I like to stay loyal to a few because they know why I sometimes buy bulk, which can mean discounts, depending on the time of day. After collecting a large amount of fruit in my backpack while carrying a large pizza pie, I simply roam the streets in search of homeless folks. I know I’m not helping them get their lives together, but at least I can give them something they need.

At this point, I know plenty of homeless people around New York City by simply having had conversations with them or providing them with a slice of pizza. In the beginning of February 2015, I met Kenyo, an immigrant from Burkina Faso in Africa, as we both walked down Lexington Avenue. He just happened to find a full pack of cigarettes and was so excited about it that he wanted to share one with me, which I declined. After that we struck up a conversation in which he told me he was a musician. He left his family in North Carolina and job at a gas station last June in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a famous musician in New York City. He has had a couple of shows so far, he said.

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I guess we connected enough throughout our conversation that he decided to tell me where and how he lives; I’m the first he ever told this. We walked to the corner of 25th and Broadway, where I saw three sleeping bags resting on the green wooden walls that had been placed by construction workers. At the corner of the sleeping area were about ten thick plastic bags filled with excess food they found in the garbage, some clothes, and three gallons of water, one for each. Next to him were two grown men with half their teeth absent, and as Kenyo introduced me, we hit it off, talking about music, literature, and the state of the world. I ended up telling them about how upset I get thinking about others like them, to which one replied, “Na, man! Don’t let our lives become the reason you get sad. It’s not worth it. We all get by one way or another.”

From my captivity in the squad car, I walked through the streets of New York City liberated and dispensing kindness. And I’m continually trying to find ways to change from overthinking the suffering of others into doing something about it. Even though what happens to us is sometimes the product of our carelessness, or perhaps something else entirely, it does not mean that we can’t put an effort into helping each other get better.

Wildest Dreams | Gabrielle D’Alessandro New Media, Spring 2015

W

hen a number I’ve never seen before appears on the screen, I rarely answer the phone, but on October 3, 2014, something felt different.

“Hi,” an upbeat voice chirped in my ear. “This is Ashley from taylorswift.com. Is this Gabrielle?”

I had to force the words out.

“Yes, this is Gabrielle.”

I have been a huge fan of Taylor Swift since I was thirteen and heard her first song, “Teardrops on My Guitar,” on the radio. I was told so many times throughout high school that Taylor Swift was such a childish artist—that all she does is complain about boys— but no one ever changed my opinion of her. She was like an older sister telling me to watch out for people who talk behind your back and boys who will break your heart.

The previous July, I had entered a contest on Taylor Swift’s website that required including a little essay about how I shared

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Taylor’s music. The prize was attendance at a live chat session she was having at Yahoo! in New York City to announce the name of her album and release a new single. I was not chosen to attend, and I completely forgot about entering the contest or having written the essay.

And yet, that was exactly where this phone call had come from: I was invited to a secret event hosted by Taylor Swift. By the end of the call, I was shaking and speechless. Ashley had said I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about it, but of course I called my mom right away.

“Mom! You’re never going to believe me,” I said. “On Friday, I’m going to Taylor Swift’s apartment to listen to her new album!”

Friday came, and there we all were, 40 or so fans in Taylor’s living room.

“She watches Frozen and Bambi,” someone noticed, surveying her DVD collection.

Her apartment was huge—she had two whole floors and the roof. The apartment was very rustic, and in my opinion, looked like a mash-up of Hogwart’s and Anthropologie. She had personalized candles—“Taybeca” (Taylor/Tribeca)—on the bar. We walked around the spare bedrooms downstairs and played with her cats, and one of my friends even went through her cabinets, finding nothing particularly surprising.

Then Taylor came down the stairs with a chipper, “Hey, guys!”

Everyone turned in shock.

“Thank you guys so much for coming. You have no idea how much it means to me. Every single one of you has supported me through everything and all the changes I’ve gone through, and I really wanted to make this about you guys.”

She talked about how she found us all on social media and planned this months ago. She sat on her laptop looking at all of our Tumblrs and Twitters knowing that we would be in her home, and we had no idea. Her parents came downstairs to join us, and so did supermodel Karlie Kloss.

“Is it okay if I play my new album for you guys?”

Of course it was okay.

“I have been so excited to play this first song for everyone in this room at my apartment in New York City,” she said. “This city has impacted my life and my music, and I am so glad I get to share it with this group. It’s called ‘Welcome to New York.’”

She continued, “You know when you’re in New York and you see your first subway rat? People say ‘Welcome to New York’… or when you walk around SoHo or end up in Tribeca or walking across the Brooklyn Bridge? People say ‘Welcome to New York!’”

She explained the inspiration behind every song. It was so personal, and I felt truly lucky.

One song in particular stood out to me and became an immediate favorite—it was called “Style.” She talked about the fashion she’d seen since moving to New York, how the little black dress “never goes out of style,” and how there was a similar sense of timelessness to the relationship that had inspired the song.

At that time, that’s exactly what I was going through—I was with a guy who couldn’t stay, who would come and go, and when he came back, it was like nothing had changed. “Her heart belonged to someone who couldn’t stay,” she sang. Her song made sense to me.

She asked us not to talk about anything she was telling us until the album was officially out; she wanted the rest of her audience to have their own interpretations of the songs—though she also made comments throughout the night that made it clear who the songs

were about.

After going through the whole album, she put on “Shake It Off” and took off her Louboutins. We had a huge dance party.

After hearing the whole album, everyone got a chance to talk one-on-one with Taylor and take a picture. I was shaking right before it was my turn to talk with her. I walked up to her and gave her the biggest hug, like I was seeing a best friend who I hadn’t seen in a while.

“This is so exciting!” I told her.

She replied, “I am so glad you had a good time! I really wanted to make this a comfortable place for everyone!”

Unbuckled | Sasha Campusano Writing Essentials, Fall 2014

T

here was never a day when she had it all together, my mother.

To be fair, big families probably always seem to be slightly dysfunctional, and my mom had to handle two young girls and two teenage boys. In the mornings, it was just her. My father usually slept late.

We were all so different, and of course we had bad habits that would annoy her. My brothers were obnoxious, and my sister was a loudmouth. Me? I was the little hyperactive diva. My father was controlling but sweet, and my mother was a lovely, nervous wreck.

It was never easy for her to make breakfast for all four of us, get herself together, and prepare us for school, but on this particular day, the stakes were higher. Not only were things just the usual mess, but it was my kindergarten graduation.

As my mother fought through the clean laundry to find me a pair of socks, my brother Carlos yelled across the house at her: “Ma! Where’s my book bag? I don’t see it!”

“Carlos, leave me alone, don’t you see I’m getting Sasha together?”

My mother completely ignored me as she yelled at my brother, demanding he turn the volume down from the video game or turn the TV off. Juan was always a knucklehead. He decided not to listen to her. She made her way to the television and pulled out the cord, and Juan raged at her as I sat there watching the clock.

For some reason, all I could hear was the ticking of the clock.

Carlos talked loudly and made a mess as he searched for his bookbag; Ashley woke my father with her crying; Juan argued with my mother; but somehow to me, all seemed silent. While the chaos unraveled, my father grew upset with all of us. He walked over to the crib and lifted Ashley out of it. My mother, relieved he was up, then started to get all the things she had wanted to get together, to

begin with, together.

“Sasha, come,” Mom said to me while she snatched up some last-minute things.

I grabbed my barrette, and I followed my mother out the door.

We rushed down the stairs and into the car. She opened the door for me, let me in, pushed it shut, and then rushed around to her side. Before she started the car, I could tell the door wasn’t shut properly—and today, out of all the days, she had forgotten to put my seatbelt on, something she was normally conscientious about.

She started the car. We zoomed down the street. As we cut the corner, I felt the door slightly juke out of place. And then my body slowly, but yet so quickly, slipping out.

I rolled over on the pavement and watched my mom’s car come to a sudden stop. She ran over to me, and as tears rolled down her face, she kept asking me if I was okay. There wasn’t much traffic in Jersey City that morning, thankfully.

“I’m okay,” I said to her, still confused about what had happened.

She lifted me up and wiped off my floral dress. We got back in the car. This time she buckled me in and slammed the door shut, making sure I was secure. We arrived at the school and parked. I remember the look of relief on her face. She looked at the time and asked me if I was ready.

“Yup,” I answered, smiling.

She grabbed my hand, and we walked into the school, feeling the familiar chaos of parents, noise, happy faces, kids running around, and friends. We had made it just in time. As they called the names through the graduation roll, I remember thinking to myself how easily I could have just lost my life. I also thought that no matter how dysfunctional our big family was, we always pulled through in crazy situations.

As my name was called, I saw my Mom watch me as I took my little steps across the stage to retrieve my little diploma. She took lots of pictures, and as I smiled, all I thought was that people usually talked about “the calm before the storm.” With my family, it was always about the storm before the calm.

Bonfire | Paula Tavares New Media, Spring 2015 wore Abercrombie & Fitch distressed jeans with a gray Jennie North Face zip-up and chestnut-colored Ugg boots. Actually,

we were all pretty much dressed the same, huddled together, gossiping, roasting marshmallows around the bonfire, and smoking our first cigarettes. It was a chilly October night.

“Guys, can you believe that freshman girl Ashley is going out with Jonathan? Seriously, school just started,” Christy said.

“Yeah, I heard. How did they even meet? He didn’t know her before, did he?” I asked.

“I know—I heard about that too. I don’t think he did. That’s so annoying,” Nicole said. “But don’t worry Kristy, I think you’re so much prettier than her anyways. He definitely downgraded.”

Everyone agreed and laughed.

“I heard she’s trying out for the volleyball team. She supposedly is really good,” Jennie added.

“Well, I will make sure she doesn’t get on—like how awkward will that be! There’s no way.” said Christy.

Everyone laughed except Jennie.

“Oh come on Christy. She is actually super nice. She was in my lunch period the other day, and she was really sweet. Just give her

31

a chance. We could use her on the team anyways. Who cares she if she’s dating your ex boyfriend?”

There was a long pause. Everyone was looking at Christy and Jennie. Jennie exhaled some smoke.

“If you show that you care so much, it will make it seem like you’re that crazy ex-girlfriend, and we all know you’re better than that Christy.”

“Whatever, fine. But I’m only doing it for the team.”

I always thought there was something special about Jennie.

She was friends with everyone, yet she was always herself and had no problem speaking her mind.

No one spoke for a minute, and then Jennie looked up at us curiously.

“Guys, have you ever thought about what happens when we die?”

Nicole laughed.

“Jennie, that is so random.”

The next twenty minutes were filled with six 15-year old girls’ perceptions of mortality.

“I think that we don’t even realize we die; we are just born again in another person’s body and then the cycle continues”…“No, I think our soul goes to heaven, and we become angels to our family and friends that we left behind”…everyone had an opinion. And then the conversation turned to our Halloween plans.

“I’m having a party at my house; everyone is invited, so don’t tell me who can come or not, Christy,” Jennie said. Everyone laughed.

Six years later, just a week after New Year’s Day 2015, on a busy Tuesday morning, I scrolled through Facebook and saw a post that left me speechless: a picture of Jennie with “Rest In Peace. We will never forget you.” My heart dropped to my stomach.

After high school, many of us had lost touch due to attending different colleges and just finding our own directio in life. Before you knew it, years had gone by and people you were so close with suddenly became strangers. A mix of emotions ran through me. I was feeling sad, of course. But also I felt guilt.

I will never get a chance to speak to Jennie again. Could I have prevented us from drifting apart? I could have made the effort to see her. I had so many questions. Why her? Why now? This isn’t how the New Year is supposed to start. But there’s nothing I can do. Jennie passed away in her sleep on January 13, 2015 due to a drug overdose. Staring at that post, I sat there and thought: if we were still friends, could I have stopped this?

Maybe now, at least, she had an answer to her question. Maybe not.

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Sterotyping a Generation | Alexandra Pine Junior Writing Topics, Fall 2014

R

ecent articles in Slate, The Huffington Post, and numerous other media outlets have identified Millennials—those born between 1980 and 2000—as technology addicts. Millennials are also frequently pictured as noncommittal when it comes to relationships, waiting a long time to marry, if they marry at all.

Sometimes these tendencies are attached to a kind of shallowness or lack of engagement with their environment. But is this fair? And are these characterizations actually accurate?

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born before, or during, the boom of the Internet, and they have watched as smartphones, e-mail, and social media have revolutionized the ways we communicate. In fact, Generation Y has experienced (and willingly accepted) arguably the most rapid escalation of technology to date. Therefore, when it comes to love, Generation Y has to use new, innovative ways to meet a prospective date, unlike the happenstance mutual friend introductions or bar encounters of the past. With the introduction of apps such as Tinder, and popular websites including OKCupid and Match, Millennials are able to choose the level of engagement they want to have with the kinds of people they want to meet. The accessibility of those online dating platforms, along with social media, has changed the way that Millennials are able to meet; they can filter and scope out dates with their own specific preferences. Now, Millennials are able to research or “stalk” a potential date before even meeting them by checking out their Facebook page or LinkedIn profile. It would be somewhat short-sighted to call this invasive, because the person is offering this information freely. It also helps to provide the security of getting a clearer picture of the person before you venture to get involved with them.

Also, it is true that most Millennials who marry do so after the age of 25. The question is why anyone views this as a problem. Is there a rulebook to life and love that I have completely missed out on? Perhaps this has to do with wanting to become self-sufficient before attaching oneself to a partner. Becoming financially independent has always been hard, and many Millennials are interested

in building careers for themselves—often at considerable expense, if they are taking out student loans—before self-identifying as someone’s else’s partner and possibly developing a co-dependent relationship. In fact, according to a report in The Huffington Post, “the fact that people are marrying later in life...result[s] in more mature marriages” and a slightly declining divorce rate. According to the same article, “the median age for marriage in the 1950s was 23 for men and 20 for women. In 2004, it rose to 27 for men and 26 for women…if numbers continue to go down, roughly two-thirds of marriages will never involve divorce.”

It also should be noted that Millennials do not necessarily see marriage as a requirement, even for having children. According to an article on NPR’s website, it is increasingly common for middle class couples to have children without being married. Many are doubtful of the institution of marriage in general, especially after having seen the divorce rate hit record highs in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Baby Boomers (those born between the mid-1940s and mid-1960s) and Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1979), like all generations before them, had certain cultural trends they tended to follow and those they tended to break away from. Millennials are not different for their willingness to create their own destiny, and they have evidence suggesting that maxims about the virtues of traditional marriage are not necessarily absolute.

Millennials are a generation of vast change, and many of us seem courageous enough to adapt to any bump in the road. We adapt, and we innovate, just like previous generations. Regardless of gender, Millennials are opting to support themselves. And many of us are agents of change and progress as much as anyone in any generation.

LIM COLLEGE MATH CENTER limcollege.mywconline.com

THE LEXINGTON LINE LIM college’s student magazine

fashion BEAUTY

CULture LIM LIFE

lexingtonline@limcollege.edu

limcollege.edu/lexingtonline

W

e were excited to learn last semester that Professor Hilda Alfonso, a full-time faculty member who teaches Textiles and Fashion Fundamentals, received a $30,000 grant from Cotton Incorporated to use towards the creation of reusable, eco-friendly shopping bags. This isn’t just good news for Professor Alfonso and LIM College; it’s great news for the city as a whole.

Her project has the potential to aid in the significant reduction of plastic waste in New York. We caught up with Professor Alfonso to discuss her inspiring new project.

Thanks so much for meeting up with me, Dr. Alfonso. What is your background—where did you study? What experience did you bring to this project?

I earned a B.S. from F.I.T. in Production Management Textiles. I have always been fortunate to work with people who were able to further my knowledge of fabrics—I’ve worked for knitters in the south, as well as European weaving mills and product development children’s wear teams in the U.S. for Target & Kmart.

How did you come up with the idea to create the eco-friendly bags that you proposed to Cotton Incorporated?

In 2014, the New York City Council introduced a bill to limit the use of plastic shopping bags. They’re looking to charge customers ten cents per bag at retail and grocery stores in order to encourage people to bring their own tote bags. Ultimately, New York hopes to significantly cut back on the 5.2 billion plastic bags we use every year. California recently passed similar legislation.

Cotton Incorporated asked for proposals to promote the use of cotton while simultaneously furthering student understanding of its uses. In order to create student awareness on the harmful effects of these plastic bags, we decided to challenge our students to design a stylish cotton tote bag: a tote they could easily carry with them on their shopping trips, a bag that can be used again and again.

I collaborated extensively with Professor Nancy Miller and Department Chairperson Terry Burstein on the Request for Proposal (RFP). It was great to brainstorm with them and refine the plan as we went along. Professor Miller came up with the project logo, “Cotton Carries New York.” It sounded exactly right from the start.

“In order to create student awareness on the harmful effects of these plastic bags, we decided to challenge our students to design a stylish cotton tote bag” What did you have to go through to actually receive the grant from Cotton Incorporated?

I submitted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Cotton Inc. in April 2014. We received notification that we’d been accepted in August 2014.

How did you feel when you received the grant?

I was elated! We didn’t hear a word for approximately four months, so when we finally did, I was excited for everyone. This will give our students a great opportunity to create a tote and receive hands-on experience.

So does that mean LIM students will be designing the totes?

Yes, the students in the spring semester CAD classes are designing the cotton tote bags—the assignment has been incorporated into their syllabus. They will submit their designs, then a faculty committee is going to select the best projects.

The whole student population will vote on them. Professor Amanda Hallay is currently working on producing a video to promote the contest. Later, in the fall semester, the production portion of the assignment will be taken up by the Prod-

uct Development classes.

Did Cotton Incorporated give you parameters regarding the bags’ design and materials?

The bags must promote the benefits of using cotton fiber, utilize the Cotton Incorporated logo, and incorporate the color trademarks. Overall, the project is going to educate the students about the properties of cotton, and why we should be grabbing a cotton tote instead of using up another plastic bag!

When will the winning bags be produced and distributed? Where will they be sold?

The tech packs should be ready by November 2015, but we may not have actual production until late December 2015 or early January 2016. Depending on the final cost of goods, and subsequent actual number we’re able to produce, we hope to distribute the bags to an appropriate group of the student population.

What was the response from the school after you received the grant?

The response has been very positive.

I’ve discussed the project with all of my classes, and it has provided me with an opportunity to bring up the environment and encourage my students to work towards creating a greener future. Many fellow professors ask for updates periodically; everyone is interested in the process and eager to hear the details. Because we were proud to receive the grant from Cotton, Inc., and will be involving many students in the design and production, as well as the entire student population in the final design contest decision, the College’s departments of Marketing and Institutional Advancement will be involved at the appropriate time. It’s a very positive experience for the LIM community.

What has been the best part of receiving this grant from Cotton Inc.?

The students’ overall response has been very exciting. It’s important for everyone to realize that we can all make a positive impact on the environment. This opportunity will provide our community with the opportunity to create a very handson, environmentally-conscious experience for our students.

PHOTO: ALJON VELASCO

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IN THE BAG: SOLUTIONS FOR A

INTERVIEW BY

ALEXANDRA PINE

Model/Stylist: Dillon hughes ‘18

Photo: Collin Kearby

Stylist: MARANDA JANKY ‘17 Model: Sophia blomquist

Photo: Chris Nightengale

Model/Stylist: Kamirah Hamlett ‘17

Photo: NdeyBuri Mboup

Stylist: MARANDA JANKY ‘17 Model: Sophia blomquist

Photo: Chris Nightengale

Model: Tae'lor Roots ‘15 Stylist: Ryan Zarb ‘16 Stylist: Veronica Mineo ‘15

Photo: Jasmine Javier Wardrobe: American Attitudes

Model/Stylist: KENNY LATHAM ‘17

Photo: Aljon Velasco

Photo: Aljon Velasco

Model/Stylist: Danielle D'Ambrosio ‘18

Photo: Collin Kearby

SUMMER MUSIC PREVIEW SUMMER MUSIC RELEASES WE CAN’T WAIT FOR: Chance the Rapper - Surf Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams Florence + The Machine - How Big How Blue How Beautiful, June 2nd Hot Chip - Why Make Sense?, May 18 James Blake - Radio Silence, April Kanye West - So Help Me God Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon III Lana Del Ray - Honeymoon Lil Wayne - Tha Carter V Modestep - London Road, May 26th Mumford & Sons - Wilder Mind, May 4 My Morning Jacket - The Waterfall, May 4 Muse - Drones, June 9 Rhianna - R8 Run the Jewels - RTJ3 and Meow the Jewels Sia - This is Acting Snoop Dog - BUSH, May 12 The Cure - 4:26 Dream / 4:14 Scream Tyga - The Gold Album

MYSTERYLAND May 22 - May 25 Bethel Woods, NY

Kick off the summer with Mysteryland for the second year in a row this Memorial Day weekend at the legendary grounds of the ’69 Woodstock. This iconic EDM festival has taken over various locations around the globe with its interactive art, street performers, theaters and DJs. Camp under the stars and dance to acts like Steve Aoki and Kaskade.

Weekend tickets start at $214/ person.

Starting this summer, new albums will drop worldwide every Friday. There are plenty of other artists with undisclosed work to look forward to; here are some you can’t miss:

Beck Chemical Brothers Disclosure Frank Ocean Grimes Gwen Stefani Haim Incubus New Order No Doubt Tame Impala TLC

Governor’s Ball June 5 - June 7 Randall’s Island Park, NY

For a more rounded musical adventure, Governor’s Ball will yet again be invading Randall’s Island in the first weekend of June. The 2015 lineup features Drake, The Black Keys and Deadmau5. Also featured are Lana Del Ray, Florence + The Machine, Bjork and many more exciting acts. Tickets start at $105 GA single day and $260 GA weekend.

museum of modern art

YOKO ONO May 17 - September 7

Based on Yoko Ono’s unofficial show at MOMA in 1971, MoMA presents its first exhibit entirely dedicated to her work. It brings together about 125 of her early pieces, focusing on her conceptual and performance art leading up to when she became a pop culture celebrity.

Making Music Modern: Design for Ear and Eye November 15, 2014 - November 1, 2015

Philip Johnson Architecture and Design Galleries, third floor. Explores the relationship between music and design with a focus on the alternative music culture of the 20th century. Expect designs and innovations such as the LP, the iPod, the transistor radio, and the Stratocaster and works by avant garde designers such as Lilly Reich, Saul Bass, Jørn Utzon, and Daniel Libeskind.

must see exhibits

Björk

ANDY WARHOL

The Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, second floor; The Agnes Gund Garden Lobby and main Museum Lobby, first floor. An immersive experience featuring works spanning 20 years of Bjork’s multi-faceted career. It encompasses various mediums such as music, instrumentation, art, video and costume design.

Centered mostly on Warhol’s signature, breakthrough, work with Campbell’s soup cans. Features the 32 Soup Cans shown in a single line, modeled after how they were initially shown in LA in 1962. Come see how Warhol became such a fixture of the Pop Art movement.

March 7 - June 7

Aprill 25 - June 7

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