The Fantasy Issue: Am I Dreaming?

2020 Am I Dreaming?

Vol. 3 Issue 1

ALIGN Executive Team EDITOR-IN-CHIEF GILLIAN ARTHUR EXECUTIVE EDITOR KAELEIGH JAMES PROJECT MANAGER ANDREW BARRON WRITING EDITOR EMERSON BRADY PHOTO EDITOR ISA RAMOS DESIGN EDITOR PAYTON ALONZO COPY EDITOR LEAH PRATLEY & NATALIE WITT SOCIAL MEDIA & BRANDING KELSEY MUNGER & LILLIAN HOTCHKIN WEBSITE DESIGNER SAM PAYAB

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DAYDREAMING

17 MARS

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MILK BATH

the the fantasy fantasy issue issue

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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PETRA COLLINS

65 DEAR 2020,

It’s that time of year again! Time for a new issue of Align, and time for a new letter from the editor. There are so many things I’d like to say but I know I’ll never be able to articulate them, so I’ll leave it at this: Align is my smultronställe (in Swedish, a special place one hold’s close to her heart).

I’ve never been more grateful, more honored, and more excited to lead an organization than with Align. I’ve met so many wonderful people, made so many friends, and worked on so many projects I’m proud of, all because of this magazine. Which is why it goes without saying, all of this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for our former editors. Allison and Danika, we can’t thank you enough for passing the torch to us. Thank you for forging this magazine into the beauty that it is, thank you for trusting us to build on your legacy and thank you for supporting us every step along the way. We couldn’t have done it without you.

For Align, this term had many firsts. We welcomed new editors to our executive team (whom I am forever indebted to), grew to over a hundred members, printed stickers, started an Align gofundme, and produced a kick-ass, themed issue for the first time on our own! Saying I’m proud of my team is most certainly an understatement.

Despite its challenges, this issue came together like a dream. We ran with fantasy as our first-ever theme, not fully knowing what to expect, but we can safely say our staff did NOT disappoint! This issue is filled with vision, artistry and above all, beauty. I’m so excited to share our creative product with you, and showcase all the wonderful people who made this issue (and this term) a reality. I hope you find your own fantasy in it, whatever it may be.

This issue really is a dream come true.

Yours Truly, Gillian Editor-in-Chief

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Greek Mythology ART DIRECTOR TERRI CHRESTENSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY EMMA MCGRANE MAKEUP ARTIST EMMA MITCHELL WRITTEN BY LAUREN SCHENKER DESIGNER NATALIE PEREZ

Eunoia

A pure and well-balanced mind, a good spirit.

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Mkaria Happiness, bliss

Benefits of Daydreaming and Manifestation as an Everyday Practice Our dreams are what make us different from each other.

Two people might both want to become the first female president, but they will take two very different paths. From a young age, we’ve been told to “dream big” only to be told later on in life to be practical. What does being practical mean?

How does one’s concept of realism vary? Dreams can tell us so much about one another. It is a common misconception that when children transition into adult life, they must let go of their dreams, but I am here to remind you to hold onto your dreams. Some of the most creative visionaries of our time were active daydreamers in their youth and continued into their adult life.

American musician and actress, Lady Gaga, uses manifestation to bring her creative aspirations to life. By

repeating daily mantras focused on fame and the success of her music, she speaks her dreams into reality. Gaga believes that everyone can be successful if they learn how to be intentional with where they use their energy. She preaches that everyone has the power to create the life that they desire. Gaga has earned a fortune from believing in herself and the success of her work before it has even been released.

Each time you find yourself daydreaming about something or set a new goal think about what psychological factors are necessary to achieve that goal.

For our dreams to define our life, we must define our dreams. This is where manifestation can be a useful tool.

The term ‘manifest’ can be defined in many different ways.

Manifestation is a psychological practice that can be 6 ALIGN

defined as, “something that is presented to your physical reality through the practice of intentional thought, feelings, and beliefs.” Manifesting your destiny brings focus to hopes and dreams. Not only can daily manifestation practice bring you positivity, but it can also provide great structure and organization for those who have busy minds.

Daydreaming and manifestation are alike in many ways.

Both practices utilize inner creativity and subconscious work ethic. However, one way that they are different is that successful manifestation requires both thought and action.

For instance, you can manifest your acceptance to your dream internship, but you must take action to build your resume and also apply to the actual internship. Nothing great is ever achieved without hard work.

Interested in implementing manifestation into your daily routine but confused about where to begin? Start every day by writing down five things that you are thankful for and five things that you are looking forward to. Make sure that the ten things are not all materialistic. For example, instead of writing that you are grateful for your home, think about whose sacrifices made it possible for you to live in your home.

Be grateful for the individuals who made those sacrifices.

It is proven that people who spend a few minutes each day to cultivate gratitude are more likely to be successful in achieving their goals. Once you can switch your mindset to focus more on the positive energy in your life, you will no longer have room for self-deprecating negative behavior.

Through the nature of habit, you will be subconsciously manifesting your dreams into reality in no time.

Whether we recognize it or not, we practice several daily rituals out of habit. We set aside time in our day to practice good hygiene and fuel our bodies with good food so why wouldn’t you want to channel energy to create your ideal reality every day? In times of self-isolation and quarantine, it is especially beneficial for people to introduce healthy psychological practices like manifestation into their daily routine. By focusing more energy on your aspirations for the future you are putting less energy into negative things of the past.

If you only take one thing away from this article, remember that your energy is sacred because it only belongs to you. You don’t need money or education to manifest your dreams into reality. You are the only one standing in between you and your dreams.

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Redefining Lingerie WRITTEN BY JOSIE HINKE PHOTOGRAPHED BY ATHENA NGUYEN DESIGNER KATALENA SANCHEZ ART DIRECTOR JACQUELYN JACOBSON

The suggestive nature of lingerie has long been used to highlight the feminine form and acts as a means of both concealing and revealing the body. When lingerie was first marketed in the 1700s as corsets, it was meant to be hidden beneath layers of fabric. Corsets were intended to maintain an idealized figure while remaining modest.

The meaning of lingerie has been changing over time. Originally a way of creating a female form that was appealing to the male gaze, it transformed into a “performative costume for the pleasure of an onlooker.” In recent years, with the rise of lingerie as outerwear, it has changed meaning once again. Women are using lingerie as a way to reclaim their femininity and appreciate it for themselves, rather than for the male gaze.

There is a power in reclaiming femininity. Femininity is often shed in a negative light, associated with weakness and docility. Lingerie is a symbol of femininity, represented with lace, ruffles, feminine silhouettes, and light colors. Recent trends juxtapose the femininity of lingerie with masculine forms like blazers, trousers, or bulky boots.

These trends are indicative of a reimagining of gendered fashion. Menswear and androgynous fashion have been on the rise. Using lingerie as outwear poses a contrast to the more androgynous trends like oversize sweatshirts or trousers. Reclaiming lingerie is a way of reclaiming femininity as something to be proud of, rather than ashamed of.

Lingerie is intended to accentuate and create an idealized female form.

By accentuating the breasts and hips, it alludes to a woman’s sexuality while also maintaining modesty through hiding parts of her body. When lingerie is used as outerwear, it becomes less suggestive while still acting as a representation of femininity.

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY MALENA SAADEH & SYDNEY SULLIVAN ART DIRECTORS KAYLA KRUEGER & MALENA SAADEH DESIGNER AUTUMN SOUCY 1 1 ALIGN

Dre aming

MODELS KAYLA KRUEGER, SAYLOREN WIECHE, ABBY ANDREWS, NAIA L’AMOUR-WOLF, MASON MCCLURG, CALLUM CHAMP, AVERY HAINES, SEBASTIAN HEALY 12 ALIGN

D D r r e e a a i i a a n n m miinngg r r o o f f i i l l a a C C

We’ve heard it romanticized all before, but California has become synonymous with being a haven for both song and style. The City of Angels in the late sixties and early seventies seemed like something out of a dream.

California’s been known for its picturesque hills, skyline reflecting the shine that rose from the nightlife on the Sunset Strip, and the never-ending stream of musical talent. Los Angeles in its heyday carried unmatched electricity that pulled creatives in from every corner to take their shot at the big time. Fortunately for those of us not around to witness the glowing seventies, Southern California still holds countless stories of fame and free love within its streets.

Throughout the fifties and the early sixties, women in music were few and far between. The slim few who succeeded in making their way into the industry at the time were presented as novel sweethearts draped in matching outfits and beehive hairstyles. The late sixties dived enthusiastic experimentation and free-living stirred up a whole new way of dressing, music-making, and existing in general. There were of course still those who hadn’t tuned into the cultural reset happening around them. However, the tight box that was previously placed on women was cracking at the corners. The emerging genre, Freak Music created opportunities for women in the music industry. ​Freak music at its core focuses a heavy emphasis on experimentation and progressive rock aesthetics and their fashion followed suit. Galavanting in the heights of Laurel Canyon dawned in layered scarves, cloaks,

and anything outrageously different, the Freak’s mission statement was more is more. Rejecting the two categories of hippies and squares, this group wanted to live in the grey area with no definitions to sit between.

Pioneer of ​the Freak scene in Los Angeles, Frank Zappa took this old stereotype and flipped it on its head with a whole new type of girl group. In 1969, Frank ​Zappa produced Permanent Damage, t​he first and only album by his haberdashery of hard-edged honeys whom he dubbed the GTOs. This girl gang was composed of 7 groupies who had previously arranged themselves as a ballet company of all things. The GTO’s previously floated across the beatnik hubs in the Hollywood Hills dancing and romancing with the LA stars they came across there. Although they were not musicians themselves they were strong-headed sirens with sexuality as their spotlight and a presence in the growing freak scene.

These ladies caught Zappa’s eccentric eye and he took to them quickly. Challenging the girls to write an album while he was off on tour with The Mothers Of Invention promising he would produce upon his return, Zappa opened up the door to rocks exclusive boys club and to a band of groupies at that ​— a​ move bolder than most would make in the height of their career. With the creation of the GTOs and the release of Permanent Damage,​Zappa posed a question to the city; ​Are we ready to jump into a new decade with a new set of rules? F​rom founding member Miss Pamela inspiring the character Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, A ​ lmost Famous, t​ o Miss Christine being responsible for shaping Alice Cooper’s stage identity, The Ladies of the GTO went on to be iconic in their own right in the changing times.

Nestled in the same canyon community, the Los Angeles soft rock scene was experiencing a creative boom at the turn of this pivotal decade as well. If you were to hitch a ride from the Sunset after a long night at the Whisky-A-Go-Go, it would only take you ten minutes to be transported through the trees and find yourself up in the heights of Laurel Canyon. These hills served as a collaborative hot-bed for LA artists. Folk phenoms could regularly be found bouncing songs and ideas off of one another, playing on each other’s tracks, and using friendly competition to take their albums to the top. The lore of this boom was quickly whispered far and wide and it became evident that to be somebody in the scene now you had to be near the action.

WRITTEN BY MALENA SAADEH

In this melting pot of people all looking at life through the same lens, love and scandal arose just as often as record deals. ​The Mama’s and the Papa’s leading lady Michelle Phillips got temporarily kicked out of the band by her husband and lead singer John Phillips after he found out she was not only sleeping with bandmate Denny Doherty, but with Gene Clark of the Byrds too. This little tie-up inspired a co-written track by John and Denny about the whole situation titled “I Saw Her Again.” Dramatics occurred in this close-knit circle of artists in the canyon, but it was nothing that wouldn’t make for great material later.

When Canyon Queen, Joni Mitchell caught the attention of Graham Nash it would inspire some of their best work as love often does. The pair lived in Laurel Canyon together until it all started splitting at the seams in 1970.

Things went sour as they often do, so as one last ode to Joni, Nash penned “Our House” on with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young in 1970 and Joni wrote her most famous track “A Case of You” for him a year later in ‘71.

Laurel Canyon was a hub for music as well as fashion.

Androgyny within the world of fashion was beginning to surface and men and women alike sported long hair and intricate clothing. Peasant blouses and gypsy cloth delicately complimented the natural look the ladies would often sport, transforming them into ethereal fairies when they’d lounge all day in the California sun. Crocheted ponchos, bell-bottom pants, maxi dresses, and warm-toned outerwear dominated the lookbooks of LA. Flowing fabric that accentuated the way the canyon creatures moved about also acted as a style staple, often being matched with layers of turquoise and silver jewelry. The look of the Canyon was as effortlessly beautiful as the sounds it produced and both worked together to solidify a snapshot of this far away time in LA history forever. The timeless feeling this place and period fostered has found its way into today’s culture and its impact has forever shifted the directions of music and fashion.

Intertwined Senses Have you ever tasted words, seen sounds, or felt a smell? If you have, you may have synesthesia. Only 4% of the population experiences synesthesia. This phenomenon looks different for everyone, but it includes the intersection of two or more senses.

After conducting an Instagram poll asking people if they experienced synesthesia, I was able to talk with a few people who voted “yes,” and ask them about how synesthesia looks for them.

Me: What does synesthesia look like for you? @zanzanbrink: I associate certain colors with different things like letters or months.

Me: When did you discover that you had synesthesia? @zanzanbrink: When someone mentioned it in middle or high school.

Me: Did you know that synesthesia was the name of what you were experiencing? @zanzanbrink: No, I had to look it up.

Me: What does synesthesia look like for you? @annabelle.wombacher: Basically, I see emotions as colors. For me, it’s really tied to pain and negative emotions like sadness, depression, frustration and anger.

Me: Have you always known that synesthesia is what you were experiencing? @annabelle.wombacher: I’ve had it my whole life, but I learned more about it in middle school because it got stronger and I started seeing a therapist who explained it to me.

Interestingly enough, many people who experience synesthesia are not aware that they have it, or even aware that what they are experiencing is out of the norm. Many artists and musicians are synesthetes. This isn’t surprising, considering synesthesia can allow musicians to create music that they feel aligns with their favorite colors.

Some famous synesthetes include Pharrell Williams, Charli XCX, and Finneas.

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In Pharrell Williams’ case, he associates colors with sound. In his 2013 interview with NPR he goes into more depth about this, “It’s the only way that I can identify what something sounds like. I know when something is in key because it either matches the same color or doesn’t.” Williams also talks about how people with synesthesia are not aware of their minds working differently until it is pointed out to them, “People with synesthesia, we don’t really notice until someone brings it up and then someone else says, ‘Well, no, I don’t see colors when I hear music,’ and that’s when you realize something’s different.”

Like Williams, Charli XCX also sees colors, but in her case, it helps her decide what music she likes and doesn’t like. In her 2014 interview with Nylon Magazine, she discusses how synesthesia impacts her music, “I would always see colors and then I found out that that was synesthesia. It helps me understand songs and what I like, you know? I see a lot of my last record, ‘True Romance,’ as being purple, or as I see my new album, ‘Sucker,’ as being red and pink. Colors I don’t like, like green, that would be like a Pitbull song.” Finneas, known for being a Grammy winning songwriter and for being the old-

er brother of Billie Eilish, also experiences synesthesia. Like the other artists, he sees colors when he hears music, but he also associates music with different smells. He provides an example of this in his 2020 interview with Bandwagon Asia, “A certain song of mine I could compare to a color or hue or shape or something. To me, ‘Let’s Fall in Love for the Night,’ is like a tangerine. The smell is citrus to me, like orange.”

Synesthetes are all around us. Some are aware of their special abilities, some aren’t. Bottom line, if you are a synesthete, you have a pretty cool brain.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALI WATSON DESIGNER KATE HEDGEPETH ART DIRECTOR SHANNON ENRIQUEZ MODELS LUCY HUDSON & EMMA WILLIAMS

MAKE UP ON MARS

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KENNY PARK

of the

the makeup

WRITTEN BY FIONA GIBBENS DESIGNER ALLY WOODRING ART DIRECTOR SYDNEY ALLAWAY MODELS GUSTAVO RAMIREZ KELSEY STEWART KENNEDY GREGORY

bibliography “About Bioglitz.” Bioglitz, 2020, https:// www.bioglitz.co. Accessed 12 November 2020.

“About Us - Elate Beauty.” Elate Beauty, 2020, https://elatebeauty.com/pages/ about-us. Accessed 12 November 2020.

“L’Oréal Unveils Perso, an AI-Powered At-Home System for Skincare and Cosmetics.” L”Oreal, L’Oreal, https:// www.loreal.com/en/usa/articles/ research-and-innovation/loreal-unveils-perso/. Accessed 12 November 2020.

“ORA MasKerade DUET Facial Steamer & Organic Mask Maker.” Beauty ORA, Beauty ORA, https://beautyora. com/products/ora-maskerade-duet-facial-steamer-organic-mask-maker.

Accessed 12 November 2020.

FUTURE

As we get closer and closer to a new age of space exploration our technologies and modes of transportation are becoming more advanced.

Makeup products are following suit, by evolving to adapt to the new world of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Eco-friendly products. Some new makeup products are almost as detailed and technically advanced as NASA rockets in space, while others focus on creating a more sustainable future for the makeup industry. These are the products of the next generation of beauty.

This first product seems like something straight out of a science-fiction movie. L’Oreal Preso is described by L’Oreal as “an AI-powered at-home system that represents the ultimate in beauty personalization”. Users upload a picture of their skin to a Perso mobile app that analyses their skin and looks for discoloration, wrinkles, pore visibility, and acne. The Perso technology uses geolocation data to look into weather, UV conditions, and humidity that may affect the user’s skin. The device’s user can then input their skincare preferences into the Perso app. Perso then uses all of the information it has gathered to provide its user with a “personalized blend of high-performance skincare” (L’Oreal.com). Currently, there are three different models of the Perso that create a custom foundation, skincare and lipstick. Preso users can use the connected app to create their own custom lipstick shades and even color match their lips to their outfit. L’Oreal has not released the price but they plan on revealing it closer to the AI machine’s release date in 2021.

This next product looks as if it is from an alien planet. The ORA MasKerade DUET Facial Steamer + Mask Maker works as both a steamer and DIY face mask maker. This machine creates gel face masks from any fruit or vegetable liquid and a “Bioactive Collagen Peptide tablet” (Beautyora.com). This machine is unique in the world of face masks because it allows its user to control exactly what ingredients go into their face mask.

The machine pumps the liquid ingredients chosen by its user and the dissolved collagen tablet into a face-shaped tray where it sets into a gel. The steamer can be used while the homemade mask sets. As soon as the face is solid the gel mask can be used immediately or refrigerated for later use. The ORA MasKerade is cost-effective, at around only $1 per mask while also eliminating the need for non-environmentally friendly packaging that comes with store-bought gel masks.

The ORA MasKerade DUET Facial Steamer + Mask Maker is currently available and costs $89.

The next makeup device of the future is the Opté wand from Proctor and Gamble (P&G).

The Opté wand uses blue LED light and a digital camera to analyze the user’s skin and identify sunspots, age spots and hyperpigmentation. Once the Opté Wand finds flaws in the skin, it dispenses an optimizing serum mixed with mineral pigments to cover impurities and help them fade over time (Opte. com). The device’s serum and pigment includes, “no added sulfates, parabens, dyes, artificial colors, formaldehyde, phthalates, fragrances, or any animal-derived ingredients” (Opte.com). Users can pick from three different shade groups to ensure they get a perfect skin match. The Opté wand gives us a glimpse at the future of combating the effects of old age and could be the start of a brand new age of wrinkle-fighting technology. The OPTE Precision System costs a whopping $599 but will likely become cheaper as more brands follow in its footsteps.

Not only are cosmetic devices becoming more technologically advanced, but cosmetic brands are also becoming more ethically and environmentally conscious. One of these eco-friendly brands is Elate Beauty Cosmetics. Elate Beauty sells sustainable and ethical beauty and wellness products. The company prides itself on being a vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics brand for everyone, “regardless of gender identity, age, ethnicity, or body type. Inclusive, and ever-evolving, there is not a singular definition” (Elatebeauty.com). Their packaging is 75% waste-free and they are working, “to become a 100% plastic-free and waste-free company” (Elatebeauty.com). Almost all of their product packaging uses environmentally conscious materials such as bamboo, aluminum, glass, and seed paper that can be planted in the ground and transform into a non-invasive wildflower garden.

Elate focuses on the future and is “constantly working on developing new systems and solutions that will help be the catalyst in successfully reducing our impact on the environment” (Elatebeauty.com). Elate’s mission statement is to “create safe, effective beauty products using cruelty-free ingredients, ethical marketing, and sustainable practices” (Elatebeauty.com).

Another company that is putting in work to help the environment is Bioglitz. Bioglitz is a company that sells biodegradable and plant-based glitter.

They have created an eco-friendly glitter made from eucalyptus plant cellulose with cosmetic pigments.

Bioglitz was created to provide an alternative to the plastic glitter that is in most glitter cosmetics. Typically glitter makeup is made of harmful microplastics that end up in the ocean after being washed off of a user’s face.However,Bioglitzisanonpollutingalternativethat will keep plastic out of our oceans and our food supply.

The future of makeup is upon us. Cosmetics and beauty devices are becoming more advanced when it comes to technology as well as ethical thinking. These products show that the future of makeup will be smarter, both technologically and environmentally which will make life easier for us and our planet.

Dreams in Quarantine WRITTEN BY LIDIJA SOVULJ

Hope is a hard thing to ask for. It’s hard to muster up and it’s even harder to keep. When looking at how quarantine and the last nine months have impacted my ability to hope or rather my ability to dream will always throw me for a loop. I’m unsure as to whether I’ve remained as hopeful as I used to be. I’m happy to know I’m not alone in questioning my hope in these trying times. Recently, I sat down with a person who I admire greatly for their thoughts on what it means to dream in the midst of unprecedented times. Mikalo Arenas (they/them/ theirs) is an Indigenous American model, poet, and student at the University of Oregon. They are currently studying Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, along with Sociology and Theater.

“My dreams and quarantine [have affected] the questions I ask in my head. I’ve been asking these questions and dreaming about these things for years, really.”

Arena considers their Indigenous background when thinking about their dreams for the future. “My brain goes to Indigenous Sovereignty. How can I, on my day to day basis, make it a mission to decolonize my brain, my mind, my body, and soul? Putting in that conscious effort of that physical and mental act puts me on a constant stream of hope. If I get the constant affirmations within the days of the equations I put in life and see those through…that is seeing, feeling, and living in a post-colonial world. Through those minor interactions because things have to start small and knowing that I can put that effort in and can see it in others…that constant shed and

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loosening on the white grip that has been constantly put on people’s souls to combine and construct their minds.”

Arenas isn’t alone in their dreams. These dreams for a post-colonial world have been around for hundreds of years.

Their exploration of decolonizing one’s heart, mind, and soul forced me to question my own internalized colonialism. In order to explore one’s own dreams, you have to explore the world around you and your place in it. I am not immune to the white grip that has been placed in our school structures, our work systems, and our interactions with people daily. Arenas’ message burns bright in my mind because every day is the day to do the work. There is no stopping or resting when it comes to doing consistent anti-racist and anti-colonialist work. For too long Black and Brown people have carried the burden of this work. I’ve found so many people, including myself, have slacked in committing to a better world at times when it’s needed most. Our work and dreams should not end in quarantine, or when our election is decided or when people stuck in the past within our systems fall. It is never to end.

I am grateful for the time and discussion I was able to have with Arenas, even from miles away over Facetime. Their vision for the future and what it means to dive into hope, love, and a post-colonial world is important. I am in constant awe and gratitude for their words and window into their life. I know that no matter how much quarantine has impacted our dreams, there is always hope and work to be had and be done no matter the journey.

Cottagecore

ILLUSTRATED BY NATALIE PEREZ

TREAT YOURSELF TO A MILK BATH Your bathroom can now be your new spa with this relaxing technique. Need to relax? Don’t we all! Milk baths are a fun way to spice up your nightly routine. This new trend is not only picturesque, it also has healing qualities that are meant to soothe your skin. If you are looking for a way to get away from all of the stress of this year you can find it right here.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

AMALIA BIRCH MODEL

MILK BATH

LEXY JONES

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First, fill your tub with warm water. Second, add two cups of milk of your choice. We recommend using powder milk as it will make for a better result. Third, place your secret special ingredients to make your bath one of a kind. This could be essential oils, flowers, honey, and so many other choices to choose from. Milk Baths are used to eliminate stress, but it also has great benefits. It can help with dry skin as the fat of the milk can help rejuvenate your skin. It can also in some cases help with skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, and sunburns. Overall, this beauty trend is one of a kind and can help you and your skin. It’s highly recom-

relax. relax. relax.

mended for those long days indoors. In addition, candles, music, or your favorite podcast can also help to enhance the mood. Make your bathroom your own and create a relaxing space for yourself. You deserve it.

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TIM RHOADS DESIGNER

ZOE HARDISTER ART DIRECTOR

SYDNEY ALLAWAY

MILK BATH

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Flock To The

N.E.S.T.

WRITTEN BY LEAH PRATLEY DESIGNER PAYTON ALONZO

“So when people come in they come in for the duck stuff but also leave with a $15 t-shirt or like a $20 crewneck and we can really keep expanding our market which really sets us apart.”

With Stevens graduating just last year and Olivares still a junior, they are painfully aware of the college student budget lifestyle.

“That’s something we’ve built into our business plan, having it be an affordable option for college students. One of our goals is to eliminate fast fashion, like why would you go to H&M on a Friday afternoon to buy what you’re gonna wear for the weekend when you could come get a vintage, sustainably sourced unique shirt, jacket whatever it may be and you’re most likely to be the only person on campus who has that,” said Stevens. “So that individuality and uniqueness of it while also being affordable for college students and trying to not undermine but replace the fast fashion aspect of it is something we’re really focusing on.”

Eugene is known for its active college residents, however the town’s not known for its dazzling nightlife. N.E.S.T. hopes to create another environment for students to interact that will expand Eugene’s social climate.

“There’s not a place anyone can walk off campus and get a t-shirt besides the Duckstore, so this is really going to be a place where people can come get their fits for parties, gamedays, or whatever they feel like rocking and they can just stop by between classes and come get something new,” Olivares said.

It’s mid November 2020 and Harrison Stevens and Eduardo Olivares walk into a space that is, for the first time, all their own.

The two entrepreneurs have come a long way for this moment and eagerly await their grand opening. After they each built their own successful thrift-resale platform on Instagram, the two decided to join forces and created the “N.E.S.T.”: neighborhood Eugene sustainability team. Located off of 13th Street and Alder the N.E.S.T will be easily accessible to students on foot and is expected to open as soon as January 10.

“When we started this we wanted to set ourselves apart from any other re-sellers around the area and in Portland so we thought about what really made us different and that’s just that we’re both students and we know what students want and how we can get that to them so we decided to really dedicate ourselves to having the best Oregon selection you could find,” Olivares said.

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With many of the University of Oregon’s students being out of state, the lack of options in Eugene can be a bit of a shock. Olivares said, “we’re excited to bring that aspect to the community because it’s something that’s missing especially because there’s a lot of people here that come from all over the place and where they come from, they’re in big cities so there’s everything around them and there’s nothing like that next to campus so we’re excited to bring that here.”

But just a year ago, things were very different. For those who were already in tune with Eugene’s thrifting community, the popular instagram accounts @bouncebackthrifts and @stanleythrifts (run by Olivares and Stevens, respectively) may ring a bell.

Stevens graduated just last year but has been purchasing, curating and reselling clothing since he was in highschool. What started as just means for personal income turned into something bigger after moving into his fraternity house sophomore year. “The first time I ever opened it up is when I was like, ‘alright, I’m going to send it’ and I sent a bunch of photos to my fraternity brothers of T shirts and stuff that I collected over winter break,” Stevens

said. “And it worked really well, so through that I kind of just started to build a little brand around reselling my vintage clothes and then I met Eduardo my junior year.”

At the same time that Stevens was running his account, @stanleythrifts, Olivares had just arrived at the university. Similar to Stevens, Olivares had started reselling clothing in high school and also started his own brand, @bouncebackthrifts, during his freshman year at college. After building his own platform, Olivares decided to branch out.

“One day I just reached out to Harrison because I saw that what he was doing is something that I wanted to do. So I just messaged him and I was like, yo, like, let me take you out to lunch. I had no idea who he was but he was a super nice guy and we just got to know each other really well,” said Olivares. “And that following week, he had this street fair and he already had everything planned out. And he was just like, yo, like, if you have some clothes that you can bring on Friday, I’m going to need some new gear. It was cool because he gave me a physical platform.”

After the successful 2018 street fair, the two continued to promote their separate brands but would come together for the annual University of Oregon street fair the following year.

“In 2019 we did the street fair for all three days this time and it was really awesome. We almost sold out,” Harrison said. “That year there was a streetwear boutique that was also vending at the fair across the street from us, called Public. Eduardo met the owner, Kate and she invited us to sit down with her and kind of planned how we could get some of our foot traffic and our natural kind of attention into her store, which was in downtown Eugene, like a block away from Voodoo Doughnuts. And that’s kind of where that partnership was born.”

For the following ten weeks, Olivares and Stevens conducted their own separate events at Public. The success that each saw at Public showed them that students were willing to go downtown despite the inconvenience which proved eye opening to the both of them.

“At that point, we just realized that instead of really competing against each other, like why don’t we do this together,” Olivares said.

“I vividly remember after the 10 weeks was about to be over I called Harrison and I was like ‘yo like, let’s just do this together’. Like let’s do this shit on our own. We can really just do this and build this up together by ourselves. So now fast forward, Public just closed down and now we’re hoping to open up our own store here pretty much like a year later since we first launched.”

In June 2020, Harrison and Olivares launched the Eugene N.E.S.T. instagram account. This past September the N.E.S.T. hosted its first pop up, and has been taking appointments while operating online ever since. Most recently in late October/ early November, Olivares and Harrison signed their first lease together.

“In the long run we want to go way beyond just you know, selling vintage clothes. When we first started the N.E.S.T., one of our questions was how can we really involve as many people as possible and work together?” Olivares said. “So we’ve been working with obviously a lot of athletes, with local graphic designers, videographers, photographers, and we can show them to our platform, and they show us their platform. And we want to keep growing that so we can keep empowering the community and keep building Eugene up as the university grows.”

With a mantra like “for ducks, by ducks” it only makes sense for the N.E.S.T. to get students’ help in the areas of their expertise.

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“In terms of empowering college students we are kinda planning on doing this on other college campuses moving down the West Coast and expanding into the PAC 12 in the next three to five years,” Stevens said. And then at that point, we’ll imagine when we’re in Berkeley getting the next ‘N.E.S.T.’ off the ground, we’re going to need a high functioning senior or junior to help run this one in Eugene and give them the template to be successful and have that opportunity to manage a store that college students are going to flock to. No pun intended.”

I during a pandemic? Like, you’re crazy for doing that. But I feel feel like it does take a little bit of crazy to pull something like this off. And once everything is back to normal, like it was a year ago, essentially no challenge will stand in our way.”

But despite their success with the N.E.S.T. online, it is impossible to ignore Covid-19’s impact on their physical business plans. For the time being, Olivares and Stevens are building up their website, setting up the store, buying inventory and working on their business plan.

N.E.S.T. OPENING IN JANUARY

“With this pandemic it’s crazy. No one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day or the next day, and just been taking it day by day, and kind of telling ourselves once this is over, it’s ready,” Stevens said. “We’re kind of like battle worn veterans at this point, like, who’s gonna try and start to do something

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thrift

PHOTOGRAPHED BY EDUARDO OLIVARES & HARRISON STEVENS

SPORTY + GLAM

look good, feel good If you’re like me, and born after 1998, it’s hard to imagine a time where sportswear didn’t include butt-hugging yoga pants, cropped sports bras and breathable running shorts.

But if you’re like my mom, you’ll remember the horrors of sportswear in the 70s -- tight-fitting shorts and shirts made out of non-breathable polyester fabric -- a far cry from the comfortability and practicality standard of modern sportswear.

What’s an even further cry from this standard is the fact practicality in sportswear, or really the word sportswear itself, didn’t exist until the 1920s. Anything worn for sport before this era was incredibly restrictive: picture fancy hats, tight sleeved jackets, and heavy skirts as a requirement to play tennis. By the 1930s, women began participating in a wider range of sports like running, archery, cycling, skating, etc. As more women adapted to changing societal roles, becoming more active and dynamic, so did the clothes they were wearing. It wasn’t until this moment, sportswear for women was designed to meet the needs -- the real needs -- of active, sporty women.

WRITTEN BY GILLIAN ARTHUR DESIGNER ZOE HARDISTER

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But at what point, even after all this evolution was sportswear ever glamorous or fashionable? Style matching comfort isn’t always something we see when shopping for sporty clothes, at least not until recently. While cofortability and practicality are still the standard, design is becoming an increasingly important aspect, bringing more of what you wouldconsider “glam” to otherwise mundane selection of activewear.

Functionality and fashionability are not mutually exclusive. Athletes are bringing an edge to sportswear, combining their off-the-court glamour with the mobility required for any sport. Serena Williams is a powerful testament to this idea, giving us glam in arguably every match she plays. Serena has been pushing the conventions of tennis fashion since the 90s and her innovation is as powerful as her game. Her clothes aren’t just a means for her to play tennis, they have everything to do with the way she carries herself and the sheer influence she represents on and off the court. More commercially, fashion designers like Stella McCartney and her partnership with Adidas, have been elevating the sportswear fashion market since the early 2000s, proving there are more ways to make activewear as visually captivating as it is comfortable. With sportswear becoming more and more of a lifestyle choice for women, it’s exciting to see that fashionable, functional sportswear is becoming more of a standard, and less of a rarity.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHARLIE NGUYEN

GO GIRL MODEL ALI WATSON

ART DIRECTOR SOPHIE SARGEANT

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Hauntology: How the Simpsons, Soviet Union, & 80s J-Pop became Musical Subgenres Music can whisk us away far from our troubles, and boy do we need it. Facing daily crises from raging wildfires to rising western authoritarianism as a pandemic spreads, our lives are, quite frankly, hell. Thankfully, music can provide some relief from the chaos of the world. I’m sure many of us are familiar with the infamous “lofi/chill beats for studying and relaxing” YouTube stream. It’s a go-to when it’s time to buckle down and knock out some work. If you’ve listened to this channel, there’s a chance you may have also gone down the YouTube rabbit hole of chill music accompanied by imagery and samples of The Simpsons. This music, otherwise known as Simpsonwave, introduced me to a new genre of sound: hauntology.

Hauntology is the sound of nostalgia. This umbrella genre of music evokes cultural memories and uses the aesthetic of the past to create a sense of longing but also passive participation. Hauntology makes listeners feel present in that specific cultural context or time period by presenting a mythical version of that specific event. Comparable to the comeback of early 2000s wear, hauntology selects certain portions and parts of the cultural reference and reproduces them.

Returning to The Simpsons, Simpsonwave creates a sense of nostalgia for a version of the Simpsons that never existed through sampling Simpson episodes and including stylized images and clips from The Simpsons.

The chill electronic music lulls the audience into a state of calmness while accompanying imagery, often edited to appear like a VHS tape with a cool-toned filter, sets the dim but colorful ambiance. Through this combination of aestheticization and cultural resonance, Simpsonwave has carved itself a niche within the genre of hauntology.

Hauntology includes a wide range of genres and subgenres.

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DREAMY DISTORTION 30 ALIGN

Some example genres include Vaporwave, Chillwave, 80s J-Pop (Citypop), SovietWave, Simpsonwave, and many more subgenres based on different references.

YouTube has made the proliferation of these subgenres easier by connecting the whole internet. Niches can be easily found and flare when collective interest saturates.

Nostalgia and escapism will always be attention drivers. Especially when the world seems so uncertain, clinging to nostalgia to escape the present just feels right.

Subgenres can form as long as there is a dedicated fan base, a consistent aesthetic, and an acoustic style. Sovietwave was one of my recent discoveries. This subgenre takes the sounds and imagery of the Soviet Union and creates music that projects an idealized version of the Soviet Union.

ART DIRECTOR KATHERINE STALLARD MAKEUP ARTIST COLLEEN YOUNG DESIGNER SOPHIE SARGEANT PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE YEUNG WRITER ALEX HAR MODEL CARLY WYATT

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Another subgenre I found over quarantine was 80s J-Pop otherwise known as Citypop. Citypop has been reappropriated and has made a comeback after 40 years.

Filled with dreamy vocals, smooth funk, and bopping beats, this genre has become popular once again because of YouTube exposure. Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” now has over 43 million views and has spawned countless remixes and mashups on the platform. While there are various influential Citypop artists, Mariya Takeuchi and Tatsuro Yamashita defined the genre.

The couple married in 1982 and their melodies struck a chord with growing cosmopolitan Japan in the 80s. Takeuchi wrote and composed eight top-ten hit singles on the Japanese Oricon chart, and Yamashita made waves as part of the group Sugar Babe and later as a solo artist. The revival of Citypop on YouTube has come in two forms. The original Citypop scene and artists have faced a resurgence in popularity, but there are contemporary artists creating new Citypop music and new versions of the original songs adapted to today’s music tastes. That’s the neat thing about hauntology; it captures a moment, almost bottling it into a musical form.

Why is hauntology a growing category of music? One might say it’s thanks to the state of the world. Increasingly the adult world feels like actual hell with existential crises coming in all forms.

We inherited a world we feel the need to escape. Hauntology offers a space to hope, a space of reprieve. The sounds and imagery evoke deep feelings of hope and potential.

It’s a space where world-altering decisions haven’t been made. Through the music of hauntology, we can insulate ourselves with nostalgia for a past that never existed, and for a few minutes, we escape to that reality.

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Gendered Gendered Fashion Fashion Births Births A a New Era of Androgyny WRITTEN BY KAYLA KRUEGER / ART DIRECTOR ELSA SPAULDING/ PHOTOGRAPHED BY PEGGY MCBEE / MODELS EMMA MCGRANE, EMILY TOPPING, MARCELLO MURILLO / DESIGNER NATALIE PEREZ

T

he fashion industry often emphasizes a stark gender binary though this binary is merely a social structure.

Historically, it took hundreds of years to develop gendered fashion due to eurocentrism and the influence of the upper classes. Yet, ever since the construction of gendered fashion expectations, the much-needed cultural reset is gradually appearing in a modern scope Eurocentrism is the concept that western culture has domineered and created societal standards. In Europe, specifically in the Renaissance era, the gendered fashion norm was created and has remained relevant in society today. This also comes with the implication that fashion must be separated into two different categories: womenswear and menswear. This dated belief has also given way to the development of androgynous fashion, and in a sense, redefines social norms.

As the world modernizes, society has grown to support the LGBTQIA+ community and increase gender inclusivity.

Nevertheless, there is still a preoccupation with gendered fashion stereotypes, although the future of the fashion industry lies in non-gender-conforming fashion. The societal reliance on gender stereotypes has set a foundation for modern fashion. Bending fashion norms has been prevalent in history, but is often overlooked because it breaks the gendered status quo.

Men’s effeminate fashion has a bit of a complex history.

Although popular culture icons such as David Bowie and Kurt Cobain have adorned themselves with skirts on the stage, skirts and dresses are not widely received in modern men’s fashion. Skirts, in particular, have strong historical ties.

The development of pants was actually theorized to have been due to the popularization of transportation via horse.

The skirt manifested itself in many historical contexts. For instance, in Egypt, powerful pharaohs wore flowy clothes

quite similar to skirts. Powerful Greek and Roman men presented themselves in a breezy toga, and Aztec royalty maintained a dress-like attire. The Victoria and Albert Museum notes that the transition from skirts to trousers likely occurred in 14th or 15th century Renaissance Europe, with the integration of tailoring into the upper-class culture.

Men that were in powerful positions had their skirts tailored and wore tights underneath, but this wasn’t feasible for men of different socioeconomic classes. In the 19th century, however, “breeching” became popular amongst children to represent their outgrowth of infancy. Breeching insinuated that skirts were no longer fit for young boys or men.

In the midst of the 20th century, men that crossdressed were often charged with felonies and some were even incarcerated. This is foundational to men’s fashion. It was deemed so socially unacceptable to use fashion as a way of self-expression and embracing femininity that men were sought out and specifically targeted. The Stonewall Riots in the summer of 1969 was a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, especially in terms of fashion. The uprising was catalyzed by a tumultuous era of discrimination, in which members of the LGBTQ+ community were not socially accepted. In terms of men’s fashion, the Stonewall Riots served as a gateway for men and women alike to express their sexuality through fashion. Radiant drag queens, transgender people, and members of the gay community were finally given the opportunity to stand up to the public eye. The Stonewall Riots are especially notable because they served as the impetus for social norms to become much more fluid. Many demonstrators were incarcerated in the midst of the uprising, however, their message remained. Marsha P. Johnson, a self-identified drag queen and LGBTQ+ activist perfectly encapsulated the uprising of the gay community by explaining: “History isn’t something you look back at and say 34 ALIGN

it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”

There is a dependence on fashion and eurocentrism. Fashion norms were pioneered by eurocentric beliefs, mainly because that was the most dominant world power which influenced societal norms worldwide. This is still evident today, as it seems the same reliance on foundational eurocentrism has translated into the continued use of the same fashion norms.

The history of women portraying a masculine front presents a continual upheaval of the patriarchal reliance in a cultural context. In the 17th century, women often were fitted with corsets and reflected their wealth in fashionable dress. This is where physical pressures and obligatory fashion were pushed onto women. It was evident that society wanted the women to present themselves in a staunchly feminine state, even if it meant painfully contorting their bodies to fit societal standards. Women’s rights activist Amelia Boomer encouraged women to reclaim their bodies by eliminating restrictive outfits and pairing their dresses with loose-fitting pants called “bloomers.” Bloomers signified radical feminism in the midst of the 19th century. The progression of female fashion evolved through World War I, gaining the right to vote, as well as entering the workplace. Women were forced to become much more conscious about how their clothing

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affected their persona.

Coco Chanel was one of the pioneers of androgynous clothing for women. Although this was seen as a radical take on women’s fashion in the 1920s, many women viewed it as the opportunity to regain their bodily autonomy. Chanel outfitted her design with tweed blazers, trousers, and other clothing items that accentuated a new-wave of androgynism.

Yet, Chanel’s boldness with masculine impressionistic fashion wasn’t commercialized. It took actresses Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich to make trousers a fashion staple for women. Though designers such as Chanel were incorporating masculinity into their design, Hepburn and Dietrich outfitted themselves with trousers in their daily life.

There was still a strong tie to traditionalism in terms of women’s fashion, and the patriarchy reinforced this concept. Women were often noted to wear pants in only practical situations, for example, while playing sports or working. However, both of these activities were seen as unfit for women. Nonetheless, the trend progressed and fashion pieces such as pants or jackets have become universal fashion pieces. Hence the question: why is gendered fashion still so prominent in modern society?

The construction of gendered fashion norms has often excluded non-binary or androgynous members of the LGBTQ+ community. As noted before, it was common for

Androgynous fashion doesn’t

need to be a bold contrast

men of high status to dress in traditionally feminine nature.

As for women, androgyny was never a concept widely introduced. Nevertheless, modern fashion is breaking the gendered barriers one piece at a time. Androgynous fashion and non-gender-conforming design has revolutionized the modern fashion scene.

Androgynous fashion doesn’t need to be a bold contrast to traditional fashion. In the 1980s, designers Rei Kawakubo and Yohi Yamamoto integrated androgyny into their designs, eliminating the social need for gendered fashion. Kawakubo and Yamamoto’s avant-garde design heavily influenced western fashion culture. Modern casual fashion and streetwear accentuate switching normative gender roles via clothing. Modern icons such as Jaden Smith, Janelle Monae, Cara Delevigne, Ezra Miller, and many more continue to disintegrate the walls that divide gendered fashion. While androgynous fashion has been dominating the runway and

the red carpet, genderless casualwear has gradually begun to become more normalized in the marketplace. Some androgynous or unisex fashion brands include Big Bud Press, Telfar, Lazy Oaf, Wildfang, and other brands are invested in eliminating gendered fashion.

It is also imperative to note that androgynous fashion eliminates the tariff discrepancy that is evident in women’s fashion especially. It is common for clothing items labeled ‘womenswear’ to be taxed at a higher rate than menswear.

This directly contributes to the disenfranchisement and discrimination of women, as it singles out a socially constructed group. Unisex fashion eliminates the tariff divide, as well as allows the fashion industry to become much more efficient. Universal designs are fit for everyone of every identity, encouraging inclusivity while also expediting fashion. Creating universal designs eliminates the need to differentiate between genders.

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U n i v e te r s a ina l d e sign elim th e

to diffe ed ne

ren t i a t e

It is evident that gendered fashion is a concept of the past.

One remarkable concept about the fashion industry is that concepts are fluid. As designs are changing and societal fashion norms are shifting, the realm of modern fashion has become much more inclusive. No matter what form one’s personal fashion manifests itself, fashion is ultimately a mode of self-expression. The values of inclusivity have been creating a cultural shift in the fashion industry, which is pointing society in a positive trajectory.

Sources: Chrisman-Campbell, K. (2015, April 15). How Unisex Clothing Became a Symbol of the 20th Century’s Culture Wars Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www. theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/04/whenunisex-was-the-new-black/390168/ Foussianes, C. (2020, February 14). 10 Androgynous and Gender-Inclusive Fashion Brands to Shop Now. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from Hermanson, T. (2017, December 07). A Timeline of Men’s Feminine Fashions. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ a-timeline-of-mens-femini_b_512995 Kirrin Finch. (n.d.). History of Women Wearing Men’s Clothing. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https:// kirrinfinch.com/blogs/news/history-of-women-wearingmens-clothing Madsen, A. (2019, August 15). Is The Fashion Industry Really Committed To The Eradication Of GenderSpecific Dressing? Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/genderless-fashion Ryan, H. (2019, June 25). How Dressing in Drag Was Labeled a Crime in the 20th Century. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.history.com/news/stonewallriots-lgbtq-drag-three-article-rule Stolerman, K. (2020, September 21). Gender Neutral Fashion Brands to Know & Wear This Summer.

Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www. countryandtownhouse.co.uk/style/gender-neutral-fashion/

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5

Tarot Cards to Help You Find Your

Every once in awhile, I’ll pick up the deck of tarot cards sitting quietly by my windowsill.

The soft shuffling of images depicting swords and wands will never cease to inspire me.

The way the deck falls into place in the palm of my hand promises that all the answers will fall into place as well. There’s always a sense of magic and intensity when tarot cards are depicted in movies. My inspiration stems less from the idea that the cards are magical and more from the idea that I have a little magic within.

I’ve been reading tarot cards for five years now, and while they don’t predict the future, they do give guidance on how to direct it. To put it simply, tarot is about storytelling.

While there are so many voices behind this practice, such as directing which rules to follow and which readings are correct, it’s okay to just sit back and meditate on these cards as writers of our lives. I like to think that this is where the magic, or ability to transform occurs. Tarot cards serve as visuals for the stories we are living in. These visuals represent the past, present, and future. By meditating we have the power to write and redirect chapters of our lives. Badass, right? Well, to help you find your own sense of magic, here are five tarot cards that have never failed to inspire me.

DESIGNED BY SOPHIE SARGEANT ILLUSTRATED BY MIHLAN GAVIOLA WRITTEN BY ISABELLA NOE

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THE LOVERS The Lovers card represents union, desire, and joy. You know that feeling when you meet a Tinder date you click with? Yeah, me neither. That’s what this card welcomes- the thrill and excitement of late-night texts, awkward handholding, and adventures with your favorite song playing. It symbolizes a strong relationship where respect and honesty are placed at the forefront. Over time, I’ve realized that this card doesn’t always have to refer to two people. It’s a powerful tool in channeling self-love. The Lovers card asks that we unite the parts of ourselves we enjoy and the parts we wish we could change. I’ve used it time and time again to recognize that I’m someone worth loving, and so are you.

THE FOOL The Fool card represents spontaneity, improvising, and innocence. This card is a comforting reminder that making one, or hundreds of mistakes is okay. It emphasizes that being in touch with your inner child is the key to being happy. I like using this card to meditate on beginnings. Whether I’m about to start at a new job or want to try something different, The Fool encourages that I should be myself unapologetically.

THE HERMIT The Hermit card represents meditation, soul-searching, and solitude. Being withdrawn sounds scary at first, but this happens to be one of my favorite cards because it prompts self-discovery. The Hermit is all about taking a step away from the outside world to look inside yourself. Taking a step away can be as simple as hiking through the woods with Hozier playing or running a bath with an entire bubble bar from Lush. The point is to take time to yourself and perhaps ask when and where you feel the most powerful.

Does your magic manifest itself through art? Cooking? Intense math problems? Whatever the case might be this card is a tool that lights your fire.

THE JUSTICE The Justice card represents decision making and karma. This card often pops up in my readings as a firm warning that actions have consequences. Whether I’m faced with a tough decision or regret a choice I made, Justice reminds me that even the smallest actions affect others. While this card serves as a warning, I’ve also used it as a source of empowerment. I see that my voice matters and that even my smallest efforts are felt by the world on a large scale.

THE MAGICIAN What better card to end this with than The Magician? This card represents self-empowerment, action, and energy. It’s one of the only cards in the tarot that doesn’t focus on mediation and instead yells, “Just do it!” With all of the tools in front of you, this card calls you to embrace your magic and write your story in the way it’s meant to be told. The Magician also plainly states that the wonder and beauty of the tarot doesn’t come from the cards, but the person utilizing them.

Through the tarot, I’ve learned that magic is transformation, and is a very real energy.

These five cards are just pieces of a much larger story that is you.

So go out, revise if you need to, and write the rest.

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ART DIRECTED & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KENNY PARK MODELS ATHENA NGUYEN, AUDREY CHU, TAHOE MACK, SOPHIE SARGEANT, KENNY PARK DESIGNER ALEXA ANDERSON

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COWBOY

SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY

SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY SPACE COWBOY

Los Ageless by St. Vincent: How can anybody have you?

How can anybody have you and lose you?

How can anybody have you and lose you And not lose their minds, too?

DESIGNER ZOE HARDISTER

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LOSE YOURSELF

LOSE YOURSELF LOSE YOURSELF LOSE YOURSELF

FEVER DREAM WRITTEN BY LOGAN ROBERTSON One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi... my body

smoke and alcohol. Twenty feet from me in the middle of the

feels burnt and bitten. I can’t stop shaking. The thermometer

road I read “To Protect and Serve” however the statement is

said 101, this is not food poisoning. I am shivering in a pool of

upside down. In fact so is the vehicle it is written on, and it is

sweat, this is not the flu. My muscles feel like they are bleed-

on fire. A group of men come running out of Hirons in all black

ing every time I move. This is the big one: Covid-19. Through

yelling with their arms full of merchandise. I open Instagram to

raw, chapped lips I quietly call for my roommate but there is no

see what is happening.`We are so sorry for the inconvenience

answer, he must have gone to sleep. I wonder what time it is. I

but the servers are down.’ Great. The world is being upended

have spent the last three hours trying to fall asleep but I can’t,

and I can’t even take a selfie with the warm lighting that is being

there is too much on my mind. Tomorrow is the 46th presi-

created by the car fire. I hear screams coming from the alley

dential election and America could not be more divided. I am

behind my building. Gun shots are sounding off in the distance,

terrified of what he will do if he loses and even more scared

I feel like I am in a popcorn bag as it reaches critical tempera-

of what will happen if he wins. I roll over to my side and once

ture. My stomach is tied in a bow and the group that just looted

again try counting my breaths as a last ditch effort to end the

Hirons appears to be walking faster and faster towards me,

war against insomnia. One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three--

laughing now. I turn to reenter the building but when I reach for my keys the only thing in my pocket is a pin stating ‘I voted!’.

My head is throbbing. I can’t remember waking up but I guess

The irony is not lost on me. Turning back to face the mob I am

that is how it always goes. Pain still has a firm grip on my body

overcome with a sharp pain that drops my body to the cement.

but this time it is in my bones. My rib cage creaks as I pull my-

As I am surrounded, the colors start to blur and fuse together. I

self out of my damp bed and set my bare feet on the cold, hard

hear laughter and obscenities and see faces covered in grime.

floor. I put on my robe and Birkenstocks and make my way into the living room. It is still dark out. I call for my roommate and

With a violent inhalation I am brought back to my sweat-

again there is no answer. When I open his door I find there is

soaked bed. I look out the window and the sky is a deep, dark

no one there, only a freshly made bed and an outfit set out for

blue. I get out of bed and walk over to my desk. My phone says

the day… weird. I open my phone to a flood of notifications in

that it is two in the morning on November third. Today is the

stinging LED light. ‘Donald Trump wins reelection,’ ‘Beats the

big day. I put the thermometer in my mouth as I change into

polls, Trump to take second term,’ ‘Biden seen with head hung

dry clothes. The device says 97. My fever broke. I look out the

after crushing defeat,’ ‘Stores board up doors and windows to

window for another minute wondering what will happen, but

prepare for what’s to come.’ NO. This can’t be true. I turn my

mostly worrying about the world if he wins. I lay back down and

phone off and back on to try to get the notifications to go away

pull the covers all the way to my eyelids. I inhale. I exhale. One

but they stay. The date reads: November, 4, 2020. How did I

mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi.

sleep through Election Day? Why the hell did nobody wake me

ART DIRECTOR SOPHIE SARGEANT

up? Where is everyone? Right then loud popping noises come from the window. Suddenly I am shaking the sleep off of me and I quickly become scared. I put on real shoes and a warm jacket and start outside to see what is going on. I step outside into the frigid night air and I am immediately swallowed by the scent of

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHARLIE NGUYEN

MODEL ALI WATSON 46 ALIGN

Stairway

to the

Dreaming is perhaps the most psychologically interesting aspect of the human mind. As someone fascinated by this topic, I’ve yet to find a more appropriate quote about dreams than Carl Jung’s.The famous Swiss analytical psychologist once said that dreams are as simple or as complicated as the dreamer.

Whether your dreams are comforting, concerning, boring, or bizarre, dreams certainly impact (conscious or not) the way we internalize elements of our lives.

A product of rapid eye movement (REM sleep), dreams are, what some suggest, a way to sort memories and process your thoughts and feelings. Other theories take a more practical, scientific approach, believing that dreams don’t have any underlying meanings, they are simply electrical brain impulses, pulling random information like thoughts and imagery from our memories to create visually realistic experiences (much like if you were to play a VR game).

Dream interpretivists on the other hand, believe that images in your dream can symbolize a greater significance in one’s life. Whether it’s an obstacle, opportuni47 ALIGN

Mind

ty, fear, or happiness, some say dreams can tell us a lot about our current thoughts and feelings.

If you’ve ever woken up from a truly bizarre dream,

and knowing what’s going on inside their head.

cension might mean coming out of the insecurities and anxieties of falling.

Falling is one of the most Whereas descension, or common dreams and dream even falling down stairs, interpretations. It can rep- might suggest suppression resent insecurities and anx- and returning to that anxious, insecure state.

According to dream interpretivists, even looking up or down stairs (no movement in your dream) can represent a sense of contemplation or state of reflection. If you’re looking up, you may be thinking of starting something new or taking up something that will lead to growth or even success. If you’re looking down, this might mean you’re afraid of something in your life that will come with descension.

dream interpretation can be a fun and insightful way to process your thoughts whether you believe in it or not. Much like a diary, horoscopes, or tarot cards, dream interpretation is a means to make sense of things in your life, both internal and external. Think of it as a sort of mental and emotional mapping tool.

Many find comfort in this

Whatever your interpretation, dreams are not a foreshadow for certain darkness, or even lightness for that matter. There’s always ieties in one’s life, indicat- power in taking the stairs ing feelings of exhaustion up or down, what matters and being overwhelmed. is how you interpret your Dreams of falling can also thoughts. Because ultiindicate feelings of failure. mately, you have the final choice.

But if you’ve ever had a dream about a never ending staircase, this might indicate the opposite. Climbing stairs in your dream can WRITTEN BY indicate personal, spiritual, GILLIAN ARTHUR and emotional growth. As-

PHOTOGRAPHED & ART DIRECTED BY CARA HUATO DESIGNER KATE HEDGEPETH MODEL CHI-AN LU

CRYSTALS

Most Freshmen don’t know what to expect when they wander the Eugene Saturday Market. Most people picture rows of produce and home goods but are pleasantly surprised when they find a quadrant of stalls dripping in jewels and geodes. The Saturday Market is by no means the only place selling crystals nowadays, thanks to a recent cultural embrace, crystals are back on the map. The rebirth of these rocks into pop culture displays a common interest in mental health. In the midst of a pandemic, what do crystals have to offer us?

Crystals can be used for a myriad of things: sleep aid, concentration, self-care, and more. Crystal healing works with energies in the body, allowing positive energies to flow in and negative to flow out. It is believed that these practices originated from Ancient Mesopotamia aka modern Egypt, where rocks like lapis lazuli and turquoise promoted health and warded off bad energies. However, most modern healing strategies draw on Asian cultures, focusing on chi and aligning the chakras correctly. Clear quartz is the most notable healing crystal, it is said that it helps stimulate the immune system and balance the body. Jasper is also renowned as a healing crystal; it absorbs negative energy and intrusive thoughts and makes room for positive change.

According to the Guardian, demand for crystals and other gemstones from overseas has doubled since 2014. This can partly be contributed to Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, a lifestyle newsletter, and an online marketplace. Many have talked about how Goop normalized crystal usage in daily life, putting the rocks on the up and up again. The site is infamous for its jade egg, which encourages vagina-owners to insert it up there to connect with the power within. While this product has been met with a lot of criticism, it has also made great strides in crystal commercialization in the US. Goop also boasts a crystal healing guide that features minerals such as citrine and selenite. It explains the energies of the crystals and what they can be used for. Goop is a great place to start for crystal newbies that want to try it out.

People new to crystal practices often wonder if crystals really work. There’s no scientific evidence to back up their energies and many scientists claim that any effect crystals have on people is pure placebo. Journalist Gabby Bess detailed her experience with crystals in a Vice article titled What Happened When I Tried to Use Crystals to Improve My Life. She talked about her initial skepticism, which then turned to pleasant surprise and wonders when her crystals started having some of their desired effects.

This seems to be a common thread of occurrence within first-time crystal owners. If it ends up not working in the end, at least there’s a pretty new decoration for the mantelpiece.

ON THE COMEBACK

guide for beginner

crystal enthusiast

SELENITE

Selenite is often called the mother of all crystals. It’s an amplifier, a cleanser, and is commonly used to magnify the energy of other crystals. It forms in a monoclinic structure and is usually seen in wand forms. Selenite adds a natural moonlike glow to any space or crystal plate and it also deters bad energies from the room. If you have a bad encounter or sticky, leftover bad energies a quick selenite swipe will clear you of bad vibes. Run the selenite wand around the outline of your body to cleanse yourself of unwanted energies.

PYRITE

Pyrite is a bright, shiny stone that has been dubbed the nickname ‘fools gold’ since the goldrush. It is a stone of action and sparks creativity, focus, and determination in the workplace. Many crystal users place pyrite at their desks to increase productivity. Sometimes pyrite can be too intense for relaxing spaces like the bedroom or couch area and has been reported to disrupt sleep patterns on occasion. If used mindfully, pyrite has many amazing attributes that lead to success in daily life.

CITRINE

Citrine is said to carry the power of the sun within it. This is reflected in its warm honey colors. It is a comforting mineral, encouraging a full and wholesome life. Citrine is a great stone for acquiring wealth and managing finances. It is especially useful for bankers and merchants, but anyone dealing with money can draw from its powers. It can also be used for emotional and chakra healing.

ARAGONITE

Aragonite is a warm-toned stone that is said to increase self-confidence. It also increases energy, both within the space it is placed and the person harnessing its powers. Argonite is not a smooth stone: it has spikes shooting out of it in all directions. This has a lot to do with the energy of the crystal. Aragonite is sending out its energy all over the area it’s placed in. Rounder stones tend to be more stable energy, while stones that come to a point like some amethyst focuses its energy out of the peak.

SMOKEY QUARTZ

Smoky Quartz is a grounding stone, and is a personal favorite of many crystal collectors. It’s often clear in color with grey or black flakes inside of it. Smoky Quartz is said to reduce anxiety by sending the holder’s fears and worries deep down to the core of the earth. To meditate with smoky quartz, simply hold the stone while taking a big breath in, and on the exhale let go of the stress and worries in life. Picture these anxieties sinking below the earth’s surface and into the magma.

ILLUSTRATED BY EMMA WILLIAMS WRITTEN BY SAMMY PIEROTTI DESIGNER ALEXA ANDERSON

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Winter Picnic

WRITTEN BY GILLIAN ARTHUR PHOTOGRAPHED BY SOPHIA PRINCE ART DIRECTOR CHRISTINA NYAMUSWA MODELS ELLIE HATFIELD & SOPHIE GOETZ DESIGNER KATALENA SANCHEZ 51 ALIGN

On Saturday 14th February 1900 a party of schoolgirls from Appleyard College picnicked at Hanging Rock / During the afternoon several members of the party disappeared without trace ...

What we see and what we seem are but a dream, a dream within a dream On that infernal rock / Can’t stand the ticking above my heart / Now I know. I know that Miranda is a Botticelli angel, a geological marvel / How could she allow herself to be spirited away? / What we see and what we seem are but a dream, a dream within a dream. *Quotes taken and compiled from Peter Weir’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, 1975.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GABRIELLE GEORGE

FEVER DREAM

WRITTEN BY MICHAELA MARTIN DESIGNER ALLY WOODRING MODEL LILIANA HERNANDEZ ART DIRECTOR BETSY WOODWARD MAKEUP ARTIST MIKAYLA JOHNSON

dreaming disc0

Disco fashion is effervescent. It combines glitz, glamour, and innovative outlines to help the wearer create a persona entirely unlike themselves. But most importantly, the disco club scene in the ‘70s offered an escape; you could wear what you want and be who you want.

Disco didn’t care who you were or where you were from. All that mattered was your persona. The person you claimed to be. The person you were when the bass shook the ground, when the drinks were flowing, and the strobe lights hit your face. Andy Warhol’s infamous club, Studio 54, was the premier place to be for disco and offered a front row seat to see some of the most illustrious ‘70s icons.

Andy Warhol was regularly surrounded by the most beautiful and stylish celebrities. With Studio 54’s instant acclaim, it became a magnet for talent. New artists and models were discovered and the club was where the famous went to reinvent themselves. Disco inspired outrageous looks and a hunger for fresh faces.

At Studio 54, persona was everything, the crazier the better. In disco you were the person you appeared to be. Disco goers were attracted to the thrill of escaping their lives if only for one night. While some went to hide, others went to be discovered.

Edie Sedgwick was a young woman when Andy Warhol discovered her and she quickly became a Studio 54 favorite. She represented the heart

of the disco. A pretty girl turned alluring under the fragmented light. Her short blonde pixie cut, experimental eyeliner, and chunky eyelashes became her persona.

Unknown before she ascended into disco fame, Sedgwick quickly became a muse to the designers and musicians she adored. She was also a style icon regularly featured in magazines and in ad campaigns. Girls across the country painted eyeliner far up their eyes and drew harsh vertical lines to imitate Edie’s thick eyelashes. While Edie Sedgwick kept her look throughout her career, other disco icons were constantly experimenting.

wearing head to toe sequins and feathers.

There was no such thing as excess at Studio 54 and there also wasn’t one cookie-cutter disco look. Bold fashion was necessary to maintain an enthralling facade. In 2020 standards, this seems wrong. Shouldn’t everyone want to be their authentic selves? For many, the eccentric clothing allowed for a much needed escape.

Edie Sedgwick was allowed to escape her old life, while Grace Jones and Cher were given the opportunity to be whoever they wanted and reinvent themselves. Disco allowed all partiers a break from the stress of their lives.

All they had to do was put on a persona and spend the night dancing away under strobe lights. No obligation or stress, just the feeling of the ground shaking underneath as Saturday Two of the most experimental women in the Night Fever shattered through the speakers. scene were the artists behind some of the best disco music; Grace Jones and Cher. While The only person seemingly exempt from the Edie maintained the persona that made her fa- thrill of disco fashion was Andy Warhol. Unmous, Grace Jones and Cher were constantly like his artwork, Warhol’s style didn’t entice experimenting. Rotating out old styles for the eye. Warhol was regularly photographed new styles; old personas for newer shocking wearing all black. Perhaps because it was his ones. Grace Jones’ body was her look. Her club, perhaps because he was already famous. striking chiseled features madeher an easy Most likely, his style allowed him to observe the canvas for disco looks. Jones was often pho- crowds without others observing him. Although tographed wearing tailored suits in vibrant it begs the question: if one person out of a thoucolors with even more vivacious head pieces. sand is dressed in black from head to toe while the others are wearing the gaudiest patterns Nowadays, Cher can be seen in a large blonde wig and flashing sequins, who really stands out? singing ABBA songs in Mamma Mia, but at the beginning of her career she was dancing away and Disco may have had it’s glory days in the ’70s, but performing for the paparazzi at Studio 54. Cher’s the thrill of the escape is still inspiring. The word long, dark, pin-straight hair was one of her most disco invokes ideas of vivacious colors, sparkles, defining features in the daytime.At Studio 54, she and excitement. Loud beats, flashing lights, and transformed. She was frequently photographed drugs galore certainly didn’t allow for normality.

Daydreams &

NIGHTMARES

PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER ALLYSSA OGAARD MAKE UP ARTIST & MODEL GABI RAAB WRITTEN BY CATIE MASON Dreams and Nightmares: the Yin and Yang of the slumbering world. Dreams are seen as soft, whimsical, and light.

Dreams signal the good times in life, and something to look forward to. Nightmares are seen as the opposite: dark, brooding, intense. The darkness of the storm, the grim site of a graveyard, something that is looked down upon and avoided. Nightmares are seen as a sign for dark times ahead, a rough patch, or difficult choices emerging into your day.

While most of the time this intuition is true about nightmares, it doesn’t mean that they are all bad. The hard times and nightmares that accompany them often leave a person stronger, smarter and more empathetic to others. Everyone has their own nightmares that they are battling. The phrase “you cannot have one without the other”, applies to the concept of nightmares and dreams, after the darkness always comes the light. Dreams tend to hold the upper hand on our lives. Dreamscapes often involve ideas of success, friendship and popularity. Despite holding power, they often do not contribute to the realities of our daily lives. Yet our days are predetermined by the way we wake up; whether it be a cold sweat from last night’s nightmare or a lovely night of sleep after a good dream. These conceptions about dreams and nightmares are only true because we have forced them to fit this mold. We have learned to interpret our dreams and nightmares into categories of “good” and “bad”, using the basic human instinct of needing to put subjects in boxes and labels to better understand.

While humans have typically had faith in a higher power (whether that be gods or fate) there has always been a way or system of rules we could follow to lessen the negative effects put on us by these “greater powers”. With dreams and nightmares it isn’t quite the same. There is no science behind the timing of when or why we will experience either dreams or nightmares, no matter how much we have researched.

The only illusion of control we seem to have is following the advice of getting a proper amount of sleep, meditating, and drinking tea, all of which will assist in gaining the more preferred of the two (that being dreams).

Although these tactics may just be a placebo, they offer a feeling of control which can quelm unwanted anxiety. However it’s important to remember dreams and nightmares evolve from the same ancestor of intuition.

By putting these two subjects under a microscope, we think we can dissect and pick apart what they are truly at their core when truly we may never know the meaning.

Why do we get nightmares on certain days and why do we have dreams on others? The science behind may never become apparent to us, even as we continue to learn about our world. Dreams and nightmares are complicated subjects that exist in our mind and while we have discovered much about our bodies we still have much to learn. Dreams and nightmares have very different ideals attached to each other but together they are siblings, two of the same origin from their mother, intuition.

When we take off these labels and take these subjects out of their respective boxes, we can see what dreams and nightmares really are: one and the same. Dreams and nightmares are both just figments of our imagination that our brain plays in our heads, sorting through the information we have gathered and processing the emotions we have felt throughout the day. These two categories we have created to explain this process is how we came up with the supposed difference between dreams and nightmares, when in reality they are the same process with different outcomes. Dreams result in a positive feeling, a feeling of success, happiness, or excitement after the fact. Nightmares, on the other hand, result in negative feelings, feelings of terror, sadness, darkness or worthlessness. By creating these two categories to explain the difference we experience between dreams and nightmares, we have separated a single entity.

By assuming there is a higher power influencing our dreams and nightmares, we place a significant value on these experiences which contribute to a new kind of anxiety.

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ART DIRECTOR ANDREW BARRON/PHOTOGRAPHER CHARLOTTE MOEREL/MODELS MAXINE FRANCISCO, FIONA GIBBENS & CARMEN PADEN

Inspired by artist Petra Collins and the collective desire to escape a rather grim reality.

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Behind the Scenes WRITTEN BY EMERSON BRADY

DESIGNER ALLYSSA ORGAARD

What was it like putting on a photoshoot in a pandemic?

Barron: I was really worried and apprehensive. I gotta give all the credit to Isa, and their awesome job at debriefing each director, make up artist, and photographer on the strict protocols. On top of that, Allen Hall had their own set of rules and procedures for occupying the studio space for shoots, which was another appreciated measure. I masked up, repeatedly asked if everybody was comfortable, and made do! It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be, maybe a little on the connecting side with the models, but in the end, playing music and really engaging with the direction of the models and the shoot really grounds the atmosphere.

Moerel: Our most important point was to make sure everyone felt comfortable and safe duringthe shoot. As we rented a studio, we made sure to wear masks at all times, apart from the model in front of the camera as well as splitting up our shoot into two days in order to reduce the number of people attending each shoot.

Other than that, the shoot went great. Describe the creative process that went into putting on this shoot? Barron: Upon the decision of the magazine’s first themed edition, ‘Am I dreaming’, I instantaneously knew the common theme people would be pitching was saturated, dreamlike, lithe wonder. But, I selfishly like to standout. And I wanted to do the complete opposite. I stuck to the dreamlike theme, but I wanted dark, gritty, compelling, magnetic gothic. It didn’t take long for me to pull inspiration.

I was watching a lot of campy horror and pinteresting mid-quarantine, that everything quite simply, fell into place. Moerel: I worked closely with Andrew, the creative director when trying to plan the shoot. Andrew came with a plan, theme, and a few ideas. We discussed the ideas together and made sure it was doable in a rented studio with the circumstances of the pandemic.

How has photography changed because of Collins?

Barron: I’m not gonna lie and really dig deep on how Collins has changed the photography landscape because I don’t know much about that sphere. Something that’s she’s helped instill in me was to build up a concept, tell a story, and be poignant.

What response are you hoping to evoke with this shoot?

Barron: Honestly, fear. Or envy. I’ve never felt more content with my work or who I’ve collaborated with before. If it weren’t for the small team I gathered, this wouldn’t be half of what it is now. The women involved commanding the attention of the audience; my dear friend Charlotte, the photographer, hanging in there with me when I needed more than a minute to figure out a shot, and to my models, Carmen, Fiona, and Maxine, they embodied the antagonistic role, whether they knew it or not, and curated the shoot their own. So yea, I hope people are entranced by this shoot.

Seduced, even.

Is there a specific piece by Collins that inspires you?

What aspect of Collins’ photography did you want to honor in this shoot? Barron: I was completely captivated by Collins’ shoot with Alexa Demie, where Demie appears to be this very modern, grungey, street style elf. It was so strange and captivating. There were so many little elements that kept calling to me. For one, Demie was wearing what I think was Juicy Couture, which is a great homage to the early 2000s, but then there’s this out of place kinky element with Demie’s arms tied with neon green rope, hoisting her up. And then another where there’s a subtle shade of blue on her eyelids, and there’s a silver cross hanging from her neck, and she’s looking just past her fingertips, in what seems to be a mechanic shop — it’s bizarre and alluring. There’s this entire story captured, and I loved that. I wanted to take the idea of something out of place, none typical, subtle, to jar the audience. Originally I intended to do a portrait series of three different individual faeries, but quickly involved into a combination of The Craft meets Jennifer’s Body. And if you’ve seen either of the two, I wanted to empower the supposed ‘villain.’ What’s so wrong with being bad?

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Field of Dreams D

reams are stories and images that the mind creates to process feelings, emotions, and desires. The act of dreaming during sleep, or as a means to pass the time, is a source ofinspiration and creativity. Dreams are powerful, and they often influence and alter perceptions They forgo logical thinking by leaning on the side of fantasy.

The faraway thoughts of day-dreaming tend to resemble goals, aspirations, and ambition.These dreams distract us and offer an alternate reality. These seemingly unproductive moments can offer great clarity and sometimes, it is these quiet minutes that are needed to solve problems and find creative solutions.

Daydreaming about love, happiness, or lifestyle can positively influence us to work harder and achieve more.

There is also the kind of dreaming that happens as a result of brain impulses.

It is the dreaming that takes place only in sleep. Sometimes these dreams are nothing more than random thoughts and images, while other times, the subconscious mind is trying to tell us something. Dreams can consolidate and organize the random thoughts and experiences we gather throughout the day, only to show up hours later while we sleep. These colorful and mystical visions that we construct during sleep seem to span hours when they may last for mere minutes. When dreams take hold, they let our minds drift off into the land of repressed wishes and desires, sometimes helping us to see the best in ourselves; encouraging us to turn these dreams into reality. Dreams inspire us because the

sleeping mind can cultivate creativity in a way that the awake mind cannot.

Dream theory attempts to assign meanings to particular dreams, yet, individual dreams are so abstract that the significance of them is based upon the person. There are many oddities that appear in our dreams which can make it hard or nearly impossible to remember.

Whether people realize it or not, the subconscious mind carries the weight of our dreams even while awake. Dreams linger in the back of our minds and can have powerful effects in the real world by manifesting them into reality. In waking hours, we understand how to separate reality from fiction. In sleep, however, our minds are capable of holding onto so many more ideas, creating strong connections between metaphors, fantasy and actuality. Our dreams unify everything that occurs in our minds, both reality and fiction. Sometimes it’s nearly impossible to differentiate dreams from reality because they feel like memories of experiences that didn’t actually happen.

But really, how different are the two?

Dreams hold the ability to convey very real information, real emotions and real impacts on the dreamer; all of which have practical value even outside of our dreamscapes.

The line between day and sleep dreaming is blurred. Regardless of the kind, dreams have a profound influence on creativity, imagination and the perception of reality.

The subconscious mind has the ability to unlock stagnant ideas and enhance imagination. Dreams can act as sources of inspiration for artists, scientists, and inventors. For many cultures, dreams can even act as the connection between this world and the next.

WRITTEN BY OLIVIA STEIN ART DIRECTOR SYDNEY OWYANG PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH POLYAKOV MAKEUP ARTIST SERENA DAVIS MODELS CHRISTINA NYAMUSWA & KATE HEDGEPETH DESIGNER NATALIE PEREZ

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Re t

e ov

u

he Days of 7 T o 0 T s g Gr n i o rn

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELIZA ARONSON WRITTEN BY AMALIA BIRCH DESIGNER AUTUMN SOUCY

My hands shuffle through rack after rack of clothes at my favorite consignment store. Hangers flip by fast, so fast I definitely don’t see everything. But I am an experienced second-hand shopper and I know what I am looking out for. I suddenly stop at a striped tank top. The body is knit with yellow, pink, turquoise and orange stripes that work their way up, color after color, until they reach the top where turquoise lace takes over. It is mismatched and odd and definitely not what I was looking for, but for some reason I love it. It feels funky and vintage, like it’ll bring me back in time.

I wear the tank top with a pair of high-waisted jeans to the roller rink for my 20th birthday. I don’t normally go for the 70’s style, but in this setting, with this occasion, I embrace it and have fun with it. And besides, with the awful 2000’s music and the macarena that blares through the sound system in the roller rink, it’s easy to be transported in time in my funky new shirt and clunky skates.

My captivation with the style of the 70’s is not unique.

Vintage stores line places like Haight Street in San Francisco, offering all varieties of fashion from decades past, but it is the 70’s that captures the gaze of shoppers who bring it out onto the streets. Flare jeans, swirly psychedelic patterns, bright colors that would never be put together in the neutral minimalism of styles today— this is what the 70’s bring. It’s fun and bright. It’s expressive and a little strange. It’s for the nostalgic who crave a portal into the days where people fought for love and peace and no other words were sufficient to describe it’s essence besides “groovy”.

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Though many access 70’s nostalgia through fashion, roller skating is another avenue for the groovy at heart. The roller disco rose to popularity in the 70’s and combined the decade’s love for skating and disco into one neat package that became all the rage. Roller disco brought skating to a new level, one where it was not just a fun activity, but also a way to get around and as a new mode for dancing. The roller rink became a place where people gathered and hung out. Roller skating was so prevalent it became featured in the pop culture of the era. Movies like “Roller Boogie,” “Skatetown USA,” and even the popular television show “Charlie’s Angels” featured or starred the roller skating and disco phenomenon.

The love of roller skating is one of the 70’s legacy that I was drawn to. Since I grew out of a pair of beloved purple skates from my childhood, I’d been longing to get new ones. My birthday proved to be the perfect opportunity.

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It was my 21st, the pandemic and quarantine had just begun, and I knew I wouldn’t be having the celebration I had planned. But I could spend the day doing some of my favorite things including trying, unsuccessfully, not to fall over on my brand new chunky white skates with bright pink wheels.

I hadn’t skated much outside of a rink and besides being harder to do on asphalt, it also felt different without the colorful lights and worn down interior of the roller rink. Skating feels much like the style of the 70’s— fun, swirly, and colorful, with movement and energy to it. What the outside lacked in retro feel, my skates made up for and I still felt cool and vintage. Rinks might be closed right now, but for those who love to live with the 70’s psychedelic atmosphere, a pair of skates, some colorful vintage items, flare jeans, and a good throwback playlist might just do the trick.

ART DIRECTOR EMMA WILLIAMS MAKEUP ARTIST ARIANNA VAN BERGEN MODELS ARIANNA VAN BERGEN & ATHENA NGUYEN

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Dear 2020, What will I remember of you?

they felt like they’d aged five years in quarantine and I can’t help but agree. I’m an entirely new person

The world falling apart. The threat of WWIII. Global

because of you.

warming and realizing that the green oasis I call home may not last forever. How about the deadly

2020, because of you I learned how to be alone. I

virus that threatened everyone and everything I held

educated myself on issues of social justice. I found

dear? The birth of terms like “my circle” and “my

new people online to inspire me. I created commu-

bubble” to refer to my direct family and few others I

nity in the capacity I was able to. I raised my voice

was able to see in person. The death of Kobe Bryant.

and uplifted others’ because you encouraged me to

The downfall of Donald Trump. A strong resurgence

do so. Because of you, I may feel less comfortable

of the Black Lives Matter movement that evoked

in large crowds but I’m more confident in my own

outrage and brought the masked masses to the

skin. I might feel unsure of what my life will look like

streets in protest. The politicization of masks. The

tomorrow, the day after that, a month from now, or

canceled trips.

in 2025 but I know I’ll make it through. You taught me that. You taught me the definition of strength and

Loneliness. Helplessness. Anxiety.

adaptability. I didn’t know I could take on half the things you put me through but I can and I did. More

The lost jobs and the lost lives.

than anything 2020, I’m proud of that. I’m proud to be here today a little battered and bruised. I’m proud

So much will be remembered of you, 2020. You’ll

of my circle for staying tight, the healthcare and es-

be the talk of history lessons to come. Recalled as

sential workers for staying strong, the mask wearers,

the Gen Z takeover. The freeze in time. The year we

the protestors, the petitioners, donators, and the

thought everything would fall into place and instead

Instagram live-ers. I’m proud to say I endured you

fell apart.

even when you tried everything you could to tear me down.

2020, what is there left to say to you but goodbye, good riddance, and I’m happy to see you go. You

2020, I certainly won’t cry at your absence but

were awful. You forced me to face the worst version

thank you for reminding me what’s worth living for.

of myself and the worst version of my country. But I must offer you some thanks too. A friend told me

- a 2020 survivor

WRITTEN & DESIGNED BY KAELEIGH JAMES ILLUSTRATED BY CRYSTAL FRANKLIN 66 ALIGN

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