Blush Magazine - Fall 2016 by Blush Magazine

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BLUSH FALL 2016 EDITOR IN CHIEF

WEB EDITORS

Mikayla Madigan

Taylor Bushey Jonathan Lee Ryann Casey Mariana Suplicy Batista

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hannah Keiffert ART DIRECTOR Brandon Saloy ADVISER Laura Hatmaker SENIOR EDITORS Avanti Dalal Gina Gargiulo PHOTO DIRECTOR Alan-Michael Duval PHOTO EDITOR Emily Schindler

EDITORIAL Isabella Cacciatore Kelly McLoughlin Gaby Azorsky Sarah Fielding Michelle Lee Taylor Bushey Gillian Milberg Cassandra Gagnon Caitlin Reddington Stephanie Malangone Dani Smith Gina Gargiulo Sara Michelson Julia Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell Devon Reid Michaela Del Viscovo Ana Carvalho Avanti Dalal Cherry Lau Erica Fleming Ryann Casey

ADVERTISING SALES Tyana Teat-Vickers WEB DIRECTOR

DESIGN EDITORS Gabrielle Chang Kelly Washington Dominique Hitchcock

Madelyn Adams DESIGNERS WEB CREATIVE DIRECTOR Michaela Del Viscovo

Erin Rouse Alyssa Taylor Jonathan Lee Michele Moloney Jewelle Trotman Michelle Rivera Lena Kourgouzov Sunghyun Bang Nell Dobbs

ART Taylor Bender Peter Devito Meagan Dowling Cassandra Gagnon Nell Dobbs Isabelle Narciso Stephish Hannah Kadyrov Wonhyoung Choi Jonathan Lee Gillian Milberg Trevor Lazinski Luke Meagher Allison Fern Clausius Jazmin Thomas Heather Cullum Robert Spring Nicole Plonski Alan-Michael Duval Hannah Keiffert Mikayla Madigan Sydney Kuo Lexie Lou Christina Buscarino Tiffany Lucio Dani Smith

Blush is a student-produced magazine and website funded by the FIT Student Government Association.

TABLE OF CONTENTS F

The Beauty of Feminism: A Brief History RYANN CASEY

Pretty in Pink ISABELLA CACCIATORE

Fashion Design Feature: Natalya Nyn MICHAELA DEL VISCOVO

Learning to Speak Unicorn MIKAYLA MADIGAN

Future of 3D Printing in Fashion STEPHANIE MALANGONE

Design Houses Meet Cultural Appropriation Conflict TAYLOR BUSHEY

EDITORIAL: Drawing Inspiration

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The Power of Makeup DANI SMITH

The Truth Behind Those Picture-Perfect Photos CAITLIN REDDINGTON

A Period Product GABY AZORSKY

PWR TO THE BODY: What Is Body Positivity? KELLY MCLOUGHLIN

It’s a Girl Thing MICHELLE LEE

The Power of a Beauty Ritual AVANTI DALAL

EDITORIAL: Am I Pretty Yet?

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What Is Feminism? SARAH MICHELSON

A Moot Point in Fashion: Continued CASSANDRA GAGNON

A Boss Grows in Brooklyn ERICA FLEMING

#StopTransViolence JULIA O’DONNELL

Let’s Talk About Sex-uality GINA GARGIULO

fem MEN ism DEVON REID

Dining in the World of Pink CHERRY LAU

Global Women Inc. ANA CARVALHO

Being a Feminist in the Fashion Industry SARAH FIELDING

Dead Men Can’t Catcall GILLIAN MILBERG

COVER EDITORIAL: Not Your Babe

WE ARE WOMEN, HEAR US ROAR. A L E TTE R F RO M T H E E D ITOR: As journalists we have the gift to communicate ideas in the most comprehensible medium: words. Words have the power to share valuable and forward-thinking ideas in a way that is understandable to a wider audience. This was the foundation for the creative thought process behind the fall issue of Blush 2016. Feminism is a “trending” topic. But in lieu of defining it as a trend, which has the capacity to fade and change, it can be more accurately defined as a movement to solve real issues that affect women on a daily basis. To this day, women fight for equal pay, representative leadership, sexual liberation, and basic independence (just to name a handful). The average person will tell you that their idea of a feminist is one of an angry woman who burns bras, hates men and never shaves. While media gives us a plethora of watered down opinions and images of who feminists are, what women really need to know is we are all feminists in completely individual ways, but we all share the same goal; for women to be treated equally.

“Not Your Babe” is a compilation of perspectives of feminist ideas in the form of writing, photography and illustration. The goal is to offer our readers enough information that allows them form their own personal definition of what feminism is to them. To provide forward-thinking ideas that make our readers think for themselves. So no, you don’t have to grow your armpit hair or give up makeup to consider yourself a feminist. All you need is to be a person with a voice.

Mikayla Madigan

FASHION

A BRIEF HISTORY by RYANN CASEY

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here is a cultural divide among feminists when it comes to makeup and beauty. Some women see altering their appearance as self-expression and a personal art, while others think it’s a male-driven and unattainable ideal that plays on our insecurities for profit and control. While there is clear merit to both stances, feminism has never existed outside of beauty. Humans are sensory creatures, and beauty is ever present, only differentiated by socially constructed standards. Within each wave of feminist history, subverting certain standards only led to building others. We express ourselves through appearance, and the modern feminist movement depends on our appreciation, acceptance, and celebration of differences and diversity among women. The history of feminism is abundant with beauty ideals and trends that express rebellion, sexual freedom, a quest for equality, and other social and political obstacles faced at the time.

P RE-FE MINISM Seeds of the feminist movement were planted as far back as the late 18th century, but it wasn’t until the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention that feminism became organised. Seneca Falls was the first women’s rights convention, discussing the range of social and civil inequalities of women. This era of feminism rose up alongside abolition, causing women’s issues to take a back burner to the more pressing, antislavery movement. Beauty at this time was simple and revolved around purity. Society paralleled natural beauty with innocence, modesty, and high class where dramatic beauty was viewed as cheap and low class. Heavy makeup was impure, immodest, and immoral. It was affiliated with prostitutes and considered vulgar. This polarized view of beauty and makeup was sexualized in pitting a look of innocence against a look of experience. Upper- and middle-class women stuck to heavily powdered faces, and blush was wildly popular to mimic a natural radiant glow as a sign of good health, youth, and virtue. Less obvious and more natural looking beauty was the ideal.

F I R ST WA VE The early 1900s brought on the first wave of feminism, specifically in the 1920s with women’s suffrage. The quest for equal property rights for women jump-started a drive for political power and equality. In 1928, women gained the right to vote, a crucial historical landmark of the women’s movement. Feminist attention was focused on legal issues, but branched out socially. This was one of the first times in history where fashion and beauty blended across social class lines. Because of World War I, women had entered the workforce, and began spending their newfound income on cosmetics. The flapper movement following the war was the mark of freedom for women in the Roaring Twenties. Women condemned Victorian ideals of beauty and began dressing more comfortably and suitable for work. They bobbed their hair, cutting through the previous beauty ideal that portrayed long hair as ultimately feminine. Dramatic makeup, which was previously seen as low class, was now worn regardless of social class, and the vampy look we all know and love today was born, complete with dark, dreamy eyes, fiery red lips, and red nails.

SE C ON D WA VE The 1960s and ’70s marked the women’s liberation movement and the sexual revolution. Many women were unsatisfied with the status quo of being stay-at-home mothers and felt they had little control over their own lives. While the fight for equality was still political, women sought to bring change beyond the law and into their daily lives. In tandem with the civil rights movement, social activists were fighting against gender and race discrimination. After World War II the American economy boomed and the workforce called for more women. With widespread access to the birth control pill, the sexual revolution broke down barriers that existed between men and women and allowed women to plan their futures and be more open sexually. Issues like abortion, rape, domestic violence, and sexual harassment were brought out of the closet. The new focus

on women’s health care helped to found rape crisis centers, women’s shelters, and health clinics. This era of feminism divided beauty into the natural makeup-less style of the hippies, and the graphic art style of the modern or “mod” look that came out of high fashion in London. Here is where the beauty ideal first divided among feminists, where some saw makeup and beauty as objectifying and others wore it as a badge of feminine honor. The hippie counterculture was marked by natural scrubbed-clean faces, long uncut hair, and visible body hair. The mod look was geometric and graphic, mimicking the art world and playing up the innocent babydoll appearance, with edgy short haircuts for women and miniskirts as a mark of sexual freedom. False eyelashes became popular, and the emphasis was all about the eyes using a pastel color palette for eyeshadow and lipstick.

T H I R D WA VE The third wave of feminism in the 1990s sought to redefine the meaning of feminism, with a more individual approach as opposed to creating a unified movement. This partially arose as a response to the perceived failures of previous feminist movements, and continued to fight financial, social, and cultural inequalities. This wave was particularly interested in understanding what is inherently different between the sexes and what is socially constructed. The ideal of intersectionality became extremely important in unifying and including a diverse set of women who have their own cultural, religious, and ethnic identities. Still in this era, feminist opinions of beauty and sexuality were divided. Many women had a newfound idea within feminism that combined beauty and brains—where feminine sex appeal meets intelligence. While some women saw makeup and beauty as oppressive and objectifying, a new subset of feminists sought to empower women as subjects of their own beauty and sexuality as opposed to objects. The ’90s were about individuality, and beauty was multifaceted and unique. Grunge makeup and

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fashion was a unique mix of girly and sexy with casual and natural. The underwear-as-outerwear trend made lace and silk slip dresses as popular as casual flannels. Gendered clothing was crossing barriers, paring sexy bras with oversized army jackets. Beauty ranged from neon hair and glitter to a bare face with plum eyeshadow and burgundy lips. In clothing and makeup we see the feminist combination of masculine power mix with feminine beauty to create the modern third wave feminist.

MO DER N FE MINISM The fourth wave of feminism is upon us now, still growing and changing every day. There are women in the world who shun the term “feminist” and associate it with negativity, radicalism, and man-hating. Women are divided on the term, but the essence of modern feminism is strong and calls for gender equality and acceptance. Feminism today is a part of an educated larger consciousness that is aware of the many ways that different groups of people are marginalized. Intersectional, inclusive, and accepting is the captivating strong current of the fourth wave. Time will only tell where it takes us. Modern beauty has grown to be an industry, hobby, and passion far larger than ever before. Indie beauty brands and small businesses are popping up everywhere with creations of rainbow highlighters and homemade liquid lipsticks. The competition is fueling innovation and growth as new media platforms like YouTube and Instagram are bringing the power of influencer to everyone. Beauty among feminists is split between the makeup obsessed and the natural beauty trend that praises celebrities for going makeup-free. Bare-faced beauties wear minimalist looks while makeup lovers take cues from their favorite bloggers and makeup artists to contour, highlight, shape brows, blend shadow, wing liner and plump lips. Makeup has grown into a widespread art and beauty community that thrives off of acceptance of each other to embrace creativity. Feminism challenges political structure, power holders, and cultural beliefs. Each feminist movement is a

CAPTIONS, STAFF ILLUSTRATION WHATEVER BYTHEY JONATHAN MAY BELEE

continuation and growth of the previous generations of women, with special attention to the areas women feel were underrepresented in previous waves. Beauty and style have always played an important part in feminism. It is the visual portrayal of rebellion and redefinition of beauty standards based on our unique ideals to express empowering messages. The working woman of the 1920s used her hard-earned money to buy beauty products that expressed her newfound independence. The hippies of the 1960s found freedom in natural minimalistic beauty, while mods used makeup as art. The riot grrl of the ’90s combined masculinity and femininity to blend gender lines and prove that sexy and smart aren’t mutually exclusive. Some women today find freedom in going makeup-less, while others are empowered by the art of makeup. Past feminist beauty inspires the industry today, and the biggest thing we’ve learned from our feminist pioneers is to accept, embrace, and fight for each other’s choices, whether or not they coincide with our opinion of beauty or stray from it. Wear pounds of makeup or go completely natural, feminism isn’t a contest, it’s a community and a social continuum that damns division and thrives on acceptance and unity.

Modern beauty has grown to be an industry, hobby, and passion far larger than ever before.

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been using pink as a means to flip traditional femininity and empower women. Millennial pink is the cornerstone of both Thinx and Glossier’s branding, companies that urge women to think for themselves and make their own choices regarding their self-care. Despite the fact that pink is leveling the playing field between genders, it is hard to ignore the age-old rule that pink is for girls, and blue is for boys. Where did this rule even come from?

If you’ve been watching the world through rose-colored glasses recently, you’re not the only one. From the Gucci runway to being emblazoned on Glossier’s instagrammable packaging to Drake’s “Hotline Bling” video, the light hue known as Millennial Pink has taken the fashion and pop culture world by storm. While the color has a certain softness to it, it lacks the bubble gum saccharine connotations that generally define pink. In fact, quite the opposite, this color is gaining traction because it breaks all the rules and is pushing gender boundaries. Along with attitudes about gender norms, attitudes about pink are shifting, and it is becoming a favorite of all genders. In reality, many now view pink as a neutral, a color for any gender and any season. A quick perusal of shops like Opening Ceremony, Supreme, and Acne feature baby pink for men, on products such as hoodies, sneakers, and floor length coats. Even products aimed at women, a market that has been flooded with pink for the last half century, have

Although gender roles have been around since practically the beginning of time, gender presentation was looked at fairly differently than it is today. For centuries, grown men wore pink clothing. In the 1700s, French aristocrats wore pink silk suits with embroidery, and the character Jay Gatsby wears a pink suit to lunch with Daisy and Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. Neither of these outfits were considered feminine, in fact they were considered a power move. As pink is simply a lighter tint of red, it was generally associated with men as being passionate and powerful. Red dye is traditionally more expensive, so wearing red was also a sign of wealth. Women and girls traditionally wore blue, as it was soft and delicate, and it was associated with the Virgin Mary, a shining example of the ideal woman. Up until the mid-20th century, children were not distinguished by gender. Parents were more concerned that they did not dress like adults, so all babies and small children

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GILLIAN MILBERG MODELED BY DAVI DUNN-PILZ CREATIVE DIRECTION BY ISABELLA CACCIATORE CLOTHING: MODEL’S OWN

wore long white dresses. Before sophisticated chemical dye was developed, white was the easiest color to clean due to the fact that it could be bleached, and loose-fitting dresses allowed babies to be comfortable. It was not until after World War I that consumerism really took hold in this country, children began to dress like small adults, and children’s clothing became increasingly gendered. While there is no concrete reason to why color preference switched, the roots can be traced back to consumerism and mass production. Trends became more concrete as clothing was being sold in increasingly large quantities, and trend forecasters predicted color preferences. Around this time, technology would allow parents to know the sex of their baby before it was born, thus retailers took advantage of this and began to push gender-specific products to prepare for the baby’s birth. Fast-forward to today, where pink is more than just a pretty color. As pink returns to its roots and makes more of an appearance in men’s or gender-neutral fashion, it makes us not only question aesthetics, but gender politics as well. Men are using pink to make a statement and subvert traditional masculinity, and women are using it to reclaim femininity in a modern way. As we move forward into a society where we are less defined by gender, it only seems fitting that our aesthetics will follow suit. Perhaps in the future, traditional color guidelines will be tossed aside and everyone will be thinking pink. If current trends are any indication, the revolution has already started.

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BY MICHAELA DEL VISCOVO

etting yourself apart from the competition is extremely difficult to do in the fashion design industry. With so much competition out there in the real world, honing in on a specific aspect of uniqueness is the key to being recognized. And that’s exactly what Natalya Nyn has accomplished. This Moscow-born FIT graduate has combined high-fashion techniques with youth-driven chic to create Toy Syndrome, her very own company that she molded into what most would consider successful. She uses 3D surface appliqué on many of her designs to provide her consumers with a sense of nostalgia and sophistication. Lena Dunham and Tavi Gevinson are just two of the feminist powerhouses who have worn Toy Syndrome. Ambitious? We think so. Though Nyn’s designs have a very playful spirit to them, the feminist beliefs she holds are strong throughout her work.

CAPTIONS, PHOTO OF NATALYA WHATEVER NYN THEY BY NICANOR MAY BE GUTIERREZ

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Michaela Del Viscovo: Your idea to embellish clothing with three-dimensional surface appliqué is a very original concept. What initially sparked your inspiration to design clothing like this?

Natalya Nyn: I worked

in high fashion at design houses Zac Posen and J Mendel, and what I really fell in love with was the embellishment. However, I felt like the designs were too serious, so I wanted to bring some fun to fashion. MD: How would you describe Toy Syndrome?

NN: A clothing and acces-

sories brand that uses playful 3D embellishments as a way for people to express themselves. MD: Tell us about how your upbringing in relation to your passions. Did your family support your decision to go to FIT and pursue fashion design?

NN: My mom let me choose what I want to do with my life, so I had freedom to do what I wanted.

MD: Considering that Blush is an FIT student-run magazine, it’s safe to say many of our readers are aspiring designers like you. If you can give them one piece of advice, what would it be?

NN: Create a community of like-minded people so you can grow powerfully together.

MD: How do you want people to feel while wearing your products?

NN: I want them to feel like

they are fully self-expressive and not holding back! MD: This issue of Blush explores the topic of feminism, and how its meaning and significance varies from person to person dependent upon race, social class, upbringing, friend circle, gender, etc. What does feminism mean to you?

NN: Feminism is a

belief in the equality of the sexes. With my brand I want people to express themselves regardless of their gender stereotype. MD: Not all of your merchandise exerts overtly feminist qualities, but some items, such as the boob necklace, butt choker, and shirts with lips on them,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATALYA NYN SELECT BROOCHES BY NATALYA NYN

definitely do. What is your intention by incorporating feminism into your designs?

NN: I have created the

feminist brooch as well as clothing and jewelry that has body parts on them. I am interested in how people explore and represent their body and I want women and people in general to be able to have freedom in how they represent themselves. MD: What are your feelings on the representation of women in the fashion design industry at the current moment?

NN: I love Frida Kahlo, she

was such a self-expressive, feminist badass. Love Lena Dunham, Tavi Gevinson, Sarah Silverman, and Emma Watson because they use their celebrity status to make a difference in the world. MD: Finally, a fun li’l speed round! Favorite band/artist, designer, and borough. Go!

NN: Music artist: Petit

Biscuit. Designer role model: Vivienne Westwood. Borough: Brooklyn. I live in Bed-Stuy so I am biased.

NN: In the fashion

industry, it’s common for women to be depicted in a way that makes us feel like we’re not good enough. But I’m hopeful. I think the industry is shifting thanks to social media, which provides more accountability and transparency. MD: Do you have any muses, both personal and related to your designs?

LEARNING TO

INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS BY MIKAYLA MADIGAN

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nicorns are beautiful, magical, unique creatures from a fantasy world. They are in our dreams, our stories, and our stuffed animal collections. Although we’ve seen figurines and drawings, their existence has yet to be proven—until now. One the brightest of unicorns roams free right here in New York City: Ashley Laderer. Ashley is one of, if not, the most genuine and interesting people (unicorns) I’ve ever met. Her blog, Fashion Unicorn, has taken her from Tumblr user to accomplished writer, model, and advocate. And the list does not end there. From her style to her enlightening personality, this unicorn is absolutely not a myth. I sat down in a rental Breather space with Ashley and a Polaroid camera to learn about what makes her a unicorn.

about interning for Victoria Beckham during NYFW and what I wore to work. Looking at the success that many bloggers were experiencing, I was inspired to keep working to grow a following and online presence. How has it developed over the years?

BLUSH: Why a unicorn? Ashley Laderer: I started attempting to build an internet presence at the time when Lady Gaga had just released her album Born This Way. I was looking for a word that sounded good next to fashion and I was listening to music for inspiration. There was a song called “Highway Unicorn” and then Fashion Unicorn just clicked. It started out as my Tumblr URL and then I just kept it through the years. How did the blog come to be? It started out as a regular Tumblr where I would reblog things. Then I started posting outfit photos and people were responding well to them. I moved over to Blogspot so that I could focus on creating more text heavy posts. I had just transferred to FIT and was interning during fashion week. I was so overwhelmed with emotions and excitement that I just needed to share with everyone. So my first post talked about interning for Victoria Beckham during NYFW and what I wore to work. Looking at the success that many bloggers were experiencing, I was inspired to keep working to grow a following and online presence. How did the blog come to be? It started out as a regular Tumblr where I would reblog things. Then I started posting outfit photos and people were responding well to them. I moved over to Blogspot so that I could focus on creating more text heavy posts. I had just transferred to FIT and was interning during fashion week. I was so overwhelmed with emotions and excitement that I just needed to share with everyone. So my first post talked 14

The quality of the writing and photography has changed a lot. My posts were always super cheesy in the beginning and all the photos were taken on my iPhone. My sister Alissa and I would meet up in between my classes and shoot each other’s outfits. Eventually she got a DSLR camera and we began shooting each other that way. I also started shooting with a bunch of other cool photographers. Working with different people and meeting so many other creatives definitely helped the blog evolve. You’re a blogger, writer, model, fashionista, and a million more things. Where did you get your start? I’ve been a writer since I could form sentences. I won awards in elementary school for my writing. Me and my best friend Deena started a lifestyle magazine called Think Pink and got in trouble for trying to sell it at lunch. So I guess that was my entrance to writing and fashion really. Then, I wanted to be a model since I was in middle school. As soon as I turned 16 I started going on shoots. I shot as much as I could to

practice and get comfortable in front of the camera, and of course, to build a portfolio. I eventually got signed to

after high school i really started to find my style and dress for myself and other women rather than men. two commercial agencies when I was 17 or 18. I literally booked no jobs through them. My castings were always disastrous. It was pretty sad. But I kept shooting with whoever would shoot, and I got to model for some really cool brands. And the past couple of years I’ve been on Seventeen and Refinery29, so those agencies and bookers can kiss my ass. You work with a lot of brands and photographers and magazines? How do those collaborations happen? Persistence. I find people’s contact info and then email them introducing myself with links to my social media, blog, photos, anything. A lot of the times I don’t get answers, but sometimes it will result in a really cool partnership. Other times, I’ll get emails from someone working at a brand or publication and they’ll ask if I’m interested in working with them. If it’s a good fit, I’m in! Your following is amazing. Any tricks and tips for creating a social media following? Again, persistence! Find your sweet spot of how often to post and then don’t slack. I keep a backlog of photos so even if I haven’t shot in weeks, I have

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stuff to post and it looks like I’m busy shooting even if I am not. Also I think it’s important to stay true to yourself while finding your niche. If you’re unique and have a story to tell, people will stick with you if they like it. Do you have a favorite social platform? Instagram for sure. It’s dangerously addicting. I also love Twitter because I can say all the random shit that’s on my mind and usually a few people think

I’m always out shooting with an endless wardrobe and socializing and being happy. I want people to know the truth. Just because everything looks wonderful and curated on Instagram doesn’t mean that it is in real life. I want people to know that. Your style is so unique! Who are you fashion inspirations? Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. Nineties and late ’80s grunge, punk, and rock icons. Kurt is the reason why I’m so obsessed with flannels. How has your style evolved? I used to be obsessed with looking sexy in a way that would appeal to guys. So I’d wear tight little skirts and tank tops with push-up bras. After high school when I went to art school for college I really started to find my style and dress for myself and other women rather than men. I’m also much more concerned with comfort now, so baggy jeans and tees are my favorite. What do you love? Hate?

it’s sort of funny. I should also mention that I hate snapchat with a burning passion. I’ve quit using it and it’s made a positive difference in my life for sure. It made me compare my life to other people’s lives too much. It made me question how I was spending my time. Deleting it helped me focus on my own life and other important things rather than getting upset watching people get drunk on vacation while I’m home working. If you’re reading this I challenge you to delete it for at least a week to see how you feel without it. How important/easy is it to be open with your audience? For me, it’s very easy to be open with my audience. I think it’s really important because so much of what you see on the internet is fake. A lot of the time, I look like shit and I have a million pimples and wear the same Nirvana T-shirt everyday. But people think that

I love my family and friends, Chihuahuas, pizza, music, sleeping, Netflix, coffee, walking around the city aimlessly, free food, unlimited Metrocards, hair dye… I could go on forever. I hate Snapchat, slut-shaming, men who disrespect women, people who think that girls don’t poop/can’t talk about bodily functions, and boys who don’t text back and make you feel like you’re going coo-coo.

who worked at the store. That was a rude awakening for me. I got in a fight with my manager because he told me I wasn’t allowed to wear my sweatpants, even though all the guys did. He said if I wanted to wear something like that, it had to be tight. He pointed to the girls wearing leggings. I’d also get in trouble for not smiling enough. Were the dudes told to smile more? Nope. What do you hope for the future for women? I want women to be able to post pictures in their lingerie without being called a slut. To be able to kiss as many guys as they want without being called a whore. To walk home without being catcalled. To ride the subway alone at night without being harassed. To be able to go to a bar without being groped. To be respected and recognized as strong forces to be reckoned with. Do you have any advice for women out there? Fight for what you deserve. Ask for help when you need it. Don’t rely on a man to make you happy. Dye your hair all of the colors. Refuse to stay in situations that make you feel uncomfortable or bad about yourself. Remember that everyone is fighting his or her own battle. Don’t listen to all the advice you hear.

This issue is all about feminism. What does feminism mean to you? To me, feminism is about harnessing your power as a woman, and respecting all the other women out there. We need to demand equal treatment to men and not settle for less. I freak out on my guy friends when they slut-shame girls. Also, if I think something is unfair or women are being treated unequally in a situation, I’ll be vocal about it. I can’t keep my mouth shut when it comes to stuff like that. Do you consider yourself an avid feminist? For sure. I wasn’t always though, I have to admit! I was living in oblivion until I was working a retail job right after college and I really experienced how differently I was treated by the men

FULL INTERVIEW AND PHOTO SHOOT AT BLUSHMAGFIT.COM

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The Pomerantz Center: Room 529A. Do those words mean anything to you? This is the location of PrintFX, FIT’s digital print lab. Right now, this is probably the only place you can easily access a 3D printer. 3D printing is the future of fashion technology. But how exactly does it work? And where is it going?

BY STEPHANIE MALANGONE

3D printing a garment starts the same way any garment starts: with a sketch. Most designers use some sort of software that is compatible with 3D printing in order to make their design. A popular one is Sketchfab, which Nadir Gordon used when creating this wave-inspired swimsuit, which was 3D printed out of PLA (polylactic acid, a biodegradable polymer). Gordon, like most designers, broke his design into parts, and printed them separately. He then fused them together using a soldering iron. This piece in particular had to be broken into 14 parts, and printing took a total of 90 minutes. 3D printing is generally used for haute couture, because it’s easy to print using an individual’s specific measurements. Katy Perry recently used 3D printed helmets in her 2015 World Tour during the song “Roar.” Not only are the helmets made exactly for the wearer, but they are infused with LED technology that creates ombre light-up mohawks with lasting battery power. When asked why they chose 3D printing over manufacturing the helmets by hand, her costume team remarked on 3dPrinting.com, “Traditionally, it’s virtually impossible and very costly to produce such complex personalized pieces by hand. … With Stratasys 3D printing technology, we were able to develop fully-illuminated pieces with a lightning-fast turnaround of under a week. For developing one-off props for the music industry, this is revolutionary.” Most recently, 3D printing has been made available, in some form, to the public for a relatively low cost. Michael’s craft stores and online retailers such as Amazon offer what they call a 3D doodler pen. This pen allows you to draw

CAPTIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE

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in the air and leave behind solid form, all for the low cost of $49.99. Considering most 3D printers go for thousands of dollars, this is a pretty cheap alternative. The way it works is the pen extrudes heated plastic as you draw with it, and as it cools it solidifies into your creation. The plastic is pretty strong, so the options for your creations are endless. The manufacturers say it’s even strong enough to make a pair of shoes, which designer Kade Chan decided to test for himself. The Kade Chan 3D doodler-printed high heel is actually a shoe skeleton drawn around the sole of an pre-existing shoe. The design seemed sturdy—and it was— with one small problem: The wearer of the shoe sustained a painful shock to the feet up through the spinal cord every time she took a step. After this design was scrapped, Chan started again. This time, Chan took a cue from haute couture, and instead of designing his shoe based off of another shoe, he based it off of the shape of the specific wearer’s foot. After placing the final touch of a metal spring in the heel, the 3D doodler-printed shoes were pain free and ready for use. So, right now, 3D printing can be seen in haute couture, and … that’s it. We have yet to see 3D-printed anything in a department store, mall, or basic online shopping. This is all said to change, according to the directors of the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art who organized the exhibition Manus x Machinus last summer. Manus x Machinus was a collection of haute couture that consisted mostly of 3D-printed garments, and Andrew Bolton, the curator, believes that we will be seeing more of 3D printing at the hands of the masses in the future. “It means you can 3D print your dress to your exact measurements at home,” he said to Bloomberg Pursuits. While we’re not quite there yet, it’s not too far-fetched to believe that during our lifetime, we may see this happen. What could this mean for designers and manufacturers of non-couture clothing? Of course, like any new technology, it may lead to a loss of jobs. Sewing and seamstress work may go completely out of commission. Stores may begin to sell designs to customers, which they can then download and print to their exact measurements at home. While we can’t predict the future of 3D printing in fashion, we do know that it’s here, and it has the potential to be “as revolutionary as the sewing machine,” according to Bolton.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF 3DPRINTING.COM

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Design Houses Meet Cultural Appropriation Conflict BY TAYLOR BUSHEY

Fashion is a way men and women outwardly define themselves. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a manner in which they can express themselves, who they are, and what they stand for, no matter how big or small. Without fashion, people lack the opportunity to have a major form of self-expression.

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Although lately, the fashion industry has come under scrutiny about cultural appropriation in relation to how creations pulled from other cultures are presented. A cultural society is a major way to showcase who someone is, what they follow, and what they believe in. However, designers are presenting new designs in a way the public finds demeaning. For example, fashions from an Asian culture displayed by American models don’t give off the full effect of the design. Many believe that if parts of a culture are taken for design purposes, then it should be presented fairly, meaning that models of Asian ethnicity should be modeling the clothing instead of someone from a different background. This way, designers give their viewers an understanding of where certain trends originated. Many designers in the past few fashion weeks have been making these mistakes. For instance, Valentino’s spring 2016 collection is based on an African theme, which

Zendaya is known for not only being fashion forward, but is also an example of this cultural stereotype. After an insulting comment from E!’s news correspondent Giuliana Rancic relating the celebrity’s hair to the drug marijuana, it has been proven that certain cultural habits are negatively labeled. Zendaya finally had her official say in a Popsugar interview. In a specific question about Kylie Jenner’s cornrow braids, she said, “Well, first of all, braids are not new. Black women have been wearing braids for a very long time. ... It became new and fresh and fun because it was on someone else other than a black woman.” In a case of defense for designers, few believe that some lack education about various cultures in the world, and so it’s with that neglect that there is no appropriate presentation. Many don’t realize the importance. However, it is part of the designer’s job to be informed, especially in an industry that is constantly involved with different racial backgrounds.

= ...it is part of the designer’s job to be informed...

has incorporated iconic tribal trends, feather details, and unique textures. However, the models were the opposite of the chosen theme, so they created misrepresentation. Other well-known design houses such as Givenchy and DSquared2 have been criticized for not doing their research. Specifically, DSquared2 was called out for not consulting First Nations or Native American artists after they displayed a stereotyped theme of Native American fashion for fall 2015. Celebrities who are recognized for wearing iconic pieces from their own culture have undergone hurtful comments because of their racial backgrounds.

Zac Posen made an attempt to show his appreciation for other cultures by having his fall 2016 collection modeled by mostly African-American women. Although completely understanding the mindset of the designer, it is still no better than having mostly caucasian women model. There should be a system of balance As part of an innovative and inclusive industry, it is of utmost importance to showcase one’s inspiration s and fully credit and respect one’s sources. Coming together and enhancing a culture is welcomed and respected, versus tearing down others and ultimately misrepresenting a fellow fashion lover.

An artistic experiment in what can be created when various artists interpret one anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR LAZINSKI CONCEPT BY HANNAH KEIFFERT & MIKAYLA MADIGAN STYLING BY LUKE MEAGHER & ALLISON FERN CLAUSIUS HAIR & MAKEUP BY JAZMIN THOMAS MODELED BY LAURA STILLWAGON & ZU ZHAO OF AMERICANA MODELS ILLUSTRATION BY PETER DEVITO TOP BY KRISTIN MALLISON, DRESS BY ECHTEGO, HAT BY ALLISON FERN CLAUSIUS

ILLUSTRATION BY MEAGAN DOWLING JACKET BY TERRENCE ZHOU

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ILLUSTRATION BY ISABELLE NARCISO DRESS BY Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;MM, SHOES BY MANOLO BLAHNIK

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ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHISH DRESS (AS TOP) BY NUOVO BORGO, SKIRT BY NICOLE LEE

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ILLUSTRATION BY HANNAH KADYROV DRESS BY TERRENCE ZHOU

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ILLUSTRATION BY WONHYOUNG CHOI TOP BY ALLISON FERN CLAUSIUS, DRESS BY SOPHIE SITBON, HAT BY HANA HOLQUIST, SHOES BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

BEAUTY

the power of makeup BY DANI SMITH

Makeup: one word, six letters, infinite power. The secret ingredients behind the transformation a woman goes through almost every day. From raw, unedited faces to airbrushed, flawless complexions, let’s follow makeup’s journey through the years. We as a human collective have watched makeup thrive and become universal throughout the millennial world. From young girls following the footsteps of their role models to current advances in technology and social media, everyone— male and female—is encouraged to understand the power of makeup. So, where did it all start? Makeup dates all the way back to the ancient Egyptians, who used makeup for spiritual as well as aesthetic purposes. Over time, makeup has become more and more popular, hitting its peak in the modern era. Although makeup use is at an all time high, we can’t help but notice the various forms of retaliation women receive from wearing makeup. We are convinced by society that makeup has only two main intentions: to attract the attention of men and to mask

PHOTO BY DANI SMITH

women’s insecurities. This leaves beauty gurus, makeup artists, and individuals with profound interest in the cosmetics industry to be placed in either category. The truth behind makeup is more than liquid lips and carved-out cheekbones. Makeup is a hobby, a talent, and a form of art. Although makeup has the capabilities to cover minor flaws, makeup’s true purpose is to merely enhance one’s already present facial features, using nothing but pigment and shade. Makeup is self-expressive, representing what people stand for and who they are. With this power, makeup not only has the ability to transform appearances, but also attitudes. When you look good, you feel good. Cosmetics are continuously considered to be a feminine industry, yet men are rapidly becoming more adaptive to the generation of makeup. While most women apply makeup daily, a small percentage of men do too. CoverGirl recently hired its first “CoverBoy” model, which has the ultimate intention of proving that CoverGirl’s makeup brand is just as much for men as it is for women. This not

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only supports all of the men that desire to have careers in the cosmetics industry, but it also significantly shows how much of an impact makeup truly has on both genders. The movement of the power of makeup has surged on all social media platforms, especially on the video-sharing website YouTube. Content creator NikkieTutorials started the movement of “The Power of Makeup” by creating a video where she did one half of her face full glam, and left the other half completely natural. She discussed the power that makeup has, and how it’s OK to love makeup regardless of the negative responses generated by society. She created uproar in the makeup world, and has empowered all women to embrace the fact that they love makeup. Nikkie collaborated with the makeup brand Too Faced and recently launched a palette titled “The Power of Makeup.” Makeup. Let’s face it, embrace it, and never be scared to paint our faces.

the truth behind those picture perfect photos

PHOTOS AND RETOUCHING BY HEATHER CULLUM

DEPARTMENT NAME BEAUTY

By Caitlin Reddington

magine, you’re looking in the mirror, and what do you see staring back? Someone who is smart, confident, and beautiful. Then all of the sudden you notice the cover of your favorite magazine sitting on the table next to you, and you see someone who is considered gorgeous, beautiful, and desirable to the public eye. The only difference? That person has a skinnier waist, is blemish free, and has shining hair. Instantly, you’re confidence is diminished and you feel like you will never be good enough. Every photo we see in a fashion magazine is retouched. It’s as simple as that. Everyone is well aware that this happens, but it’s extremely easy to forget. The above scenario is something many people have experienced before. We get so caught up in the idea that we have to look like the altered models and celebrities on the glossy pages to feel accepted, we lose sight of who we really are. Ever since the 1930s when photographers like George Hurrell, who created the look of Hollywood glamour, were working, the idea of a manipulated body image has been seen as “normal.” That’s almost

90 years of distorted body images being ingrained into our heads, and to me, that doesn’t seem right at all. Starting in the 1990s, Lee Sewillingham, former art director of The Face, coined the style “hyper-real.” This is when models were first digitally altered with exaggerated body parts, which were not physically attainable at all. Over time, more and more photographers caught on to the idea, and eventually it was odd to see an unretouched photo grace the pages of a magazine.

Everything from changing a model’s face shape and width of her waist to brightening her eyes and adding a thigh gap is all just part of reality. It’s deemed as #goals, but luckily there have been efforts to combat the issue of photoshopped images.

Lovato decided to do a nude, makeup-free, unretouched photo shoot with Vanity Fair. “We live in a world where everything is touched up, even pictures that people post on Instagram. So I wanted to put it out there—the opposite of what people are kind of expecting,” Lovato told Refinery29. While Photoshop can distort our perception of body image, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t completely negative. Former editorin-chief of Cosmopolitan Kate White told the New York Times that she has changed colors of clothing, but will not alter the bodies of cover models. Digitally editing photos can be useful in that aspect, when it comes to fixing the lighting, or coloring of a photo. When people’s bodies start to appear thinner and unrecognizable, that’s when it becomes dangerous. Next time you see your favorite magazine laying next to you, just remember, the gorgeous, beautiful girl on the cover isn’t any more desirable than you are. She probably doesn’t really exist.

It was only a matter of time until the celebrities and the models themselves took matters into their own hands. Pop singer Demi Lovato has been known to call out pictures where she has been significantly retouched. To combat negative body shaming going on in the media,

BEAUTY

A Period Projectt Projec

By Gaby Asorsky

love being a woman. I love the idea of embracing my period and “sticking it to the man” to all those people or companies who promote that it should be hidden or disguised. We use products that almost completely disengage us from our bodies. On the surface I am OK with that separation, but when I really think about it, I feel embarrassed that I contribute to an anti-period culture. While companies are telling me I should be ashamed about my period, it doesn’t help that the amount of disposable products I use (tampons, pads, applicators) also harms the environment. If I like knowing exactly what I put in and on my body, then why do I settle for a less-healthy way when it comes to my period? My goal of trying new products is to see how I can make this “beautiful” thing actually work for my on-the-go and ideally healthy life, while also reducing my impact on the environment.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MEAGAN DOWLING

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Period 1: Lily Cup Compact Lily Cups are a new generation in period protection: ultra-soft, reusable menstrual cups made of medicalgrade silicone. Collecting rather than absorbing menstrual ﬂow, they respect your intimate balance and don’t cause the dryness often associated with tampons. intimina.com

Original Thoughts

I had heard about the Lily Cup Compact through my sister. She had a positive experience with the collapsible style, so I went with that one too. My perception of the pros of the cup were that it is good for the environment since I am producing less waste, there is no need to worry about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), there is a longer wear time compared to tampons, and it is more cost effective because it can be replaced about every six months. My hesitations with the cup were that I was concerned with the clean-up situation, as well as the thought of essentially a literal cup of blood.

Day 1

I wore a pantyliner just in case of leakage, but I was surprised at how comfortable the cup was! Putting it in was pretty easy since it is similar to a tampon in that way, however, taking it out the first time was a bit of a struggle. At the base of the cup, there is a small piece of silicon meant to be pulled when it comes time for easy removal. I found that it is actually more effective to pinch the bottom of the cup and pull it out rather than just pulling on the tab. Overall so far, I like the cup because I can wear it for longer hours than tampons and don’t have to worry about TSS.

Day 3

Today I figured out the bathroom situation. Starbucks is a good option for changing, but I am not sure if that is polite as far as public health goes. Basically, I gracefully waddled from the toilet to the sink for rinsing, and made my way back to the toilet. I left the bathroom clean so I guess that it was OK! I feel like I am embracing my period more, yet at the same time somewhat forgetting that I am even on my period, which I like. Period flow = medium

Day 4

I feel confident in taking the cup in and out, and the process for changing and cleaning is much quicker now! I wore light wash jeans today and didn’t worry about it, and sleeping in it has also been no problem. My period is pretty much over now, but I’m still wearing it just in case. Period flow = medium/light

Period flow = light

Day 2

So, one issue that I did not encounter on day one is that when changing the cup, using a toilet that is near a sink is very helpful. My method for changing was emptying the cup into the toilet, reaching over to the sink to rinse it out, and then re-inserting. I couldn’t change the cup at school because there isn’t a private bathroom for rinsing, so I just waited until I got home. It is still comfortable and I am getting used to the process. I went to yoga class and couldn’t even feel it! Period flow = medium/heavy

Day 5

Final Thoughts/Feelings

My first experience with the Lily Cup Compact has been pretty positive! One thing that I would need to remember if I chose to continue using this product is that I need a private restroom for changing times, and need a toilet positioned close to the sink. Some other pros are that the collapsable style and case make it discreet and easy for travel, you will never have to worry about havinclose to the sink. Some other pros are that the collapsable style and case make it discreet and easy for travel, you will never have to worry about having enough pads or tampons, and it eliminates gross period trash. For those who are looking to try it, I would say go for it, but you can’t be afraid of just sticking your hands in your vagina to get it out.

Thinx is made up of four bits of tech fabric that makes them anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, absorbent, and leak-resistant.The top layer fights bacteria and absorbs any liquid into the über-thin layer right beneath it. And no, they don’t feel like diapers, and it’s not like sitting in your own blood. Boom. shethinx.com

Original Thoughts

I had heard about Thinx via advertisements in the subway. I thought their marketing was great because they used diverse and body-positive women as their models, had a great color scheme, and really seemed to normalize periods. My knowledge of the product was little, so after reading material on their website, I decided it was another good sustainable option that was not ugly and still comfortable. I was definitely unsure about how they would feel, even though the website ensured they’d feel like normal panties. I was worried that they would feel like a diaper, and I did not like the idea of sitting in my own blood for hours. I was also concerned with the clean up and the visible panty line (VPL) since I ordered the hiphugger style.

Day 1

When the panties arrived in the mail, I immediately inspected the fabric and tried them on. The center panel of the panties was noticeably thicker, but more like a swimsuit material while the side panels were thin and mesh-like. Thankfully, they did not feel like a diaper at all, and I felt pretty cute! Before leaving for work, I threw an extra pair of underwear and the Lily Cup in my bag in case I leaked. I didn’t love that there was a panty line through my trousers, but whatever. They were comfortable to sleep in and wear throughout the day, but it was unclear to me how often they needed to be cleaned. I decided to wash them as instructed after the first day. Period flow = light

Day 2

As my period became heavier, I was still worried about the panties being able to hold the amount of blood. I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that they did, and I hadn’t leaked once! When I went to the bathroom during the day I thought to myself: “Where did all the blood go…?” I guess it was absorbed, but the underwear didn’t feel heavy so I was blissfully confused. When I got home that night, I repeated the washing process once again, but was a little annoyed at the hassle of needing to wash them every night. It makes sense for sanitary reasons, but I wished that the instructions stated the frequency more clearly. Period flow = medium/heavy

Day 3

I am more aware that I am on my period in the Thinx compared to the Lily Cup Compact and not sure if that is good or bad. Since one of my goals was to embrace my period more, I guess I am doing that by being more aware of it? I feel like I can’t wear my butt-hugging vintage Levi’s due to the employment of the VPL, so I repeat a mantra of “I am embracing my period, get over it.” Period flow = medium

Day 4

I am excited for my period to be over so again I say my mantra as I am getting dressed: “I am embracing my period, get over it.” Period flow = light/medium

Final Thoughts/Feelings

The experience with Thinx has been pretty positive but also weird! I like that the product is sustainable, but I would not recommend it to women who, like myself, prefer tampons. I get and appreciate what Thinx are doing, but I don’t think they are for me during the heavier days of my period. If you are looking to try Thinx I would speak favorably of it, but probably wouldn’t endorse it as enthusiastically as I would the Lily Cup Compact.

Conclusion

After trying both products, I am eager to make them work together! Preferably, I would wear Thinx to sleep as well as on the days before and after my period, and I can wear the Lily Cup on the days during my period. Did I make this “beautiful” thing work into my ideally sustainable and healthy lifestyle? I am honestly not sure, but either way I am happy that I tried new products that forced me to embrace my period.

DEPARTMENT NAME BEAUTY

PWR TO THE BODY: What Is Body Positivity? By Kelly McLoughlin

hen you think of a “good body,” who do you think of? A Victoria’s Secret Angel? Maybe an “insta-famous” blogger with that perf bikini body? For the most part, the media, film, and fashion industries only showcase a certain body type known as “straight bodies.” These are small-framed, thin, idealized bodies. This portrays the idea that all other body sizes and shapes are not accepted in today’s society. A common descriptor of these idealized bodies is often “healthy.” Can you really tell if a person is healthy just by looking at them? A plussized person and a slender person’s health is still unknown to the naked eye. Even if a person is not in perfect health, it does not mean he or she does not deserve to love the skin they are in? The body positivity movement strives to eliminate this lack of acceptance of different body types in our world. We have all heard the term “body pos,” but what does it really mean? The ultimate goal of body positivity is selflove, regardless of size, shape, and color. All body types should feel comfortable and proud in their own skin. Gone are the days of “dressing for your body type.” How much or little we expose of our bodies is our choice! Ever heard of “slut shaming”? This is where that issue comes into play. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian West, Demi Lovato, and Lena Dunham are speaking out about this demeaning issue. Their voices matter so much because they have the power and insight to change the media’s view on what is an accepted body in the media. Body shaming is any negative comments or attitudes toward a person’s body. Primarily, women are victims

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of this. They are criticized for what they wear and how they present themselves because of their size, shape, or color. People should feel free to display and dress their bodies in any way that makes them happy, without the fear of harassment. Most slut shamers have a very misogynistic way of looking at a woman’s body and how they are dressed. In their eyes, if a woman is wearing revealing clothing, she is then sending a message of sexual desire and promiscuous action. This assumption is essentially saying a woman’s main purpose is looking attractive and sexual. Thus, they are offended by her body’s expression. It should never be assumed a woman is wearing revealing clothing for the enjoyment and satisfaction of others. The bottom line is: A woman can dress her body as provocatively as she would like.

No matter what she’s wearing, she is still not asking for it! These are all examples of the still-prevalent hyper-sexualization of the female body. A woman’s body is natural and does not have to indicate sexual connotation no matter what she is wearing or what her body looks like. We all have the freedom to display our bodies in any manner we would like. That is what body pos is all about!

Why can a guy be shirtless on a hot day but a woman can’t? A large part of body positivity is body equality. The female body and male body unfortunately do not get treated the same way. There is a distinct double standard between what is acceptable for a man to expose versus a woman. I am sure you have heard of “Free the Nipple.” This movement states that the nipple is an innocent and common body part that both men and women have. The fact that a man can show a region of the body that a woman cannot directly shows that there is a sexualization of the body that males do not endure. What does this say about how we view the two sexes? Are women still just viewed as a sexual object to most of society? Free the Nipple hopes to show how the bodies are both non-sexualized, equal forms. It’s your body! The body pos movement wants to see a world free of prejudice and judgment toward bodies and how we present them to the world. The movement is all about teaching our society that we are allowed to love our bodies whether we are short, tall, fat, scrawny, or anything in between. Essentially, all bodies are beautiful—including yours! Get involved in your local community or on social media to increase your knowledge on the movement. Think about it: What does body pos mean to you?

Girlhood is important. Having the unspoken woman bond is what every girl needs, especially in today’s society. In a world where girls are constantly knocked down by both sexes, a “girl squad” is needed in the worst and best times. A friendship that gives you confidence, laughs, tears, happiness, and all of the emotions. Two questions: What is girlhood and what is a “girl squad”? Girlhood is simply the state of being a girl, a time where the female adolescent experiences new things and discovers who she really is. Part of this is forming a “girl squad,” a sisterhood bond that cannot be broken even by the most powerful of forces, a society for super girls who can conquer the world. A modern-day example: The Powerpuff Girls. / Although the term girlhood is associated with the teenage years, it can apply to girls and women alike no matter what the age. Let’s face it, females today face judgment from both sexes on their physical appearance. / “Look at her hair. It’s dry and ugly. She needs to do something about that.” / “Her shorts are so tight on her. Too bad she doesn’t have the body for them.” / “She should wear more makeup. Yikes!” / These comments are something that females are all too familiar with, and that’s the sad reality. If not that, girls are comparing themselves to the body that society has put forth as the perfect shape. / No need to worry though, the one thing that can knock this down is a girl gang—a group of close friends that will focus on what’s really beautiful on the inside and accept you for who you are. Cliché maybe, but members of your girl gang are a natural confidence booster, if not through sharing compliments, through advice and experiences. It is important to find a core group of friends that are true to you. This can be five of your best friends or that one sister from another mister. No matter who is in your girl squad, members are there if you want a good cry, need sound advice, and to tell you that you are worth it. Don’t think of it only as a support group for the bad times, you and your besties will be there for the moments that make you smile. Have fun and make memories. This can be anything from having a spa day (everyone loves a face mask) or a photo shoot, to dancing until you fall to the ground with a good Spice Girls moment. Just be you. / So, are you ready to recruit for a better you? IT’S A GIRL THING by MICHELLE LEE

BEAUTY

THE POWER OF A BEAUTY RITUAL

BY AVANTI DALAL

Mindful self-love doesn’t come around often. And when it does, it feels sneaky—you feel like you should be replying to emails, grocery shopping, working for world peace, or trying to read Moby Dick (for the 13th time) instead. This comes from the idea that taking time for yourself, especially as a woman, is vain because self-nurturance gets confused with self-indulgence. There’s nothing quite as idyllic as drawing yourself a warm bath after a long day. The wafting scent of a chypre floral candle; the extravagance of a face masque; the sumptuousness of luxuriating in a pool of glitter, essential oil and foamy goodness. Sure, when you get out—fingers slightly pruned and cheeks flushed—your muscles hurt less, your face is glowing and your skin is baby soft. But still, if you could bottle something, it would be that feeling. But even the simple process of decanting the tubes of cleanser, jars of face cream, bottles of oil onto your hands and then onto your face carries with it the intention of self-love. You’re drawn to products that brighten, calm, and beautify, because the act of applying it reinforces that emotion. If there was a magic ingredient or quick fix, we’d have it. But really, the elixir seems to lie in the ritual itself. Cleopatra had her milk and honey, Mary Queen of Scots bathed in red wine, the Koreans have 10 steps. Slowing down and focusing on yourself is the very basis of our beauty routine. Whether it is brushing your teeth for exactly three minutes, putting cucumbers on your eyes, or waiting for your nails to dry, applying your night cream has always been a big bottle of self-care (and hyaluronic acid for good measure).

ILLUSTRATIONS BY STEPHISH

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH KEIFFERT CONCEPT BY HANNAH KEIFFERT, ALAN-MICHAEL DUVAL & MIKAYLA MADIGAN HAIR & MAKEUP BY JAZMIN THOMAS & SYDNEY KUO MODELED BY MARISA ROPER, RENITA COTTON & MELISSA ZHOU PHOTO ASSISTANT LEXIE LOU 38

CAPTIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE

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CAPTIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE

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CAPTIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE

WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM WHAT IS FEMINISM? WHAT IS FEMINISM? by sarah michelson WHAT A quick browse of the “feminism” tag on Tumblr produced post after post about the presidential election, body positivity, sexual orientation, and bios about inspiring women. The freedom professed by the political cartoons, self-defense tips, and free verse poetry that are pervasive on social media today are a glimpse into the mind of the millennial generation self-expression not tempered by fear of retribution or rejection. Feminism is putting your thoughts into the world to let others know that they’re not alone. Social media—Tumblr in particular—has become the collective feminist diary, open for all to read. Feminism is defined as the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. How that translates in a societal context is up for debate, since a quick look at any internet comment thread will show you. What isn’t up for debate is whether person is a feminist or a sexist. Despite public opinion, feminism is not about the hatred of men (that would be misandry) or burning bras (unless you’re into that). Though Gloria Steinem and women like her got the ball rolling, it’s not the quite same as what they were protesting in the ’60s and ’70s. The fight for equality that those women started has yet to end. It can’t end until women of all races are paid the same as their male counterparts for the same work. Until a woman’s right to choose

is no longer questioned. Until girls all over the world can get the same education as their brothers. Unfortunately, the concept that women’s rights are human rights has not occurred to many of the world’s political leaders. The modern feminist movement has received backlash for its perceived superficiality, but those who criticize it for this reason lack an understanding. Young women have infused the movement with an accessibility that it previously lacked. We post as many selfies as we want, but we also speak out against injustice. As long as modern feminism doesn’t lose touch with its overarching goals, it will never be shallow. If Kim Kardashian wants to post a topless picture of herself, who are we to judge her? She also happens to be a strong advocate for recognition of the Armenian genocide. Even if she were not an activist, she hurts no one by expressing herself. The point of feminism is that one should not be judged for maintaining their agency; they should be encouraged for it. A person’s gender should never determine the kind of life they are allowed to live. Perhaps those with the power to make change should look to feminist content creators for guidance to navigate this changing narrative.

ART & CULTURE

In our spring 2016 issue of Blush, I posed the question: Is gender in fashion a moot point? My answer then was that gender identity is still important as it goes unrecognized, but eventually androgyny will transform into something more. However, this was just my own, non-queer belief. One thing was clear: that representation and inclusive/politically correct labels are currently important for many, and that is OK. Yet for many, it is unnecessary once fully accepting their own identity, as they no longer feel disillusioned or pressured by certain gender and sexuality standards. Both queer, female identifying individuals I talked to said that as they became more secure in their identity, the less they felt the need to create labels around themselves. As one became open about her identity as lesbian, she actually dressed more feminine, compared to her previous butch style due to no longer needing to look the part. The people who are still persecuted globally, or legally discriminated against nationally, find power in their labels. It’s a uniting front that derives from self-validation of another type.

Now how does this relate to fashion/dress? Dress is defined as all outwardly showing modifications of the body and all exterior objects added to it. This is why designers such as Gogo Graham, a trans woman who recently showed her collection made for other trans women on trans women, are so important. She understands the physical challenges these women can go through, and accentuates the waist and bust, parts of the body that can be difficult to fit during the transitional period. What I have realized is that the industry’s view of non-gendered fashion is very surface level. There is a level of discourse between the queer community and the fashion industry as far as the causation behind this supposed trend. With each new supposed social justice frontier comes exploitation and profiting off of the issue. The bottom line is that some queer individuals want labels for self-validation, and some find it within themselves. The industry sees this, but as a new target market. As with many movements, this is a double-edged sword. A sign that society is acknowl-

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edging more aspects of the queer community. Now not facing the prejudice of the queer community, I will not attempt to speak on their behalf for which of these views is seen as more accurate. However, I will say that profiting off of social justice, while not uncommon, is not often noticed. But where is this representation? Yes, homosexuality is glamorized in fashion, problematic in its own sense, but what about the gender spectrum? Representation isn’t a trend that anybody can participate in, it is including members of the queer community in the discussion, in the industry itself. They are their own leaders, and the LGBTQA+ community alone will say what they want in fashion. We just have to step up and listen.

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BY ERICA FLEMING

If you were in New York this past summer, it would be impossible for you not to hear Young M.A.’s breakout hit “OOOUUU” bumping from the speakers of nearly every car and apartment window. Young M.A.’s voice is unique, and we’re not just talking about her subtle rasp and strong Brooklyn accent. Though not the first queer, female rapper, Young M.A.’s role in hip-hop is a big one. After her “Brooklyn (Chiraq)” freestyle came out in 2014—which now has nearly 6 million views—the Brooklyn native’s career has in order to focus on her rap career. Young M.A.’s songs are harsh, fearless, and only gone in one direction: up. raunchy, saying in an interview with Rolling Stone that one day she woke up and From the first beats of said “I’m going to start rapping about truthful things.” In her songs she proudly talks about having sex with other women in a way that has never been done by a “OOOUUU,” it is easy to see why her music has become so popular female rapper before, even hinting at the fact she keeps a strap-on in her closet. so quickly. The Brooklyn native was even offered a spot on the hit show Empire but turned it down

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Her raps are extremely clever and a little uncouth. She is original and versatile, rapping smoothly to beats that many seasoned professionals find difficult. On the other hand, she is also not afraid to be vulnerable, rapping about her brother’s death, an event that had a large effect on her and strongly influenced her music style. Her new album, Herstory, is set to drop sometime in 2016. Judging by her short but already significant career, Young M.A. is on her way to making history.

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Propelled by a new age of liberal millennials, the LGBTQ community has manifested a strong and positive presence in society and politics today. Within the past year, Obama has announced the first LGBTQ historical landmark, the Stonewall Inn, located in Greenwich Village, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense lifted the ban on transgendered individuals serving in the military. However, the systematic racism, homophobia, and transphobia has led to an epidemic within the LGBTQ community: the murder of and violence toward transgender people of color.

crimes in 2013 were directed toward women

Trans violence is an act of violence or hate directed toward an individual who identifies themselves as transgender, thereby falling under the umbrella of what are defined legally as hate crimes. In 2013, 73 percent of all transgender hate crimes were directed toward those who identify as women. Of these women, 67 percent of them were black.

67% of them were black 21 documented murders of

Zella Zonia a 21-year-old transgender woman of color, was found in an alley from a fatal gunshot wound to the head in October 2015. This case is chillingly too common, given that there are 21 documented murders of transgender people in 2015, 17 of which were people of color.

73% of all transgender hate

transgender people in 2015

17 of which were people of color 11 of the states that documented murders of transgendered people in 2015 have no law protecting gender identity

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Another commonality among these acts of violence is the manner by which the murders are investigated. Zonia, a Maryland resident, lived in a state that does not include gender identity within the blanket of state hate crime laws. Other states that documented murders of transgender people in 2015 but have no law protecting gender identity are Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, and Louisiana. Zonia, like many others, was initially labeled the wrong gender by the police investigating her murder. Within a progressive society, no one should have to go about their daily lives worried for their well-being because of the color of their skin, sexuality, or gender identification. The issue of trans violence has flown far too under the radar, especially with the staggering numbers of murders in the past year. The public must become more aware and educated about the grim reality that this demographic faces, with the goal of making our society more acceptable and safe for everyone.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT SPRING STYLED BY NICOLE PLONSKI MODELED BY ANDREW WELLBORN & ERIN ROUSE

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What is the true nature of a woman’s sexuality? With unreal expectations, stigmas, and perceptions, it’s difficult to decipher what is acceptable in society. The sexuality of females is shaped by our ever-changing culture and history. In the 1900s, a woman who loved sex was considered mentally disturbed. A woman who doesn’t enjoy sex today is diagnosed as dysfunctional. Women didn’t shave daily in the past, especially her private parts. Now if you can visually see hair on a female, they’re considered animals. Females can’t dress or act sexy in public because it’s seen as shameful. Yet, they are displayed as provocative, sex objects in all forms of media to the public. We don’t play sports We’re are not as strong as men We are supposed to make less money We can’t be politicians We’re supposed to be pretty, to be looked at The list goes on and on. But when will it stop? Feeling like we don’t live up to the physical ideal of a “woman”—tall, skinny, silky smooth skin—is an idea we shouldn’t be tortured with every day of

our lives. We want to be more than just a housewife with kids. We want to be able to take over by taking over industries and being successful. Because in the end—we’re just as capable as men. We’re all human beings. The underrepresentation of women leads to many societal effects, the big one being gender inequality. Female characters in television or film typically are not portrayed in leadership roles or achieve their goals. Women represent only one-third of speaking characters, while always having more female characters on the screen. These women are more likely to be depicted wearing revealing clothing, partially nude, and referred to as attractive in comparison to male characters. Television and film entertainment also portray women in a negative light by using stereotypes, hypersexualism, and adjusting minor proportions on the screen. Additionally, women are the minority when it comes to movie directors, book reviewers, the number of authors being reviewed, and news stories in politics and government. Nonetheless, in the world of advertising and media, women are suffering the most devastating effect of all. Many billboards and commercials display females with “perfect” lives and bodies, crushing the self-esteem of their audience.

At the same time, films with female protagonists have proven to be just as profitable as men, when females are the ones dominating the mass communications and journalism fields. The misrepresentation must be corrected between women and men, and definitely more balanced. Organizations such as MissRepresentation.org strives to delegate young girls and older females to challenge the limiting media labels and recognize their potential within. You can’t expect women to pursue leadership in society and excel where the reality is barely visible in public. It is MissRepresentation.org’s job, as well as ours, to help raise awareness and change the representation of women in media and society for a better future. The true meaning of female sexuality is to own your womanhood and femininity on every possible level. Take care of yourself, while always feeling pretty and healthy for you. How you feel about yourself on the inside is key, despite what the world may think of you on the outside. Yes, we can be liberated women, but we can also be self-assured, confident, and empowered. Let your feminine pride be shown. Can we be a little less big-picture and a little more direct?

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fem MEN ism BY DEVON REID

He looks in the mirror, his slim build and streamlined silhouette stare back at him, making his heart drop to the floor. “Be a man” echoes in his head over and over and over the voice of his father instilling fear into the back of his mind, pushing him to keep lifting, to keep getting bigger. He flexes, but hardly sees a difference; his veins are hiding in the deep layers of his skin, not even surfacing after a three-hour workout. He could only lift 95 pounds. The football field was a wasteland of shameand judgment. “You throw like a girl” they teased. “Get out of here, you pussy. Go back in the closet” He ran off the field to the locker room to take off the baggy football uniform and the ball that was too large for him to even pick up, let alone throw. He cried tears of anger as his fist collided with a steel locker, and a shot of pain fired through his nerves like electricity, causing him to wince. He slumped 52

his heavy shoulders, got his bag, and walked home defeated. The perpetual quest for being deemed as “worthy,” “acceptable,” and “attractive” by society’s standards does not only apply to women, as it is so often stereotyped. The phrase “be a man” is constantly hurled at men, meant to push them to dominate, to fight harder, to lift more, to be stronger, to rule over all. But is that what it really pushes men to do? Why is it that being called a girl is the worst thing a man can be called? Why is it that even though men and women are only genetically different by only about 3 percent, they are treated so differently? If a male isn’t athletic, tall, burly, why are they a “pussy”? Society shouldn’t force men and women to be shoved into a box or stick to coloring in the lines. Men don’t need to be the dominant, emotion-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT SPRING, STYLING BY NICOLE PLONSKI, MODELED BY ANDREW WELLBORN

less, or the spitting image of what it means to be tough. Men don’t need to be muscular to matter. Men don’t need to prove their sexuality. Men don’t need to be afraid of being perceived as effeminate. The media portrayal of men killing, exerting their control, and expressing a single emotion only provides reassurance that men are not allowed to show any variance of weakness. Men need to be empowered too. It’s about time we made gender roles and the idea of the aesthetically perfect body inconsequential so everyone can finally carry on with their lives without second-guessing every emotion they feel and every step they take in fear of being deported from society. It’s about time feMENism rises to show men there’s a place for them in this movement, too.

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BY CHERRY LAU Surrounded by artistic ambiance on Elizabeth Street, by the time I saw the rose pink hues of the Pietro Nolita restaurant, the spot had already captured my heart. Walking down the stairs led me to a whole new world—a pink paradise. All the fixtures, including the walls, the chairs, and tables, are embellished in the fancy pink palette. It’s certainly a place that makes your girly dreams come true. The presentation of their food is pleasantly congruous with the pink theme. The cappuccino that I ordered came in a pale pink cup, with a delicate pink cookie on the side. I loved the coffee waffle that I had as my breakfast. It was soft and fueled with caffeinated richness. Topped with caramelized almonds and whipped mascarpone, it satisfies your taste buds with a combination of textures. Their breakfast menu also comes with a range of options such as granola and soft scrambled

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egg crostini. It’s a perfect place to start your day, in such a pleasant hue of pink, while enjoying delicious food. They also offer dinner to answer your rosé-obsessed calls throughout the day.

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GLOBAL WOMEN INC. BY ANA CARVALHO

Every year thousands of international college students across the U.S. graduate andbegin searching for a job, by entering the workforce or through a graduate program. More are pursuing their entrepreneurial dream of business ownership. In 2015, 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by an immigrant or the child of an immigrant, and now they employ 10 percent of all American workers paying an estimate of $126 billion in wages per year. This includes some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic U.S.-based companies, from Google and eBay to Comcast, Nordstrom, and Goldman Sachs. The most interesting statistic about immigrant-run businesses is that 40 percent of all immigrant business owners are women, and 20 percent of all female business owners are foreign-born.

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Yet the impact of women’s economic empowerment goes beyond this. In the mass movement, the role of immigrant, female entrepreneurs in America has become an increasingly important component of the world economy, its productivity, and the pursuit of the American dream. They bring a unique perspective and drive. Many of todays female immigrants arrive ready to perform in a knowledge-based, global economy. They’re often the best and the brightest from their countries of origin. They have the risk-taking personalities of entrepreneurs. They dream big and work smart. There is increasing recognition that women entrepreneurs are the new force for inclusive and significant economic and industrial growth. So who are these women behind the statistics? And what got them here? They often come from different societies with strict views in traditional female roles, frequently set by cultural and religious beliefs, where women’s opportunities for engaging in paid work or starting up enterprises are often limited. This also included receiving limited or no education, training, or career advisement. Negar Jahanbin, an Iranian immigrant founder of Synergy HomeCare was only 4 years old when her family came to the United States. As a child watching her father start his own business, she learned some vital skills. “Coming to this country, you have no foundation to build on, so you have to have determination, commitment and a drive to succeed. I watched my family work hard to make it here, and it had a lasting effect on me,” says Jahanbin. Women come to this country with the same belief that men do, the entrepreneurial promise of America: if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard for it within your vision, you can succeed no matter your gender, religion, or race. These women overcome obstacles and put to action the wisdom and skills gained to create something new in their lives and contribute back to society. Their experiences and struggles and the ability of these women demonstrate that they are an asset to this country’s economy. Sallie Krawcheck, CEO of digital investment platform Ellevest and chairman of women’s networking group Ellevate agrees, “Together, they will drive a long-wave, golden age of female entrepreneurship, which will be a positive for all of us: positive and empowering for the women who make the leap, good for the economy, good for consumers, and good for society.”

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Feminism is a movement that has a great focus on breaking barriers: going places where no woman has gone before, but where she deserves to be. However, what if the job you want isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in a stereotypically male-dominated field like science? Are you going against feminism? 56

Absolutely not.

chief for six years at Marie Claire, then transitioned to the same position at Cosmopolitan. Coles turned Cosmopolitan from a fluff piece into a magazine focused on women’s rights with an overall feminist voice. Birth control, equal pay, and a women’s right to choose have become mainstay topics within the pages of the magazine. Recently, Coles was promoted to be the first-ever chief content officer at Hearst.

Fashion has long been boxed into the idea that it is not for intelligent or complex women. This couldn’t be farther from the truth with some of the most forward-thinking and, well, feminist women belonging to the fashion community.

The push toward more socially responsible clothing also ties into feminism. In factories, the workers are primarily women and can experience horrible working conditions. Many people claim if you shop somewhere that doesn’t provide safe working conditions and a livable wage for its workers, then it is unfeminist. At the end of 2014, controversy ensued when a T-shirt designed by Elle magazine that read “This is what feminism looks like” was reported to be made in a sweatshop. Whistles, the company selling the shirts, launched an investigation and determined it was a false claim. However, it was an eye opener to industry members of the ways we can be talking the talk but not actually walking the walk. Take Maria Grazia Chiuri, for example. She was at Valentino for 16 years and ended up becoming the co-creative director. In June, she was appointed sole creative director of Christian Dior, the first time a woman has held this position in the 70-year history of the brand. During Paris Fashion Week, she took the opportunity to capitalize on this with a feminist debut show. The most obvious display was when a model appeared wearing a T-shirt adorned with the words “We should all be feminists” written across it. In the designer’s show notes she stated, “I strive to be attentive and open to the world and to create fashion that resembles the women of today.” Another forward-thinking feminist in the fashion industry is Joanna Coles. She held the position of editor-in-

Even if fashion is stereotypically a woman’s field, a great deal of executive positions still belong to men. Take Kering and LVMH, two companies that, between them, own a huge chunk of design brands. Kering is run by Francois Pinault and LVMH by Bernard Arnault. Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Balmain, and Balenciaga, to name a few, each have a creative director who is male. While women are continuing to enter the workforce of the fashion industry, they are still rarely reaching the top. Until women stop being the face of fashion but not actually in control, as it is at J. Crew with Jenna Lyons recognizable as creative director with Mickey Drexler

as CEO, the industry will remain as unequal as any other. Women are as incredibly qualified and motivated as men, but decades of settling in a position below their capabilities has created a disproportiwonate distribution of power between the sexes. Luckily women are becoming responsive to the idea that this doesn’t have to be a permanent solution, and change is attainable. Science, technology, economics, and math or STEM fields require equal representation of women. While these are the most obviously unbalanced fields, they are not the only ones. Every profession, along with area of life, has work that needs to be done and none of them should be overlooked. Each has a road ahead before equality is truly procured. Thanks to empowered female role models and a general consensus to stop being complacent, the finish line seems to be in view for the first time.

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D A DE N E M t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; n ca l l a c t ca BY GILLIAN MILBERG

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mind how severely the victim was and will be impacted for the rest of her life? Probably not. Everyone has formed their own opinion about this case and cases similar to it. However, the real consequences ensue when people in power, such as the judge on Brock Turner’s case, let their personal (ill-informed) opinion cloud their judgement.

Of course I’ve been yelled at and whistled at. Worse, men have thrown glass bottles at me on a few separate occasions and another degenerate even threw a plate of chicken bones (including the plate) out of a car window at me while making sexual noises. I’ve been relentlessly pursued for blocks and blocks, and sometimes, I am extremely reluctant to openly turn men down, fearing for my own life. Unfortunately, this sounds all too familiar to most women. A Louisiana teen was sitting in her car waiting for a friend when men started catcalling her. When she ignored their advances, they threw a brass pipe through the open passenger window. To make matters worse, she is considered “one of the lucky ones” because she is still alive. Statistics as of 2014 show that 65 percent of all women and 25 percent of all men experienced street harassment at some point in their lives. What kind of world are we living in? Every time I get catcalled I think: “Do they think I’m going to jump in their pickup truck, snuggle between them, and ride into the sunset? No but really, what the f?” Statistics show that only 3 percent of people who experience street harassment find it complimentary. So why do men keep doing it? The central reason why men think they can catcall is because over the course of history, society taught them it was OK. Some may say that catcalling isn’t that bad in the grand scheme of things, but this is a very dangerous mentality. Catcalling is essentially the gateway to other misogynistic behavior such as harassment and rape. Catcalling is part of rape culture. Rape culture can be found even in places we thought we were safe: school.

Some argue that the victim was “asking for it” because of what they’re wearing. This notion always makes me laugh (because if I don’t laugh I’ll cry). It does not matter what you are wearing. Let me write that again for all of the school officials who have sent girls home for showing too much skin and for all the parents that scold their daughters for flaunting their midriffs. It does not matter what you are wearing because men who catcall and men who rape do not use that as a deciding factor. They will offend whether you are wearing a bikini or a parka. So what do we do? We fight back. Not with our fists, but with our minds. There are many initiatives to help this grave problem in the U.S and other countries. Due to the effectiveness of social media, activists have taken charge on platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. “10 Hours Walking in NYC as a Woman” is a viral YouTube video by Rob Bliss that has been viewed more than 43 million times. In it, a woman dressed in a black shirt and black pants walks down various New York City sidewalks. The amount of men that catcall her is unbelieveable. This video was an integral part in leading public discourse about catcalling. Anti-harassment groups such as Hollaback LA! (la.ihollaback.org) and Art Against Assault (artagainstassault.com) are nonprofit organizations that help bring awareness, tools, and educational materials to help end street harassment. Slowly but surely, instances of harassment that used to be part of mainstream society are becoming taboo and unacceptable. Some people believe that street harassment is just a few words yelled at someone out of a car window, a passing comment on the street or someone staring at you, but it can escalate very quickly if the person refuses or ignores a perpetrator. People have been followed, stalked, harassed,physically attacked, sexually assaulted, and even killed for not responding or responding negatively to street harassment. While not all men harass, all women do get harassed in one way or another. Now, it’s our generation’s responsibility to end it.

Here’s an astounding statistic for you: A woman’s chance of being raped in the U.S. is one in five. Just by being born a girl, I am in danger. And, just by going to college and being in a campus setting, my odds of being raped is one in four. Take Brock Turner, for example. He sexually assaulted a girl behind a dumpster and he barely got a slap on the wrist. He was sentenced to a mere six months behind bars for his heinous crime. Perhaps the most insulting part of Turner’s early release is the reason why. Judge Aaron Persky of Santa Clara Superior Court considered the “severe impact” a state prison sentence would have on an offender of Turner’s age, based on input from family and friends about how the conviction had already affected him. Did it ever cross his 59

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