The Mini: October

the mini enlighten

MODA the mini Editor In Chief Deputy Editor Creative Director Layout Editor Lifestyle Editor

Chloe Karaskiewicz Caroline Kreul Mekea Larson Jesse Tovar Jen Anderson

Men’s Editor

Andrew Connor

Social Editor

Barbara Gonzalez

Photography Director

Roberto Leon

Contributing Writers

Alexa Carlson Caleb Foust Maddy Gilson Haley Nippert Sam Zwick

2 | october 2014 | www.modamadison.com

letter from the editor My mother once told me not to let school get in the way of my education.

This, of course, was not my get out of jail free card to skip class, but an invitation to see my education as an ongoing process not limited to the classroom. As a child, I was fortunate enough to see the world— through books, travel, museums and other adventures. But it was embarking on the journey of my adulthood, or pseudoadulthood, in college that began to open my life up to the education I could receive from my peers.

In engaging with each other, we learn perspectives of which we could never comprehend—because they are not our own. We hear a stranger’s life story and perhaps gain a sliver of insight into a world totally unknown to us. This is the education to which I believe my mother was referring.

For our first issue of the academic year, we chose to discuss a handful of topics that we feel deserve a day in the sun. In one of the most humorous pieces this month, writer Sam Zwick and Men’s Editor Andrew Connor explore the male yoga experience, challenging men to shrug off the feminization of the activity and decide for themselves the relative merits and challenges of downward dog. The media’s romanticism of mental illness is also addressed, bringing, in an explosion of emotion and personality, a first-hand account of the stigma and challenges facing those diagnosed with a disorder.

In the spirit of the new year, Moda is excited to announce the addition of a photo spread to our monthly offerings in the Mini Issue. This month, Creative Director Mekea Larson brings us a sun-filled, black-and-white glamour that joins the modern and the classic, modeled poetically by the graceful Sheila Ghanian.

So as we begin the year and the first round of midterms bring sleep deprivation, quick tempers, and the inevitable fall flu, I encourage you to remember that the collegiate education we are privileged to receive at this university is not all that we walk away with. Every person you meet changes you, every issue you confront betters you, and every action you choose, or do not choose, to take, inevitably alters who you become. Take the time to appreciate these moments and seek them out, even in the craziness of fall.

Chloe www.modamadison.com | october 2014

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BROGA

By Sam Zwick, Contributing Writer

So a guy walks into a yoga studio and… then what?

For some reason, yoga is seen as an activity reserved almost exclusively for the females of the world, but why? To find out, Moda sent my roommate, Men’s Editor Andrew Connor, and I to a yoga class for a guy’s perspective on everyone’s favorite stretchy exercise.

To be clear, I had done yoga a handful of times in high school so I had an idea of what to expect. I also happen to have the relative flexibility of a concrete block--I get to about mid shin when trying to touch my toes--so stretching is not my strong suit.

Andrew, however, was new to this and had some questions. “Is there a dress code?

Like, should I be wearing all Lululemon and Gap Body stuff? Will they play Enya? I bet they’ll play Enya.” And from there the jokes began to flow.

4 | october 2014 | men’s

“I actually don’t know a whole lot about yoga,” Andrew told me as we sat watching football before the class. “I know it’s a girl thing…like autumn. They go to yoga, drink a latte and eat Greek yogurt, then they go home to their cats, right? There has to be Gilmore Girls somewhere in there, too.” I assured him that we could skip the Gilmore Girls (much to his dismay) and we headed to the Serf to partake in the Thursday late-night yoga class.

We were not the only guys in the room; there were about five others in the class, but this was obviously a femaledominated environment. The warm-up was easy, even for someone as stiff as me, but then we shifted to a couple of variations of the plank position and my arms began shaking like I was swimming in Lake Mendota during January. I looked at Andrew for a bit of reassurance and his arms were doing the same thing. In fact, all of the guys appeared to be struggling.

Then I looked over at the tiny little blonde girl beside me and she not only looked stable, but relaxed. I spent a few moments wondering how the hell she made it look

doing it except the stigma. Like any sport that used to be for men only, yoga has been feminized from the start for no reason other than that girls tend to be more flexible than guys. Plus, as a guy I would be lying if I said hanging out with a bunch of lovely girls and doing yoga sucked, so there’s that to keep in mind gentlemen.

So a guy walks into a yoga studio… and enjoys it. There are plenty of types of yoga, some for strength building, some for increasing flexibility (which I should probably consider) and some for relaxation. There isn’t a yoga class for just girls or for just guys because it’s like anything else; if you give it a try and enjoy it, then just walk in there and hop into that downward dog.

Real relief finally came as we flipped to our backs for some abdominal work. Abs I can do, but then my shorts became an issue. I instantly understood the draw of yoga pants as I spent the next 10 minutes trying to simultaneously exercise and keep my shorts and compression shorts up high enough to spare those around me a view of my thighs. I don’t have horrible thighs, but as a general rule for guys, unless your name is David Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo, no one wants to see your thighs.

But screw it; this whole thing was actually rather enjoyable at this point.

Thighs and arms aside, this whole thing was about guys doing yoga and I’ve decided that it’s actually pretty nice. Andrew and I left feeling relaxed yet strangely energetic and dare I say it, a little more limber. My hips hurt like hell the next day (and for several days afterwards), but it was worth it. Andrew was somewhat sore too, but the biggest side effect of the whole affair was that he had an Enya song stuck in his head.

There really isn’t anything about yoga as an activity that should keep guys from

A note from the editor:“The idea of men doing yoga intrigued us for our “Enlighten” issue because we figured it would be an avenue for healthy living most guys haven’t considered. However, the more I thought about it the more I realized yoga is predominantly a female activity because society brands it that way. We have a little fun with yoga stereotypes in the article, but I believe they prove our point. Gender norms go both ways, gentlemen; we shouldn’t be subject to the made up standards set for us just like women shouldn’t.

I’m not saying that going out and doing yoga will eradicate sexism forever, but it’s a start. Namaste, or something.” - Andrew M. Connor men’s | october 2014

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EXPLORING

Madison’s Best Kep

By Hailey Nippert, Social Writer

With the seasons changing and October just beginning, now is the perfect time to challenge yourself and experience new places and activities. There are plenty of things to do in the Madison area, so there is never a shortage of excitement. And while it’s nice to experience the local hotspots, there are plenty of unknown gems that might even surpass the time honored favorites.

Both local and out-of-state artists are hosted at a venue known as Kiki’s House of Righteous Music, the home of Kiki Schueler, on Macarthur Road. The featured musicians range from folk and oral tradition to gospel and blues, and every genre between. Not only does Kiki’s host unique house concerts, but occasionally the performers themselves will offer workshops before the concert, allowing guests to interact with the artists and participate in a unique learning experience. Every event is BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage), and while there

isn’t a cover charge for attending, they do ask for donations that go directly to the performers. Make sure to check out some of the upcoming concerts this month.

Another one-of-a-kind musical experience is the Madison Jazz Jam, which takes place on the first and third Sunday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Fountain on State Street. Musicians of all ages are welcome to join the band on stage and try their hand at improvising their selected song, with a group critiquing and tip session taking place immediately afterward, making for an all-around amazing evening. After the first set, the more experienced improv artists will have their turn to play with the house band. Like Kiki’s, this is a free event, with the optional donation being gratefully expected.

If you’re more interested in the gallery scene, the Hatch Art House located on Williamson Street is the perfect place to stop in. Even though it is a smaller gallery,

October 11 - Steve Wynn & Mike Fredrickson October 18 - The Hushdrops & Faux Fawn Doors open at 8pm, Show begins at 9pm

6 | october 2014 | social

pt Social Secrets Hatch makes a point to showcase Madison’s local talent and many different art styles.

Hatch features and sells artwork by many local artists, and has a special opening each month for its featured artist. This month’s featured artist is Craig Grabhorn, who specializes in graphic design and screen printing. The artist reception takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. on October 10th, and refreshments will be served.

If you are looking for art closer to campus, explore the UW Design Gallery in the School of Human Ecology building. The current exhibition features the work of Interdisciplinary Artist in Residence, Laura Anderson Barbata. Called “Transcommunality,” the exhibition follows Barbata’s work with stilt-walkers in Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries and runs through November 21. Barbata will also be teaching a course during the Spring 2015 semester, the application for which

will be announced later this month.

On the more naturalistic end, UW Geology Museum in Weeks Hall provides a small, but incredibly insightful look into our past. The museum hosts fossil and mineral specimens from all over the Midwest, some of which are over 400 million years old. The star of the exhibit is the Boaz Mastodon, which was discovered in 1879 near Boaz, Wisconsin. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Because the museum is a part of the university, their funding is often reevaluated, so we encourage you to sign the guest book located at the museum entrance to show that the museum is still a significant part of campus.

There are many more events and places to check out this fall in the Madison area.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, so take chances and seek out new and exciting experiences--maybe you will find a gem of your own.

social | october 2014

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SHEDDING LIGHT on mental illness

By Taylor Palmby, Contributing Writer

A lack of understanding threatens many who don’t realize mental illness is not uncommon for college students. We can change that.

Depression. Anxiety. Bipolar Disorder.

Schizophrenia. Psychosis. These are all mental disorders that many stigmatize or romanticize. If you were diagnosed with one of these mental disorders at some point, you know that it changes your life.

People can be very afraid of what they don’t understand, and mental illness is something that can be very difficult to grasp. Admitting to someone that you have a mental illness can be terrifying. It can feel as though you are immediately judged and ostracized for something you have absolutely no control over.

People often say things like “it’s all in your head” or “just get over it,” but you wouldn’t say that to someone with cancer or a broken leg, would you?

Mental illness is a disorder that over 50% of the population will face in their lifetime.

The public needs to recognize that mental illness is not abnormal. Just because it isn’t abnormal though, does not make it desirable, as social media can sometimes portray it.

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Many people on social networks, such as Tumblr and other blogging forums romanticize mental illness. There is the obsession over the “thigh gap,” artsy pictures of girls with cuts covering their bodies and text posts conveying suicide as a beautiful tragedy. It’s hard to escape.

As someone who has suffered from mental illness, I know it is not something I would wish upon my worst enemy. Mental illness is horrifying because you feel as though you should be able to control your emotions and thoughts, but instead, they take control of you. It makes you feel as though you’re drowning. Sometimes my anxiety was so inhibiting, I cannot do anything without bursting into tears about something worrying me. My depression consumed my every waking moment, constantly reminding me that I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough or normal enough. I lost interest in everything that ever meant anything to me. The worst part was that I knew my thoughts and feelings were irrational, but that didn’t stop them from hitting me like a tornado.

To those that are broken from mental illness, it is a slap in the face to make it seem like anything less than a nightmare. Being broken isn’t beautiful and it shouldn’t be talked about in a romantic way. The way that social media portrays mental illness is dangerous. People should never think that they should have to cut to be beautiful, or be sad to be cared for or hear voices in

their head to be interesting. Everyone is different and this uniqueness is what makes us beautiful in our way; we shouldn’t lose track of that.

We are all guilty of judging others. If there is one thing that mental illness has taught me, it’s that you never know what anyone else is going through. Everyone is fighting demons you may know nothing about, and that’s why it is so important to treat everyone you meet with kindness. If you know someone who is or might be struggling with mental illness, the best thing you can do is be there for them. Let them know that you are always there to talk and that you care about them.

There are plenty of resources on campus to help students who are struggling with mental illness. UHS offers a 24-hour crisis hotline. They also offer free counseling services by appointment. There are also suicide prevention hotlines and chat rooms nationwide that can assist you. All of these services are strictly confidential. It is very important to get help if you feel you might be struggling with mental illness.

UHS Crisis hotline: 608-265-5600 (select option 9) UHS appointment line: 608-265-5600 (select option 2) Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Suicide prevention chat room: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ gethelp/lifelinechat.aspx

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in l墨tn,en l墨tn/ archaic: ILLUMINATE Directed & Styled by

Mekea Larson

Photographed by

Roberto Leon

Modeled by With greatful appreciation to

Sheila Ghanian Jen Anderson Ellen Breen Paige Schultz

Autumn Glow

“Having glowing skin seems impossible after the summer months come to an end. With a little alteration in diet, skincare and makeup, anyone can achieve a shining complexion during the gloomier months.”

By Darby Hoffman, Contributing Writer

With the upcoming change in season, you’re likely to find your skin looking drab and dull.

By reinventing your diet, skincare and makeup routine, you can fight the cold and come out looking radiant.

You’ve heard it countless times before, but water is essential. Eight glasses a day will add up to supple and healthy skin. In addition to getting your daily fix of water, an obvious way to better your health (and illuminate your skin in the process) is by adopting a more natural diet.

Vitamins A, B, E and C are key in the appearance of skin. By incorporating dark leafy greens, protein, dairy, fruits and veggies into your daily diet, your body gets the nutrients it needs to produce a bright and shining face. On your next trip to the grocery store, be sure to pick up salmon, almonds, avocados and grapefruit for a radiant glow to your skin. Food and beverages high in salt, sugar and caffeine can cause major dehydration, leading to dull, flaky skin. Stick to moderate alcohol or coffee intake, and avoid the pre-packaged snack foods. Your skin will thank you later.

Spoiling your skin with moisturizing products in addition to regular exfoliation is critical.

Philosophy’s “Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash” removes dead skin from the surface and targets rough patches. Adding an oil based moisturizer after cleansing, and even further pampering yourself with an eye cream, benefits cold-weather skin. The Yes to Carrots Daily Moisturizer is a paraben-free product with 97% natural ingredients. Using this product post14 | october 2014 | lifestyle

wash will replenish your skin’s moisture after being stripped by the exfoliant. Applying sunscreen should also become a regular part of your daily routine despite the cold weather; the sun’s rays threaten your skin year-round.

For something a little more lightweight than your oily Banana Boat lotion, try Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock in SPF 70 which protects skin without altering the look of a dramatic autumn smoky-eye. Finally, keep your skin healthy and glowing by investing in a humidifier. Although a little farther out on the beauty-supply branch, letting this product run overnight will cure the unfortunate effects of exposure to cold, dry air this season and make the air easier to breathe as well.

Integrating a few new makeup purchases into your routine can serve to recreate your summer glow despite the lack of daily sunshine. The most effective way of doing this is by purchasing a selftanner. Jergen’s Natural Glow Daily Moisture leaves skin with a warm radiance, without turning you to a spray tanned shade of orange.

For your makeup routine, try Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind concealer to eliminate any dark spots or discoloration. Bronzer and highlighter are useful makeup tools to illuminate and define your complexion. Maybelline’s Dream Lumi Touch Highlight is a liquid formula ideal for accentuating areas like the cheekbones, nosebridge and Cupid’s bow. Additional color can be added with Rimmel London’s Natural Bronzer to the cheekbones, forehead and around the nose.

Lastly, a tinted lip balm will add moisture to your lips, while replacing paleness with a sweep of sheer color.

Brand Ethics:

the importance of conscious shopping

By Maddy Gilson, Contributing Writer

College-aged shoppers tend to focus on two things when purchasing clothing: the style and the price tag. While both are sufficient guides to building a wardrobe, there’s another basic principle that isn’t usually thought of: the ethics behind whichever retailer one is purchasing from. Companies have a tendency to market their fantastic prices or great taste in fashion, but what about where their clothes come from? Who makes them? What are their values? Asking questions like these may seem to have little impact on the majority of shoppers, but becoming an enlightened consumer has the power to change many lives, including one’s own.

When focusing on which brands have a continually large presence on campus, Apple and Urban Outfitters are major players. Apple is one of the mightiest, richest, and most successful companies in the world. Products are in high demand and the company continues to focus advertising on their innovative nature. On the not so bright side, keeping up with the high demand for merchandise brings production challenges. Zhengzhou, Henan province, China is a small corner of the world where iPhones are manufactured by Foxconn Technology Group, which has more than 79,000 workers and is plagued by employee suicides, plant explosions, and harsh working conditions.

Employees typically live in dormitories, which are surrounded by nets to prevent suicide, while sending their earnings back to their home village.

Efforts to improve Foxconn working conditions include auditing working conditions and redesigning workers’ equipment.

Though Urban Outfitters tends not to have the same manufacturing issues and concerns, or at least not as publicly as Apple, the brand has sparked controversy over product design issues.

Most recently, Urban produced a Kent State sweatshirt with the appearance of blood stains.

Shoppers were quick to point out the relation to the University’s on-campus shooting, and though the shirt was pulled from shelves immediately, the damage was done. Other controversial items include shirts with appropriative Native American details, pro-drug use messages, and body shaming phrases. Urban Outfitters is a brand known for these recurring issues, yet sales remain high because of their clever branding tactics.

On the bright side, there are companies that proudly market positive brand ethics, including H&M. H&M was even recently awarded the 2014 World’s Most Ethical Company from the Ethisphere Institute, an independent group that reviewed hundreds of nominations from more than 100 countries and 36 industries. The reviewing process included an examination of each company’s code of ethics, investment and sustainable business practices, incorporation of activities to improve corporate citizenship, and studying the common nominations of peers, suppliers, and customers. Companies benefit from winning this award because it boosts reputation among consumers and workers alike, aiding in the recruitment of employees since those with a choice prefer a workplace with similar values.

This award is just one example of how business ethics is an important standard for consumers. As young adults, we hold many responsibilities and becoming a conscious shopper is one of them.

Brand preferences can endure for generations in a family, and our choices now and in the future will be important for the world we build. While we may continue to be driven by price tags and trending stores, enlightening ourselves about some of our most coveted brands can help us indirectly promote fair business and sustainable practices. social | october 2014

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MY BABY LIVES IN SHADES OF COOL

By Caleb Foust, Contributing Writer

Monochrome fashion is not a recent phenomenon -- it probably started with the Beatnik movement of the 1950s and remains a niche to this day, mostly among Parisian pseudo-philosophers. But let’s be honest, we’re living in 21st century suburban America and most of us are only taking philosophy to fulfill our credit requirements. That said, if you’re looking to diversify your wardrobe a bit and don’t mind shelling out some extra change for a black repertoire, it is well worth it.

There is something intangibly cool about the all-black wardrobe. Admittedly, coming from a world of a carefully balanced mix of color, pattern and materials, the monochrome movement seems to be the antithesis. It’s hard not to feel artistic when wearing more shades of gray than a romance novel. At the bottom of it, the unique part of the style isn’t its use of black and gray, it’s that any garment is kosher, regardless of its usual associations. Birkenstocks and cropped 16 | october 2014 | men’s

chino pants? You’re good. Some black boots and a nice black jacket? Baby, you’ve got a style going. It’s your prerogative, which is certainly why it’s so popular among those interested in fashion in bigger cities. It can be as masculine or as modern as you like, all depending on the fit of your items and how your silhouette comes together.

In contrast to normal, more traditional modern style, an oversized T-shirt, fitted in just the right spots, is a common staple of the monochrome ideal. A big difference, however, from normal styles is that most monochrome fits do not include a belt nor a watch, which ups the minimalism a couple of notches without making you look like a slob.

If you’re just looking to start out, a good garment to buy is a light gray oxford cloth shirt. Target Mossimo and Uniqlo sell good options that won’t take too big a chunk out of your wallet. Black jeans are a must. Uniqlo also sells a good pair of non-selvedge and non-fading black jeans in a slim profile. If you prefer your denim with selvedge, Unbranded 204s are

antastic and are slim without being skin-tight.

Footwear draws the outfit together: a pair of slim, low-profile black boots would be ideal, but even standard black sneakers work well. If you’re in a pinch, Vans can do the job as well with their Sk8Hi in Total Black. Throw some white laces on there and you’re good to go. We don’t want our outfits to be ruined by our backpack, either, as we are college students. That navy Jansport you’ve been rocking since elementary school won’t cut it, instead, Everlane offers one of their snap backpacks in beautiful gray twill for a relatively low cost.

Clothes make the man, after all. When you’ve been into fashion long enough, the itches start getting harder to scratch. Moving towards a darker palette takes more finesse, but it is really rewarding and it doesn’t always break the bank. If you get bored of monochrome, add some splotches of color like an olive watch strap, light brown boots or even patches to your jacket -- the sky’s the limit.

men’s | october 2014

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Lighten Your Load..

I mean

By Alexa Carlson, Fashion Writer

There is no struggle quite like standing in front of your closet (full of clothes) and having no idea what to wear. There is one simple, cleansing solution to this problem: closet editing. It may seem a little daunting but it doesn’t take much time, and it is extremely rewarding.

Begin by taking everything out of your closet, one piece at a time. Categorize your pieces into three different piles; keep, give away and throw out. As a college student, you might want to make a fourth pile to take home in case you don’t have enough space to keep clothing for all seasons in your tiny dorm or apartment closet. If you are unsure of any pieces, ask yourself a few questions: When did you wear it last?

When would you wear it again? Most importantly, would you be excited to put it on in the morning? Don’t keep anything out of guilt or anticipation to fit into it in the future. Keep what makes you look and feel good.

Hang all of your “keep” pile back up and if you have a few “maybes” just hang them with the hanger facing backwards. If you wear these pieces, hang the hanger back up the right way. If you still have a few pieces with the hangers facing backwards in a couple months, it’s safe to get rid of them.

Only throw out clothing that could never be worn again or any worn undergarments.

Give the rest away to charities where you know they will be going to someone 18 | october 2014 | lifestyle

in need or thrift stores that donate their proceeds to reputable charities, like St. Vincent thrift stores. If you have brand name pieces in great condition, try a consignment shop where you might be able to get a little extra money to restock your wardrobe, like Betty Bling or Plato’s Closet, both in Madison.

Restock As a rule of thumb, only allow yourself buy one new article of clothing for every three you give away. This keeps you from ending right back where you were. Giving yourself a limited number makes you think more carefully about future purchases. Take inventory on your wardrobe and make sure you have essentials that go with everything and just a small handful of trendy statement pieces that truly communicate your style. Here are some essential pieces to have in your fall wardrobe.

• • • • • • • • •

Comfy t-shirt Jeans Pull over sweater/cardigan Leather (or “leather”) boots/Rain boots Button-up Booties Scarf Statement necklace Satchel

..

your wardrobe Reorganize When reorganizing your closet, try to make it as simple as possible. If you can’t easily see or access something, you won’t wear it. You can organize hanging clothes a few different ways. The two most popular are by style of clothing (jackets, blouses, tank tops, dresses) or by color. Buying one color and style of hanger keeps everything crisp and clean. Leave a little space between pieces and be mindful of what fabrics hang next to each other. Fold basic pieces like t-shirts or layering tanks and store them in dresser drawers. Fold sweaters, sweatshirts and jeans and display them on shelving like you would see in a store. This allows you to see everything at once while maintaining easy access to everything. In tiny dorms or apartments, utilize all of your space by adding extra shelving units, shoe racks and fabric bins.

social | october 2014

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