WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FRINGE presents
VOL. 42, NO. 45 | THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014
letter editor from the
Many view the art of fashion as materialistic, and to deny such a viewpoint would be dishonest. Fashion is an art. It is the art of the material. Yet the vanity held through interpretations of the art seems to overpower the intentions of the design itself. Like a sculpted marble statue, fashion designers use the body as raw material, sculpting and shaping to form a work of art. While envisioning this season’s issue of Fringe, my mind kept wandering to images of intensity — an arched back, a flowing dress, a fierce face. I sought to mesh form with creation, allowing the strength of the body and face to flow through the garment, almost an ode to the maker and the wearer. Flipping through magazines for inspiration, I soon realized that my main goal was to achieve such a vision much like the concept’s fluidity — through an effortless compilation of artistic minds. On a rainy Saturday morning, the Fringe team shuffled into a small, stuffy classroom and transformed it into a photo studio. Complete with designer samples, a makeup table and runwayapproved music, we as students accomplished a job that many would find difficult under zerobudget circumstances. There is something truly awe-inspiring that occurs when students come together to carry out a creative concept. As with any shoot, collaboration is essential, and I am very thankful I was able to work with such creative, talented minds. I would first like to thank our exquisite photographer Zack Blomquist, who put so much time into this project and was able to make a hazy concept turn into a wonderful work of art. Thanks to our Special Issues Director Lyanne Natividad, whose vision and talent made this issue possible. Many thanks to the wonderful models, Hannah Treasure, Nicolette Dieffenbaugher and David Yu, who allowed us to achieve our vision with their patience, dedication and, of course, good looks. Our talented makeup artist Alice Hindanov and our lovely hair stylist Madeline Dolgin gave the models the hairspray and dark lipstick needed to make this shoot come to life. A special thank you to David Bologna, our stylist assistant, who is very much the wind beneath our wings, and whose dedication made the Fringe process a whole lot easier. A big thank you to Ariana DiValentino, Nicole Brown, Bryna Shuman, the flawless features team and everyone on the WSN staff for their support, hard work and ability to deal with my often crazy ideas — I am still hoping cat pants will make it one day. Finally, I would like to thank all of the staff writers and photographers who contributed to this issue and made this Fringe one well-worth picking up. Enjoy, and never hold back your creative spirit.
DANA RESZUTEK beauty & style editor
COURTESY OF ZEN ENDO
ZEN ENDO stern ’12
Iron and Blood, a new line of men’s accessories headed by NYU alumnus Zen Endo and his brother, is currently being funded through an online Kickstarter campaign. Endo, who graduated from the Stern School of Business in 2012, said he knew he wanted to create a startup when he entered NYU. “I made sure to take classes that would help me accomplish that goal rather than take classes to fulfill the requirements of any particular major,” Endo said. Endo graduated with a major in marketing and management and cited Entrepreneurship for the New Economy, a class taught by Director of FirstMark Capital Lawrence Leni-
han, as an influence on his career. “[Lenihan’s] class brought together tech-savvy computer programmers with design-conscious business students,” Endo said. “We were put into teams and required to start a business. The class culminated in a climactic series of presentations at the end of the semester, and our teams pitched our new businesses to a panel of venture capitalists.” Endo said meeting and hearing from entrepreneurial leaders such as Eric Ries and David Karp was inspiring. The Iron and Blood Kickstarter describes the pieces as “industrial aesthetic jewelry.” Currently, the brand includes rings, tie clips and money clips. The Kickstarter cam-
paign details how the pieces are made and what textures are used to create them. Although the brand is headquartered in New York, the pieces are made in Providence, R.I. “[My brother and I] worked together to refine the design of the ring and in the process we started experimenting with traditional jewelry-making methods to make the other pieces that I envisioned,” Endo said. “We ultimately ended up using a kind of reverse approach of carving up an extremely hard material and then casting it out of a softer metal.” Endo said the name Iron and Blood came from the textural contrast found in cast iron machine parts and he and his brother share the same bloodline.
The stated goal of Iron and Blood is to provide standout accessories for the stylish man. “Jewelry is ingrained in male culture in many parts of the world and it has been a growing trend in the [United States],” Endo said. “As this culture continues to grow into the mainstream, men will become more confident about wearing pieces. In terms of making a guy stand out, we want our pieces to help set [their] wearers apart through the unique design of the sand casted texture.” Endo hopes to include cuff links in the project, but is concentrating on producing the current line right now. SAM DEL ROWE
BUILDING BRANDS EDELAWIT HUSSIEN FOR WSN
VICTORIA HOLBROOK gallatin ’16
Gallatin sophomore Victoria Holbrook has been immersing herself in the professional world of fashion while at NYU. Originally from California, Holbrook decided to study in New York to be in the city. Although currently an underclassman, Holbrook possesses drive and maturity far greater than other people her age. During her past two years at NYU, Holbrook has obtained experience onand off-campus. She has had her work showcased at both the Gallatin Fashion Show and the Fashion Business Association show, has found opportunities through NYU to promote her designs under her brand, VLH. Holbrook has immersed herself in a corporate setting through internships. “My first semester I interned at the Peter Som showroom,” Holbrook said.
“I also interned at Christian Dior. Neither were design internships but both brands’ aesthetics inspire me.” Holbrook seems to have a tremendous amount of know-how and experience for a sophomore, and she has tangible excitement for the opportunities that await her. “At this point, I am trying to follow my leads and see what direction that takes me in,” Holbrook said. “I don’t want to be passive to the opportunities presented to me, but I want to work my strengths and stay open-minded to new opportunities in the industry.” Although Holbrook is still in the early stages of her career, she already knows that she will follow a more entrepreneurial path rather than one defined solely by fashion design. Rather than limiting herself to design-
ing, Holbrook would like to extend herself to myriad roles within the fashion industry. “I don’t see myself in a position where I spend more time managing my image than offering a product or service that improves women’s or men’s lives,” Holbrook said. “I would also like to be closer to the customer. I see merchants as the translator between the customer and the design team, and I think that is interesting, but I also see being a merchant as a position and not a career.” Holbrook is authentic and accessible — two qualities that stand out in her description of her future goals. Instead of looking at fashion as a platform for self-promotion, she champions the idea of fashion as a means of expression. “I want to create a new type of brand that focuses on brand expe-
rience and utility for the customer,” she said. “Offering top quality — the kind of design that puts one’s mind to rest. I want people to look at the product or experience and the service and take a deep breath because it feels right. It won’t be about putting on a mask and trying to prove oneself like a lot of clothes are. It will be like stepping into a second skin, having clothing be a natural extension of who you already are.” Authentic and accessible can also be used to describe her design work, which she began five years ago when she started sewing clothing for herself and her friends. “When I design, I try to create style without it being too trendy or overly calculated,” Holbrook said. AVERY CHANG
DE O C N T C U S R T G IN
E V O M
POP OF COLLAR David sports an Ernest Alexander button-down with a floral accent
T N E M E
CAMO CROSSING David wears a Quarter Water button-down shirt with a unique camo cross detail.
David Yu is a freshman in Stern, majoring in Business and Political Economy. He balances his busy schedule with interests in photography, travel, Japanese cuisine and drag queens.
Nicolette Dieffenbaugher is a freshman in Steinhardt studying music business and French. New York City has provided Nicolette the opportunity to explore new areas while enjoying the culture of jazz clubs and chocolate. One of her favorite places is the Upper West Side.
SHEER FLORALS Nicolette models a Charlotte Ronson floral dress with sheer paneling.
EDGE OF SPRING Nicolette sports a deep lip to add edge to the pastels of Charlotte Ronson’s faux leather jacket and Kora Rae’s chiffon dress.
Hannah Treasure is a freshman in Gallatin studying a combination of journalism, politics and poetry. She enjoys learning new languages and has already added Spanish and Chinese to her repertoire. A strict vegetarian, Hannah loves being outdoors, writing and smoking e-cigarettes.
BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK Hannah wears a black Rubin & Chapelle dress with a v-neckline and ruched accents.
SUIT UP FOR SPRING A bold jacket is a strong look for spring, like the camo Quarter Water blazer with black accents featured on David.
FLOATING GOTH Hannah shows that black can still translate to spring in this sheer T锚ca/Hel么 Rocha dress.
CLASSIC GLAMOUR Nicolette pairs a sheer and velvet T锚ca/Hel么 Rocha dress with nostalgic hair and makeup.
SECOND SKIN The Quarter Water blazer on David is complemented by a matching layered short with a unique fitted black accent.
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” — Coco Chanel
Photographer Zack Blomquist is a sophomore in the Tisch photography program, who has a love for all things multimedia. For more of his work, visit zacharyblomquist.com.
Spring wardrobe cleaning
Summer is fast approaching, and moving can be stressful, especially when hauling your clothes to another dorm, apartment or back home. Before lugging all your belongings around, give your wardrobe a spring cleaning by donating items that you may never wear again to make room for newer, more stylish pieces. Some items that were once trendy have faded from the fashion lens of runways and storefronts. Although there are some classic fashions that will forever stay in style, take the time to donate some of the clothes that have been sitting in your closet unworn for a long time. Studs and spikes may be big right now, but if you are low on space you should devote it to classic hoops and studs, as they will always be trendy. A previously fashionable fad that is not going to be seen as much this season is floral patterns in pastel colors. While floral prints are still in style, they are mainly featured in stores in bright reds, blues and oranges, varying from the typical pale hues usually seen. Most of the shorts that are seen this season are cut either mid-thigh or shorter. Denim and khaki Bermuda shorts are definitely not necessary this spring. Consider donating these items and keeping shorts with a slightly shorter hemline. Adding a large number of accessories to your outfit is not a look that is currently sported. When you are looking to complete your ensemble with jewelry and other accessories for spring, remember that less is more. Feel free to donate extra clutches, bulging bangles and strappy sandals that may add too much to your look. Many items you may already own can be recycled for the spring season as well. Strappy tank tops, crop tops and sundresses are still in style. A loud, patterned tank top paired with solid-colored shorts is a great ensemble for a day exploring the city. Hang on to the fun backless or strapless pieces for sunny social gatherings. Reflective metallic accessories also seem to be catching on, so it is a good idea to keep your shiny necklaces, shoes and handbags, especially those in a silver hue. High-low skirts and dresses, rompers and patterned pants are also still relevant on the fashion scene and can provide a cooler option for the brutal summer heat. There are also some newer items that have not been as favored in the past but are notable this season. Black, wide-leg pants are making a comeback. They are a comfortable, breathable option for warmer settings. These can be dressed up with a solid-colored tank top and cardigan or dressed down with a patterned crop top. Neon earrings, bracelets, watches and necklaces are also in style, working as either costume jewelry or the perfect touch to a plain workday outfit. Ankle boots are a good footwear choice that can accompany dresses, skirts or casual denim shorts. MAGGIE O’NEILL
Individuality trumps trends
Grabbing our attention and keeping us updated on what is hot or not, trend reports are an incredibly useful tool for today’s fashionistas. Giving us tips on which gold accessories we should own for spring, the must-haves for summer and how to cut our hair, trend reports grace some of the most well-known fashion media sites. However, staying current should never trump individuality. Beginning with the aristocracies of the 17th century, a desire for reigning styles among the best-dressed became a reality with the French production of the first fashion magazines. Today, the media continues to stress the imperative nature of keeping up with designers’ latest creations. However, as collections are released one after another, the latest fashions seem to come and go faster than ever. This pattern has left shoppers with the burden of finding pieces that can transcend individual seasons in order to avoid the vicious spending cycle. But with the gaudi-
ness of recent trends — Prada’s Spring/ Summer 2014 line, for example — this task has become a difficult one. CAS freshman Ankita Ray said the meaning of trends transcends the fashion world. “It has an economic basis as well as a psycho-social basis,” Ray said. “Conforming to the norms of fashion shows a certain social status. If you can keep up with the trends, it shows that you can afford to keep your closet up to date. Then it has a psycho-social base because everyone wants to fit in.” Ray’s words resonate with a distinct truth that many people fail to realize. Not only is the high-end fashion world only attainable for a small percentage of people, but also society still craves some sort of continuity in dress as a means of self-affirmation. In following these trends, people only become cookie-cutter molds of the widely accepted look. Ray said this result is often seen at NYU.
“It’s especially funny here at NYU because everyone tries to dress differently by dressing like each other,” Ray said. “So you’ve ultimately defeated the goal. Everyone’s dressing like they just popped out of ‘Pulp Fiction.’” While it is rather simple to preach the cliché of following one’s own heart regarding personal style, the struggle of balancing individuality with popularity is real. That said, the perfect fusion of trend and personal taste is what makes a person truly fashionable. Starting a new trend can even prove to be more rewarding. And, while staying in style with a pair of Docs and a beanie may always seem chic, intentionally breaking a rule or two can outshine a trend follower any day. So if pleats are too awkward for you this season, there is no need to try to pull them off. If you will never wear those platform sandals after September, forget about them. You do you this season, on or off trend. DAVID BOLOGNA
AVITAL GLIBICKY/WSN
Model sizes unrealistic
One of the most important and undervalued facets of the fashion world is its ability to construct and sculpt the way different fabrics fall on the body. When we wear an outfit that flatters our figures, we often carry ourselves with more confidence and feel more sure of our appearance. Of course, fashion as a business often performs this task with little consideration for the audience, instead showcasing designs on models of very homogenous body sizes and proportions. If the industry is so focused on how the clothing appears on the body, why is insufficient attention given to showing fashion on a variety of body types? Over the years, fashion labels have received criticism from the public for refusing to include body shapes other than the usual rail-thin frames and straight figures that cover the runways. Fortunately, their opinions were heard, as designers did begin to look outside of the
size 0 typecast to model their clothes and designers such as Ralph Lauren have since featured fuller-figured models in their runway shows. This progress has been painfully slow nonetheless, as many design houses still ignore or outright refuse requests to feature a broader range of bodies. This past season, high-fashion brand Saint Laurent has been the target of body-positive activists for their inclusion of super-skinny male and female models in their print ads and runway collections. With the models draped in loose-fitting clothing, the collection likely could have benefitted if some pieces had been worn by models who are closer to the average size of the general public. When the model is skinnier than the skinny jeans, it should be a sign that changes must be made in the way that we show fashion, as well as how we view those who should be wearing it. Often, when examining the season’s
newest offerings, it is easy to come across designs that would better flatter a fuller figure as opposed to the slender ones who model them. When comparing the customers who wear high-fashion outfits, many of them are not nearly as thin as the models. Of course, one could argue that a model is purely there as a canvas for the design, but even canvases come in different shapes and sizes depending on the art that is displayed on them. In the wake of New York Fashion Week, as well as award season in Hollywood, it is almost impossible to ignore the inconsistencies of who is shown wearing the pieces on runways and magazines versus who wears them for the public to see. Though Hollywood has its own issues with body image, they are miles ahead of the fashion world, and perhaps it is time that the shape of the models be as diverse as the garments themselves. GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN
Creative Director, Special Editions
Managing Editor
Assistant Managing Editors
MICHAEL DOMANICO
TATIANA BAEZ JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU
Beauty & Style Editor DANA RESZUTEK
Creative Director
LYANNE NATIVIDAD
CICEK EREL
Photography
ZACHARY BLOMQUIST
makeup ALICE HINDANOV hair MADELINE DOLGIN
Features Editor
BRYNA SHUMAN
Deputy Features Editor HANNAH TREASURE
Stylist Assistant
Violet Vision blog
DAVID BOLOGNA
GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS
SENIOR STAFF
CONTRIBUTORS
AVERY CHANG, SAM DEL ROWE, MAGGIE O’NEILL photo AVITAL GLIBICKY, EDELAWIT HUSSIEN
multimedia FELIPE DE LA HOZ copy THOMAS DEVLIN, PAIGE MANKIN web KIMBERLY HART, BENSON TSAI, LAVYA YALAMANCHI senior editors TONY CHAU, ARIANA DIVALENTINO, MICHELLE LIM,
STEFAN MELNYK, NEELA QADIR, DANIEL YEOM
ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
ELLEN MCQUEEN
CIRCULATION MANAGER
CHLOE COFFMAN SALES MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATOR
CLAIRE MAHANY
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
JIM LUTTRELL EDITORS-AT-LARGE
HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD SALES ASSOCIATES
EMMA HOWCROFT, AMY LU, ANA SCHULER, BENJAMIN SWINEHART, JESSICA TIEN
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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