The fonts used are Helvetica Neue, Rockwell, and Snell Roundhand Script
The Cover was printed on Lindenmeyr Munroe, Explorer 80 lb. Gloss Cover and the interior pages were printed on Explorer 80 lb. Gloss Text paper.
Printed by Carter Printing Company, Richmond, Virginia.
Growing up, I often craved a shared connection of girlhood. I could spend hours walking around in my Mom’s shoes, or looking through my Grandma’s jewlery, just to feel some semblance of the sisterhood I saw in the movies. I idolized the fashion icons in our childhood media like Sharpay Evans and thought I successfully convinced people I was related to Hannah Montana. Fashion has always been an outlet for me. As I aged, thrifting became a fervent hobby of mine (more so an addiction), and I fell back in love with fashion while I reconnected with my inner child.
Throughout college, my friends and I have bonded over our shared love for shopping, clothes, creativity and have created a beautiful village. I’ll forever cherish the memories of playing dress up and feeling like a kid again with my best friends.
Fashion and creativity have always been a constant in my life, and our ever changing world. As society enters the next chapter, it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves that art is the greatest form of expression and protest. Our strongest power is our individuality, and the importance of that will never deminish.
As my final year at VCU comes to an end, I couldn’t be prouder of what my team and I were able to achieve through our second print issue. Working for River City Fashion has been one of the best displays of community I’ve had the privilege to experience. It’s hard to conceptualize how special it has been to work alongside some of my best friends, have them share my passion, and for them to help make my visions a reality.
To every collaborator, model, photographer and creative who had a part in this issue; thank you for helping bring the beauty of girlhood to life. Together we explored feelings of nostalgia, confidence, empowerment, whimsy, originality and self-reflection...how charming!
To be charmed is to be filled with wonder and delight. In a world that feels so rushed and inauthentic, we hope this issue embodies things that leave you feeling enchanted. That feeling lives in a quiet magic which wraps around you, and leaves a trace, or sparkle, that never quite fades.
Summer DeCiucis Editor in chief
Meet the Team
From left to right:
Summer DeCiucis
Julia Karns
Kristina Wise
Bianca Justiniano-Padillo
Ellie Bird
Olivia Mitchell
Zach Montgomery
Miles Ragin
Amaris Bowers
Editor In Chief
Junior Editor In Chief
Creative Director, Spring 25’
Junior Creative Director
Social Media /Graphic Designer
Creative Team Member
Lead Print Designer
Contributing Writer
Creative Director, Fall 24’
A special thank you to Jessica Clary (Director of Student Media) and Mark Jeffries (Creative Media Manager).
If you grew up with any shred of personal style or creativity, surely you became accustomed to hearing the phrase “this isn’t a fashion show”. We fondly recall the days of wishing to wear a princess dress to the grocery store, or having a meltdown because you couldn’t sport your plastic dress up heels to school. Extravagent, over the top, borderline horrendous outfits that mixed every type of fabric, sparkle and color, quickly lost their charm as we aged out of such “childishness”... but why?
Why as a society have we grown to accept boring, monotone, personality lacking fashion as what’s socially acceptable? Why do people go wide-eyed when hearing high heels hit the floor of a Target, or looking a little too long if someone’s wearing anything other than sweatpants inside the corner
“ Why as a society have we grown to accept boring, monotone, personality lacking fashion as what’s socially acceptable?”
store? The world has conditioned us to think that expressing our personality through fashion is something out of order, something that needs to be shamed.
The truth is, you probably cannot name a time you felt more free than when you’d play dress up as a child. True joy in the form of puffy skirts, swimming in your mom’s high heels, or carrying five purses at once. Feeling our most beautiful after a visit to our play makeup bags; glitter covering eighty percent of our face, and lipstick from ear to ear.
“
Go
for the ‘crazy’ outfit, with maybe a few too many accessories. Wear vibrant eyeshadow, or bright lipstick every once in a while. You don’t have to sport multiple layers, or mismatched patterns, but indulge yourself in some childish elements every once and a while.”
This unchecked access to glitz and glamour strengthened our creativity, even if it was just confined to the walls of our adolescent rooms. As we age, we lose our childlike sense of exploration and boldness. We begin feeling embarrassment when it comes to looking any different than our peers, or what we see in the media. But as a generation that prides itself on individuality, and maximalist styles, it’s clear we are coming back to our younger selves’ whimsy and confidence. Go for the ‘crazy’ outfit, with maybe a few too many accessories. Wear vibrant eyeshadow, or bright lipstick every once in a while. You don’t have to sport multiple layers, or mismatched patterns, but indulge yourself in some childish elements every once and a while. But a bow in your hair, or put on something sparkly. Let your inner child run wild whenever it’s feasible, because after all, life is a fashion show.
If Looks Could Kill
Written by: Julia Karns
Why the Generation that preaches body positivity is bringing
back
Generation Z (those born between 1997-2012) have been a powerful voice in the realm of body positivity; urging individuals to love and accept their bodies, and demanding the fashion industry to diversify model body types and expand size ranges in clothing. So why is the rail thin emaciated look of the 90’s being brought back to the spotlight? Amongst the craze for Ozempic, coke, and diet culture, our generation is once again romanticizing a deadly aesthetic. This isn’t the first time unhealthy body ideals have been re-sensationalized. Look back to the 2010’s Tumblr era and the plethora of eating disorder-promoting media that was circulating. Or look at the Kardashians, who will risk lifethreatening procedures like BBLs and liposuction to dramatically alter their bodies as trends shift.
The high fashion scene of the 1990’s birthed the aesthetic we call “Heroin Chic”characterized by models with gaunt frames and sallow faces, adorned with dark smudged eyeshadow. The Heroin Chic model was typically associated with a lifestyle of partying and illicit drug use. Supermodels of the era seemed to all have this look, from the poster girl Kate Moss to Jaime King to Gia Carangi from whom the term originated. Young women idolized this image as they flipped through the pages of Vogue, leading to a massive spike in eating disorders from 1990 to 1998. The Heroin Chic obsession began to dwindle at the turn of the century, however excessive thinness continued to be prevalent on the runway and in print.
Flash forward to the 2020’s, Generation Z have typically been outspoken about retiring old-fashioned and unhealthy body standards, and have often been credited with “inventing” the body positivity movement. Unfortunately, social media platforms (primarily TikTok) have become the champions of breeding extreme trends like the carnivore diet and toxic body shaming workout content. Additionally, the sensationalizing of weight loss drugs like Ozempic or other substances like cocaine have skyrocketed due to this generation’s adoration for influencers and musicians like Charli XCX. The culmination of all of these obsessions have led young people to once again idolize the jutting collarbones and Tim Burton-esque faces that were worshiped in the 90’s. When it comes down to it, body types should not be “trending”- let’s leave that to the clothes. The drugs, disorders, and surgeries required to “keep up” with society’s ever-changing ideal body are not sustainable and are beyond dangerous. So why did we switch up? And where do we go from here?
PLAY READY TO
Written by: Summer DeCiucis
Models:
PLAY READY
Photographer: Amaris Bowers
Jaden Albuquerque, Tyra Bodrick, Talula Black, Davis Cirillo
The fashion world has seen a steady, increased influence of athleisure since the 80s. What started with baggy tracksuits evolved into Princess Diana’s iconic crew necks and biker shorts, and has now turned into athletic wear that allows you to blur the lines of gender in your day to day looks.
In the last year, I’m sure we have all looked down at some point and noticed the sea of Adidas Sambas or Gazelles, or New Balance “dad” sneakers among us. These subtle additions of athleisure, easily add the perfect masculine edge to any outfit. Pair them with an ultra feminine dress or skirt, and you have an immediately more intriguing look.
While seeing those notorious three stripes walk past you multiple times a day might seem like an over-saturated trend, they have risen to popularity for a reason.
Jersey tops have also been caught up by mainstream fashion trends, as a unique piece of clothing that adds an effortlessly cool essence to an otherwise basic look. A boxy jersey paired with a chic pair of oversized glasses, baggy jeans and ballet flats has been an outfit formula frequently replicated by fashion influencers. Adding athletic elements to feminine, or more simple outfits adds a playful element. What sets athlesuire in 2024 apart from athleisure in the 80s/90s is that we aren’t just being seen in sportwear to and from workouts. We are purposefully styling these elements to wear all day, making our outfits more functional and making us ready to play. In addition to outright athletic wear and materials like mesh, nylon, and polyester, plaid and striped patterns have also been making appearances in recent trend cycles.
“We
are purposefully styling these elements to wear all day, making our outfits more functional and making us ready to play.”
There will undoubtedly be an influx in striped clothing elements, might as well beat the trend and pair them with the stripes on your Adidas. Button downs, chunky stripes, and anything plaid are all collegiate elements that pair seamlessly with athleisure. Not only do these pops of leisurewear add a playful element to daily outfits, but they add edge and functionality. Next time you’re getting ready, don’t fear looking underdressed or too casual, there are ways to incorporate athleusire that look purposeful and add an unexpected chic flair to your look.
Written by: Julia Karns
Models: Jaylyn Johnson
Melanie Stone
Trâm-Anh Ly
Selkis Arinna
Photographer: Elizabeth Murphy
Good Old Raisins and Peanuts: Functional Fashion
Clothing provided by Cee Blues Antiques & Vintage Clothing in Richmond, VA
What is Gorp-core? The odd moniker comes from the phrase “good old raisins and peanuts”, referring to popular snacks brought along to activities associated with the aesthetic- such as hiking, rock climbing, and camping. Gorp-core incorporates workwear and functional outdoor attire into everyday outfits in a way that is explorative and free from gender constrictions.
The concept for this photoshoot was pitched by our Junior Creative Director Kristina Wise, who has a background in construction and a love for the outdoors.
“When I first learned about the Gorpcore aesthetic, I was super excited because, as an outdoors person, I already had a lot of pieces that fit the aesthetic and essentially had been participating in it without knowing the name for it,” said Wise.
Gorp-core allows individuals to delve deeper into their gender expression, as the aesthetic is largely composed of what is typically considered “men’s wear”. With the current binary state of the fashion industry, this aesthetic has created a space
that reinforces the idea that clothing is not gendered. “Any one can wear it, and depending on styling can lean into their own gender expression,” said Wise.
If interested in trying out the aesthetic, take a peek in your closet or nearby secondhand shops for technical outerwear (like utility or hunting jackets), a hardy pair of denim or camo pants, and a good clunky boot.
P.S. A good place to start the search is Cee Blues!
Gorp-core is a highly accessible aesthetic. Interesting, high quality pieces can be found at thrift shops or vintage stores at a wide range of price points. Additionally, due to the functional nature of the aesthetic, any garment you buy to experiment with will be highly versatile.
Outdoor exploration can be at times exclusionary, but Gorp-core is taking over the adventurous aesthetic and bringing it to new frontiers.
Julia’s Italy Diaries:
“ Tourists and locals alike grace the cobbled streets of Tuscany with spunk, swagger, and sophistiation.”
Written by: Julia Karns
Our Junior Editor In Chief, Julia Karns, spent this semester in Florence, Italy, where she was emersed in European culture, especially the style that filled the streets. Read all about the sights she saw, and the fashion that caught her eye.
Glacial Glamour:
Tuscan Street Style in Late Winter
Tourists and locals alike grace the cobbled streets of Tuscany with spunk,swagger, and sophistiation. Whether out for a walk with their- very small- dogs, heading to work or a Sunday brunch- a majority of pedestrians dress as if they are ready to attend the front row of a fashion show, even when fashion week has come and gone.
This season, the staples are a good high-quality pair of denim, pleated trousers, vintage leather, and ballet flats. Those who have an eye on the fashion columns are sure to have a colorful fur coat, barn jacket, and eccentric statement hat in their closet. Elegance, self-expression, and practicality are at the heart of Italian streetwear.
As we transition into Spring, keep an eye outside your window to see how civilians translate fresh runway looks into daily wear.
Pitti Uomo 2025: Street Style
In January, Pitti Uomo took place in Florence, Italy. The exhibition- celebrating craftsmanship, heritage, and innovationhas long been considered the most important menswear event in the world. Legendary and emerging designers from all over the globe gathered to present their work, notably Setchu and Maison Margiela who made an appearance in Florence for the first time in 20 years. While the beauty and incredible talent displayed within the event is undeniable, some attendees claim that the streetwear of on-lookers during the four days of Pitti make a good rival.
Corresponding with the industry trend of inconspicuous consumption, there was a major lack of flashy logos and brand names. However, those with a keen interest in fashion can appreciate the quality and craftsmanship alone. On the street, I observed a masterful blend of traditional tailoring and modern coolness, mirroring Pitti Uomo’s mission to combine the expertise of generations of menswear ateliers with the innovation and spunk of young creatives. As an American fashion student, I appreciate the attention that Italians pay to menswear. Typically, male fashion takes a backseat, therefore I found the opportunity to be in Florence during Pitti Uomo both refreshing and eye opening.
“I sat outside of the Vintage Caffè on Via de Conti with a cappuccino and approached various individuals whose outfits stood out to me, amongst the sea of well-dressed men who passed by.”
A Guide to Second-Hand Shopping in Florence
Florence, Italy is bursting at the seams with thrift stores and vintage clothing shopsmaking the city both a treasure trove and a labyrinth when it comes to finding truly special second-hand clothing. As a self-identified thrift-aholic, it is safe to say that after spending almost two months in Florence, I have visited a sickening amount of these types of stores. While, due to the city’s historical tie to the fashion industry, it is pretty much possible to fall in love with something within any store, if operating on a minimal timeline, the following second-hand stores are where I (a third-year fashion student) would prioritize.
Humana People
This is a consistent hit for me. Humana continuously moves fresh merchandise onto their floor, and while it is the closest thing I have found (yet) to a Goodwill or Salvation Army, their selection is both affordable and highly curated. High quality and sought after brands- like Max and Co., Diesel, and Desigual- can be found for less than €30 by
those who have the patience to thoroughly look through the racks.
Humana People also provides an embroidery/upcycling station for customers to make what is old in their closet new again. Additionally, all profits go to supporting charity projects in third-world countries, making the store not only an enjoyable and eco-friendly experience, but a truly sustainable company.
“Pro-tip: check out their instagram @humanapeoplestores to see if they have any big sales going on (they often run clearances that set a blanket €1-5 price on everything in the store!)”
Melrose Vintage
Melrose is the second-hand store that everyone is talking about. An all around visual masterpiece, walking through the interior is like walking into a time machine and strolling through the decades. While the prices are usually sat on the higher end of the accessible market, true vintage lovers will have the chance to purchase mint condition historical pieces- or even just enjoy browsing!
Rrose Selavy
During the last ten minutes of a lunch break between classes, I stumbled into Rrose Selavy. The store is filled to the brim with upcycled vintage and beautiful pre-owned designer clothing, causing your eyes to play ping pong the entire time in order to attempt to appreciate everything.
The owner is kind and keen to share her extensive knowledge about her collection and upcycling process. I encourage anyone who enjoys taking their time sifting through pieces in order to find a gem to pay the store a visit.
La Noia Vintage
A younger establishment, La Noia is bubbling with energy and eccentricity. The store carries highly curated vintage at a variety of prices. The small floor space is teeming with swagger, flaunting archival Vivienne Westwood and Comme Des Garçons. La Noia is for the impossibly cool and impossibly fashion-forward.
UB Firenze
This location is for archival fashion collectors and luxury appreciators. While unfortunately nothing UB displays is (currently) within my price range, admiring the sheer craftsmanship and opulence within the shop is well worth your time. Additionally, the second-hand store specializes in sourcing interesting vintage home goods- spreading the appeal from just fashion-lovers to savants of interior design.
Written by: Miles Ragin
With the rise in popularity of shows like Max’s Euphoria and Sex and the City, FX’s Pose and Sean Baker’s new film Anora, it’s hard to not notice the fashion scene that’s been influenced by the sex work scene and those who keep it alive. Their embodiment of sexual desire and pleasure can be easily expressed through clothes and accessories. This is a visual concept that has influenced fashion since the 1970s. Yet, due to popular luxury brands & designers like Sinéad O’Dwyer and Marc Jacobs, this scene has been replicated in fashion and applied to modern society. Here are a few trends, their origins and how they’ve transformed American style.
In the height of the 2010s and into the 2020s, platform heels and knee high shoes have become extremely commercialized. They can be seen on stage by your favorite pop artists such as Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter. Grande embraced this style as she embarked on her solo music journey, being spotted in them since 2015. It’s clear Carpenter took some inspiration from Ariana; finishing up the U.S. leg of her “Short ‘n Sweet Tour,” she can be seen wearing glittery silver platform heels with heart cutouts on the sides. Little did you know, that style you see on stage was appropriated from sex worker culture. The heels are seen as a powerful entity in order to accentuate lines that came from photographs taken of individual workers.
Today, crop tops are normalized and worn by all shapes, sizes & gender identities. This trend began as a cultural phenomenon in the late 1960s and 1970s dominating America as sexual liberation and self-expression were running rampant. Even though they were seen as raunchy and exploratory, men started challenging gender norms by wearing them cut at different lengths for the same reason as women. Nowadays in American society they’re worn by teens in a more casual manner due to their ease, practicality and versatility. However, it was the 2010s that soldified their placement in society. Having influencers, celebrities and designers reimagining them by styling and designing them to be loose and flowy or structured and more form fitting. This allowed for numerous individuals being introduced and accustomed to the fashion of the modern age.
Although they trace back to around 1000 BC by the Minoan people of Crete, corsets didn’t start to become a staple in fashion until the Victorian era. Instead of ensuring modesty, originally they were all about highlighting the curvaceousness of the female figure through the boning structure. What once was a supportive undergarment has now shifted into a focal piece for numerous styles and outfits of all shapes and sizes. Bella Hadid was photographed leaving a New York Fashion Week event wearing a vintage Vivienne Westwood archival corset top, from her fall-winter 1993 collection.The piece completed with a kiss between Hercules and Omphale on the front. Although it may seem like corsets are for smaller and skinnier frames, Lizzo has been breaking the fashion mold for bigger bodies. She arrived at the 2022 Met Gala in a black Thom Browne cutout corset dress which perfectly fit the “Gilded Glamour” theme. The theme was intended to highlight the Met Costume Institute’s “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” exhibition. Lizzo’s corseted statement pieces have expanded the universe of fashion for all bodies; showcasing the versatility of fashion trends and clothing for everyone.
Thom Browne Couture
Avellano RTW Spring 24
Fetishistic by nature and origin, latex and rubber dresses have been embraced by pop culture and have also made their way out of the dungeon. Just like corsets, the job performed by latex and rubber dresses is to define the natural body in a futuristic, new light. It’s seen as one of the most sensual fabrics out there and I couldn’t agree more. The goal is to attract attention and to push the limits that were previously held within the fashion industry. Designers utilizing the latex more and challenging the norms back then are one of the primary reasons for the destigmatization of latex dresses from its affiliation to sex worker culture.
Moreover, style icon celebrities like Beyoncé and Halle Bailey have catapulted the material as a fierce and powerful statement within fashion as well. All eyes were on Beyoncé in 2016 when she arrived at the Met Gala wearing an embellished latex dress by Givenchy while taking a short break from her “Formation Tour.” Succeeding her mentor at the 2024 BET Awards, Halle Bailey showcased a backless black latex dress by Avellano. With latex dresses coming into the limelight increasingly every year, it’s important to note something. While the material is eye-catching and draws attention to the person fitted in it, it’s ultimately about how you feel about yourself wearing it. It symbolizes power, control and confidence, and I feel if you don’t embody one of those symbols then the piece won’t be presented in the same manner.
Southern Gothic
While the South is the birthplace of many parts of our current culture, it has also enabled countless atrocities our country has seen, and to this day saves space for discrimination and bigotry. Southern Gothic holds a mirror to the dark side of the south, tales of religious trauma, classism, racism, and generational mental health struggles; real problems which are covered by fake smiles, thoughts and prayers.
A fashion aesthetic that has become mainstreamed and characterized by crosses, lace, ruffles, moody makeup and long tousled hair, has existed as an exceptionally emotional literary and artistic style for decades. Early displays of Southern Gothic can be seen in pivotal works like Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, and in passed down tales which encompass the horrors in which the South was built upon.
This aesthetic has made a name for itself in the fashion world, being featured in runway shows by Maison Margiela, Miu Miu, and Sandy Liang. Ruffled collars, dark lace, long hemlines and high necks are all features that have crept into the couture scene.
Written by:
Summer
DeCiucis
Models:
Ayla Denali
Bethany Brittle
Gwyneth Mascolo
Selkis Arinna
Photography:
Summer DeCiucis
Amaris Bowers
Ethel Cain has become the leading figure of the current adaptation of Southern Gothic. Her albums, filled with hauntingly beautiful songs which tell the painful story of growing up in the south, supply this aesthetic with a simultaneously melancholy and beautiful soundtrack. Cain’s imagery as an artist including religious symbolism, dark motifs, and vintage lace nightgowns all reclaim the very style of the people who repress individualism in the South.
Under the guise of colonialism, differences amongst neighbors are usually seen as threats. In today’s world, queerness and expressive fashion is seen through a negative lens in certain parts of the south. For those in the south who are different, it can turn into a tug of war between wanting to move away to a more accepting place, while also having love for the place that raised you. Southern Gothic as an “aesthetic” has become a home for many people who feel they cannot return to theirs.
Office Siren Chronicles
Written by: Summer DeCiucis
Models: Courtney Van, Jolene Lopez, Makayla Randall, Liz Defluri Photographer: Elizabeth Murphy
Gen Z has infamously been given descriptors like lazy, unmotivated, and all around framed as people who don’t want to work. The reality is that we are entering the workforce at full speed ahead, and a number of Gen Zers have been caught up in the hell that is corporate America for some time now.
The only thing we’re guilty of is attempting to change the narrative of the workforce. We have been crusaders for redefining what we want our careers to look like. Long are the days we crave to be slaves to capitalism, working monotonous nine to fives in a dismal cubicle in drab, bodyless business wear.
“
Long are the days we crave to be slaves to capitalism, working monotonous nine to fives in a dismal cubicle in drab, bodyless business wear.”
As a generation we have made it clear that creativity and individuality are much more desirable then the latter. That longing for creative freedom is even more prevalent in our generational style, and microtrends we have established.
The “office siren” aesthetic has taken over the fashion world and earned its top spot among countless other microtrends.
Short skirts, kitten heels, tiny glasses, smoky makeup, and no shortage of décolletage are the identifiers of this controversial trend. The biggest gripe people have towards this style is that it’s not suitable or appropriate for professional environments. As much as we want to change the landscape of office life, I’m not sure there are many corporate environments that will be accepting of tiny skirts and pieces that border the lines of lingerie. However, we are a generation that prides itself on personal style, and there are ways we can incorporate the fundamentals of the office siren look, without going overboard.
Creative layering, accessories, and accentuating your figure are the main features of this aesthetic that make it so alluring. Yet there are ways to use all of these factors, and still have an appropriate outfit for the office. Individuality is important, yes, but also there is a level of decorum we should hold in any professional environment.
