THECAMPUSEDIT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
KYLIE CALDWELL
FOUNDERS ANALYSE
JESTER AND LK COX
STAFF
EMMA ROWLAND
ADDISON SULLIVAN
ELLIE BURDETTE
AVA BACKUS
AMAI BOBBETT
BRYNN MEADE
CASEY GUMM
ELENI MCINNIS
KYLIE CARDER
LAUREN BICKEL
SKYLAR ROSS
STELLA DEFOOR
URVI PATIL
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
As the new Editor-in-Chief of The Campus Edit, I’m honored to lead a magazine I’ve been part of since its founding From the very beginning, I’ve watched it grow not just in pages, but in purpose
I want to thank our founding editors, LK Cox and Analyse Jester, for building this foundation with care, creativity and an unwavering standard of excellence Their belief in the power of aesthetic expression set the tone for everything we do- and everything we will become.
I am a journalism student at the University of Oklahoma, and this role is more than a milestone for me Fashion is never just about getting dressed, it’s about making choices in a world that’s watching Fashion carries politics in its stitching, culture in its silhouette and power in its presentation.
In my first issue as editor, we debut The Summer Issue- encapsulating the girls of summer wrapped in pretty prose and styled in the silhouettes of the season
I’m so glad you’re here.
xoxo,
COASTAL, CLASSIC, AND COMPLETELY HERSELF:
AN INTERVIEW
By: EMMA ROWLAND
Image: M T ’s Instagram
There are certain people who just ge it Like a waiter who brings thre ranches without being asked, or friend who knows every move befor you do it. And then, of course, ther are those rare individuals wit impeccable taste. So refined, so
instinctive, it resonates far beyond personal preferenc Over the past year, Madelyn Theresa, known to most a M T, has emerged as that person She’s the girl of th summer. Actually, scratch that- she might just be the gi of a lifetime.
As a New England native, M T embodies the kind o effortless coastal elegance that feels both timeless an entirely her own With sun-kissed waves, breezy linen and a wardrobe that seems perpetually touched by sa air and sunshine, you’d think she was born seaside-read Her affinity for vintage silhouettes, natural textures, an understated luxury has long shaped her personal styl but only in recent years has the internet caught on to th world of M T
“I was 15-years-old and a video of me in this pink shi dress with huge cat eye sunglasses went viral. I wa sitting in front of Greenwich Polo Club and it was pretty mature outfit for a 15-year-old,” said M T “ went viral and got about a million views in like 72 hour From then, I thought to myself ‘let me see if I can mak something of this ’ I've always had a passion for fashion I'm very authentic online, but in the same way yo choose to show some things and craft your own person and aesthetic.”
And M T has mastered this art With an eye kee enough to spot a gem in a pile of castoffs, she gravitate toward elegant vintage pieces that prove timeles l never fades. In a fashion landscape where minim often dominates, M.T. reminds us of the allure of More texture, more print, more romance A pat silk dress paired with the perfect heels doesn’t just a statement; it evokes the elegance of generations p
Her influence has made its way onto countless Pin boards, where her sun-soaked summer looks conti inspire. But beyond her outfits, M.T. may have the blueprint-worthy hair for anyone seeking a moder on classic Hollywood glamour As a youn accompanying her mother to the salon, she wou for the signature blowout, but it never turned out how she imagined. So, in 2020, during the pan M.T. took matters into her own hands.
g that time I was playing a lot with my look hair I started curling with a wand and pinning y head I must have seen this in movies with ets, because I was watching a lot of old movies en. So I tried it, I was like, ‘okay, it's cool.’ not just M.T.’s effortlessly cool aesthetic that in viewers from across the country. It’s her e, both on and off the screen There’s a ss to her content and a natural elegance that through in the way she shares her beliefs, her s, and her genuine connection with her ce. Watching her feels like catching up with a Whether you’re shopping alongside her, getting dy for the day, or simply listening to her talk, re’s an ease and authenticity that makes you want stay
kind of just see the value of being considerate hat I post and what I say affects other girls,” M.T. red.
hen asked to describe herself in three words, she ose honest, eccentric, and classic These words uldn’t be more fitting, not just for her personal style, for the way she presents herself across social dia.
when it comes to a style that is timeless, elegant, d effortlessly youthful, M.T. shows that it is not just out the clothes It is about the authenticity behind m A true summer muse, she reminds us that style omes iconic when it reflects intention, individuality, d a strong sense of self
THROUGHOUT THE CENTURY SWIM WEAR
BY: ADDISON SULLIVAN
style resembling te 20th century culture
Dior Tankini, 1990s.
Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren One-Piece.
THE BIKINI’S BLUEPRINT
In July of 1946, Louis Réard set off an eruption that shook up society in Paris, France and later struck the United States with the same effect The first bikini was unveiled to the world at a poolside fashion show in Paris Ironic enough, Louis Réard named his creation after the Bikini Atoll, a location where nuclear weapons were being tested He found the name to be fitting after the effect he believed the unveiling would have on society. He was correct.
After Louis Réard’s unveiling, swimwear designing became a challenge more than a task for designers Bodies were being embraced rather than concealed and women were now excited to wear colorful swimwear while sitting poolside or tanning on beaches
Bright and colorful suits were now welcomed and flaunted confidently by women all over the globe and especially in the United States During the later 1900s, women were empowered by flaunting their bodies in numerous fashion and sports magazines, photoshoots, fashion shows and in just everyday life
Today, women everywhere are encouraged to wear what they feel most comfortable in when swimming or tanning by a pool. There’s no shame and those who choose to shame are quickly silenced
Icons such as Heidi Klum, Pamela Anderson, Tyra Banks, and so many others taught women to embrace their bodies, especially when it came to flaunting them in swimwear. Women from the early 1900s paved the way for those who can confidently wade in the water today, without the extra weight of a long dress and judgement
Blumarine halter bikini Patternedandfunkycut
A POP PERSONA IN PRODUCTION ADDISON:
BY: KYLIE CALDWELL
SOCIAL MEDIA STAR TO POP PROTÉGÉ.
Addison Rae spent the early 2020s as an algorithm favorite. But this summer, she’s moved beyond Tiktok virality, and debuted into something more intentional- an experimental pop star arc that’s landed her back in the cultural conversation
Addison isn’t just pivoting, she’s orchestrating an almost campy, over-the-top, curated image of today’s pop princess Even her debut was chic- leaked demos turned into a full studio album, Songs like “2 Die 4” hit that sweet spot between reference and reinvention.
Once a small town cheerleader with big dreams, the Louisiana–turned–California girl is earning her crown of pop royalty Now, the born entertainer booking a national tour, wearing archival runway looks and unafraid to reign in a inner circle of nostalgia. Her music leans hard into dance-pop nostalgia with a hyper-curated gloss. Some argue she is a Britney Spears and Madonna lovechild wearing a beauty queen smile Her songs are stylized to her taste- something she calls a luxury Her antics has found a home in certain niche corners of the internet
At the heart of Addison’s editorial impact, the styling genius of Addison is the visionary Dara Allen- known mononymously as Dara, who serves as fashion director at Interview magazine and is celebrated for a boundary-pushing editorial eye She has also been styled by the legendary Law Roach and a muse to photographer Petra Collins
“I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO BE FAMOUS”
What makes Addison Rae feel fresh isn’t just her songs or her career transition, it’s how meticulously every angle of her persona is calibrated for a certain aesthetic economy
Now Playing: Aquamarine
For the Aquamarine video, Dara styled Addison in avant-garde pieces and noted, “it’s sort of like, you’re unafraid to make others uncomfortable because you’re so comfortable in what you’re doing ” styling her in feathered headbands, sequined minis and sculptural couture pieces Her inspirations include timeless beauties like Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot. Addison’s ThomBrowne Corset ensemble at the 2024 CFDA Awards, paired with a Mikimoto pearl necklace and conch-shell purse, was another collaboration with Dara- a match made on the runway.
Images: Elle Magazine
THE FAME FORMULA
Addison’s visual image is a significant part of her branding, uniquely mastering visual elements alongside every single. In the “High Fashion” video, a song about rejecting drugs and rather indulging oneself in glamour, returned Rae to her southern hospitality roots where Dara paid a ruby slipper homage- styling a wardrobe that referenced The Wizard of Oz and early 2000s Tumblr aesthetics Commentators praised the look as minimal but evocative, rooted in Rae’s dance background Critics say it’s all forced. But Addison’s whole point is that performance is never effortless.
Vogue called Rae’s style “one long audition for a Y2K movie about a dancer with a dream” and credited Allen for transforming her from TikTok figure to fashion myth Addison and her all-female studio leaned into early-2000s textures: synth-heavy, a little ironic but never without meaningful tones.
DARA’S RULES FOR FASHION
1.no square‑toes
2.sheer tights
3.repetition rather than constant outfit turnover
01. I Got It Bad: Intro to the It Girl Rae-brand
02. Diet Pepsi: Product Placement, But Make It Camp
03. High Fashion: The Dara Allen Aesthetic
04 Aquamarine: The Music Video as Mythology
SIDE B IMAGE OVER SOUND
03. Money is Everything: Can’t a Girl Have Fun
04. Fame Is a Gun: Critics, Commenters & the Algorithm
05. Headphones On: The Tour, the Setlist, the Cult Following Images: Addison’s Instagram
FREE SPIRIT NEVER FADES:
HOW FREE PEOPLE KEEPS REINVENTING ‘COOL GIRL’
BY: BRYNN MEADE
STILL DREAMY. NOW STRATEGIC.
Nothing can beat this overwhelming summer heat like the light and flowy materials associated with the brand Free People.
It is rare to find a brand that has thoroughly washed over Pinterest like this one has for the past half-century It is a sure thing that most of Gen-Z
has at least one boho-chic "dream set" listed in their "2025 outfits" inspiration board
This trademark that is universally recognized consistently seems to get it right Whether it's the marketing, the consistency in trend-setting, or the comfort of walking into a store and feeling like you are entering the earthy, free-spirited mind of the designers, Free People has been that brand for about 55 years now
The actual question we all are surely wondering is how a tiny shop that once started in the 1970s with bellbottom jeans, and now transitioned into a billion-dollar company, resonates specifically with Gen-Z trendsetters on TikTok with oversized cargos and sheer lacy tops Spoiler alert It isn't just luck There is a method to the magic, and everyone could take something from this blueprint
SHEER AMBITION.
For starters, Free People reads the room before the rest of us even enter it, instantaneously jumping from coastal cowgirl to balletcore while still staying true to its boho roots Their brand-specific options, crochet sets, activewear, and layering pieces feel individual, not copy-pasted The view from the outside looking in is that their design team knows exactly what's trending, but without appearing to try too hard
But it's not just the clothes Their whole brand experience feels cohesive, from the earthy lighting in stores to their sunshine-drenched Instagram feed filled with barefoot models dancing through wildflowers. Even Free People Movement, their exponentially rising in popularity activewear line, could be spotted across the gym as a uniquely bright one, and the question immediately arises, "Oh my god, where did you get that set?"
They've also nailed the social media sweet spot With micro-influencers who feel like your best-dressed friend and product drops that look handmade on a beach (even if they're not), FP has made its audience feel seen, styled, and slightly more ethereal without being out of reach
So how do they keep doing it? They've mastered the balancing act of evolution and identity. Free People changes just enough to stay relevant, but never too much to lose its soul And that? That's timeless
Karlie Kloss for Free People
Elsa Hosk for Free People.
A September 2015 Campaign
Images: Free People
ARTIFICIAL BY DESIGN: FASHION’S FLAWLESS CRISIS
By: Kylie Caldwell
The fashion bible has recently broken a vowed commandment, and is being condemned for doing so Vogue’s
August 2025 issue dedicated a two page Guess ad entirely to a fully AI-generated model. The AI images were accompanied by a tiny, hardto-read disclaimer
This marked the first time an AIgenerated figure appeared in mainstream Vogue, albeit in advertising form- not on the editorial pages.
Backlash across social media and fashion circles was immediate Longtime readers criticized the move as undermining authenticity and threatening opportunities for human models and creatives
Some subscribers even canceled Vogue, frustrated that synthetic perfection replaced the raw beauty traditionally showcased in fashion editorials. Many readers felt the lack of transparency raised ethical concerns and betrayed Vogue’s reputation for polished, human-led storytelling
AI models may wear the clothes, but they can’t carry the culture. When fashion starts outsourcing beauty to algorithms, it flattens what makes style compelling in the first place- the imperfections, the lived experience, the unpredictable spark of real human presence.
What AI-generated models save in cost, they erase in texture This concept risks sterilizing an industry built on personal expression
AN ODE TO ANNA
By: The Editorial Team
Anna Wintour’s departure marks more than the end of a fashion era- it signals a shift in who decides what style is defined by.
As AI-generated models walk virtual runways and machines try to mimic taste, the original tastemaker quietly bows out. Wintour’s reign at Vogue defined decades of aesthetics, power, and polish. Her absence leaves behind Vogue fashion in grief without its most human filter.
KEEPING UP WITH KYLIE TheFirstEdition
SUMMER SHOULDERS
Summer’s most strategic silhouette isn’t about how much you show, but where you show it. From off-shoulder tops to asymmetric tanks, the exposed shoulder trend is part effortless, part editorial. Whether you’re channeling '90s runway or just escaping the heat, it’s the kind of quiet reveal that feels loud in all the right ways.
THE CAMPUS EDIT IS AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT-LED DIGITAL PUBLICATION SHOWCASING UNIVERSITY LIFE, FEATURING STORIES ON CURRENT FASHION, CULTURE, ART, AND CURRENT EVENTS.