FASHION QUARTERLY HAUS of ESTRADA SEASON 7 PROJECT RUNWAY CONTESTANT
P.R.
COVERGIRL
KATYA
KHATSENKO
56 DAYS
A PHOTO A DAY FOR A WHOLE QUARTER
PASSION
PROJECT
SPRING 2010
FIND US ON
WEBSITE: FASHION-QUARTERLY FACEBOOK: FASHION QUARTERLY TWITTER: FQMAG EMAIL: FASHIONQUARTERLY@GMAIL.COM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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STAFF FAVORITES
5 56 DAYS IN PHOTOS 7FEATURES
9
8UNDERGROUND
THE ART OF FASHION
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“FASHION” -CONTEXTUALIZED
11 COUTURE 13HAUS OF ESTRADA
17 21 24 RELATIONSHIPS COVER GIRL
SPRING TRENDS
25 PR
STAFF + 7 FAVORITES SEX AND THE CITY SEASON DVDS
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2.
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POPCORN INDIANA www.popcornindiana.com
A CUP OF JO BLOG
3.
4.
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POLADROID.NET
LOMOGRAPHY
5.
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WARBY PARKER GLASSES
SOFTLIPS CHAPSTICK
+ BURT’S BEES HAND SALVE
ORIGINS “A PERFECT WORLD”
6.
A CUP OF “HANGER TEA”
TEEN VOGUE HANDBOOK
+ 7.
CALIFORNIA BABY SUNSCREEN
SUPERMODEL TAO OKAMOTO
EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, As I was doing a bit of spring cleaning the other day, I could not help but realize how much my personal style has changed since the last time we saw each other in the winter. Though I could easily blame San Diego’s moody weather for this, that’s hardly the case. There is just something special about spring that makes us want to refresh our wardrobe and the flesh beneath it. Some of us conjure up images of floral prints and light pastels, dandelions planted in uncombed hair, opal jewels and skies, and romantic dalliance when we think of “spring.” As for me, I am a bit more pessimistic about this season so I choose to sport a DGAF attitude with a lackadaisical hairdo to match, over the florals and pastels; simply because spring is the only thing between me and summer. Likewise, as you flip through this issue of Fashion Quarterly, you’ll notice that it has also undergone a bit of spring cleaning. It similiarly reflects the duality of spring season, as the issue itself transitions from darker to lighter hues during its twenty seven pages. This quarter, we’ve been fortunate enough to work with the likes of Project Runway Designer Jesus Estrada, revert back to old-fashion film photography (56 Days in Photos), get to know our ‘au naturel’ student Cover Model Katya Khatsenko, and feature one of San Diego’s sassiest PR Firms, J Public Relations. It would be indulgent of me to take credit for any part of Fashion Quarterly. This publication reflects the talent, dedication and hard work of the wonderful people I’ve been so blessed to work with this past year. With that said, this is a big, curvaceous, plus-size thank you to FQ staff and you. Enjoy, or recycle. With Love, Liz Kim Editor-in-Chief
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56
DAYS
COMPILED BY ELLEN LEE AND TUY OSUNA
IN PHOTOS
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MUSIC ARTIST
J-LIGHT
FEATURING MUSIC
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BY RAISA MIRZA
STYLE
HAIR STYLIST
“This San Diego born hip hop artist has managed to wow audiences with his energetic personality and dynamic stage presence. At only 16 years old, he has managed to rack up quite a bit of experience performing at venues such as the House of Blues, San Diego Convention Center, local malls as well as appearances in music videos and television. J-Light is the new fresh face and multifaceted music artist for the next generation.” WWW.JLIGHTMUSIC.COM
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How did you know this was something you wanted to do? I’ve known it’s what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. There’s never been a doubt about it. What is the hardest thing about being a young musician in such an old industry? For me the hardest part is shaving off my goatee, haha. Nothings hard about it, life isn’t hard unless you say it is. What artists style best reflects your style or who would you say you draw some similarites with as far as your style of music and performance goes? Performance wise I think I definitely took from performers such as Michael Jackson, Usher, and Chris Brown. However musically I don’t really know who I can compare myself to, I really do feel I’m bringing something new to the table. I’ve gotten Drake, some songs have a bit of a new boyz swag to them, but as far as the inspiration and vibe and thought process behind my music, I would have to say J-Light is the only person you can compare me to, lol. Do you write your songs? If so, are they from personal experience or imagination? Give us some examples. Yes, I write all my songs. They’re both from personal experience and imagination. Sometimes I write about myself in situations that I’ve never really been in, and just put myself there. Or I just really over exaggerate a small situation. Tell me about the name of your album, “stage lights on” and where this name came from and why. Stage Lights On signifies the introduction of my artistry to the world. It’s basically saying, the stage lights are now on, and the J-Light show has officially befun, the show being my career. What is your inspiration behind your music? Everything is my inspiration, I write so much it’s ridiculous, and I can get inspired by just about any thing and any situation. I analyze all aspects of life. However on my upcoming project, we chose a theme of topics that other teens and people can relate to, such as relationships with girls, parents, and some party jams to get them on their feet. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? I see myself a successful, top selling artist internationally, beginning to dab into the behind the scenes, business aspect of music.
NANCY NGOUY
BY SHERRY YUEN-RUAN
Interview with Nancy Ngouy, Professional Hairdresser When did you first discover your hairstyling talent and interest? I discovered it early, at the age of 13. I grew up with girls, so hair was fun to do. I even played with my dad’s hair. I never considered it as a career. Where did you go to school? I went straight to SDSU for college first. I did PR for magazine publications and worked as a freelance makeup artist on the side. Later, I went to cosmetology school and really enjoyed styling hair when working with people. Who are some interesting or memorable people you’ve worked with? Victoria Beckham, P Diddy, Amanda Bynes and Jaimie Presley. I did hair for various magazines, some Playboy and Maxim, but the most interesting people are the local San Diego people. My clients range from aviators to surgeons, etc. P Diddy story: When Nancy first began her career as a hairdresser, one of her first jobs was to assist at the fashion show in Las Vegas called MAGIC (MAGIC is a huge event for fashion designers). According to Nancy, P Diddy was pretty silent most of the time and acted like the ultimate diva. He only said a few simple phrases like “do that hair thing here” and people would frantically try to do everything he said. Advice for people who are interested in becoming hairdressers? Go for it! Don’t question it. School takes half your life away and you can pursue other things. Follow through and don’t get discouraged so easily. Slaving away for a year under someone may seem like it is going to take a lifetime, but that’s where you can meet down to earth people. It’s a career, not a job. Hairdressing is a career, not a job. It’s not just working with famous people. Most clients are the funniest and most interesting people (nurses, aviators, surgeons, young people) and it’s like hanging out with your friends everyday.
BY CONTRIBUTING WRITER TRAVIS BASS www.Neishon.com Underground fashion is a term that is thrown around a lot lately, but defining what that means and what it implies is quite difficult. Two years ago, I began a project entitled Ninja Neishon which was meant to challenge mainstream culture, fashion and art, and return to an underground community where people weren’t worried about social and cultural constraints. Yet throughout the process, the line between underground and mainstream has become so ambiguous that it becomes necessary to question where the difference comes from and what that means for people and businesses trying to stay true to their roots. Many people rebel against mainstream because it is so distant and detached from its consumers. It is a top-down business model where “cool” things are thrown into the masses, hoping that enough people will buy these items to make a profit. Underground and independent brands are the counter to this, or at least they should be. They provide the other end of the spectrum, the side that recognizes people as more than customers. For many, being ‘underground’ implies a certain sense of exclusivity. It’s the accomplishment of finding a fresh new brand no one else has heard about, or getting access to shirts you could only buy in other countries. Nigo, the founder of the clothing line A Bathing Ape, relied heavily on this technique early in his career and built his fan base entirely on the exclusiveness of his Tokyo location. Hip-hop artists, techno DJs and graffiti artists alike flourished in the underground scene for years by focusing on the uniqueness of their location and the specificity of their
fanbase. But times have changed, and everyone is more interconnected than ever before. Fifteen years ago, you could have traveled to Japan, bought a T-shirt from an independent streetwear brand, and come back to be the envy of all your friends. Today your friends will just go online and buy the same shirt on Karmaloop.com. Fifteen years ago, you would have had to travel to Chicago to catch an underground show of an upand-coming artist no one else had heard about. Today, a kid at that show will tweet a video of the performance, allowing you to watch it live from your room instantly. There has obviously been a technological change, one that has forced many to question where the heart of underground now lives. Is it even possible to still have an underground scene? I believe so. The future of underground fashion is nested within social responsibility, in giving back to the communities that support this independent fashion culture. Nothing can replace the feeling of a crowd packed into a small venue on a Wednesday night to see a DJ like Hudson Mohawk, or the feeling of traveling to the store of an independent streetwear brand such as The Hundreds, simply to talk with the owners themselves. There is still a place for the underground scene, and it lies in the connection of the brands to the communities in which they operate. So the next time you’re looking for a new pair of kicks, or a fresh new shirt, remember to check in at your local boutique or favorite shop to see if they have anything you like.
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the
ARTof
FASHION BY CHRISTINA PHAM
photo: http://blog.nj.com/fashiontoday
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One could hold lofty debates on when exactly the marriage between art and fashion occurred. It could be the day Mondrian found his minimalist red, blue, and yellow compositions on a Yves Saint Laurent runway. It may have been the day Dali inspired Elsa Schiaparelli to design her Surrealist inspired Shoe Hat. Some could even argue that this marriage has never been formally established, and that the union of the two has always been present for as long as fashion design and aesthetic emphasis have existed. Despite the uncertainty of its origins, the integration of the contemporary art world with that of the fashion industry has created a new collaborative market in which the artist is elevated to celebrity status. Designers now possess the initiative to take cues from previous precedents set by other fashion designers and launch a trend that takes over every spectrum of the fashion industry, from clothing and purses to makeup cases. By merging the two aesthetics, one of the artist and the other of the designer, the birth of more eclectic and unique products are formed while opening up both markets to wider audiences in different shapes and mediums. These artists typically have had more modest upbringings in the art community—James Jean’s start as a comic book cover artist, Fafi’s own beginnings as a street graffiti artist, and Takeshi Murakami’s own start with the Superflat post-war Otaku animanga style, just to list a few. Their work was colorful and generally considered middle to low-brow in quality, but extremely well received in the younger art community. Their introduction into the fashion world brings their creative vision into a new company of people. Prada wrapped her purses, dresses, and shoes with detailed James Jean illustrations of romantic female figures immersed in a floral backdrop. Murakami injected a sense of whimsy and color into otherwise traditional and monochromatic Louis Vuitton products. LeSportsac parades Fafi’s signature hot pink hues with her “Fafinette” characters, as MAC products feature multiple shades of pink hidden within Fafi-emblazoned cases. And while fashion lovers buzz over the latest artist-designer collaboration, diehard fans of illustrators ache and dream of possessing such pieces with their favorite artists’ images draped across those products. Bridging the gaps between the contemporary art community with the wide-reaching fashion world is the new marketing tactic where everyone wins in their own way. Artists rise to high status and expanded recognition while designers tap into a new source of inspiration for their own products. Ultimately, the popularity and originality of this new blossoming trend leaves many others demanding to see more collaborative efforts in the near future.
FASHION BY MINA RIAZI
- CONTEXTUALIZED
Over time, words acquire different shades of meaning. Before smoking’s grave repercussions were widely known, the word “smoking” exuded a silvery cool. In present day society, however, “smoking” might spark internal audio clippings of scratchy coughs. Similarly, the word “fashion” also endured—and continues to endure—an alteration of meaning. Usually, when I express an interest for fashion in front of my grandmother’s spongy, white-haired friends, a sudden murmur swirls any previous conversation into oblivion. No longer does the word “fashion” ooze positive connotations or images of Yves Saint Laurent and his stately dress suits, replete with blinking gems. Instead, a messy whirl of controversies—from the ongoing weight-debate to the shameless flaunting of consumerism—continue to infuse “fashion” with bitter undertones. I remember an older woman’s response to my desire for a career in the fashion industry. With her lips pursed into a pucker, she responded to my sour news by saying that smart people do not exist in fashion.
Though her comment left me purple with anger, I soon grew more aware of fashion’s multi-dimensional presence in our world. I remember uncovering a bundle of US Vogue magazines and discovering celebrity grins, smiles and juicy pouts. Our celebrity-centric fashion world places less emphasis on who made the dress and more on who wore it. While multiple magazine spreads help us dress more like Jennifer and Jessica, entire editorials are smattered with trend after trend—exposing a mindless willingness to conform. These shiny, retouched images capture the essence of an industry that too often pushes for superficial perfection, and advises that everyone else do so, too. Nevertheless, many garments still function as creative masterpieces constructed not merely for consumption but for reflection as well. Designers such as Laura and Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte and Giles Deacon keep hopes alive that fashion find more of its roots in raw human emotion and less in the cold, calculated desire to conform.
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COUTURE BY CONOR FORD
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” is what Anna Wintour was overheard saying upon arriving in Paris the past January for Haute Couture Fashion Week. For those who are unaware, the couture shows in Paris are the apex of high fashion, where all the major fashion houses present their newest and most dazzling hand-made collections to the ‘public’. While managing to wrangle a ticket separates the somebody’s from the nobody’s, as far as the clothes are concerned -- all rules are out the window. “An electronic flash in my head at five o’clock in the morning. Silver and pastel,” was how Karl Lagerfeld described stumbling upon his inspiration for the Spring 2010 Chanel Collection on January 26, in Paris. For a man who is best know for perfecting the classic Chanel black-and-white, this was quite a daring move. There was not a spec of black in the entire collection. However, as soon as the music began and the girls walked out with heartshaped hair fit for Marie Antoinette, the whole thing seemed to make sense. The juxtaposition of the demur pastels with vibrant silver created a wonderful tension. Seemingly, a tension between a space-age existence and contemporary life. A veritable homage to the kind of achievable futurism we first saw in the 60s. Lagerfeld succeeded in his attempt of making the future now and convinced many a young woman in the audience to seek out the Chanel mother ship. Givenchy was the other must-see show in town. “I started looking into the archive, and found the idea of this strong, erotic phase of Parisian women I related to.” That is how the designer described his inspiration for this couture collection, and at this point, what Riccardo Tisci says goes. The vigor behind the house of Givenchy is tangible at this point, and the girls turn out in droves to see Ricarrdo’s latest show. If Karl kept one eye on the 1960s, Riccardo turned the other one to the 1970s. Exquisitely tailored masculine tuxedo jackets with ostrich-feathered T-shirts and floor-length columns of navy silk with flowing chiffon capes evoked the pure attitude of 70s with a simple lavish twist. And the green and blue mosaic embellished jumpsuits? Well, they almost dared the audience not to applaud. Despite the grandness of the occasion, the positive light of the recession was definitely shining at the couture shows. Designers were smart. They created clothes that not only achieved the level of innovation expected from couture, but the garments they presented were overwhelmingly wearable. They appealed to the discerning eye of the couture clientele whilst ensuring that their creations would be photographed editorially. Designers looked back to appropriate sentiments of the past in what could be describe as a fashionable recycling campaign. All in all, it was a hopeful week in the City of Love.
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Photographer: Somnang Vann Designer: Jesus Estrada Models: Dagmar Bjork - M.I. Models, Antonio Estrada Makeup: Amylynn Richardson Hair: Char Sanchez Styling: Chesley Tolentino
HAUS
ESTRADA
BY CHESLEY TOLENTINO Jesus Estrada was born in Mazatlan, a city in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, and always dreamt of becoming a young, famous fashion designer. Growing up in a fashionable family, he was inspired by his mother, who used to model, and identical twin brother Antonio Estrada, who also works in the fashion industry. At the age of two, Estrada moved to San Diego, California to live the American dream with his mother and brothers. After graduating high school, Estrada attended Fashion Careers College, where he first learned how to thread a sewing machine. His focus was creating high fashion evening gowns with a touch of grandiosity. After graduating from college and being featured in several fashion shows in San Diego, Estrada has matured in both his artistic vision and technique, creating a women’s ready to wear line that is both edgy and feminine with a twist of punk. In 2009, he was chosen to participate as a Season 7 contestant on the Emmy-nominated reality television series, “Project Runway.”
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Photographer: Somnang Vann Model: Katherine Khatsenko Makeup/Hair: KC Witkamp Styling: Lucy Chen, Chesley Tolentino Clothing from Zara, Forever 21, Metropark
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of FORCE NATURE BY SERENA CHANG
One Friday afternoon, I sat down with Cover Girl Katya Khatsenko, an adorably pretty and charming, yet incredibly down-to-earth young lady who drew me in with her open smile and genuine warmth. I quickly learned that she loves choir, and currently sings first soprano in the women’s a capella group, the Treble Singers. In her free time, she likes to take photos and make scrapbooks. Like many hardworking UCSD students, Katya stresses about academics and not finding a job in this difficult economy. Yet, she manages to maintain an admirable GPA and a practical and hopeful attitude toward her future. “If you love something, people are going to see that, and you are inherently going to work hard for what you love. Things will work themselves out for the better,” she says. With aspirations to pursue a career in environmental sustainability, Katya hopes to promote consciousness in our every action, from reducing her ecological impact to re-glamorising pre-loved clothing.
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A second year Human Biology major minoring in Humanities and Environmental Systems, Katya aims toward a future in public health and sustainable development. “I really want to be able to protect nature. I love being outside, and I’m always at peace when I’m outside,” she explains. A member of the Association of Environmental Professionals and Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, she tries to “put consciousness into everything” she does, whether that means printing doubled-sided, or altering her mom’s old garments to fit her better. Her eco-consciousness stems from her “No Waste” philosophy. She tells me, “I always ask myself, ‘Do I really need this thing that I’m buying right now? Didn’t I just get a new one a week ago, a year ago?’” Rather than paying precious green for designer brands, she argues that “you can look cute just by being creative and confident. You could get something for $3 and make it fabulous.” In fact, she loves thrifting and reconstructing old clothing to give them a modern twist. She proudly shares, “I have a lot of my mom’s older clothes and have them fitted to me and altered with personal flair.” Katya’s conviction in conscious consumerism translates into a very practical attitude toward her impact as an individual on the planet. “I know I’m not going to change the world,” she states bluntly, “but I want to do my little part.” She knows that if people work toward a common objective, such as actively sustaining the environment, they can make a large difference. “You think your tiny little actions don’t create an impact, but it’s selfish to live frivolously with no regard for the limits of the Earth’s resources. People often
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feel that they are entitled to exploit the Earth, which sustains every part of our existence, but the natural world is beautiful and cannot be recreated by man once destroyed. I want to show the most respect that I can, and hope I can inspire people to do the same,” she remarks. In addition to her passion for sustainability, Katya loves learning about different cultures and finding ways to help people. Born in Siberia and having lived in London, Katya is acutely aware of how people are defined by various cultures and value systems. Her family visits a new country every year, a tradition which has fostered her desire to travel the world some day. “I want to get out of my bubble,” she says, “I want to experience how other people live and how other people are happy, and what makes them happy, and get new ideas from them.” Her open-minded cultural perspective helps her evaluate her sense of purpose in life: combining a love for nature with helping the people and the environment, in whatever way she can. “Living in San Diego in the top 2% of the wealthiest places in the world,” she observes, “you need to help people because you need to get out of your self-centric routine and realize there are so many other people out there. You are one little person, but you can make a difference, and that can all spread, and create a ripple effect where you can make civilization better.” Katya’s broad awareness of human potential drives her to raise awareness about living consciously, by respecting and aiding the people and the environment encompassing our world.
person, but you can make “You are one littlea difference. �
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WE LOVE
SPRING
THIS SPRING: NUDE LIPS. SATCHELS. DECORATIVE TOPS. PREPSTER BASICS. GEOMETRIC JEWELS. LACE UPS.
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Photographer: Somnang Vann Models: Linh Nguyen, Carly Fridell Makeup: KC Witkamp Hair: Char Sanchez Styling: Jasmine Tsai, Chesley Tolentino Clothing from Forever 21, Pink Zone, Urban Outfitters, Macy's
DOITYOURSELF
BY SHERRY YUEN-RUAN
BOYFRIENDSHORTS
YOU NEED Pair of old jeans, Fabric scissors, Paint and embellishments of your choice I USED 7-year-old Express jeans, Fabric scissors from Target, Apple Barrel acrylic paint from Michael’s Arts and Crafts
1.
Measure and mark the desired length for the shorts. Recommended length: 7-inch inseam.
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2.
With the fabric scissors cut along the marked lines. Note: before cutting pants, arrange them so the back waistband of the pants is slightly raised above the front waistband of the pants.
3.
Decorate, embellish, and enjoy your new must-have shorts!
LOVE
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Advice in Love and Relationships BY LOIS LIM
Relationship dilemmas? Contact fq.advisor@gmail.com to see your questions answered in the next issue of FQ !
1. Is it fair to continue being with him when I have feelings for another guy? I think you already know the answer. Is it really fair for you to be in a committed relationship with someone if you are having serious romantic feelings for another? It is important to reevaluate your current relationship and determine to what extent you are having these doubts. Have you completely fallen out of love with him? Is the relationship irreparable? If you continually find your emotions wandering further away, it is not fair to either of you to keep the relationship going. Also ask yourself, are your feelings for the other guy an honest attraction and is he really worth leaving your current relationship? Keep in mind that each romantic partner you come across has their own suitcase full of problems. You have to be ready to embrace these “new” imperfections if you decide to start a new relationship with anyone. Communicate with your current boyfriend and figure out if the relationship is salvageable. If not, move on. It is better to figure things out now than to wait and possibly create bigger problems along the way.
2. What makes a person just stick with a relationship indefinitely into the future, even when someone better comes along, i.e. me?
Although many say they love and embrace change, in reality, the unpredictable nature of change is scary for most. People become comfortable with the structure and routine of their daily lives. Change, whether positive or negative, impinges on this structure we know and rely on. Intermittent reinforcement may also play an effect. For example, your friend may realize that things are getting progressively worse, but there are moments when things are good and thus she is reinforced to stay. It is always easier to hope things will get better than to face the problem. These uncertainties may be contributing factors that may increase one’s level of certainty in whether to stay or leave a relationship, even if someone better comes along. Even if she were to come out of this relationship, it does not mean she is ready to move on immediately. She needs time to reflect and let go of any emotional ties she may still have. If she sees that you are there for her with no sexual or romantic strings attached, that alone speaks volumes. Emotional instability can cause many to make regretful decisions, a.k.a rebound. Don’t be that guy. Be a friend first and help her through this emotional struggle.
3. I’m afraid to give this guy a chance, because what if it doesn’t work out? Also, should I believe in horoscopes? First off, STOP underestimating yourself! Even if things did not work out, if you live your life worrying about all the potential bumps along the road, think how restricting your decisions would be and how those decisions would limit your future. Every relationship is a learning experience. With each relationship, you start to discover things about yourself you wouldn’t have otherwise known, flaws and all. Keep in mind that a single date doesn’t mandate a committed relationship thereafter. Instead, it is an opportunity to get to know each other, and if it doesn’t work out, then at least you gave it a try. If you do choose to go on the date, be relaxed and confident with yourself. Don’t let doubts or expectations to get in the way of being yourself and having some fun on the date. As far as horoscopes go, although fun to read, I would not advise using them to be the deciding factor for your life-changing decisions. Your daily choices and decisions shape your present and future identity. Don’t cheat your way out of having to make decisions on your own. You can do it!
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the
PASSION PROJECT
BY LIZ KIM and BAILEY MOBLEY
Many of us say we want to go into “P.R.”, or Public Relations, but what are we really getting into? One of San Diego’s sassiest P.R. Firms by the name of J Public Relations gives us the inside scoop on this fun and fierce industry.
Q & A:
“Don’t let the pink fool you.” --J Public Relations
SOMETHING ABOUT PR THAT MOST PEOPLE AREN’T AWARE OF. It’s one big party after the next. Sometimes we have 22 hour days, 5 -2 AM around the clock. You have to have your cellphone with you 24/7, you’re never off in PR. You’ve gotta get up and gotta react, and when we work, we mean freaking business. ARE THERE ARE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TYPE OF WORK PR ENTAILS? People think it’s a glamorous job, but it’s exactly the opposite. Sometimes we’re unloading and loading stuff off of trucks... there’s nothing glamourous about that. WE ADORE THE PINK. HOW COME YOU CHOSE THIS COLOR TO REPRESENT JPR? You’re either going to love a hot pink company or totally be against it, it’s our way of attracting the right clients. Some clients gravitate towards the pink while others are scared by a pink PR company. WHAT ARE SOME LITTLE EVERYDAY THINGS WE CAN DO TO PRACTICE PR? Don’t get too crazy on Facebook. Yes, we check. Start a blog, about anything. Get a twitter. Follow PR blogs. HOW HAS THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS? We just had to think on our toes, be more resourceful, work with whatever we had. We had to forecast our business and position ourselves on top once the economy started to pick back up. We’re actually in the process of launching an office in Manhattan! WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE IN PR? No two days are the same in PR, but I’ll run down a typical day we’d have for an event: We’re on site at 5 AM to greet morning show trucks. The rest of the day consists of: meetings, media dinner, answering e-mails on our blackberries, out in the public all dressed up, contacting 6 different clients, calls with editors, and we try to wrap it up at about 9 PM. DO YOU LIKE TO HIRE STUDENTS AS INTERNS? Yes. It’s something we take pride in because we’re serving as mentors in a way. We also like to hire from within JPR, so a lot of our interns do get promoted to part or full time jobs. Sometimes we even help students figure out that this really isn’t something they want to do - and that’s totally okay. HOW IMPORTANT IS HAVING A DEGREE FOR THIS INDUSTRY? We certainly value education. It definitely helps with the type of research necessary in this business and also to learn how to problem solve on your own. But there are also parts that aren’t necessarily taught in the classroom but are just as important, like street smarts and actually working events. WHEN YOU LOOK TO HIRE INTERNS, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR? There definitely is a certain type of person. Simply put, you either have it or you don’t. We generally look for: common sense and understanding, strong writing skills, well spoken, outgoing, eager to learn, aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty (literally taking out the trash) work ethic, self driven, problem solvers. And we can not stress enough how important internships are!
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MORE JPR AT: www.JPublicRelations.com
Photo by: Brevin Blach http://www.brevinblach.com
Encore of La Jolla is known as the premier
designer resale store with an unsurpassed selection and glamorous ambiance for ladies and gentlemen. Top of the line apparel and accessories from Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Ferragamo, St. John, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Monolo Blahnik, YSL, Missoni, Dolce & Gabana and Badgley Mischka is beautifully displayed on the first floor. Be sure to visit their men’s shop with clothing from Armani, Brioni, and Zenga, to name a few. Encore’s recently opened “Top Floor” features new men and woman’s clothing from upcoming designers such as 7 Diamonds, 3 Dot, J Brand, Black Halo, Sky, Matt & Nat, Cynthia Steffe, Citizens of Humanity, Nougat, and WESC. Here you will find designer handbags and backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles, new clothing made from recycled denim, organic fabrics, jewelry, scarves, and the latest fashion trends.
ENCORE OF LA JOLLA 76 5 5 G i r a r d A v e , L a J o l l a . 8 5 8 . 4 5 4 . 7 5 4 0 M o n - S a t 10 a . m . - 5 : 3 0 p m a n d S u n . , 10 a m - 4 p . m .
STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIZ KIM MANAGING EDITOR LOIS LIM EDITOR ASSISTANT JESSICA SHIN FINANCE DIRECTORS PHILLIP KAO , ESHA MENON FASHION DIRECTOR CHESLEY TOLENTINO ART DIRECTOR CHRISTINA PHAM EVENTS DIRECTORS DELIA TUNG , JULIA CHU STYLISTS KEVIN NGUYEN , JASMINE TSAI LAYOUT DESIGNERS LUCY CHEN , MABEL HSU , QUEENIE MA , GRACE LEE , SHERRY YUEN-RUAN COPY EDITOR SERENA CHANG WRITERS CONOR FORD , MINA RIAZI BLOGGERS MANDY PRONDINSKI , NATASHA NGUYEN PUBLICITY BAILEY MOBLEY, RAISA MIRZA HISTORIAN ELLEN LEE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER TUYAYMYA OSUNA ADS DIRECTOR FATEMA DOSSAJEE