life&style
the april issue
VOLTA S/S’14 LAUNCH PARTY
SATURDAY APRIL 5 8PM | MARTINI BAR
If you thought Volta’s F/W’13 issue was amazing, wait till you see the Spring issue! After numerous photoshoots and scouting of talented writers, we are now ready to bring you Volta’s S/S’14 Launch Party. Magazines will be available for $5 each. This is event is open to all ages.
Club News School is winding down, and summer is nearer than ever. Before we ditch our textbooks for sunglasses and beaches, we need to pass responsibility on to a new Executive team! All positions are open, and we hope you will take the opportunity to shape the direction of F&LS in 2014-2015. Email us for more information.
F&LS EXECUTIVE ELECTIONS TUESDAY APRIL 8 6:30 PM | UCC 67
SUMMER 2014
MO VI ES
Transcendence - April 8 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - May 2 Transformers: Age of Extinction - June 27 Maleficent - April 30 Jupiter Ascending - July 18 Yves Saint Laurent - June 25
THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL
BY DANA EL-TAWIL
“So let’s not pretend that travel is always fun. We don’t spend 10 hours lost in the Louvre because we like it, and the view from the top of Machu Picchu probably doesn’t make up for the hassle of lost luggage. (More often than not, I need a holiday after my holiday). We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.” – Jonah Lehrer
In a world that has become so saturated with nonsensical quotes that are often labeled as “anonymous,” American journalist Jonah Lehrer’s words have resonated with me for the past half decade of my life ever since the first time I glanced at it. And this is because there is so much indubitable truth and rawness weaved within his words. So what makes travel so important? We travel because we want to, because the annoyances of the airport are outweighed by the visceral thrill of being someplace new. Because work is stressful and a routine life is not what we were put on this earth to do. Because home is repetitive and boring. Because the flights were on sale. Because New York is New York. So yes, travelling can be difficult, it may be expensive, time-consuming, and not always smooth sailing, but only sailors that learn to withstand the high tides will be able to anchor down and enjoy that beautiful sunset. Only the ones that pick up and leave will come back with life-changing stories. Only when you truly embrace the culture, the people, the history and everything in between will you truly see your perspectives shift like tectonic plates.
Remember that each place holds its own magic and there are lessons found in every challenge, every difficulty, and every struggle. Travel is not always beautiful, kind, and forgiving. It’s not what we always dream it will be. But it is what we make it. Take away goodness from the hardships and remember to love and respect a place for what it is, instead of resenting it for any preconceived notions or problems you have with it. Use the lessons you learn abroad (what makes you happy? what truly matters?) to better yourself in that moment, and eventually, somewhere else. Sail the haute seas; broaden not only your mind, but also your openness to change, new possibilities, and creativity. The fashion world, as always, is unmatched for its attention to detail and creating an elaborate reflection of everything that is happening around us in the world. The new Louis Vuitton “Spirit of Travel” spots— which will be released in many magazines’ April Issues, starting with Vanity Fair in the U.S.—exalt the French brand’s travel heritage. It’s a mix of travel and fashion. Models Karen Elson and Edie Campbell donned looks from LV’s Resort and Spring collections – the latter being the last of Marc Jacobs’ work at LV. The opulent threads were styled by Carine Roitfeld, and fearless female travellers interacted with wild creatures, such as lion cubs and giraffes. If you were wondering, no animals (or models) were hurt in the process, and none of the photos were manipulated – all of the animal interaction was as real and raw as it can get. The film shows Campbell sitting on a mountain of iconic LV luggage in all colours, with the voiceover saying “to travel is to live.” This campaign truly captures the wealth that is often associated with travelling, giving the viewer an idea of where to take LV luggage, while paying homage to and reminding consumers of the brand’s travel heritage. “Louis Vuitton, as a timeless brand, is one of luxury and thinking outside of the box. Through this campaign they are powerfully reminding people that once upon a time, those in society would sail on long voyages or stay with friends and families within their palaces and cottages for months at a time,” says Kimmie Smith of Accessory2. In this new age of jet setting, our adventures are outcomes of business meetings, obligations and the need to get back home at a specified time. LV suggests that we’re not traveling, but rather, commuting long distances. The ads tell us we need to return to an easier time where we travelled wherever our wanderlust took us. The film brings spirit and adventure back to our very being and connects us with nature. So even with a luxury brand like LV weighing in on the importance that travel has in nurturing our souls, in this campaign where high fashion meets wanderlust, many simple messages that can be appreciated by everyone are conveyed. A journey is not a trip, nor is it a vacation, but more so a discovery of yourself, your surroundings, and humanity as a whole. Freedom was never manifested in a better way. And that, is the true spirit of travel.
life&style
the april issue MANAGING DIRECTOR Angelica Ng LAYOUT EDITOR Christine Ng EDITORS Stephanie Ling, Jasleen Sembhi WRITERS/CONTRIBUTORS Dana El-Tawil Angelica Ng