YourMagazine Volume 15 Issue 1: March 2021

YOUR MAG

VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2021

YOUR MAG VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 1 | MARCH 2021

TALIA SMITH Managing Editor

LILLIAN COHEN Editor-in-Chief

L I LY W A L S H Creative Director

AMANDA HAMPTON Asst. Editor-in-Chief

MARIANNA REYES Head Designer

ELOISA DE FARIAS Asst. Creative Director

MARIANNA REYES Romance Editor

ILEANA PEREZ Asst. Head Designer

NATASHA ARNOWITZ Art Director

BECCA LETTS Asst. Romance Editor

SEREN CHO Asst. Head Designer

REBEKAH CZUKOSKI Asst. Art Director

AMANDA HAMPTON A&E Editor

GABRIELA PORTUGAL Asst. Head Designer

E M I LY K I N G Photo Director

ALEXIS GARCIA-RUIZ Asst. A&E Editor

LAURA PHILIPS Co-YMTV Director

PA L L A S H AYE S Asst. Photo Director

MARYCATHERINE NEAL Living Editor

OLUWATAMILORE ODUNSI

Co-YMTV Director

LAUREN DILLOW Style Director

OLIVIA CIGLIANO Style Editor

NEEKA BOROUMANDI Marketing Coordinator

KHANH NGUYEN Talent Director

KATIE POWERS Head Proofreader

DELANEY BAILEY Co-Social Media Coordinator

JESS FERGUSON Co-Copy Chief

TIFFANY CARBON Web Director

JULIA MALLON Co-Social Media Coordinator

ALLISON HUGHES Co-Copy Chief

COPY EDITORS: MEHER GUPTA, ALLISON CARAVELLA, MADELYN MULREANEY, KATE HEALY, JO MALICDEM, SARAH PERRY,

PHOEBE SWEETING, CHARLOTTE DRUMMOND

DESIGN: AINSLEY BASIC, CHLOE WILLIAMS , ANA HEIN , HALEY BROWN, MADELYN MULREANEY TOBY LICHTENWALTER PROOFREADERS: MADELYN MULREANEY, KATE HEALY, BECCA LETTS, CHARLOTTE DRUMMOND, JESS ROSS, FIONA MURPHY KAITLYN FEHR, KATIE REDEFER, CHRISTINA HORACIO, AMARIS RAMIREZ, MARYCATHERINE NEAL

CONTENTS ROMANCE 4 DID I REALLY DREAM THAT?

6 8 EDITORIAL 10 STYLE 12 20 22 24 EDITORIAL 26 LIVING 28 34 36 EDITORIAL 38 ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT 40 48 50 YOUR THINGS 52 YM ADVISES 54 Y.MP3 56 ARTIST STATEMENT 58

STUDENTS TURN TO SEX WORK PILLOW TALK UP TO OUR NECKS SOCIAL MEDIA FASHION MAKING TRENDS...

HERE COMES THE BRIDE...IN BLACK THE TRUE INTENTIONS BEHIND CRUEL INTENTIONS JUSTIN DONELLY WORKS IN FASHION’S PAST...

DOLLHOUSE THE TIKTOK DOCTOR IS IN WHERE ARE THE GIRLS WITH STOMACH PAIN? HOW SISTERHOOD SAVED ME PIZZA INFLUENCER MEANS ACTOR THE CASE FOR ASMR SCREAMING FOR CHANGE...

MARYCATHERINE NEAL FAVORITE BOOKS TO READ THE SPRING BREAK THAT GOT AWAY SAVANNAH BERKELAND

YMEMERSON.COM | INSTAGRAM: @YOUR.MAG | TWITTER: @YOURMAGEMERSON

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EDITOR’S letter

S

pring is in the air. The sun is shining and the

woman, despite her conservative upbringing. And, in case

temperature has just begun to rise above 40 degrees—

you’re missing spring break this year, the Editorial Board has

which in Boston, makes it practically summer. I got a

pulled together a YMP3 Playlist [page XX] that will put you

bit excited the first day it happened, trading in my sweatshirt

right in the mood.

for a T-shirt, jeans, and lemon drop earrings. I knew my little

black sunglasses would have been pushing my luck, but I was

simply be “false spring,” a break from the frigid winds and

itching to just walk around in them. And yet, beside me at

snow piles, but who cares? We’ll enjoy it while it lasts and keep

the grocery store was a man in a knit hat and parka. Not

our spirits high. A full year after the world shut down, we’ve all

exactly ideal for my sunny disposition.

discovered those little moments and smiles are what keep the

days rolling. So be good to yourself and put those sunglasses

In this issue, we’ve got a number of dynamic pieces

to get you in that playful mood. MaryCatherine Neal [page

Sure, this little blip in the weather pattern may

on. You know I will.

XX] discovers pillow humping, breaking down the stigma of women’s masturbation. Derin Yilmaz [page XX] analyzes all

With Love,

of the costume choices and iconic fashion of Cruel Intentions,

down to the colors. Mary Grace Purser [page XX] details how her Little Women-esque sisterhood shaped her into a liberal

YOURMAG | 2

Did I Really Dream That?

WRITTEN BY MARIANNA POLETTI REYES ART BY REBEKAH CZUKOSKI

W

e’ve all had the experience of waking up the next morning trying to figure out what the meaning of our dream was.

Searching through Google page after page, filling our brains with millions of answers that often still doesn’t have a single response to the real question: why did I dream that?

Most people worry about having sex dreams and what they mean. Whether they dreamt of being with a partner of the same sex, multiple partners, or even one of their college professors, sex dreams bring a lot of stressors to people who experience them— especially those who experience wet dreams and orgams while they sleep.

Psychologist and clinical director at Private Therapy Clinic Dr. Becky Spelman says, “Sex dreams are often pleasurable at the time of having the dream, only to become cringeworthy and embarrassing when we wake up because so often people dream about having, and enjoying, sex with people they have no erotic interest in in real life.” Some dreams even include things we wouldn’t normally do.

Sex with a stranger or with someone you aren’t typically around might signify that your libido is high and you’re not getting your needs met.

If you dream that you’re having sex with one of your exes, it might mean that there is still an unresolved problem within you, or that you’re adjusting to a new partner.

Some may also have dreams involving BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism, and masochism). “This

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dream may mean that you had an overbearing mother or father, and you are familiarly tantalized by the idea of being tied up and overcome by a love object (person),” explains Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist.

Oral sex dreams often signify that you share that you think it’s disgusting and not for you, yet you secretly desire it.

The one dream that most people dread includes having sex with the same gender if they identify as heterosexual, or having sex with another gender if they identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, these dreams are normal. It often signifies that you are trying to emulate the person you are having sex with.

If you identify as a heterosexual female and dream of having sex with another female, it might just mean you love females, and not even in a sexual way! You might just have to tell your roommate you love and appreciate her.

There are many other sexual dreams people can have, and although you can often find some Googled meaning of what they can possibly mean, they can often mean nothing serious or important.

Dreams are your subconscious working through parts of you that you don’t always understand or need to understand. Conflicted feelings around sex in a dream are most likely signalling an area where we are ready to heal and grow. Rather than feeling spooked from waking up relaxed from a sleep orgasm, unpack it or let it go. Dreaming is normal, and sex dreams don’t mean you’re weird or that there is something wrong.

Take a deep breath and embrace them. YM

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strapped for cash, students

turn to Sex Work WRITTEN BY SOLEIL EASTON ART BY FRANCESCA POLISTINA

T

he near end of stimulus benefits and massive unemployment due to COVID-19 has thrown many college students into a cash crisis. It could take years to get back on our feet. So, students are forced to get creative, finding other ways to pay for rent, car insurance, student loans, and even food.

Stories of young women paying their way through school with sex work isn’t new, but ever since the World Health Organization declared the pandemic last March, online sex work has become an increasingly recognized facade of the gig economy, alongside food delivery and ride-hailing services.

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Save the Student’s annual money survey showed in 2020 that 10 percent of college students would consider sex work in a financial emergency. In a separate study, 7 percent of students say they turned to sex work during the pandemic. About 22 percent of those students use OnlyFans. The survey discovered that the majority of students turned to sex work during the pandemic to pay for essentials, such as rent.

For Ivy*, a criminal justice student at San Francisco State University, OnlyFans and sugar dating have been lifelines during the crisis. She turned to sex

work after she lost her job as a budtender due to the worldwide lockdown.

Ivy started sugar dating a couple of years ago when she first started college because her living expenses were not fully covered by her student loan and parttime job. Soon after downloading Grindr, she locked in a wealthy 40-year-old sugar daddy from Corona del Mar, who frequently picked her up in his Lamborghini.

“At first when I saw him on the app, I didn’t know if he was real. I thought I was being catfished,” Ivy says. “Next thing I know, I’m in the front seat of his bright yellow Lamborghini.”

Ivy explained that her BDSM-loving sugar daddy wanted strictly sexual meetups, paying $100 to spank her and $200 for oral pleasure. The kinkier she was, the more money she earned.

“One time, he paid me $150 to let him n*t in my face,” Ivy says. “I felt like I was wearing a face mask.

Really good for the skin and for the bank account.”

Soon after, she began searching for a sugar daddy who was only interested in platonic love. Her new client was a 70-year-old man she met on OkCupid who would drop $50 for every foot or ankle picture she sent. For meetups, he would pay $300.

“I met up with him on his yacht in Newport Beach, and we just chatted, nothing sexual,” Ivy says.

“But I felt it wasn’t right. I was taking advantage of this old man. This made me realize I didn’t want to do sugar dating for a while, so I stopped.”

Once the pandemic hit, she was strapped for cash and decided to pursue sex work again, this time openly as a member of the transgender community.

Prior to 2020, Ivy struggled with being open about her gender identity as a woman, masking her femininity in men’s clothing and pronouns to blend in. She explains that although it’s a breath of fresh air to be openly trans, she still struggled with the idea of having to reintroduce herself as a trans person to her new sugar daddy: a 40-year-old man she met on Taimi, an LGBTQ+ dating app.

Unlike her other clients, he asked for uncomfortable services, such as offering to pay $300 to have her excrete feces on his chest. She also says he was a trans chaser, which made her feel unsafe and uncomfortable.

“For anyone looking into being a sugar baby, I highly recommend doing the research before committing because sugar dating isn’t always the safest environment. Never let someone make you do something you are not willing to do,” Ivy says. She also recommends

sharing your location with a close friend or someone you can trust.

On top of that encounter, she is also classified as high-risk for COVID-19, so she decided to join OnlyFans, charging $5 a month, because working through a subscription website was safe and financially easier.

Ivy posted an array of kinky videos of her dancing around the bedroom in fishnets and red lace panties, making sure to show off her cleavage.

Hazel*, a college student in Boston was in a similar position earlier in the year. Her job laid her off, and she needed another source of income to pay for bills and university costs, so she turned to OnlyFans, charging $10 a month and making it in the top 5 percent of creators. She markets her brand on a private Snapchat, as well as doing shoutouts with other people.

She mainly posts pictures of herself in lingerie and occasional videos of her twerking on her bed.

Despite her undeniable self-love, she sometimes feels embarrassed because some men automatically label her as a whore or other derogatory terms.

“For a while I would let it get to me, but then I realized it’s my body, my choice. There’s nothing wrong with loving yourself and your body,” Hazel says.

Aria*, another college student, spent the summer during the pandemic selling used panties on Sofia Gray and posting daily on OnlyFans.

“OnlyFans is not as easy as people say it is.

It’s very time-consuming and if you don’t post something every day, people start hounding you,” Aria says.

She sometimes spent up to five hours a day taking videos and pictures, editing and applying filters, and then uploading them.

“Sex work is work,” Aria says. “Period.”

Ivy explains that through sugar dating and OnlyFans, she became more knowledgeable about the adult industry. She continues advocating for ending the stigma around sex work and how it’s only for cisgender heterosexuals.

“Anyone can do sex work if they want to or need to. We need to bring more awareness to the trans women victims that are murdered during their shifts as sex workers, while also teaching how to identify potentential predators to keep everyone in the sex work community safe,” Ivy says. YM

*Fictional names were used for the privacy of the interviewees.

ROMANCE | 6

Pillow Talk WRITTEN BY MARYCATHERINE NEAL PHOTOGRAPHED BY XINYI XU

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S

tand-up comedy specials have never been my favorite. But when your suitemate says it’s her “favorite comedian” and that I’ll “die laughing” and she’ll “never ask you to watch another stand up ever again,” it’s kind of hard to resist the temptation.

And so, with popcorn and gummy bears, we sat down to watch Beth Stelling’s Girl Daddy on HBO Max in our cozy common room.

I was laughing almost immediately. Stelling’s delivery and relatability as a woman truly crack me up.

One section, in particular, caught my interest. Stelling spent about 10 minutes talking about how she used to hump all of the decorative pillows in her house when she was a tween. Each pillow had a unique purpose that helped her feel good in different ways. It got me thinking back to my formative years and how confused I was about my body and its relationship to pleasure.

I’d never even heard of pillow humping. Was it something most tweens knew about as an early form of pleasure? Did I totally miss an important sexual milestone?

Naturally, I asked my suitemates about it. We’re incredibly open with each other. None of them seemed to try out pillow-humping either. They’d seen it in a couple of tv shows and movies but had never tried it out themselves. Of course, maybe they were just embarrassed that I was asking them about their masturbation habits. I promise I’m not judging, friends. But it’s no secret that the subject of female masturbation is still taboo. It’s also no secret that we see way more depictions of men masturbating than women in movies and tv shows. Is Stelling onto something? Is her childhood sexual awakening opening doors for other depictions of female masturbation? I think so.

And I’m thrilled about it.

“Humping a pillow (or a stuffed animal) is an extremely common early sexual awakening experience,” according to Nox Journal, a blog on the sex-toy site Nox. This form of masturbation is also not exclusive to young adults and often makes its way into many adults’ lives. However, it is most common in tweens and teens.

Big Mouth includes some forms of tween objecthumping. Missy Foreman-Greenwald, the delightful scholar of the group, humps her glowworm stuffed animal named Wiggles. Missy either lays sideways with

Wiggles between her legs or straddles him when she gets her hump on. And although I want to believe Missy’s cries of joy, I just don’t understand how humping a pillow can feel so good.

According to the Nox Journal, “using your body weight to apply pressure between you and a pillow… you’re getting a similar sensation to being ‘on top’ in a partnered scenario.” Yeah, that makes sense.

What I love most about Missy’s glowworm-humping is that she finds no shame in her pleasure and is even encouraged by her mom to continue humping Wiggles in the privacy of her room. Eventually, Missy does feel shame when the Shame Wizard arrives, but the feeling doesn’t last long and she’s back to happily humping again.

Nox also says that people with penises can also enjoy some pillow play. Just like Jay Bilzerian in Big Mouth, Nox says that folding a pillow in half or creating some sort of crevice is one way people explore pleasure. Not going to lie, I just thought Bilzerian was a super horny tween. But now, I know that many young people, and even adults, include pillows while they masturbate.

Hulu’s Pen15 also depicts pillow-humping. But unlike a comedy special where it’s just alluded to or a cartoon show where we don’t see real people performing the action, Pen15 actor Maya Erskine humps her pillow several times on screen. 33-year-old Erskine plays her tween self in the show. Pillow-humping is just one of the many things Maya discovers about her body as she tries to conquer puberty. She discovers that humping her pillow feels good after she makes her dolls kiss and starts to feel a tingly feeling below the belt that only pillow-humping can soothe.

Girl Daddy, Pen15, and Big Mouth all depict young people experimenting with pillows as they navigate hormones and puberty. More importantly, these shows depict young women experimenting with their bodies and sensuality. Although I’ve passed puberty and my confusion about my body, I’m still thrilled to see these depictions becoming normalized in mainstream media.

Young women need to know that their exploration is acceptable. I hope many more shows and movies come out with pillow-humping and other forms of female masturbation. YM

ROMANCE | 8

UP DIRECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY OLIVIA CIGLIANO MODELED BY BLU

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TO OUR NECKS

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Social Media Fashion making Trends S u s ta i n a b l e WRITTEN BY CAMRYN CIANCIA

C

elebrities and influencers are beginning to stray from wearing only designer clothes. WildFlower Cases’ Devon Lee Carlson has adopted her unique style from online consignments and Emma Chamberlain often sports independent brands like Paloma Wool and HosbJerg. Social media fashion culture is leaning into independent, sustainable style.

In addition to making fashion more affordable, the sustainability movement aims to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions and textile waste. ThredUp reports that consumers are 138% more environmentally conscious than in 2019. And many of those shoppers are on Instagram.

Paloma Wool and House of Sunny are at the forefront of trends permeating today’s mainstream culture, featuring pastel colors, simple and classic silhouettes, and effortless streetwear, popularizing a European aesthetic that offers serious fashion inspiration while scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. Transitioning customers from fashion brands such as Urban Outfitters and Free People, House of Sunny and Paloma Wool’s Gen Z and Millennial audiences are embracing trendy

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ART BY ANDREA MÉNDEZ

sustainability.

Logging onto PalomaWool.com, I am greeted by a sleek home page featuring gorgeous models in even more gorgeous clothing. On the “shop” page, the snapshots of the clothing takes my breath away. Quicker to take my breath away is the price.

This independent fashion house is based in Spain, so the prices are in Euros. I found myself copying and pasting “175,00 €” into Google, and dropping my jaw at the American price of $212.25. As a college student, that is not a price I’m willing to pay for the stretchy jacquard long sleeve top that is Paloma Wool’s No. 736.

Is this the price we have to pay for handmade, hand printed, sustainable fashion pieces that are semi-exclusive, though not quite designer?

Paloma Wool has a large social media following of over 500,000 on Instagram and the page features avant-garde photoshoots, featured products, and a representation of the brand's unique aesthetic. Pieces like their iconic checkered wool co-ords are featured on all genders, races, body shapes, and displays the ways in which their brand is progressing in the fashion industry.

“Acknowledging the fashion industry’s shortcomings enables us to challenge the system we work in,” states Paloma Wool’s website. “This allows paloma wool to develop its own path in conscious manufacturing, supporting local production, offering transparency, applying minimal waste procedures as well as the use of sustainable fibers, low-impact dyes, and ethical printing methods.” This challenges leading design houses who fail to introduce the use of environmentally friendly materials and prioritize a living wage for their employees.

But forget the price range, these pieces are near impossible to get your hands on. After Kendall Jenner posted on Instagram wearing the Hockney Dress by House of Sunny, a green “knitted long dress with water print,” it took the internet by storm, and was named the “cult dress of the summer” by Vogue. In the midst of its fourth exclusive drop, House of Sunny runs on the eco-friendly “shop it before we drop it,” ensuring the brand only produces what is in demand and shoppers stay on the hunt for the dress. Customers ordering from the London-based company at the beginning of February can expect to receive this dress beginning in mid-April. Retailing for £98.00, or $135.50, however, is a hefty price to pay for a dress that won’t be at your doorstep for at least two months.

House of Sunny produces two seasonal collections a year in an effort to achieve the most sustainable sourcing and manufacturing, without using any animal products, and setting the goal to maintain zero waste at all times. But with prices that may be a bit more affordable than Paloma Wool, purchasing from the brand is still a stretch for most people.

Sustainable fashion brands are putting up a high premium to support their missions. It’s not cheap to maintain locally sourced, vegan materials or anti-wastage prints, which is something consumers get to decide whether they want to buy into. Designers often create high prices to establish a sense of luxury. But these brands strive to benefit both the consumer and the environment, whereas larger designers produce at the cost of the consumer and the planet.

Paloma Wool and House of Sunny are opening the doors for emerging Instagram-based brands and helping to make fashion more sustainable, which should be celebrated. Save up for these interesting pieces, treat yourself, or watch Depop for an occasional steal. If you’re able to get your hands on a trendy and wellmade item from one of these brands, consider yourself lucky. YM STYLE | 18

Here comes the bride IN black

A

few years back, my friend convinced me to watch Sex and the City. Despite having never seen an episode of the original series, he insisted that even if I didn’t catch on to the plot of the film, there’d be other aspects I’d enjoy.

Enter Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding dresses.

The first (and one she ultimately gets married in) is a simple, non-designer skirt and blazer set. Her friends find it nearly impossible that fashion-savvy Bradshaw would want to be anywhere near a piece like that. So after some convincing, she almost walks down the aisle in an enormous strapless gown with an ivory corset top and a trailing, cloud-like skirt. I dreamt of that dress, and figured part of the inspiration must come from Sarah Jessica Parker herself.

Imagine my surprise upon finding out that at her wedding to Matthew Broderick (a year before the original show’s air date), SJP arrived at the ceremony in a pitchblack, off-the-rack gown. For her, it was a matter of not drawing unnecessary attention by being seen shopping for something extravagant, especially since the wedding was a surprise for everyone except the happy couple. But lots of other people, including celebrities known for their style, opt for “non-traditional,” non-white wedding attire.

Historically, the color white has been used as a symbol of innocence, virginity, and overall goodness and light. This wasn’t always the case, though. Back in the 1700s, wearing true white was almost offensive, as the color was used to represent grief, specifically worn during funerals. This all changed with Queen Victoria. She got married in white, because of its implications of purity and to communicate that her marriage was out of love and not obligation, and also to highlight the lace makers’ artistry. This set forth a movement in which brides, first of wealthy status and then of every class level, actively sought out white dresses.

Now, a similar phenomenon is occurring. Instead of icons like the queen, wedding attire is being influenced by celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor (who had eight wedding dresses, five of which were not white), Dita Von Teese (whose purple taffeta gown was so extravagant it’s now on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum), and of course, the aforementioned Sarah Jessica Parker.

Knowing that white wedding dresses weren’t popularized until 1840, and that the meaning behind them often comes from a sexist reinforcement of the loss of ‘girlhood values,’ it might seem better to stray away from the color altogether. As of 2019, 18 percent of couples reported choosing colorful outfits to tie the knot, The Knot reports, and that number seems to be on the rise, with media representation being a huge factor.

Just like there are a million ways to fall in love, there are also a million ways to look on your wedding day. Whether it be a tuxedo, a jumpsuit, a showy veil, bedazzled jeans, or a non-traditional dress color, one’s wedding attire should only meet one requirement: making the wearer feel absolutely incredible. YM

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WRITTEN BY ALEJANDRA CUELLAR ART BY ELIZABETH APPLE

STYLE | 20

The True Intentions Behind Cruel Intentions WRITTEN BY DERIN YILMAZ

I

n 1999, Sarah Michele Gellar, in her role as Kathryn

Merteuil, carried a sassy, ‘90s Rococo fashion show on the big screen, and Ryan Phillippe as Sebastian Valmont, dressed in an elegant, trustfund baby aesthetic in a long, black tailcoat, reminiscent of the 1800s. The key to his wardrobe? Prada, Prada, Prada.

The film adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and scandalous ‘90s classic, Cruel Intentions revolves around sex, innocence, and manipulation. Wealthy Upper East Side step siblings, Kathryn and Sebastian, are on a quest to destroy the reputations of two innocent girls, Cecile and Annette.

The costume designer Denise Wingate (She’s All That, The Sweetest Thing, A Cinderella Story) has worked on Hollywood’s most stylish rom-coms and yet, Cruel Intentions remains her favorite. The fashion is not only voguish, but also thoughtful. Wingate, who majored in psychology, makes choices that capture the psyche behind the characters and the story.

Through Annette’s pure pastel tones, Cecile’s memorable koala T-shirt, Kathryn’s Victorian-era corsets, and Sebastian’s all-black suits, Wingate uses specific color palettes and styles for each character. She creates a contrast between the sinfully sophisticated step siblings and their innocent victims, visualizing their predator-prey dynamic.

Opposite Colors Attract Femme Fatale vs. the Innocent Socialite

In the film’s infamous Central Park kissing scene, Kathryn, as the powerful master-manipulator, wears a black two-piece blazer and skirt with an over-

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ART BY JAMES SULLIVAN

sized black hat and black Calvin Klein sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Kathryn’s comically naive protégé Cecile wears a pastel pink top, pink plaid skirt, and a green sweater around her shoulders. Cecile looks like a socialite attending a polo match, whereas Kathryn looks like the femme fatale of the Upper East Side. With their opposite fashions and twisted friendship, it’s as Kathryn’s all-black is corrupting Cecile’s sweet pink.

Seductive vs. Angelic

Sebastian mockingly says, “Paradigm of chastity and virtue” when describing his next conquest, Annette. The chemistry between the two is built upon opposites-attract tension, and Wingate uses their costumes to illustrate their conflicting nature. The first time Sebastian kisses Annette, she is wearing a sweet, lilac, pastel V-neck and a matching skirt. Sebastian, in contrast, wears a dark-navy, silk shirt and black pants. Her angelic color palette and innocence juxtaposes Sebastian’s seductive playboy charm, and yet, they balance each other out.

Red as the Forecaster of Sex

Red cinematically symbolizes danger and sex ,and Wingate employs the color in Cecile and Annette’s costumes. She dresses Cecile in a red, hooded sweatshirt when she goes to see Sebastian and gets manipulated into her first sexual encounter. Wingate wanted Cecile to look like a modern Red Riding Hood–and Sebastian the Big Bad Wolf. Annette wears red for the first time in her cardigan, right before she has sex with Sebastian.

At this moment, the two are in love. The introduction of red into Annette’s color palette represents the loss of innocence, as she is no longer the virtuous virgin, and it

is also her first experience with passion and love.

Hidden Corsets and Retro Sunglasses

‘‘God forbid I exude confidence and enjoy sex,” Kathryn cries out to Sebastian, rebelling against the double standards in society. Sebastian’s reputation depends upon sleeping with as many girls as possible, whereas the way to ruin a girl’s reputation is with sex.

Kathryn’s ability to hide behind a disguise is reflected in her fashion. When the audience gets introduced to Kathryn, she is busy playing nice to Cecile and her mom, to earn their trust. She does this in a black Dolce & Gabbana suit with her signature crucifix necklace around her neck—elegant and conservative.

When the guests leave, Kathryn stops the act and immediately unbuttons her blazer to reveal a salm-

on bustier and black corset. She sheds the disguise and steps into her true self as she snorts cocaine out of her crucifix necklace. At that same moment, Sebastian takes off his signature small, black sunglasses. He wears them indoors, like a layer to hide his true intentions. Wingate uses the sunglasses again when Sebastian is in Kathryn’s bedroom, after breaking up with Annette, to hide his heartbreak and tears from Kathryn.

The intentions behind Sebastian and Kathryn’s games may be cruel, but the intentions behind the Cruel Intentions fashion remain fascinating, even after 22 years. It wouldn’t hurt to dress up in couture bustiers and corsets pretending you’re in the 18th century, every once in a while. Like Kathryn Merteuil says, “Everybody does it, it’s just that nobody talks about it.” YM

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Justin Donelly Works in Fashion’s Past for Fashion’s Future

WRITTEN BY JACOb BLUMENTHAL

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ustin Donelly leads a life deeply submerged in the underground dealings of curated designer fashions that he flips for profit between other members of the archival fashion community. Since high school, he’s traveled the North, from Massachusetts to Maine to New York City, in pursuit of excitement, fashion, and art. Donelly resides at Emmanuel College in Boston, studying, studying art education with the hopes of becoming a therapist whose techniques are rooted in creativity and self-expression.

Always having the uncommon “look” that fashion so rigorously craves and eagerly consumes, he began his adventure navigating toward unique pieces on Japanese

ART BY HADLEY BREAULT

bidding sites. Since his first purchase of the Visvim sandals, he’s immersed himself in a world of fashion business, curtailing his pursuit of anything normative and conforming. He fell into a vacuum of fashion vernacular, undiscovered designers, and the damning standards the fashion community imposes on beauty, pushing him toward a journey of self-acceptance after a long road of personal neglect. Donelly found his community with like-minded individuals online. Eventually, he became a part of something larger than himself.

Donelly corresponds with a team of enthusiasts who are dedicated to the preservation of historical, esoteric fashion. Donelly’s community exists as a pro-

verbial encyclopedia that seeks to archive distinguished designers and their most notable seasons. He seeks to dismantle the ubiquitous intersperse of information, the embedded elitist hierarchy of fashion, and the secrecy entrenched around fashion’s most enigmatic characters—all while “consuming with care,” a slogan for the consumer shift to compostable, vegan, and/or secondhand clothing.

The archival community has been around for a long time. They deal with vintage clothing, meaning an item must be at least 20 years old, according to Lilah Ramzi, features editor at Vogue. Since the ‘90s, the itgirls and cool club kids had their eyes on vintage archival fashion pieces, for this was when brands and labels were producing their best work. According to Donelly, exclusive designers are all the rage.

“I’m thinking of people like Vivienne Westwood, Chanel,” he says. “We focus on observing fluctuations in prices and demands from different fashion markets around the globe, and pushes for niche fashions. Lots of people are looking to revamp their wardrobe using archival fashion pieces.”

Since high school, Donelly has searched and studied various fashion sites, such as Grailed, and sourced items from Japan. He created an established an Instagram page to document his growth, which helped to launch him into the public sphere to connect with a larger network of buyers and sellers. This ascent brought Donelly out of his dark state of rejection and into a light of pure elation.

“I feel now that I’m a part of it, I try to be better versed in everything I do, and regard myself with the utmost professionalism,” he says. Aside from the satisfaction Donnelly finds in this stimulating hobby, he’s also working toward a better world.

When asked about the insurgence of celebrities promoting vintage fashion to the public, and whether he felt that it cheapened the appeal of the archive, he says, “I like it a lot.” Elaborating, he adds, “I feel like it definitely gives a lot of recognition to our community, to a lot of the pages doing big things.” It has increased awareness of an esoteric hub of workers. He admits, “I also don’t appreciate it in the sense where I don’t want it to be perceived as something of materialism. I don’t want people to focus on the price points. I want people to focus on the designers and the work itself. The process and the thought behind it. I don’t think Kim Kardashian is doing that.”

Donelly’s fears of perceiving archival fashion

as materialism are because of his desire to introduce people to alternatives to fast fashion brands, a sector that is expanding and wreaking havoc on the environment. According to World Bank, fashion contributes to 10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, and 87 percent of the textiles used to make cheap garments are disposed of or incinerated without ever being used.

“That’s really what I focus on,” Donelly says. “Decreasing textile waste and buying secondhand is the ultimate goal of my community.”

Donelly now rarely buys retail, and if he does, they’re severely marked down from warehouse sales that would otherwise be thrown away and contribute to textile waste. It’s not only fast fashion that’s contributing to this waste, however.

“When these high fashion brands have an arrogance about them, they sell their pieces for a ridiculous market value. What happens is that not nearly enough people buy them, and they just go to rot in a dump,” he says. “I’m hoping that with the trajectory the community is on, more people start to buy secondhand. Archival fashion is unmatched to fast fashion brands. You’ll have them for a lifetime if you maintain them.”

Donelly works from a place of respect: for designers, for ourselves, and for the craft. Donelly, his friends, and other members of his community are shifting the fashion status quo. There has never been a more important time in our history for hobbies and activism to collide. This community is small but mighty, and celebrities are beginning to bring attention to alternative consumption, and it ultimately lies on the public to vote with their wallets. Without consumer support, these megacorporations will have no option but to cease to exist. However, we live in a world where that is what’s most accessible to us, making the pricey alternative much more difficult to embrace.

Donelly maintains that shifting our mindsets from consumers to aesthetes, who choose craftsmanship over quantity, cannot only greatly reduce waste from fashion, but also give a whole new meaning to the word “luxury.” He believes in consumers basing their support in actual achievement and novelty, rather than inflated price points. Donelly is one of the few helping to further this inevitable evolution.

“My friends and I can only do our part of promoting sustainability, and really just hoping for the best for our future,” he says. YM.

DOLLHOUSE DIRECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAINA MILLSAP

MODELED BY GABRIELA PORTUGAL

THE (TIKTOK) DOCTOR IS IN

WRITTEN BY JESS FERGUSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY XINYI GAO

31 | LIVING

W

hen I was 10 years old, most kids my age were focused on their sports teams, school, or friends. I was concerned with, among other things, my skincare routine. In fact, I would give skincare advice to my older sister, mom, and other relatives. Ten years later, nothing has changed. And I’m not alone in this.

Gen Z, perhaps due to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has demonstrated a profound interest in skincare and curating the perfect routine. Dermatologists like Dr. Scott Walter have created platforms on TikTok to provide insight on certain issues. Walter (@ denverskindoc) currently has over 440,000 followers and 10 million likes across all his videos.

“I was really surprised at how interested [Gen Z is] in skincare in general,” Walter says. “Gen Z seems to be the one that’s kind of pushing that forward.”

Walter says he originally started his account as a joke, posting videos of him dancing or his dog. However, he eventually realized that any time he talked about skincare, the video performed extremely well, and his following grew from there.

I’ve noticed it, too. Over the past year, especially since the beginning of the pandemic, my friends have shown a greater interest in skincare than ever before.

We all want to achieve that fresh, glowy face without the aid of makeup, and skincare is where to start.

Skincare can be daunting, and some people who can’t see a specialist for whatever reason just need some guidance on the basics. That’s where people like Walter come in.

“You keep learning tips and tricks, and a lot can be helpful, even as simple as what products to pick out in the store and what ingredients to avoid,” Walter says.

I’ve struggled with acne on and off for about five years. Around March, when I really started to get into TikTok, my skin was at its worst. By chance, I came across some skincare content from specialists, estheticians, and dermatologists. Despite going to a dermatologist for years, I learned so much new information, such as products to try, tips for layering skincare products, and answers to specific issues, just by scrolling on my phone. Within a few months, I started seeing genuine results, with my acne clearing up and my hyperpigmen-

tation fading.

A 2017 study from the American Journal of Managed Care found that the average wait time for a dermatology appointment IS 56 days. So even when patients have the insurance and means to see a specialist, time can be an issue.

“Co-pays are expensive; it’s hard to find dermatologists, especially in rural areas,” Walter says. So instead, he tries to provide “as much info as [he] can give to people to help [them] make educated decisions on how they treat their skin,” while “at the same time, letting them know that they may need to seek medical attention in certain cases.”

Skincare influencers like Walter, Skincare by Hyram, and J.C. Dombrowski answer questions via TikTok’s “reply with video” feature to address anything from thoughts on eye cream, to signs of skin cancer, to what to do about bacne (acne on your back or the rest of your body). Some of these questions may be embarrassing to ask a dermatologist face-to-face, or may not warrant an entire appointment, so getting a quick yet thorough answer from a trusted professional can go a long way for those struggling with their skin.

Prior to TikTok, there weren’t many platforms with trustworthy dermatology advice. Growing up, I watched YouTube videos where influencers would tout certain products, before finding out the videos were sponsored and therefore may be ingenuine. Furthermore, these influencers had no training or education working with skincare, as many of them were simply teenagers sitting in their bedrooms with a tripod.

Of course, sponsored content is still something to look out for on TikTok, even with specialists. Make sure to check the captions, watch the entire video, and look through the comments for any notes regarding any potential brand deals, such as #ad or #sponsored. Also, do some research to ensure the products have favorable reviews and will work with your skin type. Walter ensures his sponsored content is worthwhile to his audience.

If you’re in the market for a revamped skincare routine, consider going to TikTok for guidance! However, for more serious or persistent concerns, an in-person dermatologist is more suitable to help. YM

LIVING | 32

W

e’re in Katz’s Delicatessen, and Sally (of Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally) has faked her orgasm. She sits, impressed with herself, in front of a sandwich stacked with cold cuts and a bowl of coleslaw. The action—a forced bout of huffing, puffing, and screaming—shocks those around her. As a spectator, you are embarrassed, but for whom?

Sally is okay with it; she plucks away at her coleslaw immediately after “climaxing.” You are impressed, as is Harry.

The female orgasm is a bodily response seen time and time again on screen, albeit in a different setting.

But, what if another bodily response were to—not take its place in Sally’s case, because I would never dare suggest such a thing—succeed it. What I have in mind is one shared by most women: stomach pain, indigestion, and other symptoms akin to those of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Despite its ubiquity, IBS is rarely represented on screen among femme characters. Its symptoms lend themselves to either crude humor, like in the famous food poisoning sequence in Bridesmaids, or overt avoidance.

Daryn Snijdewind, a 19-year-old Visual and Media Arts student, started to exhibit symptoms of IBS when she was 11.

She calls diarrhea “glitching” and prefers to keep bowel-talk to herself. She noted that gross-out humor usually stands in for any thoughtful course of approachment.

She, however, understands the inherent comedy of the situation.

“It’s something people find to be gross, so if you make it into a joke, people will laugh at it,” Snijdewind says. “But no one ever approaches it like it’s a serious health problem because it’s hard to think of it as serious because, you know, it involves poop, of all things.”

It’s true. Characters in South Park regularly fart on or near their friends. Terrance (Matt Stone) and Phillip (Trey Parker) make a living out of fart gags.

In the film Brooklyn (2015), glitching is approached with sincerity. While immigrating across the Atlantic Ocean, Eilis, portrayed by Saoirse Ronan, experiences seasickness and has to run to the nearest available wooden bucket.

Journalist Josiah Hughes called it “one of those rare occasions where an on-camera bowel evacuation actually added a layer of depth to a film.” Still, though, it was under the jurisdiction of a period film, and by

33 | LIVING

extension the conditions by which its characters existed under. In Eilis’s case, a rocking, glitch-inducing boat ride.

Charley Rose Czajkowski, a Business of Creative Enterprises student, began exhibiting symptoms in middle school. Since then, she has become more comfortable talking about her experience.

“I’ve been pretty open about it because we all, like, shit and piss,” she says.

The hesitancy to include this aspect of a woman’s world may stem from a larger hesitancy to adequately build the internal worlds of femme characters on screen. While men are quite literally allowed to talk shit and fart as they please, women are not.

“I don’t need to see an entire screenplay about a girl with IBS, but so many people suffer from it and experience it, so I feel like there should just be less stigma around it,” Czajkowski says.

What if Ronan, in her subsequent star-turning vehicle Lady Bird (2017), expressed discomfort in her lower abdominal region after eating notably unconsecrated communion wafers. A remark would do: “My stomach kind of hurts. I think I have to shit.” Beanie Feldstein could laugh, nod, or do all of the above.

Claire Fairtlough, another Emerson College student, first started feeling the symptoms of IBS in middle school when fettuccine alfredo put her in the fetal position. A particular point of contention for her on the issue are the Gilmore girls (of the eponymous show), for whom she has an affinity for, but who also have the ability to “eat and eat and eat.”

“Their stomach never hurts,” Fairtlough laughs.

“They will have two pints of ice cream, fried chicken, and Chinese food, and then be like, ‘okay. I can go run a marathon now.’ It’s just so inaccurate.”

Fairtlough also noted the increasing prevalence of girls on social media talking about their problems with digestion and food sensitivity.

“I’ve seen tweets that are like, ‘Hot girls with stomach issues’,” says Fairtlough.

Film and television have a long way to go in terms of representation, and girls with stomach issues are probably, and rightfully, last on the list. Marginalized groups need to be at the forefront of this discussion about representation. However, I hope girls off-screen can one day see their experience—one that is talked about in bathrooms and behind closed bedroom doors, in hushed tones and covert text messages—on screen.

YM

Where are the girls with stomach pain?

WRITTEN BY: ALTHEA CHAMPION PHOTOGRAPHY BY: EMILY KING LIVING | 34

How Sisterhood Saved Me WRITTEN BY MARY PURSER ART BY NATASHA ARNOWITZ

T

he Purser Girls: Lauren, Natalie, Shannon, and Mary Grace. We are the real life Little Women.

My eldest sister Lauren is the obedient, ever so cautious, sensible sister—very fitting with Meg’s traditional values. The second, Natalie, is Jo through and through. The most competitive and brash, she rallies us together, whether it is to unite against the common enemy—our parents—or to cause a little mischief. Then comes Shannon; the perceptive, reflective one. Perhaps the only Purser sister who knows to keep her mouth shut, sit back, and observe the chaos. Her quietness and introspection keeps in line with Beth’s personality.

Lastly, there is me: the Amy of the bunch. Now I would be lying if I said that I adore being Amy. My sisters always ragged on me for being just like her because we were both annoying. They were right. Only now do I openly admit that Amy and I are similar. We both share a deep love for beauty, aesthetics, and refinery.

Likewise, we are both equally dramatic, sensitive, and outspoken. Although, I’d like to think that I wouldn’t marry my sister’s old flame, but that’s an argument for another day.

My point is not merely that we resemble the characters, but that our dynamic and sisterhood is a compelling force of nature much like the one Louisa May Alcott created. Anyone who knows me knows of my sisters. My flourishment was the object of their relentless pursuit and I am infinitely grateful for it.

The four of us were raised in a conservative, Evangelical Christian household, meaning we were taught that our life’s purpose was to proselytize the message of God’s salvation to the world. In many ways, it was a deeply stifling childhood. My parents chose to homeschool us as a way of sheltering us from the harsh realities of public school. They thought that by doing so they could protect us, but instead it resulted in spiritual abuse and religious trauma that continues to be a source of pain.

35 | LIVING

During our homeschool years, we were sent to a co-op: a small homeschool community where we attended school once a week amongst other homeschooled Christian kids to receive our basic schooling.

While there, I was taught to deny evolution’s existence and admonish it as something of the devil. We had skits put on by students and there was a character named “Count Darwin” who was trying to deceive children with his message of evolution. I know, it sounds ridiculous and like a possible SNL skit, but this was my reality.

Sex and relationships were a whole other issue in itself. When I was in just 6th grade, I was told to change my skirt because it went to my knees and skirts had to be mid-calf at the shortest. Girls were taught that modesty was the number one goal of a Christian woman.

And yet, sexual misconduct and unwanted pregnancies became staple pieces of gossip in my homeschool community. Their hushed tones concerning sex coupled with abstience-only teaching shockingly had the reverse effect. Perhaps it was also the rule that we must ask the headmaster for permission to date or “court” another individual, the cherry on top.

I’m telling you these excruciatingly embarrassing and unbelievable details about my experience because I need you to understand how bizarre and disorienting this was to live through, especially when you’re a middle schooler—which is already hell. But it was my sisters who got me through this hell.

Every time the four of us discuss our collective misfortune, we reflect on not only how laughable it all was but how it irreversibly warped our ideas of sex, religion, and authority. Our experiences there solidified our distrust in organized religion, conservatism, and the saddest part, our parents. There is a profound sorrow I feel knowing that my sisters and I are connected in that front—our lost faith in our parents after they immersed us into such a toxic culture. It deeply hurts us to have seen our parents slip away from reality and science, only

to fall prey towards conspiratorial propaganda from farright legalistic Christians.

I know to most people, seeing that transition is angering but I think my sisters and I alike have shifted to a place of despair and pity rather than the deep-rooted resentment that used to inhibit us. It saddens me to know how misplaced their sadness is for me—they firmly believe my soul is lost to evil. I don’t blame them for feeling genuinely hurt over that. It is a testament to how strongly they abide by their beliefs, and yet I so desperately wish that religious grip would lessen.

But my sisters? Well, they are the only ones who truly understand just how fucked up this all was because they lived through it. We lived through it.

Shared trauma and pain is a perverse yet strangely sacred bond siblings have. You have to deal with the ramifications of your parents’ decisions together, and boy, does that establish a lifelong connection! All four of us slowly deconstructed our beliefs and then became

queer, witchcraft-practicing leftists (go figure). Our radical transformation really stemmed from our promise to hold each other accountable to the belief that we should always remain critical and never complacent.

Many cannot say the same.

Perhaps it was the moments in between the confusion and the pain that weaved our little tapestry of sisterhood. The moments when we had midnight sister seances, Barbie movie marathons, Waffle House excursions, weird church member impersonations, and of course, Little Women movie nights. My dear Meg, Jo, and Beth.

Just like in Little Women, my sisters and I have very distinct personalities and yet, we are kindred spirits.

Sure, now we are a flight attendant, an anti-trust law researcher, an actress, and an aspiring journalist, but our likeness precedes all of that. We are the Purser girls and that title will always hold the utmost reverence to the four of us. ym LIVING | 36

PIZZA DIRECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY LILLIAN COHEN CO-DIRECTOR AND MODEL AMANDA HAMPTON

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45 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Influencer Means Actor WRITTEN BY DERIN YILMAZ

ART BY JAMES SULLIVAN

I

n the old days before social media, actors became celebrities after their first noteworthy on-screen performance. Now, the criteria for landing a role in Hollywood seems to be whether or not you have 30 million Instagram followers. Be famous and then, act!

Especially during a global pandemic, social media’s dominance in a world that is overwhelmingly online is undeniable. Consequently, the power held by influencers on social media has already caught the attention of Hollywood producers and executives.

The most talked-about influencers of the past year include TikTok stars who have gained millions of followers on the platform in a shockingly short amount of time. The industry is going through changes and producers are now seeking to cast influencers with preexisting celebrity status and fan bases in movies. The questionable priorities that underlie this strategy have to do with garnering maximum publicity and profits.

Visual and media arts major, Emma Shapiro ‘22 is pursuing creative production and is experienced with talent casting. About influencers becoming actors, Shapiro says, ‘‘It’s becoming less about who is most talented for the role and instead who will bring a big following to the movie.’’

It was announced in September 2020 that TikTok star Addison Rae would make her acting debut as the lead in the She’s All That remake, He’s All That. Rae is set to portray the female version of Freddie Prinze Jr.’s character, Zack Siler. Ironically, her character is a popular influencer in the remake.

Before a TikTok that she posted went viral in 2019, Rae was a college student in Louisiana hoping to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. Now, she is the second-most popular influencer on TikTok with 76 million loyal followers and a solid fan base. Rae was considered a strategic investment with a potential to boost the movie’s popularity, so her lack of acting experience prior to getting cast, was not a deal-breaker for the producers.

Visual and media arts major Nikki McGovern ‘20 is pursuing a career in film production. She says, “I think everyone involved in the development of the movie saw a massive opportunity in casting Addison Rae.” McGovern believes the industry tends to move further away from the art when the priority is financial gain. “I don’t think Addison was the right choice, creatively. From a business perspective, it’s a genius move,” she says.

Turning the casting process into a promotional strategy turns the process of making art into a publicity act. This doesn’t mean that these influencers don’t deserve acting opportunities or that they aren’t talented. On the contrary, anyone who is driven to pursue acting should give it their best shot.

Rae’s abilities as a performer will be revealed once the movie is officially out. ym

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 46

THE CASE FOR ASMR

47 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WRITTEN BY GEORGIA HOWE

ART BY KAITLYN BECKMANNOE

M

y first time listening to Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or ASMR, was when my friend showed me a video of a woman eating carrots close to the microphone. We laughed at the weird crunching sounds, but now, years later, I can rarely fall asleep at night without listening to it. How had I become hooked on these audio-focused videos that so many people find gross? Beyond the amplified clips of people eating food and satisfying slimemaking content that might show up occasionally on your Instagram feed, ASMR has expanded into a niche community with millions of members that focuses on encouraging sleep and relaxation.

Creators of ASMR (or self-proclaimed “ASMRtists”) share content on video streaming platforms like YouTube and TikTok that feature soothing audio and visuals to try to help viewers fall asleep. ASMR is the pleasant, tingling sensation one gets, often on their scalp, when listening to these videos. It’s our brains responding to gentle auditory stimulation. ASMRtists use triggers, which are repetitive sounds like tapping, whispering, and scratching, to relax viewers.

Many ASMR creators on YouTube, like Gibi ASMR and Gentle Whispering ASMR, have over one million subscribers, and their comment sections are filled with insomniacs who, like me, finally found a way to fall asleep at night.

While ASMR might not be for everyone, it serves many purposes beyond being a sleep aid. As the ASMR community has grown in numbers in recent years, many ASMRtists have become more creative with their content. Some make ASMR role-plays that include experiences like getting an eye exam, a haircut, or a massage to try to mimic the pleasant personal attention we receive in these real-life situations. Makeup and painting tutorials are also commonly converted into ASMR by using microphones to amplify the soft sounds of the brushes at work.

One of the more recent developments in the ASMR community has been creating content that doubles as mental health resources. While ASMRtists who make content like this include disclaimers and provide links to professionals, these videos are a safe place for people to go to when they are experiencing stress or anxiety. One creator, Karuna Satori ASMR, has multiple videos intended to help followers through a panic attack, and with over 100,000 views on each, they evidently work for many people. Karuna also makes videos specifically geared towards processing trauma and accommodating people with Sensory Processing Disorder, all while serving the dual purpose of helping viewers sleep.

As someone who has listened to ASMR regularly for multiple years, I can vouch for its positive influence on listeners. While I started engaging with it for the satisfying audio, I’ve found my own mental health and confidence improved as a result. Listening to videos with positive affirmations or triggers to relieve anxiety helps me feel relaxed and refreshed each night. So if you’re having trouble sleeping or feel stressed about life, try popping in some headphones and give ASMR a try! YM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 48

SCREAMING FOR CHANGE: PUNK AND METAL ACTIVISM

W

ith its booming speakers, shrieking vocals, and ear-crackling guitar solos, it’s easy to shrink back in terror after hearing metal for the first time.

Punk’s insatiable anger, smashed drum sets, and arm-flailing crowds can be equally scary. However, while the crowd diving may not appear welcoming at first, many metal and punk bands utilize their musical talent as platforms of progressive activism. After delving deeper into the lyrics and musical compositions, these genres reveal themselves to be incredibly complex and capable of enacting poignant change.

Forged in the aftermath of rock becoming mainstream in the 1970s, punk became an outlet for rebellion.

Many bands spoke out against social and economic issues of their eras, and as time went on, the music itself steadily grew more diversified. However, this also helped foster a male-dominated culture among artists and fans that heavily excluded women from the conversation.

In response to this testosterone-fueled culture, feminist rebellion emerged as a movement called “Riot grrrl.”

One of the pioneers of this movement is the band Bikini Kill.

The group promotes a woman-centric atmosphere at every performance, urging them to come to the front of the crowd and push away men who block the stage. Their song “Jet Ski” screams to the listener: “I’m not your rocket ship / Or your motorboat / Your movie set / Or your cartoon show / Not your fucking VCR / Not your avant-garde postcard idea.”

The lyrics demand the de-objectification of women within the commercial realm and critique the concept being a social norm in the first place. The band recently reunited and will tour throughout 2021 to keep spreading their messages of radical feminism and gender equality.

Another fascinating member of punk history is Ian MacKaye, an artist known for his roles in bands such as

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WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER VASSILOPOULOS ART BY REBEKAH CZUKOSKI

Embrace, Minor Threat, Fugazi, and others. He also works with many artists, including Bikini Kill, as a producer. He spoke about how he looks at punk as an open door for artists, saying that to him, it is “the freespace, that’s my definition of punk rock, it is an area of creative expression that is not dictated by the industry, is not dictated by profit.”

He continued to elaborate, saying that it is useful “as a musician, to understand what is right for you, and then think of the industry as perhaps a tool or vehicle, but not as the thing that decides whether or not your work is valid.”

He also spoke about the benefits of performing in unconventional places, saying that it helps “continue the practice of having music arrive and sprout up anywhere, because if you’re playing a thrift shop or the foyer of an old movie theater, those are the places that don’t rely on clientele, so that music is everywhere and everybody can come see it, of all ages.” To this day, Ian and his current band Coriky continue to make music in all sorts of ways, shapes, and sizes, so that the freespace of punk lives on and continues to be an area of expression for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Like punk, metal originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a response to mainstream rock. Defined by heavy distortion and often macabre themes, metal evolved throughout the decades and split off into many different subgenres.

A powerful voice of metal activism is the band Stratospheerius. Formed in 2001, they are a progressive rock/metal band that defies and explores the genres they are classified within. Founding member Joe Deninzon is the lead vocalist and plays the electric violin. Their upcoming album revolves around mental health, and their new song, “Imposter,” delves into the idea of having a double life in front of others. He explains, “It’s about imposter syndrome, and about how so many people I know that are successful by any standard, can sometimes have crises of confidence and feel like they’re imposters.” This idea of identity fracture is very relatable, regardless of age or profession, and this expression through music can help others feel like they are not alone no matter what they are going through.

Although they may sound intense at first, punk and metal are genres filled to the brim with activism. Whether it be the radical feminism of Bikini Kill, the unabashed freedom of Fugazi, or the complex melodies of Stratospheerius in support of positive mental health, these bands show how music can inspire powerful change. YM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 50

YOUR THINGS ART BY MADELYN MULREANEY

WITH LIVING EDITOR MARYCATHERINE NEAL BABY

FRENCH PRESS

This is my childhood bear, Baby. I got her at the mall after a

I’m not ashamed to say I’m addicted to coffee. In high school,

doctor’s appointment when I was 2 years old. My mom put me

my brother introduced me to the French press and everything

down for a nap and said, “Here’s your baby,” and the name just

changed. I purchased my own single-cup French press and have

stuck. We’ve been inseparable ever since. In fact, I used to carry

not turned back (though sometimes I have to depend on my

her around with me everywhere. One time I put her in the crock

Keurig when I’m desperate for a caffeine kick). Not only does it

pot for safe keeping, and then forgot she was in there. Needless to

make the coffee deliciously strong, but it’s super cute and makes

say, my 3-year-old self did not sleep at all that night. We eventually

me feel like a fancy barista.

found her though. Now, I just let her snuggle in bed all day so I don’t risk losing her.

SRIRACHA NINTENDO SWITCH

I’ve always loved spicy food. I’m so lucky that my family also loves

Okay, I’m obsessed with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I’ve been

ridiculously spicy foods, so I never have to add hot sauce, pepper flakes,

playing games from the Animal Crossing world since I was 5 years

or sriracha to my mother’s cooking. However, I understand that the

old, but this one is a true masterpiece. I play every day, whether I

college can’t make every food spicy because there are some students

really have the time or not. I especially love playing with my sister

who don’t like spice like I do. So, back in the days when we could dine

who lives ten hours away in Virginia. It gives us a way to “hang

in the dining hall, I often stole an entire bottle of sriracha to coat my

out,” even when I’m hundreds of miles away. Plus, hitting her with

food. I even recruited some of my suitemates to the fiery taste. This

my net or my ax is always fun.

year, I invested in the largest bottle I could find. It’s lasted me the entire

.

year, despite the huge amount I squirt on my food on a daily basis.

FACETIME During quarantine, I became the queen of FaceTime. With a general fear that I might have contracted COVID-19 on the plane

“POTATO SHOES” My close-toed Birkenstocks or, as I lovingly call them, my “Potato

ride from MA to VA, I had to FaceTime more than ever to keep up

Shoes,” are a true staple of my hybrid-learning attire. Although I still

with friends, family, and my boyfriend. I was eventually able to see

enjoy getting dressed for my remote classes, I prefer to keep my feet free

all of them, and I’m very grateful for those moments spent with

and cozy. These slip-on shoes have been a life saver. Plus, they look super

them. Now that I’m back in Boston, I am back to using FaceTime.

cute with funky socks and jeans for a quick trip to The Max or the DH.

I especially love FaceTiming with my 10-month-old nephew Vincent. I can’t wait to get home and squeeze him.

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YOURMAG | 52

YM ADVISES Favorite Books to Read

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney - Lily Walsh, Creative Director

I’m not a huge reader so I need something that will keep me coming back, and this book has so many unexpected twists that kept me engaged. Would highly recommend it if you like psychological thrillers!

Flower Children by Maxine Swann - Lillian Cohen, Editor in Chief

Reading about the gaggle of children, raised by their free-range hippie parents, makes me nostalgic about my own childhood, as if I had lived it myself. Short but slow and sweet.

The Silent Patient

Section Editor

by Alex Michaelides -

MaryCatherine Neal, Living

As much as I hate the term, this book is an actual page-turner. Non-stop thrills and twists.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - Jess Ferguson, Co-Copy Chief

I watched the HBO miniseries when it first came out, so I was curious to read the book it was based on, especially because I’m a fan of Gillian Flynn’s other books. I’d recommend it for people who like slow-burning mysteries, especially if you liked Gone Girl, which is also by Flynn.

Normal People by Sally Rooney - Emily King, Photo Director I read this book in a period of two days because I couldn’t put it down. The writing was so real and relatable, and yes, I did cry. The book centers around the themes of toxic relationships, abuse, friendship, codependence, and more. I would say it’s a fast-paced read, so if you like those, you’re in a reading slump, or looking for a genuinely good book, I would recommend it!

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Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh -

Proofreader

Katie Powers, Head

Last semester, I read Brosh’s first book Hyperbole and a Half and became enthralled with how she writes stories with accompanying images. Both of her books draw from her life and are equal measure sweet and hilarious. She tackles bigger issues like dealing with depression, but always does so in a way that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.

Bluets by Maggie Nelson - Talia Smith, Managing Editor

I’ve recently gotten back into reading poetry, and Maggie Nelson has a certain way of explaining such seemingly menial things and making them stick. This book is centered around her idea of and experiences with the color blue throughout her life. It’s a quick read, really easy to carry around, and made me cry multiple times.

Vagina by Naomi Wolf — Olivia Cigliano, Style Editor

My current read, a super interesting scientific and cultural synthesis about the connection between the vagina and the brain, and how female orgasm affects creativity, confidence in decision making, and overall way we approach life. I realized the lack of sexual education that centers female anatomy and pleasure is pretty systemically oppressive, as well as the cultural indifference to female orgasm.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness -

A&E Editor

Amanda Hampton,

I’m reading this right now, and it’s definitely drawing me in so far. I love a good dystopian drama, and this one is unique, both in terms of its premise and the way it’s written.

It’s action-packed and a little weird, and features a dog as a main character, which is a plus in my book. There’s a movie adaptation coming out soon starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley, so I’m looking forward to seeing that after reading the book.

Little Weirds by Jenny Slate - Laura Philips, YMTV Co-Director

I have always loved Jenny Slate as an actress and comedian, but I did not expect her book to hit me in such an emotionally specific way. It’s a book of “essays,” but they more so resemble love letters, as well as frustration letters, to the little things in life. It’s written so whimsically but also with a very realistic sense about how heavy existence can feel and the things we need to do or tell ourselves to feel better about it.

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Y.MP3

THE SPRING BREAK THAT GOT AWAY MR. BLUE SKY–ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA WOULD YOU BE SO KIND–DODIE I SAW HER STANDING THERE–THE BEATLES STICKS AND STONES–THE ZOMBIES UNWRITTEN–NATASHA BEDINGFIELD ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD–PAUL SIMON ROLLERCOASTER–BLEACHERS FIVE YEARSTIME–NOAH AND THE WHALE STRAWBERRY WINE–LEMONDROP WALK BACKWARDS–MAUDE LATOUR WE’RE GOOD–DUA LIPA HOT SUGAR–GLASS ANIMALS TROPICANA–VANILLA GORILLA CANDY WRAPPERS–SUMMER SALT WAY IT GOES–HIPPO CAMPUS OK–WALLOWS AL OESTE–JUANA MOLINA SEX TOURISTS–FRENCH KICKS MARILYN FT. MICACHU–MOUNT KIMBIE

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ART BY XINYI GAO

PEACH FUZZ–CAAMP LA MEG–OKAY KAYA DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE–THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS EL DESIERTO–LHASA DE SELA I’LL BE AROUND–FOG LAKE OOM SHA LA LA–HALEY HEYNDERICKX ON MELANCHOLY HILL–GORILLAZ HEAVEN OR LAS VEGAS–COCTEAU TWINS ONE DANCE–DRAKE MIA–BAD BUNNY WORK–RIHANNA WOO!–REMI WOLF CALIFORNIA–CHILDISH GAMBINO LUCID DREAMS–ST. BEAUTY STRAWBERRY MOON–STRANGE WEATHER GIVING UP THE GUN–VAMPIRE WEEKEND SUNSET PLAZA–MACKENZIE MORRIS

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What motivates you to take photos?

Most of the time the feeling of nostalgia motivates me to take photos. I really want to be able to look back at my life on film one day and remember how I felt in each one.

What’s your favorite part of photography?

My favorite part of photography is definitely the planning and editing. I love planning out what I’m going to shoot and sketching my ideas beforehand like a storyboard. I also love the process of editing; I find it really calming once I get into the swing of it.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I really want to continue photographing, and possibly start on a personal project about my hometowns and how they’ve affected me as I’ve grown.

Though photography isn’t my main career goal, it still means so much for me to be able use it as a creative outlet.

Who inspires you?

I’m really inspired by portrait artists as well as traditional artists and painters. I love the idea of making a photo feel like a painting, so that’s a style I would love to try and develop.

When do you feel the most creative?

Creativity isn’t a very constant thing for me, but recently I’ve been inspired to pick up my pencil and draw.

This has given me some time to sketch portraits and other things I can’t wait to bring to life in photos soon.

It’s been really fun to think about even mixing the two mediums at some point too, by adding doodles and designs into my photos in post.

ARTIST STATEMENT: Savannah Berkeland

Tell us about your most recent project!

A new ritual that I and many others have picked up during 2020 is the ritual of baking, and more specifically, breadmaking. Making food for people has always been a love language of mine, so early into quarantine, I ordered a piece of 50-year-old sourdough starter from a woman on Etsy and began caring for it myself. Since then, I’ve been nurturing this starter and attempting to master the art of sourdough baking. In this project, titled “Cross Section”, I’ve documented the process of making sourdough from the beginning to the end; from feeding my sourdough starter, kneading the dough, scoring the loaf, and then finally eating the finished bread. Each phase of this process is tedious, but allows for me to put love and care into the food I will be sharing. I put a lot of effort into the food I make and I get a huge amount of validation from making something from scratch and watching people’s eyes light up when they take a bite.

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