Vol. 03 Issue 1
DON’T PUT ME ON HOLD!
MAGAZINE
SEASON
F/W 2020
SZN MAGAZINE est. 2018
EDITOR IN CHIEF Erin Huston DIRECTORS CREATIVE DESIGN: Kameryn Moore EDITORIAL: Rin McNutt FINANCE: Carrick Moon MARKETING: Connor Garcia COMMUNICATIONS: Lily Friedrich PHOTOGRAPHY: Sara Mantich MERCH & STYLING LEAD STYLISTS Jack Boardman Arianne Dora Autumn Brandt Isabella Conner Lexie Porter STYLISTS Anna Gebhardt Carley Divish Georgia Manges Kate Mojica Neely Branham Shaya Abbaspour Varsha Anand MAKEUP Delaney Nidiffer CREATIVE DESIGN LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGN Chloe Lambert Alexus Joiner Jade Kern Ethan Moore Kameryn Moore (Director) Nyssa Qiao Jordan Wallman Lydia Yong WEB DESIGN Alisha Nathani EDITORIAL Piper Dafforn Mia Galante Swarna Gowtham Rachael Moore Kayla Pallotto Bailey Roulo MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC RELATIONS Cathy Sie Arianna Weisberg DATABASE MANAGER Hali Lucas EVENT PLANNER Stanlee Yurks SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS Emily Kelley Chloe Foster-Storch Jannica Serayphea CONTENT CREATOR Caterina DeSantis PHOTOGRAPHY Lucas Bishop Meredith Ho Regan Jones Sara Mantich (Director) Courtney Schultz Lilly Thomas Isabelle Trusty 2 |
DON’T PUT ME ON HOLD! T
he past few months have been hectic, to say the very least. We have had to experience what it is like living in an international pandemic for the first time ever, and at times it feels as though our lives have been brought to a standstill. Being at home more has led to an increased consumption of media and information, making us hyper aware of what is happening at all times throughout the world. The weight of this knowledge can oftentimes be soul-crushing. The world’s problems can seem so vast and unending that day-to-day life can feel pointless. However, even in these troubling times we persist. We continue to talk to friends and loved ones, do the things that are important to us, and
move through life. Many people have gone through a wide range of change since the beginning of this year. For some it’s been a personality or style shift. Others have followed along with trends to pass the time. One thing is for certain: the person we were at the beginning of the year is not the same person that we are now. As we head into what could potentially be another major lockdown, we may continue to seek new ways to escape or exist. But as we get to know ourselves more and learn and grow, we know that we cannot be put on hold. Whether this is in a small form of rebellion or a much larger act, our lives will continue moving forward regardless of some simultaneous form of stagnation. So, DON’T PUT ME ON HOLD!
Autumn Brandt, stylist
letter from the editor
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ou certainly don’t need me to point this out to you, but we are indeed living in weird times. It has been difficult for our jobs and schooling, strenuous for our social lives and relationships, and certainly challenging for trying to make a fashion magazine. Zoom meetings have never been my preferred method, but they become even less preferential when the endeavors you are engaging in are creative projects largely rooted in collaboration and teamwork. Going into the creation of this
issue, I was nervous to see how things would go. We were faced with many obstacles we have never had to face before: Meeting entirely over Zoom, significantly scaling back our on-set personnel numbers, maintaining social distancing guidelines. But I was entirely blown away by the abilities of my team members to adapt, role with the punches, and create, all while still remaining keen and critical of what was going on around them. While the world at large faces adversity, our staff refuse to be put on hold.
Erin Huston, editor in chief special thanks to: Faith Geiger, Valerie Grant, Tyler Richardson, Garret Antiques, Hot House Market
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 AT THE CORE 18 WERKING FROM HOME 28 MAKEUP, MASK UP 34 the EYES have it
36 VIRTUAL INSANITY 42 HANDLE WITH CARE 50 TRASH TALK 58 REVERIE
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AT THE CO
People dive deep into internet aesthetics and finding new ways to express themselves
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here’s no doubt that we’re living in a time of unprecedented doubt. 2020 has left us with more questions than answers, not only about the world we live in, but about who we are. How do we find ourselves in the midst of chaos? In the midst of a world that’s trying to find itself? For some, it’s through intensely specific aesthetics that allow them to express their identity and interests through their physical appearance. Popularized in the last year, “core” aesthetics are dominating the internet. They exist in the name of self-expression, attempting to answer the questions we can’t stop asking. The -core suffix is derived from the French word “coeur”, meaning heart. Similar to their lingual origin, core aesthetics reflect the essence of distinctive styles and ideals. Although they’re often expressed through fashion, they can represent various principles like political positions and music taste. Core aesthetics have been around for decades, with early examples being alternative styles like punk and goth. Recently, they’ve been popularized by social media platforms Tumblr and Tik Tok. There’s no culture incubator quite like the internet. It provides constant exposure to new music, fashion, and ideals, all fuel for developing aesthetics. And for young people, access to different cultural perspectives is essential to fostering personal identity and style. Like a lot of current trends within
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BY PIPER DAFFORN fashion, many aesthetics are rooted in nostalgia, like Barbiecore. Barbiecore is characterized by late 1990’s/early 2000’s culture and fashion, with emphasis on pastel colors (especially pink), glittery makeup, mini bags, low-rise jeans, and baby tees. It encapsulates feminine glamour and draws inspiration from figures like Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani. Along with embracing femininity, Barbiecore is reminiscent of a time when many of its enthusiasts were children, a time when we played with dolls and yearned for flip phones. Everyone tends to romanticize the past, but that urge grows even stronger in times of unrest. We long for when life was pure and uncomplicated; when we weren’t mentally occupied by politics or a global pandemic. Besides embracing the familiar and comfortable, core aesthetics also stray towards unconventional interests. A cousin to the ever-popular Cottagecore, Goblincore is an aesthetic that celebrates parts of nature that many would perceive as dirty or unsettling, like frogs, snails, and mushrooms. While aesthetics like Barbiecore lean towards pretty, angelic imagery, Goblincore rejects the notion that things have to be traditionally beautiful to be aesthetically pleasing. The fashion consists of comfortable clothing, often thrifted and with several clashing colors and patterns.In Goblincore, fashion isn’t glamorous, it’s functional and sustainable. Anoth-
ORE
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er nonconformist aesthetic, Clowncore, emulates the style of clowns, mimes, and jesters. Although most of Clowncore is genial, some express it with a darker twist. That’s the thing about aesthetics: there’s no rulebook. They’re interpreted and conveyed in dozens of ways. The pleasure of these aesthetics comes from the fact that they celebrate elements of style that we’re taught to reject. For many people, that principle resonates with their own identity - finally being able to embrace one’s true self after years of suppressing it. Style is temporary - delving into a new aesthetic doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment.
But expressing yourself in this way can be a great way to explore the core of your being, the heart of who you are. Let Cottagecore bring out your inner farmer or live out your love for Harry Potter with Dark Academia. Find out what lights your fire. Even now, we can’t put ourselves and our self growth on hold. It might feel frivolous, but taking time to discover what kind of self-expression makes us happy is important. Cherish the things on the outside that embody who you are inside. At a time where we’re unsure of almost everything, aesthetics reflect who we are, at the core.
CLOWNCORE
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photographed by: Regan Jones head stylist: Autumn Brandt modeled by: Alex Crookshank, Thomas Emoff, Lexie Porter |9
GOBLINCORE
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BARBIECORE
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WERKING FROM HOME Staying home means that experimentation with self-expression, style, and new hobbies takes place in solitude now more than ever before
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t is something no one expected. One day you are sitting down with friends and family playing games and watching movies and seven months later you are laying in bed with an existential feeling of loneliness, wondering if this will ever end. How could life just stop and how were we supposed to adjust to spending all of our time alone with our own thoughts? I remember the first few weeks of quarantine, I baked almost everything you could think of from apple pies to croissants. I even tried a couple of TikTok trends and made whipped coffee at midnight, causing my sleeping schedule to be virtually non existent. After about four weeks of sitting in my room and trying to busy myself with miniscule tasks, I had to face my own thoughts and sense of loneliness. Facetime and Zoom calls could only cure my isolation for so long before the foreboding idea that this pandemic would never end. No one wants their youth taken away from them, and as a college student who is trying to start the rest of their life, this year has caused a lot of unknown chaos that everyone is trying to figure out on their own. Living in the unfamiliar, people have looked to the things they know to provide a sense of comfort along with discovering things about themselves that they haven’t had time to explore. “I started painting a lot during
BY BAILEY RUOLO quarantine. I found that it was a really good way for me to put my feelings onto something tangible. I also started studying astrology and numerology a lot more. Studying different elements of spirituality also really helped me gain a better sense of who I am,” says IU college student Grace O’Brien. “Painting definitely served as a way for me to express myself during quarantine. I also used Pinterest a lot to start visualizing different areas of my life and things that I wanted to work on post quarantine. My favorite way to express myself is through the clothes that I wear and I found that during quarantine I was able to hone in on a specific style that suits me best,” O’Brien went on to say. It is hard to put into words how quarantine felt because everyone had their own, dif-
ferent experience but O’Brien phrased it well. “Being alone teaches you a lot about yourself, and it forces you to be your own friend. Even though quarantine was extremely difficult at times, I feel that if I hadn’t had that time to myself then I wouldn’t be the same person I
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am today,” O’Brien said. To be trapped with your own thoughts can be absolutely terrifying in many ways but you may be surprised at what you find out about yourself. Not everything will be positive but finding yourself and figuring out your own self expression doesn’t come from just looking at the good things in life. IU student, Rachel Etabo, found quarantine to be completely isolating and very difficult to get through. “When COVID started getting extremely serious I was still in Bloomington and all my roommates left once school said we could. I was here for all of the summer working. I was constantly alone and didn’t have many friends in town anymore. At first, it was easy but the more I was alone the more depressed I began to get. It was becoming hard for me to be alone and
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my depression began to get worse,” says Etabo. While many of us would like to say we made it through quarantine intact, everyone had their own personal hardships that they dealt with and no one came out of quarantine the way they went in. “I was trying to stay busy so I wouldn’t be too worried about my problems. I’m an overthinker and I have a lot of anxiety on a daily basis, so I had to deal with a lot of problems during lockdown that affected my mental health negatively which resulted in this causing me to develop depression for months but I later realized that was not the correct way to handle that and eventually figured things out and I’m doing way better now,” Etabo went on to say. “I had to do a lot of healing and self realization. I’m glad I got time to do this because if
I didn’t, I don’t think I would be where I am now.” In the world of uncertainty that we currently live in, it is hard to look ahead and try to see the positives but through this time we are also learning how to discover ourselves and what makes us who we are. Etabo gave some good words of encouragement for those who are feeling like there is no way out of this. “Make sure to take care of yourself. We tend to forget to do that and let ourselves get too deep into our problems. Let yourself get a break and just relax once in a while,” says Etabo. “You deserve it.” photography directed & edited by: Lucas Bishop shot by: Isabelle Trusty head stylist: Arianne Dora modeled by: Grace O’Brien, Rachel Etabo
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MAKEUP, 2020’s hottest look lies in the eyes
MASK UP
photographed by: Meredith Ho head stylist: Arianne Dora makeup by: Delaney Nidiffer modeled by: Keena Du, Kateri Cutsinger, Ryan Carr | 29
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the
EYES have it
The wearing of masks brings more attention than usual to the eye, making it an excellent time for lid and brow makeup experimentation. BY MIA GALANTE
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n an era where our day to day interactions are reduced to only our eyes, the phrase the eyes are the windows to the soul has never been more poignant. The eyes can be one of the deepest and most effective forms of self expression, with every emotion capable of being on display. The eyes are also a blank canvas ready to be filled with the wildest contents of our imagination by the simple stroke of a brush. And now in 2020, a mask to match. The pandemic has been a weight that has yet to be lifted off our shoulders and wearing a mask everyday becomes a painful reminder of what we have lost. While masks may be a reminder of how our world is changing everyday, they have also become a new form of self expression. Many have decided to ditch the plain blue surgical masks for cloth masks with eccentric designs and patterns. With masks only leaving our eyes visible and endless time stuck in the house, quarantine
became the perfect time to experiment with editorial eye makeup. Editorial eye makeup is no stranger to a surge in popularity or a viral trend, with HBO’s Euphoriapremiering last summer resulting in many people recreating the iconic eye makeup looks, full of rhinestones, vibrant colors and dramatic eyeliner, worn on the show. Editorial eye makeup saw one of its first surges in popularity in the 1960s with models like Twiggy and Penelope Tree popularizing wearing fake lashes on both their top and bottom lashes. White eyeliner also became popular during this time with many people applying white eyeliner to their waterline so their eyes would appear bigger. While this style fizzled out in the following years, 60s inspired eye makeup trends became popular again in the 90s as the grunge era began. In recent years, eye makeup has also expanded into an art form. With makeup artists creating miniature paintings on their eyelids all over social media. While editorial eye makeup is always evolving and expands in popularity, this time in 2020 it was different. With schools and businesses closing around the world, quarantine provided an opportunity for many people to experiment with makeup and fashion without the fear of judgement from others. Quarantine became both a place of physical confinement and artistic liberation. For those held back by fear, there was now no limit to where their creativity could take them. Celebrities have also been contributing to this new era of makeup exploration and experimentation. Many celebrities have turned to social media to showcase their unique eye makeup and mask combinations. Most notably Ariana Grande who has sported nu-
merous different eye makeup looks on her Instagram with a mask to match. The pandemic has also shifted the makeup industry to a heavy emphasis on eye makeup. Celebrities like Tik Tok stars Charli and Dixie D’amelio, rapper Rico Nasty, D ance Moms star Maddie Zeigler, Youtuber Bretman Rock, and Euphoriaactress Barbie Ferreira have all released eye shadow palettes and eye makeup collections this year. Barbie reflected on her experience experimenting with makeup in quarantine telling Allure Magazine, “If I’m feeling really bored at home after three weeks, I’ll do a really crazy makeup look or just try something out that I wouldn’t have [otherwise] because I don’t have the pressure of actually going outside with it.” In the past year, the combination of masks and editorial eye makeup have started to become its own era in pop culture. Even when coronavirus becomes ancient history, the pandemic will have a lasting effect on makeup and fashion. I hope more people embracing the limitlessness of creativity and self expression will rid us of the past judgements we may have had towards those who decided to experiment before the pandemic. One common theme with those who did decide to experiment with eye makeup in quarantine is that they knew whatever look they tried never had to see the light of day. When the pandemic comes to a close, I hope as a society we can embrace exploring every facet of self expression, not only for ourselves but for others.
VIRTUAL INSANITY T
here is no doubt that the rise of social media in the digital age has brought about many perks. It benefits our world on both professional and personal levels. The internet has the ability to engage a large audience and connect people globally in a way that is seemingly simple. For some reasons, I am grateful for this; the ability to use a single device with multiple platforms to communicate with friends, family, professionals, and even celebrities is undoubtedly remarklable. Just as many others during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was spending triple the amount of time on my phone, quarantined in my home with no agenda, an internet connection, and an entire world of news and entertainment at my fingertips. This left me with a lot of time to
BY RACHAEL MOORE
think as well. If I want to see, hear, or read anything, I use the internet. So, yes, this is definitely an advantage that living in the age of technology has given us. However, I also considered how detrimental this saturation of media is to my life and the way my brain works. With this being said, I think it is more than fair to argue that even though the internet has given us a way to be proactive, it is also prohibitive. Millions of people use social media. It allows users to connect globally with one another just by the simple sharing of a photo, video, or message. In the age of smartphones, this sharing can be done in an instant. According to Marketing Land, almost 80 percent of social media time is spent on smartphones. This network between mobile devices has opened up a window of op-
portunity to keep the entire world, every circle - no matter how big or small - and individuals completely connected at all hours of the day. What I find to be so impressive is that social media does not discriminate among ages. The internet and media platforms are not only easily accessible, but also easily adaptable for people of any age, which allows them to be connected and contribute to the global community. Older generations might have at one time been intimidated by the mere idea of the internet and social media, but by 2019 people aged 65 and older made up 40% of social networks. There is also something to be said about the increase in cultural awareness that the world gains through widespread media. The internet offers more insight to different cultures
than ever before. We are able to connect with anyone across the globe and see the world from new perspectives. The internet has given us the ability to reach different cultures and expose ourselves to new realms of the world simply through our devices. Because we can have global connections, we can find inspiration in the diversity we are exposed to online. Creativity can stem from this type of media exposure since we have constant access to new ideas and different perspectives. Bridging the gap between producers and consumers may seem like one of the advantages the internet has given us, but these interactions can be vampiric in nature. Alarmingly, brands do a great job at making themselves “human” by interacting with consumers. Companies no longer have to rely on million dollar marketing campaigns and instead can run a free Instagram, Twitter, or Tik Tok account. Companies control our social media interactions by becoming increasingly involved among our personal social media accounts, lulling us into a false sense of security by claiming to have our best interest in mind, all the while pressuring us to invest in their product by taking advantage of the empathy created by human-to-human interaction. Brands infiltrating our lives isn’t the only negative outcome in the age of the internet. In 2020 alone there have been a number of devastating events in the media. As I mentioned before, the start of the pandemic is what drew many of us to an increased social media presence, mostly out of a combination of boredom and fear. News media outlets fed us endless information as we awaited the next answer or COVID-19 statistic. We sit constantly on our phones, reading one horrible piece of information after the next, yet we never question how harmful this really is. This numbness which we have developed is known as desensitization. The catalyst? I believe it’s the abnormal amount of time spent on the internet. The difference between desensitization in previous generations is the news source
photographed by: Lilly Thomas head stylist: Bella Conner modeled by: Erin Huston
and the limitations. Before phones, we had newspapers, radio, and TV to get our news from which offered a limited amount of information due to lack of space in the paper or a set airing time. Now, media is given to us in an unfiltered amount which we tend to be sucked into, even if we do not realize. For example, “doom scrolling” goes hand in hand with the idea of desensitization. Users become hyper focused on the negative media throughout the internet and cannot seem to stop. In a sense, we can view doom scrolling as being associated with anxiety because
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we never know what the next thing is that we will scroll past, but we are eager to find out in hopes of “controlling” this uncontrollable phenomenon. It is an addictive habit, especially during the current pandemic. I found myself being bored throughout my days, but instead of doing something productive, I picked up my phone and scrolled with no real reason. There will never be a shortage of information and it keeps us coming back for more. If there is no limit to the content on the internet, there is no end to our time spent scrolling. We can thank the internet for the
ever changing information it provides us with. It is amazing how evolutionary technology has shaped this generation, as it has released new realms of the world we have never known. Of course, the tendency for our lives to become saturated with media is seemingly inevitable. Thankfully, times are changing and more attention is being called to the negative impacts of the internet which has prohibited many aspects of our lives. As we come to understand the full scope of the Internet’s impact, we can also navigate when and where its presence is beneficial.
HANDLE WITH CARE Your body is your vessel to conquer the world, make sure to take care of it.
BY SWARNA GOWTHAM
T
he pandemic may have caused your body to lose your trust. While many people have taken advantage of quarantine to workout and curate a diet, a fair amount of people used their time indoors to stay in bed and eat what’s easy and accessible. I can say from anecdotal experience that this was totally me during the quarantine. While I spent my days in my sleepy town in suburban New Jersey, my boredom mixed in with my cynicism for what’s to come made me want to stress eat. Pandemic-related stress is real and it can take a huge toll on your body, and with all of the modern methods of wellness being shoved down your throats through social media and digital advertisements, it can be hard to judge what is good for your body. Dietary methods that are being advertised to the masses may not always work and they may very well deprive your body of its own individual needs. This not only goes for physical health but mental health as well. This is especially prevalent for college students. You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that now isn’t the most ideal time to figure out how to “adult.” For underclassmen, the stress of growing out of the hometown shell to eventually find oneself may be stunted by the lack of human interaction. For upperclassmen, the opportu-
nity to study abroad or network with professionals may have delays. When faced with such frustration in life it is important to remember what keeps us grounded. What are the pleasant simplicities of life that you wake up for every day? What are some hobbies that have emerged during your time in quarantine that you would like to revisit? From personal experience, it is important to recognize that you know yourself the best. You are the only person who is completely and fully aware of your complexities and your behaviors. You know about all the simple things that just make you happy. These simple things can include what I like to call “comfort hobbies”. For me, it’s writing. Whenever I’m overwhelmed with what life expects of me, I make a cup of coffee, sit down, and write. I write down whatever I want. I pour out my frustrations in chicken scratch handwriting, sometimes I even write poetry. As an aspiring writer, I use journaling to let go whilst doing what I love most which is writing. Is my poetry any good? No. Is my journal readable? Probably not. But again, the point is to leave behind the world’s expectations of what’s “good”, and just do. For people whose interests lie in fashion and lifestyle, making Pinterest boards and thrifting can ease the mind. For those interested in literature, reading your favorite book that | 43
you have probably read 1000 times can be a source of mental relief. When it comes to physical wellbeing, your needs may be a little more complex than just doing what you feel is right. I personally think that eating a bag of hot Cheetos feels right, but it’s not. I had to really look deep into what’s right for my body. I struggle with an iron deficiency so I made sure to eat a lot of my mother’s lentil curry, also known as dhaal. I get overwhelmed very easily. Yoga is also something that is very important in my family due to our Indian roots so I made sure to meditate from time to time to ease my messy mind. IU Junior and Season model Kathryn Hart explains her tactics for fulfilling her personal physical health needs. “I try to practice complete and practical wellness. I don’t believe in magic diets, perfect workouts, or miracle 44 |
beauty products, so I practice intuitive eating and maintain a healthy balance of exercise and rest” said Hart. “ I’m lucky to have grown up surrounded by amazing home cooks and to have been introduced to a wide range of global cuisine. I would say this allowed me to develop a really healthy relationship with food, which I think is important for wellness overall. I was taught that just because food is your fuel doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be delicious!” Not only is exercise an important step in wellness, but the simple act of visiting or calling your family every so often is definitely something that is good for the mind and soul. It may seem silly or out of place for college students to visit or call home frequently but during times of high stress, being somewhere that feels familiar and safe can be something that makes you feel like you have peace of mind. IU Junior and Season model Rita
Ndemanu explains how visiting her family is important to her well being on top of maintaining a steady workout routine. “I practice wellness by exercising, meditating, journaling, & keeping an open mind in all situations. Sticking to my routine plays an important role in how often I will practice these wellness strategies,” said Ndemanu “ Keeping in touch with family is culturally significant to me. This is a wellness practice to me because it keeps me grounded.” Mental and physical wellness varies from person to person. However, the thought of maintaining your health should not be a stressor. Before trying complex workouts and diets, try to first revitalize yourself with what you know and with what is familiar to you. Remember that your body is a vessel that is used to conquer the world so take care of it.
photographed by: Isabelle Trusty head stylist: Bella Conner modeled by: Rita Ndenamu, Kathryn Hart | 47
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TRASH TALK
Thrifting has become more popularized in recent years, but it is important that we do not allow this trend to become exactly that: BY KAYLA POLLOTTO a trend. 50 |
T
alk is cheap, but thrifted Levi’s are cheaper. Minimum wage workers are cheap, but conglomerates see children working in Bangladesh garment factories as cheaper. In a world of cost efficiency over conservation, we have to ask ourselves: are inexpensive options actually costing us more? Or do the ethics of “less expensive” check out? Our companies, retailers, and even food sources are digging us a grave in polluted soil that’s getting harder to climb out of. Environmental education can’t stop in elementary school. More than ever, it needs to be taken to the next level.
Starting with ten dollar shirts and second hand sunglasses. From Buswhick to the brownstones of Greenwich Village, thrifted clothes have monopolized the hub of east coast fashion. The train heading into New York Penn Station is always filled with girls in Nike Air Force Ones, lowrise jeans, and baby tees. The new “it girl” style is reminiscent of a mid 2000’s red carpet. Popularized by celebrities and social media influencers alike, thrift stores have become the epicenter of style. Whereas decades earlier, thrifting had no say in the conversation of mainstream fashion.
It’s rise to fame has shifted the way consumers shop for clothes. Once a necessity solely for Americans in a pinch, who had no other option and definitely did not see it as a “trend”, thrifting has expanded its market. Fast fashion brands are no longer on the forefront of consumers minds… and thank God for that. In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that roughly 16.9 million textiles were generated. Yet, only 2.6 million of all textiles were recycled. Textile waste is responsible for the majority of global pollution. Nearly 20 percent of global wastewater | 51
is produced by the fashion industry. The price of a dress from fast fashion brands like H&M and Forever 21 may be affordable, but the environmental impact is costing us so much more. These companies are outsourcing their production for cheap labor in deplorable conditions. Their workers tirelessly work in sweatshops, the majority of them young girls and women. Thrifting has put the companies that profit off of slave labor in hot water. However, they’re starting to catch on. Large retailers are using a facade of “pseudo-sustainability”. They’re carefully curating collections with the thrifted look of reused fashion, just to capitalize off of it. They’re delivering the look without the process. Why browse through racks of denim at Goodwill, when for $45, you can buy a pair of perfectly distressed mom jeans? Consumers are being tricked out of upcycling, due to these retail conglomerates upselling. Is the rise of thrifting due to an increase of environmental and ethical awareness amongst youth? Or could the unfortunate truth be that thrifting is just another trend, soon to be dropped? Whatever the answer is, it’s our responsibility as consumers to turn the tide. Contributing to the harmful ramifications of fast fashion not only costs us environmentality, but it costs us our individuality. Donating clothes, and shopping at second hand stores creates a cycle of creative conservation. Thrift stores have racks and bins of hidden gems and pieces that are completely one of a kind. Whether the sole of your carbon footprint is vintage, designer, or streetwear, it’s crucial to walk down a path of ethical consumption. Vintage Vogue, Cherry Canary, and My Sister’s closet are great Bloomington thrifty alternatives to fast fashion. Solely shopping at second hand stores isn’t going to completely solve the problem of textile waste. There are miles to go, and the true remedy lies in large corporations changing the way they create and distribute clothing. But in the meantime, save the planet and look good doing it... all within budget.
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photographed by: Courtney Schultz head stylist: Lexie Porter modeled by: Anna Lane, Evan Vaughan | 55
TRASH TRASH
FASHION FASHION
TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH
FASHION FASHION FASHION FASHION FASHION FASHION
EVERY GARMENT USED IN THIS SHOOT WAS THRIFTED
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REVERIE Sometimes our only escape from our daily lives is when we lose ourselves in daydreams. Lately, it has become easier to disappear into these fantasies.
photographed by: Sara Mantich head stylist: Jack Boardman modeled by: Meloddy Gao, Julia Fegelman 60 |
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SZN MAGAZINE est. 2018
