SPEC ISSUE 12 Origins

SPEC

/spek/

In hope of succes without any commission or instruction.

We are a fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and cultural publication focused on individual and creative expression.

OUR TEAM

TARYN SNYDER & HOLLIS BROWN EDITORS IN CHIEF

YUMEI SHI & EMILIA GARZA T. CREATIVE DIRECTORS

DAISHALYN SATCHER

& SHAUDEH FARJAMI VICE PRESIDENTS OF WRITING

TARA MORENO-GOODWIN VICE PRESIDENT OF PR

EMI YOSHINO & ALESSANDRA GALLO VICE PRESIDENTS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

MELANY DE SENSI VICE PRESIDENT OF MERCH SOPHIA KETTERER VICE PRESIDENT OF FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS

DESIGN

ANA LUISA ROSAS

MALIEYA PITTMAN

NATAISIA HAMBIDGE

NICOLE LEIHE

PAULINA CASTRO

SARAH KWANG

WRITING

ALEXA BOURNAZOS

ANABELLE LE ROUX

ELLIE ORLANSKI

NICKI BERELSON

NIKO MALOUF

SAMANTHA LEE

STELLA BRUCE

PHOTOGRAPHY

ASAKO ISHIBASHI

BECCA SPEIER

CHLOE LEE

EMMA LLOYD

FELIPE MAC ALLISTER

GRACE OH CHUNG

SHYLOH KOO PR

MERCH

LAUREN CLARK

MALIEYA PITTMAN

OLIVIA DIEN

ZAFINA VIRANI

COPY EDITOR

JULIA HO

FUNDRAISING & EVENTS

AGNES GBONDO

JANESSA ULUG

NIKILA SAMUDRALA

SANA SANJEEV

STEPHANIE GUNAWAN

SUNNY CHENG

TATIANA GENTILE

TORY KO

AJ DOMINGO

ALICIA GRAHAM

ANI KARAJAYAN

ARIEL SOLORZANO

KATERINA CERVANTES

MAYA MAZOR

SOPHIA ZHANG

Letter From The Editors

Dear Esteemed Readers and SPEC Team,

As we wrap up our time together as Co-Editors in Chief it seems fitting that our final issue is one which represents beginnings. Our origin story dates back to the set of Issue 10’s “Suit Me” Spread in 2022 where we met in an overpriced DTLA parking lot. With our deadline looming we set off to an apartment rooftop to capture the power of the pantsuit with three models and a tote bag full of accessories in tow. From that day on our mini set, it was clear that there was nothing forced about our collaboration. We pushed each other to try new angles and bring fresh perspectives to our readers. In this process our partnership, and more importantly friendship, has grown over the past 3 years. As we have worked side-by-side and across two hemispheres, our joint dedication to SPEC has never wavered.

Our experience is not an anomaly, but a sentiment felt across our Writing, Photography, Design and PR teams. Our e-board of nine ambitious women each brought their individual talents and diverse origin stories to the table. This issue we opened the floor to our general team to pitch their ideas for what these spreads meant to them. Whether it’s the evolution of the audio medium or socialization of fitness, our spreads started with the personal experience of our writers and grew a larger reflection of popular culture. With this issue, we even had the opportunity to highlight the origin stories of three female entrepreneurs in the food industry.

At the end of the magazine, you will find a tribute to the origins of the written word itself. Shot by our very own VP of Photography, Emi Yoshino, in the Arts District’s renowned family-owned bookstore Hennessy + Ingall, we posed with hundreds of beautifully printed books and magazines. We were reminded how print is very much alive and how important it is that we keep it that way. With that said, we are so proud to have been part of an organization that works to uphold this foundation of the editorial magazine industry. This would not be possible without all our members that brought this to life in the many pages of Issue 12.

While we bid our farewells to SPEC, this is the beginning of a new origin story for the next generation of SPEC creatives and we could not be more excited to watch it unfold…

Here’s to Issue 12!

The Power of the Brand The Socialization of Fitness

Evolution of the Audio Medium

Hollis & Taryn

THE ORIGIN

There’s a difference between inventing a trend and being a trendsetter. Your for-you page is probably full of trendsetters, but I hate to break it to you, that girl on Tik Tok that “brought back” low-rise jeans, didn’t actually invent them. Sephora didn’t invent the color red with the introduction of a bold red lip on a black and white picture of one of America’s Next Top Models. 2016 Tumblr girls didn’t invent the flowy white skirt nor the flower crown no matter how many filters they used to accentuate the hippie “aesthetic.” They say that imitation is a form of flattery, which is successful, until the original fades away. Trends show up relentlessly in almost every form of media we consume. It’s about time we pay homage to the cultures and traditions behind them. Come with me as we dive into the origins of

some of today’s hottest trends.

Spanning over millennia, humans have settled across the globe, creating civilizations with their own respective ways of life. From food to housing to clothing, these civilizations began to naturally develop their own identities, identities which can still be traced to this day, even after the effects of assimilation, colonization, and overall adaptation. From climate to religion, there are many influences on the style of clothing, not only as a form of expression but also as a form of survival and continuity.

OF TRENDS

LADY IN RED

Does it catch your eye or demand your attention? No matter where you are in the world, there is a general understanding that the color red tends to mean something. Red evokes caution while also presenting power or dominance in the Middle East. In China, red symbolizes luck and happiness. In Latin American countries, red can also have religious connotations when combined with white. Depending on historical context, red can have more of a positive or negative connotation when used in advertising and media. However, when used in fashion and clothing, it naturally comes across as a statement color due to its bright pigment. No matter who it's on or how it’s styled, it almost always adds a meaning to the outfit behind it. The color red is celebrated cross-culturally to the point where it’s become a trend in itself to incorporate into fashion including makeup, nails, and jewelry. From the statement red dress, to a classy red nail, to an iconic red lip, there is no denying that red is having its moment.

that cowboy-themed party you went to last weekend was not the first rodeo

cowgirl hat

Made of cowhide with the iconic square or pointed toe, the cowboy boot is the root of the distinct western look. Since much of the rallying of livestock and cattle occurred in dry, dusty climates for long periods of time, a boot was necessary to protect riders’ feet while allowing for maximum mobility while riding the horse. Like the cowboy hat, the boot was heavily inspired by the vaqueros who utilized different parts of their prey to enhance their hunting methods. Overtime, different stitchings and patterns appeared on the sides of the boot creating an opportunity for self-expression.

Before cowgirl hats were accessories to themed parties, they were frequently used in Mexican culture to protect vaqueros from the rain and the sun while herding their livestock. The vaqueros eventually shared their supplies with the Western cowboys to show them how to get well-acquainted to the land. With its wide brim and soft felt material, it was a perfect barrier against the natural elements of a hot and humid environment. With a little hot steam, the hat could be modified to fit the specific needs of any cowboy or cowgirl for that matter. In some cultures, the shape and crease of the hat could even help identify where a person is from.

cowboy boots

Other than a cute accessory to elevate a normal bootcut jean to high fashion, the chunky leather belt served a high purpose for a cowboy. While serving the obvious functional purpose of holding their pants up while riding in the saddle, it also represented successful trade. Due to its rich history dating back to ancient Egypt, leather belts were seen as valuable items reflecting ancient artifacts. The belt itself has remained mainly made of leather while the belt buckle has evolved as a means of self-expression, oftentime portraying custom engravings of nameplates or recent victories.

BOHEMIAN chunky rings

Normally attributed to the maximalist style, chunky rings are a perfect accessory to add to any outfit. With a wide range of metals and stones to adorn them, chunky rings are the epitome of bold jewelry. Historically, signet rings, the most common type of chunky ring, were passed down as family heirlooms. Their functionality originated as a quick way to seal documents with family crests. Later on, they would simply symbolize lasting wealth and status throughout generations. Evolving from functionality to decoration, chunky rings have established their place throughout centuries.

flowy maxi skirt

Long, flowy maxi skirts are seen throughout cultures located in hot and humid climates around the world. The wide skirt became prevalent in Colombia as dancing was a popular pastime. Made of natural fabrics with vibrant colors, it allowed for free movement while also acting as a canvas for adornment. Based on the traditional pollera colora, meaning brightly colored skirt, the maxi skirt is meant for movement. When set into motion by the dancer, it can create an art piece for a brief moment in time. Patterns and color combinations vary based on culture and tradition but can also be a means of selfexpression.

the lace white top

long before coachella, vsco, and, let’s face it, the entire year of 2016, bohemian style was alive and well throughout different parts of the world.

Dating back as far as the 16th century, lace was more than just a material; it was considered a form of art. The intricacy and eloquence of lace-making was highly respected especially by the wealthy. Lacemaking originated in Italy and spread quickly due to the high demand for lace in international trade. Over time it became a symbol of status and opulence amongst royals. Throughout paintings of the English, French, and Spanish royalty, lace can be spotted gracing the figures of queens and kings alike in various ways.

Editorial to Everyday Makeup

WRITING

Niko

MAKEUP

Genevieve Hercules

DESIGN

PHOTOGRAPHY

TALENT

For many people, everyday makeup functions to enhance existing features or correct imperfections rather than communicate personal style. But as runway and editorial looks have resurged in popularity in mainstream culture over the past decade, more people are experimenting with makeup and its transformative power.

The original definition of “editorial” in the fashion world is “that which tells a story.” While individualism in fashion is nothing new— in reality, it may be the very origin of fashion— individuality is itself becoming more relevant in pop culture than it has since the late 2000s. Recent popularity of minimalist makeup trends, which emphasizes conformity, have discouraged creativity in a way that many people seem to be bored of.

As such, many young people who do not traditionally subscribe to alternative culture are looking for ways to mark themselves as different (without straying too far from the acceptance of the masses). In other words, they are trying to tell the story of themselves, as something which is unique, though not too daring, and interesting enough to earn a second glance.

Hence, a more streamlined embrace of the “editorial” which, by and large, often happens to also be avant-garde. In the case of makeup, people are beginning to seek more power in the makeup they wear — reclaiming their self-concept, controlling not only how they look to others but how they see themselves. In turn, they are also exploring the artistry that lies latent in many of the products they already own. The makeup industry has responded to this phenomenon by investing in more unusual or experimental products, catering to the increasing artistry of the average consumer.

The “cool girl” has historically prided herself (subtly or not so subtly) on her marked difference from other members of a more mainstream culture. Makeup is a particularly powerful tool to explore individuality as it is relatively impossible to ignore. Gen Z, in particular, is obsessed with faces. On social media and in everyday interaction, the face card has quickly become the most important transactional tool one can carry. At the same time, alternative culture has always embraced beauty that exists outside of, and often in opposition to, the beauty standard.

Malouf

Ana Luisa Rosas-Luken

Emi Yoshino

Greta Donnelly, Christian Dior Bryan, Jessica Khariv

Domingo

embracing nonconformity

As young people are becoming more and more focused on the way their face looks— oftentimes more than their outfit or their hair— and are also embracing some “editorial” pillars of alternative culture, the potential for societal healing emerges. Young people are managing to embrace nonconformity, in this case with makeup that is applied or intended in a nontraditional way, yet not necessarily for a nontraditional audience. As such, we can also begin to embrace a rejection of the beauty standards that have caused all of us to scrutinize our features since puberty. Because the more blurred the lines between beauty and non-beauty, good and bad makeup, the more grace there is for the majority of people who do not fit society’s impossible conventions of attractiveness.

Furthermore, makeup, potent as it already is, becomes more powerful still when claimed by those members of society (e.g. men) who have been historically discouraged from wearing it. Makeup, by and large, has always sat on one side of the gender binary, only to be used by women and girls. To this day, the majority of marketing campaigns for makeup companies and products feature exclusively female models. This divide has historically been drawn due to society’s differential expectations for male and female beauty. When it comes to issues of complexion which many common beauty techniques and products aim to address, women are held to a higher standard of perfection than are men. In turn, it is not expected for men to wear makeup, and without any external pressure to do so, most men don’t.

However, excluding men from the expectation to wear makeup has caused a cloud of stigma to shroud those men who do want to wear makeup— for reasons of cosmetics, artistry, or both. The heteronormative culture which discourages men from using makeup to feel more confident or expressive is the same culture which stifles male emotionality and vulnerability. Normativity thrives on binaries which are inherently restrictive. Thus, when men, and other groups who are tacitly prohibited from using makeup, move beyond the beauty expectations that society prescribes them, they unlock a particularly disruptive and freeing individuality.

in the words of editorial makeup artist Pat McGrath...

“Makeup is malleable and mercurial…I’ve always believed that the most extraordinary results occur only when one feels unbound by any notion of constraint or limitation.”

Although most people would not choose to wear many of Pat McGrath’s makeup looks as part of their everyday routine, the recent popularity of her design concepts (particularly the Mason Margiela “glass-skin” look) connotes an embrace of experimentation that will trickle down throughout the makeup trends of the masses. This type of makeup functions less to hide or conceal the imperfections of its wearer than it does to emphasize its wearer’s artistry.

As part of a larger cycle of conformity vs. nonconformity, makeup offers a unique insertion of art and creativity into the everyday aesthetics of individuals. Herein lies a potential for permanence which should not be underestimated. Once makeup is redefined in this way, many people may not wish to go back to the minimalist trends of the past. Because when individuality is threatened, as normativity tends to threaten it, individuals often respond by standing taller. By swimming even further from shore. This is not a dangerous thing— rather, it is the definition of progress.

Makeup is, more and more everyday, becoming a tool to subvert expectations of appearance which deserve to be disrupted. The question now, for each of us, is whether or not we are brave and willing enough to embrace its unique potential.

WRITING

Annabelle Le Roux

DESIGN

Shyloh Koo

PHOTOGRAPHY

Felipe Mac Allister

PR

Ani Karajayan

TALENT

George Kapitan

We can all agree that brands are important in our lives. Fashion aside, we use brands as a metric of accountability. Would you drink a nameless, carbonated drink instead of a Coca-Cola? Would you purchase nameless chips instead of Doritos? Would you pick a nameless nail polish instead of Essie or OPI? Reputable brands give consumers the ability to skip the step of certification. The known brand acts as a stamp of approval that other users tried, liked, and kept buying the product. If that weren’t the case, you wouldn’t know the brand name to begin with. This idea of reputation associated with a brand can be measured in a multitude of ways, be it the number of followers they have on Instagram or amount of advertisements they have in Times Square. But, why do some brands succeed in becoming known while others remain in the shadows?

Firstly, the culprit of exacerbating many issues in our current climate: social media. The rise of “influencers” has given brands a new “in” to, as the name suggests, influencing their target audiences. Social media completely alters our relationship with brands because they can construct a false level of intimacy with their users. One example I deeply resonate with is the brand behind Emma Chamberlain. Many of us grew up watching Emma on YouTube, loving her light-hearted content and the funny, relatable girl she is. We wanted to be her best friend and, by watching her videos, sometimes fell into the trap of feeling like we were. We watched her when she was a quirky girl, “collab-ing” with the Sister Squad, vlogging Coachella and wearing jorts. What’s more, we’ve been on a journey with her, watching her grow into the sophisticated, chic and fashionable woman she is today.

The Power of the Brand

Considering you feel like you know and love Emma, anything she might advertise feels like a recommendation from a friend. Thus, in creating a brand such as Chamberlain Coffee, the influencer has already captured the interest of her fans, regardless of the quality of the product. Emma herself is the brand, reputation and certificate of approval. In the same way you would buy Coca-Cola instead of any fizzy drink, you would buy Chamberlain Coffee instead of any coffee brand. Where the lines blur further are in the territory of advertisement campaigns and sponsored products. When an influencer is an ambassador for a brand, such as Emma Chamberlain for Louis Vuitton, it can add to the followers’ perception of that brand. It is almost as if the name of an influencer carries its own brand and reputation, combining and shifting in relation to the companies they partner with.

From another perspective, designer brands especially carry influence in their cultural value. The power of some brands is the community they create around their brand identity. For instance, the people behind advertising campaigns for designer brands are not chosen at random, rather, they have some cultural influence in the way they lead their lives or the values they promote.

This could include leading an expensive lifestyle, attending award shows, doing weekly pilates at a particular studio or going on frequent trips that are subsequently posted on social media. The brands gain power by playing into our desires to live these luxurious lifestyles. Furthermore, even if we do not have the funds to live such lifestyles, our brains are wired to believe that if we can purchase the same clothes as celebrities, perhaps we are one step closer to living their lifestyles.

When we see someone we idolize supporting a brand, we are inclined to support that brand too. A celebrity who comes to mind is Hailey Bieber and her brand Rhode. When Bieber posts on TikTok with her newly released lipgloss phone case, we are inclined to want this product too. Perhaps we desire her looks, body, or even something as abstract as her “clean girl aesthetic.” Regardless of what it is that we wish to emulate, celebrities gain cultural power by promoting a community of followers who wish to live the same way. Interestingly, the roots of this power dynamic, between advertiser and consumer, can be traced back to the editorial magazine. Through luxury photoshoots and carefully constructed product placements, brands were able to communicate more intimately with their customers. Consequently, the gap between brands and their consumers appeared to decrease. The constructed relationship between the brand and consumer was more personal, similar to that of the constructed relationship between the influencer and their followers. Our photoshoot draws influence from these editorial campaigns, underlining luxury advertisement.

Somewhere as close to home as USC, it is apparent that certain items and brands carry this cultural value, like that of Hailey Bieber’s Rhode phone case. I don’t think it is possible to walk around campus without spotting a Goyard bag or a Cartier LOVE bracelet. These “status items” signify people as belonging to a particular community. Perhaps this is simply a community of people who value spending their money on designer items; however, I believe it goes beyond this. It is about a constructed, shared identity.

Why we buy: It is the people and the names that construct together the power of the brand. Whether it is our favorite celebrity sporting the brand regularly, or our whole friend group wearing the jewelry, ultimately, people are influenced by other people. We want to feel a sense of belonging, and that is the concept that our favorite brands exploit. So, the next time you consider purchasing a brand name product, I urge you to debate for a split second which brand identity you wish to not only buy into, but identify with, and promote to others. Be intentional about the money you spend and values you present to the world.

the Socialization of Fitness

the transformation of sports into social fads

With Instagram serving as a daily reminder, everyone is either getting married or running a marathon at the ripe age of 20. The social scene of those in their 20s has shifted from the vibrant and loud ambiance of nightclubs and bars to the more quaint yet ever-present social scene of fitness clubs and gyms. Why is it that more and more 20-somethings find themselves on the court rather than at the club? Now, the ideal place to meet your significant other is on the Stairmaster of Equinox rather than at a table at Bootsy. But, at least with this meet-cute, you are guaranteed to have one similar interest — fitness — rather than strictly proximity.

Interestingly, fitness has evolved as a shared experience. The rise of fitness apps and online platforms has transformed the way people engage with their fitness journeys. Fitness can even more so be common ground for social interaction. Whether through physical acts of camaraderie within conventional sports team dynamics or the digital world, there are countless spaces to share personal victories or milestones.

Stella Bruce DESIGN

Nicole Leihe

PHOTOGRAPHY

Asako Ishibashi

PR

Ariel Solorzano

TALENT

Kai Holm

Kaylee Ng

Mason Archer

Saci-Elodie Marty

Small, but nonetheless meaningful, interactions between teammates and competitors alike — from side conversations during water breaks or locker room pep talks — can now extend beyond the court or field into the realm of social media, creating an impenetrable sense of community among those that partake. Platforms like Peloton and Strava provide virtual spaces where individuals can connect with others, share their progress and celebrate milestones together. Whether it’s tracking your running route, creating fun pictures or posting about a victory over Amy, the 42-year-old from New Jersey on the Peloton Leaderboard, these feats are now not only about personal achievement but also sharing that achievement with a community that understands and supports your goals.

The community inherent to these features also fosters a sense of accountability that motivates individuals to stay committed to their fitness goals. Whether it’s completing a marathon, reaching a new personal best or simply sticking to a regular workout routine, these platforms provide a sense of unwavering support and give the impression of an audience — that what they do is seen and admired by others.

Additionally, fitness’s social media debut over the years has given it the power to trend. While sports like pickleball have been around for ages, it has only most recently become a huge social fad. While curiosity for the sport and its trendiness may initially drive many to give it a swing, its sense of community is what persuades many to follow through with it.

Pickleball being for all ages and all times of day, has evolved to be shared amongst family, friends and even coworkers. From talking business to settling family disputes between serves, the court has become a space for conversation and friendly banter.

For those who cannot afford the surprisingly steep price of pickleball paddles or those who can, but prefer even a more conversational workout — Venice Run Club is the place to be. The club prides itself on being a community-oriented running group that offers a supportive and inclusive environment for runners of all levels to come together and enjoy the sport. It organizes regular group runs along the scenic routes of Venice Beach and the surrounding areas, providing a fun and social way to stay active. Unsurprisingly, it has even been the meet-cute for many of its now dating members.

Regardless of whether you intend to see more of scenic Venice Beach, find a significant other or simply run alongside others who share a passion for the sport, the club admirably makes the sport accessible to any willing to try. All their runs are free and open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Now a strong community of more than 1,000 individual runners, its members have given much to each other but also to the Los Angeles community, contributing $143,000 and over 2,000 pounds of clothing to support the city. Additionally, they have also helped over 300 runners achieve their goal of completing their first marathon and have earned the distinction of being On’s inaugural sponsored running club in the United States.

So, if you’re considering tying the knot in the near future, perhaps lacing up your running shoes and joining the Venice Run Club could be a step in the right direction. It’s not just about staying active; it’s about forging meaningful connections and enjoying the rewarding and possibly sweaty journey along the way.

of the Evolution Audio Medium

WRITING

Nicki Berelson

TDESIGN

Sarah Kwang

PHOTOGRAPHY

Chloe Lee

Sophia Zhang

TALENT

Jai Lai

Yein Cho

Ari Gilmore

Eva Zhang

he lights are pulsing. Red, blue, green. When you close your eyes, you still see the colors. Your legs are tired but you’re still jumping. People press up against you from every inch but you don’t mind. Bodies swaying in unison. Sweat and salt fills the air, the stench burns your nostrils. Puffs of smoke swirl around you and dance in space before dissipating into the sky. And the sound, oh the sound. The bass fills your veins, every inch of your body is pulsing with it. The rhythm reverberates in your bones and all you can feel is the sound. You know the feeling. Sound and noise. Music that moves you. The perfect concert moment where everything clicks and you’re transported to another dimension.

There is no doubt that music stretches back to our origins. Some may even say that it predates speech. Instruments (mostly flutes) made out of bones have been found dating back to the Middle and Upper Paleolithic from the Aurignacian period. Early Middle Age music consisted mainly of monophonic tunes, a single melody. As the years went on, melodies layered over themselves to create harmonies. The rise of troubadours (lyric poets and musicians) during this time also furthered the influence of musicality in Europe. The 17th and 18th, and 19th centuries gave way to the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Periods, respectfully. The 20th century was the first to record music. Dancy swing jazz was rhythmic and complex. People started listening to music on big, flat, disks called vinyl records in the late 40s, a medium that has made a resurgence in recent years. Rock’n’roll took influence from African American rhythm and blues in the 50s. The Beach Boys and The Beatles became famous during this time. Funk and disco evolved in the 60s and 70s and the 80s and contemporary in the 90s. Y2K brought its own sound where HipHop and Pop dominated. Superstars such as Kanye West and Eminem dominated the youth scene while Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood commanded country music.

platforms & practices

Music has always been and always will be embedded into every aspect of our culture. As times evolve, so does music. Today, streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music dominate the music scene, bulldozing over smaller creators and platforms. Most Americans use these platforms as their primary way of listening to music — gone are the days of CDs and the radio. With radio and CD players, music was still stationary. People would gather around to hear their favorite bands and

solo artists. The invention of the Walkman personalized the music experience, and along with the iPod, and eventually smartphones, music became mobile. With this change in how we listen to music also came a change in the types of sounds we enjoy.

It has long been known that music processes healing properties. Just listening to music can stimulate more regions of the brain than any other activity. Music is currently being used as an intervention for Parkinson’s because so many areas of the brain are activated when the listener hears the tunes. Music also activates the hippocampus, which helps form new memories, the prefrontal cortex, which is for working memory, and parts of the brain that are associated with motor skills.

There are many ways people can listen to melodies. It can be a personal experience or something more communal. A way people share tunes is through concerts and more recently, raves. The rave scene took off in the 80s. Aided by the insurgence of European techno and American house music, raves evolved from late-night secretive dance parties, and today, rave music falls into categories like techno, trance, garage and house. The EDM community dominates the stages at these outdoor concerts, but it is more than the sound. Raves function under the values of peace, love and unity. These values dictate how ravers talk to and connect with each other. People describe the experience of raving as going wild and expressing their true selves. Expression through elaborate costumes is also customary and uniqueness is promoted throughout the scene. People also take psychedelics to enhance the feeling of the music — people touch, taste and see the sound, and they dance in ways that no other venue would allow.

With the development of new technologies, sound has begun to change. New technology has made way for a new listening experience that gives you the tingles.

In the 21st century, ASMR broke into the audio space. ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, describes the tingly sensation you get when you listen to certain music or feel certain sensations. Do you remember when you were younger and people used to give you the “chills”? Crack an egg on your head, let the yolk fall down, hot wind, cold wind, now you have the chills! This moment describes the essence of ASMR. Creators seek to mimic these tingles with sounds and whispers into a large microphone. Unlike usual microphones, ASMR microphones capture subtle sounds with enhanced sensitivity. Some “ASMRtists” use two microphones to practice binaural recording. The key to getting realistic ASMR sensations is the three-dimensional perception of sound, and these microphones seek to mimic that. According to a study by the National Institute of Health, ASMR is associated with relaxation, arousal and focused attention. It also contributes to improved mood and cognitive abilities. With so many benefits, it’s a wonder why more people don’t listen to it.

evolving experiences

Swirling sounds surpassing the confines of space. Moving melodies that dance around your head, tickling the right parts of your brain. This is the phenomenon called 4-D sound. Paul Oomen, the creator of 4-D sound, is a musician trained in percussion, piano and singing. He founded the Spatial Sound Institute in 2015 in order to develop the emerging medium. Now, he does research on the relationship of sound, space and perception, including 4-D. 4-D audio is best experienced with headphones as sounds fly around the air, imploding and exploding in different spaces and times for the listener. These omnidirectional sound environments push the boundaries of music and sound. The ability of this medium to aid in the prevention of diseases and traumas is also being researched. If you still can’t imagine it, think of a speaker flying in circles around you, the music literally moving around your body. The immersive sound is futuristic, crisp and clean.

On the note of futuristic music, another controversial sound in the space is AI-generated music. Some say it will destroy the industry, others say it will enlighten it. It all started with Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny. An AI-generated song of the two surfaced in November of last year, exploding all over TikTok and leading to Bad Bunny renouncing it, calling the song “shit” and telling his listeners to stop streaming it. Since then, many other artist’s voices, like Drake and the Weeknd, have been used to create new songs. People can now create their own AI music by typing a prompt into a new YouTube tool powered by Google DeepMind’s large language model Lyria. But what does that mean for the artists who spend hours and years writing, singing and producing these melodies? The divide between musical exploration and stealing someone’s identity is blurring. The lines in the sand are washing away.

Music is not just a sound, but a feeling, an emotion. It is the love you feel sitting next to someone you’ve known for years. It is the wind in your ears as you zip down the coast in a fast car. It is a home-cooked meal at the dinner table in your childhood home. It is a moment where you feel your lowest. It colors our lives. It makes us cry, laugh, love. It is a strike of lightning to the heart. It is a pounding storm and a gentle breeze all at once. It is the blood in our veins and the thump of our hearts. Music makes us feel alive.

SPEC Spotlight: Food Entrepreneurs

BOWLCUT

For the Asian community, food is more than mouthdeep. It is culture and it is connection and it is love. We find solace in the fact that familiar flavors transport us back to a round table with family, sharing a warm pot of grandma’s signature dish, or — for Bowlcut founder Crystal Ung — working in the kitchen of her dad’s Chinese restaurant, scooping chili sauce into little takeout containers.

Today, not much has changed for Ung since her early years. After leaving behind her life in New York City’s fashion business scene in 2020, she returned home, to Los Angeles and to food, and began to conceptualize Bowlcut, a sauce line focused on recreating nostalgic Asian flavors such as Char Siu Barbecue, Korean Gochujang, or Spicy Chili Crisp, but rooted in better health.

“I was at home cooking a lot more like everyone else in the world,” she says, “and noticed that many traditional Asian sauces were filled with a lot of additives and sodium.” Compared to other ethnic groups, Ung realized that Asians and Asian Americans consume the most sodium, the biggest driver of that statistic being the sauces and condiments that define Asian cuisines.

change on the wellness front, Ung targets a younger, millennial audience with her sauce. “We are in the position to really make decisions not just for ourselves, but our kids and our elders. Because you’re right, our parents’ generation are never going to make the switch. It’s going to be for kids, which is us. We’re providing that solution.”

WRITING

Samantha Lee

DESIGN

Emilia Garza T.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Becca Spier

PR

Alicia Graham

TALENT

Crystal Ung

“That was a wow moment for me, connecting it to a lot of my dad’s health problems,” reflects Ung. “He’s consuming these sauces everyday, every meal, and I didn’t have a way to help him make better health decisions. Because he was a chef and I grew up in his restaurant, I thought I was in a good position to adapt our family recipes to align better for Asian American sauces.” Ever relevant to the growing rates of heart disease and diabetes in Asian men, Bowlcut’s sauces use all natural ingredients, reduced sodium, reduced sugar and zero artificial additives, while still remaining true to the traditional flavors nostalgic to Ung’s childhood.

However, the permanence of tradition is habitual to older generations. As a result, dietary trends are stubborn and catalyze the development of health issues such as coronary heart disease, particularly susceptible to older Asian men. Therefore, to enact real

Bowlcut is more than wellness-forward, however. Coinciding with the rise in AAPI violence during the COVID-19 outbreak, Bowlcut’s beginnings sought to serve a bigger purpose. Ung noted how the violence against Asians at this time was extremely triggering due to a similar experience she lived as a teenager during the SARS pandemic. “Working at my dad’s restaurant, I would see first hand how food could work to bridge cultures and bring communities together.” Ung wishes for Bowlcut, similarly, to be a brand that scales that kind of impact, helps drive empathy and brings people together. “A key part of our DNA is to be inclusive. One way we do that is through the versatility and approachability of our products.”

With inclusivity at the core of Bowlcut’s purpose, Ung not only emphasizes what we eat, but how we eat. Despite growing up around food her whole life, Ung maintains that cooking, preparing and making Asian dishes can be perceived as intimidating. “With elders, they are very specific about how a dish is made, what ingredients you’re using, where it’s from, all these things.” In redefining the way Bowlcut’s sauces can be consumed — to one that is more approachable and versatile — Ung hopes to reach more people and share the vast perspectives of East Asian culture and East Asian food.

By featuring recipes such as “Chili Crisp Kimchi Mac and Cheese” and “Char Siu Tofu Tacos” on their website, Bowlcut celebrates and encourages food that is adaptable, experimental and globalized:

“As you start to develop your own identity and your own tastes, you incorporate other flavors from around the world. I think that’s beautiful and it’s an evolution that we’re really trying to share. There isn’t shame in consuming these things together, naturally they taste delicious.”

Much of this sentiment relates to Ung’s own relationship with food growing up in an Asian American immigrant household and her struggle to straddle being “American” and being “Asian” — the hyphenated identity of being Asian American and what that means. Growing up as a second-generation Asian American, Ung notes the clear distinction between the flavors and dishes that she enjoys with her family, and those she enjoys with her friends. Bowlcut is her attempt to bridge these two palates. “As you get older, those worlds merge more and I think that perspective is missing from the mass market, this kind of new authentic Asian American perspective that truly represents how we eat.”

“I hate to use the word fusion, but in a way, it is fusion eating,” Ung says; integrating certain ingredients and flavors which seemingly don’t go together naturally represents a realistic system of living. It is the accessibility of these homestyled recipes that speaks to how Bowlcut characterizes the diversity of their sauces. They don’t not aim to manufacture capital F “Fusion”, but instead, create a new generation of flavors both rooted in tradition and nostalgia, but at the same time innovative and forward-looking. Ultimately, Bowlcut seeks to feed both the body and the soul, connecting all individuals through the love language of food. That is the nature of Asian eating after all. With its ready-to-use ease, its healthconsciousness and its endeavor towards building an inclusive, inventive food culture, Bowlcut suggests that for everyone, food should be more than mouth-deep. It should mean unity, diversity and discovery.

Good Girl

SPEC Spotlight: Food Entrepreneurs Snacks

‘Hot Girls’ around the world are empowered through connection and community. Social media trends have harnessed the shared language, ideas, and culture of Gen Z women, titling this powerful group “Hot Girls,” and bonding them over many shared interests: fashion, wellness walks and, most importantly, food. College best friends and snack enthusiasts Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar harnessed the ‘Hot Girl’ power in their creation of Good Girl Snacks, a delicious snack and cultural zeitgeist. Good Girl Snacks is a clean, organic lifestyle pickle brand empowering and unifying Gen Z women through foodie culture.

Bakhtiar and Marcus have been inseparable best friends for six years since their shared time at USC. The pair have always been creative. Marcus was a Communications major with a Design minor, while Bakhtiar was an Art History major with a Finance and Marketing double minor. While their courses of study were different, both of them honored their eyes for innovation, art and design, passions that they honor in their brand. After working separate corporate jobs out of college, they were reminded of their creative and entrepreneurial spirits, ultimately leading them to create Good Girl Snacks. In conversation with Marcus, she remarked on the conception of the brand:

“We’ve always been extremely connected, especially in our love for food. We’re both Middle Eastern. So, obviously, Middle Eastern people are obsessed with food, like always eating and cooking. Our families are always gathered around food. I’m also Jewish, so there is so much food. The TikTok algorithm also knew this.

We started noticing a trend — people were obsessed with pickles. So, whether it was the Chamoy pickle trend, the chickle, a cheese wrapped pickle, or this pickle sweatshirt that went viral, everyone was obsessed with pickles. And so were we. We were eating a jar a day, but we were never super satisfied with the flavors, and we always thought that the packaging was so boring.

Then, we started joking around and were like, what if we started a pickle company on the side and made it super fun, super provocative and something that no one’s ever seen before.”

Bound to their mission of empowering Gen Z, honoring their Middle Eastern heritage and pushing boundaries, Bakhtiar and Marcus quit their jobs and created Good Girl Snacks. The pair are revolutionizing the current pickle industry; however, their strategy extends far beyond just pickles. Their pickles are a perfected, tested and healthy blend of flavors and textures creating new and exciting “Hot Girl Pickles” flavors such as Honey Harissa. Good Girl Snacks’ pickles, branding and merchandise empower female clientele to embrace their femininity, playfulness and all things that bring them joy, and they do so in a provocative, sexualized way. Marcus discussed the goals for their branding and how they use art and sexuality to differentiate themselves and reach their target audience, “Hot Girls”:

“We wanted the names to be kind of provocative. We wanted people to be upset, it is not geared towards everyone. We like that it’s kind of provocative. We wanted to sexualize the pickle.

Also our name — Hot Girl Pickles. That’s branding within itself. It raises questions. People see our product and think what is that? And why is it only for girls? And why, why is it called that? You know what I mean?

The name was inspired by a trend on TikTok that repeated “only hot girls eat pickles.” This trend fits with other ‘hot girl trends’ like hot girl walks and girl dinners. We wanted to pop into that trend. We love this mentality: being the best version of yourself, being a hot girl. Our products remind people of that. It’s also just funny if you don’t know the brand, you don’t know what we’re trying to do or you’ve never heard of the trend.

We have GG as our mascot. GG represents the entire Good Girl Snacks brand. We knew we wanted a mascot that represented the brand and the different products. GG looks a bit Middle Eastern because we’re both Middle Eastern.

We want to be super stunty and weird with our marketing. We want people to look at us and be like, ‘what the fuck?’

all the time. Our branding is so nostalgic. I feel like it’s something that you would see on, I don’t know, Girls Go Games.”

Marcus and Bakhtiar are also documenting their entire journey on social media. Each day since October, they have released a TikTok video discussing the state of the brand and what exactly they are doing. Their videos give their audience insight into what it is like to start a company with your best friend, making the process less daunting and more accessible. In reflecting on their mission, Marcus highlighted, “We have a shared mission to inspire and empower young women to start their own companies. Vlogging and showing every single part of the journey makes it less intimidating for people. We also get on calls every single week with four or five young founders that are just starting out to help them out.”

To all young, female entrepreneurs or prospective entrepreneurs, Marcus and Bakhtiar provided a blueprint to the daunting processes of starting a company and revealed a secret: it is really not that daunting! When asked to give advice to any follower of Gen Z ‘Hot Girl’ considering starting a company, Marcus shared:

“I think the hardest part is taking the leap. You really figure everything out as you go. It’s not as scary once you actually start. For us, it took us forever to actually decide if we actually wanted to do this or not, because we were just so scared of starting. And we didn’t know how we were gonna get money, we didn’t know anything about the food industry, even where to start, who to ask.

But once you really decide you’re doing it and you’re taking the lead, things just kind of fall into place and you figure it out

only hot girls eat pickles

“We want people to look at us and be like, ‘what the FUCK?’ all the time.”

SPEC Spotlight: Food Entrepreneurs

JORDIE’S JOINT

When I spoke to Jordyn Roberson about her Los Angeles-based cooking venture, Jordie’s Joint, it was clear that the endeavor was fueled by love. Not just her own love for cooking, but her friends’, family’s and even strangers’ appreciation of her craft.

Roberson first got serious about cooking during her junior year of high school, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 lockdown that she started sharing her recipes. She recalls getting frequent messages from family and friends for her recipes.

“People would just say ‘Oh my gosh! I want to try your food.’”

In September of 2022, Roberson sat down at the kitchen table of her dorm with her friends and spent hours envisioning and planning what her cooking company would look like. They decided on logos and color schemes, plates, and of course, the name itself.

Finally, Jordie’s Joint was born.

“It wasn’t my intention,” Roberson said of doing large-scale pop-up events. However, when a large order was canceled 10 minutes before it was going to be delivered, Roberson had to find something to do with all the food.

She decided to do a last-minute pop-up outside of USC’s Leavey Library selling all the barbecue chicken plates and mac and cheese she had prepared. The food sold out in an hour.

The prospect of expanding her business in this way was exciting to Roberson. She realized that doing these bigger events allowed more people to try her food. “I just like cooking for people and making them happy,” she said.

Roberson understands the contentment and joy that food can bring. She spoke about having meals with her extended family where the dining room was almost silent because everyone was simply enjoying their meal together.

“No words needed to be said.”

On her love for cooking, Roberson says, “It’s definitely community-oriented. And I think that cooking for someone is definitely a love language and you can put a lot of care and thought into it and you can definitely taste the difference.”

As a Human Development and Aging major, Roberson isn’t cooking a lot of soul food for herself. She wants to become a registered dietitian and create nutrition-assistance programs for the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

But she also knows that nourishment comes in many forms.

She beamed when she recalled one customer telling her, “Oh my god, this tastes like home [in New Orleans], and I haven’t been able to get any food that tastes like home.”

WRITING

Ellie Orlanski DESIGN

Yumei Shi

PHOTOGRAPHY

Grace Oh

PR Alicia Graham

TALENT

Jordyn Roberson

culture and connection through food

As for recipe inspiration, it’s all pretty off-the-cuff. Sure, Roberson thinks back to the food she eats at family gatherings, but there’s no recipe involved. She just gets in the kitchen and starts cooking.

“It’s really cool to do but it sucks because sometimes it’s inconsistent,” she says with a laugh. “I never measure anything.”

But there are some recipes, like greens, that she’ll get straight from the source: her grandma. “I know my grandma makes this best, let me not play around with this.”

In addition to recipe development for Jordie’s Joint, Roberson talked about her interest in the history of foods more generally. Speaking specifically of soul-food, she explained that diaspora and enslavement changed the way that Black people in America cook. “[These techniques are] what I do in my cooking… and it’s been passed on for generations.”

As much as Roberson enjoys giving people a bite of home, there are times when people’s exceptions of her have influenced her business. There is no one type of food that she likes to cook — she likes them all — and in her personal life, tends to eat pretty healthy. But she says at some point, “I kinda realized … having the brand name as myself, people are sort of expecting a certain niche from me … If people want food from a certain culture they would go to a person of that culture.”

Nonetheless, she spends hours perfecting the food she sells. She estimates that she spent at least 16 hours over the course of two days preparing for and working at her last pop-up. She balanced this between two other jobs and a full-time course load.

Roberson isn’t entirely certain of what the future of Jordie’s Joint is. She might take on a more behind-the-scenes role or open up a restaurant one day. Regardless, Jordie’s Joint will continue to be a labor of love, connecting people through food.

Meet the Team