thread MAY 2019
WWW.OUTHREADM
PRISMATIC
LOOK THROUGH THE LENS TO REVEAL AN ENCHANTING SUMMER DAYDREAM.
thread
Table of Contents
SUMMER 2019
38 Burning Bright
FRONT OF BOOK
04 Haute Online 08 Top 5 12 Editor’s Letter 13 Masthead
SEAMS
18 Runway Realway 22 Celeb Style 28 New Clips 34 Essentials Only 46 Bronzed 50 Poolside 54 Chic Utility
64 Sprinkled In
DIY
60 Downsided Designs 68 Wrapped In Comfort 72 Running Along 76 A Hole In One 80 Bourbon Brew 2 | THREAD
WHO, WHAT, WEAR
96 A New Note
86 Ethically Created 92 Mom Genes
118 Pastel Pigments
MIDDLE OF BOOK
104 Prismatic 132 Put It In Park 146 Cold Blooded 156 6 Looks
218 Freedom Starts Here
CAMPUS CASUAL
172 Horoscopes 174 Quiz: What Summer Accessory Are You? 176 What Does Your Major Mean To You?
BACK OF THE CLOSET 186 192 198 204 212 224
Perceptions of Professionalism Bridging the Gaps Abroad in Athens Queer-Baiting Toxic Traits Rant/Rave: Lowrise Jeans
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HAUTE ONLINE Looking for some new blogs to add to your radar? Whether scrolling for outfit inspo or needing a quick recipe, we’ve got you covered.
GREEN GIRL LEAH Leah Thomas is all about looking and feeling your best while also doing what’s best for the environment. Her blog, Green Girl Leah, highlights eco-friendly product recommendations, how to maintain a decluttered lifestyle, sustainable clothing items, and green beauty brands. She shows that caring about our bodies and the environment don’t have to be a hassle, it should be fun and rewarding to find products and methods that make us feel good while also saving the planet. While this southern California local mainly advocates how to live a greener lifestyle, she also posts about her love for yoga, travelling, and delicious, healthy recipes. Anyone can learn from and enjoy Leah’s blog. From young mothers who want to learn about the safest products for their babies, to aspiring sustainability advocates who want to learn how to make a positive difference in their everyday lives. She does right by the planet and looks great while doing it. 4 | THREAD
– MADDY FINK
haute online
JESSAMYN Jessamyn Stanley is a plussized yoga teacher, writer, and advocate for body positivity, changing the dynamic of yoga classes. Based in North Carolina, Stanley utilizes highenergy vinyasa flow to help her students break through mental barriers and celebrate how one feels rather than how one looks. She started her practice in 2011 after taking a hot flow vinyasa class with her aunt. Initially, it was not a pleasant experience, but she gave it another shot and took yoga classes at a Bikram studio near her graduate school in Winston-Salem. In a blog post describing her yoga journey, she makes a profound statement, “Believe me when I say that using your personal body issues as an excuse to avoid yoga is a very serious disservice to your well-being.” This reinforces all of the things that Stanley includes in her practice and teach her students— it doesn’t matter if you’re mastering the pose or not, wearing the “right” yoga clothes, or needing to take breaks more often. Yoga is for everyone. Jessamyn has appeared
in media outlets like Good Morning America, The New York Times, and People Magazine. Yogis of “all bodies, all abilities and all levels are welcome” in Stanley’s classes, which she teaches all over the world. – MEG MCDULIN WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 5
MINIMALIST BAKER Minimalist Baker lives up to their name by offering only the simplest of recipes to their audience. They make the promise that their recipes fall into at least one of three categories: 30 minutes or less, one bowl, or ten ingredients or less. Through this way, this blog becomes a useful tool for those that want luxurious dishes without the tiresome work. There are a few reasons why this blog is so special and unique for their industry. Minimalist Baker promises to never do sponsored content in their recipes. Straight from their website, the state, “We want our audience to know we aren’t being paid to say or promote anything – period.” Another unique part of this blog is the vast array of resources they provide to people looking to also try food photography. Minimalist Baker isn’t only trying to profit off their audience -- they want their audience to build off of them, too. This blog is adored by close to two million people across their multiple social platforms. They showcase a diverse array of content, such as how-to videos on YouTube, or detailed food shots on Instagram. This is one food blog you’ll want to keep close to your kitchen! – GRACE ROY 6 | THREAD
THE FUNKY LOFT “The main goal, the purpose of it all, was a way for me to pay my rent,” says The Funky Loft’s founder and owner, Marcella Lentz-Pope. The Funky Loft is a quirky and creative Airbnb nestled in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where it welcomes travellers from all over the world to stop and stay. What began as a dream to live in a loft apartment with no way to afford it, The Funky Loft has turned into a business that allows Lentz-Pope to live in her home, meet new people, and pursue her acting career. “One of the great things about airbnb is people are not looking for a space to live in long term. Which means you’re able to design a room out of creativity instead of practicality. Guests want a different experience,” writes Lentz-Pope on her blog. The Funky Loft’s idea of a “different experience” is climbing a ladder to stay in an attic room adorned with warehouse lighting, an indoor swing, velvet couches, and multi-colored doors. It’s clear that The Funky Loft has become more than an extra source of income for Lentz-Pope. If you’re ever in the area, pay a stay to The Funky Loft and you’ll likely meet the owner herself who lives upstairs with her roommate, Maya, ready to
welcome you with open arms. area, pay a stay to The Funky Loft and you’ll likely meet the owner herself who lives upstairs with her roommate, Maya, ready to welcome you with open arms. – RYLIE BROWN WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 7
5 TOP
Find out the top five things that our exec board is inspired by right now.
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ASMR BAKING VIDEOS I’ve always
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JESSICA DORE As someone
enjoyed watching baking shows and videos, but lately I’ve been really into watching ASMR baking videos on YouTube. If you don’t know what ASMR is, it stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, meaning that certain stimulus can trigger a sense of calm and relaxation. Every person responds differently to every stimulus, and baking doesn’t really do anything for me, but I think they’re really interesting to watch. Everything is very simplified and aesthetically pleasing. One of my favorite channels is Cooking Tree because all of their recipes are easy to recreate and the desserts are really pretty. – HANNAH PRIDEMORE
who could always use a little motivation when I’m up to my ears in accounting homework, I look no further than Jessica Dore’s Twitter account. As a writer and healer, Dore uses her account to post daily Tarot Cards, each with a distinct message about life. Because I’ve been practicing the art of reading Tarot Cards for the past few months, I took a liking to her account after my mom showed it to me, and have never read such insightful messages that have to do with love, self-care, patience, and everything in between. – MAGGIE BOYLE
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MAK TUMANG I recently discovered the
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artwork of fashion designer Mak Tumang, and I have yet to discover another designer whose work can compare. The gowns that Tumang creates are absolutely magnificent. Each gown has a unique design and is crafted using intricate embroidery and lacework. One of Tumang’s notorious pieces was the dress he created for Miss Universe Philippines 2018, Catriona Gray. Scrolling through the @MakTumang Instagram account has me dreaming of attending an event that would require such a stunning dress, and the money to buy one! – LEANNA SIUPINYS
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water. M througho aren’t to hot ques Hot O by using personas thousand gauntlet than the With a like Post and Neil Hot One comforta the gues The sh into wha via uncon and just makes th even the just turn
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HOT ONES “This f***ing program’s not normal.
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Have you all ever killed anybody?” renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay spouts between gulps of Managing to drop the f-bomb a total of 114 times out the 30-minute ordeal, Ramsay’s reactions oo uncommon when on Hot Ones, the show with stions and even hotter wings. Ones subverts the idea of a typical interview g spicy wings to strip back contestants’ public s, only to fire questions at them all while ds of scovilles are taking over their mind. The t boasts 10 wings, each one exponentially hotter last. almost 200 episodes, featuring Tier 1 celebrities Malone, Terry Crews, Shaq, Gordon Ramsay, l Degrasse Tyson, the show is raw entertainment. es overthrows the idea of making the guest able like in a normal interview, and attacks when st is unguarded. how produces hilarious anecdotes and insight at’s truly going on in the lives of its A-list guests nventional methods. Thinking outside the box, trucking along toward the unknown is what his show special. That’s how I’d like to approach e most mundane of tasks. Who knows, it might into the next hit show. – NICK BATTAGLIA
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GRIMES Grimes was at one time a relatively
obscure producer who manufactured an underground pop star. After attending the Met Gala with Elon Musk in 2018, she received unprecedented media coverage, launching her into the mainstream cultural sphere. Her talent is an unquestionable artistic asset as she produces, writes, and leads all of the art direction for her albums. The first single from her upcoming album, We Appreciate Power, a song about an overlord propaganda, was released at the end of 2018. The world awaits her upcoming album Miss Anthropocene, but most importantly, we await what lies ahead for Grimes. According to Grimes, she plans to publicly execute what has blossomed in the public conscious, asking to be intermittently referred to as “C.” Whatever the conclusion may be to the cultural simulation of Grimes, 2019 will be the year to experience an unimaginable piece of musical prowess and performative art. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 11
– BLAKE BORER-MILLER
Editor’s Note Well, the time has finally come, Threadies. It’s our last issue of the academic year, which means final exams are coming to a close, and summer is about to start. It’s also my last issue as editor-in-chief, which is making me a little sad! I can’t thank our staff enough for being so amazingly wonderful. It’s been such a joy working with Thread for the entirety of my college career—and part of my high school career. I don’t know what’s next for me, but I do know that Thread is being left in good hands. Our upcoming executive staff is more than ready to take Thread into 2020, and I can’t wait to see what they produce. But, enough with the mushy stuff, let’s dive into the issue. For those of you taking a summer vacation, we’ve got you covered on what swimsuits are sure to make a splash (“Poolside,” P. 50). Want to accessorize while you’re on the beach? There’s a quiz for that (P. 147) But, while you’re enjoying the sun’s rays, remember to protect your skin, too (“Bronzed,” P. 46). Speaking of travel, we got the opportunity to talk to some international students about what it’s like traveling to Athens, Ohio, to go to college (“Abroad in Athens,” P. 198). They shared their wisdom about what it’s like adjusting to a new place, and I’m so happy they took the time to chat with us. We also stuck close to home and talked to Talcon Quinn, an Athens native who makes ethical jewelry from bones and other found materials (“Ethically 12 | THREAD
Created,” P. 87). Her jewelry and bags are all made by her with materials sourced from Athens, and she makes sure to create as little waste as possible. It’s people like Talcon, OU’s international students, and you who make Athens a great place to work, live, and learn. Hopefully, you’ll be able to experience the magic of Athens in the summer (while reading Thread, of course!) I hope you enjoy our final issue of this year.
Much Love,
thread EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katie Pittman
MANAGING EDITOR Rylie Brown
PHOTO EDITOR Leanna Siupinys
DESIGN DIRECTOR Samantha Güt
PHOTO CHIEF Matt Jones
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF Blake Borer-Miller
SEAMS EDITOR Hannah Pridemore
BUSINESS MANAGER Leah Nutter
WHO, WHAT, WEAR EDITOR Nick Battaglia
FEATURES EDITOR Colleen Howard
DIY EDITOR Courtney Adams
FASHION DIRECTOR Maggie Boyle
CAMPUS CASUAL EDITOR Marie Chailosky
WEB EDITOR Grace Ziemke
COPY CHIEF Jackie Osborne
VIDEO CHIEF Baylee Gorham
WRITERS Courtney Adams, Marc Anthony Brown, Rylie Brown, Nick Battaglia, Helen Horton, Colleen Howard, Dranda Jurcisek, Katie Pittman, Hannah Pridemore, Grace Roy, Chloe Ruffennach COPY EDITORS Emily Barbus DESIGNERS Alexis Cradlebaugh, Nicole Dinan, Anna Johnston, Sophia Reed, Jared Robb, Leanna Siupinys, Amanda Toolis VIDEOGRAPHERS Yana Durado, Baylee Gorham, Leah Nutter STYLISTS Helen Horton, Erin Lesko, Lindsay O’Nesti
MAKEUP ARTISTS Chloe Challacombe, Grace Roy PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM Bailey Kormick, Blake Borer-Miller, Johnathen Sweeney PHOTOGRAPHERS Emily Barbus, Lauren Britt, Ansel Croft, Andrew Guidarelli, Leanna Siupinys, Andrew Thompson MODELS Jennifer Angel, Nick Battaglia,Nathan Bouie, Josephine Celeste, Chloe Challacombe, Koby Gibson, Olivia Gleissberg, Keevon Harris, Will Hippler, Mia Iannarino, Flannery Jewell, Jayd Jones, Abbey Kay, Austin Kent, Makaila McColley, Emily Pennington, Jayse Rednour, Jarrell Reeves, George Shea Amanda Toolis, Michele Weaver, Livi Wise
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Behind the Scenes of
THREAD’S PHOTOSHOOTS
Tommy Hilfiger, 18
Leon Bridges, 22
SUMMER
2019 VIDEOS
Prismatic, 104
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Pastel Pigment, 118
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SEAMS From the runway to the streets, and everywhere in between, here are this season’s most sought-after trends.
CELEB STYLE P. 22
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Runway Realway BY MEG McDULIN PHOTOS BY KAILEE RICHEY
Tommy Hilfiger is a brand that many know for its specific looks and styles. However, they’ve recently broken this mold with a groundbreaking collaboration with Zendaya. The red, white, and blue color scheme screams USA, and the style is the epitome of preppy and patriotic American summers. Hilfiger, who branded himself as the next American designer, has been creating styles for a bougie population for several years now. The newest line, TOMMYXZENDAYA, is geared toward everyone, not just the bougie. This line was designed in part by Zendaya, an American actress and singer with notable humanitarian contributions. The models for this line are all black and of various body shapes. Grace Jones, notable supermodel, singer, and actress, danced her way down the runway. The style is still somewhat preppy, it is Tommy Hilfiger after all, but with a different funk and feel. Zendaya’s line has some stark differences compared to past Hilfiger lines. The price, while not inherently cheap, is still not as expensive as other clothing lines that come from top-brand designers. 18 | THREAD
Hilfiger seems to be embracing new demographics and attempting to incorporate more than just one style in this 2019 runway line. Zendaya has recently been recognized for her fashion choices, and this line proves just how knowledgeable she really is. The clothing is chic: silk material, stripes, and retro colors. The styles are fresh, a new take on amped up 70s throwbacks and the idea reaches out to more than just one group of people. The fashion industry still has a long way to go when it comes to inclusion, but seeing this American brand finally showcase what real American people look like is one step to more inclusivity in the fashion world.
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LANVIN
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BY TAYLOR DAHL PHOTOS BY EMILY BARBUS
After 13 years at Lanvin, Lucas Ossendrijver debuted his last menswear collection for the house by focusing in on the ideas of opposites and workmanship. The collection was a happy medium between couture and street style, something Ossendrijver wanted to accomplish by throwing in touches of activewear influences and perfecting the craft by making the collection very detailoriented. “I really felt the need to elevate—elevate clothes into fashion,” he says. The collection shows strong contrast by styling the pieces in a very oversized and layered, yet elegant way. Grays, browns, and blacks contrast with bold shades like purple and cobalt blue. Ossendrijver uses a lot of unconventional layering and oppositional elements, but they work with the dynamic of the collection. This is due to the color palette he used—the bold colors are strategically placed within the muted tones so that nothing unusual catches the eye. The layers give a youthful twist to a style of clothing that usually appeals to a more mature crowd. Ossendrijver inserts strips of
fabric between the insides and outsides of the jackets to create a puff. “It’s not street, it’s not couture, and in the end, it’s all wearable,” Ossendrijver says. Lucas Ossendrijver is leaving the house due to changes under Lanvin’s new owner, Fosun International. Prior to Lanvin, Ossendrijver worked for admired brands such as Kenzo and Dior Homme. When he undertook Lanvin, he was known for reinventing Alber Elbaz’s original concepts. Elbaz was the creative director of Lanvin in Paris from 2001 to October 2015. In the process, Ossendrijver really found his own identity by forging an “easy, drapey attitude” for the looks he curated. Lanvin settled on the former head of menswear at Loewe, Bruno Sialelli, to design its future womenswear and menswear collections.
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LEON BRIDGES
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CELEB STYLE Known for his smooth soulful voice, Leon Bridges also boasts a chill, vintage-inspired style. Whether he’s performing or walking down the street, his style is hard to miss. BY CHLOE RUFFENNACH PHOTOS BY MATT JONES
Leon Bridges is unconventional, both in his music and his style. His clothing and songs are aspects of his persona that depict him as clean and vintage. He creates an identity for himself through his clothing that directly relates to his music and compliments his work as an artist. Like his music, Bridges’ clothing is a blend between classic and modern. His style and sound both evoke the most idealistic view of the ‘50s and ‘60s while still providing a fresh take on the era. Despite most of his clothes looking as though they have been pulled from a different decade, Bridges doesn’t appear dated or out of place. Instead, his style displays an appealing look that sets him apart from most modern artists. Bridges limits himself to styles from a different era which both narrows down his choices and creates consistency. When he is not simply wearing solid colors, he typically sticks to large patterns, checkers, stripes, and the occasional polka dot. He remains unwavering in his style by keeping it simple, classic,
and minimalistic. His style overall consists of a varied blend of neutral and muted colors, and he rarely wears jewelry. Bridges lets his clothing talk for itself, and in the process creates an aesthetic that carries over into his work as a musician. Another recurring trend in Bridges’ style is the fact that he almost always tucks in his shirts. Whether it is a t-shirt, button-down, tank top, or polo, he is typically pictured with the bottom of his shirt tucked dutifully inside his pants. This creates an old-fashioned yet somehow still fresh appearance that makes him look more put together than the average artist. Leon Bridges creates a clear aesthetic for himself through his style. His fashion is consistent and
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FLO
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RENCE
WELCH
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Once referred to by British Vogue as “one of fashion’s favorite musical muses,” Florence Welch has caught the world’s attention not only with her songs but also her style. BY SHAINA DUBINSKIY PHOTOS BY LEANNA SIUPINYS
Born and raised in London, England, the lead singer of the indie group Florence + the Machine came onto the music scene in 2009. Now, almost a decade later, Florence Welch is an icon in both the music and fashion industry. From antique-inspired lace gowns to leather leotards and full-length fur vests, much like her lyrical masterpieces, Welch’s wardrobe is eccentric and whimsical. “I’ve always been interested in femininity that had a darkness; nothing could ever be too pretty,” the singer said about her style in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2016. Welch doesn’t stray away from showing her unique persona through her clothing; she’s known for mixing ensembles like floorlength floral dresses with bright colored blazers. However, the sultry-voiced, red-haired vocalist wasn’t always a proclaimed fashion inspiration. “I used to just wear boys’ clothes all the time. I just went through a really weird phase,” Welch said in a 2012 interview with an Australian radio station. Nevertheless, to this day, Welch maintains a subtle, androgynous style. She is often seen wearing a
variety of masculine pantsuits on the red carpet. Welch never shies away from going above and beyond with her wardrobe, most notably when she is on stage. In 2018, Gucci dressed the vocalist throughout her entire global tour with dozens of custom-made bohemian frocks, which she wore while performing barefoot—a tradition for the performer since the start of her career. From belts to hats to rings, the singer also makes no mistake when it comes to accessorizing her exuberant outfits. In 2016, Welch was named the ambassador for Gucci’s jewelry line, which later inspired their collaboration for her world tour. From the stage to the street, Florence Welch’s music and sense
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Major:
How would you describe your personal style?
What’s your favorite part about blogging? What’s your favorite hobby?
What inspires you to write?
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blogger of the month
Take her style quiz! Find out what your personal style is by taking Annalise’s quiz! Whether you’re classic, chic, whimsical, bohemian, or avant-garde, read the results to see what pieces belong in your closet and find ways to flaunt your personality.
Design your own bag For Annalise, it’s important to add elements of her personality to any piece that she buys. She’s currently obsessed with purses, but she doesn’t waste money on buying an “it” bag. Instead, she makes a plain bag into a purse that’s uniquely hers. Check out how she does it on her blog!
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These aren’t the clips you had in kindergarten. This twist on the barrette adds interest to a simple hairstyle.
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BY HELEN HORTON PHOTOS BY LAUREN BRITT
W
here there are hairstyles, there will always be hair accessories. This season’s latest trend is the oversized hairpiece— barrettes, pins, and clips. The original barrettes that we all grew up with and love feature large plastic and colorful ornaments. However, today’s hairpins are embracing enamel, gemstones, and other refined metal materials. This youthful trend first made an appearance in spring 2018, but came back at Paris and New York Fashion Weeks in February 2019. Karl Lagerfeld’s last show for Chanel featured simple and adorned hair with namesake slogan hair slides. “Chanel” in pearls in a model’s hair is a great way to market a brand identity, right? Other designers who featured hair baubles include Christian Siriano, Zadig & Voltaire, and Oscar de la Renta. Instagram fashion influencers are seen embracing the trend from stacked pins to colorful baubles. The key to making this 30 | THREAD
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“
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ANY OUTFIT CAN BE EMPHASIZED WITH A GEM-ENCRUSTED PIN OR AN ENAMEL BARRETTE.”
look fashion-forward and not childlike is to include similar, yet complementary pieces. Instagram user Aimee Song, or @songofstyle, showcases a “FEELINGS” pin paired with a cerulean jacket and green hobo bag. Pinned to one side or slicked back in a pony, hairstyles with barrettes placed in a precise manner makes the look more impactful than haphazard. Any outfit can be emphasized with a gem-encrusted pin or an enamel barrette. These pieces can add elegance to a formal outfit or dress up casual digs for class. Jessica Moore, @missmoorestyle on Instagram, complements a trendy outfit with stacked pearl-encrusted barrettes—they’re all the same size, but range in shape and gem
size. Like a pin on a jacket or backpack, hair accessories can express your own personality and incredible style. For those wanting to take the trend to the next level, try barrette stacking. Long-haired gals can secure shorter faceframing layers with matching stacked snap clips or highlight a half-pony with an abalone hairpin. Or play it simple and lowkey like @cartiamallan, and match your doubled-up crystal clips with dangly matching earrings. For those wanting to spend a little on your next statement accessory, one-of-a-kind-pieces can be found at Etsy, Australian brand “The Outlier” and Man Repeller. Inexpensive options can be found at ASOS, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 33
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hen it comes to accessorizing, style is key, but so is convenience. A trend that’s taking over 2019 not only allows for the enhancement of an outfit, but is also super simple and appeals to a minimalist lifestyle. This trend has people beginning to embrace small bags, wristlets, and downsizing from purses to phone wallets. While they have always been in use, small bags haven’t really gotten the attention they deserve until recently. The use of small bags allows for easy maintenance; they are super lightweight and help keep clutter 36 | THREAD
to a minimum. When it comes to what is needed versus what can be carried, small bags really help with decision making. Ohio University senior Mary Carter uses a small bag when she goes out. “I can leave it on, and I won’t feel like I’m in anyone’s way. I don’t have the opportunity to carry too much with me, so I only have what I need. I use a smaller bag because I know that I won’t take it off because it’s so small,” Carter says. Small bag carriers narrow down a long list of things to the must-haves like money, ID, phone, keys, feminine care products, and maybe a lipstick. Some bags are so small
that they may only allow for money and an ID. So, what’s all the hype about? First, small bags are an easy accessory. They are sophisticated and elegant, meaning they can be paired with any type of outfit, especially if the bag is a solid or neutral color. Whether it’s needed for a job interview or a night out, small bags keep you feeling lightweight and looking super modern. They also come in a range of forms and styles to suit any look including cross body, wristlets, tiny backpacks, fanny packs, and phone cases that double as a wallet with a handle. Additionally, they can be
bought almost anywhere. Grabbing a small bag can be as easy as stopping at TJ Maxx, or taking advantage of the latest online deal from popular brands like Kate Spade. Lastly, small bags eliminate the fear of forgetting valuables. If someone is on the go and worried about forgetting their purse somewhere, cross body bags and small backpacks can stay attached to their bodies at all times. The cool thing about packing light is that it allows for less restrictive movement and less worry. They are super fashionable, great for any outfit, and easy to match. Try something new and travel light. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 37
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BURNING
BRIGHT BY MADDY FINK PHOTOS BY MAGGIE BOYLE
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n recent years, makeup has become somewhat less of an expectation for women to have to use, but it’s rather an artform that allows people of all identities to feel beautiful and creative. This makeup revolution can be partially credited to the popularity of beauty accounts on YouTube and Instagram. There have been countless trends like monochromatic looks, intense
contouring, thick eyebrows, and now, bright makeup. Spring has brought brightlycolored makeup to the forefront of popularity and is a trend that fashion companies are taking to market with recent product launches. Instagram is an important platform for beauty brands to market their products on, and this holds true for trends that photograph vibrantly and beautifully like bright makeup. ColourPop Cosmetics recently launched several palettes that include shades ranging WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 41
from bright greens, pinks, and oranges. Additionally, Morphe recently collaborated with YouTube star James Charles to make an eyeshadow palette appropriately titled “The James Charles Palette,” which consists of 39 shades covering the entire rainbow. Lastly, Glossier, a company known for creating products that are simple in packaging and in use, has now launched Glossier Play, a new branch of Glossier that consists of intense colors, pigmentation, and creativity. Ten years ago, makeup companies tended not to promote bright, eccentric colors in their palettes because the loud colors were not what sold or what the average consumer wore. Now, beauty is a highly saturated industry with what seems like endless possibilities and brands are taking more chances with what they’re producing. Beauty brands have learned that their consumers want more than the same neutral palette they have been seeing for years. In the age of social media, it’s not uncommon for makeup lovers to put on a full face of glam, take a few selfies to post, and then immediately wash their face. That’s why these bright makeup 42 | THREAD
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trends have had so much success. Consumers see influencers on Instagram and want to recreate looks to see what popular products are all about. While bright makeup seems more like an artform than something seen day-to-day, it’s common for people to go out and rock a super intense, bright makeup look. People love the trendiness and freedom that makeup gives them because, just like a daring outfit, it can be taken off at the end of the day. Bright makeup seems to be a trend that will be sticking around through the spring and summer, especially during music festival season, which would be the perfect opportunity to rock this look. People want to take more risks nowadays, and bright beauty trends allow them to do just that. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 45
BRONZED BY ANDREA ROBINSON PHOTOS BY ANSEL CROFT & PROVIDED
Tanning has evolved since iconic fashion pioneer Coco Chanel made it popular in the 1920s. Originally, sun-kissed skin may have signified wealth by alluding to one having the luxury of relaxation. Now, tanning is prevalent throughout the current culture, mostly to appear more attractive. A healthy glow is just 46 | THREAD
one of society’s many beauty standards in the 21st century. The warm sun shining on your skin can ignite vitamin D through its UVB rays. Exposing your skin to sunlight is important to your well-being; without it, your health may be compromised. A lack of vitamin D could eventually weaken bones, causing
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osteoporosis or increased risk of fractures. In essence, vitamin D deficiency makes you fragile. But, too much of anything is never a good thing. Overexposure to UV rays can harm and burn skin or cause skin cancer. Both UVB and UVA rays come from the sun, but UVA rays are more harmful when it comes to damaging skin cells. Tanning beds use higher levels of UVA rays that penetrate deep into the skin. These are offset by lower amounts of UVB rays. High levels of UVA are what makes you 48 | THREAD
tan faster and make the tan last longer. With that, you are more prone to burning in the bed. To lower the risk of sunburn and cancer, take precautions. The most common practice is wearing protection when exposed to the natural sun. The chemicals in sunscreen protect the skin against UVA rays that age the skin. Sunblock is a physical form of protection used to block UVB rays that cause your skin to burn. Most protections are a combination of sunscreen and sunblock that utilize sun block protection,
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also known as SPF, which is a measurement of how long the protection will last. Generally, SPF 15 or higher is an effective armor for the skin. Sun protections won’t prevent you from turning into a bronzed goddess, so slap on that SPF and lather up. Another way to prevent skin damage is to drink a lot of water. Water will help keep your body and skin hydrated, but this will not prevent a burn if you overexpose your skin. The best thing you can do is to allow yourself to enjoy the warm tingling feeling that the UV
rays bring to your skin in moderation. If UV rays are too much, sunless tanning options are available. Spray tans are a common alternative that are offered at most tanning salons. A spray tan can last anywhere from five to 10 days and are relatively inexpensive, costing between $25 and $50 for one session. If you’d rather tan yourself at home, invest in a self-tanner. Drugstore self-tanner brands retail from as little as $6 per bottle, but high-end brands could cost up to $100. The most popular brands market cost around $30 and can be found online or at beauty retailers. Be sure to wear a tanning mitt and apply consistently to avoid streaks or an uneven tan. If you feel your best when you have that sun-kissed glow, then work your bronzed look. However, be wary of the decision you make for your skin. Don’t deprive yourself of vitamin D, but take precautions because your skin will thank you for later. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 49
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Poolside Dive into summer with body positivity and this season’s hottest swim styles.
BY GRACE ROY PHOTOS BY LAUREN BRITT
A
s summer approaches, many people prepare for warm weather which means swimsuit shopping will be at the top of everyone’s to-do list. The first and most important aspect of choosing swimwear is ensuring comfort and confidence. No matter what body type a person may have, 2019 swimwear season will have styles and designs that suit anyone. There are some fun twists to the basic one- or two-piece sets that can be expected. Suit styles range from retro to modern and from bold to basic. Tied or knotted strappy bikinis are great for a simple and feminine feel. While ’70s fashion trends like neck scarves and warm tones are sticking around, high-cut and cheeky bottoms are making a big return. Whether it’s a one piece or a high-waisted bikini, the “Baywatch” feel will be hitting beaches across the nation. Another old-style fashion look that swimwear is embracing is the retro,
belted swimsuits. Belts add a bit of personality while accentuating natural curves. In addition to these suits, some sporty and stylish twists are being taken on some tops this season. Long-line bandeau tops are becoming increasingly popular, as are square-necked tops. Texture and print are two other important aspects when it comes to swimwear fashion for the coming season. Last year’s smocked suits will be making a return, but that’s not the only texture to be on the lookout for. Ruffles are coming back stronger than ever; they are a cute accent around the hip line on bottoms and they draw attention near the shoulder or neck area of tops. Ruffles can be found on bandeaus and off-theshoulder one pieces, which creates a more flattering and sophisticated look. Another look that’s hitting swimwear specifically is animal print, especially cheetah print. Cheetah print is known for its bold and sexy look, and it flatters all WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 51
body types, looking great with any style suit. On the opposite end of the spectrum, floral embroidery is growing increasingly popular in swimwear, too. While it gives off a more dainty feel, it can also accentuate a rather simple suit and really add an element of liveliness. In men’s swimwear, there are some interesting styles to be looking forward to as well, like above the knee/ soccer short style swim trunks. Floral patterns are also becoming increasingly popular in men’s swimwear. Because convenience is so important, many swim short trends for 2019 are made to be worn with shirts so they can
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double as swimwear and everyday shorts. Yes, there are a lot of new, different styles hitting the swimwear section this season, but they are all looks that give us a change in wardrobe and maybe even push us outside of our comfort zone. All of these styles can be found online or in store at Aerie, Hollister, Target, and ASOS at a range of affordable prices. Any style that’s desired can be found this season: sporty, dainty, sexy, bold, and bright. No matter what type of suit, no matter what pattern or texture, and more importantly, no matter what size or shape you are, go for something that allows for maximum comfort, confidence, and self-approval.
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CHIC UTILIT Y BY HANNAH PRIDEMORE | PHOTOS BY KATE MCCARTHY
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D
ads and hikers have utilized these multipocketed pants for decades, filling them with a random assortment of goodies. Now, these pants are not just for cool dads and nature buffs; Cargo pants have made their way back to the trendy side of fashion, but with a twist. Popular in the early 2000s, cargo pants quickly earned a reputation of only being worn by middle-aged men and hikers in the early ‘10s. Celebrities, like Rihanna, who rocked the colorful low-rise utility pants on red carpets over 10 years ago are once again popularizing them. These military-grade trousers are pretty handy when it comes to carrying things, they do have a lot of pockets for a reason, but now they’re more about fashion and less about utility. The number of pockets on these trousers seem to be diminishing with every pair a fast fashion brand release. They’ve also adopted a baggier fit and are closer in style to joggers or nylon parachute pants. They come in an assortment of prints and colors, but camouflage and navy blue appear to be the most popular among celebrities. Those that do wear printed cargo pants usually wear them with a plain shirt, which is a good tip to follow because mixing prints in a non-tacky way can be hard to do for amateur stylists. They can also be styled in a 56 | THREAD
multitude of ways. Depending on the material, print, and fit, they can be dressed up or down to make a look for any occasion. For a go-to casual look, cargo pants that look and fit more like joggers paired with a graphic t-shirt, tank top, or hoodie allows for comfort and simplicity. For a more retro feel, nylon parachute cargo pants and either a long-sleeve or short-sleeve shirt is the way to go, bonus points if the pants are printed. Traditional-
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style cargo pants are easier to dress up since they can easily be paired with blouses and sweaters and accessorized with any amount of jewelry to accommodate whatever type of look is trying to be achieved. Cargo pants can be found at a wide range of retailers at a wide range of prices. An affordable pair can be bought at Forever 21, Lulus, or H&M for roughly $25. Pacsun and Abercrombie & Fitch sell them for about $40. If price is not a
concern, lululemon, Nordstrom, and Everlane retail them for $70 or more. Even though they were initially made for the military and then were adopted by dads and hikers alike, cargo pants have moved up in the fashion world in an unexpected comeback. Whether it’s a chill and casual look or stylish streetwear, these multi-pocketed trousers are an unanticipated trendy piece that’s just waiting to be added to your wardrobe.
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DIY
Crafting the most intricate of knick-knacks, working out the mind, body, and soul, and making the most delicious of treats.
SPRINKLED IN P. 66
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downsized
de BY COLLEEN HOWARD PHOTOS BY KATE MCCARTHY
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S
hrinky Dinks are a nostalgic blast from the past that can take you to a time when your only worries were participating in gym class and the monthly book fairs. Not to worry, all your middle school days filled with childhood fun have been resurrected in this DIY. The shrinkable plastic 62 | THREAD takes on another form as it is
converted into a fun, safe light fixture adorned with any drawn or traced designs. Or, if you’re looking for a more wearable look, make smaller designs to shrink down into fun charms, perfect for any bracelet or necklace. Follow the steps below for a trip down memory lane that will leave you with some shrunken designs and an ideal accent piece.
1
Purchase any shrinky dink kit from your preferred retailer.
2
Print off some of your favorite designs and start tracing (freehanding the designs are also an option, it’s whatever you prefer).
3
Use a dark-colored pencil to trace an outline of your design, then fill it in with as much or as little color as desired. This is the stage when you need to add any hole punches for jewelry rings as the plastic will harden and you won’t be able to add any adjustments after your design has been shrunk.
4
Place your plastic design on an oven-safe tray lined with aluminum foil, then put them in an oven set for 350 degrees.
5
Cook for 1-3 minutes; do not remove from the oven until the plastic has completely flattened onto the tray.
6
Safely remove from the oven and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
Reminisce on your childhood days with this fun craft and enjoy your new light fixture, jewelry, bookmark, or whatever design you’ve created with your imaginative plastic.
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SPRINK
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KLED IN BY HANNAH PRIDEMORE PHOTOS BY ELLIOT MAGENHEIM
Nothing makes a room cozier than a nice candle. The soft glow paired with a warm and inviting scent sets an atmosphere that’s hard to leave. One of the few downsides to frequently burning candles, though, is how expensive it can be to replace them. Making your own candles allows you to save money, reuse containers or jars, and add personal, creative touches. Soy candles are preferred for this craft because they burn cleaner—making them better for the environment—and last longer, but any kind of wax is fine.
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SUPPLIES 1 package of candle-making wax 1 package of wicks—make sure the
Thermometer 2 Pencils or chopsticks
wick is the right kind for the wax you choose because not all wicks are the same Container or mason jar Fragrance or essential oil
Pot to melt the wax Sprinkles (optional) Crayons (optional) 1-2 tablespoons corn syrup (optional) 2-3 tablespoons water (optional)
STEPS
1. Melt the wax in a pot for 10
to 15 minutes. It’s best to use wax flakes because they melt easier, but dicing larger blocks of wax will work, too. Add crayons for color if desired. Stir frequently.
2. Add fragrance of choice.
Follow the instructions on the wax package for how much to add. Stir for a few seconds.
3.
Attach the wick to the bottom of the desired container. Dip the wick into the melting wax and quickly stick it to the bottom of the container. Let it sit for five minutes to harden. Super Gluing or hot gluing is also an option.
4. Let the wax cool to 140
degrees then slowly pour it into the container. Hold the wick in place, but don’t pull. Leave a little bit of wax in the pot to top off the candle later. 66 | THREAD
5. Secure the wax by laying
two pencils or chopsticks across the top of the container and sandwiching the wick between them so it stays centered.
6. Let the wax set for
four hours at room temperature.
7. Reheat and add the re-
maining wax if the top of the candle is uneven or has cracks or holes. Let harden.
8. Cut the wick to 1/4 inch.
SPRINKLE CANDLE
1. 2.
3.
Mix water and corn syrup and coat the inside of your container with the combination. Hold the jar horizontally and add a spoonful of sprinkles. Slowly turn the jar to spread them around and mix them up. Repeat until the whole jar is covered. Follow steps 3-8.
Save some money and get creative by making your own candles. There are multiple ways to make each candle unique and since they’re homemade, they don’t have to be perfect. Get crafty by mixing colors, adding sprinkles, or drying and pressing flowers to give them a touch of naturalism.
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Wrapped i
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in Comfort BY COLLEEN HOWARD PHOTOS BY KAILEE RICHEY
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There’s no better feeling than curling up in bed after a long day. And if you’re like me, you find real value in a quality blanket, so look no further. This hand-knit blanket DIY is the ideal craft with the added value of entertainment and comfort with each stitch. The best part of this DIY is that it’s customizable to fit each person that works on the craft. Choose your color, your yarn texture (as long as it’s thick), and your desired length to create a blanket suitable to fit your style. So, test the waters by crafting a blanket that will surely provide you with endless comfort even after the longest of days. STEPS: 1. Make a tight slipknot on your right arm with 5-6 ft. of yarn measured out. 2. Make a “V” shape with your left hand with working yarn and the tail. 3. Push your right hand under the working yarn on the left hand, then pull the yarn from the tail through the loop. Take the loop and pull it over your right arm. Keep 70 | THREAD
casting the stitches onto your right arm. 4. Cast 25 stitches on your right arm. 5. Once the 25 stitches are complete, start over again on your left arm. Hold the working yarn in your right hand and pull off the first stitch over the working yarn. Then, make a loop over your left hand.
6. Continue taking stitches off until they are all on your left arm. 7. Keep knitting from left to right until you have about 40 rows (the number of rows depends on your desired length). 8. Once you’ve completed the rows cast off the stitches. 9. Knit two stitches together from your left arm to your
right arm, and then slip the first stitch over the second. 10. Knit another stitch on your right arm and then slip the previous stitch over the last one. Continue until there’s one stitch left. 11. Cut off working yarn and tie a knot. Then, braid the ends into your blanket.
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RUNNING ALONG BY ANDREA ROBINSON PHOTOS BY ANDREW GUIDARELLI
Gym fees can be expensive and the gym can get crowded, but the great outdoors is free and there’s plenty of room for everyone. If you can find at least 30 minutes each day, then you should spend it bettering your mind and body. Exercise can increase the body’s endorphins, which can make you a happier person. Some doctors even suggest that routine exercise can improve your mental health. So, not only can you get your summer body ready, but you can do it for your mental well-being too. Working out can help put you in a clear mind space or even give your mind a break from everything you are juggling in your busy life. So, adventure outside in your “free gym” and connect your mind and body with nature; you will be more at peace with yourself and the world around you.
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RUNNING:
Running is a natural form of exercise. You can do this with a friend, with your dog, or all by yourself. All you need is a sturdy pair of sneakers and you’re good to go. You can challenge yourself by improving your distance within your 30 minutes each time you run. If you are not a runner yet, that’s okay. You can walk or jog, too. As long as you’re moving, you are doing something good for yourself.
WHEELS:
Pick up your dusty rollerblades that have been hiding in your closet for the past 6 months, they’ve missed you! All you have to do is find a bike path and skate along in your blades. You can even hop on your bike or your skateboard. This
can be more fun than going for a run by bringing your pals with you and enjoying a nice day together.
YOGA:
If you’re looking to strengthen your body without lifting weights, then you should practice yoga. Yoga allows you to really get in touch with your body and listen to your body and its needs. Doing yoga outside can even be a spiritual experience and can allow you to learn to appreciate nature more. Yoga can help you relax by stretching and strengthening your muscles. What’s even better is that no experience is needed, you can look up some poses online or even follow a video or two. The YouTube channel “Yoga With Adriene” offers free yoga tutorials for all levels.
Do what is best for you and listen to what your mind and body need. Take time out of your day, even if you only have 30 minutes, to have a healthy lifestyle. Challenge yourself to be better because you owe it to yourself to be the best you can be.
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A HOLE IN
With finals week already here, you may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed with all the hard work you’re doing. Do yourself a favor and take some time to treat yourself with a sweet little treat. This simple donut hole recipe will have you living your best life during your study break and it’s simple enough that anyone can make them. The aroma of fried dough and the taste of the sweet maple glaze will at least help take your mind off of that cumulative final your professor decided should be worth half of your grade. BY MATT JONES | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
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INGREDIENTS
1 cup all purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flower • 3 tbsp sugar • 1/2 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp cinnamon • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1 cup milk • 1 large egg • 1 tsp vanilla • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted) • 2 quarts vegetable oil (for frying) •
DIRECTIONS 1.
•
GLAZE • • •
2 cups powdered sugar 2 tbsp milk 1 tbsp maple syrup
2.
3.
4.
Heat your oil in a pot or skillet on medium heat. While your oil is heating, combine all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir until the batter is smooth. Coat your hands and work surface in flour so the dough doesn’t stick. Roll out the dough into small 1 1/2 tablespoonsized balls until the dough is gone. Fry your donut holes in the vegetable oil until they are a nice golden-brown. Make sure to flip them when they are in the oil so they are evenly fried. Keep an eye on them because they fry quickly. Combine the ingredients for the glaze in a bowl until smooth. Dip the donut holes into the glaze and enjoy.
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diy: make it
Bourbon Brew BY KATIE PITTMAN | PHOTOS BY ELLIOT MAGENHEIM
As classes end and summer begins, there’s nothing quite like hanging on the porch with your friends, drink in hand, reminiscing about the past year. This chill bourbon-tea mixed drink is perfect for breezy evenings with your friends, and the chamomile tea adds a relaxing touch to bourbon’s stiff taste. Plus, this recipe yields enough for you and a few friends.
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INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS:
6 Chamomile tea bags 4 Cups of hot water 4 Tablespoons of honey 3 Ounces of whiskey or bourbon 2 Orange slices 3 Lemon slices Chamomile flowers, for garnish (optional)
1.
OTHER MATERIALS Cocktail shaker Glasses
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2. 3. 4.
Add the chamomile t Let them steep for a f the honey and the bo Pour the mixture into until well-mixed. Put into a glass over i
tea bags to the hot water. few minutes, and then add ourbon. Let it steep again o a cocktail shaker and shake
ice and enjoy!
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WHO, WHAT, WEAR A glance into some of Athens’ most captivating people, places, and events.
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ETH CR
BY COLLEEN HOWAR
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HICALLY REATED
RD | PHOTOS BY MATT JONES
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There’s a lot to say about fashion that is both on-trend and sustainable. Talcon Quinn, a local retailer located just outside of Athens, Ohio, is working to do both. The latest move toward more sustainable pieces has sparked an intrigue in the small town to begin shopping for goods that are locally-sourced and comprised of recycled or upcycled materials. Depending on the retailer, these materials could range from estate sale gems to antique mall finds, but one thing is for sure, they’re always unique. And Quinn is no exception. Her materials include bones, leather, seeds, shells, berries, and much more. As her website states, these materials are “sustainably, naturally, and ethically collected materials, that are processed 88 | THREAD
by hand, caringly, and without the use of toxic material.” These materials come together to make a product that is transformed art without a soul tax. “I don’t want to see animals be mistreated in order to obtain their skin or their bones,” Quinn says. “I also don’t want to see humans mistreated.” This is yet another ethical approach to her craft that will have anyone yearning to wear her pieces. Quinn’s brand was born in Athens—just like her, an eighth generation Athens resident—and is just one of the many hidden gems that makes this town the place it is. Quinn began her craft early in her teenage years. But since then, it has evolved into the launch of her five-yearold business, coined after her
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name. It is the intersection of environmental activism and her craft that has driven her passion for sustainable fashion all these years. As Quinn says, “when it comes to fashion and accessories, we can make a different choice with those.” While there are many retailers that have found their outlet in upcycling and producing from ethically-sourced materials like Quinn, her brand is more than just jewelry. Her materials are reworked into wearable art that speaks to the culture here in the United States which often isn’t honored, but rather appropriated. And it speaks directly to the Appalachian culture, too. “There’s an amazing skill set in the hills,” Quinn says, “and a lot of the crafts that I’m using are ones that were done here by folks for generations.” She offers courses on making the jewelry, tanning leather, and much more. All of these serve as a reminder of the “connectedness” that her pieces have with the natural world. “We are not designed to be individual. We are designed to live in tribes and communities and to support
each other,” Quinn says. This idea of “connectedness” further reinforces her passion for both her craft and brand as a whole. There are additions to what makes her brand special, like her inclusion in a pop-up fundraiser at Jackie O’s Brewery this past winter to promote the pro-choice organization called Women Have Options. These additions to her brand make her unique among the rest, and regardless if you agree with the politics, there’s some remarkable art to be had. Pop-up shops aren’t the only place you’ll find Quinn’s products. She recently released an exclusive collection at Black Diamond Bicycles in Athens. While her products TALCON QUINN are mainly found in the Appalachian area, Quinn hopes to expand her brand to larger cities someday. According to Quinn, her goal is to “expose people to the idea of using materials that are being ethically sourced, particularly the leather.” As for now, it’s safe to say that her hope going forward is to continue crafting truly unique products with ethicallysourced materials using an environmentally-literate approach.
“WE ARE DESIGNED TO LIVE IN TRIBES AND COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.” —
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BY SARAH TODACK PHOTOS BY MEAGAN DEANNE
H
ilarious stand-up, improv, and sketches all performed by women creating laughter for a cause. It almost sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. This is the annual Women’s Comedy Show performed every Moms’ Weekend at Ohio University. This April, college women took stage for their show “Mom Genes,” a play on the popular pants trend that has taken everyday fashion by storm. With artwork created by Mackenzie Siler, the cross between biology and jeans was achieved through embracing natural representations of motherhood. With an abstract mother figure as the main focus of the poster, wearing mom jeans and watering plants, she was able to make this pun come to life in a meaningful way. Mothers are like botanists in our lives, watering us to help us grow. This year, the Women’s Comedy Show was sentimentally dedicated to the cast’s mothers and other loved ones who brought them up to be who they are today. The charity aspect of the show made the event extra special. The show was free, but $3 donations were highly encouraged. All of these donations went directly to My Sister’s Place, a domestic abuse agency located in Athens. The organization offers numerous 92 | THREAD
MO GEN
OM NES
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services to domestic abuse victims. These services range from outreach counseling to an actual shelter. They even constructed a shelter for pets that have also been subject to abuse. My Sister’s Place is working to create asylum for victims and their animals. This year, the comedy show was able to raise over $1,000 for My Sister’s Place. The Women’s Comedy Show is not only helping an important cause, but is always putting a 94 | THREAD
smile on audience members’ faces. All the women involved are some of the funniest and most genuine people one could ever met. Their meetings are always full of laughter and fun, much like the show. There isn’t a single member who is not friendly and kind-hearted, which makes the whole show that much more special. The show contained stand-up performed by Delaney Murray, Erin Bechler, Ash Smith, and Vivian Thomas. It also included
live sketches, digital sketches, and improv. One sketch, titled “Porn Mom,” included an eccentric performance of an expornstar mom by Daisy Bentley. Her perfected pornstar voice had the crowd in tears. The other live sketch titled “Mom Book Club” included various hilariously exaggerated stereotypical moms, including a highly religious mom, a business mom, and the last minute hysterical entrance of a “drunk off wine” mom, played by Rachel Bishop.
Digital sketches included one parody of Chopped as a college cuisine competition. The highlight of this sketch was Mike from The Shack serving as one of the judges. “He was really nice,” Hope Mueller, another member of the sketch, says. “He gave all his lines perfect first try and was easily directed. Phenomenal actor overall.” So much work was done for the digital sketches with writers, directors, actors, editors, and camera/audio people. The actual improv was a more fluid part of the show. Every practice was different and the actual show performance was onthe-spot material. “Improv was something that I looked forward to every week. I enjoy it so much and have learned so much about improv through this,” Raijai Frankli, a member of the team, says. A show full of life, laughter, and empowering other women, “Mom Genes” is definitely a show to remember. The crowd that showed up was huge, with some onlookers having to sit on the ground. Nonetheless, the room was full of laughter. This couldn’t have been done without co-producers Rachel and Eleanor Bishop and video producer Gabby Matos. They did an excellent job pulling together a laugh-out-loud show with a talented group of women. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 95
A NEW N BY NICK BATTAGLIA PHOTOS BY ANDREW THOMPSON
The Athens music scene is flourishing. That’s no secret. Even Redbrick is hosting shows now. The intense fascination with local music is deeply rooted in the university students and people who grew up in the area who are responsible for its growth. With so many bands and DIY networks, there is something for every music head in the region. But sounds can get oversaturated. Bands are constantly finding new ways to expand a particular genre, adding their own flavor to the mix. This ultimately spawns new and sometimes ridiculous sounding genres like “Post-
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emo Folk Rock” and “Nintendocore.” While it’s usually a good thing for an artist to find their niche, sometimes a label can be a hindrance. We talked to three upcoming local bands about the Athens music scene, and how they’re trying to stay away from a branded sound.
NOTE
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“IF YOU CAN FIND YOUR STANDOUT STYLE AND INCORPORATE YOUR OWN ELEMENTS, YOU’LL GROW UP A LOT.” - PALMER Daniel Palmer and Joe Fradette, the duo going by the name of Sneak Thief, search for similar answers when it comes to labeling their music outside of normal genre terms. Frontman Palmer hints that the band is rooted in punk, but doesn’t want to leave it at that. To him, Sneak Thief isn’t punk, but doesn’t know what else to call the band. He searches ways to describe his music outside of these terms. “I’d describe [the music] as a solid hollow,” Palmer says, bouncing words off of his bandmate. “What does that even mean?,” drummer Fradette says. “Exactly. See like nobody knows,” Palmer says. Palmer recently expressed his thoughts on Twitter in a series of tweets in which he questioned the collapse of genres and where Sneak Thief stood among them all. “Genres don’t exist anymore. They’re more of a loose sugges-
tion,” Palmer says in a tweet on April 10, kicking off his mini tirade on musical style. Palmer and Fradette continued to define their music with rather stressful descriptors such as “angsty volcano” and “anxiety bubble.” Although they arrived at the idea that Sneak Thief is “punk but also not punk,” they agree that folk music plays a big factor in the way they hone their sound, that sort of unpoetic honesty. The two attribute their success in the teeming Athens music scene to creating a game plan, sticking with it, and being honest to who they want to be. “We’re a step outside the normal sound,” Palmer says. “If you can find your standout style and incorporate your own elements, you’ll grow up a lot.” This is the best course of action for the two in an area with a lot of bands, but no competition for genre.
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SWEAT WORKERS
“Genres aren’t really super useful tools for people creating art, but rather for people consuming and critiquing,” Dani Wasserman (who uses they/them pronouns), lead singer of Sweat Workers says. The band, starting with Wasserman in their bedroom in winter 2017, has grown into a full and cohesive group that’s six members strong. Wasserman considers the band to be some kind of rock music, but doesn’t want to use a solid label. “It’s way more fun to make whatever you’re making, and put as much honesty and authenticity in what it is,” Wasserman says. “Let people call it whatever they want to call it.” They don’t want the band and
their sound to be boxed in. To Wasserman, the band’s tone is comparable to hanging out with friends, the sound of “nice people.” Sweat Workers’ studio sessions and performances are very literally that: just hanging out. Through their music, they explore feelings of nostalgia as Wasserman attempts to re-contextualize his past. Mulling over topics of mental health, addiction, and climate change, they wrap these heavy topics in a sense of childlike wonder. The juxtaposition of dark lyrics and goofy sounds is important to the themes and metaphors they try to build. Above all else, Wasserman just wants to explore, and Athens is the best place for that.
“IT’S WAY MORE FUN TO MAKE WHATEVER YOU’RE MAKING, AND PUT AS MUCH HONESTY AND AUTHENTICITY IN WHAT IT IS.” - WASSERMAN
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BOY JORTS
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“DIY bands shouldn’t take themselves too seriously,” says Phil Hickey, frontman and creator of Boy Jorts. “That’s how you make music that nobody cares about.” Hickey has found success in keeping a loose plan and just having fun. Boy Jorts is Hickey’s third crack at composing a band. Originally, he was going to keep changing the band name, as his band’s lineup was so inconsistent. But Boy Jorts wound up sticking, so Hickey, like he did with other elements of his project, just decided to roll with it. This kind of chaotic energy is the exemplar of the Boy Jorts style, with Hickey insisting the group is more of a goofy fever dream as opposed to a band. He describes their sound as “SpongeBob-core” and “a mental breakdown.” Hickey likes what he does, and said other people seem to think so, too. He doesn’t shy away from the bizarre, making goofy music because to him, it’s just fun. With songs like “Bernie Sanders is my Dad,” that seems to be the case.
With so many bands and styles cramped into the little town of Athens, it seems that the road to success could be arduous. But to a few of these groups, the one consistency is staying true to themselves and making it a great time. Getting bogged down by all the rest can be discouraging. As Sweat Workers’ Wasserman put it, it’s just “a bunch of kids just going for it.” When else in life would that opportunity present itself? WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 103
LOOK THROUGH THE LENS TO REVEAL AN ENCHANTING SU
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UMMER DAYDREAM. PHOTOS BY MAGGIE BOYLE
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BURSTING TOXIC MASCULINITY ONE BUBBLE AT A TIME. PHOTOS BY EMILY BARBUS
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Put it in Park WARM WEATHER CALLS FOR EVENINGS AT THE DRIVE-IN WITH YOUR SWEETHEART. PHOTOS BY MATT JONES
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COLD BLOOD
LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH THESE COLD-BLO PHOTOS BY KATE MCCARTHY
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DED
LOODED CREATURES.
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6 LOOKS WE LIKE
Athens’ Own, Established Style,
STEP OUT IN STYLE AND VISIT SOME OF ATHENS’ MOST ICONIC SPOTS. PHOTOS BY MACK WAGNER
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CAMPUS CASUAL Light-hearted reads for the quiz-taking, listicle reading, horoscope believin’ spirit in all of us.
WHAT SUMMER ACCESSORY ARE YOU? P. 164 WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 171
SUMMER HOROSCOPES BY MARIE CHAILOSKY | ILLUSTRATIONS BY MADISON STEPHEY
ARIES MAR 21ST - APR 20TH April has a lot of developments in store for you, Aries. A new moon entered your sign on the 5th, so expect some shifts in projects and plans to follow that. Also, the sun is in your house toward the end of the month which means your glow will be even brighter than before. It also means that if you’re single, now is the perfect time to start putting yourself out there!
GEMINI MAY 21 - JUN 20 Your ruling planet, Mercury, and your career planet, Neptune, are joining forces for you in April, Gemini. Expect to be on a roll in your current position and don’t be afraid to take risks with your career, because you have the planetary support behind you to pull of those leaps. Your creativity is going to be expansive, so keep a notebook with you at all time so as to not lose those million-dollar-ideas! 172 | THREAD
We are in the home stretch, Threadies! It’s the final week of the school year, and things are moving quickly, aren’t they? You’re probably balancing final projects, exams, and interviews for a summer internship, so that final day of class cannot come soon enough. Unless you’re a senior, then I probably just made you really sad (I’m sorry!). What do the last few weeks of the 2018-2019 school year have in store? I’ll let you know! THIS MONTH’S SIGN This is the month of collaboration for you, Taurus. Two planets are teaming up to help you reach your goals and expand your mind at the beginning of the month. Mercury, the ruler of your finances, and Saturn, the ruler of travel and education are making a home in your sign. Apply to jobs ASAP because now is the time to combine all of your budget, travel, career, and education goals while you have the help!
TAURUS APR 21 - MAY 20
CANCER JUN 21 - JUL 22 It’s going to be an experimental month for you, Cancer. You should start feeling an urge to change things at the beginning of the month and your ideas for how you see your future are going to start making you want a change. You should definitely go for it. Planning on a big city move right after graduation? Don’t fear anything and take the opportunity because if not now, when?
LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22 Heed my advice: think before you spend, Leo! You are feeling very “spendy” and starting to forget about your savings account that is being neglected. Keep those dreams of a new car and first apartment at the front of your mind and remember that the little expenses add up! Your financial planet, Mercury is in conjunction with your dreamy planet Neptune, so just watch out this month!
campus casual
VIRGO AUG 23 - SEPT 22 Are you struggling romantically right now? If you are, things are going to start looking up for you in the middle of the month as your romance planet, Neptune, intersects with your ruling planet, Mercury. Stop dropping hints and start talking about what’s bothering you: remember that no one can read your mind. You’ll get help with this when your communication planet enters your house at the end of the month.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21 Your ruling planet, Jupiter, is going into retrograde this month, Sagittarius. Since Jupiter is also the planet of luck, get ready to experience a time where things may not go your way. Take this time to express gratitude for the things that do go your way because they will get you through this rough transition.
LIBRA SEPT 23 - OCT 22 That skin care routine and the new exercise plan you’ve been dying to try are finally going to make sense for your lifestyle, Libra. Jump start a new daily routine you’ve been aching to have and start trusting that you can accomplish all of the goals you have in mind for yourself. It’s important to stay inspired, so keep repeating your goals to yourself until these routines become a habit!
CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 19 You have been craving structure, Capricorn, and I’m happy to tell you that you are going to get it. If you have felt out of sorts, April will be the month where you kick those messy habits for good and start taking control of situations. This is going to help you tremendously with your career, health, and financial goals as well!
SCORPIO OCT 23 - NOV 21 All those dreams of a sweeping romance are going to be true for you this month, Scorpio. If you are seeing someone new, you’re going to start to notice the aspects of their personality that are going to make you want to take things further. Take them out on an extravagant date and make it clear that you want to take things to the next level!
AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18 It’s time to bite the bullet and face that awkward conversation: money. You are entering an independent and important phase of your life where owning your finances will mean owning your future. Understand taxes, learn how to save money, and start being candid about the real figures. Growing up means embracing these difficult conversations, and the sooner you know, the better.
Do you ever feel like no matter how much you try to explain something, you always end up misunderstood? This month, you will find it easier to connect your mouth to your brain and help tell people what you really means in an easier way. Your communication planet, Mercury, is entering your house this month, so don’t shy away from speaking your mind! PISCES FEB 19 - MAR 20
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WHAT SUMMER ACCESSORY ARE YOU? ILLUSTRATION BY LEANNA SIUPINYS
The sun is finally out and here to stay, which means it’s time to break out your favorite summer pieces out of the closet. Can’t figure out what summer essentials to put in your weekend getaway bag? Take this quiz to find out what accessory best suits your personality. 1. What was your favorite accessory from last summer? A. Matching sets
4. Which vacation scenario sounds most like your perfect summer getaway?
C. Button down dresses and tops
A. Traveling Europe with only a carry-on bag, visiting every major city along the way
2. What is your favorite summer food?
B. A wild and fun weekend at the beach spent tanning and hanging out with your best friends
B. Bardot tops
A. Ice cream, especially the novelty kind from the ice cream truck B. Fresh, in-season fruit like watermelon and strawberries C. Anything from the grill or the campfire
3. How would you describe your summer style? A. Super curated and up to date B. Flowy and hippy-inspired C. Practical and basics-heavy
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C. Hiking a national park or forest with a friend and camping under the stars
5. What are you most looking forward to about summer break? A. Exploring new places around your hometown and beyond B. Having time to relax and take long naps outside in a hammock C. Working and spending time with family
slug
Mostly A’s
ANGULAR SUNGLASSES
Much like angular sunglasses, you love to explore new territory and try out new things in the summer. You love being on-trend and riddling your Instagram account with pictures of your latest adventures, clothing hauls, and food finds. For you, summer is all about free time and experimentation.
Mostly B’s
WOVEN BASKET BAG
Relaxing and taking it easy is your favorite part of the summer, so it’s no question that your always picnic ready. Any excuse to lounge outside, enjoy the weather, and hang with friends is right up your alley.
Mostly C’s
PLATFORM SANDALS
You’re super summer traditions and nostalgia. You will never miss a chance to go to a barbeque or roast marshmallows by the campfire with friends and family. Your summer style consists of the basics that prepare you for all that summer has to offer which is why a platform sandal is a perfect asset to your closet this season. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM OUTHREADMAG.COM || 175 175
WHAT DOES YOUR MAJOR MEAN TO
YOU? BY MARC ANTHONY BROWN PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
Undergraduate studies are a time to explore your interests, particularly the interests that you plan to dedicate your career to. At Ohio University, there are people from all walks of life who are choosing to pursue careers that they are incredibly dedicated to. The future generation of the workforce is being formed right before our eyes. Students are constantly talking about their futures, and a lot of them face 176 | THREAD
the question “Is this major right for me?” Choosing a major is an important step for students’ futures. But, what exactly makes people want to pursue a major? Is it a deep sentimental response about bringing hope and prosperity to the world? Or, are they just in it to make a honest living? I got the chance to sit down with a few students and talk to them about their major.
COLETTE NORGARD
“The mind is truly fascinating” - COLETTE NORGARD
Colette is a freshman at Ohio University. She is pursuing a psychology major with a minor in sociology. When I asked her what inspired her to pursue a major in psychology, she described how she was interested in how people think and she wishes to be able to help people understand their thoughts. Some of the job opportunities that open up with psychology include becoming a psychologist, assistant researcher, criminal investigator, or a statistical analyzer. Some of the disadvan-
tages Colette faces right now is time management as she tries to find a balance between hanging with friends and completing school work. Colette describes how there is a lot of pressure to go to graduate school for psychology, as a lot of people assume that a person with only a bachelor’s degree in psychology can’t become successful in the field. Regardless of the down sides, Colette really enjoys her major and hopes to one day become a clinical forensic psychologist. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 177
DAN DYGAS “I’ll be in school for the next fifteen years. By that time, most of you guys would’ve started your career[s] and families.” - DAN DYGAS
Dan is energetic about his chosen field. He is very passionate about his major which is biological science pre-med. Surprisingly,
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he’s also trying to obtain a minor in theater. Since he was young, Dan always wanted to go into the medical field because he grew up needing to have a lot of surgeries. He also does not shy away from blood and gore, and he actually finds it intriguing. With his major, Dan has access to an assortment of job opportunities from research on pharmaceuticals or medical technology, to working in human resources or money management. He can also pursue a teaching career as a professor. Some of the shortcomings with his major are the difficult concepts involved with chemistry and biology. A lot of the content is on a micro-scale and is hard to imagine visually. He also is swamped with homework and is faced with a lot school in the future with medical school, internships, and more. But Dan is passionate about his major and hopes to become a doctor one day.
CHASE PARR “Someone is creating the advertisements we see everyday.” - CHASE PARR
Chase Parr is a Chicago native who journeyed to Southeast Ohio for a degree in marketing. He has always wanted to be in business and described marketing as the creative aspect of the business world. While talking to Chase, he described marketing as a huge “blanket” as there is a lot that marketing covers. Some of the careers he can choose from include advertisement, social media, or his dream job, which is working in creative production for a film studio. Chase strives to be the person in an agency that companies would go to with their products to be in film, TV, or other outlets. These companies would present Chase with their product and he would describe to the client what course of action to take to market the product in the best way. A disadvantage in Chase’s major is the oversaturation of marketing majors at Ohio University. Almost every other person in the College
of Business is a marketing major. In his opinion, the field is full of marketing majors because it is such a broad term within business. However, Chase describes himself as an outlier who is passionate about his major and is hoping to gain success. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 179
RITA KINGSTON “Someone has to mold the future generation.� - RITA KINGSTON
Rita is a freshman at Ohio University pursuing a major in early childhood education. She has a passion for working with children and wishes to one day own her own daycare. A degree in early childhood education sets many on the path to working in education or in a daycare. Rita is aware
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of the low wages she might face in the future, which is an epidemic that has gained a lot of attention over the last few years. Rita does see an upside to the matter as she jokingly explains that she gets health care. Nothing seems to be able to stop Rita from her goal of educating the minds of the future.
MIKALA GRAVES
“We all should strive to help others.� - MIKALA GRAVES
Mikala is currently deep in the medical world pursuing a degree in nursing. From a young age, she had been faced with a few health issues and decided to become a nurse. Since she is in such a broad field, there are a lot of job opportunities for her including becom-
ing a traveling nurse, a medical sales representative, or being a nurse in a hospital or smaller practice. Challenges she faces include difficult classes and homework. But, she is determined to pursue her dream job of becoming a general nurse practitioner. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 181
CHEOSUNG O’BRIAN “Chemical Engineering is no walk in the park.” - CHEOSUNG O’BRIAN
Cheosung, “Cheo,” is studying chemical engineering. What makes Cheo’s major special is that he doesn’t have to specifically pursue chemical engineering if he doesn’t want to. It acts as a gateway to other careers like mechanical engineering which has a lot of manufacturing work. He described his major as being very difficult and requires a lot of critical thinking about out-of-the-box concepts. He also has to focus on more extensive and difficult chemistry concepts. Cheo seems to be capable of the daunting task ahead of him and hopes to succeed in the end. With that success he hopes to one day become a dentist.
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NICK TRACEY “I wouldn’t call myself a hacker.” - NICK TRACEY
Even though Nick Tracey is a freshman, he has a lot of experience in his field. Nick is pursuing an Information Telecommunication Systems degree. For the last two years, he’s worked as a systems administrations intern and wants to continue with this career path. He mentioned a variety of jobs that are related to his major including: a network engineer or architect, a forensic or cyber security computer analysts, or an application developer among other options. When asked about any disadvantages, Nick struggled to think of any, however, he spends a lot of time in labs. His dream job is to become a home automation architect and he is determined to achieve his goal.
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BACK OF THE CLOSET An in-depth look at today’s most buzz-worthy topics.
FREEDOM STARTS HERE P. 222
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For years, black wo
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PERCEPTIONS OF PROFESSIONALISM
omen have been told their natural hair is unprofessional. It’s time to end that narrative. BY JENNIFER PREMPEH | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
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Imagine being a black woman in a world that looks down on you, in a society that tells you that you’re the lowest person on the spectrum. That dehumanizes your body. That makes a joke of your intelligence. That downplays your strength and is always reminding you that your black is not beautiful. Black women fight a lot in this world, and when we finally get into the spaces that we are meant to be in, we’re still not treated equally. Hair has always played a huge role in black culture, but lately black hair and professionalism is the an issue that has hit the community. Black women are the epitome of versatility and we don’t like to keep one style for too long. After breaking the epidemic of perms and being told 188 | THREAD
our kinky hair needed to be straight, we are now stepping into our truth. In the last few years, natural hair has become more acceptable. We’re seeing more women with natural hair in magazines, commercials, the entertainment industry, and more, but we’re still fighting for our natural hair to be considered professional. How is it that straight or wavy natural hair from non-black women can be considered professional, but kinky hair in an afro or a puff is considered unprofessional? Many prominent black women have been dealing with the backlash of “unprofessional hairstyles” on red carpets, news stations, management, sports, politics, and in everyday life. Recently, at the beginning of the year, news broke out about 32-year-old Brittany Noble, a former news anchor
“...I HAVE BEEN CONDITIONED TO THINK MY NATURAL HAIR IS NOT PROFESSIONAL COMPARED TO MY WHITE PEERS WITH NATURALLY LONG STRAIGHT HAIR.” —KENNEDI JONES at WJTV, a local station in Jackson, Mississippi, who was fired after filing formal complaints about discrimination in the workplace due to her natural hair. Brittany had been straightening her hair while working at WJTV. After getting pregnant and having her son, she asked if she could wear her hair in its natural state. She says her company allowed her to wear her natural hair for about a month and then the new director called her back into her office saying, “[Her] natural hair is unprofessional and the equivalent to him throwing on a baseball cap to go to the grocery store.” She went on to tell her that the Mississippi viewers needed to see a beauty queen. This is the reality for many women of color, especially most women in careers that are in front of the camera. Even celebrities deal with the backlash for their hair. Actress, singer, and fashion icon, Zendaya Coleman, wore dreadlocks on the Oscars red carpet in 2015, and the fashion police attacked her alongside hateful comments online.
Fashion Police is a show where they discuss the recap of jewelry, designer clothing, and hairstyles of celebrities who attended the Academy Award show. One of the show’s hosts, Giuliana Rancic, was one to critique Zendaya’s appearance by saying “I feel that she smells like patchouli oil…or weed,” Rancic said. “Yeah, maybe weed.” There are many things wrong with that statement because dreadlocks are an ancient African hairstyle, and there is so much history behind the hairstyle that Ranic critiqued. The hairstyle once known as “matted coils” is historically worn by various cultures for religious purposes, including Hinduism. But the Rastafari movement, which is also a religion, originating from Jamaica in the 1930s, coined the term “dreadlocks” once it was incorporated into their belief system. On the other hand, stereotypically, locks are associated with Rastas, who use are often associated with marijuana use. So, Western pop culture has linked the WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 189
hairstyle with smoking weed. But even for non-religious purposes, some people wear dreadlocks as a statement of counterculture, while others wear them just because they prefer it. Many other prominent celebrities wear locks like actress, comedian, author, and television personality, Whoopi Goldberg; film director, producer, and screenwriter Ava DuVernay; and Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and actress, Ledisi. For prominent black women, it is offensive to associate the hairstyle they have had for years with drugs and unprofessionalism. Ohio University student, Kennedi Jones, an African American aspiring media personality, speaks about what comes to mind when she thinks of black hair and professionalism. She says when black hair comes to mind, she thinks of natural hair, braids, twists, and afros, but she feels conditioned when it meets the intersection of professionalism. “When I think of black professionalism hair I think about
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long straight hair. The professional hair thought is usually paired with a weave or extensions,” she says. “I think I have been conditioned to think my natural hair is not professional compared to my white peers with naturally long straight hair,” she says. Black women grow up seeing and being told that their skin color is not important in the beauty market or that their personalities are too loud, their natural hair should be straight, and that they should model themselves after traditional European style standards. Many black women like Jones become conditioned to think that their hair needs to be straight when they are in professional settings. Kelly N. Davidson, an academic advisor at Ohio University, was able to share her thoughts on the policing of black women’s hair in professional work environments, stating “We can wear our hair in a variety of ways and still be professional, from braids, curls, locks, flat ironed, etc.” Black hair is versatile, but black women can find it hard to conform
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to the professional world where they are expected to maintain a more Western look. When they cannot conform, there are consequences for them and their hair. “When I worked in fast food and they required us to wear hats…Due to my large volume of hair and this store’s specific uniform, [my hair] would not fit under a hat. I wore a head wrap scarf instead, but I was disciplined for doing so,” Jones shares. When thinking of the backlash Anchor Brittany Noble and Actress Zendaya received, black women all over advocate for black hair representation. Davidson says black women have been conforming to European standards and their hair is still a mystery. “Mainstream society 192 | THREAD
fears the unknown, and in society’s eyes, if they don’t know about it, it must lack value. The dynamics of black hair are still a mystery to the majority of society, including many individuals of African descent,” she says. Black hairstyles are still being accepted in mainstream media, and all over, black women are standing up and not conforming to European beauty standards. “I am going to wear my hair how I like it and represent it proudly. I would say that having lighter skin does play a large role in how I am perceived with straight hair versus by kinky afro,” Jones says. Davidson has had her hair relaxed for most of her life, but she’s been more open to embracing her natural
hair as of late. “In recent years, I have learned to embrace my naturally curly hair. Whether worn, straight, curly, or braided I love the versatility of my natural hair.” For women who have been told that their natural hair isn’t professional enough, faced consequences for wearing their hair natural, and have been questioned for how they style it, it can be difficult to embrace natural hair at first. But, Davidson and Jones are proud of their natural hair and its beauty, and becoming more confident in wearing it. Selfacceptance is one of the first steps that need to happen in order for black hair to be seen as more acceptable. “I think black women need to continue to be themselves,
unapologetically. We cannot help that the generations before us were so oppressed and tried to conform into being something they were not,” Jones says. She is encouraged that this generation is growing and recognizing our differences. But, how does mainstream society move forward? “Continuing this conversation definitely helps. It is important for the media to continue to shed light on topics such as this, and let the representation exist for the young girls and young women who see,” she says. A lot of acceptance comes from black hair being embraced, according to Davidson. “Encourage everyone to embrace and celebrate diversity in all of its forms. If you’re curious about black hair, read some articles and have some conversations with Black women you know.” She shares an important rule, “And remember, do NOT touch a black woman’s hair without asking and getting their permission, first!” Hairstyles that black women normally wear are associated with culture. Braids and twists are mainly associated with African culture, locs with island culture, and afros or natural hair can be a symbol of black power. Black hair transforms into an art form, and black women are finding ways to express themselves and their culture by being more comfortable in wearing their hair natural, despite years of being told not to. They want to be looked at as women, no matter how dark or how light their skin. They want to be seen as professional with braids, with locs, or with afros. They want to speak boldly without being coined as the angry black woman. Black women want to be seen and heard. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 193
BRIDGING THE GA BY KATIE PITTMAN | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
As mental health becomes a more concerning issue on college campuses, students and nonstudents alike are seeking more affordable, accessible mental health resources. Counselors and psychiatrists at universities across the United States are finding that an 194 | THREAD
increased number of individuals are seeking treatment at college health centers and counseling centers, but it’s nearly impossible to grow their staff to meet the increase in patients. While it’s more ideal to seek mental health treatment, like counseling or therapy, with a professional in a face-
APS to-face setting, mental health apps are helping bridge the gap between regular treatment and check-in sessions. Apps like WellTrack, which Ohio University uses and covers the cost of, can help individuals track their mood, write messages to their counselors, or even aid in meditation.
While these applications are not a substitution for treatment, many find they are helpful tools to use between sessions with counselors or therapists. “That’s where the heart of using WellTrack was, to reach people who need services, but also to help manage people so that they can WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 195
do some on their own and not feel like they’re needing a therapist all the time,” Dr. Rebecca Smith, staff counselor at the Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services says. WellTrack was chosen by the university because of its accessibility and ease of use. The app interface is colorful and straightforward, offering users the choice of completing an educational course, using the available tools, checking in on their mood, or taking an assessment to diagnose their level of stress, anxiety, or depression at the moment. If users log into WellTrack on a computer, there is also a public speaking 196 | THREAD
module available. Ohio University is able to tailor the app to best fit the students’ needs, including questions at the end of the assessment relating to available resources. The app is available to all students, whether they are in touch with a counselor or not. “Mental health apps can really support basic coping skills. That’s kind of what WellTrack supports: different coping skills that you can develop on your own, without necessarily a counselor. But, the apps can only do that if that’s what they’re designed to do,” Smith says. The American Psychological Association is working to decide guidelines for what makes a
good mental health app. Some of the guidelines include privacy, meaning what an app does with a user’s information; affordability, and information provided—is the information accurate and clear? The PsyberGuide rates mental health apps and their quality. The guide is available online at PsyberGuide.org for anyone to read, which is a helpful tool to decide what apps might be helpful for users. Some mental health apps also offer virtual counseling, but Smith advises that using virtual counselors can become kind of sticky. While this video call-counseling may be more convenient for users, legal and ethical issues can also more easily arise. “If you’re in one state, and I’m in a different state, those ethical codes might look different,” she says. “My state where my license is at might dictate one thing, but if you’re in a different state under different licensure laws…” Not only that, but dire situations become much more dangerous when someone isn’t there to take action if need be. “Over the Internet, if you’re in crisis, I’m not physically there to intervene, which is concerning. How am I connecting you to additional resources if I’m not in your area?” There’s also a lot of factors that can be missed via virtual counseling. Body language and non-verbal signs can be lost over a video call, and those are huge parts of a counselor reading a client’s mood. While “telehealth” makes mental health resources more accessible in rural areas, the legal and ethical issues still stand. But, WellTrack specifically can be a great tool for students who are abroad or home for the summer. Even though
“OVER THE INTERNET, IF YOU’RE IN CRISIS, I’M NOT PHYSICALLY THERE TO INTERVENE, WHICH IS CONCERNING.” —DR. REBECCA SMITH they aren’t on campus, students still have access to WellTrack and its tools. Again, while it’s not a replacement for treatment, it may help during summers or trips without access to a counselor. Mental health apps aren’t a perfect solution to overwhelmed counselors, therapists, and counseling centers, but they’re helping both patients and staff manage the demand for mental health treatment. At the very least, these apps are opening the door to conversations about mental health and the need for more mental health resources. If you or a friend are seeking mental health support, visit Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services located in Hudson Health Center, call them at (740) 593-1616, or log into WellTrack to find more resources available on campus. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 197
ABROAD IN ATHENS BY SARAH TODACK | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
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C
oming to a new country can be strange and confusing at first. Having to adapt to a new culture and language can be difficult. Students are further challenged when they choose to study in a different country. Ohio University students often hear about different opportunities to study abroad and stories from those students who did. However, how often do we think about how the Ohio University experience is for those coming here from other countries? “The U.S. is very diverse and modern,” says Cristian Velázquez, an Ohio University student from Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rico doesn’t seem that far away, being a U.S. territory, coming to Ohio University has still been a new experience. Being a full-time student here has “given me more opportunities to be more mature as a person,” Veláquez says. This is quite a common theme amongst international students. Youngwon Lee, a student from South Korea, expresses that his favorite thing about America is he can be whoever he wants. Similarly, Masaya Daito from Japan says that he “feels free to do something,” while in America. These statements are eye-opening, showing that America gives a sense of freedom to express oneself. Another similarity is the perception international students have of Americans. In general, among those interviewed, they saw Americans as
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tall, diverse, and extremely friendly. Youngwon also noticed that many individuals in America are extremely proud of their country. There are of course downsides to being far away from home. Veláquez says that what has been the most difficult for him is “not being able to see my family every day.” It seems as though what is the most difficult is being away from friends, family, and home-cooked food. “I really miss food since it was difficult to find Japanese food in Athens. I love American food, but I already got used to Japanese food since I have been living in Japan for 20 years. I do not think I can live without Japanese food,” said Kenta Takahashi, a student from Japan. He also expressed that the portions here are very large and it was something he had to get used to. Masaya agrees, saying that he is finding it hard to “keep my weight.” Another challenge about being in a foreign country is overcoming the difference in culture and language. Yongbin Lai, a student from China, found these two aspects to be especially difficult even after studying here for years. Kenta agrees saying, “Even though I lived in America for 11 months, I sometimes cannot understand what they say. It is relatively easy to follow or mimic the culture, but language [not so much].” They expressed that they often felt intimidated by how big everything is and by not understanding English.
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“THE EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA LET ME LEARN HOW I SHOULD COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUND[S].” —KENTA TAKAHASHI Despite these setbacks, all of the students agreed that this experience was worthwhile, as shown through Kenta’s eye-opening response to what he has learned in America. “I now care about [understand] sexism and racism throughout my experience in America.” Through being in America, he was able to learn about how people’s lives can be impacted through racial and sexbased stereotypes and prejudice, mainly due to his friends’ influence and a WGSS course taken at the university. He has even found himself looking at particular situations and thinking “that is not right.” Yongbin also learned much from the culture in America by meeting people from all around the world. There is immense diversity in Ohio University between other international students to Americans from different backgrounds. Masaya also found this fascinating, saying, “I’ve learned so [many] things about culture and I experienced a lot that I didn’t do in Japan.”
“Moreover, I improved intercultural communication skills. Through my study abroad in America, I felt stressful sometimes because of the cultural and language difference,” Kenta says. “So, I now understand how people live in a foreign country feel and what they experience in terms of communication difficulty. The experience in America let me learn how I should communicate with people who have a different cultural background[s].” Ohio University has brought much knowledge and experience to these particular students, taking them out of their comfort zones and forcing them to adapt to America. They’ve all come from such different backgrounds; some came to Ohio University because of their major, through the OPIE program, or because, as Yongbin states “my parents wanted me to.” No matter what their reason was, they have so much to teach us about their culture and America’s culture as seen through their eyes. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 203
QUE E R BAITING
Simagna tempos erro omnis quaturerrum delibus abor re modigni ut facessi milleni sinciur siti aut od BY PURVA INDULKAR | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
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I
t’s a sleepy night in London and the soft rain is pattering down the clear window of a cozy restaurant. Two people walk in and settle down at a dimly-lit table, they had met on the same day and something clicked. One seemed talkative and confident while the other a little reserved. The manager is friends with one of them. “Whatever you want— free. On the house, for you and your date,” he says. The two continue talking, then looking out the window, then talking again like any awkward couple. The manager stops by again and leaves a small candle flickering on the table, a little detail that makes their dinner a little bit more romantic. Then they dash out of the restaurant to catch a serial killer. That’s a scene from the first episode of BBC’s rendition of
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Sherlock. Several times throughout the four seasons of the show, many people mistake clever Detective Sherlock Holmes and his sensitive friend, John Watson, for a cute, middle-aged couple. From strangers who have just met the duo to solve a case, to their landlady Mrs. Hudson, who has known them for years—many characters in the storyline think Sherlock and Watson are more than friends. So do many fans of the show. But, they never date. They just seem like a couple without being a one. This is a near perfect instance of what is commonly known as “queer-baiting.” When queer-baiting occurs, two characters are often portrayed to be romantically interested in each other—either for shock value or to appeal to queer audiences, but the creators are too afraid to actually put a queer couple on screen. In the
music video “break up with your are several factors at play here, girlfriend, i’m bored,” Ariana but most of it boils down to oldGrande is at a club where she fashioned homophobia. Prejudice flirts with a girl and leans in to against the queer community kiss her. The only issue is that from audiences and studio they never kiss and Grande is a executives stops production straight woman. from including meaningful Becca King is a graduate queer storylines in their films or journalism student at Ohio shows. Also, what might seem University and they have an like the right decision from the interest in issues related to perspective of ethics, equal gender, race, and class in the rights, and representation might media (King prefers to use they/ result in a damaging blow at the them pronouns). box office. They’ve heard Even in 2019, of the term sadly, including “I’D DESCRIBE queer-baiting a gay character IT AS ADVERTISING might be too saying, “I’d describe it as big of a risk. TO THE QUEER advertising Some of COMMUNITY to the queer the issue also community has to do with WITHOUT without fetishization SUPPORTING THE supporting the of the queer community in community, COMMUNITY IN A a meaningful reducing MEANINGFUL WAY.” them down way.” A while ago, to their sexual J.K Rowling expression. Two announced that girls making out Professor Dumbledore is gay, and in a bathtub—hot. Two girls being was at some point dating fellow in a healthy, happy relationship— wizard Gellert Grindelwald. inappropriate. There is a reason “Their relationship was incredibly why states like Mississippi and intense. It was passionate, and North Carolina have some of the it was a love relationship,” she harshest laws aimed toward the is quoted saying by several LGBTQ+ community, despite publications. But this relationship being among the top consumers is never seen in the books, or in of gay porn, according to a the films, or any other profitable survey by PornHub. This reflects endeavors that have branched a lingering discrimination that the out from the Harry Potter LGBTQ+ crowd faces. Many don’t franchise. Why is that? There mind using “queerness” to titillate WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 207
themselves or their audiences, but they have a problem with actual queer people. It was lovely to see Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer’s explosive chemistry in Call Me by Your Name, but it’s hard to avoid wondering why those roles didn’t go to gay actors. Historically, films and movies haven’t had a great record of depicting homosexual people or queer relationships. Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Ohio University student and published author, came out to her friends in 2004. “At that time, there were not a lot of gay characters I could look up to,” Rotuno-Johnson says, 208 | THREAD
mentioning that people in the gay community are hungry for role models. Today, there might be more queer characters on TV or in film, but they are often portrayed in a specific manner. “There is a certain stereotype [about] of how gay people look,” Rotuno-Johnson says. LGBTQ+ people get minimal representation in TV and film, and when they do see queer characters on screen, it’s Freddie Mercury having AIDS in Bohemian Rhapsody, or gay teenagers being sent to conversion therapy in Boy Erased. “People are really hungry to see their own stories on screen,”
Rotuno-Johnson says. But, it very rarely happens that a queer couple is depicted on screen just for being a couple. Heterosexual couples have the luxury of being represented without being objectified for their sexuality, but queer couples do not enjoy the same privilege. People might argue that “queer-baiting” is harmless. Many joke that if strangers don’t think you and your best friend are dating, then you’re not really best friends. But what might be a witty one-liner or a funny scene about mistaken sexuality for most audiences can be bruising for the
queer community. “Queer-baiting damages the queer community by attracting us to self-destructive messages,” King says. Rotuno-Johnson acknowledges that queer-baiting is not always intentional. Sometimes two characters just have a strong connection, even if the creators didn’t mean for them to seem like a couple—they just do. “People want to see them together, sometimes they really want this relationship to happen,” she says. But it’s harmful when the creators intentionally partake in queer-baiting. Queer-baiting isn’t black and white, so it’s hard to set down WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 209
specific rules to identify the term. However, it’s often easy to tell the difference between honest representation and queerbaiting. When Halsey and Lauren Jauregui sing about loving a girl in “Strangers,” it’s an obvious win for the queer community because both women have publicly come out as bisexual. But, it’s different when Katy Perry sings “I Kissed a Girl”—especially since she has not publicly identified herself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and portrays bisexuality as a phase in the song and music video. The breathtaking film Moonlight is a shining example of queer representation. The constant push and pull between Dean and Cass in the TV show Supernatural? Not so much. Most of their exchanges in the show have been 210 | THREAD
littered with a lingering touch here, an intense gaze across the room there, a vague but sincere confession in one episode, and a scene filled with sexual tension in another. If this happens between two characters of the opposite sex, it’s seen as a budding romance, but 14 seasons deep and Dean and Cass are still just great friends. There are some rare instances when creators nailed representation of the queer community. RotunoJohnson commends Netflix series Orange is the New Black for the diversity in its portrayal of women, women of color, and homosexual women. “That show had gay female characters who looked different,” she says. That might be one way to tell if a show is queerbaiting. Do their characters fit into the established stereotypes of how
queer people “should” look? Does the script often include instances where these two characters are mistaken for a couple? Are the creators completely averse to having a queer character on the show, or are the actors rude when questions about their characters’ sexuality comes up? These might be signs that the show doesn’t want to represent or support the queer community in any way, but rather wants to use the queer community for an alternative purpose. Being a fan of any show, film, or book involves passionate following. If fans were clamoring for Ross and Rachel to date each other, should it be so hard to digest that some fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might want Captain America and Bucky Barnes to date? This practice, which involves fans
supporting the hypothetical romantic relationship between two characters, is known as “shipping,” short for “relationshipping,” and is a huge phenomenon in pop culture. Turns out this is nothing new, even when Rotuno-Johnson was growing up, “There would be online voting for favorite ships even if the characters were not together. People on the internet would fight about it,” says Rotuno-Johnson. This demand for queer representation is only growing, but hopefully, in the coming years, creators will start to take notes. Perhaps the next time that Sherlock and Watson are on-screen, Mrs. Hudson mistakes them for being boyfriends again, and this time, it’s not a mistake.
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TOXIC TRAITS BY BAILEY FINK PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
“Boys will be boys.” “Man up.” “Boys don’t cry.” “He’s only mean to you because he likes you.” These sayings regarding masculinity have been repeated to men and women for decades, and gender stereotypes like this have created a problem in our society known as toxic masculinity. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines toxic, or traditional masculinity as “a particular constellation of standards that have held sway over large segments of the population, including: anti-femininity, achievement, eschewal of the appearance of weakness, and adventure, risk, and violence.” Because the idea of traditional masculinity can be seen as the norm for men, this can lead to pressure for boys and men to conform to a certain ideology. The pressure to conform can lead to higher 212 | THREAD
rates of suicide, substance abuse, violence, and early death, according to the APA. The consequences stemming from toxic masculinity that generally raise the “most concern” revolve around the triad of violence, which is male aggression or violence toward women, other males, and themselves, says Dr. Jim Taylor, a sociology professor at Ohio University Zanesville campus. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 93% of inmates are men, and in October 2018, The New York Times reported that at least 201 prominent men had lost their jobs as a result of the #MeToo movement regarding sexual assault and sexual harassment. “After all, non-biological aspects of masculinity are no more than pieces of culture that have been assigned value
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through socialization and participating social institutions and agents of social institution,� Taylor says. In January, the APA released the first-ever guidelines for psychological practices to improve treatment of male mental health. The guidelines were developed to assist psychologists in treating boys and men who with gender disparities like receiving harsh discipline, public health concerns, and not seeking psychological treatment. The APA released 10 guidelines that encourage
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psychologists to follow and understand the impact of power, privilege, and sexism on relationship development while striving to recognize that masculinities are constructed based on social, cultural, and contextual norms. The APA also encourages psychologists to strive to reduce the high rates of male aggression, violence, substance abuse, and suicide. “If the message promoted is that there is masculine value in high-risk behaviors like fast driving, lots of unprotected sex, consumption of alcohol and other drugs, etc., some who
“...SOME WHO FIND THEIR MASCULINITY CHALLENGED WILL PULL THESE ITEMS INTO THEIR PERFORMANCE, AS AN EFFORT TO SAVE FACE,” —DR. JIM TAYLOR
find their masculinity challenged will pull these items into their performance, as an effort to save face,” Taylor says. Shortly after the APA published these guidelines, the razor company, Gillette, released an advertisement titled “We Believe: The Best Men Can Be.” The ad calls on men to hold other men accountable of their actions and to leave the “boys will be boys” attitude behind. It focuses on toxic masculinity and the #MeToo movement by challenging men to end the bullying and catcalling that often go unnoticed. The commercial also touches on
men speaking for women and “mansplaining,” which is when a man explains something, usually to a woman, in a way that is condescending or patronizing. The commercial, with over 30 million views on YouTube and Twitter, received support from Rainn Wilson, Katie Couric, Terry Crews, and other celebrities. However, it also sparked a wave of backlash on Twitter users against the company, with some users calling for a boycott of Gillette razors. Television personality Piers Morgan went to Twitter to share his thoughts on the ad calling it “pathetic”
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and “man-hating.” “I’ve used @Gillette razors my entire adult life but this absurd virtue-signalling PC guff may drive me away to a company less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity. Let boys be damn boys. Let men be damn men,” Morgan tweeted. Amid the backlash, model Chrissy Teigen took to Twitter to express her support for Gillette and its new campaign. “I’ve been using a men’s Gillette razor since I was 14. Gillette was the first major company to hire me when I was kind of known as a risky little b for brands. I still use a [G]illette fusion razor and I still get so much joy from a fresh blade. [I] n closing, I love you, Gillette,” she tweeted. In July 2018, the e-commerce retailer Bonobos created a campaign called #EvolveTheDefinition. The short film featured multiple men reading the definition of masculine and defining what masculinity meant to them. According to Bonobos, it’s a project that uses actual men’s, not male actors’, voices to “start a conversation around the narrow definition of masculine, its limitations, and how we can
expand it to be more inclusive.” Men can go onto the Bonobos website and add their story and definition of masculine to “create a world where every man fits.” Even with the rise of awareness and research about toxic masculinity, some people have called it an attack on manhood itself and the takeover of radical feminism while others have blamed the rise in toxic masculinity on Donald Trump’s election. The 2018 Oxford English Dictionary word of the year was “toxic,” after a year of the #MeToo Movement, accusations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and other discussions of toxic masculinity. Many prominent men have publicly talked about toxic masculinity, including former President Barack Obama and former NFL player Wade Davis. But even with their support for the end of toxic masculinity, there is still a long way to go. Researchers at the APA agree that toxic masculinity needs to be addressed in society and used to change the way we raise our sons. However, until this happens, the discussion needs to continue so that boys and men can live a healthier lifestyle and toxic masculinity can one day come to an end.
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freedom s
HER BY DRANDA JURCISEK | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED
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B
ras are more impactful than one might expect. Dave Terpstra and Kimba Langas, co-founders of Free the Girls, sought a way to provide economic support for women affected by human trafficking. What sets their vision apart from the rest is their unique way in which they rescue women from modern-day enslavement. Free the Girls is a second-hand clothing market dedicated to helping survivors of human trafficking earn an income. Bras are in high demand and low in supply in many developing countries. The idea is to help these women earn a profit, while also better being able to support themselves. By selling bras, women in different countries now have a safe and
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reliable income. Overall, this is an ethical and sustainable approach. Terpstra and Langas hoped that these women could reintegrate themselves into society and the economy after their modern-day enslavement. Human trafficking is a disheartening issue; nearly 40.3 million women are held in captivity and 25% of that 40 million population is under the age of 18. Langas is a self-described “accidental abolitionist” who was heartbroken by the issue of human trafficking. She started this company from the comfort of her home and never would have imagined it to grow into what it is now. Free the Girls is currently working in three countries—El Salvador,
Mozambique, and Uganda—in an effort to destabilize human trafficking and allow women to feel more freedom. For most women, forgotten clothing can create an abundant amount of clutter. A simple donation of a bra can help create jobs for women. You can also get together with friends or the community to host a bra drive. When you donate four bras, you are providing a living wage for women in El Salvador and when your company, church, or group of friends donate 200 bras,
that is half a month’s inventory for women in Mozambique. For those who desire change and seek justice for those who have been affected by human trafficking, this organization is the place to go. Whether you donate a bra, give your time, or simply voice your opinion, you are making a real difference. This world counts on people who are dedicated to becoming “everyday abolitionists.” When more people come together to raise awareness, it can leave a lasting impact on the world.
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Free the Girls has already helped many women achieve success. Just take a look at one survivor’s story. Ingrid has an incredibly moving story. Like most people that live in developing countries, fighting for survival is a part of their livelihood. Ingrid is no different. She lived in San Salvador in a swath, a house made from sticks and plastic, with no access to clean water. She struggled to survive and soon found herself caught up in the wrong crowd. She was forced into sexual exploitation and law enforcement treated her more like a criminal than a victim. She became pregnant by the age of 16 and was left to fend for herself at 18. With the help of Free the Girls, she was able to find a job and safely create a life of her own. She talks about how this company changed her life. She sought freedom and luckily stumbled upon this organization. Free the Girls gave her the power to believe in herself, and she began setting goals for a hopeful future. Ingrid is now working in a local grocery store, and with the help of the Free the
Girls organization, her and her family have a safer home to live in as a result. This organization has empowered not only Ingrid, but also many more women. “Peace. Danger was the way from before. Now I’m open and free,” a survivor in Mozambique says. Everyone deserves to live a life in complete freedom, with no fear of what the future holds. Women in this program are seeking the security they deserve. Through this organization, they are able to have a second chance at life, both for them and their families. These women are grateful for this organization, and it shows every day. “Thank you... selling bras is so good because I’m earning money. We have to work as women so that we are not violated by men. We should have our income so we can sustain life, a life that everyone yearns to have,” another survivor says. Free the Girls is a truly inspiring company with the powerful vision of establishing freedom among sex trafficking victims in order to give them hopeful futures, just like Ingrid. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 223
RANT/RAVE LOW RISE JEANS
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ASHLEY MOREMAN
RANT
BY HANNAH PRIDEMORE
Tasteless. Monstrosities. A terror to society. Or, as they’re better known to the retail world: low-rise jeans. These denim heathens have no place in anyone’s closet and the fact that they seem to be making a comeback is terrifying. At the ripe old age of 16, I bought my first pair of high-waisted jeans and have never looked back. I refuse to own pants that do not at least reach my belly button. Low-rise jeans are the worst because the waistband sits on an awkward part of the abdomen. If you happen to eat too much or are just bloated, the waistband aggressively digs into your skin. Low-rise jeans are harder to style tastefully without looking like you’ve pulled your inspiration from an early 2000s teen magazine (thank you Britney Spears and Paris Hilton). Even though they may be good for a throwback look, low-rise jeans should not take up a permanent residence in anyone’s closet. It hasn’t been long since they went out of style, so they shouldn’t make a comeback. They’re ugly, useless, and quite frankly, one of the worst denim creations known to man. 224 | THREAD
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back of the closet RAVE
BY SOPHIA LANZA
I will be the first to admit that early 2000s fashion will always have a special place in my heart. From Juicy Couture sweat suits to Lindsay Lohan’s return to MTV, I will be first in line to support a good comeback. Luckily for us 2000s lovers, the lowrise jeans trend is predicted to make a comeback. While this trend is mostly associated with influencers like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears, they originally made their runway debut with Alexander McQueen in 1993. His OG “bumsters” sparked a frenzy with other designers, and the low-rise became more popular and accessible through other affordable brands. There is a great deal of backlash for low-rise jeans in the media and popular culture, the ultimate goal is to feel good about the way you look. Since these jeans do sit so low on one’s hips, it gives you the appearance of a long and slim torso. When I get dressed to go out or go to class, I am often aware of how short my torso is. While this is something I can almost guarantee no one else notices, I am constantly wearing low-rise jeans in order to combat this. Low-rise jeans and their return to fashion may come from social media influencers like Bella Hadid or Kendall Jenner, but don’t be afraid to take a chance with a pair of jeans that may accentuate a new part of your body you could love. WWW.OUTHREADMAG.COM | 225
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Thread
May 2019