WSN041813

WA S H I N G TO N S Q UA R E N E W S P R E S E N T S

FRINGE Vol. 41, No. 41 | SPECIAL EDITION | THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

EVER SINCE I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO DRESS MYSELF, I have been attracted to color. My favorites have been pink, yellow, green, blue, purple … the hues of the rainbow.

I remember I used to color-block my outfits, pairing salmon pink with cobalt blue. Sometimes it would be blood-orange pants. I wore the loudest combinations of my wardrobe just for the sake of being loud.

Once I moved to New York City, it was strange to stop the pop. Even in the sea of blacks and grays, I didn’t feel different. At the same time, my mind has never been so stimulated just observing the refreshing creativity on the streets. I am inspired every day.

This FRINGE issue is unlike any other, because it’s not what the industry is telling you to wear or what I’m telling you to wear this spring. It’s what people are already wearing.

The inspiration is you.

Initially my goal was to find the most unique, stylish and fashionable people on campus. But what does that even mean anyway? As the hunt continued, I began to realize that I needed to find people who reveal themselves in the way they dress. People who are what they wear.

In all honesty, the models featured in this issue aren’t the craziest human beings you have seen. You’ve seen a rendition of these guys on West Fourth Street. You’ve seen the neat and introspective Katharine, the clean and preppy Wes, the wild and warm Brea, the dynamic duo of Sea and Zoe, the confident heartthrob Danny, and a Jeff who could care less about what everyone says.

But they were chosen because they wear

what they wear, not because they’re trending or because they’re desperate to be different. They were chosen because they just wear something when they wake up in the morning, and somehow, they channel their natural being.

They highlight the inventiveness of our student body and serve as a muse to people beyond our campus. They’ve changed my outlook — they’ve shown me how something as simple as tucking in my shirt can speak, how a neon-pink lip shade can brighten someone’s day. They inspire me to dress for my own reasons.

MICHELLE LIM Beauty & Style Editor

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WORDS OF WISDOM FROM INDUSTRY INSIDERS SUSIE LEVITT, CAS ’09 & KATIE SHEA, STERN ’09 Shoe Designers

ANSWER: We came up with the idea for CitySlips while interning in New York City over the summer of 2008. We were wearing heels all day and night and carrying around ugly flip-flops as a backup for when we couldn’t take another well-heeled step. We knew there had to be a better, more stylish way. We signed up for a business plan-writing course through the Stern School of Business, and then [we] entered into NYU’s business plan competition as well, where we finished as semi-finalists.

Q: DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING, DEVELOPING AND MARKETING YOUR FOOTWEAR PRODUCT.

By HELEN HOLMES Susie Levitt, CAS class of 2009, and Katie Shea, Stern class of 2009, are no ordinary city girls. While most of the collegiate club-goers in Manhattan resign themselves to aching feet after a night on the town, Levitt and Shea won’t stand for such easily preventable pain. And thus they created CitySlips, a company that designs chic and easily foldable ballet flats compact enough to fit into any purse.

QUESTION: HOW DID NYU RESOURCES ASSIST IN LAUNCHING CITYSLIPS?

A: We used alibaba.com to research and ultimately source the trading company that we decided to work with. Alibaba is a great resource that allowed us to find a manufacturing partner based on our requirements surrounding factors such as country of manufacture, minimum order quantity, target price point, packaging capabilities and testing capabilities. The design and development process took about nine months. We went through about five prototypes before going into production on our first bulk order. We used every free resource we could, like Facebook and Twitter, and made our primary goal to get distribution in chains such as Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Ricky’s NYC, Bliss Spa and more.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST HURDLE IN LAUNCHING CITYSLIPS, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT? A: Product development was one of the most difficult parts of starting the business. We started with the idea of just making foldable shoes, but we quickly realized that this didn’t solve the entire problem. Women had nowhere to store their

heels once they had switched into or out of their flats, which is where the expanding pouch came in. After coming up with the structure of both components, we decided on what materials to use, size breakdown, color choices, etc. To save money, we communicated with our manufacturers online, so prototyping and sampling took a while before we got it right. Right now our biggest challenge is inventory management. Knowing how much to order, what [the] size breakdown [is], what the most popular colors will be next season is definitely something we’re still mastering.

Q: WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE? A: We like to think our future is bright and plentiful.

Our company vision is expanding outside the footwear category and looking to tiptoe into accessories. We like jazzing things up, adding unexpected fun to the ordinary and are starting to focus on tech accessories including wired earmuffs with mini travel speakers.

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE FASHION INDUSTRY? A: Just do it. The website might never be perfect. The prototype might never be perfect. The logo might never be perfect. Just start today and momentum will allow you to fix the mistake post-launch. If you’re shy about sharing or wary of idea snatchers, get over it. You’ll be surprised to see the enthusiasm others respond with when you open up to them, and you might be even more surprised by the enthusiasm it generates in you.

Helen Holmes is a deputy features editor. Email her at hholmes@nyunews.com.

DANIEL GARRIGA, TISCH ’93 Photographer

ANSWER: A love of art, fashion and fashion photography books that I went through. I would look at these books of Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton and think how amazing it would be to do that.

Q: HOW DID YOU BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY?

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? A CHALLENGE?

A: I started working freelance for several photographers, and then I built relationships with stylists, makeup artists and models. When I was ready to start working, I used my contacts. It’s a contact-driven business, so the more people you know the more work you can get. It’s the clients that will ultimately open doors for you.

A: I set a goal to become a photographer and it actually works. I’m actually in demand. I am pretty much busy all the time, which has really been the highlight but also the challenge. It takes years to build a name and that kind of demand. It is an ongoing process. You are constantly working on refreshing your relationships.

A: Be prepared for really hard work, a lot of hours and a bit of a crazy lifestyle. It is not a 9-to-5 job. When you start, it is nervewracking. You are not recognized [and] you have to be patient because people might not be too interested in seeing your work.

It is not about how many pictures you have in your book. It is about the quality of the photos. Two really good photos are more important than 10 average ones.

Q: HOW DO YOU CREATE A CONCEPT FOR A PHOTOGRAPH?

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST REWARDING PROJECTS?

Hilary Presley is a staff writer.

Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.

QUESTION: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER?

By HILARY PRESLEY Originally from Barcelona, Spain, renowned fashion photographer Daniel Garriga graduated from the Tisch School of the Arts in 1993 with a degree in intensive film studies. His editorial work has appeared in Vogue, Vogue China, Marie Claire, GQ, Glamour and many more.

A: Vogue China with model Liu Chen.

When I saw it, I felt a mix between fashion photography and art, and I really thought the combination of everything worked. I am also really proud of commercial work, which opens up doors to a lot of things. I shot the billboards and campaign for “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway.” I don’t think commercial is bad — I think it’s good. Commercial is good because it’s big and a lot of people see those pictures all over the world. People recognize it. They recognize it more than editorial, which is always edgier.

A: The first step depends on who you are shooting for. It’s different shooting for Vogue or Allure. Every magazine has different styles. Then, the next crucial step is talking to the fashion editor to come up with a concept. When developing a concept, you can be inspired by art, by music, by other photographers, by something you’ve seen on the street. Inspiration comes from anything. Something that makes you just say “Wow, I really want to do that,” and then you create your own personal story. Then you will contact a stylist who will pull specific clothes for the shoot, and then you will find the model that is the perfect fit.

He has also worked extensively with Tyra Banks and was a photographer on “America’s Next Top Model.” His commercial work includes advertising for TV shows like “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway” and fashion designers Prada and Oscar de la Renta.

Q: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS?

EXPLO THE REBEL ROCKSTAR DANNY GOMEZ THE FEARLESS LEADER BREA MOSLEY THE GLAMOROUS DIVA & THE BOYISH VISIONARY SEA FAUBERT-SHIMO’OKA & ZOË HOETZEL THE UNDERGROUND OFFBEATER JEFF NG THE DANDY PREP WES HOLLAND THE CULTURED DREAMER KATHARINE WHITE

STYLED BY MICHELLE LIM

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DARYL OH

PERSON

ORING

NALITY

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DANNY GOMEZ SCHOOL College of Arts and Science YEAR Sophomore MAJOR Political Science STYLE INSPIRATION Music and punk scene

In a mass of lackluster lax bros in sweats and flip flops, CAS sophomore Danny Gomez represents the opulently hued tropical fish of the fashion sea. Whether decked out in polka dots, American flags, leather, denim or a red bandana, the musician is always at the top of his sartorial game. Better yet, like most stylistically proficient people, Gomez doesn’t stress too much about his appearance.

“I don’t really think about it much,” he said. “I just wear what I feel comfortable with.”

As a member of the NYU-based band The Wives, Gomez certainly has a lot more to worry about than his wardrobe. Even so, he considers dressing well to be an essential part of an artistic temperament.

“As a musician, clothing is just another way to demonstrate art,” he said. “I think all aspects of music are a form of art: the lyrics, fashion sense, cover art, etcetera.”

For someone who doesn’t agonize over the details, Gomez’s outfits are meticulous in an accidental way. A sky-blue denim shirt worn under a Budweiser sweatshirt, a polka-dot button-down paired with slim black pants and jacket, and a gray two-piece suit with a white shirt and black tie are only some of the outfits that populate his closet. Gomez attributes his individuality and taste for the out-of-theordinary to his biggest fashion inspira-

tion, Richard Hell, of the band Richard Hell and the Voidoids.

“He just had a genuine way of demonstrating comfort in personal style while at the same time representing himself,” Gomez said. “He was able to mix more casual attire with street wear to make a look that was fresh and represented the punk era in 1970s New York City. Also, he was innovative with everything from wearing shirts with holes and safety pins to wearing leather jackets and sunglasses everywhere. In the end, he was cool by not trying too hard or trying to be cool.”

Trying to be cool is what irks Gomez most about fashion. To him, representing yourself through your clothes means conveying a specific individuality, not adhering to trends and fads. Gomez detests the need people have to adhere to the current trend followed by the masses.

“Everyone creates their own fashion by looking in a manner that they feel to be presentable and shows who they are,” Gomez said.

Ultimately, Gomez is most at home when decked out in punk-friendly attire and jamming with his band, which is quickly gaining momentum. Whether he finds fame, Gomez plans to stay loyal to his unique fashion sense for all time.

– HELEN HOLMES

LOCATION Home Espresso Bar

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BREA MOSLEY

SCHOOL College of Arts and Science YEAR Sophomore MAJOR Journalism and Politics STYLE INSPIRATION Dance and California

When you meet Brea Mosley for the first time, you may be struck by her strong and outgoing personality. This is, of course, after you inevitably compliment her bold halfshaved hairstyle, which her mother, a colorist for L’Oreal, first showed her how to rock.

You may be surprised to learn that a sophomore pursuing a double major in journalism and politics and working as a cohort leader in the College of Arts and Science has time for anything other than a rigorous academic course load. Yet Mosley certainly doesn’t define herself according to her academic interests. This CAS sophomore from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has a wide range of interests that make her one of NYU’s most dynamic students.

“My interest in fashion and modeling actually developed in high school when I shaved my head,” said Mosley. “I’ve had this

hairstyle since sophomore year and I think it’s one of the best ways to express myself.”

Mosley uses her fashion sense to complement her hair, allowing her hair to dictate and develop her own personal style.

“I don’t really look to anyone or anything for fashion inspiration because I like to have my own original style,” she said. “I think people appreciate my fashion sense because it’s original and unique.”

She tries not to look to anyone but herself for fashion inspiration, though admits she would absolutely love to raid Rita Ora or Izzy Azalea’s closet.

At the moment Mosley’s favorite piece in her own closet is one she wore for the Fringe shoot.

The black cutout shirt began as an XXL Lakers shirt — showing that she hasn’t quite forgotten her West Coast roots — before Mosley cut it up herself.

“It’s so comfy and cute,” she said. “One of my favorite parts of the Fringe shoot was being given the opportunity to style myself in stuff I actually wear.”

In addition to spending her time on academics and mentoring CAS freshmen as a cohort leader, Mosley is an avid dancer and tries to carry her fashion sense into the comfortable clothes she dances in. She also loves to shop four or five times a week, especially online — Zara, Urban Outfitters and Topshop being her favorites — in addition to spending time scouring local thrift shops.

When asked what fashion advice she has for her peers, Mosley gave a simple and straightforward answer.

“Create a trend, don’t follow one,” she said. “Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks or is doing, just do you.”

– BRYNA SHUMAN

LOCATION St. Marks Place

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SEA FAUBERTSHIMO’OKA SCHOOL Tisch School of the Arts YEAR Freshman MAJOR Drama STYLE INSPIRATION BULLETT magazine and old films

ZOË HOETZEL SCHOOL Tisch School of the Arts YEAR Freshman MAJOR Photography STYLE INSPIRATION Androgyny and the color black

Movies, music, sense of humor — there’s always some overlap among friends. Tisch freshmen Sea Faubert-Shimo’oka and Zoë Hoetzel are two California transplants who became friends at NYU and happen to find style inspiration in similar places.

They sing the praises of minimalism, citing BULLETT magazine and Alexander Wang as fashion influences. The pair also believes in splurging and buying investment pieces that will last a long time.

Both dress according to their moods before considering any other reason to wear a certain piece.

“Style really reflects who you are,” Hoetzel said.

“When I wear certain things, it makes me feel a certain way. I have a couple of long black capes that I love, and I feel kind of untouchable when I wear them as I’m walking through New York.”

They have a lot of style points in common, but more than anything, the two are huge fans of the color black.

“Zoë definitely only wears black,” FaubertShimo’oka said. “We’re very similar on that.”

“I’m kind of scared of color and of white,” Hoetzel said, laughing. “I pretty much only wear blacks and grays.”

However, the two certainly aren’t clones of each other.

Faubert-Shimo’oka embraces the feminine silhouette.

“She’s more feminine,” Hoetzel added. “She’s a little bit more fabulous, very sexy. I’m more covered up than she is.”

“I wear a lot of black and studs but also dresses and high heels,” Faubert-Shimo’oka said. “I think my style is a mix of the ’50s, ’60s and ’90s. I’ll wear miniskirts and then a leather biker jacket over it. It goes from grunge to that feminine, womanly aesthetic.”

Hoetzel’s style steers more toward androgyny.

“Less skin is more. I like style that is well thought out, but you make it look effortless,” Hoetzel continued. “I was the one girl in Los Angeles who wore black. It would be 90 degrees and I would be wearing leather pants. I didn’t fit in, so coming here, I feel like I fit in a lot more, and that’s really nice.”

New York is definitely the home of the muted color palette, and Faubert-Shimo’oka and Hoetzel draw inspiration from looks they see on the street. When at home, the two look for muses on Tumblr. It’s clear they can relate to each other’s aesthetics, and both know the importance of putting some of yourself into what you wear.

“Jeans [and] a T-shirt just doesn’t fly,” Faubert-Shimo’oka said. “You’ve got to have some kind of personality in your clothes.”

– KEERTHI HARISHANKAR

LOCATION MUD

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JEFF NG SCHOOL Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development YEAR Senior MAJOR Professional Studies STYLE INSPIRATION Hip-hop and underground brands

When it comes to fashion, Steinhardt senior Jeff Ng has an eye for things that typically go unnoticed. Rather than concerning himself with staying on top of trends, the professional studies major is more interested in the backstory behind every label and article of clothing he supports.

“Knowing the history of an item is really important to me,” Ng said. “That satisfies me more than someone thinking it looks good.”

This kind of perspective extends far beyond fashion for this insightful senior. Ng draws inspiration from “the people who are underrepresented,” and tends to root for the underdog. He is also interested in hip-hop, but not in the way most people are.

“I care more about what [hip-hop artists] do than what they are,” he said. “It’s the effects of that [which interest] me.”

As a self-proclaimed “baller on a budget,” Ng brings his enviably easygoing attitude to his everyday style.

His practical, comfortable and unpretentious wardrobe consists of colorful flannels, funky sweaters and an out-ofplace floral sweatshirt from Supreme, a New York-based skate shop.

The item that really defines Ng is his pair of A.P.C. raw jeans. With multiple rips, fades, stains and patches — which his mom kindly sewed on for him — this pair of beat-up jeans is anything but cookie-cutter chic. Ng calls them his “fourth layer of skin.”

“These are the jeans that are welltraveled, they’ve gone through many problems in my life,” he said. “There’s blood, sweat … these are collectibles worthy of being framed.”

It wouldn’t be fair to talk about Ng’s look without mentioning that he doesn’t care much about fashion. Unlike some of his peers, he understands that clothes are just clothes. When it comes down to it, it’s about how a person feels in his clothes that really matters.

“Fashion is what I do to stay warm,” Ng said. “It’s 1 percent of what I’m actually about. Style is ultimately 95 percent personality and 5 percent clothes.”

Although he certainly has a keen sense of fashion, it’s Ng’s charmingly genuine and refreshingly down-to-earth vibe that makes him stand out.

– MARINA ZHENG

LOCATION Chinatown

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SCHOOL Stern School of Business YEAR Junior MAJOR Finance and Marketing STYLE INSPIRATION East Coast Prep

WES HOLLAND Stern junior Wes Holland’s ensembles consistently pack a punch. His self-described look is “a mix of classic Americana and preppy, with a modern twist.”

But the Pennsylvania native is also influenced by the sophistication of East Coast-living. Cold winters and the close proximity to the ocean factor into his distinctive style.

Ranging from a pair of studded Louboutin oxfords to a luxurious Hermès leather belt, Holland’s modern pieces add a charismatic edge to his wardrobe. The accents help differentiate him from the masses of well-groomed Manhattan men.

“I usually like to include a piece that is a bit trendy to bring an updated, urban aspect to my looks,” Holland said.

Holland also incorporates pieces from smaller brands like Vineyard Vines and Jack Wills. Pairing statement pieces with more classic basics has proven to be a reliable formula. It is safe to say Holland has mastered the art of dressing for the modern metropolis while staying true to his hometown roots — he draws inspiration from American icons such as Ralph Lauren as well as designers like Band of Outsiders and Etro.

Holland’s lifestyle reflects this complementary balance. The junior, who sees style as an embodiment of the experiences and people that surround him, frequents the West Village, SoHo and the Meatpacking District in search of memorable dining experiences. He is a self-professed “beach bum” and values those leisurely moments found in enjoying a good cup of coffee or browsing Pinterest for inspiration.

Holland also expresses his creative side by maintaining his own blog and working at an online lifestyle magazine. He is a firm believer in travel as a means of selfdiscovery and reflection.

“The world’s a huge place, and you don’t really realize that until you actually get out there,” he said.

Whether wearing a pair of pajama-inspired striped pants or rocking camouflaged loafers, it is clear that Holland has found his style groove. Commendably, he appears to dress for himself just as much — if not more than — for others. For Holland, fashion is a window for insight into one’s personal identity.

– HALEY STEINBERG

LOCATION Ganesvoort Square

KATHARINE WHITE Fantasy plays a big part in Gallatin junior Katharine White’s life. White describes her concentration — the hero, the anti-hero and the self-consciousness of legend — as a discussion of “literary figures that consciously set out to transform themselves from man to myth.” White decided on this concentration because of her childhood love for “sword stories, fierce battles, grave journeys and grand fantasies.”

“I suppose my concentration is some sort of happy salute to a childhood believing birch boughs were great swords and trees were my men-at-arms,” White said.

White’s love of fantasy has also made its way into her wardrobe.

“I’m into pieces with a bit of history,” she said. “My wardrobe staples at the moment are all from my mom.”

These include a vast assortment of jewelry like bone bracelets, colorful beads, a plated snake belt and a velvet-lined, clamshell necklace.

In addition to her huge collection of jewelry, she prefers hard lines, high heels, long skirts, lots of lipstick, and volume and texture with a masculine edge.

White’s mother and grandmother were both seamstresses,

and had a big influence on her fashion sense. Some of her favorite looks are comprised of pieces they made for her, including a silk and chiffon tea gown.

“Fashion never felt foreign to me because I had seen these women make fashion with their own two hands,” she said.

White also likes to shop locally at secondhand businesses and smalltime clothiers.

“Art students can be brilliant and often make really inventive pieces for super reasonable prices,” White said.

Aside from style, White is interested in film.

“I worked on my first set this past summer and absolutely fell in love with the rhythm of the day,” she said. “I was lucky enough to be involved with a few projects recently.”

White’s excited spirit not only carries through in her style, but also in everything else she touches.

“Now I’m pretty much a card-carrying member of the artistic, idealistic and having-a-bit-of-troublepaying-our-rent club,” said White.

“I think it’s my thing, and I’m stupidly happy about it.”

– LAYLA ILCHI

SCHOOL Gallatin School of Individualized Study YEAR Junior MAJOR The Hero, the Anti-Hero and the Self-Consciousness of Legend STYLE INSPIRATION Mom and J.R.R. Tolkien

LOCATION Stuyvesant Town

nyunews.com

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief JONATHON DORNBUSH Managing Editor

Web Managing Editor

Deputy Managing Editor

AMY ZHANG

Assistant Managing Editor

HANQING CHEN

JORDAN MELENDREZ

NICOLA PRING

Creative Director

KALEEL MUNROE

Multimedia Editor

Beauty & Style Editor

RACHEL KAPLAN

MICHELLE LIM

Editors-At-Large

Styling Assistant

Photographer

Videographer

FRANCIS POON MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN

MARINA ZHENG

DARYL OH

CHUCK KUAN

Contributors

ARIANA DIVALENTINO ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE KEERTHI HARISHANKAR HELEN HOLMES JOON LEE LAYLA ILCHI

ADVERTISING Business Manager

DEEKSHA MEHTA ABBY NATHAN BRYNA SHUMAN MELIA SNODGRASS HALEY STEINBERG

ADVISING Director of Operations

REBECCA RIBEIRO

NANCI HEALY

Circulation Manager

Editorial Adviser

CHLOE COFFMAN University Sales Coordinator

KAITLYN O’BRIEN Sales Representative

ELLEN MCQUEEN Sales Associates

ARIANA DIVALENTINO, ALISON LIZZIO, SAM WANDER Circulation Assistant

BENJAMIN SWINEHART Graphic Designer

KALEEL MUNROE

KEITH LEIGHTY 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 Amy Zhang at managing@ nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.