POSE M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 12
THE TOP AWARDS SHOW LOOKS
The best and worst dressed this season
IT GIRL
Meet Theresa Huffman, USC’s own It Girl
WHEN TEENS GO PLASTIC How young is too young?
ARE YOU GUILTY OF MAKE-UP FAUX PAS?
Raccoon Eyes, Pancake Face, What you should be staying away from
MODELS AND SELF ESTEEM
Media and its effects on young women today
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.�
- Audrey Hepburn
P O S E Vol. 2, Issue 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIFE The Next Big Thing: Nerva 19 ¡Que interesante! Amazing SC girls doing amazing things
25
Guide to Interview Attire 33
BEAUTY Superwoman: Flying into Spring’s Make-Up Trends
24
When Teens Go Plastic: The Dangers of Plastic Surgery
37
What Lies Beneath: Girls and too much Make-Up
49
STYLE Confessions of a Shopaholic: Online Shopping Addictions
55
Red Carpet Round-Up 57 I Feel Pretty 61 La Dolce Vita 71 Girls Don’t Cry 79
POSE EDITOR IN CHEIF
Sheridan Watson
CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Natasha Cirisano Elizabeth Pereira PHOTOGRAPHY
STYLING
Kiko Zang Jessie Chen Christine Cheung Chelsea Elizabeth Toczauer
Elena Hutchinson Carlo Acenas Matthew Solomon GRAPHIC DESIGN
Christina Ellis Hailey Nowak Karen Pham Jolynn Tjahyadi Tjhia PUBLIC RELATIONS
MODEL CASTING
Diana Dadgar
Whitney Brooks MAKE-UP DIRECTOR
Molly Leighton
WRITING
Kelly Belter Rachel Brauer Jessie Chen Paige Cooley Asher Feldman
Kandace Cook Sean Fitz-Gerald Eddie Kim Kathy Le Molly Leighton Katerine Ostrowski
Elizabeth Pereira Samara Slater Nikki Than Chelsea Elizabeth Toczauer
CONTACT
pose.magazine.usc@gmail.com
Facebook.com/PoseMagazineUSC @PoseMagazineUSC Posemag.tumblr.com
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello Gorgeous! There is no simple way to describe what it means to be a girl. Sure, one could always go the scientific route and claim that what separates the girl from the boy is a simple case of anatomical parts. But somehow that does not seem sufficient. Being a girl is a state of mind, filled with thoughts and emotions that somehow billions of other females share. To be a girl does not mean that you have to like boys or only wear dresses or even be born with the necessary reproductive parts. To be a girl, you simply have to understand both the world we live in and what we can do to change it. You see, girls have the power to affect the world in ways men could only dream of. We have the ability to see past the so-called “logical” and peer into the emotional. We can bond together in ways that seem inconceivable to the other sex. We’re both ferocious yet gentle, intelligent but down-to-earth, glamorous but simple. This is why Pose decided to dedicate our newly revamped magazine to the Girl. Who is this “Girl” we speak of? You? Me? The girl who sits next to me in Film class, my barista from yesterday afternoon? In our magazine, you will see an ode to the beauty and wonder of being a lady in all its forms. Whether you’re a self-professed tomboy, a glamazon who loves her makeup, a downtown hipster with an addiction to Portlandia or all of the above, we’ve decided to celebrate you in all its forms. Check out our sexy photo shoot with our beautiful Head of Casting Whitney Brooks or read Paige Cooley and Katherine Ostrowski’s article on teenage plastic surgery, which is sure to provide wake up call. We also employed the services of a few very talented males to get their opinions on signature “girl things”. Ever wondered what boys actually see when you doll on the make up? Then read Sean Fitz-Gerald’s article, where he gives it to us honestly. Also, Asher Feldman breaks down the red carpet season, giving us the male point of view. I hope you enjoy the hard work that my incredible staff members and I put into this issue. If we didn’t wow and inspire you, then we didn’t do our job. I’d like to leave you with another quote – we’re fond of them here at Pose: “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” – Maya Angelou
It’s yours to kick, Sheridan
SPOTLIGHT ON Get to know some of the lovely staff members at Pose MARIAH ROBINSON This freshman BA Theatre major from Austin, Texas had a blast modeling for our “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” shoot in late February. Rocking a cute LBD and chic maxi skirt, Mariah tapped into her inner model by remembering some wise words her mother once told her. “My mom, without fail, has always told me for as long as I can remember to hold my head up high and to wear a huge smile on my face,” Mariah says. Advice taken.
DIANA DADGAR As the Head of Public Relations, Diana is used to stressful and busy days. The Irvine native strategizes and executes publicity for the magazine, dabbles in make-up artistry, and if you ever see her in person, you’ll see why: she’s gorgeous. In order to get this sophomore English and Pre-Law major’s flawless face, she suggests using Laura Mercier’s moisturizing foundation.
CARLO ACENAS An Economics Major from Burlingame, CA, Carlo has been flexing his incredible photography skills for our “Girl Issue” (don’t believe us? Check out “La Dolce Vita” and “Girls Don’t Cry”). One might assume that this Junior likes his girls drop dead gorgeous, he is, after all, a fashion photographer. However, Carlo loves his girls funny, as evident by his crush on Bridesmaids star Kristen Wiig.
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REED ALVARADO
THOMAZ PASCHOAL Brazilians are known for being drop-dead gorgeous (see half of the Victoria’s Secret Angels to name a few) and Thomaz is no exception – why else would we have him model for us? Although he spent the last two years of high in school in Washington D.C., the Junior Civil Engineering Major is proud of growing up in São Paulo. Obsessed with flip flops, Thomaz’s dream girl would be able to make him cackle: “She has to make me laugh and I need to be able to trust her.”
“Be whatever you want to be, but be the best at it” is the advice that our model Reed’s parents routinely gave him growing up. All that hard work led the West Orange, New Jersey native to USC where he is currently pursuing a BFA Acting degree. With the Oscars just behind us, Reed tells Pose that his celebrity crush is the perfect specimen known as Meryl Streep. We could get behind that.
CHRISTINA ELLIS Pose’s Head of Graphic Design is used to glitz and glamour; she is from Vegas, after all. If she’s not at the Daily Trojan offices or designing for KXSC and Troy Shots, you can catch her watching Arrested Development or 30 Rock. How does she manage to look so good while balancing five jobs? “Smashbox fusion soft lights luster,” Christina says. Well, we know what we’re getting. 10 POSE 10
MEETTHE GUYS Asher is a Senior double majoring in Economics and Communication. A native New Yorker and Yankees fanatic, he has spent much of his time in college writing about sports and news and never thought he’d write about fashion. But if it means writing about Emma Stone, Asher’s all for it.
ASHER FELDMAN
Finishing up his junior year, this Creative Writing major loves dressing in short sleeved plaid button downs, much to the chagrin of many. When he’s not busy managing the Daily Trojan staffers, you can find him playing the piano or lusting after Shay Mitchell from Pretty Little Liars.
quick quotes
Why did you want to be on the Guy Panel? “I wanted to write about something I’ve never written about before and I also thought it would be interesting for girls to see a guy’s perspective.” – Sean
What item of clothing can’t you resist a girl in? “When a girl dresses in stylish, sexy (but not over-the-top) business attire.” - Eddie
What are your dream qualities in a girl? “I always look for people who are focused on making other people happy before making themselves happy. They usually have the most interesting stories and the most to give.” – Asher
SEAN FITZ-GERALD A Junior majoring in Print Journalism, Eddie’s dream gal is Mary-Louise Parker. When he’s not off chasing a news story, he enjoys playing NCAA 12 Football and making as many interesting cocktails as humanly possibly.
EDDIE KIM
Ask the guys! pose.magazine.usc@gmail.com Your question may be featured in the next edition of Pose!
BEAUTY 9
IT GIRL Get to know our It Girl! Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Year and Major: Sophomore, Public Relations Favorite City: New York City Go-to Make-Up Product: Nars Orgasm Blush Favorite Perfume: J’Adore Dior Style Icon: Abbey Lee Kershaw
THERESA HUFFMAN
GET THE LOOK Theresa wears an Iconic dress and Aldo earrings; Make-Up: Blush by Maybelline in Medium Pink, Bronzer by Physicians Formula in Starlight, Eyeliner by Neutrogena in Spiced Chocolate, Lash Stiletto Mascara by Maybelline in Black, Lipstick by Revlon and Nars, Photo Finish Smashbox Illuminator, Photo Ready Foundation by Revlon in Vanilla, Primer by Smashbox; Hair: L’Oreal Hairspray, Sultra Curling Iron
Nowadays, the term “It Girl” is used too loosely. It seems as if all you have to do is attend a bunch of parties in rather expensive clothes and you will be anointed the next big thing What happened to the classic It Girl? She who can captivate a room and blend in while standing out? She who can put together million dollar outfits from a few items picked up at Target? She who can maintain a 3.8 Grade Point Average while interning with a major style icon? Well, look no further than the beautiful Theresa Huffman. Theresa manages to make everything look so darn easy. When she’s not working for the formidable Rachel Zoe in West Hollywood, you can find her looking for
delicious Vegetarian fare in the Los Angeles area, going to class or doing her favorite hobby: shopping. Theresa is the whole package: smart, stylish and fun. Her laidback style, often purchased at everyone’s favorite store Madewell, showcases her natural beauty. Redefining what it means to be a Renaissance girl, Theresa is bound to make her mark in the fashion world sometime soon. After all, how could you not fall in love with someone who says that being a girl means “teetering in five inch heels and loving every minute of it”? It Girl indeed.
LIFE
Events. Workshops. Headshots.
Facebook.com/TroyShots
THINGS TO WATCH What’s going on in the fashion world today
Dyed Hair:
It’s so hot right now Dyed hair, both seemingly natural and obviously not, is a hot trend right now. Brunettes like Kim Kardashian, are going for darker and deeper brown colors. Mila Kunis and other lighter colored brunettes are dying their tips lighter for an “ombre” look. Avril Lavigne’s pink and black highlights are spreading to less punk styled celebs as well. Now is the time to experiment with hair color if you have ever been curious! - Katherine Ostrowski
Breaking the Rules:
Marc Jacobs Ignored Age Limit and Uses 14-Year Old Models in his Runway Show Although Marc Jacobs’ 2012 fall collection at New York Fashion Week has received positive reviews, the American designer was criticized for using two 14-year old runway models in spite of the 16-year old age limit set by the Council of Fashion Designers for America (CFDA), a board on which Jacobs sits. Jacobs has defended choice by comparing the models to paid child actors and believes that if the parents give consent, there is nothing wrong with employing young models. - Rachel Brauer
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Who’s Next at Dior? French fashion house Dior, who dismissed designer John Galliano last year for making anti-Semitic remarks, has yet to announce the designer’s successor. Despite suspicions that Raf Simons, creative director for Jil Sander, or Marc Jacobs, creative director for two eponymous lines and Louis Vuitton, might assume the job, chairman Bernard Arnault announced that the suspense might last much longer than anticipated by the fashion world. - Rachel Brauer
Louboutin and the Red Sole Debate Hit the Nail on the Head
Christian Louboutin filed a lawsuit against French fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent, for designing a pair of pumps with red soles, a design aesthetic which Louboutin claims as his signature. It appears that the ruling will not be in Louboutin’s favor, however, because the court has not found reason for Louboutin to claim trademark protection for red soles. - Rachel Brauer
Spring is on its way and it’s time to put away that dark nail polish… at least for a little while. As your wardrobe shifts from heavy-duty sweaters to floral tank tops, don’t forget to give your nails an update too. And now more than ever there are countless nail trends that are both unique and inspiring. So put away your black, and break out some color. It’s springtime, baby! Tangerine: While some opt for hot pink when the weather heats up, tangerine polish is just as sizzling. Offering a bit more retro, and even more sophisticated vibe, the offbeat orange hue is the perfect accent to your spring break tan and looks fabulous with a pair of tan wedges. Pastel Blue and Green: Pastel shades practically scream spring and are a staple in not just your wardrobe, but also in your nail polish. And with a cool mint or sky blue color on your nails, your fingers will look dainty and fresh. Maybe it’s the chill vibes, or the fact that they make your hands look like Easter candy, either way there’s something about this trend that is truly sweet. Nude: While colors are always fun, it’s always nice to give your nails a break. Nude polishes are a timeless classic that truly never go out of style. Plus they will always match your outfit, no matter what crazy tribal print you decide to wear today. And paired with a glitter topcoat, they’re easily transitioned from day to night. - Elizabeth Pereira
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UPCOMING MUSIC:
nervO By Molly Leighton Don’t let their pretty faces fool you—Liv and Mim Nervo are all business. The Australian sisters of electro-house duo Nervo got an early start in the music industry when they began songwriting in their teens. Since then, Nervo has mostly lived in the shadow of their superstar clientele, having written for Britney, Beyonce, and Kesha. But since opening of Britney’s recent Femme Fatale tour, the DJ duo is now basking in their own spotlight. The sisters teamed up with Afrojack, Like Mike, and Dimitri Vegas to produce the hit track “The Way We See The World.” In October they released their first single “We’re All No One,” a catchy dance track featuring the mesmerizing vocals of none other
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than Liv and Mim themselves. Afrojack and Steve Aoki contributed their own remixes of “We’re All No One” on the likenamed album, thrusting the track into high demand. With a hefty list of impressive collaborations with artists like Avicii, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade, and Laidback Luke, it won’t be long before Nervo is considered among the greats. After killing it in the 2011 Identity tour, the duo’s possible appearance at Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival has generated a lot of buzz. As the sisters pump out more danceworthy tracks, they also continue to work with some of pop music’s biggest stars. And as if their talent wasn’t enough, the platinumblonde beauties have stunning
good looks and a crazy, edgy style that’s enough to drive a crowd wild. For these club-scene goddesses, the future of electronic pop has their name written all over it. Catch Nervo on their worldwide tour this spring, and check out their tracks “We’re All No One” and “Irresistible.” Source: nervomusic.com
Photographs from icangiveyou house.com (bottom) and Kirvin Doake Communications (top). LIFE 32 LIFE 18
LISTEN TO THIS
Who doesn’t have a soundtrack to their life? Here are some playlists to get you in the mood. BY KATHERINE OSTROWSKI
TAKE A SHOT Round up your girlfriends and get ready for an awesome night out. Here are the perfect songs to get you dancing and feeling sexy.
1. Give Me Everything (Tonight)- Pitbull feat. Neyo & Nayer
Its nothing new, but this song still gets me pumped for a night out!
2. Summer Weekend- Mashup by DJ Trademark
A great mashup including Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” and The Cataracs’ “Top of the World.”
3. Where Them Girls At- David Guetta feat. Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj
Perfect for getting all dolled up with a good group of friends.
4. One (Your Name)- Swedish House Mafia A great song to get you feeling sexy and ready to dance.
5. Levels- Avicii
Is there anyone, anywhere who does NOT love this song?
6. Sexy and I Know It- LMFAO
No one knows how to get you pumped for a party like LMFAO.
7. Beautiful People- Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi
I may not be able to dance like Chris Brown, but this song makes me want to try…
8. Nothing On You- N.E.R.D
A sexy song from the boys of N.E.R.D to start your night off.
9. Bass Down Low- Dev feat. The Cataracs The ultimate girls’ night out song.
10. Sorry for Party Rocking- LMFAO No apologies.
Work it Out It’s almost bikini season so it’s time to hit the gym and work on those new years’ resolutions! Here are some songs to get your blood pumping and motivate you to go get your sweat on:
break-up
1. Save the World- Swedish House Mafia Such a feel good song to get you motivated.
2. Pursuit of Happiness (Steve Aoki Dance Remix)- Kid Cudi
A great remix of a great song with an awesome beat courtesy of Steve Aoki.
3. We Found Love- Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris
It may be disgustingly overplayed but somehow I’m still not sick of this song.
4. Turn Me On- David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj Super catchy with a beat that will help get you through those last few reps.
5. Turn All The Lights On- T-Pain feat. Neyo
You might start dancing on the elliptical, but just try not to fall.
6. Get You Home (Party Rock Remix feat. LMFAO)- Shwayze
At first this is just another catchy song with a decent beat, but then you listen to the lyrics…
7. Memories (feat. Kid Cudi)- David Guetta
I love Kid Cudi and I love David Guetta so for me, this collaboration is heaven.
8. Paper Towels- Mashup by Kap Slap A great combination including La Roux, Britney Spears and Deadmau5.
9. Hey Baby (Drop It To The Floor)- Pitbull feat. T-Pain Perfect for pre-party getting ready as well as the gym, this song will make you want to move whether its on the dance floor or the treadmill.
10. Hangover- Taio Cruz feat. Flo Rida Perfect for a post weekend workout when you’re really regretting that last drink…or two.
We all do it. We may not admit but after a break up, girls obsess over every little aspect of the relationship: what went wrong, can I get him back, do I even want him back? But its time to stop thinking about the past and move on! That’s why this playlist is all about feeling good and not feeling sorry for yourself (sorry, no Adele). Divas like Beyoncé and The Pussycat Dolls don’t let anything or anyone bring them down. Use that mentality to turn your break up into a selfesteem make over.
1. I Don’t Need A Man – The Pussycat Dolls
This song should be your new anthem; Make it your ring tone, blast it in your car and anytime you think about going back to your ex.
2. Goodbye – Kristinia Debarge Any song that mentions: “I got that new I’m a single girl swag” should be playing on repeat. Put on your favorite outfit and go out with your girls.
3. I Look So Good (Without You) – Jesse James
Single girls have more time to take care of and improve themselves. Getting a pedicure with close friends feels better than fighting with your ex ever did.
4. Riding Solo – Jason Derulo
Often people in long-term relationships loose touch with who they are as individuals. Being single lets you rediscover yourself.
5. Irreplaceable – Beyoncé
Break ups are scary because girls sometimes think they won’t find anyone better. There are billions of people in this world. You will.
6. Single – Natasha Bedingfield
Don’t be worried about trying to find a new partner right away. Give yourself some time to enjoy your own company!
7. Don’t Hold Your Breath – Nicole Scherzinger
Delete your ex’s phone number, and block him on Facebook. It might seem overdramatic but you’ll be a lot happier without him popping up all over your newsfeed. Before you know it, you will be echoing Nicole’s lyrics: “If you think I’m coming back, don’t hold your breath.”
8. Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
Obviously trashing your ex’s car is illegal and immature but watching Carrie Underwood do it in her music video is extremely cathartic.
9. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyoncé
“All the single ladies, now put your hands up, up in the club, we just broke up, I’m doing my own little thing,” enough said.
10. Goodbye To You – Michelle Branch
Even if you ended the relationship, there must have been reasons deep down for your decision. Don’t second-guess your intuition.
OUT TO CHANGE THE WORLD Get to know USC’s Rachel Anderson.
BY KELLY BELTER
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At first glance, Rachel Anderson seems like the typical USC student—another girl going to classes, living her life, and managing to dress in that laidback but enviable California style through it all. But once she gets started, it’s apparent that Rachel is much more than you might first expect. She’s a medical student in USC’s prestigious Baccalaureate/MD program, which selects only a handful of students each year; she juggles a vibrant social life with the upcoming feat of Med. School; and she’s wonderfully opinionated—there’s no doubt she could hold her own in a debate. So, how does she manage everything going on in her life, and what’s going on with the girl who seems to have it all figured out? POSE: You come off as a very determined and ambitious person. What motivates you? RACHEL: I have asked myself this a bunch of times, and I honestly am not exactly sure. I think it is different for different things. My parents had to get up for work really early in the morning and they sometimes would have work until after school got out. This meant nobody was there to pack us lunches, dress us, wake us up, etc. My mom ended up making these checklists for us that had things on it like “wake up, brush teeth, get dressed, do homework”. If we were able to check off everything on our checklist we would get a little star sticker next to our name on this sheet of paper. If we went the whole week with complet-
ing our checklist, my mom would take us to ice cream or some other treat. It sounds so silly, but the motivation of getting that little star sticker I’m pretty sure is what started the whole idea of getting my stuff done and completing all my work in time! Haha, I’m pretty sure all that kinda stuff is only effective on kids. Once you start putting in the work and actually doing well, it gets kind of addictive, especially since not doing well feels so much worse.
a couple of years. This is totally understandable, but I think it would drive me crazy not being able to fix a fixable problem. With people, you are under oath to help somebody and to try as long as they are still willing to try. That kind of mantra just appeals to me a lot more. POSE: When did you first realize you had a passion for helping people? Is there some particular incident that sparked your interest?
RACHEL: In middle school POSE: That’s so true, there’s I started volunteering for a something about results, even if group called Saddle Pals. The it is just that star sticker at first. group is basically a nonprofit So, why medical school? that helps rehabilitate and provides therapy for children RACHEL: Both my parents and adults who have neuroare doctors, so I guess medical logical disorders ranging from school was a very natural thing learning disorders to cerebral for me to consider. I grew up palsy and autism. The experihanging out in hospitals with ence is unique in the sense that my siblings, playing with all the therapy is via horseback. the random stethoscopes and Participants groom and saddle tongue depressors left around up their own horse and then in extra exam rooms, so hosare given a lesson where they pitals kinda have this nostalgic practice listening to instrucfeeling to them. I’ve always tions and engaging in activities. known too that I wanted to do Originally I signed up because something that made someit was the only NCL approved body feel better and helped philanthropy in my area that other people. When I was a kid involved horses, but I ended up I didn’t think about how much realizing I enjoyed the riders money jobs made, just whether and their families substanor not I would like doing them. tially more. The dedication and Originally, I wanted to be a vet. patience the families had with I love animals and I’ve always each other was amazing, and wanted to help them. I realtheir appreciation for the orgaized one day though that in nization was equally inspiring. vet medicine, everything has I was so ignorant of disorders a price tag. If your 8-year-old like autism before Saddle Pals, dog has cancer and treatment is but the organization really going to cost $1000, hardly any- broke down those barriers for one is going to bother keeping me and made me realize how the family dog around for just amazingly strong people are. It
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was through Saddle Pals that I really realized that I wanted to help people and be a part of the solution to improve their lives. POSE: Have you ever had to deal with skepticism or prejudice because of the field you’ve chosen? RACHEL: It is both amazing to me and extremely frustrating that my answer to this question is “yes”. I didn’t realize before coming to USC that this would be an issue, but stereotypes and scripts definitely still exist and are perpetuated by faculty, students, friends, men, and women. Stereotypes are hard to overcome, and it would take a very narrow-minded and ignorant person to believe that we as a school and as a society have overcome them. POSE: How do you handle all of that? RACHEL: My initial response is, of course, to be mad. It never feels good for anybody to be undervalued or not taken seriously because of things they can’t control - be it race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Tons of my friends, guys and girls, and even adults have gawked at the fact that I want to be a doctor AND have a family (gasp!). In these cases I get extremely confused looks, am asked how I expect to not get a divorce, and am treated like I just told somebody I was going to fly to the moon and back all by myself. Even in my interview for BMD, I was asked what my feelings were and how I planned to balance my career goals with the
responsibilities of a family. My answer: guys have been doing it for centuries. I’m pretty sure I’ll just do it the same way they have. POSE: You’re in the Baccalaureate/MD (BMD) program here at USC—what exactly is that? RACHEL: It basically is an 8-year program that you apply to when you apply to USC. You do 4 years of undergraduate education to get your bachelor’s, jump through a few hoops like GPA requirements, MCAT requirements, and some volunteer requirements involved in the clinical aspect of medicine, research aspect, and education. If you meet the requirements, then after you graduate from USC you matriculate to Keck Medical School (USC’s medical school) for another 4 years. POSE: Do you have any definite “future plans?” RACHEL: The program pretty much sums up my future plans. I want to go to medical school. The program allows us to apply to different schools, so I will probably do that as well just to keep my options open. For now though, I have to really just focus on good grades and working on my MCAT before I make too many future plans. POSE: True, sometimes it’s nice to leave things open—like they say, “You never know!” So, on that note, was this always what you wanted to do, or did you have a different childhood “dream job?” RACHEL: I wanted to be a vet
[but] I think I went through other ideas like professional gymnast (I did gymnastics when I was little) and Olympic level equestrian rider. At one point I wanted to be an activist for improving the disgusting habits of the meat industry in America, kinda like Temple Grandin, but I think I’m too lazy for that kind of stuff. POSE: If you could be doing anything else with your life now, what would it be? RACHEL: Maybe be a supermodel. I’d love to get paid to work out and wear pretty clothes. POSE: That would definitely be a dream job! Plus, models get to travel a lot—Paris, New York, Milan…would you ever take a year off to travel? RACHEL: If I could, I would definitely love to travel. One of my regrets about college is that I haven’t had and won’t have the opportunity to study abroad, and I’ve only been abroad twice in my life. I thought about taking a year off after college to do this, but at that point I’m off the parental paycheck and I don’t have enough money on my own to do something like that. Even if I did, I should probably just put it towards medical school. I hear that’s kinda expensive. POSE: Haha, just a bit…But theoretically, if you could go anywhere it the world, where would it be? RACHEL: Literally EVERYWHERE. I think there is someCONTINUE ON PAGE 93
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Events. Workshops. Headshots.
Facebook.com/TroyShots
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STREET SHOTS
STREETS SHOTS
What are you wearing to class?
STYLE, MAN
Eddie Kim spills about the trials of being a fashionable dude
BY EDDIE KIM
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How can a guy be stylish? Easy question, right? Maybe it’s something simple, like throwing on a sharp-fitting t-shirt and pairing it with some slim black jeans and some bright basketball kicks. A suit is also an obvious choice, as long as it’s cut right and made from high quality materials and accented with a pair of sleek, buffed leather oxfords. Or maybe it’s all about creativity, with eclectic layers of garments and ballsy details: I saw a guy on Fairfax rocking a yellow blazer, cuffed-up white skinny jeans and black combat boots, with a slicked-back Skrillex cut as the final touch — sounds ridiculous, but it was shockingly impressive (just trust me). But here’s the thing: For the average guy, the concept of being “stylish” can be a perplexing one. Though some might have natural instincts to experiment, others are content in a USC sweatshirt and some cargo shorts. There’s a definite dichotomy between what’s “stylish” and how you actually achieve that look, and it’s an angle often overlooked in the fashion world. God knows that trying to “be stylish” can be a difficult — and often an awkward, and perhaps an intimidating — venture. I remember an impromptu trip to the mall way back when with some buddies; we had just finished up a session at the beach, and decided to wander by some shops. I slipped into a J.Crew, spotted a pair of faded-red club shorts and a navy blazer with classic gold buttons, and decided to try them on along with my own plain white t-shirt. It was definitely not a look familiar to me, but was similar to a getup I had seen in an issue of Esquire that featured new looks for summer. Looking in the mirror, I
found myself a little pleased: it was different, yes, but kind of cool. With a shrug, I stepped out of the dressing room.
ress, and sometimes a change in attitude towards fashion can be an enlightening, even confidencebuilding.
My friends waited outside, and within seconds, the “kind of cool” thoughts in my head vanished. They looked me up and down and immediately came to the conclusion that I looked ridiculous.
The elephant in the room is the strange relationship between men’s fashion and sexual orientation. A lot of straight guys still can’t help but be conscious of “looking gay,” which stupidly (and stereotypically) implies a) that there’s some sort of cohesive gay look and b) that “looking gay” is a bad thing.
“Are you serious?” one chortled. “Who wears red shorts? And why are they so short?” “Shorts are supposed to be short, you ass! It’s in the name!” I sputtered, trying to regain my cool. “I don’t know about wearing a blazer with shorts. And seriously, gold buttons?” another friend offered, somewhat less mockingly. “Gold buttons are like, a classic part of navy blazers, and I saw this sh-t in a magazine, man. Whatever. Alright, everyone shut it,” I replied, resigned and feeling less than dignified. I changed, we walked out of the store, and that was that. Looking back, I’ve experienced enough to state that the shortsblazer combo was pretty sharp, and if the same thing happened now, I’d just flip my friends the middle finger and go to the register. But the point stands: Trying new styles, or even just caring more about what you wear, can be uncomfortable, especially if friends and family have an idea of what you should look like to them. Judgment is everywhere, from the teasing of friends to the perplexed look of a parent. But here’s the thing: the point of get dressed every day should be about presenting the best version of yourself, the key terminology here being “yourself.” It’s always a weird transition into enjoying looking at cool clothes and suggesting a — gasp! — shopping trip on a lazy Saturday afternoon. But hell — we’re all works in prog-
As New York Times fashion writer David Colman pointed out in a 2005 article titled “Gay or Straight? Hard to Tell,” the connection between style and sexual orientation is rapidly fading, and people are caring less about fashion as an identifier of anything but personal taste. “What’s happening is that many men have migrated to a middle ground where the cues traditionally used to pigeonhole sexual orientation - hair, clothing, voice, body language - are more and more ambiguous,” Colman wrote. “Make jokes about it. Call it what you will: ‘gay vague’ will do. But the poles are melting fast.” “We have left the era when the defining line for men is one of sexual preference,” Marshal Cohen, the chief analyst of the NPD Group, which examines trends in fashion, told Colman. “Now, it’s either ‘I want to be stylish’ or ‘I don’t.’” Fast forward seven years and it appears that these statements are truer than ever. Male pop cultural stars, coveted by women and men both, are rocking everything from brightly tinted cardigans (Dwyane Wade) to women’s leopard-print jeggings (Lil’ Wayne). Though the latter might be a bit of an extreme example, it still proves there’s really no consequence to having a little courage and trying
CONTINUE ON PAGE 93 LIFE 32
INTERVIEW ATTIRE
How to look professional without losing your personal style
BY KANDACE COOK
33 POSE
It’s job-hunting season! Now that you’re sending applications and resumes to anyone with an email, it’s time to think about what to where when you get called in for an interview. Of course a good suit is always classic and professional but some industries may be looking for a little more creativity and personality in your outfit. Here are some ideas for what to wear for different jobs, but always remember: it has to fit!
Grey Blazer: Elizabeth & James Snake Print Skirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs Red Dress: Cynthia Steffe Blouse: Equipment Burdundy Shoes: Sam Edelman
BIG CORPORATIONS If you’re interviewing at a big business where you’ll be working in a formal office setting like a bank or law firm, stick to the basics but add a personal touch. Opt for a pencil skirt and blazer in neutral colors but add a splash of color with a printed or solid bright blouse. Keep jewelry classic, nothing distracting. You want to be taken seriously and that’s not going to happen if your heels are too high for you to walk normally or your cleavage is hanging out.
FASHION MAGAZINES, STYLISTS AND DESIGNERS Here is your chance to go all out. To work in the fashion industry you have to know the fashion industry and the best way to show that knowledge is by wearing it. Look to current hot trends for ideas. Consider the new styles of trousers in a print or a great color paired with a silk top, blazer and killer heels. Or go for a single piece with a sculptural, tailored dress. The thing to remember is that you need to be comfortable and it needs to look good. You might be wearing an outfit hot off the runway but if you’re not confident in it, you’re interviewer will notice.
ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS In these types of jobs you’re expected to have a bit more creativity than the bankers and lawyers but that doesn’t mean throwing professionalism out the window. You can play around with prints and colors but keep skin exposure appropriate. Feel free to include current trends in your outfit as long as you still look polished. Try pairing a printed skirt (of an appropriate length) with a bright silk blouse and a great pair of contrasting shoes. You want to be noticed for your style and personality.
LIFE 34
www.somethinghealthy.net
BEAUTY
WHEN TEENS GO PLASTIC The lengths that girls are willing to get to get the perfect look. How far is too far?
BY PAIGE COOLEY AND KATHERINE OSTROWSKI
In our society, especially in Los Angeles, where images of “perfection” are plastered everywhere you turn your head, it’s not uncommon young girls to criticize or consider changing a part of their body. What is surprising is the number of young people who actually consider going under the knife as a solution for what they consider to be their flaws. Thirty-seven percent of men and women between the ages of 18 and 24 consider getting plastic surgery according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. But in this day and age where girls get boob jobs as high school graduation presents, its really not that shocking that college students in this age bracket are the most likely to go under the knife. While doctors have seen a decrease in younger patients in
tation costs between $5,000 and $7,000, according to Dr. Dubin, depending on an individual’s body and desired size. Rhinoplasties, on the other hand, start at a hefty $7,500 and work their way up to over $10,000 depending on how much patient wants to change. Men and women are equally divided on plastic surgery: 53% of women and 49% of men approve of these procedures. But what do real college students have to say about the issue? At the University of Southern California, students are just as divided. “It’s a win-win situation,” said USC junior Annie Nalesnik. “If it makes someone feel better and is not ridiculously overdone, then there is nothing to lose.” Supporters of plastic surgery, like Annie, claim that altering features men and women are insecure about has lasting positive
emotionally developed enough to make these decisions,” maintained Nooh. Individuals that oppose plastic surgery argue that many ultimately regret their decision or have unrealistic expectations about what the surgery will make them look like. “In the end you’re doing yourself a disservice; you look fake. You don’t look natural,” explained Nooh. But what do men think? The male population is constantly bombarded with unrealistic, airbrushed images of beauty: Maxim models with photo-shopped bust-waist-hip proportions and celebrities with personal trainers and fitness plans that spend 4 hours in hair and make-up before a photo shoot. Does the modern formula of beauty influence men to be more supportive of plastic surgery?
It’s a win win situation. If it makes someone feel better and is not ridicuous overdone. recent years, most likely due to the state of the economy, rhinoplasties (nose jobs) and breast augmentations are still the two most common procedures among young people. Dr. Bruce Dubin, a plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California, estimates that while only 10% of his patients are between the ages of 18 and 24, rhinoplasties and breast augmentations make up 90% of all surgeries among patients within this age group. But these operations come at a price. On top of a lengthy recovery period of physical discomfort, irritability, and activity restrictions, the procedures are not cheap. A typical breast augmen-
effects to his or her self-esteem. But we should also consider the effects of our looks conscious society and the impossible standards of beauty it sets for young women. The changing definition of beauty creates insecurities that women may not have felt 30 years ago. USC senior Dina Nooh believes individuals with body image issues serious enough to consider plastic surgery should seek counseling and give themselves time to mature before undergoing such drastic procedures. “When you’re younger, you’re not mature enough to make the decision to change your face or body. By 18, you’re fully developed physically but you are not
--Annie Nalesnik “Elective cosmetic surgery… seems unnatural to me,” said USC junior Jeremy Novick. “Personally, I find myself more attracted to a natural-looking girl.” Many men agree with Novick that plastic surgery is unnatural and therefore unattractive. However, the type of operation matters. “I would approve of a nose job over breast augmentation because this is something that is seen every single day,” said USC senior Michael Lewis. A breast augmentation is more controversial because it relates to sexual attractiveness and men have very diverse viewpoints on the subject. While some prefer an increased breast size regard-
CONTINUE ON PAGE 93
Red Moleskine Journal to jot down ideas on the go
Urban Decay de-slick compact
WHAT’S MY BAG?
Strawberry Chapstick
IN
Head Stylist Kiko Zang lets us take a peak inside her bag
Bally wallet
Keep Calm and Carry On
Button Mirror
Bach Rescue Remedy (flower essence for stress relief) Tide pen
Mini Hair Comb
Refresh eyedrops
A little can of mints from a Yelp event
Givenchy Make-Up Bag BEAUTY 40
www.somethinghealthy.net Something Healthy速 merchandising contributes to a cleaner planet for future generations which teaches eco-friendly, reusable, and recyclable solutions to help reduce pollution and protects our environment.
SUPERWOMAN Striking. Smart. Strong. Sassy. Get into the superwoman spirit with these three looks inspired by the power that we hold. Make-up by Whitney Brooks and Molly Leighton. Hair by Whitney Brooks and Sheridan Watson. Photography by Elena Hutchinson.
Robin wears color tattoo by Maybeline and Smashbox eye shadow, Revol lipstick and Maybelline Great las mascara. Foudation by MAC
43 POSE
Brenna wears color tattoo by Maybelline eye shadow, Kohl eyeliner by Maybelline, lipstick by Nars. Foundation by Maybelline
BEAUTY 44
Dinya wears color tattoo by Maybelline eye shadow, Nars bronzer and foundation by Chanel and Revlon
GET THE LOOK Get these Superwoman looks by following simple step-by-step instructions!
POISON IVY 1. Completely douse your lids with a teal green high-density gel pigment shadow, leaving some space under your brow 2. Extend the color in a rounded fashion about a centimeter past your inner corners, as well as well past your brow on the outer edges 3. Use a glossy black gel or liquid liner to draw a thin line across your top lash line 4. Create a new line that dips slightly then wings to the outer edge of your shadow for a scalloped “leafy� effect 5. Dab on a matte pink lip and black mascara for the ultimate seductive effect
CATWOMAN
1. Heavily cover your entire lid with a highdensity pigment gel eye shadow in a deep royal blue 2. Blend up a little past the crease, and extend the outer corners with a huge wing that reaches past the end of your brow 3. Line top and bottom lash lines with an eyeliner that matches the color of your shadow 4. Using the same liner, outline the shape of your wing for definition 5. Sweep a light, sheer, shimmery blue shadow under your brow, and blend slightly onto the dark lid 6. Dab the light shadow into the inner corners to reflect the light 7. End with a glossy red lip and black mascara, and you’re ready for a catfight! * tip: fill in your brows with a dark brown shadow or brow pencil for a more heavily defined overall look
FLASH
1. Begin by dusting a shimmery highlighting powder to the apples of your cheeks, nose, and forehead 2. Use a wet brush to smear a light neutral shadow over your entire lid for a dewey look 3. Starting above your brow, use your finger to create a vertical lightning-bolt shaped line of dark gold shadow on the outer edge of your eye and brow 4. Continue to make lightning-bolt lines in alternating shades of gold, yellow, and bright orange down the length of the eye, starting above the brow each time 5. Liberally apply a shimmery white shadow to the inner corners, outer corners, and below the lower lash line 6. Apply a nude lipstick, and dab your gold shadow onto the centers of both the upper and bottom lip 7. One light coat of black mascara and you’re flying into the sun!
BEAUTY 48
WHAT LIES BENEATH
There’s a fine line between enough makeup and too much — and guys know.
BY SEAN FITZ-GERALD
There’s a girl in one of my classes — let’s call her Marla — that I find quite attractive.
But as with anything in excess, too much makeup is a detriment — and a noticeable one at that.
What sets Marla apart for me is that she’s unique: She doesn’t have any of the frills associated with typical USC girls.
It goes without saying, but guys will always find girls that have a good sense of natural beauty attractive. If you don’t need makeup, don’t abuse it.
She doesn’t wear too much makeup to class, and she doesn’t dress like she’s either going clubbing or pretending to go to the gym afterward. She looks natural; it seems like she doesn’t try too hard to impress anybody. A couple of weeks ago, however, I ran into her at an off-campus party. One of our mutual friends was having a birthday party — the festivities of which included dancing, drinking games and a moon bounce. Marla had gotten there before me, and she hadn’t wasted any time enjoying herself. By the time I had gotten there, she had hit up the dance floor and the moon bounce — sufficiently. The result, when I saw her, was a goopy concoction of sweat and makeup. I don’t know why, but for whatever reason, Marla had deviated from her usual look and had excessively dolled herself up. To put the problem simply: The Marla at the party didn’t look anything like the Marla I had class with. And the stark contrast was a huge turnoff. That being said, makeup can be a girl’s best friend as well as their worst enemy. In the right amounts, makeup can make girls with baby faces look more mature. Makeup can also cover up blemishes and flaws that would otherwise — thanks to our society’s superficial and judgmental ideals — make girls look unattractive. Makeup is supposed to be a beauty enhancer.
Drizzy can vouch for me: Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on. That’s when you’re the prettiest, I hope that you don’t take it wrong. Obviously, you can’t go to The Row or to the club in your sweat pants. But the idea here is most girls don’t need to conceal their beauty behind so many layers of makeup. Maybe it’s self-consciousness. Maybe it’s a friend leading you astray (“Let me do your eye shadow!”). Or maybe it’s something else. Whatever it is, here are a few things guys notice — all of which we are not fans of: 1. RACCOON EYES These are one of the first things we notice. Many girls are guilty of applying too much eyeliner, resulting in the raccoon look (self-explanatory). The big, round, black circles around the eyes can be off-putting and, in some cases, quite scary. 2. THE SHINING Too much liquid base can sometimes give girls a phony luster, which is, more often than not, unbecoming. This milkiness repels because it looks sweaty, and it gives off the impression that you might be as fake as your makeup — what exactly are you trying to hide? 3. TWO TONE Girls with darker complexions are typically the main offenders here. If your neck and your arms are
noticeably darker than your face (colored in with paler or lighter tones), it makes your head look like it belongs to someone else’s body. 4. CAKE Nothing is worse than caking it on so heavily we can see the thickness of your foundation. If we want to play with Silly Putty, we can buy that at a toy store. We also don’t want any of your excess rubbing off on us. 5. MASCARY This one’s subtler, but it is, for lack of a better term, gross. When it looks like you have clumpy, prong-like eyelashes, it also errs on the side of trashiness. 6. SHOW GIRLS If you’re not going to a photo shoot, you needn’t prep like you are. Gaudy lipstick and brightcolored eye shadow: Why? It’s understandable that girls want to stand out with their looks at a huge school like USC. But going crazy with the war paint just makes you become another face in a sea of foundation, concealer and blush. The girls that catch our eyes are the ones that know when enough is enough. They’re the girls who look like they don’t need makeup — even if they’re actually wearing some. During class, girls seem to put on a sparing amount of makeup, but then at night the situation gets out of control. The minimalist approach — some eyeliner, light eye shadow, mascara and blush — is what I, and a lot of my friends, find most attractive. There’s something about natural beauty that we, as guys, really appreciate.
BEAUTY 50
®
.com
Fashionable, Feminine, Flirty!
Ice Girl Danièle wearing the Off the Shoulder Dress by Simply Sporty
proudly wear
Sport Your Team in Style! SimplySporty.com
STYLE
FREE SHIPPING AND DEBT
BY NIKKI THAN
53 POSE
It’s 12:30 PM, and I’m in class attempting to concentrate. However, fifteen minutes in I minimize my notes to survey the room full of laptop screens: Facebook, Facebook, Gmail, Blackboard, and then— Forever21. I think to myself, It has been a while since I last bought some nice, new clothes. And then I frown. I forgot I was broke. Immediately I begin reasoning with myself. If I don’t have any money, then I won’t buy anything. It’s okay to just look. With this point, I quiet my conscience and find myself on the clothing retailer’s website. I click around, browsing through shirts, bottoms, dresses, and finally accessories. I’m still on track with “just looking”. But the longer I sit there, the more sites that pop into my mind. Bypassing my better judgment, my fingers seem to type by themselves: Aldo. I look around and begin going through the list of boots. As I scroll down the page, my heart freezes. Heaven parts, the angels sing, my ears are ringing, for there they are in all their shining beauty—the boots I’ve been coveting since Christmas. They’re on sale from $140 to $60. I gulp, zoom in on every angle, and examine every contour: the heel, the shape, the supple leather—everything. All at once I’m elated and disappointed. You have no money. But I’ve wanted those boots for three months. But you have no money. But I want them. I click the drop-down box on the website and confirm my worst fear: The boots are available in my shoe size. Immediately any doubt is erased from my mind. This must be a sign from God. After this purchase I really will be broke, but these boots are destined for me. Without further hesitation, I click “add to cart” and complete my purchase. Little did I know that I was becom-
ing part of a worldwide epidemic. Although at that point, I would have never considered myself to have a shopping “addiction,” as I began to reconsider my spending habits, I realized that my buying had gotten out of control. That loss of control has a lot to do with the Internet. With the establishment of online shopping, the ease of purchasing has become so high that those who wouldn’t typically buy an item in a store find themselves ordering the same item on Amazon. This ease has made the Internet a shopaholic’s worst nightmare. If online shopping has elevated the stakes of compulsive shopping, can online shopping be considered its own addiction? Compulsive shopping, shopping addiction, or, scientifically, omniopania, has been affecting buyers since the world’s first transaction. Most people think of shopaholics as vain, usually female, junkies who have nothing better to do than spend money. To most, these people are spoiled and don’t deserve an ounce of pity. Rarely is a shopaholic taken seriously as a disordered individual, and most do not consider shopping addiction to be of the same caliber as alcoholism, drug addiction, or gambling. To the majority, a shopping addiction is just a “rich person’s problem.” But can compulsive shopping really be a disorder? There are many people who say “yes.” I’ve asked a lot of my friends, family, fellow classmates, and coworkers, and they seem to agree: compulsive shopping—especially online shopping—is an addiction. Furthermore, experts have found that online shopping is actually addictive to compulsive shoppers. It gives them variety, extensive information about a multitude of products, the ability to buy without guilt, avoidance of social interactions, and still gives the same buyer’s-high.
Furthermore, because secrecy motivates online shopping, and secrecy is the common trait among addictive behaviors, it is appropriate to label online shopping as an addictive disorder. If this is true, then how can we prevent online shopping from getting out of control? Here are some tips that I personally follow in order to curb my compulsions. First, I make sure I know how much money I have in my account. Often times, a simple click makes it too tempting for people to order without realizing they might not even have enough money to cover the cost. Second, I compose amonthly budget for online shopping, retail shopping, bills, groceries, etc. And if there’s something I was going to get at a store that I find cheaper online, then I can deduct from my retail shopping allowance to keep my budget in order. Third, I NEVER save my credit card information on any website. It makes it too easy to buy something, and, although it’s convenient, you end up buying a lot of things you don’t need. Lastly, I always ask myself, “Do I really need this?” If you stick to these steps, you should be able to save yourself from a full-on online shopping addiction. If you find that you have an online shopping addiction that can’t be helped by the above tips, you may want to seek out professional help. Some useful sites are shopaholicsanonymous.org or addictionhelpcenter.com. Many of us are compulsive shoppers, and online shopping is a dangerous factor to add to the situation. So, if you do decide to shop online, then cut back on in-store shopping. Keep yourself in check, and your spending will stay under control.
STYLE 54
3 WAYS TO WEAR
Mariah wears a Riller and Fount LBD, shrug from LF, hat from Urban Outfitters Mariah wears a Riller and Fount LBD, leather jacket from ONLY, Versace clutch, vintage shoes
Mariah wears a Riller and Fount LBD, vintage jacket, shoes and skirt
LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Mariah wears an H&M maxi skirt, shirt by Banana Republic
Mariah wears an H&M maxi skirt, vintage denim vest, H&M earrings
MAXI SKIRT
Mariah wears an H&M maxi skirt, shirt by Aerie, Marc by Marc Jacobs backpack
STYLE 56
RED CARPET ROUND-UP Red Carpets offer the opportunity for our
favorite stars to show us what they’ve got.
BY ASHER FELDMAN
K R I S T E N W I G G
Kristen Wigg is one of those sneaky sexy types. Watching her on Saturday Night Live or in Bridesmaids makes you laugh, but if you take her out of the comedic element — where she’s running circles around the best of the male segment of this generation — she’s got a very specific and attractive look. This look at the Golden Globes, however, wasn’t one of her best. Wigg’s got really sharp features, and really can pull any look off (see the “Dick in a Box” video), but this just doesn’t do it for me. The dress is too close to her skin color, and it just looks strange. Her hair, which is the best part about this look, is so starkly different from her skin color that every thing else kind of looks as if it’s one color. That bow-type thing that holds the dress together below the neckline is weirdly frumpy too. Grade: C+
R I H A N N A
A
D
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Listening to Adele’s music can turn even the toughest, grittiest guys into blubbering, sobbing idiots. The “Someone Like You” singer brings it every time on stage. At the Grammys, where she cleaned up with six victories, Adele brought it on the red carpet, too. This dress, combined with the elegant hair and makeup tells it like it is to guys — you’re going to respect her. Adele is straight-forward, listening to any of the songs on “21” where she rips a guy who broke her heart apart will tell you that much, and the appearance she put on at the Grammy’s certainly lives up to that personality. Can’t say the sparkly nature of the dress completely rounds out the look well, I’d have certainly responded better to less in that department, but the look appeals to the glamour and style more mature guys are looking for.
Grade: B+
Some times you have to wonder how Rihanna looks so good all the time. She can do crazy with the best of the generation — especially in her music videos — and, yet, when she came to the Grammy’s in this more elegant, but still incredibly sexy, black dress I’m sure she turned heads all the way down the red carpet. Guys of course can’t take their eyes off of the plunging neckline, but there’s plenty more here. The little things Rihanna tends to do really bring her to the top of plenty of guys’ “lists.” The arm bracelet, clutch and shoes are certainly stylish on their own, but that hair. Damn. The shoulder-length blonde Kate Hudson look always does it for me.
Grade: A
N A T A L I E P O R T M A N
After claiming Oscar glory while eight months pregnant last year, Natalie Portman returned to the Oscars this year looking as if she had been pulled out of a 1950’s magazine with a polka-dotted number that worked perfectly for Portman. The timeless look of the dress certainly speaks volumes about the timeless beauty Portman has. Combine that with a stunning necklace and a classic hairstyle, the red carpet look was classic Portman, and believe me, there’s nothing wrong with classic Natalie. Grade: A-
R B
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S R
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Rose Byrne has surprising versatility as an actress. Roles in everything from the horror flick 28 Weeks Later to the summer’s biggest comedy in Bridesmaids, Byrne can bring it on the screen. Her appearance at the SAG awards, however, was a somewhat mixed bag. We can definitely start at the bottom and work our way up, because the bell-bottom look isn’t quite working here. It’s hard to tell what the thought process here was. Perhaps a modern take on a distinctly ‘70s look? It’s especially weird because the top looks promising, from the hair to the actually quite nice looking way the dress falls on her shoulders. If it were actually a dress at the bottom, this might actually be one of my favorites of the bunch, instead the combination just strikes me as odd. Grade: B-
S h a i l e n e W o o d l e y Before Shailene Woodley had a break out role in The Descendants, she was perhaps best known for her role in the ABC Family drama The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Before the film, she was a wellkept secret of her own among Hollywood’s young group of over-exposed stars. Perhaps this dress should have been kept a secret as well. There really is nothing much that redeems the odd pairing of the color and the seemingly randomly placed flowers around the dress’s outer layer. Truthfully it’s hard to tell what she was going for with this, and it’s too bad, because Woodley is a talented and attractive young actress with a promising career — she just seems to be having a difficult time fitting in fashion wise. Grade: C-
a n g e l i n a j o l i e
M I C H E L L E W I L L I A M S
Michelle Williams is adorable. Ask any guy to describe her, and if you get an honest answer, you’ll probably get that. At the SAG awards, though, she might have taken that a bit too far. As an actress, Williams can be a powerhouse. She’s never taken the easy way out for so-called “cute” actresses and done sappy romantic comedies or any schlock. So the precocious look somewhat belies her usual style; it seems a little too childish and grown up at the same time. The color screams sexuality, but the look overall just doesn’t. The weird lace flower thing going on at the shoulder level also doesn’t really make sense. Let’s not be confused here, Michelle Williams is one of the more beautiful actresses today, I mean, she pulled off Marilyn’s look with ease. But this combination just doesn’t work for me. Grade: B
Rare is it that an extremity is so widely discussed as Angelina Jolie’s right leg was on Oscars night. But it was no accident. Jolie’s stunning black number that strutted down the red carpet and then was highlighted once again when she got on stage to present a few awards did everything right for Jolie’s slender figure, and admittedly stunning legs. True, The Descendants’ Jim Rash made fun of this very pose later in the night, but it must have been as a form of flattery, because Jolie pulls the look, the color and the stance off. This isn’t exactly a risky look for Jolie, but it’s still eye-catching and perfectly Jolie-esque. Grade: A-
E S
m m t o n
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Ordinarily, it’s hard to find a bigger Emma Stone fan than myself. Funny and smart by all accounts and capable of playing ditzy as well as anyone in the business these days, Stone just does it for me. It’s disappointing, then, when she shows up to an awards show like this. This doesn’t exactly scream sex appeal, and yes, it doesn’t seem like that was the intention, but the dress doesn’t say much of anything about Stone at all. It seems like she’s stuck between some elegant dress with a lavish train and something that’s going for risqué with the odd neckline holes. And by not fully embracing either, she embraces neither, and this kind of just skates by without being very impactful. Grade: C+
I Feel
Pretty
Why, hello gorgeous. Bounce into the new season with looks inspired by all things girly. Spring is a time to indulge in your inner femininity, so break out the curling iron, dab on the lipstick and let’s party like it’s 1955. Bows, pink and flowers oh my! Make-Up by Molly Leighton and Whitney Brooks. Hair by Molly Leighton and Sheridan Watson. Styling by Sheridan Watson. Photography by Elena Hutchinson
63 POSE
HELLO BOYS
On preivious page: Niki wears an Ark&Co. dress, Nordstrom Headband; Theresa wears a Moon Collection dress, vintage necklace, earrings by H&M This page: Thomaz wears the “Ludlow” suit by J.Crew, tie by Hugo Boss, belt by Calvin Klein, shoes by Cole Haan; Reed wears a suit by Tommy Hillfiger, shirt by Merona, tie by J.Crew, shoes by Stacyadams
STYLE 64
Niki wears a LovelyGirl dress; Theresa wears an Audrey tank underneath an Oxford Circus button down, Cotton Candy shorts, xhileration headband and sunglasses
LA DOLCE VITA They say real woman have curves. Well, if they look anything like the beautiful Whitney Brooks, then sign us up. Join us at the beautiful Stage estate in Bel Air as we celebrate the return of all woman. Hair and Make-Up by Diana Dadgar. Styling by Christine Cheung and Sheridan Watson. Photography by Carlo Acenas and Elena Hutchinson
Whitney wears an ASOS dress, H&M earrings
Whitney wears a Nordstroms bustier, vintage necklace
Whitney wears a Victoria’s Secret dress, shoes by Bakers
STYLE 78
Anna wears an American Apprel dress, vest by Barneys, necklaces by H&M; Callie wears a Stranger Danger tank, Burberry cuff, H&M ring, LF leggings
Big Girls Don’t Cry Who said girls can’t be tough? Join us in Venice Beach as we show the boys who’s really boss Photography by Carlo Acenas and Elena Hutchinson Make-Up by Molly Leighton Styling by Diana Dadgar and Sheridan Watson
Callie wears a 36.5 Degrees top, vintage Levi’s cutoffs; Anna wears an H&M skirt as a top, Forever 21 leggings, vintage jean jacket
STYLE 82
Callie wears an American Apparel tank, bangle by Aldo, leather wrap bracelet by Madewell, leggings by American Apparel, Converse sneakers; Anna wears a Converse ONesstar shirt, vintage Levi’s cutoffs, Urban Outfitters boots
Callie wears H&M sequined shorts, a Piko 1988 top, vintage booties, Alexander McQueen scarf, Anna wears a Stranger Danger tank, vest by Gap, H&M sequined skirt, vintage booties
MODELS AND SELF ESTEEM BY SAMARA SLATER
The fashion industry’s preoccupation with thinness is an issue that is central to the lives of young women living in Western society. We are bombarded with advertisements that showcase flawless, attractive men and women – but this is not reality. I believe that there is no such thing as ideal beauty – it does not exist. Real beauty, that is, uniqueness and individuality, is what truly matters. And this is what society should learn to value versus perfectly proportioned human figures. In addition, people need to remind themselves that the superfluous amount of images presented by the media have all been photo shopped to a great extent. This subsequently affects the way people, especially adolescent girls, perceive themselves and their appearance; they constantly compare themselves to these unrealistic images, resulting in decreased self-esteem and poor body image. The fashion and modeling industry specifically are the principal influential factors in the lives of adolescent girls. The fashion industry portrays an inaccurate standard of beauty. Modeling is by no means a way to achieve self-esteem. Developing self-esteem is accomplished through the acceptance of oneself – that is, for all of one’s imperfections and shortcomings. Once this is accomplished, that is when the real beauty shines through. Being confident in oneself is the message that adolescent girls, as well as women of all ages should be receiving. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and positive body image should be the main concern for teenage girls and young women living in Western society. People come in a variety of shapes and sizes and it is our responsibility to embrace this diversity. A size 2 is not a prerequisite for beauty and perfection. Whitney Thompson, the first plus-sized, or full-figured, model to win
the title of America’s Next Top Model, advocates for the acceptance of all sizes of women in the fashion industry. One of the judges, Paulina Porizkova, summed up the finale perfectly when she said to Whitney, “this should not be called plus-sized or full-figured, this should just be called beautiful.” What most people are not aware of in the fashion industry is that models themselves are constantly criticized for their appearance. Fashion companies and modeling agencies have a goal maintaining their image and finding a model that is capable of upholding their image and representing their company. Models are constantly put under the pressure of maintaining a slim frame in order to obtain career opportunities, such as being booked for a runway show or posing in a photo shoot. This is a misconception about the modeling industry – many models suffer from low levels of self-esteem due to the incessant criticisms they face. However, this is the price they must pay for their careers. Models are paid to portray positive and confident individuals, however, they are simply “conveying” an emotion to attract the public’s attention and bring business for the company they are promoting. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show provides a prime example of how models are negatively influencing self-esteem and body image of adolescent girls. These sexy, long-limbed, fat-free models represent the epitome of how the modeling industry is contributing to the detriment of women’s self-perception and self-worth. This issue of the thinness of models extends to top-designer runway shows, which tend to be displaying emaciated models. Plus Model Magazine, which is a fashion magazine that focuses on the world of plus-sized models, stated in their January issue, “most runway models meet the Body Mass Index criteria for anorexia
nervosa.” In a provocative photo shoot juxtaposing a plus-sized model and very slim runway model, the people of Plus Model Magazine brought attention to this serious issue of weight and appearance. In addition, the difference in body weight between thin runway models and regular women has worsened in the past few decades – as stated in Plus Model Magazine, “twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today she weighs 23% less.” Prominent plus-size model Crystal Renn has a unique perspective on the fashion and modeling industry’s obsession with size and thinness. During an interview on the Today Show, Renn expressed her ideas about what changes should be undertaken in the fashion and modeling world to portray a healthier image to women around the world. Renn explains that in her realm of the modeling industry, she is “plus what the norm is.” In other words, if the “normal” or ideal height and weight for a model is 5’11 and 115 pounds, then a model who is 5’9 and weighs 150 (the current measurements of Renn’s body) is considered to be “plus.” There is a discrepancy between what the public considers plus size and what the modeling industry considers plus size. Renn’s ultimate message is that beauty should not be defined by pant size. Most importantly, Renn believes that in order for the fashion and modeling industries to evolve in the right direction, labels such as “straight-size” and “plus-size” should be abolished. She wishes to establish a time and place in which models are “simply called models,” regardless of their height and weight. One model in particular is taking the modeling industry in a completely new direction. Former model Katie Halchishick, is on a mission to transform the way adolescent girls perceive themselves and their bodies.
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STORIES CONTINUED RACHEL ANDERSON (cont.) thing interesting to see in every country. Right now I think I’d like to go to Italy. I’ve never been so I think that’s where I would start. POSE: Finally, if you could go back and give your freshmanself one piece of advice, what would it be? wew RACHEL: Be more proactive. Nothing is set in stone your freshman year, so if you don’t like it, change it. STYLE, MAN (cont.) something different. It seems a little weird that many of us are happy to settle with one of the most visible elements of our personalities: clothes. At least for me, the hesitation had more to do with being scared of judgment more than with not caring about how I looked. But all the evidence today suggests that putting extra care into how you look has more benefits than downsides. Sound doubtful? Well, there’s always this: my girlfriend sure seems to appreciate it. PLASTIC SURGERY (cont.) less of the operation, others are turned off by the unnaturalness of a breast augmentation or any cosmetic operation at all. “Women should not get plastic surgery just to please someone else,” said Nalesnik. According to an actual plastic surgery patient, USC Junior Rachel Schumann, her nose job
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gave her a positive, self esteem boost. Rachel had her nose done after her high school graduation after she endured years of teasing: “It started in 9th grade; I was teased for my ‘beak;’ people made fun of me for looking like a crow.” When asked if the surgery was worth the $8,000 it cost and an uncomfortable recovery, Rachel said that it was “totally worth it. If I hadn’t gotten it done, I know for a fact that I would still be insecure with my appearance. Gaining a new confidence has given me the fulfillment I didn’t have in high school and has changed my personality for the better.” Obviously plastic surgery is a huge controversy in our society, and college students feel no differently. Every opinion is out there, whether in favor of the procedures, or against, with no clear majority. But with the recent decrease in cosmetic surgeries for young people for economic reasons lead to a change opinion if the option simply isn’t there? Or will economic improvements mean the numbers will go back up as soon as possible? Either way, it doesn’t seem like the plastic surgery debate will end any time soon.
With the help of the public, I believe that Halchishick’s modeling agency for natural, real women will become very prominent in the fashion and modeling industries. This is an innovative and completely different approach to modeling that has the potential to transform the entire industry and take the world of fashion in a positive direction that reflects all different kinds of beauty. Like fashion, beauty is not one-dimensional, and like personality, body shapes are unique to every individual. Normal is a term that should not be confined to specific dimensions of height and weight. In order for the fashion industry to begin to shift its focus to more healthylooking women, the public must first start to focus their attention on and celebrate the appearance of these types of women. A challenge to achieving this goal is to eliminate the confusion adolescent girls face when it comes to looking at models in the media and then perceiving their own appearance. The fashion industry needs to glamorize and highlight women who are bigger than a size 2 to help young women realize that beauty is not defined by what pant size you wear, but who is wearing the pants.v
SELF ESTEEM (cont.) Halchishick is the founder of Natural Model Management – a unique modeling agency that “values models and their natural body build and body size and encourages models to find a healthy balance in life and in their bodies.” Her campaign, “Healthy is the New Skinny,” aims at helping young women foster a positive self-perception, increase their self-esteem and live a balanced and healthy life.
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