THE EDGE VOL. 12 ISSUE 2

THE EDGE VOL. 12, ISSUE 2 ELON, NC

EMBRACING INCLUSION | BREAKING FROM THE TOURIST TRAP RELATIONSHIPS MADE IN THE CLOUDS | TURNING TO THE STARS

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letter from the editor

think I speak for most of us when I say that this past year was nothing short of a whirlwind. Thinking back to last March, life as we knew it seemed to have vanished without a proper adieu.

Life as we knew it seemed out of our grasp. Life as we knew it seemed unfamiliar. There was, however, a silver lining. That unfamiliar time gave us the chance to pause, reflect on, and truly consider what was familiar. What we found was an opportunity for a fresh start—for a breath of fresh air.

When I sat down with co-editor-inchief Hannah Jablonski—who readily offered her creative intel and support all the way from Florence, Italy, this semester—and creative director Mel Jones in January, we went back and forth with different themes we deemed relevant for this issue—from the recent trend toward environmental sustainability to the newfound intentionality of and emphasis on self-care. We even brainstormed titles like “The Sustainable Issue,” to symbolize the worldwide shift toward sustainability, “Pressing Play,” to symbolize the post-pandemic world we were eager to be entering, and many more. However, none of the themes seemed to encompass what we wanted for this issue. So, we decided to combine the underlying theme in all of them: newness.

What we landed upon was, as you likely know by now, “A Breath of Fresh Air.” We chose these words not only to play on the idea of taking off a mask and breathing in the fresh, clean air that our travel-depleted, production-halted, locked-down world allowed for, but also to symbolize the beauty of newness. We’re relearning, reevaluating, redefining, and reapproaching life in new ways, and that is something to celebrate. And, after a year-long pause, what an apropos time it is to celebrate new beginnings.

Our team thought so, too. And so, when we introduced the theme to them, they knew exactly what to talk about.

In this issue, you will read about topics we believe have been, figuratively, like breaths of fresh air this past year— from emerging trends to lifestyle changes that aren’t just here to make a statement; rather, they’re here to stay.

We saw a movement defined by unconventional beauty—including a shift toward unapologetically embracing our natural selves, from gray hairs to bushy brows (page 56), and the rise of comfort and convenience in fashion (page 24).

We found new ways to connect with one another and keep relationships alive in a time when communication was virtual and physical touch was only a thing of the past (page 32). We continued to take to social media to demand political and social change the only way we knew how—most recently, to speak out against the abominable rise in AAPI hate (page 18). We sought new outlets to find hope and comfort in, especially when the support of far-away friends and family was no longer an option. For some of us, that meant checking our daily horoscope and looking to the cosmos for guidance (page 14). And, we finally began to understand our responsibility to advocate for an inclusive fashion industry (page 46), as well as one focused on sustainability, which also means demanding rights for vulnerable garment workers exploited for profit (page 34).

It seems to be a recurring theme for us at The Edge, too, this semester—newness. Back in January, we introduced a brand new team of storytelling writers, skillful videographers and photographers, imaginative designers, analytical social media assistants, and, officially, a small yet mighty podcast team for our podcast, On The Edge. We’ve also become extra focused on our online presence, tapping analytics as a key player in our magazine’s growth.

There’s no question we’ve learned, changed, and grown this past year. Perhaps, the most invaluable lesson we can take from it is the importance of finding beauty in newness.

Oh, and remembering to take a breath of fresh air whenever the opportunity presents itself. So, without further ado, I

Julia Oakes, Co-Editor in Chief

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PROTEST: BUT MAKE IT DIGITAL

BREAKING FROM THE TOURIST TRAP

AND MAKE IT COUNT

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32

RELATIONSHIPS MADE IN THE CLOUDS

ASTROLOGY IN THE AGE OF AMBIGUITY TURNING TO THE STARS

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WHAT WILL BE OUR NEW LOOK?

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A PANDEMIC AND BACK RELEARNING AND REDEFIING SELF-CARE

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34 52

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

STRIPPING DOWN TO THE BARE MINIMUM A MINIMALIST REVOLUTION

THE CANNABIS CRAZE

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INCLUSION LOOKS GOOD ON YOU EMBRACING NECESSARY CHANGE IN THE INDUSTRY

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THE SILVER LININGS OF SALONS CLOSING

64

DEAR FUTURE SELF

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LOSING THE LUXURY CATCHING FEELINGS, NOT FLIGHTS

in this issue

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THE EDGE !"#$%&'(#)(*+#,Julia Oakes and Hannah Jablonski Creative Director Mel Jones Design Chiefs Leila Wilhelm, Emma Spencer Olivia Parks Director of Photography Gabby Dunlevy Copy Chief Brooke Wilten Assistant Copy Chief Alejandra Gonzalez Fashion Editor Allie Massello Assistant Editor Avery Delacey Writer Lydia Buckius Writer Kayla Knight Writer Ainsley Marshall Writer Madison Mursch Writer Olivia Nevin Writer Emily Rogers

Features Editor Hallie Milstein Assistant Editor Amy Ellison Writer Melissa Beck Writer Callista DeGraw Writer Caroline Donohue Writer Morgan Hack Writer Genevieve Smith Writer Emerson Wells

Beauty & Wellness Editor Lydia Elste Assistant Editor Delilah Eby Writer Leslie Bond Writer Anna Cave Writer Quinn Corrigan Writer Katie Everitt Writer Olivia Shoshan Writer Ryan Zaslaw

Videography Director of Videography Jazmin Bender Video Editor Georgia Ferguson Video Editor Frances O’Connor Video Editor Kate Spencer

Lifestyle Editor Sarah Deloach Assistant Editor Ali Scheinfeld Writer Greta Bollmeier Writer Palmer Boothe Writer Fiona Didato Writer Darcy Gallagher Writer Anna Grenier Writer Alison MacDonald Travel Editor Claudia Hedrick Writer Grace Badger Writer Ashleigh Garcia Writer Catie Mannato Writer Alison Sawyer Writer John Snow Writer Grace Wade

Social Media Social Media Director Maddy Lemone Social Media Assistant Courtney Clayson Social Media Assistant Darby Vojtko Social Media Assistant Margaret Smith Social Media Assistant Gracie West Social Media Designer Mary Buzby Digital Media Podcast Director Gabriella Roach Podcast Editor Lauren McLane Analytics Director Lauren Rodgers Analytics Assistant Sarah Gombos Designers Courtney Clayson Leah Hottenstein Victoria Cuciniello Micaela Ryan Photographers Michaela Brady Madison McCart Georgia Daniel Olivia Parks Laney Daniels Jessica Skelley Rachel Goldstein Sophia Valentino Abbey Kroll Molly Whelan

meet the staff Favorite Way to practice self-care?

Lauren: A cup of tea, my heated blanket, and binge-watching Will & Grace.

Hannah: Religiously applying my nighttime skincare routine.

Leila: Journaling, exercise, and an iced latte with oat milk.

Claudia: I light my Palo Santo and diffuse some of my favorite oils and either meditate or listen to a podcast.

favorite emerging trend?

Allie: Terrycloth! Whether in the form of matching sets, swimwear, or lounge pieces, terrycloth is a fun way to bring texture to an outfit.

Alejandra: Stylish loungewear and sweater vests.

Avery: Blazers with everything!!

Olivia: The claw-clip trend. I’m not sure what I did with my hair before, but I hope they never go out of style.

Gabby: Monochrome outfits! So stylish yet so classy!

Hallie: Platform shoes and pastels.

what's your new perspective on life after a pandemic?

Julia: I’m focusing on finding the importance of every moment, and not seeing life as a to-do list but rather something to mindfully enjoy and be thankful for.

Delilah: The importance of sustainability in fashion, beauty, and practically everything we consume.

I’ve learned to be a lot more mindful of how I can contribute to minimizing waste.

Gabriella: I think there will be a lot more of a focus on mental health and understanding that we all went through a lot during this pandemic.

Favorite new hobby from the Pandemic?

Mel: Learning to use an embroidery machine.

Emma: Incorporating pilates and yoga into my daily schedule.

Jazmin: Filming and editing video!

Sarah: Self growth and personal betterment.

Maddy: Taking risks! (in a safe and healthy way)

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PHOTOGRAPHERS | ABBEY KROLL, SOPHIA VALENTINO MODELS | DRE COYNE, RACHEL CODE, SARA BOUWMAN

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Reckoning, reflecting, and reconciling a tale of two paths JOHN SNOW TRAVEL | 8

T U O F O E C A L P

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n the outskirts of Barcelona’s Parc Güell, right off the shoulder of Casa Trías, two roads diverge. Down one leads directly into a cataclysmic rhythm of movement: bustling out-of-towners marching uphill, waves of reggaeton flooding from taxi cab dashboards, and the air of expertly-staged photos that are Instagram-bound within minutes—if not timeline-worthy, a story will suffice. Here exists a cross-section of culture that’s stagnant in nature, the magnum opus of Antoni Gaudi and his life’s work goggled at by streams of onlookers, often doe-eyed and a little worn out, judging by their wrinkled khaki shorts and sudden pools of underarm sweat. It’s a path that’s not all too uncommon, one that even goes so far as to capture a pretty common archetype for modern travel.

To say that we can all probably relate to the family vacation gone wrong—one that’s less An American in Paris and more National Lampoons—is surely an understatement.

TU FO EC Down the other leads a different path, and a different story entirely. A rugged staircase of eroding gravel directs visitors away from the park and down a cascading stone wall adorned in graffiti, courteous of the rebellious and artistic at heart. Park-goers shuffle past clusters of designs, some more vulgar, some more tongue-in-cheek, though one reads the loudest: “Tourist Go Home.” A defiant proclamation in all-black, dripping from the hands of someone who very clearly wished their words to be read aloud. Here lays a path not always seen and not always taken, though the message rings clear nonetheless. Right outside the gates of a tourist haven live those who do not share, nor appreciate, their presence just the same.

Driving Out the Outsider

For Barcelona, this message expands far beyond just one isolated spot along the walls of Parc Güell. A piece from The Guardian reveals that “Tourists go home” became a rallying cry for major European cities during TRAVEL | 9

the summer of 2017, a connecting thread for those who felt they’d fallen victim to an oversaturation of tourists that had both subjugated national identity and driven up the cost of their own neighborhoods. Taking to the streets against those who seek to flood them show signs of powerful resistance, that which does not come out of nowhere. Looking at Barcelona specifically, a piece from The New Yorker profiles how their rise as a travel hot-spot was engineered by city officials as a recovery strategy, their economy reeling from the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Since then, 2019 estimates suggest that the city welcomes nearly one and a half million Airbnb residents annually, taking up shop among the 20,000 active listings throughout the city (and counting).

Ironically, locals would achieve some solace in the form of COVID-19, their boiling point spilling over into a chill-

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ing cool as national lockdowns made travel as we knew it a thing of the past.

Having weathered the storm through a year of pandemic life, perhaps nothing has captured the cultural zeitgeist more than a good old-fashioned time of reflection. It’s been the big buzzword on everyone’s lips, commissioned first in a journey to make sense of a world flipped on its head which ultimately led us to question the world we previously knew — or at least thought we did. Now, as vaccines have become the new social capital of the season and subsequent key to normalcy, the growing promise of travel future made all-too enticing by our longing for travel past begs the question: do we want to step back into our old skin as tourists? Should the world we used to know inform the tourists we will eventually return to be?

The Catch-22 Of It All

It wouldn’t be surprising if most Parc Güell visitors rarely batted an eye at that message greeting them as they made their exit, but it’s not a stretch to think that some were taken aback, maybe even offended.

Reconciling with the truth can be difficult even when its reflection is staring right back at us, especially if it doesn’t look the way we thought. What’s their issue? How are we the problem?

Here is the reality. Americans, especially, are often quick to accept a very specific narrative of tourism which props up

its glass-half-full sensibilities. In truth, there are plenty of positives to be noted about the old-world model.

Tourism encourages connection, expands world views, breathes new life into history to secure its celebration among generations present and future. Studies over the years have even confirmed that our travel bugs reside deep in our DNA, our Homo sapien brains are hardwired to release excess levels of dopamine during moments of impulse characterized by our modern jet-setting tendencies. Case in point: we’re natural-born nomads with a hunger for the unknown and the uncharted.

Here is the catch. More often than not, we’re charting the same waters at unprecedented speeds and volumes. By the end of 2019, estimates suggest that 19,049,368 Americans had traveled to Europe as tourists compared to just 552,254 in all of continental Africa.

For whatever reason, those Homo sapien brains seem to only be concerned with the greatest hits of the Renaissance Era (no offense to the likes of da Vinci or Michelangelo).

the LOOking Glass

Now is probably the time to step back and reflect on the lost days of travel, to use that term a little more loosely. When chipping away at the surface, it becomes pretty clear that there’s a lot more glass-half-empty than what is commonly acknowledged in the narrative at large. For starters, tourism takes a dramatic toll on the environment; property development, coastline damage, and excess accumulations of waste are just some of the key culprits at play. Many often claim that the economic promise of tourist dollars is enough to outweigh the environmental cost, but even this has proven to be a myth. Studies from the United Nations Environmental Programme reveal that for every $100 a tourist spends, only $5 of it realistically stays in that respective countr y’s economy.

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So no, your racking up a high bar tab at a Cancún resort likely won’t help your server put bread on the table next week. What it will do is prop up further development projects, raising the cost of living so high that it forces locals out of their own homes and into the fringes of society. This doesn’t even take into account the repeated patterns of cultural disrespect at the hands of international tourists. In small doses, your dad may make a joke to a server at dinner that doesn’t quite land.

In more extreme cases, you end up with that Logan Paul video filmed in the Japanese Suicide Forest for all of the Internet’s youth to bear witness to.

It’s important to pause here and acknowledge that we don’t intend to paint with any broad brush strokes; while these layers of parasitism do not transcend all tourist experiences, you’d be hard-pressed to deny that they have not become commonplace. Even still, when you dig a little deeper, you may find yourself asking: what was it all for? When you really take a step back to evaluate the institution that tourism has become, what were we getting out of it?

Think back to those American tourist numbers from 2019–19,049,368 travelers throughout Europe by the end of 2019, compared to just over 500,00 in all of continental Africa. When our bags are packed, it’s clear that we’re only driven in the pursuit of the beaten path and the familiar experiences we trust it will bring. That’s not to say that a Caribbean resort getaway can’t offer a new perspective or a unique opportunity. Authenticity exists everywhere you go, often hidden between the lines of what we’re reading out in the world. But the digital age has surely given authenticity a run for its money in favor of more Instagram-worthy temptations. Research indicates that social media has a tremendous impact on the kinds of places we seek out, made more powerful by the rise of travel bloggers and influencers alike. To be inspired to check out a new spot from someone you follow on social media is one thing, but to give in to the pressure of checking off all the trendy boxes is another.

Nobody wants to admit the internal drive they may feel to snap that perfect Eiffel Tower shot or centerfold-level beach photoshoot, but it’s there. What we get in return is a culture hellbent on one-upping and posturing, curating a paper trail of social capital that’s following the lead

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rather than veering off into something new. And for what exactly?

The promise of travel at the heart of its true glory rings so much louder than the pitfalls of our socially connected world. This semester we caught up with Spencer Rieser, an Elon senior who spent his January canvassing the sights and sounds of Egypt, of all places.

The end result? Sure, a camera roll like you wouldn’t believe, but one with stories to back them up. He stressed that it was those quieter, more unexpected moments that made all the difference; a chance encounter leading to a three-day cruise on the Nile, chatting politics with locals over drinks, passing through small towns bursting at the seams with life on every corner. No pressure to check off all the right boxes. No air of illusion or disingenuousness. Just a curious eye and an open mind to worlds less traveled, with so much more to offer.

A NOd tO the Future

After surviving months in limbo, we’re finally resting on the cusp of change; a moment where our common wish for normalcy—or as adjacent as possible—may actually be granted. But when it comes to our place in the world as tourists, let’s stop and question whether a return to form is actually what we want, and what we need. If a year in a pandemic and all that time of reflection has shown us anything, it’s that life is too short to abide by the status quo when it’s clear that we have outgrown its borders.

There is more than enough reason to believe that a world of travelers in lieu of tourism is not only possible but worth the extra mile. A world where we see more, seek more, and cherish more. A world where we are more conscious of our carbon footprint and the decency paid to locals and strangers. A world where we move in pursuit of the true and good and nothing else, relishing in experiences that mean something.

As we reenter the world again, two roads diverge.

Down one lays the path to the familiar throws of an era gone by, while the other leads to the dawn of a time anew. May we take that road less traveled. May it make all the difference. ■

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TURNING TO THE STARS SARAH DELOACH | LIFESTYLE EDITOR LIFESTYLE | 14

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on’t worry, the world has changed so much However, this is not the first time astrology has this past year that it has been nearly had its moment to shine, as this study of the stars has impossible for us all to keep up. It is normal been around for thousands of years. In more modern to feel lost and alone with no sure path to take, times, the New Age Movement in the late 1960s was especially in unprecedented times like these. Many accompanied by a large dose of zodiac fever. Since people turned to expressive outlets, religion, and then, astrology hasn’t disappeared—it just slowly family to help them. Others decided to turn to the faded into the background. In the last couple of years, stars. astrology has gained some more traction and is Many of us are familiar with at least a general slowly becoming increasingly relevant. Young people concept of astrology. But, if you’re not, here’s a refresher, are starting to break the stigma and bring the practice “Astrology is the study of planetary cycles and patterns— of astrology into more mainstream media. so in a way, it’s like weather forecasting, but for people’s “People are looking for direction and daily lives,” says Courtney O’Reilly, t h e founder of Vibrant Soul Astrology. doing quite a bit of self-reflection.”

Some people are still wary or don’t believe in the powers of astrology because it has a stigma around it.

The recent rise in astrology VI VI Because astrology is not a science, could be a result of people there is no evidence that one’s looking for more guidance zodiac sign can accurately correlate in their day-to-day lives. to their personality. However, After all, we have lost all sorts believers in the cosmos don’t of structure in the past year. Or, need science as an explanation. perhaps, astrology is just really The study of astrology places well suited for this age of the meaning on the placement of Internet. It is so easy to get into the sun, the moon, and the because you can easily fall down a planets—making up the signs Google rabbit hole and spend hours of the zodiac. The location of reading about the compatibility of you TH T H E E LOVLO the moon and the other and your best friend’s Rising Signs.

ERVSE planets at the location and To explain the recent surge, O’Reilly RS time of your birth can add more says, “The Internet makes it easier than layers to your ‘birth chart.’ ever to access information you may not otherwise have access to. And second, we’re coming off of an unprecedented year, where “Astrology is the study of planetary so many people’s lives were turned upside down. cycles and patterns—it’s like weather People are looking for direction and doing quite a forecasting, but for people’s daily lives.” bit of self-reflection, and astrology is and always has been an amazing tool for assisting with deeper Whether you believe in the stars or not, there is understanding.” no denying the boom of astrology popularity over the Horoscopes are supposed to provide information past year. Some people point to social media. about what each planet is doing right now, in the Astrologers and astrology meme pages have gained future, in the past, and how it can affect each sign. tens of thousands of followers easily for their Therefore, if you’re looking for guidance in your informative content. Other pages are taken slightly relationships, life cycles, or personality, astrology less seriously, with posts on “the signs as…” literally can give you some clarity. anything you could think of (think: Netflix shows, Kardashian members, ice cream flavors, etc.). Typically, online publications and accounts that include any type of horoscope or zodiac listicles thrive.

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It has also been shown that people turn to Even though there has been a steady rise astrology in times of stress. In 1982, a study in interest, this doesn’t mean people are

by Graham Tyson found that people who just abandoning rationality so they can turn to astrology are usually experiencing identify with their more mystical ideals. extenuating circumstances. It can easily be The question of whether people “believe” said that the entire world went through a isn’t useful because people may say they stressful period this last year, and everyone don’t “believe” in astrology and yet still was affected differently. With no idea of identify with their birth chart or zodiac what the future could hold, people began sign. Others may even read their horoscope looking for constants and something but don’t alter their behavior because of it. they could count on. For some, that was Mainstream media’s breakdown of astrology. Even though astrology is loved by astrology as a trend deeply concentrates on all ages, the spike in interest is mainly from exposing and debunking. Many like to claim younger generations. And it makes sense, as that astrology is not proven to be scientific and millennials are the most stressed generation, remind readers and followers of it—which is according to a 2014 American Psychological true, but it’s not the point. Sure, there are some Association survey. Furthermore, Americans as people who accept astrology as fact and view it a whole have seen increased stress levels since the as being equivalent to physics or psychology, 2016 presidential elections due to political strife. but this doesn’t seem to be the case for the Recently, the news has been dealing with climate teens and young adults fueling this new rise of change, political troubles, global crisis, threats of zodiac. nuclear war, and a viral pandemic. If stress is what Rather than look at astrology as a religion pulls people to astrology, there is no surprise that or science, it may be better to use it as a tool it is catching on now. for self-reflection. Whether you believe in it As for the skeptics, it is becoming generally or not, it can still be something you can take less acceptable to spew hate and criticism to seriously. Simply put, astrology is just another things people view as “not rational,” so the way to look at the world we live in, as well as a stigma is slowly dissolving. Studies have also way to find structure when that structure may shown that if you write a generic personality feel absent. The fact that people are finding report and then tell someone it applies to them, so much meaning and truth in astrology is they are most likely going to perceive it as a comforting reminder that, sometimes, accurate. However, O’Reilly thinks skepticism is something doesn’t have to be real for it to good; “You should be skeptical of something you feel true. ■ don’t understand,” she says. “Start researching, take a class, read a book. Everyone starts out as a skeptic until they start studying and tracking the effects in their day to day lives.”

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PHOTOGRAPHER | MICHAELA BRADY MODEL | BRYNNE ARSENAULT

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PROTEST, BUT MAKE iT DiGiTAL

...and make it count.

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HALLIE MILSTEIN | FEATURES EDITOR

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nfortunately, injustice seems to be immune to the coronavirus. Since the World Health Organization declared this pandemic in March 2020, unique tragedies and ingrained forms of oppression have not only continued but become heightened. In particular, questions about injustice have since come to the national spotlight, reminding everyone that advocacy and protest are still important and still necessary.

The question then becomes, how do we make a change when we can’t leave our homes (or, perhaps, our designated quarantine hotel rooms)? As a result, people have had to get creative, taking advantage of the tools at our disposal. Even as the pandemic has closed many doors for connection, emerging online platforms are opening windows.

Luckily, we had some pretty admirable footsteps to walk in when it comes to digital advocacy.

Going way back to 2011, the hashtag #OccupyWallStreet began circulating Twitter, leading to an international movement that will go down in history books. Years later, the #MeToo movement made strides beginning in 2017, effectively calling out various sexual offenders and broadcasting conversations about sexism

and the prominence of sexual harassment against women. This movement took a hashtag on Twitter and delivered change in national discourse, attention, and courtrooms.

Within the timeline of this pandemic, one cause has rallied the nation like none other: the Black Lives Matter movement. While this movement has been working to fight racial injustice for years now, its popularity surged in response to the murder of George Floyd at the knee of a police officer. Needless to say, many Americans weren’t happy, thus sparking a surge of protests. Both in-person and online, people rallied to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

According to the MIT Technology Review, one reason why George Floyd’s murder caused such national outcry is because it was filmed and circulated online.

Sadly, this is far from the only instance of police brutality against a person of color, but in this instance, people were able to watch it happen. While this is undeniably awful, it incited rage against not only the individuals responsible but the institutions and systems that enabled this. As protests popped up nationwide, videos of these circulated social media and the news, too.

Many took to social media to advocate against this injustice.

Instagram became a place for advocacy like never before. Story after story and entire feeds featured graphics condemning systemic racism, infographics emphasizing the severity of the situation, “links in bio” to donate to relevant organizations, and many #BlackLivesMatter hashtags. To anyone on social media, Black Lives Matter became unavoidable in the best way possible, calling many to arms and dominating online conversations.

This is all part of what Dr. Anthony FEATURES | 19

VIRT ADVO

Crider calls the “pageantry of protests.” Crider is a professor in physics at Elon who moonlights as a protest photographer. While most of his experience with protest movements has happened in person while he photographs rallies and marches, he often hears about these events online. He highlights Facebook groups as a particularly meaningful source for organization in some circles while GoFundMe campaigns and similar efforts often fall short.

Another way that virtual advocacy thrived is in its ability to educate. Online reading materials, films, and even webinars and training courses in recognizing injustice were available and, over quarantine, many people took the time to consult these resources and become educated about the reality of systemic racism in America. Additionally, because of the increased popularity of virtual communication platforms such as TikTok and Zoom, conversations and debates about racial injustice were able to be had and heard by people who have never been in the same room.

While social media feeds and “For You” pages may no longer be back-to-back advocacy, national conversations about injustice continue, especially in the wake of the murder trial for the event that started it all. In the meantime, other instances of protest have mobilized virtually. Let’s not forget the cultural reset that was the January 2021 GameStop stock incident, or as it may be fondly referred to, Gamestonk.

In this case, Reddit users were able to galvanize people to buy stock for the company GameStop, ultimately rising to such national popularity that the stock rose 8000%. This instance can FEATURES | 20

TUAL OCACY

be understood as a protest against Wall Street firms that were short-selling the company, essentially betting against GameStop’s success, according to NBC. This act of rebellion is in response to the organizers feeling that investment opportunities are not accessible to the public, and is likely in connection to the fact that Wall Street has thrived during the Covid-19 pandemic even as much of the country has fallen into economic crisis.

As a result of this influx of investors mobilized on social media, hedge funds lost billions of dollars. Economic injustice was brought to the national conversation by the public and politicians alike. None of these protestors had to so much as look up from their screens and still, they got the ball rolling for change.

Virtual advocacy has its limits though. Words are important, but actions are necessary to create real legal and social change.

To this point, Crider describes a “spectrum of direct action” when it comes to meaningful activism.

“One end of the spectrum is to do absolutely nothing, just ignore it,” Crider explains. “The opposite end of that spectrum is to go in and kill all of your opponents. And that’s obviously something that you would argue for, right?”

In the middle of this spectrum is where you would find virtual activism and showing up to protest, in that order. “People have to decide for themselves for given causes where they fall on that spectrum of action,” Crider says. When a pandemic is added to the equation, there is yet another consideration going into shaping people’s priorities which will influence how they decide to act, potentially driving many to stay virtual for the time being.

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In some cases though, attempts at social media advocacy ended up being counterproductive. Case in point: when people began posting black squares on Instagram over the summer. According to Forbes, over 28 million Instagram users posted plain black squares on their Instagram feeds alongside “#BlackoutTuesday” on June 2, 2020. The intention was to pause normal social media usage and draw attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. However, this initiative later faced criticism for overwhelming the platform and accidentally blocking out Black voices.

“I posted a square on my Instagram story,” says Elon senior Ashley Billie. “I was one of the early people to do

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it, before the controversy blew up behind it… I think this was a movement that was co-opted by a lot of [white] liberals that mean well. The issue I had was with people who posted only a black square—nothing before, nothing after, nothing to this day.”

“The key is to be intentional and take time to think about the consequences of your actions before posting.”

Digital advocacy can be a great tool to start conversations and educate yourself and others, but in order to create real and lasting change, it cannot stop there. If though, for whatever reason you’re stuck inside (a pandemic, just hypothetically), making use of online mediums for change is a great start. ■

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WHAT WiLL

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ave you ever wondered how this pandemic will change fashion? Well, if history repeats itself, we are in for a transformation.

Christian Dior, a French luxury fashion designer, is best known for fashion house Christian Dior, or commonly referred to as just “Dior.” He began his fashion career by creating illustrations for Figaro Illustre. He worked as an assistant for Robert Piguet and even joined the house of Lucien Lelong, a French couturier, before setting out on his own. In 1947, Dior introduced his very first collection furthering him to become one of the most prominent designers of the twentieth century. This “New Look,” a phrase coined by Carmel Snow, the once editor in chief of Harper’s B a z a ar, i n c lu d e d cinched waists, rounded shoulders, and a full skirt. However, this collection is even more intriguing when you put into perspective the time period in which it was released.

Fashion during the ’20s and ’30s for women was seen as a sort of liberation from the constraints of corsets during the early twentieth century. During World War II, women opted for a more practical style designed with an eye for b e aut if u l t aste. This included cotton frocks, utilitarian coats, and jumpsuits.

Finally, women were on a path to newfound independence. No longer were they going to allow society to tell

Photographer | Olivia Parks Models | Ariel Colón, Zoë Healey, Kyle Borgna, Kendra Chideya, Ana Sicardi

them that femininity comes from being hoisted in corsets and long skirts. And so, it’s no surprise that when Dior released his collection two years after World War II ended, there was pushback from feminists. They saw the pieces of Dior’s collection as regressive ideas for women’s fashion.

But Dior’s goal was never to restrain women; it was to provide a new sense of liberation. The “New Look” collection aimed to introduce women to freedom and independence, allowing them to dress stereotypically feminine while doing so.

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“WOMEN, WiTH THEiR SURE iNSTiNC WAS TO MAKE THEM NOT JUST MO So this raises the question, what will be our “new look” once the world is fully reopened? After over a year of meetings, school, and everything in between on Zoom, we, as a society, have grown accustomed to comfort-focused attire. Nonetheless, we’re craving the dressed-up ensembles we’ve kept hidden in our wardrobes. Thanks to all our time at home, we’ve struck the balance between formal and work from home attire, and we’re pretty sure it’s here to stay.

If you were worried about having to leave your sweatshirts and joggers in the past once the world is completely reopened, have no fear, there’s a new fashion trend on the horizon that seamlessly incorporates loungewear into the world outside.

This new categorization of clothing is “athflow,” a combination of athleisure and flowy loungewear.

The 2021 Pinterest Predicts report believes that

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relaxed clothing will remain at the forefront of everyone’s wardrobe this year. This prediction in particular comes after an influx of searches on “oversized outfits,” “soft outfits,” and “home dress women.” According to Pinterest, athflow is “when athleisure meets elegance.” A neutral palette comprising beiges, creams, and blacks is also essential to an athflow look, as they add an integral sense of professionalism. The goal of athflow is for your outfit to be comfortable enough for your couch but professional enough for the office.

Now, the question that must be on your mind is, “Well, how do I properly achieve this look?”

Retailers have caught on to this new wave of

CTS, REALiZED THAT MY iNTENTiON ORE BEAUTiFUL BUT ALSO HAPPiER.” - christian dior fashion, offering more sophisticated loungewear and looser business casual attire. Brands like Aritizia, Free People, and ASOS have been at the forefront of this phenomenon, as well as famed newcomer SKIMS by Kim Kardashian. As we adjust to living in a post-COVID society, more designers will be more calculated when it comes to incorporating loungewear into their collections. In its most recent fashion shows, Prada has even showcased looserfitting, oversized coats, and hoodies layered over full skirts. This seems like a formal introduction of athflow to the world of high-end fashion. Although we all might not feel comfortable (or have the budget for) walking the streets in full Prada attire, it is simple to incorporate athflow into our everyday wardrobes.

When working with oversized clothing, balancing proportions still comes into play. If you’re

opting for an athflow look, you’ll want to pair widelegged trousers with a more fitted top. If you have a flowy jacket or a billowing sweater, layer it over a form-fitting bottom or even a dress. While sneakers are an immediate comfort shoe, consider going out of your comfort zone and pair a mule or kitten heel with your outfit to take it to the next level. There is no wrong way to achieve athflow, as long as you are comfortable in what you are wearing.

As with any trend, it’s nearly impossible to say how long athflow will stay current, but it’s a good transition from being inside for a year to the outfits we wore on a daily basis pre-COVID. After all, there’s no rush to return to pencil skirts and high heels. Why not let the comfort of quarantine spill out into the real world? ■

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ANN CAVE A

S

elf-care. The harsh realities of the pandemic have forced us to reexamine what that word means.

While a lot of us connotate self-care with a very millennial-esque movement encouraging us to keep a gratitude journal and invest in a solid collection of sheet masks that consequently drove self-care to build a $10 billion industry, the historical significance runs much deeper.

The movement was actually brought to the surface with the Black Panther Party. The term “self-care” was

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already being circulated in the medical community in the 1950s, but activists of the Black Power Movement took a hold of it in order to encourage others fighting for the movement to take care of themselves as they worked on revolutionizing the country. Leaders of the Black Panther Movement, such as Angela Davis and Ericka Huggins, practiced self-care while they were incarcerated and beyond to prioritize their mental health through practices such as yoga, meditation, and wholesome nutrition. The concept behind self-care,

called “self-preservation” in some instances, was that an activist could not reach their full potential if they were not taking care of themselves.

“Anyone who’s interested in making change in the world also has to learn how to take care of herself, himself, theirself.” -Angela Davis Without any historical knowledge behind why we practice self-care, it can be easy to knock the movement as a superficial facade. But when we consider the important role that Black women played in normalizing the idea that you should pay attention to your body and what it needs, we can tell that there is actually a great deal of cultural significance behind the movement we’ve come to associate with Pinterest board graphics and overpriced products.

Though the Black Panther and Civil Rights movements are in no way comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic, we can recognize similarities in the role they’ve played in how we look at self-care.

The pandemic itself has taken an overwhelming toll on the mental health of Americans. The Kaiser Family

Foundation found Americans showing symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders increased from one in 10 in January to June 2019 to four in 10 during the pandemic.

The major increase in mental health struggles, substance use, sleeping difficulties, and worsening chronic conditions have forced us to redefine the selfcare movement. It is no longer about pampering, but rather preserving. The definition of preserving is to “maintain or keep alive,” and that is exactly what the self-care movement revolves around. Face masks and early nights are no longer the solutions to every problem. There is more to taking care of yourself than superficial fixes. They can be a helpful luxury at times, but the issue is not so easily solved.

Self-care is about taking into account what your body needs when it needs it. It’s getting full

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The Edge surveyed a few students on Elon’s campus to ask them how they practice real self-care. Here are some of the responses we got to help inspire your self-care routines: nights of sleep, eating food that fuels your body, and letting your brain take a break from screens to read a book or go on a run.

Many are experiencing trauma responses due to the extreme conditions of the pandemic that only felt heavier when coupled with the surge of awareness and activism for a variety of different movements, such as Black Lives Matter and advocating to end Asian hate.

In light of the global hardships that the past year has brought, it is important to recognize that the real meaning of self-care is reverting back to the more authentic forms developed during the Civil Rights Movement. Self-preservation is key and involves delving deeper into your own self to understand what types of self-care are essential to your overall well-being. Take note of the moments you feel energized in and try and replicate them when you need a dose of self-care. Notice who you’re with, what you’re doing, what you’re eating, and any other little detail when you actually feel good.

Also, know that your self-care will look different than everyone else’s. For some, going on a run and connecting with themselves and nature is the way to do it, and for others, binging Netflix with a pint of ice cream will do the trick. It will all look different, but what is important is that it contributes to your ability to preserve your body in a genuine way.

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Going on a drive: “It clears the mind and allows me to cope with things in a way that is best for me.”

Changing sheets.

Exercise: “I can work out my stress and frustrations in a healthy way.”

Spending alone time reading or journaling: “I think it’s important to give back to myself and reflect on my habits and how they shape my life. These activities allow me to slow down and think.”

Running outside in nature: “It’s a mental thing. It lets me reconnect with myself and get out of my own head. I feel like people just view running as an exercise when, in reality, it can be so much more.”

Drinking chamomile tea and practicing mindfulness.

Cleaning the house: “I feel a sense of accomplishment and peace when my space is clean.”

Eating chocolate.

Writing down things in my planner: “It helps me feel prepared for the day and allows me to get out thoughts before I go to sleep.” ■

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RELATIONSHIPS MADE IN THE

CLOUDS MORGAN HACK

T

he year 2020 introduced us to online relationships like we had never seen them before, creating a new reality of what a close relationship with someone can look like. For the first time, people were always accessible. We had FaceTime, Zoom, etc. before the pandemic began, but we only used them to speak to those far away. Now, more than ever, these technologies have been used to replace many different types of interactions—and have even enabled new ones.

Social support is a strong predictor of mental health. Back in March, we all clung to our devices for human connection and, quite candidly, it’s not much different now. For Elon first years, it was difficult to keep newly-formed relationships by continuing them virtually. One way that relationships were sustained is through Greek life. Joining a sorority last year meant bonding with your new Greek family, virtually, for over six months. Junior Sophia Dimidis shares, “It was unprecedented. I had to form my relationship with my brand new little over FaceTime.”

This year, Greek life is entirely virtual, meaning that relationships have taken on different forms. Sister dating, philanthropy events, community service, social gatherings, and chapter meetings have all been moved online. The Panhellenic community is making the best of the situation, but it is inevitable that

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disappointment will arise. For first-year Ellie Pierson, rushing online seemed pretty normal since we’ve had to adapt to everything else being online. But, even though it was easy for her to rush from the comfort of her dorm room, she “didn’t get to experience being nervous” or “experience the excitement of bid day,” she says. For new members like Pierson, bid day entailed receiving a bid card and a t-shirt, and then sitting in their rooms for the rest of the day. Pierson says she already feels that, even though she is in a sorority, it’s really hard to feel connected and a part of that community virtually. She also explains that she met people online, but it felt unreal because she couldn’t celebrate with them in person.

The virtual dilemma extends far beyond sororities and bid days. According to Elon’s School of Communications internship advisor Amber Moser, there are over 50 students this semester doing virtual internships. A day in the life of a virtual internship comes in a few forms, and some are even asynchronous. Internships are supposed to be special and provide insight into future careers and industry fields; however, many are finding it difficult to get that insight from a virtual setting.

Elon junior and virtual intern Lauren Rodgers explains, “I think we miss out on the more natural

networking environment of an office by interning virtually. I usually only interact with one member of the company on a daily basis. I am fortunate enough to be with a company that holds happy hours and team meetings outside of the normal workday structure, but otherwise, I may not have the opportunity to meet as many people!”

Another aspect that Rodgers is missing out on, she believes, is the confidence of navigating a professional environment in the future. After all, it’s hard to balance being professional in your pajamas. But, despite the obvious drawbacks of a virtual internship, Rodgers says that there are some upsides to the situation. She feels that she “would never be able to juggle a 30-minute to an hour-long commute on top of all of my responsibilities.”

The saddest virtual relationships of them all are ones with relatives we haven’t seen in over a year, as well as those that are not accessible to us because of pandemic circumstances. I have been forced to have a virtual relationship with my grandpa since my family moved out of my childhood town in the middle of the pandemic. Since we left, he has been admitted to the hospital and we have only communicated over FaceTime. The last time that I will have ever gotten to hear his voice was over FaceTime.

The silver lining of having a virtual option for everything you are involved in, or things being entirely virtual, is that you can take that step back and make time for yourself. Sophomore Anna Grenier was able to do her entire sorority big/little week while quarantining in a local hotel. “Obviously, I am upset to not be there in person. But, since everything has a virtual option, this was no different,” Grenier says. “I have been able to attend my classes and I am even going to get out [of quarantine] in time for the big reveal!”

We have all heard that long-distance relationships don’t work out, and unfortunately, quarantine was no different for some relationships. “Being quarantined apart definitely played a part in my relationship ending,” says sophomore Phoebe Becker. “In the end, I found my true self, but, unfortunately, a pandemic had to show me that,” Becker says. “Miscommunications with partners happen a lot more frequently because of virtual means. It puts a lot of pressure on the relationship because you can’t talk it out with the person face-to-face.”

Freshman Melanie Cooke says she hasn’t seen her best friend in person for over a year. When COVID-19 hit, Cooke still had to work while her best friend went into “lockdown.” “She takes [COVID-19] super seriously, but I had to keep working through the pandemic,” Cooke says. “Our entire relationship has been virtual. We hung out socially-distanced with a mask once, but the rest has been FaceTime.” The two girls had planned on living together in the fall until Cooke’s friend pulled out of the lease because they had “drifted apart”. She feels that they won’t see each other until her family is fully vaccinated, which might not be for a while.

Relationships aren’t always easy, and they haven’t been since the pandemic hit. They take effort, communication, and care—virtual or not. The shift to strictly virtual relationships has introduced complications like never before, but we have grown and we will continue to grow with one another, whether we’re together in person or talking over the phone. ■

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Air

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f o F res h t a e

and Phoebe Philo. It pulls us into a daydream of undulating layers, kaleidoscopes of colors, runwayside camera flashes, and socialite-only soirées—a daydream we wish we could get stuck in. But, as all dreams go, they must come to an end. And this one’s ending is a rude awakening.

Holding the crown for being one of the largest polluting industries surely isn’t a prize to be proud of, and neither are the following facts. “Nearly threefifths of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills within a year of being produced. More than eight percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions are produced by the apparel and footwear industries.

And, around 20 to 25 percent of globally produced chemical compounds are utilized in the textileJULIA OAKES | CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF finishing industry,” the New York Times reports. The cherry on top? Production and consumption rates e won’t sugarcoat it. It’s no simple task to are moving faster than ever before. reminisce about the beginning stages—and The textile industry can’t take full credit, though. even the current state—of the pandemic. What’s more is the travel associated with the readyLost jobs. Virtualized relationships. Fear of leaving your to-wear wholesale buying process and the most home. Fear of not being able to leave your home. Honestly, sought-after of international collection debuts. The fear itself has become a fatiguing feeling to be so familiar 2017 textile report A new textiles economy: Redefining with. But, coupled with pain, heartbreak, and fear, there fashion’s future warns that, “If the industry continues was a lot of good happening. And that good, whether we on its current path, by 2050, it could use more than had the mental stamina to realize it or not, was dancing 26% of the carbon budget associated with a 2°C all around us. pathway. Moving away from the current linear and While we were stuck in our homes, quarantined with wasteful textiles system is therefore crucial to nothing but our family members, Netflix, and a longing keeping within reach the 2°C average global warming for whatever “normal” we once took for granted, the limit.” At this rate, the threat of global warming is environment was doing something it hadn’t in decades: becoming less of a nightmare and more of a reality. breathing. Cars were off the roads, tourism took a pause, Cue the rude awakening. heavy production industries shut down, and all that was It’s ironic, though, that there could even exist a left was a world at rest—finally able to take a deep breath. disconnect between fashion and the environment, To place blame on any particular sect of society for the especially since our clothes, as with all else in life, harm we’ve continuously inflicted upon the environment have historically come from nature. We chatted with would be ignorant, let alone irresponsible. The truth of the Kestrel Jenkins, an eco-conscious style maven and matter is, we’re all at fault. Whether you drive a gas car, bag the host of Conscious Chatter podcast, to dive your groceries with plastic instead of paper, or succumb to deeper into the importance of being informed about the inexpensive and convenient practice of shopping “fast”— sustainable (and non-sustainable) fashion. Spoiler be it intentionally or not—the unfortunate reality is that you alert: it’s pretty important. are a contributor. And not just “you”, but all of us.

“Fashion has become really wasteful,” Jenkins However, it would also be foolish not to shed light on says. “We’re using these synthetics to create things an industry whose impact on the environment is not only and create them cheaper and easier… But when you concerning, but outright disastrous: the fashion industry. go back, fashion comes from the environment. And, Even a hushed whisper of the word ‘fashion’ is a sweet, I think, when we start to realize that and connect sweet sound. It calls to mind haute couture and ready-to- those dots, it’s pretty incredible,” Jenkins says. wear alike—perhaps, something hot pink and Schiaparelli, The fashion industry as we know it today is, in something tweed and Chanel, or something minimalist Jenkins’ words, “a mess.” It was built on the

W

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PHOTOGRAPHER | LANEY DANIELS MODELS | JORDAN HEAFITZ, LEILAWILHELM, TYJA TRAORE

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foundation of overproduction and aimed to fuel overconsumption. For example, household brands like Zara and H&M, although attractive to the consumer for affordable price tags and dernier cri styles, are synonymous with clothing disposability—with new styles on the racks every other week.

And, if not for exploitation—not only in the form of overproduction, but also of people, mostly women of color—that same foundation would collapse. The end goal has always been profit, and the means to get there have always been at the expense of people and the planet.

“You see a brand that’s making a post about how they COVER STORY | 38

are supporting women on International Women’s Day for example,” Jenkins says, “but, when you look at their supply chain and what’s going on behind the scenes, they are often not acting in line with the performative values they’re sharing on social.”

Jenkins also noted that 80% of garment workers are women, specifically women of color, who are working in unsafe conditions for extremely low wages, leaving them as “the most vulnerable population in today’s supply chains. So, how is that brand supporting the women who are making the clothes that continue to churn their profits?”

There’s a lot to unpack here, and the mere acknowledgement of such inequity and exploitation doesn’t near suffice. Nonetheless, it is imperative to recognize that the environmental tragedy brought about by this industry stems far beyond excessive manufacturing and water contamination. It starts with the people—the people behind the heavy curtain that brands prefer shut.

For an industry defined by its glitz and glamour, it’s almost impossible to believe how not-so-glamorous its relationship with people and the environment actually is— as impossible as a subtle Moschino ensemble, if that’s even imaginable. Some may call it irony. Others may call it blissful ignorance. But the numbers speak for themselves, and it took a global pandemic for us to start listening.

Listening led to reflection, and reflection led to conversation because, for the first time in a long time, we saw a moment of change. The lack of water pollution turned the Grand Canal of Italy clear, saw India’s Ganga and Yamuna rivers reach unforeseen levels of purity, and allowed industrial water consumption to plummet, specifically in the textile industry. We also saw production fall hard and fast, a shift toward resourcefulness and reinvention of clothing among young creatives, and a newfound appreciation for personalization, those making our clothes, and slowness in fashion.

But perhaps, the greatest trend we saw wasn’t environmental at all. Perhaps, it was a shift in consumer mindsets—from convenience-centered to intentionalitydriven, from naively uninformed to sensibly inquisitive.

The Edge also sat down with Elon’s own Brigitte and Adrienne Hedvat, the founders and creative directors of sustainable streetwear brand U ENVI, to discuss the consumer mindset shift that’s driven more and more brands to trek down the sustainable path—and it has everything to do with the future of fashion.

“COVID was such a negative period, but, in the environmental sense, it was so positive,” Brigitte says. “It showed a lot of brands that this consumer mentality is changing and, if you’re not making the change, your business might not make it because this is the future of fashion.”

Jenkins couldn’t agree more. “They are realizing that they’re going to run out of resources in order to continue to manufacture the goods that they manufacture,” she says. “[It] is kind of putting a fire under them to realize, like, we have to be part of this shift and the way the industry transforms.”

There’s no question that we’re at a pivotal moment in fashion’s history—and we’ve been due for it. Brands are getting less comfortable under the spotlight, the awareness

of our planet’s needs has never been so widespread, and our consumer influence on the industry has never been clearer. But, with that power comes great responsibility: to keep the momentum going and to always have a list of questions on hand.

“We’re in a time where so many more shoppers and everyday people have more information, which is really key,” Jenkins adds. “We just have to continue to ask more questions and, you know, not assume that a brand is doing positive things because they make a post that aligns with our values on social media.”

The days in which we buy without questioning are no longer, and so are the days in which we allow brands the privacy to keep us in the dark—naive and deceived. “I’m happy that consumers have started to realize that it really is up to us, as consumers, to force these brands to start making these changes,” Adrienne says. “Because without us, no one’s going to push them to do it.”

We’ve all begun listening—some more than others— but we’re nowhere near the end goal. The environmental changes we’ve seen throughout the course of pandemicrelated lockdowns were temporary. It’s now up to us, as consumers, to demand that the shift toward a sustainable fashion industry is permanent. While the pandemic may have led to a temporary respite for the planet, it will take continuous action to ensure that every breath we take in a polluted world becomes a breath of fresh air. ■

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he In at

u O t e h

Bre While the pandemic may have led to a temporary respite for the planet, it will take continuous action to ensure that every breath we take in a polluted world becomes a breath of fresh air.

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STRIPPING DOWN to the bare minimum

STRIPPING DOWN to the bare minimum

STRIPPING DOWN to the bare minimum

STRIPPING DOWN to the bare minimum

STRIPPING DOWN to the bare minimum

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PHOTOGRAPHER | SOPHIA VALENTINO MODELS | JOHN SNOW, MIRACLE SMYTHE, RHYAN JOYCE, KALIE-ANN NASSOURA

H

DELILAH EBY

ave you ever read off the ingredients of a hyped-up skincare product with appealing packaging, promises for a perfect complexion, and eye-catching marketing tactics, only to be met with a paragraph of foreign language consisting of alcohols, f r ag r an c e s , hy a lu ron i c s , an d Dihydroxyacetones? Yeah, us too.

When shopping for skincare products like serums, moisturizers, masks, and everything in-between, it’s easy to get caught up with fancy new products that an influencer was paid to dote over on Instagram. But why should you care? The simple truth of it all is that, when you look at the actual ingredients of most skincare products, even the expensive ones, they usually contain various ingredients that can actually do more harm than good.

On the contrary, clean beauty brands have been on the uprise as the issue of clean beauty has been brought to light.

Companies like The Ordinary, The Inkey List, KraveBeauty, Youth To The People, and countless others have become mainstream and “trendy” because of their simplified approach to skincare. These clean brands offer complete transparency with their products and stick to minimal ingredients that serve beneficial purposes.

Most importantly, they eliminate all the

excess harmful ingredients typically used in most formulas.

“Clean beauty” has become so popularized that it has become its own genre of influencer, with with Instagram accounts like @skincarebyhyram and @liahyoo leading the pack. The skincare world is circling back to the basics, and clean products are taking the stage.

The Edge chatted with Madisen English (@naturally_madisen on Instagram), a beauty & lifestyle blogger based in Charlotte, North Carolina, who has a passion for clean beauty and was enthusiastic to share some of her expertise with us. To English, “clean beauty” products are products that “aren’t formulated with unsafe or toxic ingredients that can cause more harm than good. We can safely use it on our hair or skin without risking our health!”

When it comes to ingredients, many brands have focused on the many brands have tapped the ‘less is more’ attitude, especially brands like The Ordinary that emphasize a minimalistic mentality with their product formulas. Unsurprisingly, English is a fan. “I do believe less is more, especially when it comes to clean beauty,” she said. “I love when an ingredient list is short, straight to the point, but still effective. If I can read the list and understand each ingredient, that’s a win for me!” ■

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skincare ingredients to avoid

01

SYNTHETiC FRAGRANCE

Fragrance, sometimes listed as ‘parfum’, should be an obvious red flag; however, it is found in most products. Any fragrance in a product you are putting on your face should be avoided at all costs.

The issue here is that: 1. Fragrance is an umbrella term, which means there could be hundreds, if not thousands, of ingredients that are actually in the said fragrance that do not have to be disclosed, Therefore, a harmful chemical can be in

a product and the brand does not have to disclose which to the buyer. Basically, these chemicals are mystery chemicals, and could potentially be toxic. 2. Fragrance is used purely for aesthetic purposes—to make a moisturizer smell like a bouquet of flowers, a serum smell like a plate of watermelon, etc. When it comes to stripping down a skincare product to only beneficial, clean ingredients, fragrance needs to go.

MiNERAL OiL While it sounds harmless, mineral oil is actually very destructive to the skin. Sometimes listed as ‘paraffin’, mineral oil is a byproduct of petroleum, which gives a lotion or cleanser a moisturizing, shiny

03

feel. However, it actually clogs pores and traps in moisture, as well as toxins. This ingredient creates a cesspool of toxins and oils trapped in the skin, resulting in acne and breakouts— things we all could do without.

DiETHANOLAMiNE, MONOETHANOLAMiNE & TRiETHANOLAMiNE Usually trackable under one of these three names, this ingredient is a chemical-thickening agent typically used in serums and cleansers to create a foamy texture. This chemical is very irritating to the face, is a cancer-causing

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02

agent, can mess with your pH levels, and can even be troublesome to the respiratory system. Again, it is only used for aesthetic purposes and causes some serious harm to more than just your face. Definitely stay away.

PARABENS Parabens are a preservative found in most beauty products, unless a product specifically states “no parabens” on its packaging. Sometimes listed as butyl, propyl, or ethyl, these chemicals have been scientifically proven to cause hormonal imbalances which can lead to reproductive is-

sues. Parabens also mimic estrogen production in your skin layers, which can even trigger breast cell production. Most products only contain minuscule amounts of parabens, but one thing is for sure: they are definitely not worth the risk.

04

PHTHALATES

05

These are chemicals that help a liquid product lather easily and maintain a certain color.

Phthalates are one of the scary chemicals that usually hide under the ‘fragrance’ ingredient, so they sometimes won’t be specifically listed at all (hence, another reason to avoid synthetic

fragrances in products). These can sometimes be listed as dibutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and diethyl phthalate. These chemicals are another hormone disruptor, potentially causing breakouts and reproductive issues, and are extremely harmful to the environment.

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL Another thickening agent found in creams, this chemical has petroleum properties, similar to mineral oils. It messes with the skin’s barrier,

disrupting its natural cleansing properties, and is damaging the skin. This ingredient may also be listed as propylene glycol and butylene glycol.

06

DENATURED ALCOHOL

07

Also listed as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and polyvinyl alcohol, denatured alcohol is very drying on the skin and can dramatically strip your skin of its natural mois-

ture. It can also cause adverse reactions on sensitive skin, like redness and irritation. Basically, you shouldn’t want anything to do with it.

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INCLUSION LOOKS GOOD ON YOU EMBRACiNG NECESSARY CHANGE iN THE iNDUSTRY

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OLIVIA NEVIN

F

ashion has always been an industry full of expectations. These expectations make the industry one of the leading influences in “societal standards'' for the perfect body. People tend to get labeled if they don’t reach a level of this so-called standard. As we all know by this point, societal standards are merely a social construct. However, since it has been drilled into our brains forever through social media, celebrities, and influencers, it is hard to brush aside that these standards are a facade.

Since COVID-19, everyone has been able to take a minute and think about the repercussions of this damaging mindset. We’ve been through the Chloe Ting fad, Peloton workouts, and SoulCycle classes, and we are tired of trying to achieve an unattainable body type. We are tired of having to dress one way, fearing we will be labeled if we don’t. We are TIRED. Fortunately, it seems like most people are on the same page. Something is happening and we’re liking what we’re seeing.

Let’s talk about clothes. For the longest time, people have held expectations and gender constructs for clothing.

Icons like Freddie Mercury and David Bowie had the courage to break these norms in the past, and there are still plenty of celebrities that continue to push the boundaries of fashion—take Zendaya, Billy Porter, and Harry Styles, for example. Zendaya has been breaking the gender norms for females for years now and continues to act as a pioneer for the women’s fashion industry.

Typically, it has been more widely accepted for women to wear more masculine clothing, as we’ve seen an increase in the blazer and power suit trends. However, when it comes to men wearing dresses or skirts—clothing society has deemed feminine—the same support is not reciprocated. Men painting their nails has been a major topic of debate recently, but this won’t stop them. Billy Porter’s custom Christian Siriano dress at the 91st Academy Awards turned heads. His play on masculinity and femininity pushed the envelope in ways many people hadn’t seen before. It is an iconic look that, hopefully, will never be forgotten. More recently, Harry Styles wearing a dress on the cover of Vogue shook many people to their core. It caused controversy, with many saying he couldn’t wear a dress because he’s a man. Obviously, this is an outdated way of thinking and it has made many people second-guess their ideas of gender norms and expectations.

While it is amazing that celebrities are continuing to push the boundaries of gender roles in fashion, it can be difficult for people who aren’t celebrities to feel as comfortable with those fashion choices. Since COVID19 hit, TikTok has been one of the main forms of entertainment for younger generations. People of all gender identities who aren’t A-list celebrities have been able to use TikTok as a platform to express their style with supportive groups in a way that hasn’t been seen before.

Spencer Hunt (@spencewuah) is an incredibly inclusive and inspiring TikTok celebrity, who has started trends that lift people up. He refuses to conform to gender norms, as we often see him rocking more feminine looks as well as makeup and painted nails (iconic to say the very least)! And he’s hardly the only one. There are many other male TikTok celebrities who have started a trend for other males to feel comfortable wearing makeup or painting their nails if that’s what they want to do.

Speaking of TikTok, Remi Bader (@remibader) has done an amazing job of calling out less inclusive brands like Revolve, Free People, and Anthropologie. Her “realistic hauls,” for which she purchases outfits based on how models look on their respective websites and then tries them on for her followers, have opened the eyes of many to the issue that is non-inclusive brands. Most importantly, she reveals that the XL sizes many brands carry are not always accurate. Bader has made countless calls to action to these companies to carry more inclusive brands. Along with these, she makes other videos applauding brands like Fashion Nova and AdoreMe Swim for carrying more inclusive clothing, giving her viewers ideas for great places to shop.

Another TikToker known for calling out society’s diluted idea of perfection is Santina Rizzi (@sanrizzle), who makes videos titled “is this a fit or is she just skinny?” We had the pleasure of talking to her (definitely go follow her if you don’t already!), and we asked her about her inspiration for starting these videos. “During the pandemic, I was on my phone constantly,” Rizzi said, “I would go on Pinterest and I realized that half of the outfits were just very thin women wearing a white tank top and blue jeans, but they were constantly getting millions of re-pins.” She realized the outfits she was seeing on her Pinterest weren’t really anything special without washboard abs as one of the accessories, and she decided to use that mixed with humor as inspiration for her viral videos.

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“DURiNG THE PANDEMiC, I WAS ON MY PHONE CONSTANTLY...I WOULD GO ON PiNTEREST AND I REALiZED THAT HALF OF THE OUTFiTS WERE JUST VERY THiN WOMEN WEARiNG A WHiTE TANKTOP AND BLUE JEANS, BUT THEY WERE CONSTANTLY GETTiNG MiLLiONS OF RE-PiNS.”

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PHOTOGRAPHER | GABBY DUNLEVY MODELS | MIRACLE SMYTHE, MICAELA RYAN, JULIANA KUHNO, KENDRA CHIDEYA, TRAVIS FLYNT

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Rizzi also wanted to mention another creator, @trashcanbarbie, who made a video calling out the same issue, but did not get the same positive response (check out her TikTok as well, she has a lot of amazing fashion videos!). Rizzi’s words of advice to anyone struggling with body image issues were that “you don’t have to look a certain way or be a certain size to be valued.” TikTokers like these two women have helped their viewers see that not having the same body as the models we see is completely normal and also perfect.

Within the past decade, a number of models have been paving the way for body positivity and inclusivity in both the fashion and modeling industries.

Ashley Graham, who became a supermodel in 2016 after making headlines for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, is one of the first curvy models to make it. Since her rise to fame, she has been the face of body positivity in the modeling industry. Graham and other curvy models like Tess Holiday, Tabria Majors, and Gabi Fresh have inspired a new generation of women: women who are confident in themselves and their bodies just as they are.

In the past, most runways were not only dominated by “skinny” models, but also white people. This is due to issues that started in the ’90s with runway fashion. We lost a lot of diversity in the industry for a while, which has made tokenism a hot-button topic of the moment. But, as the Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate movements have gained momentum, change is starting to come.

The Fashion Spot, a famed fashion forum, has kept an eye on diversity in

fashion advertisements for years. In the spring of 2015, the amount of people of color in major shows was only at about 17%. The percentage of people of color in major shows increased by about 24% from 2015 to 2020, reaching 41.5%.

Furthermore, well-known brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Burberry have hired diversity and inclusion officers. It is expected that diversity in the fashion industry will be a point of focus and growth in the coming years—just as it should be.

Last but not least, accessible inclusive fashion has been a topic less talked about. People with disabilities have had to struggle with nonadaptive clothing for years, and brands are finally starting to catch up. Levi Strauss & Co. is a brand that has been creating clothing for people with disabilities since the ’50s, and Zappos Adaptive, Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, and Open Style Lab have started following suit. Reducing the use of zippers and buttons or even flat seams make dressing much easier for those with disabilities or limited mobility.

So, where do we go from here? Well, we still have a long way to go and a lot of change is still necessary for the fashion industry to truly be inclusive and diverse. Much of this has to do with a change in “societal standards” as a whole, but the progress has begun. The momentum is there. The fashion industry is finally using its ability to spark change and influence to set a bar of inclusivity and diversity that other industries are also beginning to emulate.

With everything that has happened in the past year and everything we know now, there is hope that that will continue to grow. ■

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THE CANNABIS CRAZE PALMER BOOTHE

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t’s 2021, and medicine no longer refers to pills or anything else you can get from a doctor. Today, people are using weed to cure their various ailments. Headache? Try a sativa with a more body-concentrated high. Can’t sleep? A good indica can knock you out and give you the best, most restful sleep of your life. For those of us who struggle with anxiety and depression, weed can provide a much-needed relief from any unwanted thoughts and worries.

With medical marijuana spreading across the states, and recreational not far behind it, smoking weed is becoming more and more popular than ever before. In fact, a lot of people are starting to make money off of something that, until recently, has been a hobby. For example, Seth Rogan, actor and avowed stoner, just released three strains of his own along with LIFESTYLE | 52

accessories, such as table lighters and glass pipes.

Humans have been getting high for a while—since around 2900 B.C., in fact. It was only in the late 19th century that anti-weed propaganda associated weed with the influx of Mexican immigrants, and therefore started a cycle of tying weed to race, making it something “dangerous” instead of something healing. Later, in the 20th century, marijuana became related to African Americans, who subsequently were incarcerated with weed-related crimes at a far higher rate than white people, who smoke the same amount—and this remains true to this day.

Over time, weed has become more and more normalized, but the racial ties remain.

Things only really started to change when white people realized they could profit off the drug, whether that be by taxes or by the sale of CBD. So, let’s talk CBD. At this point, who hasn’t heard of it? CBD is the second most prevalent ingredient in weed, right behind THC, and is credited with the calming, anti-anxiety effects associated with smoking weed. In a way, both THC and CBD are similar to an antidepressant, which works with the brain’s serotonin receptors to create more serotonin. But, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, AKA your run-of-the-mill antidepressant) also come with negative side effects. SSRIs can affect your sleep, sex drive, and can even negatively interact with alcohol, which makes for a pretty awful hangover if you overdo it. Therefore, many have turned to CBD and have declared it the best option to treat issues such as anxiety and depression since it’s less harsh on the brain and the body.

It’s because of this that CBD has made an appearance in what feels like every store—you can buy it at the grocery store and the pharmacy, of course, as well as huge name-brand shops such as Urban Outfitters. It also seems to come in every form imaginable: makeup, hair and skincare, tinctures, supplements, vapes, and even lube. Yes, CBD is everywhere, and has seemingly become so in a very short amount of time.

Studies have been done about CBD ever since the ’40s, but it has only been

mass-marketed in the 21st century. Nobody was really thinking about the different components of weed, such as the cannabinoids or terpenes, in the sixties when it was just about getting high and peace and love. It’s been a long road to get here, but today, people are flocking to CBD. Why? Probably because people are starting to care about what they’re putting in their bodies—following trend with increasingly popular activities like yoga, pilates, and diet plans, like veganism. Many of those who are interested in a lifestyle that includes a regular exercise regimen, a plant-based diet, and ethically made clothes may choose CBD over a drug like Prozac to treat their mental health issues, as it’s more natural and not a man-made chemical.

CBD is also a more palatable version of weed for those who may be hesitant about using it for medical purposes. In the past twenty-odd years, medical marijuana has been in the news and all over social media as it has slowly become legalized across all 50 states. Consequently, many who had never thought to use it are now considering it a viable option to deal with medical and mental health issues. CBD is completely legal in most states and won’t give you any of the negative side effects that THC is known for, such as “the munchies”, squinty red eyes, or cottonmouth. You can drive after taking CBD, go to work, go to class, or whatever you need to do without getting so high you need to spend a few hours on the couch eating chips and watching episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. CBD is even accessible for the elderly (because can you imagine trying to get your grandma to smoke a joint?), children (because kids get anxious too), and anyone who does not want to feel “out of it” (lame, but understandable), while still delivering all of the same benefits of weed.

Young people, in the 18-30 age category, tend to prefer marijuana over CBD because they’ve grown up with weed becoming increasingly destigmatized. A lot of people have a very negative view of what a “stoner” looks like in their minds, and the wounds of the war on drugs in America have not healed. However, CBD has none of these connotations and is being marketed as something else almost entirely, with buzzwords like “hemp” and “all-natural” used in the advertising.

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Those who have tapped into the CBD market have drawn in a wide range of potential consumers: vegans and yogis, Buzzfeed millennials, Gen-Z college students who probably already like weed, drug-cautious Boomers, Whole Foods moms, and grandparents who may have smoked a little in the sixties but haven’t since.

The customer base is only growing.

Let’s be honest—some people do need psychiatrists and help that goes beyond what CBD can provide. It’s not a miracle-working, magical elixir; but, for a lot of people, it’s exactly what they need. Everyone’s life and body are different, so nothing works for all of us. However, if you give CBD a try, there’s a really good chance it could be what’s best for you. If one form of CBD isn’t helpful, there’s probably at least one other that might change the game. After all, CBD lube does sound interesting…

More than ever before, people all over the world are incorporating CBD into their everyday lives and reaping the benefits.

There are countless products at a range of prices pretty much everywhere. So, whether you’re an athlete, someone who suffers from mild anxiety, or you struggle

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with some breakouts that just won’t go away, find some CBD and give it a try—this stuff is the future.

When you smoke weed or use CBD, remember the people who have suffered and are suffering for marijuana-related crimes. There are around 40,000 people in jail for these “crimes”, in a system built on racism and corruption. A Black person is 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for a marijuana charge than a white person, and yet, 81% of marijuana business owners are white. Obviously, white people are affected by unfair weed laws, too, but not at all to the same extent as people of color. In L.A., where weed is legalized, people are still being arrested and charged with unlawful selling or possessing—75% of these arrests were made up

by Black and Latino people. Yes, it’s cool Seth Rogan is selling weed now, but it further proves the privilege he has compared to others. If you’re an avid consumer of THC or CBD products, please consider supporting or getting involved with an organization such as the Last Prisoner Project, which advocates for criminal justice reform specifically for drug-related charges. ■

PHOTOGRAPHER | MOLLY WHELAN MODELS | CINDA BIRCH, WYLIE SCHWARTZ

EDIBLES

CBD “edibles”, if you can really even call them that, come in many different forms: gummies, chocolates, and water and other drinks. Edibles are great for people who want to know exactly how much CBD they are consuming since the milligramage is on the packaging. Edibles have to be metabolized before the effects start, so usually there is time between consuming the edible and feeling the effects of CBD.

Yes, CBD-infused makeup does exist. It mostly comes in the form of lip butters, cheek tints, primers, and perfume. The idea is that CBD is better for the skin than ingredients in other makeup, making it a great choice if you’re trying to watch what you put on your face.

SKINCARE

CBD can help with acne and also has anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it can be found in a plethora of face masks, moisturizers, roll-on oils, and more. It is also known to ease pain and is even sold in the form of bath salts and lotions to soothe sore muscles. In this form, the CBD is absorbed transdermally, or through the skin, so the benefits are a little different than that of CBD that’s ingested.

Tinctures are CBD oil dropped and absorbed under the tongue. This is usually taken either in the morning (if you want to ease your anxiety throughout the day) or at night (to help with a deeper and more peaceful night’s sleep).

VAPE

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CBD also comes in cartridges that look just like its THC equivalent but are sold in most vape stores. An additional purchase of a “battery”, or a vape device that takes these kinds of cartridges, is required to use a CBD vape. This is a great option for on-the-go daily use because it’s very discreet.

CBD flower also looks like its THC equivalent—and smells the same, too—which makes it a little tricky with the law. It can be smoked all the same ways normal weed can, such as a bong, a joint, a pipe, or even in CBD “cigarettes”, but contains no THC and will not get you high.

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SILVER-LINING (n): a sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation; a bright prospect.

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S C

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KATIE EVERITT

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nfortunate, gloomy and dark—all fitting adjectives for quarantine. Rejuvenating, explorative and liberating are also fitting.

The silver linings of quarantine kindled life-changing experiences for all. We rejuvenated, explored, and liberated ourselves from aspects of our life that tied us down. Isolation from the civilization that we have grown to rely on for validation and routine began after the shutdown in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the food and transportation industry to retail and beauty industries, businesses became dead.

In a consumer-crazed society, consumers and business owners alike were scared for what was to come. The products and services that quickly became unavailable instilled great angst and worry in our world. Some more than others offered us lessons that should be taken with us as the world begins to re-opened. The immediate angst and worry that we experienced were a sort of subconscious self-existential crisis that became transformative.

Clients of Michelle James Salon in Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts, were experiencing the same the crisis.

When lockdowns began, clients bombarded the voicemail of the salon to book appointments for the minute they re-opened. In the meantime, they scurried to find DIY, at-home hair kits to “save their roots before they had to be in public again,” Carter Everitt, a regular at the salon, says.

It was until those kits proved to be more difficult and unsuccessful than expected that they were forced to let their natural hair grow in. This first seemed like a crisis, PHOTOGRAPHER | GEORGIA DANIEL MODELS | TYJA TRAORE, VICTORIA CUCINELLO

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but it was the self-existential crisis that taught us how to love ourselves—for ourselves. We learned how to love ourselves for our gray hairs, bushy eyebrows and un-layered hair.

These eccentricities make us unique. They liberate us from molding into a population of people that are mirror images of one another. The closure of salons was the catalyst for the commonality of going au naturale. While it was scary to let go of your salon appointments and dissociate yourself with the dye colors and eyebrow shapes you have grown to identify yourself with, women and men across the country would say that it was a revival of their true appearance.

Acne? A bodily process. Roots growing in? Another bodily process. Body hair? Again, a bodily process.

These processes, along with others, all occur in different manners for different individuals.

The fact that these processes are external and exposed to the public makes it just a little bit harder to accept. But, with some time alone with our bodies, we could not only let these processes occur, but shine.

Thanks to pandemic-related lockdowns, we were able to do that. What’s more is that we developed a sense of comfort and acceptance because we weren’t

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constantly in the presence of others, or people we could compare ourselves to.

The constant alone time allowed us to reestablish our relationships with ourselves. The key was to become your own best friend, your own crush, and your own beauty icon. As the need to “dress to impress” became nonexistent, we learned to simply “dress to impress” ourselves and learned that, if we feel confident in the way we look, we will shine from the inside—and that will catch more eyes than blonde highlights ever did. Beauty suddenly became literally in the eyes and hands of the beholder—not your salon stylist, not the girl next to you at the party, not your new crush. Just YOU. Maria Meimeteas, a receptionist at Anne Marie Hair Salon in Salem, Massachusetts, says the favorite part of her job is the smile she sees on the clients’ faces at the end of their appointments—something she missed during quarantine. “I missed providing them with that gratification, but through social media I saw that their #quarantinecuts made them smile the same way,” Meimeteas says. “I was extremely proud that they could be their own stylist and play around with their hair as much as they wanted until they were happy with the end result.”

The surplus of appointments and products available fed into the deprivation of self-expression and self-love because, in reality, it did the opposite than make us feel good; it made us always want more.

The truth is, all we ever needed was ourselves: our bodies and our skin. Beauty gurus often discuss the importance of minimalism in your beauty routines.

There’s a minimalist revolution stirring, and it is exactly what we’ve needed to get us out of the toxic cycle of needing more products and more services.

To find the silver linings in times of hardship, one must allow themselves to be pushed out of their comfort zone. The psychological and physical rewards presented can lead you to create new habits and routines that better your lifestyle. Quarantine was a lonely time, but it allowed us to get to know and love ourselves better than we ever have before. We finally began to understand that, at the end of the day, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. ■

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LOSiNG THE LUXURY

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GRACE WADE

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fter a year of strict quarantine mandates and way too much quality time spent on the living room couch, the world is anxious to move forward from this pandemic. Before COVID-19 commandeered our social lives and travel decisions, hopping on an airplane hardly seemed like a luxury.

Whether we were jetting off to visit a friend or in search of better weather, we took air travel for granted—that is, until it all came to an abrupt halt last March.

The only true way we were able to put into perspective how addicted to air travel we had become was having it all taken away. A recent U.S. Travel Association study points to a whopping $519 billion loss in airline revenue this year and the largest decline in air travel since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Airlines are already beginning to see more passengers in 2021, but do not be fooled—the face of travel is forever changed by COVID-19.

For the many Americans facing loss of income, growing COVID-19 related health concerns, and mounting medical bills, air travel has become an out-ofreach luxury. In the past year, four in ten Americans reported they have taken a cut in pay, been laid off, or live with someone who has. The divide between those with means and those without has grown exponentially over the last year, and air travel is merely another example of socioeconomic disparity in America.

Whether it be due to a fear of contracting the virus or a dip in discretionary income, countless vacations have been postponed or cancelled. In the process, our addiction to air travel has been exposed. But, is there a silver lining in all of this? Perhaps it is the very disruption of air travel that causes us to now pause and consider the real reasons we long to travel. In order to analyze the addiction, we must look at travel as a whole; why we desire it, what we seek from it, and how it benefits us. In order to answer these questions, we have to be willing to set privilege aside, examine the real reasons we are addicted to air travel, and consider the alternatives.

Most of us get on an airplane for similar reasons: to get away from the stress of work and home, seek adventure, see famous or historical sites, and to spend time with friends and family. Now, it is time to re-evaluate what it means to move your body and your mind—maybe your family and friends—from one place

to another and ask yourself, “Why am I going here?” Or, “Once I get to where I am going, what am I searching for?” An overwhelming number of times, you will find that these questions can be answered without getting on a plane. After a year of unwanted isolation, our first priority should be to compensate for lost time with family and friends by making new memories with the people we love. Many of us have a bucket list filled with places we feel the need to take that famous photo in front of. But, instead of that perfect photo, what if we collectively reconsidered the silver lining lessons from the global pandemic we’re enduring? Of course, everyone is dreaming of the day they can be back in a vibrant concert crowd or watching their favorite sports team in the friendly fan environments. Being able to adventure, explore a new place or get that fantastic Instagram photo does not revolve around the pre-2020 mainstream itinerary. Seeing or simply existing with the ones we love does not depend on a plane, money, or privilege. It’s time we reevaluate our intentions within travel and use the knowledge gained from having flights being taken away to fuel our will to discover new solutions to creating memories.

PHOTOGRAPHER | JESSICA SKELLEY MODELS | KATE WIRTH, YAFFE ATAU, RENELL TAYLOR, AMELIA REAGAN

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Whether what you seek by flying to a new place is what time is considered “valuable” and how it can be relaxation, adventure, social or non-social events, to measured. A recent article by the Center For Aviation detox or to explore, etc., your travel goals can be concluded that “10% of the decline in global CO2 recreated without purchasing a plane ticket. Truly dwell emissions attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic was upon past valuable memories on vacations and ask the result of the reduction in air transport operations.” yourself, “What made this time so special?” When it We should not only celebrate the lack of air travel comes to air travel, high expectations for the perfect opportunity in the past year, but also satisfying our vacation can backfire and lead to disappointment if craving for travel by carefully considering the reasons travel doesn’t go as planned. for flying before booking a ticket.

With even further consideration, you may well find As global citizens, we have endless opportunity now relief in not having to endure the troubles of air travel. to do our part in becoming the epitome of “the From long layovers, missed flights, and cramped leg conscious traveler.” Visiting the vast network of state room, you begin to wonder about the price of so-called and city parks, planning an elaborate or themed picnic relaxation. There are refreshing aspects of avoiding the with friends and family, and appreciating the hassle of air travel and a detailed itinerary, especially authenticity of these experiences along the way will during a time like this when nobody really knows which allow us to accomplish everything we want from a activities will take place and which will be cancelled. Caribbean getaway or Italian escapade without getting When we think about the lavish trips we wish to take, on a plane. ■ oftentimes, they do not maximize our need for relaxation and comfort but rather keep us on a busy schedule in order to see and do everything while in the area. During these unprecedented times, it is most important to discover ways to embrace the true meaning of travel. It is also particularly imperative to consider wellness tourism after a year of spiked mental health related issues throughout our country. Scientists trace a rapid increase in the number of adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression from 11% to 42% throughout 2020. Whether you’re a college student struggling socially after being forced to leave school, a busy mother trying to keep her kids entertained and engaged from home, or an adult struggling to find work, millions of Americans have found themselves increasingly anxious and depressed throughout this pandemic.

Taking care of your emotional and mental wellbeing during this transition out of quarantine is of the greatest significance, and allowing yourself to fulfill this need in affordable, safe spaces will lead you to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Rather than looking at this past year as a missed opportunity or a waste of time, allow yourself to consider it as a blessing in disguise in terms of travel, as we have been granted the opportunity to step back, reevaluate, and not be constantly chasing adventures we can discover right in front of us.

Over the last year we have seen nature heal.

Decreased air travel has contributed to a significant decrease in air pollution, therefore, reviving various species of plants and animals.

As a society we tend to lack the ability to determine

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dear future self Life is an interesting thing. It’s made up of moments, big and small, people, places, and experiences. It’s about learning, growing, and thriving.

It’s about hardships, battles, and mountains that we all have to climb at different points in our life.

Every person is different. We all have things that make us smile, laugh, and feel. We all have flaws and sometimes it’s hard to see that in others when we’re overly critical of ourselves. Each person has a passion, a spark, and a purpose. We are all human, which is what makes us all important and special in our own way.

So, here’s to us. Here’s to who we are and who we’re becoming. For the person we’re becoming, this message is for you: MELISSA BECK

never stop learning “Remember that you will never stop learning—not in your classes, not in your friendships, not in life. There will never be a point in time where you know everything there is to know but embrace that and take it all a day at a time. You got this, and when you don’t, use your support system. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

KATY MORRISON, ‘22

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“Continue to cherish every moment like you did when you were at Elon and prioritize the things that make you happy! Take a second and reflect on how much you’ve grown since college. I’m proud of you!”

AMY RODRIGUEZ, ‘21

“I would tell myself to really value spending time with others. It’s really easy for me to get wrapped up in work, but this semester I’ve prioritized seeing my friends more and it has made me so much happier!”

JANAE CARPENTER, ‘21

dear future

value time

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re self slow down “Right now, I’m getting ready to graduate from Elon.

Obviously, I won’t really be ready, but I’m finishing up my classes, my internships, and I’ve been looking for a job. Graduating in a pandemic is definitely not what I’d imagined, but I really can’t imagine this year being any different. I’m sure in five to 10 years, I won’t remember this moment in my life, but right now it feels so pivotal— moving from the end of school to real life. I want to remind you how much I value all of my friends and to make sure they still know it. The biggest thing I’ve learned from the past year is that slowing down is not a bad thing and how important the small moments can be if you let them.”

SAM BAKAL, ‘21

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re

“Remember how much you prevailed. There are so many things that knocked you down and you got back up.

Senior year was difficult with social interaction, navigating relationships, and realizing that these are the ‘lasts.’

I hope you remember how free you were and how ready you were for every new adventure and, most importantly, I hope you’re doing well now.”

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MELISSA BECK, ‘21

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PHOTOGRAPHER | GABBY DUNLEVY MODEL | MICAELA RYAN

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