vibe
Foster Monroe and Emma Lu
What’s the vibe? is all things gay, feminine, empowering, campy, and fun. The goal of this magazine is to empower and encourage readers to not only take fashion risks but use it as a statement. Aesthetics and beauty is often deemed as something not important and claims are made that it has no ties to the politics and opinions of the world What’s the Vibe? thinks the opposite
Fashion is inspired by the state of the world, inspiration is everywhere. We find ways to incorporate political conversations into a fashion statement. In order to give credit where credit is due, What’s the Vibe? magazine strives to provide information about the source of our fashion inspirations, everyday apparel, and aesthetics.
Founded by Foster Monroe and Emma Lu Sarkissian, we take our Midwest mindset and pair it with our experiences around the world. We look for things everywhere and find ways to incorporate ideas and aesthetics worldwide into our readers' world.
The Birkin Bag: From Messy to Mythic
By Foster Monroe
The Hermès Birkin bag has become the ultimate status symbol, an icon of elite exclusivity, desired by anyone eager to prove their place in high society. A Birkin hanging from your arm sends an instant signal of wealth and access: not just “it girl,” but “she’s made it” girl. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, the Kardashians, and Victoria Beckham have all been spotted flaunting their custom Birkins, and we collectively drool. As model of the year, Alex Cosani once said, “My crush? Well, right now it’s a Birkin.”
Given its staggering price tag, the Birkin is naturally associated with wealth, luxury, and the kind of perfection that demands protection. But its origin story tells an entirely different tale, one that feels like the perfect metaphor for womanhood.
In 1983, Jean-Louis Dumas, then the CEO and artistic director of Hermès, found himself seated next to actress and model Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. Jane, ever iconic, had a straw basket overflowing with her belongings. When she attempted to place it in the overhead bin, everything tumbled out. She and Dumas scrambled to gather her things. As they talked, she confessed she couldn’t find a leather weekend bag she liked, something roomy enough for a busy mother, secure but still stylish. And so, the Birkin was born. It took a year to get it right. The first prototype was too small. Of that, Jane said: “What’s the use of having a second one? You only need one, and that busts your arm; they’re bloody heavy. I’m going to have an operation for tendinitis in the shoulder.”
Still, in 1984, the Birkin was released, with no shortage of luxury or artistry.
Each Birkin is made to order, and the price depends on your customizations You can personalize everything: the type of hide (calf leather, lizard, or the most expensive: saltwater crocodile), the color (black, tan, olive green, powder blue, etc.), the hardware, even diamond encrusting. Each bag is lined in goatskin that matches the exterior. Sizes range from 25cm to 55cm. And yes, it comes with a lock and key. Since its creation, every Birkin has been handmade in France. Each is sewn by a single artisan, a process that can take up to 18 hours Artisans train for five years before they’re allowed to stitch their first. It makes sense that anyone lucky enough to own one might treat it like a treasure, bringing it out only for special occasions, keeping it pristine.
But Jane Birkin never saw it that way For her, the bag was meant to be used, loved, and lived in. Function first. That was always the point.
In Agnès Varda’s 1988 film Jane in front of the Eiffel Tower with instead of being carefully propp today in influencer posts, he beside her, papers spilling out asks her to empty it She flips i and out falls a stream of ch receipts, pens, notebooks, lipsti two books, some ribbon, and oth life. The camera pans out. The Birkin in jeans, black Converse, the Eiffel Tower behind her, an mess of her Birkin at her feet. It could have looked sloppy. honest. Even beautiful. These w objects, they were evidence complicated life. It almost felt lik how did all of that fit in one b remember: that was her point. A for everything a woman carries woman is never a simple, neatly c Another video from 2018 capt spirit. Jane, at home, pulls ou cream, and a wallet from he Birkin. She gestures to the ribb and keychains she’s strung on th it is mine,” she says, “I just thou fun to hang things off it.” Fun. P in all the best ways. Yet today, the Birkin that was on ribbon and stuffed with receipts object of near-mythic desire. The Jane Birkin designed to hold aspi and the wild miscellany of moth the rarest handbag in the world. This isn’t to say it was ever chea one now is less about utility an proving your place in an elite ci access, not practicality. Polished chaotic reality.
Birkins are distributed to Hermès boutiques on unpredictable schedules and in extremely limited quantities, a deliberate strategy to create scarcity and drive obsession. The waitlists are long. Customers are vetted. If you’re lucky enough to be offered one, prices start at $12,000, and that’s just retail. The resale and auction markets are even wilder In 2017, a crocodile Birkin encrusted with diamonds sold for $380,000 in Hong Kong. In 2020, another with 245 diamonds sold for nearly $3 million, making it the most expensive handbag ever sold.
How did we get from a solution for the chaos of everyday life to a bag that barely leaves its glass case?
This evolution isn’t just about luxury branding. It reflects something deeper: the way society continues to sanitize and control the image of womanhood. A woman can be powerful, fashionable, and successful, but preferably not too messy. Not too complicated. The original spirit of the Birkin, a gloriously disorganized woman on the go, has been replaced by something cold, curated, and untouchable.
Like womanhood itself, the Birkin has been asked to be everything and nothing Functional but untouched. Personal but pristine. Heavy with meaning, but emptied of life.
Jane Birkin resisted that. She wore her Birkin until it fell apart. To her, it wasn’t sacred. It was a container for the fullness of life, messy, wonderful, real
And maybe that’s the real magic of the Birkin.
Not how many diamonds it can hold, but how many versions of womanhood. And more than that, how much weight we expect women, and their bags, to carry. As Samantha in Sex in the City said, “It’s not a bag It’s a Birkin ”
Plaid Politics:
Vivienne Westwood, Harris Tweed, and the Rewriting of Tradition
By Foster Monroe
But then, over a hundred years later, something unexpected happened. In the 1980s, British fashion’s ultimate rebel, Vivienne Westwood, entered the scene and transformed what Harris Tweed meant Westwood burst into the fashion world in the 1970s as a revolutionary voice and anti-establishment force. Her early designs helped define the punk movement, purposefully embracing the aesthetics of “ugly” to protest the economic policies of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Her work featured bondage gear, safety pins, Doc Martens, anarchist symbols, and mohawks. Alongside Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, she opened a boutique in London called SEX, which became the heart of punk fashion.
Later, she pivoted her designs to focus on history, reimagining classical silhouettes through the lens of rebellion. She blended 18th-century style with streetwear, building a narrative that stretched across time and politics. And it was here, in her deeper dives into heritage and tradition, that tartan entered her work. Westwood began using tartan, a fabric associated with aristocracy and tradition, to dress young British punks. In doing so, she subverted its meaning, turning it into a symbol of rebellion. She didn’t reject history; she studied it, then flipped it on its head.
Cycles:
By Emma Sarkissian
I recently got back from a trip. The night I returned, it was a full moon. I’ve been thinking about cycles and our bodies’ relationship to nature. With this, I began to write, beginning a new tradition of writing every full moon and taking the time to reflect on my own personal life cycles. If you don’t believe in this kind of stuff, that’s okay. Maybe you just think cycles are different repetitive moments in your life. However you think about it, cycles are a part of our lives.
Things suit us for a certain period of time. And then a time comes when those things no longer suit us, and the cycle must come to an end. When this happens, it’s hard and you feel a little strange, but then you wake up one morning and realize you’re alright. The cycle has completed itself.
Cycles: Lettingshit go and bringing better thingsin
The hardest part of every cycle is recognizing what you have to let go of and then making the conscious choice to do so. Sometimes it’s a big life change, other times it’s as simple as a bad habit. But even still, bad habits are hard to break. But once you’re able to finally let whatever it is go, you arrive at this moment where you don’t feel like anything is even missing. You have fully released, you’re just you. And then the fun part of the cycle comes into play. You’re able to bring things in. For the first time, you’re able to really think about what you want to bring into your life. You have to get rid of the baggage so you have room for new things.
And who knows, maybe the new things will be your baggage the next time, but that’s the beauty of it! You’re learning more about yourself, and the cycle only continues. So, however you view this idea or are able to incorporate it into your life, I recommend that you think about writing about what you’d like to bring in and let go of with each cycle. I’ve let go of a lot, I mean a lot, in one cycle. But I was able to bring that much more in.
brighter days, bolder looks
by emma lu sarkissian
If you ’ re anything like me, you ’ ve spent the past few weeks blasting Ariana Grande’s extended edition of Eternal Sunshine and watching her short film Brighter Days on repeat, basically anytime you want to feel something. And if that hasn’t been you I need you to pause whatever you ’ re doing, stream the album, and watch the short film. Trust me, you’ll want the context.
With Brighter Days, Ariana had the opportunity to do something truly brilliant, and, in true Ariana fashion, she absolutely delivered She tells a story that’s tender and raw, healing the hearts of millions while staying unapologetically real. The film is centered around an older version of Ariana named Peaches, who is looking to watch her memories one last time, a truly heartbreaking narrative. We watch the memories with her, each one featuring a different look. I could talk about the music forever (and I will), but first, let’s focus on the film’s fashion, because wow. The looks? They say something.
Styled by the endlessly talented Mimi Cutrell, who’s been booked and busy since Wicked, Ariana's wardrobe in Brighter Days is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Each outfit marks a memory in the film’s melancholic yet hopeful journey, and we ’ re going to dive into a few favorites
Next, my personal favorite: the Twilight Zone look As Ariana rises from a flooded, dimly lit childhood bedroom, she’s draped in a cream silk Tanner Fletcher gown The fit is soft, ethereal with a high collar, puffed sleeves. A trail of bows down the front suggest she’s tied down, or perhaps holding on by a thread. To top it off, she’s wearing matching cream tabi flats (she definitely read the last issue) As Ariana moves through the flooded house and out into a dark, chaotic world, she’s then lifted into a UFO by her Schiaparelli necklace. We see a skeletal, contorted Ariana, weightless, almost otherworldly It’s haunting but at the same time stunning
First up: the jaw-dropping Eternal Sunshine look The silhouette features a delicate offthe-shoulder lace top, which is none other than a vintage 1996 Vivienne Westwood Worn with sparkling Schiaparelli diamonds that shimmer against the lace as the camera lingers on Ariana’s signature cat-eye.
Then we get the full look A pleated white skirt, sheer tights, gloves It’s classic Ariana, but elevated A ponytail so polished it almost fades into the background. She’s blending her past and present, her fashion becoming a metaphor in motion.
An emotional shift comes with the next memory Everything turns black and white as it begins to play An older man, portrayed by Ariana’s real-life father, exits a bar as her song “Hampstead” begins. We slowly realize he’s trying to bring Ariana back to life as she’s been torn apart by a mysterious force, and now he’s sewing her back together on a metal table, desperate to bring her back It’s not until he plays a piano tucked in the corner of the lab that she revives, and color floods back into the film.
Here, Zombiana’s final look feels like the perfect metaphor The vintage patchwork pattern nods to her recent fashion choices, while the silhouette echoes the past, a gorgeous fusion of the old and the new, stitched together with care.
Throughout Brighter Days, Ariana Grande makes it clear: she’s done carrying what no longer serves her She is releasing her baggage and making room for a new version of herself. It is a visual love letter to transformation. To healing. To leaving behind the versions of ourselves that no longer fit, and dressing for the future we ’ re finally ready to step into Because sometimes, the brightest days come after the darkest storm, and Ariana’s just shown us how beautiful that light can be
Designing for a New Generation
By Foster Monroe
As Gen Z enters the consumer market and becomes the prime audience for fashion brands, sustainability efforts have become essential, serving as a driving force behind both sales and brand recognition. Leading this transition are bags, which have become emblematic of fashion’s sustainable shift. Two companies in particular are at the forefront of this movement and have captured the attention of Gen Z: Coach’s Coachtopia and Baggu. However, despite their efforts, there is still significant room for growth when it comes to achieving true sustainability and circularity within the fashion industry. Coachtopia, introduced as an offshoot of Coach, was built on a “Made Circular” philosophy. This approach involves using materials such as leather scraps, recycled plastics, and repurposed textiles to create new items that can be reused, remade, or recycled. Through the Coactopia line, Coach is repurposing materials from its older designs to create new products tailored to a youthful Gen Z aesthetic. The goal is to reduce reliance on virgin materials and, in turn, minimize landfill waste. Additionally, Coachtopia has collaborated with emerging designers and climate change activists to co-create products, aiming to foster inclusivity within sustainable fashion.
Despite these initiatives, Coach has faced scrutiny, some accusing the brand of greenwashing and suggesting that its practices fall short of the sustainability standards it promotes. Nonetheless, the Coachtopia model represents a step toward what is and should be possible for brands on a national scale.
Baggu is another brand that has prioritized sustainability in its design philosophy. The California-based company is known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices and the use of recycled materials, all while maintaining ethical manufacturing standards. Its product line, featuring creative and playful reusable bags, is made almost entirely from recycled nylon, canvas, PET, and leather. The company has famously collaborated with emerging designers like Sandy Liang and Collina Strada as well as brands like Miffy or Peanuts, gaining them a cult-like Gen Z following. As the fashion industry adapts to the values of a new generation, brands like Coachtopia and Baggu are setting the stage for a more sustainable future, proving that environmental consciousness and cultural relevance can work in tandem. While neither brand is perfect and both have room to grow, their innovations mark a significant step forward, one that other companies should be encouraged to follow. They offer a blueprint for how fashion can evolve to meet the desires of a style-conscious and sustainability-driven generation.
Old, new, and staying true to you
by emma lu sarkissian
As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, I find myself reflecting on the summers of my childhood, memories of creek walking and eating ice cream in my funky plaid shorts, or playing with my brothers as we made up games in the backyard, dirtying our athletic shorts and old Tshirts.
In these moments of nostalgia, I sift through my closet, pulling out old tees from summers past. They don’t fit quite right anymore, but I’m not ready to let them go. And so, I’m left facing the same problem I do every year when the warm weather rolls around: what to wear. I’m holding onto the feeling of summers gone by, but at the same time, I want to dress my age and embrace my current, grown-up life. I’m not a kid or a teenager anymore; I’m in this weird in-between where outfit rules feel a little blurry. Warm-weather dressing is, honestly, complicated. There’s this strange balance: are the clothes I loved five years ago still acceptable? Or is it finally time to retire those shorts that almost fit, but not quite, and invest in a new pair?
What I’ve realized is this: instead of dreading the closet clean-out, it’s important to honor our younger selves and the clothes we loved. Our closets are conversations. Every item holds a memory worth keeping. When I choose an outfit, I get to reconnect with those stories, but I also want to honor the person I’ve become.
So, whether you're ready to scrap your wardrobe or just reevaluate what you have, there is a way to build a summer closet that's true to you, whether that's through old favorites, new pieces, or a mix of both. Because at the end of the day, who are we if not our inner children?
One of my favorite summer staples has always been a graphic tee, and trust me, twelve-year-old me was rocking some crazy ones. Even now, I still want to throw on a big T-shirt when the sun’s out. I’m sure you have an old band tee lying around from a concert you loved. That’s the start of a great outfit! Graphic tees are statements in themselves, so all you really need to add are your favorite tennis shoes and a pair of jorts. Now, you might be thinking… jorts? Yes, jorts. I’ve been craving a pair of baggy jorts lately, the kind that younger me would’ve cried over having to wear. Back then, I only wanted Daisy Dukes (thank you, Katy Perry’s "California Girls"), but what I didn’t realize was how uncomfortable they are. Why I ever thought squeezing into the shortest shorts possible was a good idea, I’ll never know. Now, I’m on the hunt for the perfect pair of baggy, comfy jorts.
There’s so much you can do with jorts, depending on your vibe. You can stick with the baggy graphic tee look, or you can go for a more neutral, polished feel. Neutrals in summer are my favorite, and yes, I realize I sound like my mom saying that, but she might’ve been onto something. There’s something so effortlessly chic about a plain white tee or tank, one that isn’t too fitted or too oversized, hitting at just the right spot.
Pair a white tee with jorts, some flats, and your favorite accessories, and you’ve got the perfect hot-day outfit: sophisticated and fun. It’s the ultimate combination of your youthful spirit and grown-up confidence.
But what if neutrals aren’t your thing and you want to add some color? Remember those wild, multi-colored plaid shorts from back in the day? They were a statement, and honestly, they still are. Whether it’s trendy plaid linen pants or the OG colorful shorts, they bring just the right amount of playful energy. Throw them on with a white tee for a fun, easy summer style. If plaid wasn’t your thing and you were more like me as a kid, you were living in athletic shorts. And the good news is: they never really went out of style. Whether you're channeling Adam Sandler’s gym look or Paul Mescal's laid-back style, athletic shorts are not only insanely comfortable, they’re also surprisingly versatile.
When I was younger, I was more into shorts and tees, but now, when it’s warm out, I love throwing on a short dress. One dress that has stood the test of time and can grow with you is the babydoll dress. They’re something I think everyone should have in their closet. The babydoll dress is simple, cute, a little showy, and just something easy to throw on And while I don’t remember every outfit I wore as a kid, I do know there are way too many pictures of me in crazy sunglasses. I say 2025 is the year of bold sunnies. Channel your inner childhood diva, the one who stole your parents' sunglasses and strutted around the yard like a rockstar. Funky shapes, wild colors, sleek classics, whatever your style, sunglasses are the ultimate finishing touch for any summer outfit. So whatever vibe you’re chasing this summer, and whether you’re feeling reflective like me, I hope you find a way to weave a little bit of your memories into your everyday looks. Embrace your inner child, and make it work for who you are now.
1. How do you feel about attention?
A. I don’t seek it, but when I get it, it’s for the right reasons.
B. I love it when it sparks a conversation—especially about what matters.
C. I expect it. All eyes should be on me.
D. Honestly, I’m just doing my thing— if you notice, cool.
Answer each question and keep a tally of how many of each letter you have. At the end see what bag you are based on what letter had the most answers!
2. Which statement speaks to you?
A. “Quality over everything.”
B. “Nothing is ever truly trash—it can become art.”
C. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
D. “Keep it simple, keep it smart.”
3. What’s your relationship with fashion?
A. I value tradition and craftsmanship—fashion should last.
B. It’s a form of self-expression and activism.
C. Fashion is power and status—why settle for less?
D. I like to look good without trying too hard.
4. Pick your ideal setting:
A. A cozy cabin in the highlands, surrounded by books and fog.
B. An art-filled warehouse with community events and vintage pop-ups.
C. A luxury suite with city views and concierge service.
D. A hammock on the beach after a morning hike.
5. What’s in your bag right now?
A. A journal, wool gloves, and a bar of dark chocolate.
B. Reusable utensils, fabric scraps, and a zine you made.
C. Designer sunglasses, a leather wallet, and a silk scarf.
D. A snack, a phone charger, and three different tote bags.
MOSTLY A’S
You’re The Harris Tweed Bag:
You’re thoughtful, layered, and slightly mysterious. You care about history, and your style reflects that, always telling a story. You romanticize walks in the park, appreciate the little things in life, and think about the legacy of things more than you admit. You know how to be quiet and unforgettable at the same time.
Mostly b’s
You’re the Cherry Coachtopia Bag:
You’re fashion-forward without taking yourself too seriously. You’re posting about climate justice while wearing sparkly eye shadow and ribbons in your hair. You believe in a better future, and you’re making climateconscious choices. Your laptop is covered in stickers, and you always have the most interesting outfit at every party. You’re both classic and campy in the best way.
mostly c’s
You’re The Birkin:
You’re chaos in couture. You always arrive (even when you’re late) in style. You might have a dozen unread texts and five half-written novels on your Notes app, but your energy? Immaculate. You’re both intimidating and magnetic. You are the kind of person who makes luxury magnetic. You’re messy, mythic, and very much that girl.
Mostly d’s
You’re the Baggu Crescent Bag:
You are chaotic but also extremely dependable. You are prepared for anything from impromptu hangs, a climate justice protest, 3 AM existential spirals, or a day of thrift shopping. You’re lowmaintenance in theory, but your bag tells the real story: you’re carrying three tote bags (baggu ofc), emergency chocolate, and emotional resilience. You are the friend everyone can rely on for a good time and a good pick-me-up. You’re practical magic with a zip enclosure.