Signature Style 4

signature style

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a word from the editor rethinking lingerie

how to dress down a suit student highlight: hannah cook and brian maldonado zoolander 2 review

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chelsea boots alternative denim fashion controversies:

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24 alumni highlight: maria hewko 26

how to contour in six simple steps

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pursuing fashion abroad fjallraven kanken: the travel essential bag emily: behind the cover

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 SS4

contributors ryan ong

editor-in-chief creative director kaitlin dunne editorial director samantha donohue layout director photography director olivia fuller stylists cameron dunne, jean shim,

suzanna hamer & margaret riordan social media director sarah haylon beauty director rachael kane assistant beauty director anjanae williams photographers anna arnn, ysabel coss, olivia fuller, cornelia smith, sophie zacharakis, amy zhang writers homans, cassie howard, tracy jiao, ash lalwani, congcong li, sophie menashi, gwyn sise, diana suder models vennessa asare, janika beatty, chris bousquet, hannah cook, david dacres, mackenzie doherty, olivia fuller, phoebe greenwald, abby homer, peter jorgensen, meg josephson, dima kaigorodov, liz lvov, annie leng, brian sise, sharom yam, heqing zhang

founders taylor healy, emily malter, ryan ong

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letter from the editor During the summer of 2014, Emily Malter ‘15, Taylor Healy ‘15, and I discussed starting a fashion magazine at Hamilton College, which ultimately led to the creation of Signature Style. While one might have thought a magazine devoted entirely to fashion would be out of place at a small liberal arts college, SS was well received highlights, trend advice, and a collaborative spirit.

The inspiration for SS4 is the minimalist lifestyle that has emerged in NYC. I am passionate about clean statement clothing that is bold yet practical. This issue includes an insider view into the buying world at Saks Fifth Avenue with Maria Hewko ‘15, a raw review of the highly anticipated Zoolander 2, and a provocative piece on statement denim.

I have truly enjoyed putting together SS4. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with the all stylists, photographers, and models.

Being the co-founder, leaving the magazine is naturally that brings students with a common interest together. SS may be a fashion magazine, but it is also a unique outlet for students passionate about fashion and editorial. I want to thank everyone who helped create the last four issues.

As I look upon graduation, I take comfort in knowing that this is just the beginning of SS. I am excited to see where the next editors and contributors take this magazine.

Thank you and enjoy!

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r l

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e t h i i n g

n k i e r

n i

g e

on abby: dress: topshop on janika: bodysuit & skirt: charlotte russe

Spring’s sexiest trend? Luscious, bedroom-inspired ensembles paired with an edgy-yet-delicate choker necklace. Slip dresses, seen in both Alexander Wang and Céline’s Spring 2016 collections, are taking lingerie out of the boudoir and onto the street. Think sleek satins and frothy lace for a seductive yet effortless look. by anne homans 7 SS4

how to dress down a suit SS4 8

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on phoebe: pants & shirt: j crew blazer: ann taylor tie: next clogs: dansko

on dima: blazer: hackett shirt: gioferrari pants: uniqlo shoes: celio

on ishaq: blazer: john varvatos shirt: ctn dnm pants: 1901 shoes: ted baker pocket square: penguin

on chris: blazer: stafford turtleneck: banana republic pants: citizens of humanity shoes: gh bass company 11 SS4

student highlight hannah cook + brian maldonado SS4 12

Signature Style: Do you have a fashion icon?

Hannah: I don’t have a fashion icon but once I came to college, I started experimenting more and more with clothes. A lot of my fashion or at least my boldness in fashion has come from my best friend here. She has inspired me to be a lot more adventurous in my style.

SS: What is your favorite spring item?

Brian: My favorite spring item is a light sweater because it’s the perfect combination of being comfy and looking nice.

SS: What does fashion mean to you?

H: Fashion is about wearing weird things and being okay

but I do see people who are trying to be different, which is nice. I try to surround myself with those people because

what you are wearing, it’s going to be hard for people criticize your look.

crowd. I like to hang in Opus because those people usually hang out there.

shirt: h&m jeans: levi shoes: aldo sunglasses: ray ban

SS: How would you describe Hamilton’s fashion?

SS: Is your style inspired by your hometown, Boston?

B: Absolutely, because everybody in the city is well dressed, so you need to dress well but also stand out.

SS: When you’re shopping, what do you look for?

B: I look for stuff people wouldn’t usually wear, like anything people don’t wear ponchos, but I love mine.

SS: What is your signature style?

B: My signature style is anything with sunglasses because I pair of sunglasses when I was a kid and I became obsessed with them. Since my eyes are sensitive to light, I’m always wearing them.

by cindy li + jie ying mei

SS: Favorite spring item?

H: I really like high-waisted skirts. I’ve been into suede recently and it’s part of the 70s trend now. I also love boots and funky shoes. Apparently a lot of people know me as the “chunky boot girl.”

SS: What’s your signature style? t-shirt. I always have really messy buns. I might also put on a weird sweater, jacket, or coat with some chunky boots.

SS: What are your plans after graduation?

H: I’m moving to New York City. I’m going to start auditioning for musical theater and will try to be in a band or sing at jazz clubs. I’ve always loved singing and I know this is the time to do it.

jumper: asos shirt: brandy melville shoes: top shop

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zoolander 2 review

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After years of “extreme seclusion” in a cabin in the woods of New Jersey, famous ex-models Derek Zoolander and Hansel McDonald are called upon

by Fashion Interpol to solve a series of celebrity murders. Along the way, Derek attempts to reconnect with his estranged son while coping with how the fashion industry has changed. In the process, long-time villain Mugatu captures Derek’s son because it is believed that consuming his heart and drinking his blood is the solution to eternal life, youth, and beauty.

Every character in the movie has his crazier than the one before it. On the high fashion runway, Derek sports a shiny black jacket, black slacks, a black sparkly scarf, and black sunglasses. The look is minimal, in regards to the range of colors used, yet eye-catching, with

embellishments such as sequins. In the same scene, Hansel struts at Derek’s side in black leather pants, a turquoise embroidered peasant top I believe my mother might own, and a chunky statement silver necklace. Like Derek, blue color. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, costume designer Leesa Evans stated that she chose to dress Derek in mainly Saint Laurent and Valentino, and Hansel in mostly Saint Laurent, Loewe, and Derek Lam. The humor in Zoolander 2 derives from its satirical look at the most common fashion industry stereotypes, including egotistical models and crazy runway trends. While I personally believe the plotline could have used more focus, the many costumes and styles paraded across the screen easily kept me entertained.

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CHELSEA BOOTS SS4 16

From runway to street style, Chelsea boots are everywhere in the fashion world today. This versatile shoe trend is effortlessly cool, pairing well with dresses or pants and blending into both formal and casual settings.

on mackenzie: ralph lauren on peter: h&m

toria’s shoemaker, the Chelsea boot was popularized by celebrities like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Jean and-roll vibe to last the ages. Models Mackenzie and Peter are wearing shoes

by Ralph Lauren and H&M, respectively.

by gwyn sise

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alternative

denim photography by olivia fuller

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on vennesa: jacket: madewell shirt: club monaco pants: haute hippe shoes: Supergas

jumpsuit: free people kimono: cope jacket: rd style shoes: forever 21

on liz: shirt: just cruizin boots: shi jeans: salvation army

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A beautiful young starlet stumbles into her car, covered in a thick white powder, mascara running down her perfectly contoured cheeks. Why? She has been the victim of animal rights activists to protest the wearing of fur and leather garments, consisting of pelting the offender with a large amount of While perhaps not as striking as throwing red paint in a fur-wearer’s face, a display that is often shown in movies but rarely happens in statement: it doesn’t matter how rich, pretty, or famous you are—you wear fur, you get What is the issue with wearing fur?

Humans have been using animal pelts since the beginning of civilization for warmth, protection, and raw material. Furthermore, the fur trade has had a long and illustrious history, being an economic staple of the preindustrial era.

But today, with denim, cotton, and polyester eliminating the practical need for fur and leather in clothing, these animalderived materials have become conscious, stylistic choices, rather than fabric necessities.

Enter PETA: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization SS4 22

founded in 1980, infamous for their outcries against fur and leather use in the fashion According to PETA, “every fur coat, trinket, and bit of trim caused an animal tremendous suffering.” Additionally, poaching for fur can have disastrous effects on species populations and many fur items come from fur farms, in which animals are raised in cramped, inhumane conditions solely for the use of humans skinning and acquiring their pelts.

However, fur, leather, and animal hides alike still remain a fashion staple among the elite. Wearing a mink coat is a symbol of status: see Macklemore’s music video for “Thrift Shop” and his big fur coat for reference. It’s no wonder that some of PETA’s targets include the richest of the rich, like Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

So is it time to ditch the cedar closets and switch to faux fur and pleather? Kim’s sister Khloé would certainly say so who has been seen sporting a faux fur coat plastered with the words “F*CK YO FUR” in large, red letters.

Ultimately, while you can argue that nothing beats the quality of genuine fur, ditching animal pelts will earn you a big thank you from the animal kingdom—and your wallet. by sophie menashi

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how to contour in six simple steps

step i: apply foundation of your skin tone or lighter with a sponge and powder the face with a large brush to add a translucent and glowy quality to the foundation.

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step ii: choose a contour bronzer two shades darker than your skin tone.

step iii: blend in the bronzer along jawline, hairline and below the cheekbone.

Mix in more foundation as needed. Make sure the area just below your cheekbone has the darkest shade.

For summer 2016, follow these steps to achieve a tanned touch. A slightly lighter application than the tutorial is recommended for a more natural look. by sindy chen and tracy jiao photography by anna arnn model: meg josephson

step iv: apply highlighter on light spots, such as ridge of the nose and cheekbones.

step v: powder the whole kissed

summer

look.

step vi: go to a mirror and marvel at your cheekbones

and

jawline.

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maria hewko ‘15 alumni highlight by ashna lalwani

Signature Style: Where are you currently working?

Maria Hewko: I work at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fine Jewelry and Watches department, as a Merchandise Assistant. I manage orders and communicate with storage to make sure that everything is delivered properly. I also communicate with the vendors regarding shipping updates and I make sure that we get all of the copy information.

SS: How do you manage all of the work and contacts?

M: I have a very long list of contacts in my notebook and I keep track of all the orders.

It changes every day. There are days when vendors don’t ship everything in an order and days when everything works perfectly.

SS: What role did you have in Signature Style and how did it lead you into the fashion industry?

M: I was the trade and fashion director for the issue that we wanted. I helped come up with the main editorials for each issue. I also helped style and direct the shoots and I looked over the layouts.

SS: What stands out to you the most about Signature Style? trends and then apply them to the Hamilton environment. Creating a fashion magazine at Hamilton is very different from doing one

in New York City. We had to use the most acdents’ wardrobes, and make the trend look appropriate for the Hamilton environment.

Hamilton could make those looks work on their own.

SS: What are the most important skills that you learned at Hamilton?

M: The most important skills I learned at skills. The vendors I work with need to be able to clearly understand what I’m saying. I also learned a lot about time management at Hamilton. Time management is important because in my job we get a lot of orders from different vendors and we need to be able to prioritize them in order to have them ship on time.

SS: How did Hamilton help you prepare for your current position in fashion? Do you have any tips for current students that would like to succeed in this infamously tough industry?

M: I got an internship through Hamilton alumni, which was amazing. I think that anyone who’s interested should reach out to alumni. When you don’t go to a high tier fashion school, you often need a connection in order to make your way into the industry.

Hamilton is known for its strong alumni netpeople.

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svetlana zakhorova taylor hill

tanya dziahileva

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photography by isabel oskwarek

pursuing fashion abroad

Post-graduation, Isabel Oskwarek ‘15 resides in Paris, where she hosts a fashion blog informed by a feminist perspective. Isabel’s project stems from a need to organize critical thought about fashion and to write for her own enjoyment. The blog recently highlighted Paris Fashion Week and in the future she plans to expand this creative space to art and her time abroad.

“Modest Fashion in a Sex-Saturated Society,” Isabel’s most popular post, analyzed the modest trend, whose current esteem suggests that women are rejecting over-sexualization in how they dress. On her blog, Isabel notes that currently Paris women are donning streetwear-inspired sneakers à la Yeezys and she hopes to write an article on racism in fashion in the future.

For Isabel, her writing and photography represent the rekindling of an old dream, sparked by her time as a student in Paris and in which she has regained Finding free time to organize thoughts, research, overwhelmingly positive responses to her work allowed her to photograph, and sometimes receive responses from, Amilna Estevao, Natasha Poly, and Tanya Dziahileva. in Paris, though she derives inspiration from other movements including goth and Japanese minimalist aesthetics. Follow her on Instagram etudesdesfemmes and at etudesdesfemmes. wordpress.com. by andy chen

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KĂ…NKEN

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models: olivia fuller, heqing zhang, annie leng, sharon yam, erica quach, david dacres, gwyn sise models wear kĂĽnken backpacks in the following colors: ochre, warm yellow, bright pink, forest green, royal blue, cafe mint, and sand.

Kånken is the name of the classic rucksack sold by Swedish outdoors clothing and equipment brand Fjällräven. In Swedish, Fjällräven means arctic fox, which is their brand logo. The rucksack was the one of their most popular items.

The brand’s entire line of durable clothing has a strong presence in Nordic countries, but in the US, Fjällräven is synonymous with the rustic and endearingly unique backpacks that are currently very popular. by diana suder

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Emily Rivera’s minimalist fashion sense and passions made her the perfect Signature Style cover girl. Emily, majoring in Government and Chinese, is involved cover girl discusses her favorite brands and how she developed her style. by cassie howard photography by olivia fuller

behind the cover emily rivera SS4 32

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Signature Style: How would you describe your personal style?

Emily: I would describe my style as very bohemian. I’m from Miami so when I’m back home, I wear a lot of patterned When I’m at Hamilton, I like to dress comfortably on a day-to-day basis. My going out style consists of patterned tops, distressed jeans and my favorite, high top wedge sneakers from Isabel Marant or heeled booties. I also love accessorizing with big rings and layered necklaces.

SS: What are your favorite brands or designers?

E: I wear a lot Free People, All Saints, Zara, and Rag & Bone. As for designers, I like Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent, and Alexander McQueen. I like using Net-aaccessories.

SS: What are your favorite makeup products?

I wear eyeliner and mascara from L’ORÈAL as well as a foundation from Sephora. I wish I knew how to do cool eye makeup but

top: theory pants:zara

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unfortunately, I’m bad at it. During the shoot, I kept asking the Beauty Director tons of questions because I think its so impressive when people are good at eye makeup.

SS: Do you feel pressured to dress a certain way? What are your views on makeup? Do you think it enhances one’s self-degrading?

E: I don’t feel pressured to dress a certain way. My style ranges a lot depending on where I am, my mood, and the season.

For example, one day I’ll wear a colorful Free People maxi dress and the next day I’ll dress head to toe in all black All Saints pieces. Honestly, I wear whatever I feel like wearing at the time as long as I’m comfortable! I think people should wear as much or as little makeup as they want.

Do what makes you happy.

SS: What pieces of clothing/ accessories would you recommend to students who want to dress in a minimal yet chic style?

E: Go for a monochrome look and then mix and match fabrics and textures.

dress: brandi melville

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