SPRING 2021
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1 1 3 3 S WA S H I N GTO N AV E .
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LANSING, MI 48910
IN THIS ISSUE FASHION 6
DROWNING IN PEARLS
10
ROCKSTAR FANTASY
23
REWRITING ARISTOCRACY
32
CHIC AS F***
40
TIED UP
51
SELF AWAKENING
CREATIVE 19
RETRO FUTURISM
46
STYLED GEOMETRICS
CREATIVE BEAUTY 13
EVOLVED CUBISM
35
CAKE FACE
HEALTH & BEAUTY 15
MULTIPURPOSE MAKEUP
29
BEING TRANSPARENT ABOUT
TRANS HEALTH
37
NATURAL HAIR: PERSONAL &
POLITICAL IDENTITY
49
LET’S GET SECURE: A LOOK
AT ATTACHMENT STYLES
LIFESTYLE 17
LIVING WITH LIMERENCE
27
SUBLIMINAL PEACE
43
ECOGUILT
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EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Alaina Agnello & Eve Voci
ASSISTANT TO THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Bryn Feeley ART DIRECTORS Lauren Johnson & Maddie Stoy EDITING DIRECTORS Bianca Bucholtz & Lucas Polack CREATIVE DIRECTORS Maria Vitale & Kathryn Remy FASHION DIRECTORS Savannah Adler, Haley Poag & Baraka Macharia LIFESTYLE DIRECTORS Hunter Gadwell & Claire Ryan HEALTH & BEAUTY DIRECTORS Steffany Kim & Maxine Osorio CREATIVE BEAUTY DIRECTOR Olivia Simone ASSISTANT CREATIVE BEAUTY DIRECTOR Megan Hemstreet EVENTS DIRECTORS Justin Zhang ASSISTANT EVENTS DIRECTOR Anoushka Ravindran MARKETING DIRECTORS Courtney Monge & Alaina Warburton ASSISTANT MARKETING DIRECTOR Alexia Saucedo PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTORS Ri’an Jackson & Brianna Olszewski ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR Sarah Peltz SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTORS McKenna Cameron & Patricia Udeozor-Nweke ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Bella Jacks & Emma Rafferty PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Emma Dowd & Nicole Ma DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Maisie Kern ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Olivia Phaneuf CASTING DIRECTORS Brianna Elizalde & Tori Tullio FASHION RELATIONS DIRECTORS Ally Iverson & Lilly Soble ASSISTANT FASHION RELATIONS DIRECTORS Kennedy Goudeseune & Shree Mysore FILM DIRECTOR Sara Seryani ASSISTANT FILM DIRECTORS Malia Athanasiou & Sydney Mireles GRAPHIC DESIGN DIRECTORS Mary Beth Flores & Hope Ann Flores BLOG DIRECTORS Kayla Donaldson & Sarah Rabaut BOARD OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Riz Hatton, Rahmya Trewern, Judith Vazquez & Renna Yang UX DIRECTORS Catherine Davis & Nehareka Singh ART TEAM Gabrielle McKeever & Lauren Slawin EDITING TEAM Lia Bergin, Lauren Gudeman, Lacie Kunselman & Ashley Zhou CREATIVE TEAM Kate Blaszkiewicz, Jared Osborne, Sierra Law & Rylee Hmyak FASHION STYLISTS Grace Campbell, Lia Massey, Marta Vaitkaitis, Julia Wallace & Anna Webber FASHION WRITERS Nicole Glynn, Kseniya Lukiy, Isabella Schincariol, Anna Traver & Borjana Alia LIFESTYLE TEAM Michael Casey, Cameryn Cass, Kari Eickholdt, Bella Crociata, Brandon Foster, Jennifer Bloch, Madison Moran & Lucy VanRegenmorter HEALTH & BEAUTY TEAM Inna Espinoza, Tori Gardocki, Navya Kalia, Nana Krah, Jessie Senatore & Chloe West
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CREATIVE BEAUTY TEAM Evelyn Campau, Morgan Lynch, Mackenzie Stoy, Amrita Umamaheswaran, Ava Taconelli & Ovya Venkat EVENTS TEAM Thea Bruun, Julia Chenault, Caitlyn Cieslik & Michaela Moore MARKETING TEAM Marley Jenks, Olivia O’Connell, Sarah Oesterling, Riya Patel, Alexa Reder & Julia Tatone PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM Izzie Adelson, Callyn Birchmeier, Alli Boris, Sophia Bruno, Kaitlyn Keele, Anna Nokku, Erin O’Brien, Lauryn Love, Julianne Crowley & Morgan Barbat SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Genna Bellestri, Franchesca Fachou, Riley Howell, Chloe Marcou, Jenna Taylor & Ellie VanDyke ADVERTISING TEAM Avery Graf, Isha Jaffer, Liv Keller, Gabrielle Morton, Bella Rallis, Shelby Zeigler & Sydney Temple, Rauneet Kaur, Caroline Baratta, Olivia Tantaro, Alayna Seaberg & Lauren Veldboom PRINT PHOTOGRAPHERS Amanda Bearden, Jilly Felton, Julia Lobello & Lauren Snyder ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHERS Alec Gerstenberger, Rachel Hitchcock, Celia Lochkos, George Pham & Karina Stankowski DEVELOPMENT TEAM Grace Salloum & Emma Wallace STUDENT RELATIONS TEAM Ashley Ayers, Alexia Fabyan, Sophia Cloutier & Trisha Ha FASHION RELATIONS TEAM Margot Baer, Puja Modi, Euni Baik & Maddy Eischer FILM TEAM John Hart, Isaiah Johns, Deon Nevins, Jaden Duong Sarah Zube, Kaleigh Jacobs & Beza Desta GRAPHIC DESIGN TEAM Grace Bohlen, Claire Brown, Lexi Ciagne, Courtney Cibor & Emily Maze BLOG TEAM Kweku Achenie, Afrah Alamery, Grace Dobie, Jenna Malinowski, Chloë Redeye, Olivia King, Haley Robins, Emily Komer, Maddy Belanski & Katlyn Holtvluwer UX TEAM Sam Abele, Elena Bulthuis, Anaija Johnson, Chase Maples, Phoebe Peterson, Haley Sinclair & La Min Way FOUNDERS Kerry Chereskin, Lauren Christopherson & Julie Christopherson
Letter from the Editors. To all VIM members, local small businesses and VIM readers everywhere: we owe you a big thank you. You all played an immense role in allowing us to put together this magazine, despite the challenges that came with the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases this semester. Thank you to our members for staying positive and persevering through this process. You never gave up when photoshoot locations had to change last minute, or when members couldn’t go to set due to COVID-19. Additionally, thank you for respecting our strict COVID-19 guidelines throughout this school year. By following these guidelines, you helped keep all of our members safe. We also thank you for being present at meetings, even in the virtual format. We are proud to announce that our engagement at meetings has risen by over 100% from previous years, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you to the small businesses in the East Lansing and Lansing area that helped us make this magazine possible. You welcomed us into your
establishments to shoot, lent us items for our sets and provided us with your guidance; we truly could not have put this magazine together without your help. We would like to specifically thank Blue Owl Coffee, Cedar Street Art Collective, The Cube, The Grid, Hyacinth House, The Lansing Studio, State of Fitness, Vintage Junkie and Wild Goose Inn. Lastly, we would like to thank our VIM readers. Day in and day out, you give us the motivation to put this magazine together despite all challenges. You pushed us to think beyond how we normally do things to create this magazine for you. We appreciate your support and guidance when we needed it most.
VIM has been an integral part of our college experiences, and we are so grateful for the people we met and the memories we made. And though our time with this organization has come to an end, we are excited to see VIM grow in the future. It has been an honor to be your editors-in-chief this year. Good luck future staff members!
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DROWNING IN PEARLS
When walking through an art museum, one might notice that the pieces feature women with more natural faces and bodies than those in any modern magazine. For some, this might be a fleeting idea, but for others, it is a reminder of the insecurities collected from internalizing contemporary beauty standards while growing up. As a society, we neglect to realize that the women we see shaped out of stone or painted on canvas are the most innately beautiful. We look at marble sculptures of women and decide that they have value we cannot see in ourselves, despite our similarities. Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece “The Birth of Venus” depicts the Greek goddess of love and beauty in all her
authenticity. She stands in place of a pearl on a scallop shell, her soft, rounded belly and thighs viewed as the epitome of 15th century beauty. Apart from Botticelli’s epochal painting, there are countless examples of natural women in art with small lips, modest chests or shapely curves. What was ultimately prioritized as attractive then, above all else, was health. Presently, what society regards as beautiful is neither physically nor mentally the image of health at all. Modern women are instead drowning in impossible beauty standards that are perpetually evolving, creating cycles of insecurities that often provoke destructive behaviors. Many women eventually become
so far removed from accepting themselves as they are that they resort to permanently changing themselves instead. The competitive nature between women only sustains this behavior. Often, women find themselves comparing their faces and bodies to the likes of women on social media. In turn, they feel inadequate for looking little to nothing like these women, whose images are often digitally altered or edited until they are far from realistic. Men are not immune to beauty standards either. They may suffer silently for years while the conversation stays solely on women and their struggles. While women are more expected to undergo changes to their appearance, men who take
it upon themselves to change their appearance for aesthetic reasons are seen as more feminine and therefore less of a “man.” Men and women are both predisposed to desire to be more conventionally attractive than other men and women, but women are more likely to be praised for making changes to their body in order to fit a societal norm. Regardless of gender, it is important everyone feels comfortable and accepted in their body. Society must evolve to prioritize health over appearances. Nurturing a healthy relationship between your body and mind is easier said than done, and although it tends to start from a developmental age, it remains important throughout the entirety of one’s life. What if, by accepting yourself, you could influence others to accept themselves as well? Would your insecurities be lessened if you found someone to look up to? If so, perhaps you can decide to be that someone instead. Imagine, as a parent, passing down the structure of your nose, the curves of your hips or your strong arms to your child. Imagine your child loving themselves because they grew up with a parent who loved and respected themself enough to not allow their child to drown in superficialities. By accepting ourselves in our entirety, we teach those who are less accepting to love themselves instead. By loving the features we may be insecure about, we can show those who have the same features to love themselves too, creating a wake for future generations to follow.
STYLE: LIA MASSEY WORDS: KSENIYA LUKIY PHOTO: KARINA NOELLE STANKOWSKI GLAM: MACKENZIE STOY & SABRINA SCHOONMAKER LOCATION: WILD GOOSE INN
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ROCKSTA FANT
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AR NTASY
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STYLE: GRACE CAMPBELL WORDS: NICOLE GLYNN PHOTO: NICOLE MA GLAM: EVELYN CAMPAU LOCATION: THE GRID
The 1950s were the beginning of the rock ‘n’ roll era that forever changed fashion as we know it. Before the ‘50s, music and fashion had little in common until rock ‘n’ roll united the two into an unstoppable pair. Iconicized by the onstage looks of none other than Elvis Presley, the style of rock ‘n’ roll evolved into the leather pants and cheetah print coats that have taken over the current fashion scene. Rock ‘n’ roll in the ‘60s was embodied by tie-dye shirts and military uniforms, while the ‘70s followed up with the age of punk. Yet all this eventually developed into the bold and glittering
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glam rock clothes of the 1980s. The hairstyles became longer and clothing became tighter. Metallics and skintight spandex were thrown into the spotlight, alongside overly distressed jeans and a plethora of leather jackets, boots and pants. The late ‘80s bled over into the grays and grunge of the early 1990s. Glitz and glam was traded out for oversized t-shirts and Converse sneakers, but the leather and ripped jeans were here to stay. While the styles changed slightly, the unkempt and bold roots of rock ‘n’ roll remained. Now, leather pants, thigh high boots and big fur coats are just some of the
many trending moments in fashion that are at the forefront of modern rock ‘n’ roll. Big voluminous hair accompanied with a modernized twist on mullets — courtesy of the one-and-only Miley Cyrus — have taken over as must-have hairstyles that add a bit of nostalgia to each and every look. As styles stray away from the mainstream trends of the early 2010s, the generation of today is making statements that never go unnoticed. The youth of today are a force to be reckoned with. The world is their stage and they are all just rock stars waiting to make a statement — so why not dress like it?
Evolved Cubism
STYLE: OLIVIA SIMONE & MEGAN HEMSTREET PHOTO: ALEC GERSTENBERGER GLAM: OLIVIA SIMONE & MEGAN HEMSTREET LOCATION: BLUE OWL COFFEE
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M
MAKEUP
MULTIPURPOSE
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Makeup, first used by ancient Egyptians, has developed into an artform and embodied countless trends. Wearing makeup involves more than just covering pimples and blurring imperfections; its purposes are endless. With the rise of beauty influencers and popular makeup reviews, many of us have been inspired to try new products. While this is a great tool for discovery and has improved my makeup routine immensely, it’s also left me with drawers full of unwanted products. Like anything in life, you’re not going to love everything you try. STYLE: TORI GARDOCKI WORDS: TORI GARDOCKI PHOTO: LAUREN SNYDER GLAM: MORGAN LYNCH
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However, with makeup products, not liking something doesn’t mean you need to throw it out. In fact, many, if not all of your cosmetic purchases can be given another life. To me, highlighter is a product that often leaves a lot to be desired. Many of them are too chalky, full of glitter or emphasize my skin’s texture in an unappealing way. When you encounter a highlighter like this, or even an eyeshadow similar to your skin tone that you want to ditch, try mixing it with your favorite body butter or lotion. What you’ll create is a shimmering moisturizing product that gives you a beautiful glow.
Beyond repurposing the product itself, you can also reuse the packaging. When your lipsticks dry out, save the tube, clean it out and you’ve got a travel-sized container for bobby pins. Old compacts can be great for storing earrings or other jewelry by simply taking out the inner pan once you’re done with the product. Some brands like Lush or MAC even do the work for you by offering discounts or special promotions if you return your empty packaging. Reusing products will not only benefit you and your wallet, but our planet too.
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LIMERENCE
LIVING WITH
WORDS: MICHAEL CASEY & LUCY VANREGENMORTER PHOTO: LAUREN SNYDER GLAM: EVELYN CAMPAU STYLIST: BARAKA MACHARIA
R
From this experience, O’Shea says she now has the ability to recognize when others may have fallen victim to limerence, including fictional characters such as Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” and Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind.” O’Shea said, “Of course these folks are fictional, but the fact that they spend years trying to win someone’s affection, to no avail, makes me think the authors experienced limerence themselves or knew someone who went through it.” O’Shea believes limerence goes beyond obsession, into the sphere of mental illness. “I believe limerence is a mental health disorder that can be likened to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),” she said. “A limerent person’s actions may not be compulsive, the way a person with OCD’s actions are, but his or her thoughts are intrusive and involuntary ... the condition affects the way a person’s emotions are processed.”
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t’s normal to have a crush — that one person you can’t stop thinking about and can’t help but smile around. However, when these thoughts become obsessive, a simple crush can turn into something more harmful: limerence. Psychologist Dorothy Tennov first coined the term in her 1979 book “Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love.” Tennov defines limerence as a mental state of profound romantic infatuation, which causes individuals to enter “an involuntary interpersonal state that involves an acute longing for emotional reciprocation, obsessivecompulsive thoughts, feelings and behaviors and emotional dependence on another person.” Limerence is far different from a crush; even a big crush can come and go and doesn’t seriously affect the individual. Limerence, on the other hand, is an emotional obsession for an individual that controls the thought process. Samara O’Shea, licensed social worker and author, discusses limerence in her book “Loves Me... Not: How to Survive (and Thrive!) in the Face of Unrequited Love.” O’Shea has experienced the effects of limerence throughout her early life, saying, “I was in 7th grade and had a crush on a 15-yearold. That crush lasted for 2 years.”
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As hookup culture grows more common in today’s society, this raises questions of what limerence looks like in modern relationships such as casual flings or “friends with benefits.” Since O’Shea believes that there is a biological predisposition to limerence, she does not believe that hookup culture necessarily increases or decreases limerence. Rather, it means that those predisposed to limerence find it more difficult to let go of their one night stand. “Person A might have a friends-with-benefits experience, end up having romantic feelings for the ‘friend’ and move on when they realize the feelings aren’t reciprocated,” O’Shea describes. “Person B, on the other hand, might be in the exact same situation but end up in limerence when all is said and done. Person A moved on within weeks while Person B obsessed for a much longer period of time —not because of anything they did, but because they are hardwired that way.” Limerence takes control of an individual’s thought process and can be difficult to move past. The first step to overcoming limerence is self-awareness. Once someone identifies this pattern and accepts that it affects them, they can better combat the intrusive thoughts and obsession that come with limerence. Like any mental struggle, it requires honesty, patience and practice—but that doesn’t make it impossible.
F
RETRO
Cover Shoot - Retro Futurism
FUTURISM
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STYLE: MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY PHOTO: NICOLE MA GLAM: KATHRYN REMY SET DESIGN: MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY PROPS: VINTAGE JUNKIES
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Rewriting Aristocracy Fashion - Bridgerton
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ome people view getting dressed every day as a mundane task, where the clothing acts as a uniform to wear as we go through our day. For others, that step in a morning routine gives life purpose. When we wake up, we can decide how we want to portray ourselves through the clothes we wear. Whether we want to be seen as beautiful, compelling, creative or provocative, the opportunities lie before us on hangers. What we
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wear allows us to state who we are without having to say anything at all. That in itself holds enough power to make an individual not only feel they are wearing art, but that they are art themselves.
you are, wear it proudly. Fashion is a powerful thing for those that choose to embrace it boundlessly. There is room for everyone and is always something new to be explored and flaunted.
From the initial sketch of a budding idea to the final stitch of fabric, each piece of clothing holds the potential to transform how someone sees themselves. Fashion has no universal dress code or set of rules to confine creativity. The best part of clothing is that, like any other art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When you find that piece that makes you love who
There is something to be said about the clothes we choose to wear while life takes us through the experiences that make us who we are, and even more to be said about how we feel while wearing them. And with each conversation in fashion, we come to a simple conclusion: that it is wearable art.
WORDS: BELLA SCHINCARIOL STYLE: BELLA SCHINCARIOL & MARTA VAITKAITIS PHOTO: LAUREN SNYDER GLAM: OVYA VENKAT
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SUBLIMINAL
PEACE
As humans become busier — loaded with daily responsibilities and constantly multitasking — we easily forget when and how to slow down. When the line between work and life is often blurred, it’s easy to lose sight of balance and just go through the motions. However, to help find peace and balance in everyday life, many people are becoming interested in natural healing remedies such as meditation, journaling, yoga and crystals. These practices force us to reflect inward and strengthen our physical, mental and emotional bodies by freeing us from distraction. Humans are masters at distracting themselves, and it is this distraction that takes us away from prioritizing the essentials: discovering our truth. When we allow ourselves to experience such feelings without judgement, we get a little closer to understanding who we are at our core. Spiritualism is whatever we make of it. We can do things like practice yoga, meditate or utilize crystals to get closer to our higher, divine being. This requires introspection — and looking inwards isn’t always fun, as you might not like what you find. The first step in producing any real change is to identify what feels wrong inside. As many were taught through high school science courses, the first law of conservation of energy states
that energy cannot be created or destroyed — only transferred from one form to another. The total amount of energy in the universe has always been the same. Similarly, we are bodies of vibrating energy meant to live high-vibrational lives grounded in simplicity.
Human beings are Masters of Distraction. It is this distraction that takes us away from fronting the essentials: from discovering our Truth. But what does this really mean? We are constantly bombarded with inspirational messages advising us to live in the moment. How can anyone be sure they’re living presently and to the fullest? This can sometimes feel like pressure, yet, it is our own minds creating this feeling. Our inner turmoils can be a terrifying, savage labyrinth. Meister Eckhart, a German philosopher who studied the idea of Being, coined the word “istigkeit,” which translates to “it just is.” Despite Eckhart’s teachings, it is so exceedingly
challenging to see things for how they are. Human beings love to create something out of nothing. However, it is important to try accepting things for what they are, like in meditation, when you observe your thoughts without judgement. It’s the inner workings of human minds that make living simply so complex and overwhelming. All of this — yoga, meditation, crystals — are part of the journey to discovering the beautiful simplicity of existence. There are a multitude of ways to raise your vibrational energy — practices you likely already do from time to time. It can be as simple digging your bare feet in the grass to absorb the earth’s energy, practicing gratitude and showing love towards others or simply eating whole foods like honey, berries and greens. Deep breathing in yoga and meditation is what allows our mind to open and be energized. Controlling our breath is a practice we can take with us off the mat and out of meditation too. When stressors overwhelm and life becomes too much to bear, breathing centers us. Take a step back from your busy life and take a moment to reconnect with yourself. Instead of “going through the motions,” act with purpose and intent to make this life a meaningful one.
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STYLE: CLAIRE RYAN WORDS: CAMERYN CASS & CLAIRE RYAN PHOTO: LAUREN SNYDER GLAM: AMRITA UMAMAHESWARAN LOCATION: THE LANSING STUDIO
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B
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BEING TRANSPARENT ABOUT
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Health care. What do you think of ? Who is included? Who is excluded? Despite increasing LGBTQ+ activism over the past decade, people continue to view members of the LGBTQ+ community as “others.’’ This categorization of the community has carried into the medical field, as health care professionals may be uncomfortable performing transgender health care due to personal beliefs or a lack of education on ideal treatment practices. For example, some health care insurance companies do not cover gender comfirmation practices and sex reassignment surgeries, such as hysterectomies and hormone treatments. Former President Donald Trump’s administration put forward several rules and regulations that tampered with the trans community’s health. Currently, there are 15 bills targeting transgender individuals such as Alabama’s Vulnerable Child and Compassion Act, which imposes criminal penalties towards health care workers and parents who provide gender affirming health care to trans youth. Generally speaking, a person’s gender transition can be described as the journey to who the individual really is on the inside. Not only is there the physical process to worry about, but also the many intersectional barriers that accompany being transgender. Some of these discrimination barriers include age, sex and race. Specifically, there lies a targeted disparity against trans people and their access to quality care. Juliette Cayao, a transgender woman and student at Michigan State University, recently started estrogen hormone treatment, during which transgender women take the hormone to make their bodies more physically feminine. According to 30 VIM 30 VIM
Cayao, she believes the first step to universal transgender health care is to eliminate the social stigma against trans people. This can be achieved through proper education and by respecting elements of who they are, such as their pronouns and their names. “Above all, what we are trying to fight for is visibility,” Cayao said. “In our world today, there are still people who are saying gender is biological and that trans identity is not valid.” A common misconception is that gender is binary, including just men and women. However, it is important to recognize the difference between gender and sex. While someone’s sex refers to their biological attributes, gender is a spectrum that includes men, women, transgender and nonbinary individuals. It is important that this be recognized both by society and health care professionals. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, in many cases, the U.S. Constitution prohibits discrimination in health care services based on gender identity. In January, President Joe Biden nominated Rachel Levine as the United State’s first transgender assistant health secretary. Not only is she the first openly trans person to hold this title, but she is also the first openly trans person to hold any federal position confirmed by the Senate. “Trans visibility is letting our perspective be heard, understood,” Cayao said. “And I think that’s how we can have cis people rally in support for the trans community: listening, acknowledging and respecting the perspective of trans people whole heartedly.” For more information regarding
what you can do to support the trans community, visit glaad.com to see more organizations and programs.
STYLE: MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY WORDS: INNA ESPINOZA & STEFFANY KIM PHOTO: JULIA LOBELLO GLAM: OLIVIA SIMONE
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STYLE: BARAKA MACHARIA & HALEY POAG WORDS: HALEY POAG PHOTO: JILLIAN FELTON GLAM: OVYA VENKAT LOCATION: STATE OF FITNESS
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CHIC AS F***
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I am a woman. I conquer space, time and creativity. There is no space we, as women, cannot possess and create. Divine beauty and strength are an eternal power. The feminine muse, an ethereal being, grows in individuality and strength and breaks boundaries that turn heads. As women, we push forward to create new worlds for ourselves. Not always because we want to — but because we have to. There has never been a time in society where women were universally in control, where we possessed power. We cultivate and construct fantasies and realms to gain individual strength and influence. Everyone looks to women for what to do, but turns a blind eye when it’s time to listen. To stay afloat as women, we fabricate worlds of confidence to gain any sense of personal control, and that is power in itself. The feminine energy brings so much potential to life. Is that why controlling it is so romanticized? But why do we have to navigate norms and expectations that were built to rationalize men’s behavior? Nevertheless, femininity is forever. We continue to accelerate. Women will always prove something beyond surface-level beauty. There is a divine power in enhancing creative energy in society. Individuality is what comprises the world. Being a woman is powerful, energetic and groundbreaking. Tell me, how am I to feel? Women are a muse — to space, time and creativity everywhere.
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STYLE: OLIVIA SIMONE & MEGAN HEMSTREET PHOTO: SARA SERYANI GLAM: EVELYN CAMPAU, AVA TACONELLI & MEGAN HEMSTREET
HAIR Health & Beauty - Natural Hair
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embraced or accepted as it should be. Natural hair is beautiful and should be celebrated just as other hair is. “[Wearing your hair natural] makes a statement by showing that you won’t conform to western [or] European beauty standards,” said Piper H., a student at Michigan State University. “It shows that you don’t need to have straight hair to be professional. It shows that natural hair is classy, professional and fun.” The CROWN Act According to study by Dove in 2019, Black women are 1.5 times more likely than any other race to be dismissed from the workplace because of their hairstyle. And 80% of Black women have straightened their natural hair to assimilate to western beauty standards. In 2019, the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was developed by Dove to help end discrimination against natural hair in the workplace and public schools. And since, nine states have enacted the CROWN Act as law: California, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Washington, Maryland, Connecticut and New Mexico. WORDS: NANA KRAH STYLE: NANA KRAH, MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY PHOTO: JILLIAN FELTON GLAM: KORY HAMBLIN & MICHELLE RATCHFORD
Natural hair is a major reflection of self-expression and individuality both currently and throughout Black history. The natural hair movement began in the 1960s as a way for Black individuals to embrace their naturally-textured hair. Since then, several powerful movements and statements have been made to showcase natural hairstyles and advocate for change in traditional beauty standards. The natural hair movement continues to make great progress, but natural hair is nowhere near as
“Natural hair is the authentic representation of self, culture and identity,” said Michelle R., a student at Michigan State University. “Professionalism in the workplace kind of points out people’s implicit biases a whole lot, because if my hair is inherently unprofessional then what’s your definition of unprofessional?” Natural Hair Care Whether you’re in the process of transitioning to natural hair or have been on the natural hair journey for a while, there are two important things to keep in mind to properly take care of your hair: hair type and porosity. Knowing these two aspects of your hair will allow you to know how much moisture your hair retains, how often you should be washing your hair and what products you should use. When looking into videos regarding natural hair-care and products, be
mindful that what works for one person may not work for you. The natural hair care journey is all about trial and error, but be careful not to use excessive amounts of products or overwork and manipulate your hair, as this can lead to breakage and unhealthy follicles. Tips and tricks to take care of your natural hair: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Oil is great for taking care of your ends and sealing, but it’s not a moisturizer. Water is the purest form of moisture. When buying products, check that the first or second ingredient is water. Stay away from products that contain harmful ingredients such as sulfates, petroleum and mineral oil. Taking care of your body is also important when taking care of your hair. Drinking water and nourishing your body with fruits and vegetables will give your hair what it needs to grow and prosper. Try not to use heat on your hair too often, because that’ll lead to heat damage, a dry scalp and breakage. When applying heat to your hair, add a heat protectant to protect your hair from damage. Deep condition your hair for intense hydration and moisture. When detangling your hair, start from the end of your strands and work up to the root. This makes it easier to detangle and also reduces breakage. Make sure to get trims every few months. Split ends can lead to damaged hair, so cutting them off ensures healthy growth. Protective styles such as twists, braids, locs and bantu knots can help to maintain hair health and growth, due to their low manipulation. When you’re going to bed, make sure to moisturize your hair and wear a silk/ satin scarf or bonnet. Owning a satin/ silk pillowcase is an alternative that’ll protect your hair and help maintain its shape.
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TIED
STYLE: JULIA WALLACE WORDS: BORJANA ALIA PHOTO: ALEC GERSTENBERGER GLAM: HALEY POAG & JULIA WALLACE SET DESIGN: MARIA VITALE
UP
TIED
Change is something natural to us and our society, but sometimes change comes so quickly that it may feel like more of a requirement than a natural process. This often compels us to keep up and evolve at a different pace than what we feel comfortable with. We become tied up in this fast-paced culture, almost as if we are stuck in a revolving door. If you can’t keep up with the pace, you’ll get hit by the door. It can be physically and mentally exhausting to live in a society like this, especially when taking into account all of the other factors we deal with on a daily basis. Despite these frustrations, many of us have adapted to this culture and feel there is nothing we can do about it. We feel we have to keep pushing forward and ignore any stress to make sure we’re not left behind. In the fashion world, this feeling can be magnified by the need to keep up to date with the latest trends and releases or to get ahead of everyone else. Though it may seem like the challenge is to not fall behind in this fast-paced culture, the real challenge may be deciding that we don’t have to live this way. With enough personal willpower, courage and patience, these pressures can be fought off. We live in this constantly evolving world, but we can all move at our own pace. We do not have to get tied up by pressures and move faster than we are able to.
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It is easy to feel tied up by the pressures we face everyday, but we can fight this even if it may take some time and a lot of work. While working on yourself, it is important to not feel inferior to others as those who appear “ahead of the game,” as they may not actually be ahead, but rather better at hiding the struggles they face. The process of resisting a society that wants us to keep up is tough, but everyone has to overcome these pressures. By avoiding the fast-paced pressures, we can fully flourish and step into our own power.
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GUILT
ECO
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When I was a little girl, I noticed my mother would pick up items at the store and check the tag indicating where the product was made. Her ultimate goal was to find as many items for purchase that were marked “made in America.” I never understood her intentions until I grew older. Every once in a while, I look at where the products I buy are from and it has made me wonder how these products are made, what materials are used and how many people it takes to make one product. When an individual comes across a “made in America” tag on clothing, they might be quick to assume this tag represents sustainability and equality. However, according to anti-fast fashion organization Remake, “in 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor found that 85% of L.A. garment factories violated federal wage and hour laws.” In reality, these “made in America” tags do not really represent free and reputable manufacturing. Rather, they present a facade of sustainability and ethical consumption.
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The term eco-guilt, in relation to personal or societal standards of sustainable living and environmental behavior, describes feelings of remorse or regret that we may have when we do something environmentally harmful. Eco-guilt affects us even in minor actions, like the feeling of shame when tossing a recyclable bottle into the trash can, knowing it could have been thrown into the recycling bin. Feelings of ecoguilt can even extend into our retail shopping and supermarket experiences. To be a conscious consumer, we must be intentional with our purchasing decisions and realize the impacts it may have — for better or for worse. As college students, many of us intentionally buy cheaply made clothes. Shein is an online retailer offering cheap, accessible clothing. While on the surface these sites may seem too good to be true, the reality is much darker. According to Study Breaks, Shein “issues about 500 new items a day.” These poorly made garments contribute to the destruction of the environment
as clothing gets thrown out after it deteriorates. In addition, Shein lacks transparency regarding their supply chain. While Shein’s website claims the company does not use any child labor in their production, it neglects to mention that child labor laws vary significantly from country to country — meaning it would not be considered child labor for a 14-year-old to work in Bangladesh. In an effort to make more ethical purchases, one can explore whether the brand is cruelty free, uses sustainable production practices and gives fair benefits to employees. Ideally, an ethical fashion industry is one where fresh water usage is monitored and limited, harmful chemicals and textile wastes are reduced and the purchasing of organic materials and recycled clothing is supported. While making the choice to shop ethically may initially seem easy, an argument against buying new, sustainable clothing is the price tag they often come with. How can we expect to shop sustainably if the cost of an
ethically made shirt is so high? And though this may be the case for certain brands, there are many sustainable fashion brands that fit within a college student’s budget. Pact, Rent the Runway, Boody and Happy Earth are just a few companies that are not only sustainable but also budget friendly. Sustainability efforts are in part dependent on what environment you live in and how your area preserves Earth’s natural resources. The clothing, footwear and textile industries contribute intensive labor toward the clothing supply chain made up of factories where the products are made, the distribution of raw materials and the distribution of goods from producers to consumers. According to “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future,” the Ellen MacArthur Foundation reported “less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing, representing a loss of more than USD 100 billion worth of materials each year.” In an effort to combat the loss of materials and contribute to protecting the environment, both individual companies and consumers should look at purchasing recycled materials and clothing items instead of buying new.
WORDS: JENNIFER BLOCH & KARI EICKHOLDT PHOTO: RACHEL HITCHCOCK GLAM: EVELYN CAMPAU STYLIST: HALEY POAG LOCATION: HYACINTH HOUSE
Without realizing, people buy and wear clothes that contribute directly to the depletion of the environment, its resources and the people who benefit from it. And while the clothing industry may never be 100% environmentally friendly, as consumers, we can make small strides to reduce our eco-guilt and help the world move towards a more sustainable future.
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STYLED
GEOMETRICS
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STYLE: MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY PHOTO: JILLIAN FELTON & RACHEL HITCHCOCK GLAM: AVA TACONELLI LOCATION: THE LANSING STUDIO
ATTACHMENT STYLES
LET’S GET SECURE: A LOOK AT
STYLE: HALEY POAG, MARIA VITALE, & KATHRYN REMY WORDS: CHLOE WEST & NAVYA KALIA PHOTO: CELIA LOCHKOS GLAM: MORGAN LYNCH Without knowing it, your current relationships may mimic your earliest relationships with your parents. This concept is known as attachment theory, which outlines the various dynamics between an infant and a caregiver and their influence on adult relationships. This theory explains the emotional bond between two people and is categorized through four attachment styles: secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant and fearfulavoidant. To a certain extent, one person embodies multiple attachment styles, and having an awareness of their primary attachment style is the first step towards having more secure, fulfilling relationships. Individual attachment styles are formed at a young age and can stem from different experiences. For example, anxious-preoccupied attachment style is caused by a lack of parental support, underappreciation and fear of abandonment. It can develop from inconsistency in caregiving or parents relying on their children for comfort. Adults who suffer from this attachment style may think highly of others but have low self-esteem and may fear loneliness, resentment and rejection. When in romantic relationships, those with anxious-preoccupied attachment are often jealous and possessive of their partners, while in platonic relationships, they might crave attention and are overly sensitive. Caregivers who are often stern and emotionally detached from their children typically frown upon individual expression, feelings and passion. Dismissive-avoidant attachment style develops from parents who were not present in a child’s life or were often overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities. Their children might often be told to toughen up, and as a result, grow up faster than expected. This can lead them to believe they must be their own support system.
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As adults, those with dismissiveavoidant attachment style may fear intimacy and lack of control. In romantic relationships, they might shut their partner out when things get serious, become frustrated and try to end the relationship. Similarly, in platonic relationships, they may look independent but are often distancing themselves. The fearful-avoidant attachment style contains aspects of both the anxiouspreoccupied and the dismissive-avoidant styles. Those with this attachment style may crave affection and are hypersensitive to threats, yet they most likely avoid intimacy. This attachment style is formed when a child experiences some kind of trauma, such as abuse, hostility or alarming parental behavior. For example, if the parent themselves is depressed or unable to provide comfort, the child can sense this, which creates anxiety for them. Ultimately, fearfulavoidants have the basic desire for intimacy that all humans do, however, their earliest relationship has taught them to fear the source of that intimacy. No matter what attachment styles a person might have, it’s possible to grow and develop a more secure attachment style in relationships. Adults who embody a secure attachment have high self-esteem, are able to better communicate their emotions and feel safe seeking support, which allow them to build healthy, long-lasting relationships. As children, secure individuals are happy in the presence of their caregiver, and when scared, they seek
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out their caregiver for support. In a secure attachment style, children feel comfortable to explore new things, since they perceive their caregiver as a safe base they can return to. This sense of confidence in oneself, as well as with other people, is an important characteristic to a secure attachment style. However, to become secure with relationships, a person must first discover, then accept, their existing attachment styles. Oftentimes, people feel ashamed of their behavior and insecurities, which generally only worsens them. Through the process of self-healing, the greatest realization is that one’s coping mechanisms protected them at one point in their life. In other words, certain behaviors helped the person in the past deal with their own form of trauma. Eventually, however, these mechanisms are no longer necessary and can become damaging. Therefore, by understanding and accepting one’s coping mechanisms and attachment style, the person can begin to let go and develop more productive behaviors and beliefs. For one, individuals can build their self-esteem by investing in their health and well-being, nurturing their interests and engaging in positive self-talk. They should also pay attention to their reactions and behaviors in their relationships. This will help reveal any emotional triggers or damaging thought processes that need remedying. For example, for those with dismissiveavoidant attachment, it would be beneficial to grow comfortable with
depending on other people. This can be achieved by allowing others to help them with problems or tasks they would normally deal with alone. In addition, they can develop their communication skills and try to share their feelings with significant others or friends and family. Similarly, anxious-preoccupied people can work on communicating their thoughts, concerns and fears with others. This may help alleviate some relationship anxiety and allow the other person to understand the anxiouspreoccupied person’s mind. It would also be helpful to realize that rejection is inevitable but doesn’t affect one’s self-worth. For fearful-avoidants, while all of the above suggestions are useful, specifically look at the mindfulness of one’s decisions and thoughts surrounding relationships. To help understand one’s existing attachment style and work towards a more secure one, some people may also find therapy extremely productive. Ultimately, the path towards a secure attachment requires time, patience and self-reflection. However, this investment is worth it, as it will help people improve their relationships with other people as well as themselves.
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Coming into one’s self: fully embracing the mind, body and spirit. It is one of the most awakening experiences one can go through. Self-growth comes in many forms and takes us through different chapters of life; we see it in almost every aspect at one point or another. Your development is not going to look identical to that of the person next to you — everyone’s journey is unique and complex. Self-growth can be something as simple as changing your style or as deep as discovering your spirituality or religion. It is a process that may change throughout your entire life, coming out in big ways in some areas of yourself and more subtly in others. It can be enlightening and relieving yet confusing and frustrating. Through the process of growth, we can take on many different identities that often change and intertwine into each other.
small box. However, we are the ones that give society power. We are in control of how we respond to the overwhelming pressure and whether or not to let them affect us. It is easy to blend into the crowd and silence your true self, but part of the journey is learning how to embrace it.
vice versa. Spirituality revolves around the soul and believing that there is more to you than what lies on the surface. It is one of the deepest parts of our being. It affects our mind and body and the way we view life and those around us. It may be difficult to understand, yet it is the basis of most of our beliefs and values.
No one wants to be judged or feel like they don’t belong, as it can cause you to feel ashamed of who you are. Growing up, we all experienced that feeling, whether from our friends, parents, teachers, bosses, siblings, etc. Most of us probably even remember a comment word-for-word that hurt us and created an insecurity we still have today. What’s even worse, the person who said it might not even know how much damage their words inflicted on your self-esteem. Words leave a lasting impact on people and can affect their mental and physical health or may halt their self-growth.
Life is not linear; our lives are not all on the same track nor do they go in a straight line. It is more of a messy, wild, up-and-down roller coaster. Some of us will first experience our self-awakening at a young age or in our teenage years while others might not experience it until later in life. It is important to understand that while someone’s journey might look different than yours, neither one is better or worse than the other.
There are also many social pressures that may impact our personal growth. Society often influences how we dress, what we say, what we eat, etc., and always seems to try and confine us to a
One major part of the self-growth journey is spirituality. Many confuse spirituality with religion, thinking they are one in the same. Yet, you can be very spiritual while not being religious, and
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Self-awakening is a beautiful experience, both the good and bad. Though the process may be challenging, the outcome is incredibly impactful. Our life is our own, not anyone else’s. Do not spend your life trying to please others, and instead, spend it doing whatever makes you feel most fulfilled.
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STYLE: ANNA WEBBER WORDS: ANNA TRAVER PHOTO: GEORGE PHAM GLAM: MORGAN LYNCH SET DESIGN: ANNA WEBBER, MARIA VITALE & KATHRYN REMY LOCATION: CEDAR STREET ART COLLECTIVE
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General Members ABBY DEIBIS ALECIA GORTSEMA ALENA BLUMBERG ALEXA BARTLETT ALEXIS RILLEMA ALLY HORNUNG ALLY MAIURI AMANDA DOWD AMORIE SMITH ANGIE PETTERSON ANISHA SETHI BELLA BAIN CAITLIN FARRAND CAROLINE TURNER CASSIE JONES CASSIE NORTH CATHRINE CASABIANCA CYRIN WATSON DANNI ELLMAN ELLA BRODEUR EMILY FITZGERALD EMILY MARKHAM EMMA MARTELL
EVA WEBBER EVELYN DUGAN GABBY LAMACCHIA GRACE SACIMAN HANNAH LEIBOWITZ JACKIE GROSECLOSE KALEY STEINER KAMMY YEDOR KATHLEEN MAHONEY KATHRYN RESSEGUIE KATIE BIESZKE KELSEY LESTER KRYSTEEN NGUYEN KYLE POND LAUREN HOLE LENA KIM LILLIAN BECKMEYER LILY CHAMPINE LILY MORELOCK MADISON STODDARD MAGGIE JOHNSON MARYCLAIRE DIAMOND MEGAN ANDERSON
MEGAN LEAR MYA HARRIS NATALIA BABAJAN NATALIE KRAEMER NICOLE GRIMM NIKOLINA DJOLJEVIC NINA CASCARDO OLIVIA CRANMORE PARI SHAH PAYTON STEARNS RACHEL HULBERT RACHEL KENT RIA SINGH RILEY WARD RISHABH KHEDKAR SAFIYA FAREED SAMMY PIETRINFERNO SERENA SENAWI SHAYLA WEDGLE SHREYA PEDDI STEPHANIE NORMAND SUMAIYA ASGHAR ZOE MILLER
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SMALL BUSINESSES: Thank you for your help this year! We couldn’t have done it without you! Blue Owl Coffee (East Lansing, Michigan) Cedar Street Art Collective (Lansing, Michigan) The Cube (East Lansing, Michigan) Deviate Fashion (Detroit, Michigan) The Grid (Lansing, Michigan) Hyacinth House (Lansing, Michigan) The Lansing Studio (Lansing, Michigan) MATURE (Detroit, Michigan) MAPP ROCK THAT! Conference (Detroit, Michigan) Skywear Threads (Detroit, Michigan) State of Fitness (East Lansing, Michigan) Tropic Like It’s Hot (Okemos, Michigan) Vintage Junkies (Lansing, Michigan) Wild Goose Inn (East Lansing, Michigan) The York Project (Detroit, Michigan)
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