CAFFE LUNA

Model LEEMAN SMITH Styling MEGAN EARLY Photography NANDI BRYAN

In 1996, Parker Kennedy opened the fabulous Italian restaurant in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina that goes by the name of Caffé Luna. Parker and wife, Nicole, have established a well-known restaurant that has grown from 80 to 200 seats with three party rooms and a terrace. Parker had ties in the Italian restaurant business when he lived in New York, where he worked as a top wine salesman for one of the largest wine distributors in the country.

Nicole Kennedy is affiliated with the American Impressionist Society & Women Painters of the Southeast. The restaurant is decorated with original artwork of scenes of Italy, depicting the beautiful landscapes immersing you into a little slice of Italy all while being in Raleigh, NC. Only one mile from the cafe resides Nicole’s Studio & Art Gallery where she exhibits works by local artists.

When you first walk into the authentic cafe, it causes you to transcend to another place in time. All you have to do is sit down, order a glass of wine, listen to Frank Sinatra and suddenly you’re sitting on the canals of Venice. Parker and Nicole have managed to create a restaurant that embodies the aura of a terrace overlooking the cobblestone streets of Tuscany.

The Kennedy’s adorned Caffe Luna with Nicole’s original Mediterranean impressionist pieces. Nicole had been a passionate artist since her high school days and as a result, worked for the advertising agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, as an art director when she lived in New York. It was not until the pair opened the cafe that Nicole transitioned into creating the art she had always loved to paint. Together as husband and wife, they have created a beautiful and welcoming ambiance for all walks of life.

Due to Parker’s 20-year experience in the wine industry for 20 years, he has a handcrafted selection of various wines. The relaxed Tuscan atmosphere, authentic and affordable menu

by Caroline Kotterer

and their consistency have all contributed to their success. Over the years the menu has changed, but the classic dishes remain to keep customers wanting more. The fried calamari, bruschetta, and farfalle al salmone are all testaments of the delicious offerings Luna provides in a comfortable price range. Aside from the fantastic menu and outstanding wine list, the decor is what makes Caffe Luna stand out. The vaulted ceilings, white tablecloths, salmon-colored walls, and arched doorways transport you to a Mediterranean destination.

One of the most interesting policies of Caffe Luna is that they do not have a bar, nor do they serve liquor. Parker says, “The focus is on having a good meal, good conversation, and then moving on to the rest of your evening.” Instilling these core values of an Italian society combined with southern hospitality makes Caffe Luna a truly unique place to gather with friends, family, and lovers. Parker is not interested in expanding to a second location because it would prevent him from being able to keep business running smoothly, "You have to be here for this kind of thing. You have a farm, you don't get another farm.”

Throughout history, those cursed with fame have used their time in the spotlight to affect change in the world. One such extraordinary character is Zuzu Angel (Zuleika Angel Jones), a fashion designer from the 1960s and 1970s. Born in the 1920s in the Brazillian state Minas Gerais, Angel gained traction in the fashion world in the 1960s and was praised for her cultural inspiration, tropical motifs, and color choices. Her clothes were harmonious, fun, and pretty. However, everything changed when her son was targeted by the Brazilian government. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Brazil was controlled by an authoritarian military dictatorship, known as the Fifth Brazilian Republic. This ruling force used fear tactics to quell any uprisings, and would often employ the oh-so-tactful method of “disappearing” dissenters, which is precisely what happened to Zuzu Angel’s son in 1971. Zuzu received a letter that detailed exactly how he died, in exceedingly gory detail. Naturally, his mother was devastated-- she channeled her anger into activism and spoke out against the military regime. As a fashion designer, she expressed her emotions in her creative pursuits, producing the first, and perhaps the most moving, political protest collection in history. It was a complete 180 from her previous collections; in her prints, the customary tropical birds were now trapped in cages, and the deliberate malice of the military permeated every item. Angel’s collection and her political activism were so influential that the Brazilian military started keeping an eye on her. Angel’s aesthetic remained controversial until her death in 1976. She is believed to have been made to “disappear” by the very same people who killed her son due to her speaking out against them. Angel expressed before her death, “If I appear dead, by accident or by other means, it will have been the work of the assassins of my beloved son.” Zuzu Angel’s life was short and stricken with greater tragedy than most. She employed that tragedy as a fuel-- fuel for her work and fuel towards political change so that no other mothers would have to experience the irreparable heartbreak that comes with one’s child being tortured to death by an unjust state. Instead of giving in to grief, she pioneered the power of fashion to instigate political change, an idea that has cascaded down generations.

Model RUTH WILSON Styling ALEX NEIGHBOUR Photography MADI LANGLEY Makeup ALEX NEIGHBOUR Hair ALEX NEIGHBOUR

go ingA 54-year-old essay by American writer Susan Sontag was the inspiration behind this year’s Met Gala theme. The most prominent icons in fashion, film, and music gather for a glamorous night at one of the world’s biggest fashion events in order to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Ingoing camping stitute. Lady Gaga, Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles, and Serena Williams co-chaired with US Vogue by Emily Arnheiter editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, at the 71st anniversary of the Met Gala. The exhibition showcased clothes designed by Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Franco Moschino, and Donatella Versace, among Alessandro Michele, Harry Styles, and Ser-other designers. This year’s trends included gold lamé, sequins, feathers, neon, and oversized sleeves, skirts and trains. Celebrities donned these extravagant and intricate costumes for their walk down the pink carpet. ena Williams co-chaired with US Vogue ediinfiltrated the fashion world as an “aesthetic style and sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its bad taste and ironic value.”

The word camp is thought to have been derived from the French term se camper, meaning “to pose in an exaggerated fashion.” When the word first appeared in 1909, it was denoted as “ostentatious,” “exaggerated,” and “effeminate.” Originally, the word pertained to a description of the style choices and behavior of working-class homosexual men. Today, other meanings have been added to its definition. In 1964, Susan Sontag was the first person to write an extensive essay on the subject. In “Notes on ‘Camp’,” she argued that camp was not gender or sexuality specific. Thus, camp became a part of the new, liberal ideals and attitudes toward sexuality and politics. Since then, camp has A 54-year-old essay by American writer Susan Sontag was the inspiration behind this year’s Met Gala theme. The most prominent icons in fashion, film, and music gather for a glamorous night at one of the world’s biggest fashion events in order to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. Lady Gaga, Lady Gaga’s fashion outfits and costumes are fitting examples of camp style. Her interpretation of the Met’s theme included four costume changes lasting for 16 minutes. Gaga’s legendary entrance to the Gala was not the first time she donned outlandish outfits like these. This queen of camp has long been known for her crazy fashion style. Her most daring looks include an iconic meat dress, a Kermit the Frog covered jacket, and an Elizabethan-inspired Alexander McQueen gown.

Platform Magazine’s stylists decided to give their own take on camp in a tulle-filled photoshoot. The stylists had a vision--even the most outrageous ideas were integrated into the shoot. Dishwashing gloves, balloons, and cowboy hats culminated in the perfect embodiment of camp style.

MODEL Willow Arthur PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Jarrell STYLING Jordan Murray HAIR Jordan Murray

MODELS Jasmine Nguyen, Willow Arthur PHOTOGRAPHY Kori Hyer STYLING Mackenzie Pierce, Jordan Murray MAKEUP Willow Arthur HAIR Jordan Murray, Mackenzie Pierce

MODEL Caroline Diaz PHOTOGRAPHY Lily O’Brien STYLING Mackenzie Pierce MAKEUP Mackenzie Pierce DESIGN Brooke Connolly

MODEL Grace Lincroft PHOTOGRAPHY Madi Langley STYLING Bailey Young MAKEUP Alexandra Neighbour DESIGN Brooke Connolly

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In today’s fashion industry, it is very common for American retailers and manufacturers to source materials and production from overseas, due to its cheap nature and the wide array of factories and manufacturers to choose from. However, sourcing from overlege-aged students, like Forever 21, also practice geles factories, workers make about $6 an hour,

seas has its known disadvantages, like lower perceived quality, high shipping costs, and most importantly, compromising the health and safety of its workers.

This October alone, the Bangladeshi factories of two major North American companies, Amazon and Lululemon, were exposed for their horrific and inhumane workplace environment.

In a Wall Street Journal investigation, it was discovered that multiple other retailers have deemed tories were producing clothes for other popu-

the Bangladeshi factories too dangerous to source from. Popular retailers, like Walmart, Target, and Gap blacklisted these Bangladeshi factories, because they refused to fix safety problems in their buildings, like weak infrastructure and violated fire codes.

So, why does Amazon allow the sourcing from these dangerous factories? According to the Sourcing Journal, Amazon has over millions of sellers in its third-party marketplace, and these sellers do not have to follow Amazon’s code of ethics and business conduct, which prohibits illegal harassment of its workers. Under the Fair Trade system, it is guaranteed that items in their stores, but are still not 100% Fair Trade.

During the investigation of the Bangladeshi factories, many buildings without working fire alarms were found. In addition, the common practice of factory managers locking up and keeping their workers behind until they completed their orders was discovered. Some employees were subject to spending 12 hours a day sewing over 300 shirts.

in Bangladeshi factories have claimed to be subjects of physical as well as verbal abuse by their managers. The women have told the company they were called “sluts” and “whores,” and were even beaten by managers. In the United States, Lululemon leggings can cost around $130 to $200. According to ABC News, that sum is a little less than what the average Lululemon factory worker in Bangladesh makes in an entire month.

However, the maltreatment of workers is not just exclusive to international factories and manufacturers; some of the most loved stores among colunethical standards with its sourcing. Since 2007, about 300 workers have filed suit against Forever 21 for maltreatment and unfair wages, according to the LA Times. In one of Forever 21’s Los Ana rate well below the minimum wage of the area.

The U.S. Department of Labor also started t o investigate Los Angeles factories in July of 2016. They found at the time that the workers were paid as little as $4 an hour and concluded that 85% of the factories visited violated labor laws. The faclar retailers, like Ross Dress for Less and TJ Maxx.

As consumers, what can we do to avoid clothing that is produced in hostile, inhumane environments? We can buy from Fair Trade brands!

the workers who made the clothing were paid a fair wage and worked under healthy conditions. Usually, these products are also made out of organic materials. A couple of Fair Trade brands that are affordable for college-students and popular include PACT and Everlane. Other brands like J. Crew, Madewell, Patagonia, and Athleta are beginning to have Fair Trade The female workers who make Lululemon’s clothing

Because of all of the human rights violations abroad and nationally, it is very important to be conscientious of the clothing that you buy. Before you go and shop at your favorite brand, do your research on their sourcing. Are you wearing the fruits of an underpaid, abused worker’s labor?