BLUSH FALL
2015
UNAPOLOGETIC CONFIDENCE
LOV E S H O P P I N G ? LOV E FA S H I O N ?
GET THE UNiDAYS速 APP FOR HOT STUDENT SAVINGS Tweet #heyUNiDAYS for a chance to win a $150 gift card*
*Tweet using #heyUNiDAYS and you could win a $150 gift card from a UNiDAYS速 partner. Winner chosen at random. Closing date 11/16/15
BLUSH M A G A Z I N E Brittany Burgos EDITOR IN CHIEF Jordyn Ferriss CREATIVE DIRECTOR Senior Editors: Rebecca Aschen, Avanti Dalal Photography Director: Collins Nai Beauty Director: Cassandra Shaffer Fashion Director: Caroline Johnson Web Director: Mikayla Madigan Art Director: Joyce Xu Fashion Writer: Erik DeFruscio Beauty Writer: Melinda Batista Health Writer: Kathryn Farrell Senior Photo Editor: Daniel Marcella Senior Designer: Brittany Barbarite Advertising Sales: Fadwa Hussari, Natalie Zisa Online Fashion Writer: Kimberly Larco Web Editors: Taylor Bushy, Michaela Del Viscovo Social Media Directors: Aphrodite Takos, Aaron Valentic Social Media Editors: Kristine Chao, Alexandra Coulum, Kayla Green, Esther Kaplan, Audra Koch, Saoirse O’Connor, Nicolette Leslie, Angelina Rokakis Contributing Men’s Editor: Steven Rodriguez Contributors: Samantha Ayala, Gabby Azorsky, Gina Gargiulo, Vivianne Hamilton, Sydney Kuo, Sarah Michelson, Paulina Pikulinski, Stephanie Rommelt, Sabrina Sciortino, Laura Stillwagon, Kyle Ursin Laura Hatmaker ADVISOR Sponsored by the Fashion Institute of Technology Student Association
Fall 2015 ON THE EDGE FIGH T THE AU TU M N CHIL L WITH LOOK S THAT K IL L .
The Art of Shade S ER VE U P YO U R S IDEEYE WITH B O L D F RAM ES AN D DARIN G L EN S ES THAT WIL L M AK E HEADS TU RN .
THE NEW NORMAL Twisty Road Ahead
T H E FAS HIO N IN D USTRY IN T R O DUCE S M OD ELS F ROM ALL WAL K S OF LIFE .
L EARN HO W THE RU N WAY IS P U T T I N G A TWIS T O N CL AS S IC HAIR S T Y L E S .
CONTRIBUTORS CASSANDRA SHAFFER MAJOR Fashion Business Management HOMETOWN Sound Beach, New York FAVORITE MOVIE I love watching Guardians of the Galaxy because it has action, comedy, and even some romance. The movie also has a great soundtrack. FAVORITE THING ABOUT MYSELF My height. After years of crouching down and trying to make myself appear smaller, I now appreciate my tall frame. READING NOW Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Nadrews. LISTENING TO “Colors” by Halsey. CAREER ASPIRATIONS I hope to one day be a writer, editor, or creative director at a fashion magazine.
CAROLINE JOHNSON MAJOR Advertising & Marketing Communications HOMETOWN Chappaqua, New York FAVORITE MOVIE Titanic, because I’m a hopless romantic. FAVORITE THING ABOUT MYSELF My ability to listen to others. READING NOW Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht. Amazing career advice! LISTENING TO The Weeknd, on repeat. CAREER ASPIRATIONS I hope to start and direct my own non-profit that works with children.
NICOLETTE LESLIE
MAJOR Fashion Design HOMETOWN Woodstock, New York FAVORITE MOVIE Bridesmaids. There is never a dull moment and I’m always in the mood for comedy. FAVORITE THING ABOUT MYSELF My eyes. I have naturally long and curly lashes that I love to play up. READING NOW The Duchess by Amanda Foreman LISTENING TO “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by Young the Giant, and “You Know I’m No Good” by Amy Winehouse. CAREER ASPIRATIONS I want to have a lingerie line that empowers women to be body positive. Nothing is sexier than confidence, but beautiful lingerie doesn’t hurt!
3
Letter from the editor N
o, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, Blush is bigger than it’s ever been before. It’s also a bit more grown up—in a rebellious older sister kind of way. When I learned that I would be editor-in-chief, I knew some big changes were about to happen. I love the old Blush, but I felt that a better representation of our FIT population was something less traditionally girly, and more chicly untamed. The muse for this issue was you: for not being afraid to stand out, to be yourself, and especially for not giving a sh*t about what people think or say about you. Unapologetic Confidence is all about knowing you’re amazing and not listening to those who try to bring you down. We packed this issue with meaningful articles about topics we care about, like Aerie’s portrayal of women without digital retouching, bloggers promoting body positivity, and the harm in “dressing for your body” tips. Beauty and fashion will always be the backbone of Blush; we just thought we’d add a bit of humanity into these deeply visual topics. Flip through and enjoy the renovation, and remember: never apologize for being yourself. You may be rough around the edges, but that’s the best part about you. Brittany Burgos, Editor-In-Chief
Have any feedback about the issue? Tweet us @blushmagfit with #UnapologeticConfidence.
4
Letter from the creative director
A
s each semester approaches we must prepare ourselves for the changes that come along with it. Whether it be in our personal or professional lives, change is something we should embrace with open arms, no matter how scary that may seem. Since joining Blush in my freshman year I have seen the magazine go through plenty of changes. With our third wonderful editor-in-chief, Brittany, Blush is turning a new leaf and is well on its way to becoming the best Blush it can be.
Of course, the creative team is thrilled about our new larger size. The new bigger Blush allows our photographers, designers, and illustrators to see their hard work in a more impactful way. With all the issues we produce we strive to make a statement on campus, and that is more apparent with this issue than any other we’ve done before. We’re starting off the academic year pushing our boundaries, both editorial and creative. Blush continues to grow edgier each year with the help of the amazing creative minds who contribute to each issue. Without them, there would be no stunning fashion and beauty stories, vivid page layouts, or dreamy illustrations. This letter is a personal thank you to all those who have spent time on making this magazine into what it is today. My appreciation for you is never ending. From all of us on the Blush creative team; we hope you love reading this issue just as much as we loved making it. Jordyn Ferriss, Creative Director
5
Want more Blush? Find us on the web and on social media!
B L U S H M A G F I T. C O M I N S TA G R A M . C O M / B L U S H M A G F I T TWITTER.COM/BLUSHMAGFIT FA C E B O O K . C O M / B L U S H M A G F I T ISSUU.COM/BLUSHMAGFIT
See you there.
BLUSh
BEAUTY NEWS
By Melinda Batista
J E S S I C A A L B A’ S H O N E S T B E A U T Y
Jessica Alba is one of the most popular celebrities for hair and beauty inspiration. Attaining locks and lovely makeup like this actress-turned-entrepreneur will soon be easier than referencing her red-carpet photos. Alba co-founded The Honest Company in 2011 and the brand has quickly grown into a billion-dollar endeavor. The actress and entrepreneur is now expanding the brand with a line of beauty products—skin care, hair care and color cosmetics—for the fall.“The values we stand for—safe, effective products to lead a healthy life—translate into every vertical,”Alba told WWD. “Beauty was always part of the plan. It was just a matter of when, how and being able to execute it properly. I didn’t want to do this half-ass.” With many of the formulas taking years to get right, Alba has been working hard on Honest Beauty for a long time. “I went to the labs, I worked with chemists, packaging companies to customize packaging, and the copy on both the website and the packaging,” she said. The range is stunning with sleek, magnetized compacts filled with blushes, balms, and cream foundations in a diverse range of shades. Her love for beauty is diversifying her company. The brand’s newest additions launched on September 10, and are sold exclusively at honestbeauty.com.
A ROUGE FOR EVERY WOMAN
Red lipstick lovers, the L’Oréal Pure Reds Collection was made for you! L’Oréal Paris’ new Colour Riche Collection Exclusive consists of the perfect reds to kick-start autumn beauty. These reds are more than your typical lip shade—they’re bold, iconic, and are tailor-made to complement the complexion of every skin tone. This collection includes a shade for each of L’Oréal’s spokespersons: Blake Lively, Doutzen Kroes, Eva Longoria, Freida Pinto, Jennifer Lopez and Laetitia Casta. With a red designed for every woman, the lipstick glides on smoothly for a matte finish and velvety soft feel. Retailing for $8.99 each, these lipsticks are long-lasting, non-drying mattes that are absolute must-haves in every woman’s makeup bag.
A N T H O N Y VA C C A R E L L O F O R L A N C Ô M E
If you’re a fan of Anthony Vaccarello, whose namesake sultry French clothing line is worn by A-listers like J.Lo and Gwyneth Paltrow, get ready for this: Lancôme collaborated with the designer and creative director of Versus Versace on a makeup collection launched in the beginning of October. Lancôme sponsored the dreamy makeup look for Vaccarello’sautumn/winter 2015 show, and took the collaboration further with a limited-edition cosmetic range that reflects Vaccarello’s signature asymmetric cuts. Before the launch, Lancôme stated in a press release that the designer would be “reinventing Lancôme makeup with an exceptional collection.” Vaccarello said, “I was inspired by the Lancôme woman’s femininity and charisma—a special kind of elegance that’s never lifeless nor frozen.” Lancôme has been fairly selective about the brands with which it chooses to collaborate. In the last few years, limited edition collections with Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz and Jason Wu have been created. Anthony Vaccarello seems to be the beauty game-changer for Lancôme.
7
r e f l e x P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y PA U L I N A P I K U L I N S K I CREATIVE DIRECTION & STYLING COLLINS NAI HAIR & MAKEUP SYDNEY KUO MODEL LAURA STILLWAGON
SUNGLASSES FENDI Crystal Tip Cat Eye
SUNGLASSES DIOR Reflected
SUNGLASSES Thrifted
SUNGLASSES DIOR Technologic
BEAUTY
TWISTY ROAD AHEAD
By Cassandra Shaffer
Never been able to master the French braid? Has trying to create a perfect fishtail or waterfall braid caused you more hair trauma than you’d like to admit? Well stress no more, the newest hair trend is easy to master and looks great on nearly every hair length and texture. One of the biggest trends to come out of this past New York Fashion Week was the hair twist. Designers like Public School, Altuzarra, Gypsy Sport, and Tanya Taylor all sent models down the runway with twisted ponytails, buns, and half-updos. This hairstyle is incredibly easy to create and is super versatile. You can style it in many different ways— from a prim and proper twisted bun to a grungy head of twisted dreadlocks. Any way you choose, this hairstyle will certainly add an unexpected twist to every look!
◄ FOR A TWISTED BUN
To begin, make a deep side part from the crown of your head to the nape of your neck. Tie the section with less hair with an elastic to keep it from getting in your way. Next, run a styling cream through the bigger section of hair to give your strands some grip. At the top of your head, begin gathering the hair closest to your forehead and twist it away from your face. Continue gathering more hair into your twist as you make your way down the side of your head. When you reach your neck, secure your hair into a low bun. Remove the other section of hair from its elastic and wrap it around the bun to add fullness. Use bobby pins to secure your twist in place as needed and finish your look with hairspray. For an effortless look, take out a few pieces of hair by your ears and forehead to look perfectly undone.
FOR A TWISTED PONY
►
First create a high ponytail and use a shine-enhancing hairspray for added sleekness. The hairstylists at the Public School show split the hair into two even sections and twisted each section counterclockwise. They then intertwined those two sections by twisting them around each other counterclockwise. Secure the end of your ponytail with an elastic to secure your twist. Add another spritz of the hairspray to complete your look.
◄ FOR HALF-UP TWISTS
For a quick and easy look, let your hair dry naturally and run a hair serum through your strands to combat frizz. Find your natural part and take two medium-sized sections of hair by your ears and start twisting them away from your face. Like the hairstylists at Altuzarra, take a clear elastic to secure the two twists together and flip the tail over the twists to secure your style. Shine Control Hairspray: Bed Head ($12, amazon.com) Styling Cream: L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Txt It 02 Hyper-Fix Putty ($3.99, target.com) Styling Polish: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum ($9.99, ulta.com)
14
H E A LT H
GI & GL: Finding the Right Balance By Stephanie Rommelt
Whether you're preparing to walk across the entire Brooklyn Bridge and back, or “simply” wake up for an 8 am class, it is essential to fuel your body accordingly. Sometimes you may eat a meal hoping to re-energize, only to end up feeling more tired. To avoid this, it is important to understand the relationship between glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). GI measures how quickly the glucose from a carbohydraterich food enters the bloodstream, and GL represents the amount that each gram of a carbohydrate raises blood glucose levels. A low-to-moderate GI diet is associated with preventing cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity. Below, two GI recipes that will keep your body satisfied and your tastebuds happy. SALMON AND CUCUMBER SUSHI ROLL I N G R E D I E N T S: 1 nori sheet; 50 g salmon fillets thinly sliced; ¼ cucumber thinly sliced lengthwise; soy sauce; wasabi (optional); 50 g white or brown rice; 12 ml rice vinegar T O O L S: Bamboo sushi mat D I R E C T I O N S: • Place nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat. Use wet fingertips to spread cooked rice to cover the nori sheet. • Place slices of salmon and cucumber across the length of the rice about 2.5 cm away from the edge nearest to you. • Moisten the far edge of the nori sheet so that it will stick. Lift the mat closest to you and roll slowly, applying gentle pressure. Press down on the moistened edge to seal. • Put in a container and bring to your afternoon class. This balanced meal will provide you with a full stomach and keep you focused. S A LT E D V A N I L L A S U N F L O W E R B U T T E R I N G R E D I E N T S: 2 cups unsalted roasted sunflower seeds; 1 tbsp organic vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt T O O L S: Food processor or high-speed blender, offset spatula, resealable 12 oz. glass jar or container D I R E C T I O N S: • Combine the three ingredients into a food processor, then blend on high in intervals of 30 seconds for 12 minutes. • In between pulses, use a spatula to scrape down the sides to combine it with the rest of the mixture. When finished, the mixture will have a smooth, buttery texture. • Transfer the freshly mixed butter into a mason jar and store for up to three months. Enjoy with apple slices for a refreshing treat.
15
LIFESTYLE
Love to Be Local
By Rebecca Aschen
It can happen to even the most explorative city dwellers; despite residing in the mega-metropolis of Manhattan, brimming with enticing eating establishments, multicultural museums, and retail wonders galore, we’ve all been guilty of taking the big apple for granted. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite city spots that we urge you to check out this fall. BY CHLOE
All of you vegans out there know the struggle of finding a restaurant that serves your dietary needs without completely scaring off your carnivorous friends. Enter By Chloe: this cute, counter-service restaurant in The Village is a vegan-eater’shaven, but the plant-based mock-chorizo, air-baked fries, and guilt-free baked goods will have even your most skeptical meat-eating friends asking you to save them a seat for dinner.
LA COLOMBE
SoHo’s La Colombe has all of the classic components of the cliché coffee shop you crave; lots of seating, a too-cool-for-you hipster crowd, easy-going ambiance, and let’s not forget: cold-brew on tap. That’s right, their cold brew is in such high demand that they opted to put it on the tap for their eager coffee enthusiasts. Hurry up and pick yourself up a cup before the chilly winds blow away any desire for an iced coffee.
B U F FA L O E X C H A N G E
We all are well aware that the city is expensive—trying to maintain an on-trend wardrobe that is up to FIT students’ standards is quite the feat already, not to mention maintaining it on a student’s budget. Buffalo Exchange is the ultimate thrift shop to peruse, as their racks are stuffed with the exiled wonders of Chelsea’s best dressed. Your wallet and your wardrobe will thank you.
W O N D E R L A N D B E A U T Y PA R L O R
When a Sephora can be found approximately every 20-or-so-blocks in Manhattan, it is unsurprising that the brands the retailer hosts are becoming a bit of bore. Enter Wonderland Beauty Parlor, a magical niche beauty supplier offering brands that are hard to track down, like Lipstick Queen and RMS. You can stock up on products from your lust list while pampering yourself at their high-end salon.
THE WHITNEY
The Whitney’s recent re-opening in the Meatpacking District allows for its 20th- and 21st-century American art to be beautifully housed in an ultramodern, nine-story structure. The picturesque views of the water rival even the most priceless pieces of art. The additions of an education center, theater, conservation lab, library and restaurant make this museum your next destination when craving cultural stimulation.
16
LIFESTYLE
Taking a Look at ListaPost By Esther Kaplan
Have you ever seen a picture on Instagram that you absolutely had to have for yourself? It could have been a snap of you and your friends from a wild night out, a delicious recipe posted by your favorite food blogger, or the most recent Kim K selfie. As you went to save it, you realized that in order to save the picture, you had to take a screenshot. Bummer. Ben Nazarian, founder and CEO of ListaPost, has the solution to all your Instagram issues—and tells us why ListaPost is app-solutely amazing. HI! FIRST OFF, CAN YOU GIVE BLUSH READERS A GENERAL IDEA OF WHAT LISTAPOST IS? ListaPost is a mobile app that lets you save Instagram posts without taking screenshots. The app actually links up with your Instagram feed and allows you to create organized lists of saved pictures, upload a collection of 10 pictures as a slide show onto Instagram and share your favorite pictures through Twitter, Facebook, email or text. THAT’S AWESOME. I AM CONSTANTLY WANTING TO SAVE PICTURES THAT MY FRIENDS POST AND END UP HAVING TO SCREENSHOT THEM. HOW DID THIS APP COME ABOUT? WHERE DID YOU GET THE INSPIRATION FOR IT? I noticed a need for something like this. My friends would send me screenshots of Instagram pictures, and those screenshots got lost within their photo albums with no real way to keep track of or organize them. So many people use Instagram for inspiration, too. Anything creative by nature can be found there and there is no real way to save pictures on the app if you find something helpful. Through ListaPost, users can easily keep track of all of their favorite images and easily share them with others, whether that be for business or for fun. DO YOU THINK INSTAGRAM WILL LAUNCH A PICTURE-SAVING FEATURE ANYTIME SOON? No, I don’t think so, because Instagram is more interested in monetizing through working with brands and hashtags. A picture-saving feature is probably not at the top of their to-do list, because it would complicate what their main focus is. We do create content directly for Instagram, though. People may save a bunch of pictures, organize them into a slide show on ListaPost, and then share it directly back onto Instagram. This feature allows for content creators to tell a story as opposed to only posting one picture at a time. THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE! ON ANOTHER TOPIC, ALL OF US AT FIT ARE VERY CAREER DRIVEN. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW. WHERE DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? I went to the University of Southern California Law School. Creating apps and a technology-focused career was not planned and came about randomly. I am definitely not a tech-y guy, but I saw a problem and jumped at the opportunity! There was a clear need for something like ListaPost, and I wanted to help. Before ListaPost came about, I had just created an app called WannaGo where users can easily save new places they have visited or places they want to go. It helps you organize, share, and find your favorite places to eat, shop, and travel to. After that, I got the idea for ListaPost! BOTH APPS SOUND EXTREMELY HELPFUL. JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY IN THE OFFICE LIKE FOR YOU? We are a startup, so everyone does a little bit of everything. My time is mainly split between working in product development and overseeing marketing. The job definitely never gets boring. IT SOUNDS LIKE NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME. NOW, FOR MY LAST QUESTION... DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE FOR ANY FIT STUDENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN APP CREATION OR ANYTHING IN THE MEDIA? The best way to learn is to work at a company where you can see what it is like firsthand. There is nothing as valuable as real life experience.
After the interview, we quickly went to the app store and downloaded ListaPost. It is THE solution to one of the main issues on Instagram. Try it for yourself and let us know what you think and find us on instagram @blushmagfit!
17
CINNAMON BAKED APPLES WITH GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBLE
18
Fall Forward
By Daniel Marcella and Collins Nai
As the season has shifted from warm summer days to brisk autumn breezes, we exchange ice cream cones for sweet apple pies and barbecue for savory autumn comfort foods. Experiment with new recipes this season by taking fresh summer classics and giving them a fall flare. A summer favorite like a tomato bruschetta can be turned into a savory autumn snack. Incorporate less traditional ingredients like roasted eggplant spread on a freshly toasted French baguette, fresh diced tomatoes, feta cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a dash of salt. Voilà , your favorite summer treat is now dressed for autumn. Whether you are using fresh apples just picked from your local orchard, or crisp Fuji apples from Whole Foods, apples are a quintessential rich and healthy treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. Try this take on an apple pie by coring and hollowing an apple, mixing the apple filling with some cinnamon, brown sugar, and a squeeze of lemon juice for freshness. Fill the hollowed apple with the mixture and top it off with a graham cracker crumble. You can choose to eat this treat as is, or pop it in the oven until it’s lightly golden brown. As we step forward through fall, treat yourself well by eating deliciously and nutritiously! Food & Photography by @CDDaily_
ROASTED EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA WITH TOMATOES , FETA CHEESE & OLIVE OIL DRIZZLE
19
FA S H I O N
Fall Into Fashion Statements We ♥ By Sabrina Sciortino
As the fall fashion shows end, fashionistas reflect and study trend-setters who look forward to the next season. Here is our round up of everything you will be spotting, shopping for, and wearing in the months to come. One big trend that has already made major waves is flares. Take a break from the skinny silhouette and pull on some flared pants instead. Make your legs look elongated by pairing them with heels or chunky wedges. The ‘70s prevail this season, and the key to nailing the 2015 interpretation is to pair them with modern trends. Make a bold statement by wearing flares in other colors, prints and patterns. If your style is more understated, pair crisp black flares with a denim or chambray shirt. Pull the outfit together with beige or brown accessories and you’ve got yourself the classic American look. AEO DENIM X BOHO ARTIST FLARE JEAN, $54.95, AVAILABLE AT AMERICAN EAGLE.
►
Who doesn’t love chunky knits? Sometimes a gal just wants to cuddle up in a snuggly sweater, right? Well you’re in luck because designers are providing endless options this season. When it’s cold outside, you can often find fashionistas cozying up in a chunky cable knit sweater. It’s the cool weather staple that every trendsetter owns—whether at home, out running errands, or hanging with friends, this essential is perfect for any occasion. You can dress up your chunky sweater by wearing a tutu skirt or leather pants. If you’re feeling a bit more preppy, layer a crisp, collared shirt underneath. CHUNKY SWEATER IN TWIST YARN WITH
► TURTLENECK – NUDE, $40, AVAILABLE AT ASOS.
With an arctic chill in the air, we have no other option but to bundle up. The stylish solution is a cozy, padded puffer jacket that insulates and seals in the heat. This season, bold colors, interesting cuts, and cool add-ons will update your winter outerwear. Get your hands on a sleek, modern-cut puffer jacket with quilting that will flatter any silhouette. Look for jackets that reach around mid thigh—anything longer may swallow up your figure and anything too cropped can exaggerate the “puffy” appearance. Mid-length puffer jackets are your best bet for working your most stylish ensembles. BETSEY JOHNSON QUILTED PUFFER COAT, $235, AVAILABLE AT MACY’S.
20
►
FA S H I O N
Repping Your Team In Style By Gina Gargiulo
It’s game day and you already have enough to worry about— the food you plan to prepare, where you’re going to watch the game, and betting on which team is going to win. But what are you going to wear? Picking out a fashionable outfit on a day-to-day basis is hard enough, so we’re here to help make this football season an easy pass for you. Follow these simple game plans on how to style your favorite team’s jersey. If you’re good at handling a needle and thread, then this one’s for you. Put the jersey on and pinch the sides to see how much material you're going to take off. Once you have the desired look, record the measurements and mark it using a sharpie. Pin along the line you created to keep the fabric together, then sew along the line. Cut along the seam and finish the edge with one last stitch. Repeat on the other side. Now you’ve created a custom-made, form-fitting jersey dress. Not so keen on sewing? No worries! A cropped jersey can be achieved in seconds with the help from just a scissor. Simply take your favorite team’s jersey and measure where you want it to cut-off. Cut right across that line, and ta-da! Stylish in seconds. If your artistic abilities aren’t up to par, there are styles for you as well. You can match up your favorite jersey with your favorite pencil skirt for some unexpected elegance at your next sporting event. If you’d rather put your efforts into retail shopping, check out the PINK NFL Collection at Victoria’s Secret. They supply adorable ready-topurchase apparel for all of your favorite teams.
21
FIT STREET Style NAME Alyssa Hardy
“Body confidence means to love who you are.” NAME Kedeisha Rose MAJOR CFM
In honor of our “Unapologetic Confidence” issue, we asked FIT students: What does body confidence mean to you?
“I view my body as a vessel that I was given, I think that whatever personality you have shines through and resonates to show your true beauty.”
“Being able to wear whatever you want without caring what others think.”
“Being proud of your appearance.”
NAME Annette Pramono MAJOR FBM
NAME Min Kim MAJOR FBM
“Body confidence means to be happy with the person you are, inside and out.”
NAME Soomin Lee MAJOR Interior Design
“Body confidence means being comfortable in your own skin.”
NAME Stephanie Parlato MAJOR Fashion Design NAME Frederico MAJOR FBM
“To me, body confidence means to love yourself and others.” NAME Jessica Wu MAJOR AMC
“To feel alive and show people what you believe in, and expressing yourself in any way possible.”
FA S H I O N
Breaking Free: Androgynous Dressing By Brittany Burgos
Androgyny is not a new concept to the fashion world. Structured jackets, boyfriend jeans, and oversized sweaters have been staples in women’s wardrobes for years. Beloved icons such as David Bowie and Mick Jagger stood out from the crowd for their unabashed attitudes about wearing ensembles typically seen on women. Although it has happened before, it has never happened on a scale quite this large. Designers like J.W. Anderson and Alessandro Michele for Gucci flipped the script in their F/W 2015 shows by inserting traditionally feminine silhouettes into entire menswear collections. Female models with boyish frames and male models with feminine features walked the runways in celebration of the fusion of both worlds. Yves Saint Laurent is another fashion house that often incorporates androgynous models in their shows, which appeals to stars like Harry Styles, who is never afraid to wear tight jeans and a blousey top. Designers have begun to forgo gender expectations and instead allow people to dress like people, instead of boys dressing like boys and girls dressing like girls. Masculinity and femininity are not often found completely separated from each other, but rather in kaleidoscopic mixtures of light and dark. Life is one big gray area, and it is refreshing to see the fashion world (as well as the real world) begin to understand and celebrate this. This uninhibited way of living—to dress and act how you feel like dressing and acting—is something that is finally being recognized as a good thing, instead of a taboo thing. Our society’s newfound dialogue concerning androgyny has been sparked by topics such as gender neutral parenting, which occurs when parents raise their kids without forcing them to act like a certain gender. Instead, they allow the children to act, play, and dress how they choose. This allows kids to define their identity for themselves, instead of feeling like they must behave a certain way in order to please the people around them. The conversation has also been fueled by more lighthearted matters, such as the everlasting love for Ruby Rose. The Australian beauty appeared on the third season of Orange Is the New Black, and made guys and girls everywhere swoon. In 2014, Rose posted a video on YouTube that depicts the dynamics of gender identity—the way it can change over time to coincide with a person’s selfhood. The video, titled “Break Free”, wonderfully illustrates a person’s transformation from unhappy and conformed to expressive and confident. This reinforces the ideal that embracing one’s own individuality is essential to finding happiness in life and staying sane. It is important to act, play, and dress the way that feels right to you.
24
FA S H I O N
Lengthy GET THE LOOK: Layers Illustrated by Nicolette Leslie
NECKLACE: New Look Shard Necklace, $14.50 BOOTS: Daisy Street Black Chunky Heeled Boots, $73 SWEATER: Boohoo Split Side Maxi Cardigan, $32 SKIRT: ASOS Petite Exclusive A-line Mini Skirt With Button Front, $32 TOP: ASOS Petite Sleeveless Shirt, $36 All of these items can be found on asos.com
25
DRESS Oak + Fort CHOKER Sterling King
Ambiance Ambiance Ambiance Ambiance PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING COLLINS NAI MAKEUP JORDYN FERRISS STYLING ASSISTANT GABBY AZORSKY MODEL VIVIANNE HAMILTON WITH APM MODELS
DRESS Oak + Fort CHOKER Sterling King
COAT Oak + Fort
CAPLETTE Oak + Fort JUMPSUIT Oak + Fort CUFF Sterling King
TOP Sterling King
TOP & SKIRT Sterling King
CAPE & TROUSERS Sterling King SHOES Chinese Laundry
JACKET Sterling King DRESS Oak + Fort
DRESS Sterling King BOOTS Acne Studios
FA S H I O N
Interview Attire: Finding Your Power Look By Sarah Michelson
From the upcoming Advertising and Marketing Communications Career Fair to future job-seeking endeavors, we will be going on countless interviews in our lifetimes. As FIT students, we know that the key to landing the position we want is to look the part while standing out. When you look put-together, you present an image of confidence and competence that is attractive to employers. As shallow as it seems, your appearance prompts a snap-judgment, even before you open your mouth. A stained shirt and hole-y jeans is obviously a no-go for an interview, but there are certain trendy looks you should steer clear of as well. Avoid shorts, flip-flops, and overly sexy tops or dresses. While we’d all love to go from a Netflix marathon in our sweats to a job interview, that’s not realistic. Putting together an outfit that you feel comfortable yet confident in is the key to a great first impression. Cultivating a signature look is something we pride ourselves on as New Yorkers and FIT students. It can be hard to look professional and still be comfortable in our own skin. Trying to maintain your sense of self while fitting the employee image of a certain company can be discouraging, especially when you want to wear a sequined pencil skirt or metallic kicks. Once you land the job or internship of your dreams, it’s easy to determine how to dress on the job; simply observe how your fellow employees dress and put your own spin on their uniform. Before that, there are ways to tailor your look to fit a professional setting, whatever that setting may be. Finding that balance between appropriate and fashion-forward can be tricky, especially for people with a creative (and sometimes unusual) sense of style. The best way to find your power look is to mix classic professional clothing with items that show your personality. If you love edgy accents, like studs and grommets, keep them subtle on your shoes or handbag. If you rock cropped sweaters on a regular basis, layer a crisp button down underneath and pick a more conservative skirt or pair of pants. If worn correctly, statement pieces, kick-ass shoes or a gorgeous necklace can start a great conversation with your interviewer. It is crucial to tailor your personal look to the company you are interviewing with, as companies need to see that you can fit into their existing environment. When you master this combo of professional and personal, you will have scored an awesome first impression and the job is as good as yours! Perhaps the best example of a professional yet individual look is Olivia Pope’s in the widely beloved TV show Scandal. We all marvel at Pope’s gorgeous style, and it’s clear that she brings her own sense of femininity and glamour to stuffy Washington, D.C. Her confidence is mirrored in her wardrobe, and that is what finding your power look is all about. You can wear that sequined pencil skirt, but make it professional with a solid blazer and minimal accessories. With that, you are well on your way to being a professional powerhouse.
A M C CA R E E R FA I R
D A T E ► NOVEMBER 18 I N S T A G R A M ►FITAMCCAREEREXPO ◄S N A P C H A T Q R C O D E
36
FA S H I O N
BS Stands for Body Shaming
By Caroline Johnson
Earlier this year, an article was published in O Magazine that laid down the law on crop tops, saying that only people with completely flat stomachs can wear such a risqué item of clothing. Sassy Buzzfeed writer Kristin Chirico (pictured right) responded to the article with her post titled, “I Wore Crop Tops for a Week as a PlusSize Woman and This Is What Happened.” Incidentally, the internet (mostly Twitter) took major offenseand the hashtag #RockTheCrop was born. When I saw the headline of this Buzzfeed article, without knowing its relation to the O Magazine issue, I was honestly a little startled that this was even a topic that needed to be written about. The main thought running through my head was, Who cares what she’s wearing? After thinking about it for a second, I realized: Of course it needed to be talked about. Body confidence is a huge part of everyone’s life, especially those who care about fashion. This made me think: Are fashion “rules” really necessary? After all, the “no white after labor day” idea has pretty much bitten the dust and I can wear black to a wedding if I want to. Shouldn’t that mindset, especially in 2015, apply to dressing-for-your-body guidelines? Can’t women wear whatever they want, when they want to? It is unacceptable for a magazine owned by such a highly respected woman to discourage girls from an item of clothing just because their stomachs may not be society’s idea of perfection. In her own epically entertaining voice, Chirico describes, in detail, the week in which she wore this “forbidden” item of clothing with guilt, a lot of fear and a little embarrassment for the first couple of days. As the week wore on, her do not give a f*** attitude kicked in and she realized this: “Our bodies are not here to be appealing to other people.” Preach, girl. The fashion industry isn’t for the faint of heart, but it also shouldn’t be a mechanism for tearing one another down. As women coming of age, we should wear whatever makes us comfortable, no matter what that might be. Life is not about wearing outfits that will please others, but about rocking outfits that please yourself. After all, rules are meant to be broken.
37
PERSPECTIVE
Bloggers Promote Body Positivity
By Kathryn Farrell | Illustrated by Kyle Ursin
Do you remember a time in your life when you didn’t have something about your body you wanted to change? When everything was perfect and you were proud of everything that made you you? Most people can’t. This is a sad reality of our society today. With Photoshop, the magnitude of celebrity culture, and social media, we constantly put our bodies under scrutiny. But some people are trying to change all that. A movement called body positivity has gained popularity among fashion bloggers, video bloggers, and even mainstream news. Body positivity refers to boosting body image at any weight by accepting one’s body and physical appearance as a unique part of each individual and spreading that to others. Body positivity is a mentality that ends body shaming and embraces the beautiful shapes and sizes we all come in. It is a movement changing the way we view, accept, and appreciate our bodies, no matter their shape or size. Fashion bloggers are some of the most prominent influencers in this movement; bloggers from My Curves & Curls, Everything Curvy and Chic, and Ravings by Rae share fashion looks for their body types. The bloggers’ main messages focus on exuding confidence in their bodies and dressing for their curves. These ladies promote self acceptance and confidence when it comes to fashion; someone’s dress size does not determine their ability to be stylish, confident, and most importantly, happy. The community of body positive fashion bloggers is growing, but this movement is not limited to the fashion world. People of any age or gender can learn from this mentality of acceptance and put a stop to shaming someone for their appearance. Try giving compliments daily, including to yourself. Pointing out the things you love about yourself will help reinforce the fact that a number on a scale means nothing about the type of person you are. You are so much more than your body type; remember that by staying #BodyPositive.
38
PERSPECTIVE
Aerie Keeps It Real
By Samantha Ayala | Illustrated by Kyle Ursin Most times, every inch of a photo is edited, from the model’s hair to her eyes and stomach, which presents us with an unrealistic image of what perfection is “supposed” to be. Whether we notice it or not, these ads affect our mindset and place society in situations of wanting to be something that is impossible to achieve. This mindset needs to be fixed; we need a revolution. There needs to be a switch to the other direction, where all parts of media start showing consumers why we should love ourselves for who we are and push us to become comfortable in our own skin. Luckily, in recent years Aerie has taken the first step into being a brand with a real image for the real consumer. In Spring 2014, Aerie, a lingerie store owned by American Eagle, started their #aerieReal campaign that features models who are airbrush-free, with no retouching of any kind. All of Aerie’s models have natural, healthy-looking makeup and are put on a set with great lighting just being themselves while posing away. To make the message clearer, the brand has put the following statement on their ads: “The girl in this photo has not been retouched.” The brand even stated that the new campaign, "challenges supermodel standards by featuring unretouched models in their latest collection of bras, undies and apparel.” Aerie took a step in a new direction most fashion brands and magazines would never dare to go. What’s also great about this move is whom Aerie is reaching out to. The target market for Aerie consists of high school and college girls between the ages of 15 and 21 years old. With a demographic like this, it’s more than beneficial to make a change like Aerie has done since the media influences most women within this type of target market tremendously. Aerie isn’t only pushing their new campaign through ads, but incorporating it into their website as well. Now online shoppers of Aerie can shop for their bra sizes while looking at the featured model with the same “ideal” bra size. This gives online shoppers an easy and stress-free shopping experience while feeling connected and cared for by the brand. Emma Roberts, star of the new Fox hit TV series Scream Queens, has been the only celebrity so far who was willing to jump on board with Aerie to help promote their #aerieReal campaign. Roberts was thrilled to be asked because no other celebrity has done this campaign and she’s been a fan of American Eagle and Aerie since she was young. Roberts has seen the ads for herself and believes that, “those girls look so amazing. Unlike other ads that make me feel like I need to work out more, or I need to buy this for my face — those made me feel good, not like I had to hide behind anything.” Roberts wasn’t nervous knowing her photos wouldn’t be photoshopped, She said it actually boosted her confidence and made her feel relaxed knowing there was no pressure. Roberts describes her usual photoshoot experiences as, “stylists are handing you designer clothes: “Wear this, wear this!” — pinning them on you, and you’re sucking it in, trying to make sure you stand right. And this has been such a different experience. I actually look like myself, and not like Styled Emma Roberts, which is a first for me.” What we can take from her experience is that being ourselves isn’t as hard or tedious as is trying to be something we aren’t. By being real we truly learn to appreciate how we look in the mirror, take advantage of our lives, and portray ourselves the way we like without feeling incomplete or ashamed. To love ourselves for who we are isn’t wrong; it’s right. When Emma Roberts saw her photos she thought, “This is great—this is just me, in clothes I feel good in, being who I am." In the end, we should all strive to have the same mindset to be ourselves, to be real.
39
PERSPECTIVE
Confidence: The New Normal By Erik DeFruscio | Illustrated by Kyle Ursin
N
ew York Fashion Week is known for the debut of beautiful and luxurious collections from dozens of designers. This week is not solely important for the designers anymore; NYFW is now just as important for the models walking in the shows. Their dreams of being seen on the runway and becoming the new face of a fragrance, brand, or campaign could all come true because of an appearance in one show. During the spring 2016 NYFW, a new face was seen on the runway— Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old model with Down syndrome and a leaky heart valve. Stuart is originally from Australia and was first widely recognized after her photos on Facebook went viral earlier this year. Since the buzz began, Stuart and her mother, Roseanne, have been going through multiple international modeling requests. They ultimately decided that Stuart would walk for the American label FTL Moda’s Spring 2016 collection. On September 13, 2015, Stuart walked down the runway showcasing two killer outfits and walked the finale of Moda under the direction of Pablo Patane. “When we were asked to do New York Fashion Week, it didn’t surprise me,” Roseanne said in an interview with Cosmopolitan, “She’s been asked to do a lot of stuff and I was hoping she’d get asked to do NYFW, but I assumed it would happen.” Stuart is the second model with Down syndrome to walk in NYFW. Jamie Brewer, beloved actress of American Horror Story, made history as the first model with Down syndrome to walk in NYFW this past February. “Imagine in 10 years what society will be like for people with disabilities,” says Roseanne. “It’s not going to be how it is now, it’s going to be the norm. It’s probably going to be cool to hang out with someone who has an intellectual disability because you know that they care more about emotions than they do about the materialistic world. Everyone’s going to want that friend to teach them what true love is.” When Stuart first announced that she was modeling in NYFW, she posted a photo on her Instagram account with the hashtag, #FashionFreeFromConfines. This was the theme of the designer showcase of collections from six international designers that featured models with various disabilities including Rebekah Marine, a.k.a. the “bionic model,” who walked the runway wearing a state-of-the-art i-limb, and wheelchair-bound Leslie Irby.
40
“It was fun, I feel good!” Stuart told reporters after the show. Not only did Stuart walk in NYFW, but she is now also the face of eco-handbag brand EverMaya. Stuart is an inspiration to people everywhere because she evokes unapologetic confidence. She is sending a message toward other models with Down syndrome, and to the general public that you shouldn’t be ashamed of who you are. Another model who has made a breakthrough in the industry is Shaun Ross, the first male albino model. He has appeared in various music videos and is now the face of Ford Motor Company accompanying the slogan “Be Unique.” Winnie Harlow is also changing the face of fashion by landing multiple campaigns with brands like Desigual and Diesel while having vitiligo, a chronic skin condition that creates patches of colorlessness on the skin. She dropped out of high school at the age of 16 due to excessive bullying, such as being referred to as a “cow.” However, after placing sixth on America’s Next Top Model, Winnie now says, “When I was young I was picked on for something that today I feel is amazing.” With models like these proudly putting themselves in the public eye, it is clear that everyone is their own form of beautiful. “The thing I’d like people to take away from this is to not discriminate. Don’t judge a book by its cover,” says Roseanne. “I would just like people to accept, love, and show kindness.”
41
fashion Design Books 250 West 27th Street New York, NY 10001 (212) 633-9646
www.fashiondesignbooks.com Books - Art Supplies - Sewing Supplies