fall/winter 2012
Alum
MUGO MUNA
fall into WINTER
with Cornell designers’ most magnificent apparel
is changing the world:
take a look inside his fashion company Bora Wear
JESSICA MCSWEENEY Editor in Chief ROBERTO CARLO SOTO Creative Director Art Director Director of Photography Lead Fashion Stylist Lead Beauty Stylist Lead Photographer
PRISCILLA YANG ALLAN DELESANTRO LESLEY YOUNG NATANI NOTAH EILEEN M. XIE
Creative Associates LARISSA-HELEN MAHAGA-AJALA MORIAH SHIRES Art Associates BETTY HUANG MANDY CHEN TARN SUSUMPOW VRINDA JAGOTA Contributing Editors LENA MARECKI VICTORIA HINES JULIAN MONTIJO GRACE MA Director of Sales & Marketing YILIN ZHANG Director of Finance RHYME LIU Business Associates Social Media and Web Marketing CATHERINE CHEN NICOLE CHANG Campus Promotions LAURA SALMON EMILY FIPPHEN KAI LIN TAN JORDAN HARRISON Advertising HAWKEN LORD EDMUND HOI JULIANA RIVERA ALEX GORMAN Finance and Budget CYNTHIA SUN ASHINI GANESALINGAM
fall 2012
table of contents Letter from the Editor
p.6
The Pulse
p.7
Street Style
p.8
We ask Cornellians what fashion means to them
Fashion for a Cause 4
p.10
DIY: Scarf
p.11
We show you how to upcycle a knit sweater
Mugo Muna
p.12
This Cornellian is changing the way we do business
Style for Miles
p.14
Designer Madeline Miles ‘14 wants to get you moving!
What’s In Her Bag:
p.18
See what Cornell Fashion Collective president Susan Freeman is carrying
Natani Notah: Beauty Stylist
p.20
The Thread’s make-up artist is sharing her beauty arsenal with you!
Shadow Play
p.22
Lace and smoldering shadows: these are the beauty looks you’ve been waiting for
Drama Club
p.28
Behind The Scenes
Take a peek at The Thread’s first fashion film
p.56
Trends
Put yourself on the set of The Thread’s photo shoots
p.34
Get in on Cornell’s fashion hub. Like us on Facebook for the latest on fashion news, trends, and magazine updates!
readMagazine
/theTh www.facebook.com
We tell you what’s #trending and #fabulous in menswear and womenswear
How to Dress Your BF/GF
p.38
If you don’t know what your love wants this holiday season, this is for you
Young & Styling
p.40
Meet The Thread’s up and coming lead stylist Lesley Young
Luxe Transitions
p.42
Indulge in Ithaca’s changing seasons with Cornell fashion designers’ best work
Top left: Dress, Lily Wolens Hat, Petrune Bottom Right: Top and skirt, Grace Choi Hat, Petrune Gloves, Vera Wang
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letter from the editor
A still from our recent fashion film (pg. 28), featuring the work of designer Lesley Young.
C
heers to new beginnings. Welcome to The Thread’s sophomore effort, the final result of six months worth of reimagining, renewing, and recharging. Our meticulous editors, supremely talented creative staff, and business whiz kids came into this semester with a laundry list of dreams. A new look. A new voice. A refocus on you, our reader, and the overflow of fashion talent flourishing at our university. We hope you will come to find the paper in your hands a mirror of sorts: a reflection of your style, your school, and your needs. The articles and editorials in this issue aimed to capture the magic of Cornell and the power of our readership, and I think they delivered. Perhaps the most direct example of this is “The Pulse,” the feature across from this letter. In each issue we’ll take to the streets to find out what’s trending in the campus fashion culture. We thought the best way to start was by asking the most difficult question of all – what does fashion mean to you? Devoted readers will also notice we’ve gotten a bit of a facelift since our last issue. With the help of an astoundingly dedicated art staff (led by the incomparable Priscilla Yang), we’ve tightened up everything; our fashion shoots, articles, and layout have all received a good sprucing. With this new start comes a reintroduction to the folks behind the scenes: the ones we simply couldn’t do without. We hope you’ll enjoy meeting Lesley Young, our lead stylist, as she paints a picture
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of her incredibly bright future for writer Lena Marecki (pg. 40). Why don’t you sneak a peek into our multi-talented make-up artist’s bag of tricks? The tips she shares will change your life (trust us – pg. 20 has it all). You’ll also be remiss if you don’t take a gander at the behind the scenes photos of The Thread’s glamorous fashion shoots (pg. 56). That black gown by sophomore designer Lily Wolens (seen in “Luxe Transitions,” pg. 42)? Let’s just say it almost (literally) blew our creative director Roberto Carlo Soto away. And then, finally, there’s me. Although I wouldn’t call myself a Thread veteran just yet, I’ve spent the last year learning the ins and outs of this publication and appreciating the amount of work it takes to deliver this magazine to its fullest potential. The process of rebuilding our brand has certainly been trying, but also incredibly, unequivocally worth it. I hope you’ll continue on this journey with us in coming issues – after all, we really couldn’t make it without you.
Jessica McSweeney
Editor-in-Chief
THE PULSE
what’s happening / what’s real / what’s good / what’s style / what’s here / what’s next
We asked 100 Cornellians:
what does fashion mean to you? These are the words they chose:
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style on the slope
BY LENA MARECKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHANIE ADDISON & GAVIN ZHANG When you live on a campus with thousands of people and great diversity, standing out can be a challenge. The Thread decided to take to the streets, quads, and walkways of Cornell in hopes of finding one-of-a-kind looks and unique perspectives.
NAME: DAPHNE MAJOR: MUSIC, MATH Daphne’s poppy peacoat is a showstopper, vibrant and distinct among a crowd of earth tones. She finishes the look with simple additions: polished white shoes and a dotted navy dress.
NAME: LEVI MAJOR: URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES Levi’s mix of tribal patterns and clean, fitted denim creates an outfit that is both vintage and modern. The solid black boots compliment the strength and silhouette of the look.
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NAME: NEMANEV MAJOR: FEMINIST, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES Nemanev’s pastel-colored pieces cast aside any thoughts of Ithaca’s upcoming wintry weather. The pop of pink in her socks adds a playfulness to her otherwise clean and sophisticated style.
NAME: KATERINA MAJOR: MUSIC Katerina sports a classic autumn look, full of layers and natural colors. The oversized coat balances the dark and slimming stocking-and-boot ensemble, making the look perfect from head to toe.
check out Stephanie & Gavin’s blog: { ab aag . tu mblr. c om}
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fashion
--for a--
CAUSE
Mountains for Moms
Mountains for Moms is an organization seeking to raise funds and awareness for the silent problem of obstetric fistula affecting mothers in developing nations. In January 2013 they will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro as their headlining event and will be donating money raised to Operation OF, a 501 3(c) non-profit that provides corrective surgeries to woman with this condition. Price: Shot glass ($5), Tote bag ($7), purchased together ($10) Contact: kcb74@cornell.edu
BGPSA (Black Graduate and Professional Student Association)
BGPSA is a network that addresses the needs and concerns of graduate and professional students of African decent at Cornell University. BGPSA is involved in many social, academic and cultural activities. BGPSA works closely with underrepresented faculty and staff and is involved in Ithaca’s black community. T-shirts: Price: $12 Contact: dtl73@cornell.edu
FSAE Racing
Formula SAE Racing is a group of graduate and undergraduate students who create a race car to compete against other schools. The team has along history of success in this competition, winning the world championship nine times and placing in the top ten almost every year! Price: Cap ($10.50), Cotton Polo ($20), pullover hoodie ($30) Contact: kbc38@cornell.edu
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on campus doityUPCYCLED ourself CIRCLE SCARF
E
ver wanted to make an old fashion staple new again? DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects are beginning to appear quite often on fashion blogs, YouTube channels, and even more often on Pinterest. Repurposing old clothing is a super inexpensive way to broaden your wardrobe. And with colder days imminent at Cornell, we will all be searching for the perfect pieces to bring us the warmth we’re desperately craving. Here’s an easy way to accomplish that with an item you already have lying around – a large comfy sweater. With just a few cuts and a bit of sewing, you can easily turn your unworn knit into a stylish circle scarf.
by victoria hines
2
1 you’ll need a large sweater...
3
...some scissors
steps
1-3: Cut off the sleeves of the sweater slightly to the outside of the shoulder seams. Set the sleeves to the side. 4-6: Cut off the remaining seams on the sleeves and throw them away. +Cut off the top part of the sweater. Start just below the collar and throw this away as well. +Set the remaining bodice piece to the side (this will be used for a second scarf). Grab the sleeves you cut off in step 1. +Cut off the area of the sleeves that begin to slope inwards (if your sweater is designed that way), or just cut off the wrist area. 7: Line up the sleeves on top of one another and sew the inner edges of both ends together. When you begin to circle around to the outer edges, flip the garment inside out to make sewing it easier.
4
5
6
...and a needle and some thread (for this part)!
7
Voila – you have made a circle scarf. The
length depends on how long the sleeves of your sweater are. You can make it longer by using the sleeves of multiple sweaters, achieving a multi-patterned look.
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Alumni Interview: Mugo Muna
Mugo Munaof By: Jessica McSweeney It’s no longer enough to just make clothes. The fashion world has taken an interest in sustainability, community building, and giving back of late, and believe us - this trend is far from fading into the dusty archives of fashion folklore. Mugo Muna ‘12, founder of Bora Wear and one of Cornell’s own, is on the front lines of this compassionate clothing movement. He tells The Thread why he’s “aim[ing] to empower a community through clothes.” How did the idea for Bora Wear come about? Have you always had an interest in clothing? Well, Bora Wear has been more of a process of trial and error of several ideas than one single idea. My family is from Kenya, and I grew up and spent my childhood there, which made me always want to do something related to Kenya or Africa. Originally the company was a graphic t-shirt company. The idea was to commission graphic artists from all over Africa and have them create something that was unique to their country’s culture. But it was difficult to get in contact with these designers, [or to
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agree] on a decent price for said design. So I sat back and thought again about what I really wanted out of this company. I thought about the great fabric culture that existed in Africa and started putting shuka and kikoy pockets on t-shirts and sweatshirts with part of the proceeds going to an orphanage for HIV+ children. Despite the relative success of the pocket tees, I still didn’t feel like I was doing enough to have a positive impact back in Kenya, and so I sat back again and thought about how we could still use local Kenyan fabrics, have a positive impact on people’s lives, and also make a great product. So currently I am in Kenya figuring out how we can employ disadvantaged women to make custom shirts from local kitenge fabric. What was your experience running a clothing company on your own? Peter Cortle of Life Changing Apparel told me that things take twice as long and are twice as expensive as you think they will be, which has proven true in many cases. It’s definitely something that requires a strong will because when things aren’t working, you have nobody else to blame but the person in the mirror.
It’s annoying because you want everything to be perfect but can’t really put all your time into one thing because there are a myriad of other tasks that need to get done. I am actually just an interim designer for Bora Wear, while I look for a apparel design partner, and I have been forced to learn a whole lot more about clothes than I ever knew before. How does Bora Wear’s business model compare to a TOMS Shoes type model? The business models are radically different. TOMS has standard sizes, produces the majority of their shoes in China, and then gives a shoe for each shoe sold. We make custom shirts that are meant to fit you and only you. We employ disadvantaged women who will use their money to care for their families as they see fit. We aim to empower a community through the clothes we make. How did Cornell shape Bora Wear as a company? Simply put, Bora Wear would not exist if not for Cornell. After a summer
back home in Kenya, my head was swirling with a hodgepodge of ideas, but I didn’t exactly know how to make things happen. It just so happened that I was reading the Cornell Daily Sun, which had an opinion piece about starting businesses and referenced something called the eLab at Cornell. The eLab (entrepreneurship lab) is a program run by entrepreneurship @ cornell and Student Agencies that helps launch businesses from concepts to reality. It seemed perfect. As soon as I got back to my room, I put in an application, and here I am today. What’s the future look like for Bora Wear? In terms of the business, the next couple of months are all about getting production in order and building up the team. Since we aim to sell in the US, it is extremely important that every shirt is flawless and that requires that everyone be trained to make a great product. Secondly, I am definitely looking to bring more people on board who can help make Bora Wear a success. While it is really tempting to want to make every piece of clothing under the sun, Bora Wear for the next couple of years is just going to be making custom fitting, brightly patterned men’s shirts. We are focusing on doing just shirts and doing it better than anyone else. You’ve had the chance to travel quite a bit recently. Do you think that’s shaping the clothes you’re producing? Definitely. I have been all over Nairobi getting production in order, and there is something about being back in Kenya that is definitely giving me a whole bunch of new ideas. Do you have any advice for student entrepreneurs? If anything, I wish I had started earlier on this business rather than during my last semester at Cornell. People will give you a million reasons why your idea is stupid/ won’t work/ is the worst ever! But you shouldn’t listen to them. Instead you should be listening to your potential customers and hearing what they have to say because they are the lifeblood of your business.
Top: Muna models Bora Wear’s Voi style. Bottom: He sports the Thika.
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Style for Miles Madeline Miles ‘14 wants to get you moving in her bold, compassionate athletic wear. Julian Montijo discovers the girl behind the sneakers and seams. Photography by Roberto Carlo Soto
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I’m not the biggest fashion person. I mean I love fashion and I love getting dressed, But my biggest concern is inspiring people to get outside and be active… One of the reasons I wanted to do that was to explore athletic wear and outerwear like hiking and stuff like that, because I know I feel at my best when I go out and go for a run. It’s my stress reliever…it lets you see the world in a different way. I really want to make clothes that will inspire people to go outside.
As I walk into the almost empty computer-aided design studio, Madeline Miles is alone, hard at work. Although it’s only 5:00PM on a Saturday, she has already accomplished a lot: she’s experimented with firefighter gear for women, volunteered for the nonprofit Days for Girls, and continued work on an exciting academic fashion venture. “I’m working on the collections project, where we’ve started designing our senior collections … I’m going to work with the laser cutter and athletic wear fabric and do some crochet patterns,” she says. Miles, a junior Fiber Science and Apparel Design (FSAD) student, never saw herself as the most “fashionable” person growing up, but her drive to inspire people to want to go outside and get active drew her to design athletic wear and participate in the program here. Growing up in the Midwest with athletic parents, Miles spent a lot of time camping, going to the beach, and doing outdoorsy things with her family. She began running with her dad at an early age and has kept it up ever since. Her family also first peaked her interest in style. Miles first gained interest in design while running around her grandmother’s fabric shop. Her mom then taught her how to sew when she signed up for her local 4H’s sewing group. Lately, she’s drawn inspiration from nature, her friends, and her surroundings. She recently finished working on a project
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“
“
that involved chainmail, and confesses that she’s also inspired by fantasy films like Lord of the Rings. In the spring, Miles will be studying abroad in New Zealand (quite the outdoorsy place!) to step out of her comfort zone and design evening wear. She hopes to incorporate some of what she learns to make herself a more well-rounded designer. Eventually, after she acquires more experience, she would like to start her own athletic wear line. She hopes to motivate people to live healthier lives with her clothes. She also wants to host runs for good causes and for her clothes to be an example of “honest, hardworking, quality clothing that will inspire.” “I think my target consumer is myself,” she says. And why shouldn’t it be when you can make your own clothes? It can also be hard shopping for clothes, she explains, when she can make the item herself. When dinnertime rolled around, we both grew somewhat hungry and decided to steal some snacks from a nearby room. We then made the trek back to our dorms, taking advantage of one of the last warm fall days of the year. “I’m a super interesting person,” she jokes as we wrap up our discussion. While she may be humble, Miles is not your typical sporty girl; she has a passion for innovative, fashionable, and functional apparel design that she hopes will inspire people to be active and healthy.
{What’s in her bag? by Grace Ma
Omaha, Nebraska native Susan Freeman ’13 is quite the Cornell fashion star. After spending two summers intering at Marchesa and Neiman Marcus, Freeman has settled quite nicely into her role as the president of the Cornell Fashion Collective (CFC), which she commands with a gentle but direct style. Dying to see what’s inside her Balenciaga City Bag? So were we.
Check out Susan’s essentials:
Sniff Tissues Susan’s friends always ask her why she loves this key chain. The joy’s in the packaging: the keychain comes in a blind assortment and you won’t know which one you get until you open it.
Yummy Breakfast Key Chain
Susan Free man
Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Chewy bar
Susan loves snacking on these. They provide her with the energy to run to class, power through meetings, and reply to the load of emails she receives each week.
The sugar lip treatment from Fresh hydrates, nourishes, protects, and plumps the lips. It also comes with SPF 15 coverage and offers plenty of shades to choose from. Susan favors sheer lip colors that have a little tint of pink, and this item fits the bill.
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Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
in
Sheer Berry Rose
(why, only the essentials, of course!)
Dior – Diorshow Mascara Diorshow Mascara has been a favorite of Susan’s for 10 years. This mascara delivers glam lashes with great volume – it’s got true “wow” factor. It comes in three shades: rich black, warm brown, and royal blue. No wonder Susan carries around this wonder wand!
Shu Uemura – Eyelash Curler This Shu Uemura tool is considered the crème de la crème of eyelash curlers. It provides a natural looking curl that lasts for hours. Susan’s sister picked this up for her in Hong Kong!
This item can relieve dry Ithacan skin in an instant. It’s loaded with a high dose of shea butter that protects and softens skin. The desert rose scent is not overly potent, but is warm and feminine. In a way, this reflects Susan’s personality.
L’Occitane Hand Cream in Desert Rose
Double Band Headband Chanel Sunglasses
Susan’s Chanel sunglasses have adorable brown bows on the side. She enjoys wearing them as she drives or walks in sunny Ithaca. She bought these at Neiman Marcus with her discount when she interned there over the summer.
When Susan is working she prefers to put her hair up. At a recent CFC meeting, she wore her hair in a sophisticated bun with this easy, classy headband.
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INTERVIEW WITH A BEAUTY STYLIST
“I started out doing makeup for high school events like plays and proms, but now I am doing professional make-up for The Thread. I believe that applying make-up is an art form and a good make-up artist treats it as such. ”
NATANI NOTAH
Thread make-up artist Notani Notah got bitten by the beauty bug
Now she’s chatting with Victoria Hines about how you (yes, you!) can recreate the beauty looks in our pages
Q: How long have you been doing make-up and how did this interest come about?
Q: What are some of your favorite make-up products or brands?
A: Ever since I was a little girl I have been interested in make-up. It all started when I received a pack of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers in my Christmas stocking one year. The interest continued though my adolescence, but I took it more seriously when I became an adult. I started out doing make-up for high school events like plays and proms, but now I am doing professional make-up for The Thread. I believe that applying make-up is an art form and a good make-up artist treats it as such.
A: - Maybelline New York Falsies Mascara in dark black - Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush - CoverGirl Lipsticks (they have an extensive range of shades that can match multiple skin tones) - MAC pigment in Copper Sparkle - L’Oreal Gel Eyeliner in black
Q: What do you feel is an essential product necessary to complete any look? A: An essential product that completes any look is mascara. It has the ability to make any eye make-up look polished and complete. My motto is, “you can never have enough lashes.”
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Q: Where do you get your inspiration from? A: I gain a lot of my inspiration for make-up looks from images that I find online. For example, if I know that I want to use dark colors I will simply type in a search engine, “black eyeliner looks” or “smoky eye looks” and thousands of images will pop up. I go through and save images that I am attracted to and use them for future reference. Every make-up artist has his or her own techniques and tricks to accomplish similar looks, but you have to start somewhere and the Internet is a wonderful tool to utilize.
Q: Do you have any tips for someone just beginning to explore using make-up? A: For someone who is just beginning to explore using makeup I suggest you keep it simple. Start with a tube of lipstick, some brown eyeliner, or some mascara. Your everyday makeup looks should enhance your favorite features and never cover up your natural beauty. In my opinion less is more. Q: What were you going for with the make-up you did for the beauty shoot in this issue (pg. 22)? A: For the Fall 2012 beauty shoot, I was interested in the idea of using lace as a stencil to create make-up looks that were dramatic, but fairly easy to accomplish. I used the make-up as if it were paint and I treated the face as if it were a blank canvas. As for content and color, these were inspired by the fall season and aligned perfectly with the bold and fierce image The Thread was going for in this issue.
Q: What is a trend happening in make-up right now that you are a fan of? A: I am a huge fan of dark plum and berry colored lips for the fall. If you get the perfect shade for your skin tone, this trend can amp up your everyday look and I guarantee you will get compliments all day long! Q: How can we recreate a simpler version of the dark, smoky eye seen in the beauty shoot? A: You can recreate a simpler version of the smoky eye with three products. 1. Black eyeliner (pencil or gel is fine) 2. Dark eye shadow (for more dimension I suggest a metallic one with some shimmer) 3. Black mascara Step 1: Start by taking the black eyeliner and line your upper lash line. Take your finger and smudge this line up- wards towards your crease. Step 2: Next, take the dark eye shadow and apply it all over your lid, but stop at your crease. Step 3: Now take a small make-up brush and blend the edge of the eye shadow to make sure there are no harsh lines! Step 4: Next, take the eyeliner you started with and line your lower lash line. Step 5: Now take the brush you used earlier and (without add ing more product) use the excess and lightly push it under your lower lash line. Step 6: Lastly, brush on some black mascara. Your look is now complete and you’re ready for a night out!
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SHADOW PLAY experience the allure of fall’s richest shadows photography by Eileen M. Xie make-up by Natani Notah hair by Priscilla Yang
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25
26
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Film directed by Roberto Carlo Soto
DRAMA CLUB This semester The Thread delved into the world of fashion film. The result? We’re ready for our Oscar moment.
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Gown, Ellen Pyne
Photography by Eileen M. Xie/ Make-Up and Hair by Natani Notah, Priscilla Yang & Lesley Alegria
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Corset, Matilda Ceesay Skirt: Max Gengos
Dress, Ellen Pyne
Check out the full film at
youtube.com/user/RobertoCarloMedia
TRENDS: FALL/WINTER 2012/13
Tommy Hilfiger S/S ’13
Stripes Stripes are not a new trend by any means. However, the ways in which we wear them have grown more and more interesting. While too many stripes can make a guy look more like he’s in prison than keeping up-to-date with the latest trends, a healthy amount will create a summery vibe that lingers all year long.
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Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S ’13
Louis Vuitton F/W ’12
Oversized Sweaters This highly functional yet fashionable style has come back with a vengeance. It’s a comfortable item of clothing that will keep you warm and looking good when you aren’t in the mood to primp and prep.
NYC Street style
MENSWEAR
James Dean Vintage
5 0 ’s S t y l e You can see many examples of this all over fashion week, but the 50’s may very well consume the 2010’s. James Dean and Marlon Brando set the stage for the youth of the 50’s with their rebellious apparel, and today as the hipster scene dies, history buffs unite to recreate this classic look.
Anon
Christian Lacroix FW ‘12
Valentino F/W ’12
Clean-Cut + Bold Colors Clean-cut designs that make the figure look fit have long been the norm in the professional world. However, as dress attire becomes more casual, it’s ok to make yourself stand out with a bold color decision like the teal sported at Valentino.
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TRENDS: FALL/WINTER 2012/13
Rudens Mada ’12
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Valentino F/W ’12
Alexander Wang F/W ’13
Baroque
Structural
Referenced from the style of architecture and art originated in Italy in the early 17th century, this style just might have the staying power to become a legend in itself. Baroque is characterized by ornamentation that suggests movement and creates a dramatic effect. Rich brocades and jacquards portray royal opulence.
Abstract shapes and forms provide an edgy, fierce look that draws attention. These garments are totally unique. With the Year of the Dragon in mind, designers are presenting some fearsome pieces this season.
Lanvin F/W ’12
WOMENSWEAR
Dolce and Gabbana F/W ’13
Acne F/W ’12
Bottega Veneta F/W ’12
Patchwork
Film Noir
Patchwork allows for different colors and textures to be incorporated into apparel. Because of its static design, our eyes move from one patch to another, luring our attention.
Film noir started in the 1940s and was classified as cinema that dealt with subject matter such as violence, romance and social issues. This trend not only reflects the women of that time but also the men, as the influence of menswear on women’s suiting and jackets is evident.
Giorgio Armani F/W ’12
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HOWtoDRESS It can be hard to dress your boyfriend never mind the season, and with Ithaca’s dreadful winter right around the corner, warmth is often the first choice of many guys over the trends of today. So how can you make sure that your arm candy looks sharp without giving him hypothermia? Here is a lowdown.
your
BOY
by Julian Montijo
Button Down Shirt
While it may be cold outside, there are many opportunities to dress your boyfriend well for indoor outings. Do not underestimate the power of the white button down shirt; it can do wonders. Shirt, Topman, $42.
Winter Cap
A simple, yet nice touch is the winter cap. It is necessary in below -freezing weather and can add a pop of color to your man’s neutral fall look. Skull cap, Gap, $25.
The Casual Coat
Dark Wash Jeans
Summer has officially ended and fall allows for calmer colors and looks. A pair of slim, straight, dark wash jeans (Hudson or Levis) will give your guy the intelligent look required of a college student in fall. Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, $215.
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Summer has officially ended The great thing about fall is that you have many more clothing options to layer your boyfriend with. The winter coat or trench expertly pairs function and fashion. Use one with a liner to keep extra warm when the temperature drops far below freezing. Coat, Republic, $80.
The Duck Boot
The rainy season can make it hard to walk in style and stay dry. The duck boot (Maine Hunting boot LL Bean signature) is the manly version of the rain boot and will achieve both of those things. Boot, Propet at DSW, $79.95.
HOWtoDRESS
and
by Grace Ma
your
Knit Circle Scarf
Scarves aren’t just for keeping warm in Ithaca. Your girlfriend can make a major statement out of any outfit with this scarf. You can also grab one for yourself, since purchasing matching his and hers scarves is much more in vogue than wearing matching outfits. Scarf, Topshop, $40.
GIRL
We know it can seem impossible to meet your (choose one): preppy, cute, romantic, hilarious, edgy, rebellious, sassy or even just plain ordinary girlfriend’s fashion needs. To soothe your woes, here are some ideas for fashionable pieces that your girlfriend would love to rock all season long.
Knit Head Wrap
Head wraps are a fun way to spice up a stuffy winter outfit and make it absolutely adorable. Unlike a hat, it will never ruin her good hair days but will still keep her ears toasty. She will be getting compliments on it wherever she goes! Wrap, Ralph Lauren, $35.
Oversized Sweater Backpack
Many girls on campus find backpacks to be unfashionable and resort to carrying tote bags. Yes, tote bags are cute. However, on days when she has to pack her bag with a laptop and binders for her four classes in a row, a backpack can provide her with some much-needed support. Backpack, Marc Jacobs, $65.
Combat Lace-Up Boots
Combat boots have become a basic that should be kept in the very front of every girl’s closet. Although they’re often associated with hardness and edge, choosing earthy colors allows these boots to blend right into Cornell’s natural setting. They’re fashionable and yet still comfortable to walk around in. Boots, Steve Madden, $100.
Nothing says comfort better than a soft, over-sized sweater. Prepare your girlfriend for those freezing winter days, those all-nighters in the library, or those evenings spent lounging around! Sweater, Topshop, $120.
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INTERVIEW WITH A STYLIST
young Y
& styling
ou are leafing through one of your favorite fashion magazines, taking in hundreds of images and spreads when you experience it. “It” is that moment of sheer excitement and awe as the outfit on the page just speaks to you. Whether you are swept away by the bold yet feminine mixing of patterns or the impeccable matching of jewelry, it is clear that such coordination hits all the right notes. So who is responsible for the ensembles in this stop-and-stare moment? Here at The Thread, aspiring artist and designer Lesley Young shines as lead fashion stylist; her urban, edgy, and utilitarian sensibilities shape the breathtaking outfits on our pages. Young, a junior studying Fiber Science and Apparel Design, has been with The Thread since the fall of last year, and began actively styling the following semester. While she had little styling experience prior to The Thread, Young did grow up in New York City, the hub of fashion and visual culture. Before Cornell, Young also attended a school specialized in the arts, where she fostered her love for design. Although she did not foresee herself entering this editorial environment, Young reveals that there is much overlap between her personal aesthetic and role as a designer, as well as her position as the styling team leader.
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With styling, the kind of decisions you have to make [are] very relevant to design; you have to think about colors, shapes, proportions, how things look when they are juxtaposed together.
Clearly, Young knows what she is talking about. Her presence and influence within The Thread translate into polished, balanced, and high fashion looks. When discussing the styling process, Young deems it “very team-oriented” and “complex,” as she and her group have to consider theme, establish a rich clothing inventory, and mix-and-match items accordingly.
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When asked about her goals beyond Cornell, Young muses that she wishes to join a team for a brand that she admires, and really “stick to design,” where she “can do something purely creative.” Young confesses that she hopes one day her passion for the “purely creative” will extend into starting up her own brand.
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I know it is a long-shot dream,” Young states. No one needs to tell you that the fashion-industry is cut-throat…but my friend [from Cornell] and I want to start a brand together. We have many overlapping tastes, but differences that would also compliment each other.
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Curious about the powerhouse behind The Thread’s fashion machine? Lead stylist Lesley Young shares her process and passion By Lena Marecki
It is quite a dream, but not something unattainable. Young’s innate sense of fashion, sharp set of skills, and down-to-earth personality only add to her qualified and approachable character. Young is also smart in her grounded and realistic approach to such an industry. Breaking into the fashion world – whether you want to design, create, or style – is difficult to say the least.
Young adds that being your genuine self is key: “You can’t hold yourself back. You have to reach out. Believe in yourself. You have to sell that you are unique, and that you are a creative powerhouse. It’s all about your invention. Fashion is about style, not vanity.” Well put. After all, someone has to make it, right?
LESLEY YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALLAN DELESANTRO
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LUXE
transitions
DISCOVER THE BEST OF CORNELL FASHION IN THE BEAUTY OF ITHACA’S SHIFTING SEASONS photography by Eileen M. Xie | make up & hair by Natani Notah & Priscilla Yang
Fur Stole, Petrune Jewelry, vintage Skirt, Dale Kinney
Bodice and skirt, Abby Spatz Earrings, vintage
A b b y S pat z
2014
Lily Wolens
2015
When I was four I went to Disney World and fell in love with a pair of pink jelly sandals which were all the rage for four year olds. They didn’t have my size at the store so they had to be delivered to the hotel room later that day. I refused to go on any rides and insisted that my family go back to the hotel and wait for my shoes to arrive. I proudly showed off my stylish sandals for the rest of the trip. From that moment on, my love for fashion only grew. When I was eleven I started taking sewing lessons and haven’t stopped sewing and designing since! I have discovered that I have a lot of patience when it comes to design and construction. The design process is long and requires many edits and revisions to create a quality garment. Especially with construction, I have learned it is better to take my time and do it right the first time than to take short cuts and have to redo it.
It wasn’t until the second half of high school when I studied costume design that I began to understand and appreciate the depth of fashion. There is a distinction between fashion style and fashion design, though people tend to forget that [while] the former is about appearance the latter is more about feeling and expression. When I’m designing, I think about how the person wearing the garment is going to be affected when they put the clothes on: will my garment make him or her feel confident? Sexy? Coquettish? Strong? For me, the effect my clothes have on the person wearing them is not only important, but it’s what drives me to find new pathways to self-expression through clothes. It was working with cast members and stage directors to set a mood and help people get into their characters that really helped me understand this important element of fashion. I’ve come to realize how important quality is for me. I want my garments to have the integrity of the best made clothing—which is something I feel most people don’t care about as much as they used to, perhaps because retailers today are so focused on knocking off the latest runway trend as cheaply and quickly as possible. I like the inside of a garment to look just as beautiful and finished as the outside of the garment. I want a custom-made fit, a perfect pleat, a handsewn finish. A good challenge in today’s world, I believe, is finding a way to make affordable clothing look unaffordable. That’s a challenge I’d like to embrace.
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“The effect my clothes have on [people] . . . it’s what drives me to find new pathways to self-expression.” Lily Wolens
Tulle gown and satin shorts, Lily Wolens Shoes, model’s own
On Boy: Wool Coat, Zara Shoes, model’s own On Girl: Cropped shirt and skirt, Grace Choi Felt hat, textured coat, and hat box, Petrune Shoes, model’s own Gloves, Vera Wang
Microsuede jacket and cropped shirt, Grace Choi Faux leather pants, H&M shoes, Jeffrey Campbell
Matthew Gottesman 2013 I got into fashion because of my involvement in musical theater when I was in junior high school. I got a sewing machine in the 8th grade and started costuming in addition to performing and realized that design was just something that felt right. Design-wise, I've been coming into my element in terms of the general direction of my work - the kind of stuff I really want to produce - and where I want to eventually end up. On a personal level, I've realized that I'm actually a pretty rigid person in terms of my work process and willingness to explore new ideas. I've been really trying to push myself to not be so restricted by my self-imposed boundaries.
G r ac e C h o i
2014
My love of fashion was discovered at an early age. My parents ran a dry cleaning and alterations shop so I grew up around clothes. I used to mimic my parents, making changes to my Barbies’ wardrobes. That initial mimicry turned into a full fledged passion in high school and I decided to pursue a career in apparel design. Since fashion is so fast-paced and constantly on the move, I know I’ll never run out of things to do. Through designing, I’ve figured out a lot about myself. I think anything in the arts is very honest - you take in influences around you and however you translate them, it shows a bit about your subconscious. Whether you’re inspired, pressed for time, depressed, or happy, everything shows through what you create so I can pretty much judge my state of mind by seeing what I come up with. It has also pushed me to work harder and research more since being informed improves your quality of work and keeps your creations from just being clothing. I guess I’ve learned that I’m a workaholic, if anything!
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Left: Laminated linen jacket, Abby Spatz Right: Harness and dress, Matthew Gottesman
“I’m trying to push myself to not be so restricted by my selfimposed boundaries.” Matthew Gottesman
Felted coat, Matthew Gottesman
Dress, Lily Wolens Fur hat and gloves, Petrune
D N I H E B S E N E C TH E S
s, in semester wa is th ts o o of our sh d the scenes in h e b re e h Sweeney The atmosp y Jessica Mc B . G IN Z A M one word, A
You can easily recognize one of our staffers after a long photo shoot day: bloodshot eyes, frizzy hair, and exhausted smiles aside, we all look like we’ve experienced a special sort of euphoria. For many of us, the chance to work on a magazine’s editorial photo shoot is a dream a long time in the making. Making that dream happen with your fellow Cornellians and dear friends? Even better! Some of my favorite moments this semester have taken place at our shoots. We’ve huddled together to watch One Direction music videos between
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set-ups, rolled around on the football field, frolicked through the Plantations, and tried our best to keep our handy-dandy rolling rack from collapsing during fittings. All the while, we’ve discovered within this little publication something extremely special: a new family. Our Spring/Summer issue will be upon us more quickly than we realize, and we would love to hear suggestions from you regarding upcoming shoots and what inspires you about Cornell. If you’d like to connect with us, hit up thethreadmagazine@gmail. com!
Beauty Stylist Natani Notah works her magic!
Yes, our models are tall. Really, really tall.
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