MIHA MAGAZINE - NOV/DEC Issue

MIHA MAGAZINE

By Madeline Swentor

People say the best form of self-expression is art, but which form of art teaches us the most about ourselves? A er surveying students at UofSC, it’s apparent that music not only gives us the chance to express ourselves, but helps us de ne our feelings. Listening to music gives you a chance to not only resonate with lyrics, but to nd con dence and clarity within your own emotions. e survey that was distributed contained just three questions. Students were asked to list their all time favorite song, a song they currently had on repeat, and what music truly does for them. Being that UofSC is obviously diverse in personalities, I was expecting an array of diverse and unalike answers. Although, what I found was the opposite. While we’re all di erent, we all can nd common ground in the sense that we want to feel understood.

Let’s be real. Being in our early 20’s is weird. We’re still learning what it means to grow up. When you go to college, you think you’ll at some point get it all gured out. Sometimes, it seems taboo to be unsure of your path a er college. But, in reality, most of us are in the same boat. A student responded to the question: “How does music help you?”.

ey describe music as something that can be associated with certain moments in life, and helps them attach emotion to their feelings about “the

ups and downs of college life.” e song they chose as the one that means the most to them was “Sixteen” by Chelsea Cutler. is song helps them “come to terms with change, growing older, and how certain people in your life are steadfast despite the circumstances and the eeting life we live.” It’s important to remember that the true constant in life is time, and the lessons we learn while getting older drive us farther and farther into authenticity.

College kids’ struggle with mental health is no secret. Music is an escape for people of all ages, but when you’re a student trying to act ne, sometimes time alone with your headphones gives you a chance to really explore what you feel inside without fear of judgment. One student said that music “so ens the edges of life.” Another said that “music helps [them] fully enjoy every day, especially when school is leaving [them] feeling stuck.” Sometimes when you feel overwhelmed, it’s hard to nd comfort in life. Music is there to remind you that there is familiarity all around us, and none of us are alone in the journey to feel understood. If you give it time, you’ll nd music that feels almost written for you. And that, my friend, is what’s so good about it.

We all listen to music, but I encourage you to nd parts of yourself in lyrics. Listening to others speak about their feelings in con dence helps us validate our own. We’re on this journey together, and perhaps we aren’t so di erent a er all. Music means something to everybody, so I made a playlist of

the all-time-favorite and current-favorite songs that students submitted. Check it out!

“Slow down, you crazy child and take the phone

o the hook and disappear for a while it’s all right, you can ‘afford to lose a day or two, when will you realize Vienna waits for you?”

- Vienna, Billy Joel

“I get so lonely I forget what I’m worth”

- Drew Barrymore, SZA

“It’s better to feel pain, than nothing at all. e opposite of love is indi erence”

- Stubborn Love, e Lumineers

What song means the most to you?

“This song has been a huge inspiration to me creatively and physically. It is one of the songs that really pushed me to learn guitar and want to play it well, and the lyrics remind me of a friend who passed away a while back ago.” -Anonymous

“I love listening to [this song] as days pass because the message ‘the universe is gonna give you muchas flores’ always motivates me and makes me hopeful for the future.” -Anonymous

How does music help you?

“If I’m anxious or sad, it helps. Also, some artists sing about problems I’m going through and .” -Anonymous

“It helps me get into my own headspace and calm down. It also it.” -Anonymous

“Music always helps me romanticize my life and emulate the types of people I want to strive to be. It

“It helps me by giving me .” -Anonymous

“It helps me escape. It helps me feel and understand my feelings. It also helps me have fun.” -Anonymous

“Music helps me . It can cheer me up or calm me down. I also play the guitar, and that’s just another form of creativity of the music I listen to, and in turn makes me appreciate life anymore. It’s a very peaceful state of mind.” -Anonymous

Scanme!

Turning Your Dreams Into a Reali - An Interview with

By Ryan Manor

Kayla Saliman

Earlier this month, I got the chance to speak with eelance photographer and USC student, Kayla Saliman. The 20-year old graphic designer, photographer, and journalist is known for her brilliance in concert photography and other mixed media work. She’s spent the past en years of her life naviga ng through this crazy thing we call life, and through her self-discovery and determina on, Kayla nally made a name for herself by turning her favorite hobby into a full- me career. She has worked with band members om Brook and Blu , Dayglow, Mt. Joy, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Backstreet Lovers, and so many more incredible ar sts. She’s also known for her work on campus, photographing other students and contribu ng to local newspapers and magazines. It took hard work to get there, so here is her story.

Kayla Saliman grew up on the outskirts of Philadelphia. From a young age, she knew she was des ned to do something crea ve. Some of her best high school memories revolved around concert lineups on the weekends. She always loved music and live events: the energy, the mood, the excitement, it was truly her personal heaven.

When Kayla began her eshman year at The Universi of South Carolina, she enrolled in classes that challenged her ar s c abili es: pain ng, drawing, and other mixed media work. Although, it wasn’t un l Kayla stepped into her rst photography class that everything suddenly became clear. Her camera skills perfected with long hours in classes, studios, and of course, on her own me. Outside of class, Kayla would plan photoshoots with her iends. No prepara on at all, only Kayla and her camera. It could take place on the side of the road or in the middle of someone’s dining room. Every space promised new inspira on.

Kayla was deep into her portrait photography work when she rst got in touch with a South Carolina music magazine called “Cencee.” At the me, she hoped to get into doing live photography.

“I was like woah wait, you can go to concerts and take sick pictures for ee?”

So one day, her boss threw her out there, and Kayla was sent to take photos of local bands coming through. She immediately fell in love.

“I didn’t have any equipment or experience before but I was like I guess I’m down. So [my manager] gave me his camera and I went and photographed the bands. I haven’t stopped taking concert pictures since.”

Now, Kayla works as a contribu ng photographer for HAZE Magazine. This volunteer-based pla orm o ered Kayla her rst ever professional gig as a live photographer at Forecastle Music Fes val. Since then, Kayla has shot at music fes vals like FireFly, and Forecastle, interviewed and photographed several grammy-nominated ar sts and bands, published her work in magazines and newspapers, been re-posted by celebri es, and so much more. “This is just the beginning,” Kayla says, excited to see where her ever-changing goals and aspira ons bring her. Re ec ng back on her career thus far, Kayla puts a huge emphasis on the importance of reaching out and taking risks.

“When I rst started out doing photography I reached out to a bunch of photographers that I thought were doing what I wanted to do… I straight-up asked them if they had any advice for me… and having made those connecons has helped me so much.”

Some mes, it really is just as simple as sliding into someone’s DM. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? Kayla told me how she once DMed the Wallows tour photographer; a shot in the dark. Not only did he respond, but he gave her some of her best advice and recommended di erent publica ons to work for and so on. In addi on to having that connec on now, she also has all the advice that got him to where he is today. So hey… what are you wai ng for? In pursuit of your own career goals, it’s important to put yourself out there, to turn failures into lessons, and to believe in yourself. Some mes, put ng yourself in a temporarily uncomfortable posi on can have posi ve long-term e ects, and can possibly even be the star ng point of an amazing career. So, whether it be publishing work you’re unsure about, applying for that internship you don’t think you’re quali ed for, or even just pressing send on that DM, you’ve got this. We’re all in this together, trying to navigate through this crazy world, so have faith in yourself and your abili es, and turn your own dreams into a reali .

Trends Mak g A Comeback

Have you ever found yourself gagging at a fashion trend, praying it never comes back? Then, two

We all fall victim to the infamous fashion cycle. A perfect example of this is low-rise pants. Two years ago, I begged the fashion gods to burn this trend in the 2000s. Now, my entire Pinterest is full of the cutest low-rise jeans and trouser ensembles for me to possibly recreate one day.

Think about the trends we all currently despise - long denim skirts, skinny pants, skirt suits, side parts, ballet flats, neckties, chokers, headbands, and leg warmers. I hate to break it to you, they are all coming back. Just wait!

L

g

Denim Skirts

Goodbye to the micro mini skirts of Y2k, and hello Little House on the Prairie. After much consideration, I am actually here for this trend. Denim midi and maxi skirts are making a major comeback, already spotted on influencers and celebrities. Long denim skirts dominated NYFW runways and streets alike this past September, so we can only predict this trend to gain even more traction. Sport a midi or maxi as an everyday staple paired with a loose-fitting knit like Danielle Bernstein of WeWoreWhat, or as a bold statement for an event like Elsa Hosek at Revolve Coachella in April 2022.

Ballet

Flats

This one has slowly been making a comeback for a while, and now, it is here. Beyond just ballet flats, the balletcore aesthetic is in. Pair with a structured blazer and a slip dress like fashion influencer, Alexa Chung, or with a gray sweat set like post-Paris Fashion Week Bella Hadid. These are the perfect finish to any outfit for an elegant yet casual touch. The Miu Miu Satin Ballerinas or the Aged Calfskin Black Ballerinas from Chanel are perfect examples of this trend.

Chokers

Shorten your necklaces because chokers are back in 2023. Many designers, including Miu Miu, Chanel, and Versace, accessorized their most recent runway shows with statement chokers. We saw lots of metallics and layering here, which are also two big trends for the upcoming season.

This one truly shocked me. Yes, I said it. Leg warmers are another trend coming back from the 80s! With mid-calf socks and balletcore making a comeback, it is a natural progression that leg warmers will be seen during the colder months. Celebrities who have thrown this trend into the mix include Bella Hadid who pairs white knit leg warmers with a casual Vintage Chanel dress and heels and Dua Lipa who showcases her striped chunky knit leg warmers on her Instagram.

LegWarmers

Shrug Sweaters

Sweaters

Headb

While headbands in general have been stylish for a while, the headbands we see making their comeback this year are cotton headbands. Adding a headband to any athleisure outfit makes you instantly look put together. Wearable in every color, shop this trend on sites like Princess Polly or Los Angeles Apparel.

Sk ny

sP ts

Back so soon? Ditch the oversized trousers, and trade them in for a tailored pant. This look was all over the Spring / Summer 2023 runways so we predict this to make its comeback hard in the upcoming months, especially as we are still seeing oversized blazers. The most notable brand incorporating this trend is Prada with their Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection. While we are predicting skinny trousers for Spring 2023, we do not think skinny jeans are making their comeback just quite yet. However, knowing the fashion cycle, this re-emergence should not be far behind.

So, next time you are feeling a little adventurous with your style, consider trying one of these trends out.

Cre ive D e or / Sty : K dell Col ns Photog ph : Ry M or Models: M zie Wood, Noly T n, d Jase Leon d

FAUX FUR ONLY!!!!

Photog ph : Colby S sb y

Model: Ella Uhde

Photog ph : E ka Ta kus

Model: Em i Revis

MIHA MAGAZINE

Thank you to everyone who helped in the process of creating this edition. A special shout out to USC Fashion Board, specifically Sophia Dudley, for collaborating on our winter-themed shoot with Urban Outfitters.

Miha is currently in the process of developing our physical copy of the magazine for the semester issue. It will be availible for purchase, and all contributions will be donated to a local women’s shelter in Columbia, SC, so stay tuned for more information on that!

If you, or anyone you know is interested in joining the Miha gang, please do! We are open to anyone at UofSC who is interested in the development and planning of a magazine. We are always looking for more models as well, so give us a DM if you’d be interested!

Thanks for reading!!

IG: @mihamagazine