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WAYS TO CHANNEL BEYONCÉ
HAIR TIES
ACCESSORIZE ACCORDINGLY.
fashion gives back race b m dy! o E B our Y
ALL THE MANNEQUINS ARE DOING IT
LEAH KIRSCH
HOW A CAN-DO, WILL-DO ATTITUDE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
SPRING WEEKEND? OR THIS YEAR’S
FORDHAM COACHELLA
BEACH BOD READY TRY OUR KILLER 10 MIN CARDIO
ROUTINE INSPRING TIME2014 FOR SUMMER 1 | MODE
MODE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Briana Rotello CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Andrea Kate Diano MANAGING EDITOR
Karen Hill
EXECUTIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
Amanda Saparito FASHION
EDITOR
Laura Cocchia WRITERS
Courtney Acito, Rachel Morales, Natalie Zisa HEALTH & BEAUTY EDITOR
Sally Heintz
LIFESTYLES
EDITOR
Caroline Sneider WRITER
Rachel Morrissey ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Alexandra Miceli WRITER
Rebecca Sinski COPY CHEIF
Simek Shropshire BUSINESS/ADVERTISING EDITOR
Sam Timmerman PHOTO
EDITOR Maddie Legg PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laura Cocchia, Nishat Baig, Emma Bolton, Catherine Maccaro, Rachel Morales, Aleksandar Popovic, Chenli Ye, Anthony Edwards, Jr. SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Nishat Baig
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ADVISOR, PAUL LEVINSON, THE FOOTBALL TEAM, THE LACROSSE TEAM, WOMEN’S CREW, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL, AND THE NCAA editorialmode@gmail.com
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Mode Magazine
@modemagazine
@modemagazine
USGRH.ORG Come to our weekly public meetings at 6pm on Thursdays to learn more about what’s going on at Fordham University and to see how your fellow students strive to make Fordham University the best it can be.
/usgrh @USGrh FordhamUSG SPRING 2014 | MODE
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MODE Spring 2014
Features 11 23
The
Rams Photo Editorial Pinky Up
REGULARS
10 Don’t Sweat It! 17 Killer Cardio Routine 19 Spinach Smoothie Recepies 36 #GirlMODE 38 Haute Topic: Blok New York
Travel&
LIFESTYLE
Fashion
6 22 28 29
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Looks for Less Redefining Beauty Heart of Fashion Now Trending: Sneaker Chic
27 Be(yoncé) 34 Students Study Abroad 31 Student Style Spotlight 35 Going the Distance 33 Urban Staycation
MODE- Extended
39 42 43
A Met-erella Story Build Your Dreams NYC in the Summer
MODE | SPRING 2014
...BECAUSE I CAN What do these celebs have in common? Their confidence! These women have faced the same insecurities we all have at one point or another, and each has worked through them to become some of the most influential faces in Hollywood.
From Me
to you
The publication you are reading right now grew from an idea that happened on the Ram Van my sophomore year. I was coming home from my first internship at Lucky magazine, thinking what I could do to make a difference at Fordham University. I love to write, I love fashion, and I LOVE magazines. So it clicked and I decided right there and then that I was going to start Fordham’s first fashion magazine, and I was going to get it published. Two years later and I am sitting at this desk (ok, my bedroom desk, but it’s still a desk) writing my last editor’s letter in our third published magazine. Who would have known?
I will leave you with this note: Fordham is your school. You have four years here and you decide what to do with them. Don’t waste your time wishing and hoping. Let me tell you- there is always a way to make your ideas tangible. It may take a little push, but the outcome will be the most satisfying feeling in the world. I know because satisfaction is the feeling I get every time I see someone reading a copy of Mode, or just simply by holding an issue in my hands.
This issue is about strength, determination, and following your dreams. Leah Kirsch, our beautiful cover girl, started her own company and has developed it into something bigger than she ever imagined. All of this started with an idea and a little printing help, and now she runs a successful clothing brand that’s noticed around the country. Likewise, our athletes featured in this issue have accomplished amazing feats this year (championships off the wall- GO RAMS). After this issue, it is safe to say football might even win some championships in modeling, too!
I have had the greatest four years here at Fordham. They were filled with challenges, achievements, and the best friends I could ask for. Thank you for everything, and thanks for (finally… ha-ha just kidding) making Mode Magazine a reality. I look forward to seeing the wonderful things the next generation of Mode editors and writers O, will accomplish with this publication, X XO ana and you should too.
Bri
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Ode To The
CODE
by Amanda Saparito
Over the semester we asked Fordham students what their opinions are on certain fashion rules. To break or not to break? Is a rule even being broken or are those silly codes just something your mother told you so you would know how to dress yourself when you got to college? The results are in! See what everyone says is a fashion faux pas or is definitely allowed.
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Black and blue or black and brown, which one of these would you ever wear around? From the Chicca Lualdi Beequeen Fall 2014 RTW Collection
If you’ve seen Chanel’s S/S’14 Couture Show during NYFW you probably said yes to this, but 63 percent of Fordham students think athletic sneakers should only be worn to the gym, not with an everyday outfit.
When it comes to jewelry would you ever mix different metals? 65 percent say no way it’s better to keep things simple. Whereas 35 percent of you would venture to the ‘dark side’.
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Winter white is a thing, right? 45 percent of you totally think so! Derek Lam A/W 13
PHOTO CREDIT: CATHERINE MACCARO
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Of those surveyed, 63 percent of you said of course you would mix different prints and patterns, what’s the problem with that? From MFW, Fausto Puglisi.
Soft classic shoulder bag, The Row, $2800
Ankle Cuff Sandal, Saint Laurent, $995 Claremont Mini Purse, J.Crew, $168
Looks For Less
Take cues from this season’s hottest trends with Mode’s list: Where to get the ultra chic by spending top dollar or get the ultra discount!
Carine Heel, tibi, normally $365 now $219!
By Amanda Saparito
Etsy, $16.80
Canvas Floral Tote, Gucci, $1120 Camilla Printed Tote, Tory Burch, $245
Rag & Bone, $275
Madewell, normally $98, now $79.50!
Juste un Clou Bracelet, Cartier, $6,850
Lita Croc Sandals, Topshop, $116
Louis Vuitton, $1220
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Leggings: Can Someone Finally Settle This Debate
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By Rachel Morales
hh, leggings. The quintessential item that every girl needs to survive, especially in the winter. Wherever they’re being worn to, nearly every girl has multiple pairs that help her get through the day-to-day grind of school, work, and everything in between. Lately, leggings have been under fire, and many people are criticizing the pseudo-pants for being too thin, unprofessional, and provocative. Yet despite these comments, many girls, including myself, still slips on a pair of American Apparel leggings before ever leaving the dorm. But these criticisms do raise a good point: are we wearing leggings incorrectly? Victoria Wilbur, GBS ’17, has become known on campus for her eccentric collection of leggings and her ability to wear them in any event. Her obsession with them has prompted her to conjure up multiple ways to dress them up and down, and to also create her own list of “do’s and don’t”. Wilbur has a collection of leggings, both printed and single-toned, that she has picked up from
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American Apparel, Urban Outfitters and Free People. “I wear them literally all the time,” Wilbur laughs as she explains her obsession, “They’re just so comfortable”. From camouflage to black leather, her large collection of leggings pair well with a crop top for going out, or an oversized knit sweater for class. However, Wilbur does have some rules for wearing leggings. When her leggings are patterned and sufficiently thick, Wilbur shows off more of her elliptical-ly toned booty, but states she never dons the typical “black, thin leggings”. Despite the popularity of this staple item and the utter bliss it gives us, the thin nature can come across as tacky. “It’s like [girls] are trying to show off their ass” said Wilbur. Based on this opinion, girls should use their Christmas money to invest in thick, great quality leggings instead of using the money to pick up a cheap pair at Easy Pickins and spend the rest on watered down Vodka Cranberries. In response to the criticism that leggings are too promiscuous, Wilbur believes we should channel our inner Cee Lo Green and tell these conservative fashionistas “Forget You”. While Wilbur wouldn’t wear them to an interview or business related event, no one can keep her away from her favorite item. “Simply put, I think that they’re super comfortable,” she laughs “and if I want to wear them, I won’t be judged for it”. •
6 TIPS Spring Transition For an Easy
By Alexandra Miceli
With all of this cold weather, I’m sure you’re so ready for spring, but is Here are six tips to spring your winter wardrobe into the warmer
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Lose some weight in your wardrobe.
De-layer, wear lighter scarves, put away the heavy coats, but keep out your favorite chunky sweater to pair with a light skirt for an easy spring transition look.
2 KATE SPADE LAZY LOAFERS $110 saturday.com
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Pump up the Color
You don’t have to bring out all of your pastels right away. You have time to transition your darker hues to lighter colors. Color block with black: pair black leggings with a lighter top and bright flats! For a more professional look: wear a black blazer with a bright dress.
Fast Forward to Floral
Don’t wait too long to break out those pretty floral or bold printed dresses. Pair those dresses with boots and leather jacket for this easy spring fix. KATE SPADE CHERRY LANE LACEY $178 katespade.com
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Stick with chambray!
Don’t put away those chambray shirts. Just tuck them into a lighter colored skirt and maybe splurge on a new colorful clutch! MAC PURE ZEN LIPSTICK $16 maccosmetics.com
Accessorize!
Statement pieces in bold colors can easily help a simple black dress into the warmer months.
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Your face is part of your fashion
Wearing softer shades of lipstick and eye shadow can instantly thaw out your look.
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#SW2014 Forget Coachella, check out the all chic styles at Fordham’s Spring Weekend 2014!
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4 DON’T S W E A T IT
This helps your makeup stay put, has a long lasting, cooling effect, and provides hydration to avoid the dreaded, cakey look. URBAN DECAY CHILL MAKEUP SETTING SPRAY ulta.com
by Sally Heintz
Whether it be a summer internship, music festival, or a day at the beach, let’s face it, we’re gonna sweat this season. Life isn’t an
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editorial--it’s neither chic nor necessary for your mascara and eyeliner to be running down your cheeks. It’s important to invest in quality products that will stay put, whether or not the humidity is at 80%! Here are my top ten waterproof picks to get you through the summer flawlessly.
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This may not be an essential for everyday, but when you need your face not to sweat, this product does just that. DERMAdoctor Med e TATE sephora.com $48
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Oh dear, you didn’t get your full eight hours of sleep last night? Well, not to fear, this full coverage concealer has got you covered and simply won’t budge. MAKE UP FOR EVER FULL COVER CONCEALER sephora.com $32
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This has been a long standing favorite of celebrity makeup artists. It won’t run, and as an added plus, it will hold your eyelash curl much better than a non-waterproof formula. L’ORÉAL VOLUMINOUS CARBON BLACK WATERPROOF MASCARA ulta.com $8
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These lip stains are a great way to get a long lasting, high impact color that isn’t drying on the lips. REVLON COLOR STAY JUST BITTEN KISSABLE BALM STAIN ulta.com $9
9 Who doesn’t want to look like a bronzed goddess during the summer? TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY MATTE WATERPROOF BRONZER tartecosmetics.com $30
These provide a great wash of color to the eye. MAYBELLINE EYE STUDIO COLOR TATTOO, 24 HOUR EYESHADOW walmart.com $5
Because who really has perfectly flawless skin? MAKE UP FOR EVER FACE AND BODY LIQUID MAKEUP sephora.com $40
Us girls love our eyeliner; this one makes the art of application super easy-even for beginners--and that’s one less thing to worry about. STILA STAY ALL DAY WATERPROOF LIQUID EYE LINER sephora.com $20
10 Running around with only one eyebrow because you sweat the other off no longer has to be a cringe-worthy fear. MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA BROW sephora.com $20
“Hail, Rams of Fordham” Editorial by Belma Kolayli
The Fordham Women’s Crew team The Fordham Women’s won four medals at The Kerr Cup Basketball team Regatta. Also, thevictoriously lightweight eight ended their great season was recently ranked 10th with in the nation MODE | SPRING 11 an A-10 championship win. proving to be a fierce competitor.2014
Fordham Football wrapped up their last season 12-2, leaving Ram fans excited for the upcoming season.
The Fordham Women’s Crew team won four medals at The Kerr Cup Regatta. Also, the lightweight eight was recently ranked 10th in the nation proving to be a fierce competitor.
12 SPRING 2014 | MODE MODEExtended
The Fordham Men’s Lacrosse team displayed their strength with their recent victories over big competitors from Columbia University and New York University.
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PHOTO SHOOT COORDINATOR: BELMA KOLAYLI. PHOTOGRAPHER (FOOTBALL TEAM, LACROSSE TEAM, AND WOMEN’S CREW TEAM PHOTOS): MADDIE LEGG. PHOTOGRAPHER (WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PHOTOS): CHENLI YE. MODEL: SARA DYBELI.
“A Ram for loyalty,... a Ram for victory”
The Heart Pumper A Killer 10-Minute Cardio Routine
Nothing makes a person feel more empowered than working out, but it’s not always possible to fit the recommended 30-minute dose of exercise into a busy schedule. Join me as I work my way through an amazing cardio routine anyone can do in 10 minutes!
What you’ll need:
• Exercise attire (running shorts, sports bra, t-shirt) • A pair of sneakers • A small area of space in your room
By Simek Shropshire
30 Jumping Jacks
30 Mountain Climbers Extend into a plank position. Starting with your right leg, bring the knee to your chest. Quickly, alternate legs.
10 Lunges Lower yourself until you achieve a 90-degree angle in your front leg. You should feel a stretch in your quad as well as in your back leg. Switch legs and repeat.
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20 Bird-Dogs Start off on all fours with a flat back. Extend your right arm. At the same time, extend your left leg. Repeat on opposite
20 Burpees
IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT’S UNDERNEATH
FABULOUS FINDS TO KEEP YOUR GIRLS IN CHECK
by Christina Colletti
Extend your arms toward the ceiling as you jump. Upon landing from the jump, lower yourself to the ground and perform a push up. Then, resume a standing a position to repeat these steps as quickly as possible.
30-second Plank
MODELS: ALEX LUTZ, SIOBHAN COLEMAN, AND OLIVIA CHIONG
Rest on your elbows or extend onto your hands while creating a straight line with your body. Make sure to keep your core strong during this exercise.
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If you are looking for a sexier sports bra option, VS is the way to go with their underwire and extra push up sports bras. Sizes: 32A-38DD Prices: $29.50-$56.50 victoriassecret.com
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If you want to combine support with extra sweat protection, Asics revolutionizes their bras with adjustable straps and extra mesh material. Sizes: S-XL Prices: $38-$42 asics.com
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30-second Wall Sit Position your feet a short distance from a wall as you place your back against said wall. Slide your torso down the wall until you achieve a seated position. Hold this position.
Finding the perfect support doesn’t always have to leave a dent in your wallet. When shopping on a budget, Target is the perfect go-to- not to mention they have an awesome neon selection. Sizes: XS- XXL Prices: $6.48- $22.99 target.com
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For your lighter workouts consisting of yoga or dance, LuLulemon provides comfort and weightless support- and a major cute factor. Sizes: 2-12 or 32A-38DD Prices: $42-$52 lululemon.com
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THE SMOOTHIE
Your New Hottest Accessory by Alison Furneaux
We all want slim curves and ripped abs, but who isn’t tempted by a delicious smoothie once in a while? A smoothie can actually be a great source of nutrients that keep your muscles strong, brain alert, and metabolism revving.
GOING GREEN SMOOTHIE Tastes like a pineapple banana smoothie! In a blender, mix until you don’t see any spinach pieces: • 1 entire bag of baby spinach. It can fit, I swear, and you won’t even notice. • 1 banana • Pineapple: either throw in a whole can if that’s what you have, or buy a real one (preferred) and add in at least half of it. • 75 - 1 cup of cold water (can add a few ice cubes in there)
Spinach, although often overlooked, is bursting with vitamin B which ramps up your metabolism and is a great muscle builder. Although pineapple’s main purpose is to give the smoothie flavor, it also contains vitamin C that boosts your immune system and enzymes that reduce inflammation and help regulate your digestive system. The banana provides carbs and fiber that keep you alert. Unlike fluffy breads, these healthy carbs are broken down completely into natural sugars that provide your body with energy and don’t stick. Bananas also keep you full for longer because of the fiber and about 1.3g of protein they contain. Kiss your cravings goodbye!
In a blender, mix well until desired texture is reached: • 1 cup of baby kale • 1⁄2 of a frozen banana • 1 tbsp. of peanut butter (or almond, etc) • 3⁄4 cup frozen blueberries • 1⁄2 cup of ice • 1⁄2 cup of almond milk (preferably unsweetened)
Kale, the fad food of the year (see Brooklyn) is the underground band of produce that just made it big. Its deep green color indicates its nutrient potency, including vitamin K and E that help keep your heart healthy as well as your hair, skin, and nails. Kale is also known to help prevent cancer and heart disease. The fiber in kale revs up your body’s natural detoxification ability so you don’t need to spend $400 on crazy juices, although that can be fun. Blueber- ries are one of the most antioxidant rich foods out there. They also aid in preventing cancer and heart disease, and boost your metabolism along with the vitamin C. Finally, peanut butter is added for a little flavor and some quick and easy protein which will also keep you full for longer!
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WEARENOTMARTHA.COM & THEMERRYTHOUGHT.COM
BLUEBERRY KALE SMOOTHIE Because Kale is the new black.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW MEDIA ROCKSTARS
Why YouTubers Should Be Your New Best Friends By Victoria Borkowski
They’re incredibly skilled, personable, creative, and very much “liked”. They live normal lives and have normal relationships with normal people. But there is a catch, because once YouTubers put their kids to bed or finish their workouts in the morning, they sit down at a computer to face their passions, and their fans.
I
was lucky to attend last year’s International Make-up Artist Trade Show (otherwise known as the IMATS). A week prior, Ingrid Nilsen, my favorite YouTube beauty and fashion guru, had just uploaded her weekly makeup and fashion video and announced she would be attending the IMATS the very same day. To be honest, I was expecting crowds and security guards at the event, perhaps a stage where the YouTubers attending would be giving a tutorial or answering questions from an audience of aspiring make up artists and bloggers. To my surprise, I was able to walk up to Ingrid with my buddy Danica Talon, also a fan, hug her, and chat with her for a few minutes on what there was to see at the show. It couldn’t have been more simple. Little did she know that I was in love with her work and that whenever she uploaded a new video I would watch it just as if I would sit down and watch the latest episode of Scandal. When Danica looks back on her experience meeting her “celebrity” YouTuber Fleur DeForce at the IMATS she remembers her being, “so friendly and normal, I forgot that she had three-million
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other subscribers who would kill to be in my exact position.” But these YouTubers, these people, are far from your average celebrity, because they live their lives doing what they love without as much “hype” as other public figures. That’s inspirational. “Even though they have so many fans and subscribers, they don't have paparazzi following them or are on the front page of a magazine, so they can live really normal lives, which makes most of them not conceited,” says Talon. If there is one thing many people desire, it is to feel at home with whoever they surround themselves with. When watching television or a movie we seek out that same feeling. We enjoy watching re-runs of Friends or Modern Family because of the atmosphere the cast creates, the lessons we learn from them, and of course, their lighthearted humor. Between creative beauty tutorials and product reviews, YouTubers like Ingrid show off their latest mock music videos for popular songs, bloopers edited out of the original video, and, in the case of Nilsen, footage of her attempting to wash off her most waterproof eye make-up (cue raccoon eyes).
“... they don’t shy away from the cameras or threaten to throw reporters off balconies. At least not the most respected YouTubers.” That’s not only funny, but it’s realistic, and knowing that YouTubers do lead normal daily lives while also enjoying themselves and showing the world how to do new things is refreshing to say the least. When life gets hard, they don’t shy away from the cameras or threaten to throw reporters off balconies. At least not the most respected YouTubers. I’ll never forget one emotional video Ingrid posted last year. She wore a fresh, clean face, and described why she chose YouTube as her outlet for fighting her insecurities, as well as for keeping her mind off the hardships she had faced growing up after losing her dad to cancer. In a world where girls “love” makeup, it has become difficult for some women to face the fear of going out make-up free or sans Instagram filter. That, among other reasons, is the cause of our society unfortunately pinning its expectations on judging beauty. Because of this, Ingrid claims that she challenged herself to go out in public without a trace of makeup on, au natural, for an entire week in order to become more comfortable with the natural beauty she had been forgetting to acknowledge in the absence of makeup.
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Seeing her face a world of judgment, make-up free, and listening to her tell the story behind the importance of embracing the soul (and not just the “face”) you give off to others meant a lot to me. Normally, if I had wanted to view a tutorial on applying foundation the right way I could just click on Ingrid’s version and go on with my life without paying attention to the multitude of other videos she had worked so hard on. I most certainly wouldn’t have learned about her journey to share her passion for learning more about beauty and fashion with the world, either. It may be nice to look up to an actor or pop star who may occasionally tweet about their day or post a photo of their latest addition to their car collection. That can certainly serve as a “look” into their personal lives or inspiration to someday be at their level. The extra dose of today’s social media craze doesn’t hurt the rising popularity of YouTube stars, either. I would argue, though, that it is one of the greatest things social media websites and YouTube have created in unison: a network of people who share what they love. What’s even better is that while I may be just one of Ingrid’s 2,300,564 subscribers on YouTube, I was lucky to meet her in such a normal atmosphere. The way she, like most great YouTubers, gives off her real, raw self despite the very understandable fear of “being yourself” is an inspiring mission everyone should learn from. <3
Victoria with Ingrid at last year’s IMATS
REDEFINING BEAUTY
BY RACHEL MORRISSEY
ONE CAMPAIGN AT A TIME
ccording to Women’s Wear Daily the average woman in the United States is a size 14, so why is the average model a size two or smaller? Aerie, a lingerie sub-brand of American Eagle, challenged these unrealistic standards with its ‘Aerie Real’ campaign, using models that haven’t been enhanced or photoshopped.
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The results are pretty extraordinary.
COURTESY OF AERIE VIA FACEBOOK.COM & DAILYMAIL.CO.UK
Aerie decided to break from the norm of the fashion world and show real girls as they really are: imperfections and all. The campaign features girls with curves and tattoos and quite simply the pictures are stunning. In an interview with Elle, one of the models, Amber Toliver, featured in the campaign stated “Our bodies, our flaws, our tattoos, our pimples, everything that is on our bodies is unretouched, and it’s beautiful”. One would only need to look at the happy, approachable girls featured in the campaign to verify Toliver’s belief that real is beautiful. In a statement from Aerie to their “Aerie Girls” the company said, “No more retouching our girls and no more supermodels. Why? Because there is no reason to retouch beauty. We think the real you is sexy.” Aerie has even encouraged girls to share pictures of themselves on Instagram with the hashtag #AERIEREAL to further endorse the positive campaign. Aerie has made a commendable stride towards creating a fashion industry focused on promoting a healthy body image. Aerie isn’t the only company trying to alter an industry caught up on size zero expectations. Recently, Debenhams, a department store in London, announced that they would start using US size 14 mannequins in their stores. With the average women’s’ mannequin displaying a size 4 silhouette, this is quite a change. In a statement to NBCNEWS, Debenhams Director Ed Watson said “ We hope that it will help people in some small way to feel comfortable about their bodies and crucially, that other retailers will follow.” With companies receiving pressure from the public to display more realistic sized mannequins, hopefully Watson’s hope will be fulfilled. With the fashion world beginning to recognize the beauty of variation, women are about to visualize reality reflected in the stores they love to shop. SPRING 2014 | MODE
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We got fancy like Iggy in our shoot with the founder of Millioneiress, Leah Kirsch. Millioneiress is more than just an upcoming streetwear brand, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lifestyle. Keep reading to find out more about our favorite entreprenuer. By Karen Hill
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY EDWARDS JR.
PINKY UP!
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veryone can learn a lesson in confidence from the unapologetic, Leah Kirsch. She lives her life driven by her passions and ambitions. Why? Because she can. Leah’s brand Millioneiress launched just over 6 months ago and has already been met with unrelenting success. With thousands of Instagram followers and over 25 thousands Facebook likes, Millioneiress has certainly made a name for itself inspiring women everywhere to be nobody but themselves. In this Q&A with Leah, learn a bit about following your dreams, making them realities, and getting over the obstacles in the process.
feeling. You have the street wear which represents a nice relaxed yet confident side that I have. My style can be confident but not abrasive. Then I also have some girly clothes and I do have a soft side; everyone does. I really can’t answer that question than saying my style depends on what I’m feeling. If I’m feeling relaxed or I’m feeling happy, I wake up and I’m like “I’m going to put on pink today.”
What are some of your favorite pieces in your closet? I feel like I have to wear all my clothes evenly because my clothes will feel bad. They really will. I am serious. I can’t give one piece of clothing all my attenWhere are you from and what are you studying tion. The same is true even with my jeans, I have mayat Fordham? “Where am I from?” That is the ultimate be 80 pairs of jeans minimum. It’s really hard making question. I was born in Germany. We were there for sure you wear them all evenly. I open my drawer and four years then moved to Singapore. We were there my J.Brands will be calling to me. That sounds wildfor two years. We then moved to Michigan and that ly materialistic, but it’s not. My clothes are like little is where we spent most of my childhood. I graduated pieces of artwork. You can’t just not hang some of your High School early and moved back to Germany. I did art up. Why would you buy it and not put it up on your some traveling and got to take a break and spend wall. One of my favorite pieces right now would be my sometime with my family. Then I moved to New York Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots. They are so versatile to go to school. In 2012 my parents moved to Conand yet they are still sexy. I wear them with my iconic necticut. At Fordham I am a Business Admin major crew or just with my t-shirt and some jeans. They are with a concentration in Marketing. perfect. You can wear them to dinner or you can wear them out. I think it is important to have that kind of What made you decide to come to Fordham? staple piece. Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to be in New York City. That was not a question. When I was Who are some of your favorite designers or graduating high school, similar to a lot of other stofashion inspirations? I am really liking Céline and ries, I didn’t know where to go. I was looking at school Prada. I just bought a couple pairs of Valentino shoes. in California, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. My aunt The spikes are so edgy, but they are still very girly. It’s asked “Do you know Fordham?” I had no idea what nice because it’s very hard to bring those two styles Fordham was. We came here and it just felt right. I together. When people do it right, it’s beautiful. decided that I would apply and then it all fell together. For inspiration, I love Diana Vreeland. Her It was perfect. You have still the athletics, the campus, documentary is amazing. I think that she is so free and the city right there. There was no better option for and that’s why she is so noteworthy. She did what she me. wanted and it is so rare to find someone who really is
“My clothes are like little pieces of artwork. You can’t just not hang some of your art up.”
unapologetic. Being apologetic is my whole mantra. That’s why she stood out from the crowd immensely. This is kind of a generic response, but I love Angelina Jolie. I know there is a lot of controversy about her in some ways. For being someone that is so widely beautiful and so strong, it’s hard to stay out of the media and be a good human, which I think she is, despite what people say. All you have to do is google her to see all the great things she does. I love Bill CunngingHow would you describe your style? Being in ham. I’ve met him a couple of times and I think he is the fashion industry people always ask this. I think my such a goon. When you really love what you do, you style kind of just depends on my mood or what I am are really happy. That SPRING 2014 | MODE
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is all you need. Like him, he just sees things in a different way. He has a free-thinking-mind too like Diana. What inspired you to start Millioneires? What is the backstory? I’ve always kind of been an entrepreneur. My father is like that. “What’s the next idea?” is how he thinks. “How could I add more value to someone’s life?” or “What hasn’t been done?” I’ve always been into fashion. That’s undeniable. At first I wanted to open up a boutique. I thought maybe I would be a buyer. As I grew older I started designing shirts for Volleyball and whatnot. That was always easy for me. This past summer I didn’t intern, so I had a lot of free time. I started researching. My friend’s boyfriend was a printer. I reached out to him and got a couple of shirts printed. I always had friends coming up to me asking me “What should I do?” And my response was always, “What will make you happy?” or “What do you want to do?” After seeing the success of giving my friends advice, I wanted to make this real and make it big and world known. That’s where the idea came from. I just want to let people know it’s okay. I want people to know that the whole boring is normal. What is Millioneiress really about? The whole idea is to create a lifestyle more so than a brand that will empower girls to be bold, confident, and unapologetically themselves. It is our own world and everyone else is just living in it. That may seem like a selfish thing to say, but it’s not. You should do what makes you happy, as long as your decisions are not intentionally hurting anyone else. I think you should always do what you want and embrace your friendships and embrace life. Never miss out on anything, because why would you? What inspired the mantra, “because I can?” Whenever people ask me why I’m doing something I always tell them “because I can.” Do what makes you happy because you can and because you should. What is your favorite part about working on Millioneiress? What is you least favorite? My favorite part would definitely be seeing it grow. The process has been so organic. We started with zero followers and zero likes. I’m really seeing it catch on. We were in Miami and some people went up to my friends telling them they met the met the designer and the Milioneiress crew. That makes me so happy. I don’t need that recognition but being behind the
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“The whole idea is to create a lifestyle that will empower girls to be bold, confident, and unapologetically themselves.” scenes is so rewarding. I think that’s my favorite part and the support. The hardest part would be being taken seriously as a girl in the business world. I am young and I am doing it on my own. Someone normally has someone backing them. It takes twice as much work to decipher “who is this person?” and “what is their motive?” I try to be nice at first but if they don’t take me seriously, I have to turn the corner. Then they will take you seriously. It takes me a little longer to gain that trust and support. That is definitely the hardest part. It’s time consuming, also. How did you go about trying to start a company?I was interning at Louis Vuitton. The intern and I are now best friends. She told me one her good friend’s boyfriend was a screen printer. He is well known in the industry and he is extremely talented and easy to work with. I got in contact with him. I sent him some designs and he sent me some samples. It was all very quick and we were on the same page. Then he introduced me to Shopify which is my whole site. I was always creating blogs for people and designing websites for people. Even when myspace was big, I would code for my friends. I would write out everyone’s name for a background and scan it in. So I was always making websites. It was nice having a professional site. We had a site now, all the merchandise, and then we had a photoshoot. One of my friends set up a launch party with a couple promoters. We went out one night and had a couple tables and gave everyone merchandise. We didn’t pay a cent and it was easily one of the best nights of my life, if not the best. It was really, real, at that point. What was your life like pre-Millioneiress? Now, I really feel like I really accomplished something that was always kind of hanging there. Before, I had a boyfriend. That took up a lot of time. It was fun exploring the city and now I don’t have as much time for that. It’s not something I would say is negative at all. If anything I would take this over what I was doing
before. You don’t grow up, you grow out of things. You grow into who you really are and who you want to be. The tradeoff of what I really gave up was sleeping. I go on spurts of maybe sleeping three to four hours a night. Once every couple weeks or so I will sleep for 20 hours. I know some people will tell me that’s unhealthy, but I don’t like to sleep. It’s boring and I’m just laying there. I won’t sleep. How have your internship experiences helped shaped the way you run Millioneiress? It is nice to see how big a company can grow to be and the amount of work it takes to have a company become that successful. Definitely in the fashion industry those were my most valuable because you can see what works, what doesn’t, and what kind of people to hire. Being in PR really helped me to learn how to start a brand organically. You learn how to reach out, what to say, how to approach a situation, how to be professional, and who the right people are to talk to. I can learn to filter out who is important and who is just a silly person trying to use me. And of course, I’ve learned to tape boxes really quickly. That’s not a joke. Working in the Fashion industry, what are some of your qualms with it? What are some things you have noticed that are stopping society from progressing and how does Millioneiress seek to change them?I love fashion and would never be working in it if I didn’t love it and want to support it, but I think that it is not relatable because of the models. I know both sides. I know how beautiful they look on the billboards and how beautiful behind the scenes is and shooting the photography. I also know how brutal it is for those models. It is really horribleI wish it weren’t like that, but it will always exist. I think it’s getting better. Elle’s recent issue was all about being you and untouched. Lena Dunham from Girls was on the cover of Vogue and she said “don’t retouch my photos.” I think you don’t have to edit a photo to make the person look beautiful. If you are going to sell some clothes, make it so the clothes look beautiful , but also so that everyone can wear those clothes. For me, I can’t wear half those clothes. I don’t have that body. Why would you create something you can’t sell to everything. That’s a different market, though. They are selling to a different group of people, so that’s fine. But I think that sends such a horrible message to girls, and you can just see it’s so apparent—especially in New York nightlife. It’s sad how much it effects girls.
I have a little sister and she is not like that all. I don’t want her or any other girl to ever think that she is less than she is. That is where it really hits me at home. That’s where I hope to Millioneiress can make a change. That can exist, but it’s okay if you’re not that skinny model on a giant billboard or if you aren’t standing at Hollister. If you’re not that girl, that’s fine and more than enough. It seems like such a simple concept, but it’s so complex. How do you see Millioneiress growing? What ware you plans for after graduation?I will definitely will keep Millioneiress up. I think Millioneiress will be in the fashion industry and that way I can keep up working in fashion and my own company. I think we will be a part of the fashion industry within a year or two, but that is definitely my ambitious train of thought. I think that after six months, the success I have already seen, and the growth of a startup that it will inevitably continue to grow. It is so real and so natural. I can’t see ever giving it up. It would be like cutting off my arm. You can ask any entrepreneur. It’s like my baby and I have put my heart and soul into it. SPRING 2014 | MODE
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how to
BE(YONCÉ): Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is one of the fiercest women in existence. Here’s four lessons everyone can learn from the superstar and style icon.
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Be(y) CONFIDENT. This is easier said than done but remember: even Queen B doesn’t think she’s that great as just plain old Beyoncé. Why else would she feel the need to create Sasha Fierce, Yoncé, and Mrs. Carter? Discover your own alter-ego and channel her in moments of weakness, anxiety, and self-doubt. Be(y) SELFISH. Even a woman as busy as Beyoncé knows how important down time is; in 2010 she took a nine month hiatus from her work to travel the world and find inspiration. Know what you want and how to get it but also know when to take time to relax, indulge, and grow. Take a nine hour hiatus instead and travel into Manhattan for inspiration one Saturday. Be(y) SURPRISING. Just when we think we have her figured out, Bey always seems to surprise us. Most recently it was her darker, sexier, sans PR digital album that had us all in shock. Even Beyoncé would be boring if she were always the same. Break the rules and do something unexpected, whether it be in your personal life, academics, or personal style. You’re more interesting than you think—prove it!
PHOTO CREDIT: ROBIN HARPER
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By Rebecca Sinski Be(y) DEDICATED. Bey wasn’t just born an international superstar (although we wouldn’t be surprised if she was). She hustled for years and faced her fair share of rejection and adversity before finding big success. Work hard, dream, and stay busy. Big things can happen.
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Left to Right: Chanel Spring Couture ‘14, Christian Dior Spring Couture ‘14 via style.com
Sneaker Chic: A Guide to Nailing Spring’s Sporty Trend by Laura Cocchia
If you’ve been keeping up with your daily digest of fashion news, you should be noticing that something quite interesting has been brewing in the industry for the upcoming spring season. Finally, women can embrace a more orthopedic-friendly style shoe that is taking the fashion-sphere by storm, our good old friend: the sneaker! There are so many types of styles, functions, colors, you name it, that you can look for in a sneaker, which can make the whole selection process become pretty overwhelming. But don’t sweat ladies, Mode has broken it down for you into three simple steps. First, take a look at the couture inspiration that caught our attention, straight from the runway in Paris. Second, we will show you how some Fordham’s own students have styled several looks so you can pick your favorite(s). Lastly, we have provided some examples of each shoe type that are currently on the market for you to buy, so get them while they last!
Classic Converse
The Skater Shoe
Slip-ons
Athletic
Swedges!
Nicole DeFilippi, FCRH ‘14
Courtney Stapleford, FCRH ‘14
Corina Tse, GSB ‘16
Jacqui Highbloom, GSB ‘14
Ana Marie Enriquez, GSB ‘16
Abstract Geo Slip On, Urbanoutfitters.com $55.00
Supernova 5 Glide Running Shoe, Adidas.com $104.00
Dunk Sky Hi Wedge, Nordstrom.com $120.00
Jack Purcell Leather, Nordstrom.com $54.95
Suede Classic GC, Nordstrom.com $69.95
FYI, there are two hot collaborations that we recommend you take note of:
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Riccardo Tisci x Nike Tisci has brought Givenchy to a whole new level of cool, and has done a superb job in giving the brand a great presence in street fashion. A Tisci collaboration with a sneaker kingpin like Nike is everyone’s dream come true! Or at least mine.
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Adidas Originals x Topshop A more affordable option for us price-conscious shoppers. Topshop incorporates a chic flare to Adidas’ classic designs. To add to the excitement, Topshop recently announced that it will be opening a new 5th Avenue store, making the brand much more accessible to Fordham students traveling around midtown.
SPRING STAPLES
By Courtney Acito
The Spring season has finally arrived, that means it time to trade in your heavy sweaters, dark colors, and boots for a girly tops, pastels, and strappy sandals. Mode is here to help you know the essential spring staples everyone needs to have in their closet. METALLIC ACCESSORIES: Metallic accessories add a fun edge to the girly and pastel trends this spring. Clunky bangles, layered gold necklaces, and shimmery cross body bags add a luminous twist to any outfit!
BRIGHT, LIGHT SWEATERS: During the transition from the cold winter to sunny spring days, it is great to have light sweaters in your wardrobe! Bright, light sweaters are great for layering with causal button downs or wearing with a pair of cute shorts. Helpful Hint: J. Crew has great spring sweaters in tons of beautiful colors! If you present your student i.d. at checkout you will receive an additional 15% off your purchase! WHITE OXFORD: A white oxford gives you that fresh spring look! It can be paired with colored chinos, dressed up with a blazer, or layered with a DENIM JACKET: I love a good denlight sweater! It is a classic that im jacket; it is an American classic! offers a lot of versatility. It is versatile; denim matches everything and can be paired with almost any outfit! It is a great causal layer that can be added to a warm weather outfit during a colder day or after the sun goes down.
RAIN BOOTS: Look fashionable while splashing through puddles during the spring showers! Rain boots are practical all while being cute and comfortable. Have fun when picking out a pair! Do not be afraid to choose bright colors or fun designs!
BLAZER: Whether you choose navy, camel, or colored a blazer is a great investment! It can be dressed up or dressed down! It captures a true campus to business look. You can wear it around campus with shorts or jeans and also to your spring internship with a crisp button down shirt. SPRING 2014 | MODE
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Student Style SPOTLIGHT Five days of style, featuring Paris native Victoire Forneri, GSB â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;17 by Emma Bolton
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What’s happening at Lincoln Remember when Junior and Senior prom were moments you had to experience, because it would only happen twice in your life? And let’s not forget the pressure to find the right dress or tux. In this case, Lincoln Center gave its students a night filled with dé jà vu. On February 28th, students from Fordham University Lincoln Center attended the annual Winter Ball. And let me tell you, tickets sold out quickly for this event. Shocking? Not at the very least. Accompanied with this event was a beautiful venue at Three Sixty in Tribeca, hors d’oeuvres, a three course meal, and was finally topped off with a dance. As I was waiting for the 1 train, I saw girls wearing fulllength dresses descending down the staircases and onto the platform. Although a strange thing to see in a suburb, many New Yorkers were not fazed. Their dates accompanied them with fitted black suits, and the night seemed to be filled with excitement and anticipation. Fifteen minutes passed, and I was down at the Canal station waiting for the ball to finally start. We were on the eleventh floor, and the whole venue was beautiful. Windows literally stretched around the building, giving guests a beautiful view of the World Trade Center. The room was dimly lit with purple lights accenting corners and walls. The tables for the guests to eat at were decorated beautifully. Tables had an ethereal centerpiece of a mini branching tree, decked with masks, flowers, and crystals – appearing almost like a chandelier. Guests were eventually arriving; boys were mainly wearing a black suit and a matching tie to their date’s dress. Girls came in wearing a range of different dresses: from midthigh, to floor length – and everything in between. Some channeled the typical white Hollywood glamour for more of a simplistic, yet voluptuous look. While others pulled out the most decadent (and I mean sequins and crystals!) dresses they had, obviously making a huge statement. The most common lip I saw was the classic red paired off with cat-winged eyeliner or a smoky eye.
Center... The most common detail I saw on dresses was lace. Whether it was a lace bodice or a small trim to hit the waist, lace seemed to have appeared everywhere. Despite it being a ball, no one actually wore a ball gown (throw back to when there was at least one person who had a little too much tulle underneath her dress!). And let’s not forget the most important accessory there: masks! Everyone had the most exquisite mask: rimmed with gold sequins or topped with the gaudy feathers. However, others had a more “modern” take of masks – the classic black, but with lace (think Chanel F/W 2011). The Winter Ball at Fordham is an event that will never disappoint. With past venues at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (just a block away), the Russian Team Room, and even at The Roosevelt, the Winter Ball definitely allows students to have fun, and possibly redeem themselves for that embarrassing night they had at prom. The night quietly ended, and as students descended from the eleventh floor to pick up their trench or fur coats, students were whisked away in only the finest mode of transportation in New York City – the classic yellow and black taxi.
A Winter’s Tale By: Amanda Lee
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AN URBAN STAYCATION
by Caroline Sneider
The High Line
A public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the street. Pack a picnic basket with your favorites from Chelsea Market and take in the breathtaking views of the Manhattan Skyline and Hudson River from the High Line. Runs from Gansevoort Street to West 34th between 10th and 11th Ave.
Spend a day in Chelsea to get away from the tourist attractions but still get a taste of New Liquiteria healthy oasis that offers cold pressed juices packed with vitamins, York City’s vibrant and artsy feel. Check out Aminerals, and enzymes from fresh fruit and vegetables. Try the Coffee and Cacao or the Hangover Cure smoothie! these four fun spots! Hangover Cure Papaya, peaches, bananas, apple cider, vanilla almond milk, shredded coconut, organic raw honey, vitamin c & Liver Kidney Lymph Detox. Papayas are high in enzymes that aid in digestion. Coffee and Cacao Organic, fair-trade coffee, chocolate almond milk, raw cacao, almond butter, banana and raw, organic coconut sugar. High quality, raw and organic ingredients ensure you are receiving the most nutrient rich smoothie possible. 102 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
The Museum at FIT
New York’s most fashionable museum has three exhibits with about 50,000 garments from the 18th century to the present. The focus of the museum is aesthetically and historically significant “directional” clothing, accessories, textiles and visual materials, with emphasis on contemporary avant-garde fashion. Seventh Ave at 27th Street Chelsea New York, NY 10011
Chelsea Market
One of the greatest indoor food halls in the world. Its urban industrial design is home to thirty-five vendors who sell everything from food, wine, dessert, to fashion, books and more. Each year 6 million people from around the world come to experience Chelsea Market, one of the most written about destinations in New York. Try Friedmans for an amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup and visit Posman’s to find a good read through their give a book get a book!
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75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011
Study Abroad: Our Global Campus By Caroline Wolff
If you had the chance to pack up your things and go anywhere in the world right now… would you? Last semester I ask Fordham students around campus what they thought was important for every Fordham student to do before they graduate. I got an array of amazing answers, but I was surprised that not one student suggested going abroad! I understand that we all love our “New York campus,” but I decided to look into the global campus that Fordham students have created through study abroad. What better way to do this than to ask students themselves? I decided to ask Fordham student who are currently studying abroad, or who have studied abroad in the past, a few questions about their experiences.
What was your favorite part about studying abroad?
“ Joining the sailing team at University of London. Since with Gabelli you live and study with Americans it was an amazing way to meet people from all over.” -Jen, London, England “ Studying abroad feels like having a second chance to re-live freshman year of college… literally everything I do is a new experience…” -Michelle, Copenhagen, Denmark “The people that I met there and have remained in contact with.” -Amanda, Pretoria, South Africa “Traveling to different countries and cities there is as easy as it is for us here to travel to different states, so I definitely took advantage of that as much as possible.” –Courtney, London, England “Having the opportunity to travel to some of the more rural parts of China. I was able to stay with a Tibetan host family in a small village on the Tibetan Plateau in Yunnan Proince...” -Mary, China
…And your least favorite? “Being so far away from friends and family.” Michael, Prague, Czech Republic “Getting sick and not understanding the healthcare system!” -Jen, London, England “Trying to fit in around here! Adjusting to the lifestyle here and remembering I’m not in New York anymore has been a bit tricky.” -Michelle, Copenhagen, Denmark
Any tips for students hoping to study abroad? “Do all of the boring, logistical stuff early! Just get it out of the way. Passport and visa info, credit cards, cell phones, etc. It’s not fun and it’s really confusing…” -Michelle, Copenhagen, Denmark
“The ability to look at setbacks or frus“When it comes to the time to leave, trating circumstances as opportunities do not form expectations, do not for exercising mental toughness is key. sweat the small stuff while there, and If you can do this, your days look like a remember each day that you are wakseries of new and exciting challenges that ing up in a different county and you compel you to test yourself against them, have the opportunity to do things you rather than something that feels vague could never do here in the US.” and overwhelming.” -Mary, China -Amanda, Pretoria, South Africa
After interviewing these students, it is clear that study abroad can be an irreplaceable and cherished time in a student’s life. So if you decide to go abroad, be spontaneous! Immerse yourself in a different culture, and enjoy a completely unique experience!
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GOINGTHE D I S TA N C E
In a long distance relationship? Here are a few things you can do to make the time apart between you and your significant other a bit more bearable. Then before you know it, you’ll be together again.
MOVIES OVER XBOX: You can now watch movies together without being in the same place! You’ll need a Netflix account, an Xbox, and headphones. Join the same party and you can have a virtual move date.
By Caroline Sneider
COUPLES APP: There is an app (we kid you not) called Couples, where you can interact with your sweetie via mobile phone. There is even a way to thumb kiss- your phone will vibrate when you and your partner’s thumbs touch the screen at the same time in the same place! ENVELOPE OF LOVE: On times when you are feeling especially sad, you can send your love! Cut out a bunch of hearts (or you know, buy pre cut hearts at Party City) and package them in an envelope addressed to the person you love. When they open it, all the hearts will fall out and it will obviously represent how much you love them. Obviously. PACKAGES: Care packages are the best way to show someone some extra umph. Throw a box together of his or her favorite candies, little gifts, or even homemade treats. This package is especially recieved with smiles during exam week. Cough.
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SOMETHING TO BOND OVER: “Have a momento that you can take pictures with in your surrounding area. My boyfriend and I like pugs a lot, so when he studied abroad, I gave him a stuffed pug and he took picturs of it in front of different landmarks!”
#girlmode
The E-board got together and after discussing their love for cookies and whether or not they should go ahead and order cookies, they got into a discussion about the do’s and don’ts of relationships. Here is the conversation that happened. (Editor’s note: this happened at 12:30 AM. For this purpose, all names have been changed because… well because what would you say at 12:30 AM after a night of editing?)
@Alice: Age matters if it’s a legal problem. @Carmen: Do consider age. @Adrianna: make sure you check your local government. And stay away from tinder. @Carmen: Don’t make a Tinder if you have a boyfriend. @Racquel: If you’re going on a tinder date, don’t go on a hike- he will kill you. @Adrianna: or any secluded area! @Becca: Girl Mode. @Alice: Can I just vent for a little?? As soon as this girl put food in her mouth, her boyfriend kissed her! There are limits! @Adrianna: One time my ex boyfriend paid for a dinner completely in change @Carmen: We can watch an episode of Girl Code right now. @Racquel: My boyfriend is back from study abroad- I am so happy. (cue awws) @Adrianna: That must be so nice. @Becca: Oh wow don’t stalk other peo-
ple and then like their stuff acciedentally. I am pretty sure I’ve done that. @Alice: Don’t get on Fordham Makeouts. @Adrianna: I don’t have any experience with that- my boyfriend and I have been dating since high school. @Carmen: I’ve been on Fordham Makeouts. But I’m dating the guy now. @Becca: What! I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. @Racquel: Are these all don’t’s? @Alice: We’ve had some rough experiences. @Racquel: Don’t curl your eyelashes in front of a boyfriend. Mine asked me how I got them even and I was like what? And he said when you cut your eyelashes… @Becca: Doing your makeup in general in front of boys is awkward. @Racquel: Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor. @Becca: Or boys. @Alice: This isn’t makeup. This is war paint. Have any #girlmode stories to share? Tag @modemagazine on Twitter and share your story with the #girlmode hashtag. Don’t worry, we’ve probably heard worse. I mean we guess... SPRING 2014 | MODE
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HAIRATIES AND BRACELETS Two-for-One Kind of Deal ANTHROPOLOGIE Crystaline Hair Ties, $24 Anthropologie.com
BANDTZ BLUSH EMBOSSED, $15 Bandtz.com
EMI-JAY Crystal Bead Hair Ties, $9.99 Emi-jay.com
GOODY Double Wear Stacking Metallic Bars Elastics, $4.99 Goody.com FREE PEOPLE Elastic Printed Hair Ties, $10 Freepeople.com
BANDTZ Love Set, $15 Bandtz.com Anthropologie Multitude Hair Ties, $12 Anthropologie.com
No matter what event I’m going to, I almost always have a hair tie on my wrist, but unfortunately a simple accessory like that can really ruin the outfit. Despite that, I never want to make the decision to forego one, because my curly q’s can’t handle a good night out without one. Even for an everyday look, black elastic hair ties get boring and unattractive. Luckily for us, for every fashion problem there’s a smart girl or guy with a solution. Emi-Jay is a company devoted to producing quality and stylish hair ties. Hand-dyed and handmade, the hair ties aim for a little luxury and comfort. Most importantly, you no longer have to worry about them disrupting the flow of your outfit in a picture. They do have casual, solid color hair ties, but to satisfy the type of issue I’m talking about I recommend the Crystal Bead Hair Ties, classy enough for a night out but still effective. Essentially, these hair ties are meant to look like bracelets and thus sparks a new trend! The company has expanded its designs and even made reversible patterns and hair ties with initials. In reality, this trend may not be so secretive because multiple companies have already made it apart of their inventory. For the more colorful and fun personalities, visit stores like Anthropologie and Free People. Beyond that, different brands have different takes on the hair tie-bracelet fusion. The brand Goody goes for a sleeker look, while the brand Bandtz is all about femininity with its hair ties made of lace and organza fabrics. I guess there’s not much more to expect when its slogan is, “lingerie for your hair.” Regardless I, for one, am a fan of the trend and will make use of this creative idea. Prices will vary depending on the look you’re going for, so good research might be required, but look at it this way: it’s just another opportunity to get creative with your style! —NATALIE ZISA
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HAUTE Topic
Sohail Qazi Founder of
BLOK NEW YORK By: Nishat Baig
Sohail Qazi is a senior at Fordham College Rose Hill
who is trying to change the pace of men’s fashion. He’s pre-med, minoring in visual arts, co-president of Operation Dreamcatchers and founder of his own streetwear brand, BLOK New York. BLOK is an online street wear brand founded in 2013, primarily aimed at men’s fashion, but offers a variety of unisex options. I got a chance to sit down and talk to him about Blok, business and men’s fashion. What is the most important aspect of fashion? I would say quality is the most important thing, attention to minor details is what separates us from other streetwear brands.
What are the latest/hottest trends in men’s fashion right now? I think jogger pants are big right now. I’m also noticing a lot more streetwear couture, streetwear is coming up, not just in men’s fashion, but women’s fashion as well.
What are some of your favorite brands that you want to shoutout? Only New York, Publish, Mighty Healthy and The Hundreds
Streetwear brands have helped mold your style, which ones have inspired you the most? Only New York because it was founded by two college kids who try and incorporate NYC into their fashion, and The Hundreds, they’re innovative because they were the first social streetwear brand.
Ok last question, when do you plan on dropping your What’s your advice for other aspiring fashion designers? spring collection? There’s no such thing as too much planning. Even when you think you’ve thought through everything, you should spend more time planning. Fashion is also more than just the physical aspect, you have to really consider what you want and your brand to represent. Self-doubt is a part of the process, but I’ve come to realize that you have to have the confidence to pursue your vision.
I’ll be releasing the new collection in early march and I’m excited to expand to a female demographic as well, we have some tie-dye prints which will hopefully be popular with both men and women. Be sure to check his work out on his site: www.bloknewyork.com
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A Met-erella Story
By Caroline Sneider
The Met Gala, an annual
How did you get invited to the MET Gala?
fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is one of the most glamorous events in NYC and is a night filled with celebrities wearing gowns and tuxes gorgeous enough to be featured in the museum. Fordham’s very own Laura Cocchia was invited to participate in the unforgettable night.
I had previously interned with Vogue during the fall semester in their special events department. My old boss contacted me in April asking if I was available to come back and help out with the Met Gala, and obviously I said YES! We worked long hours during the week and throughout the weekend as well. The preparation was no simple task. Leading up to the event, my job was to create a digital Facebook, which meant I had to find a picture for every single guest on our massive list, manage RSVP’s, and ensure the accuracy of the seating placements at the Met. The seating chart changed constantly – we were receiving updates even as late as when guests were starting to arrive on the red carpet. It was imperative for us to respond as soon as possible to any changes in seating or attendance that came up. That was the biggest challenge of the job because there was absolutely no room for mistake!
Was it difficult to balancing school and work?
I had to rearrange my finals schedule to make myself available to work at the Gala. It was extremely stressful simultaneously wrapping up final assignments/preparing for graduation while working such intensive hours. Nonetheless, I was so excited about the opportunity that I couldn’t sleep! I was thrilled to be given the chance to come back to Vogue to work at the magazine’s biggest event of the year.
What was it like?
The word that comes to mind when I think about my experience at the Met Gala is surreal. It almost did not feel real to be in the presence of so many celebrities in such a glamorous setting. It was truly an incredible event to be a part of.
At the Gala what was your job?
At the Gala I shadowed one of my bosses who was responsible for guest checkin. We were seated at a table that was located outside on the red carpet where all of the celebrities would arrive and get dropped off in their cars. Once check-in was complete, the guests enjoyed their dinners and the rest of the Vogue staff reconvened. After dinner, we then were responsible for ushering guests to sit down at their respective tables for special live performances by Frank Ocean and an orchestra that played a version of “Drunk in Love”. From there, it kind of was a free-for-all. Guests continued to dance and socialize, and then slowly trickled out to the after parties. My job was done and I was able to really absorb everything that was going on around me. They were playing songs by Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Beyonce, and I thought to myself, “I’m in the same room as all of these artists!” It was nuts.
Your dress was beyond gorgeous! Where did you get it?
My dress was loaned to me from the Vogue closet. Finding a dress was actually a difficult process. A lot of them were too long or didn’t fit properly, and we had no time to get them temporarily altered. I was extremely relieved to find one that fit. My dress oddly didn’t have a tag so I do not know who designed it. It was a unique dress that consisted of a silk slip and a beaded mesh overlay on top. Other designers that were in the mix of choices from the closet were Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Jenny Packham, Prabal Gurung, Alberta Ferretti, and more. The process of getting dressed and “red carpet ready” was extremely rushed – I probably had about 10 minutes!
See any celebrities?
I saw a TON of celebrities since I was fortunate enough to be a part of check-ins and later be in the dining room with everyone. To name a few: Sarah Jessica Parker, Bradley Cooper, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Cara Delevingne, Reese Witherspoon, Johnny Depp, Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong’o, Karlie Kloss, Selena Gomez, Bryan Cranston, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, Amy Adams, Victoria and David Beckham, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, Leighton Meester, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Paul Rudd…the list goes on!
Who was best dressed?
It’s tough because there were so many celebrities that looked so amazing. Sarah Jessica Parker was one of the first guests to arrive, and her dress really made an impact. I feel that she did a great job embodying Charles James’ style and staying true to the elegant theme of the night. Aside from that, I have to say that Rihanna looked breathtaking. She is so stunning and looks even better in person!
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A New Perspective on GO By Caroline Sneider
E
ver thought about completely immersing yourself in a foreign culture and serving a community in need? Fordham offers some amazing Global Outreach programs that have forever changed the lives of students. You might have seen these students like Emily Mohri selling late night grilled cheese and mason jars around campus. Emily was so positively influenced by her GO trip that she eagerly agreed to share her experience with MODE to encourage more students to participate in GO. Where did you go?
I went to New Orleans and was a volunteer at a transitional home specifically for those who are HIV positive, called Project Lazarus.
Why did you want to do a GO trip?
I wanted to do a GO trip because I had heard so many good things about them, and I was looking to do something different in college. I was also drawn to the sense of community created through the team.
Were you nervous about going?
My first meeting with my team was about two and a half months before we left for our trip, and I was extremely nervous to meet my teammates. However, when it came time for the actual trip my team had spent so much time getting to know each other that traveling with them felt second nature. I was most worried about the things that we would see and the stories we would hear in New Orleans. We were warned before our trip that New Orleans is one of the tougher trips emotionally, and that was a little daunting. The people we met had lived tough lives and it was hard to hear their stories at times, but those stories were also really inspiring.
The most rewarding experience you had there?
The most rewarding experience was just being able to be involved in Project Lazarus and having the residents open up to us and share their stories. They were so inspiring and opened my eyes to so many things; it was truly an honor getting to know them. The residents had a unique way of looking at things, and had perspectives that I would have never thought of.
Advice to anyone thinking of going on a GO trip?
I would say DEFINITELY apply for a GO trip. During the interview process you get told that the trip picks you, and I find that to be so true. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine doing what I did with any other team or going any other place. GO was an experience that definitely made my freshman year something special and an experience that I will never forget.
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Build Your Dreams
By: Natalie Zisa
“We have to make our own opportunities and define our own success.”
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Photos Courtesy of College Fashionista & Kellyn Simpkins
A lot of pressure is put on young adults these days to have everything figured out. Competition to do more and be better than the next guy or girl only gets harder as we get older. Finding a job and “starting your life” was a lot different in our parents’ generation. It was a more secure and stable job market that created longer life results, but it was a lot less about what you liked to do and more about what you had to do. Now, students our age are encouraged to travel, move out faster, move away further, and ultimately take risks because that’s the only way they’re going to be successful. A recent article in Forbes Magazine supports this changing work environment, “Freelancing and self-employment are on the rise.” Ever since middle school, I was taught to sell myself on being different, offering something that nobody else had. If you think about it, that’s a lot for a fourteen year old to handle. Then senior year of high school rolled around and the constant talk of college and jobs, a career nonetheless, didn’t leave our brains for a second. The reality of growing up was only getting scarier. But now that I’m in college, I’m excited to start making my dreams a reality. It may sound cheesy, but it’s the only thing that makes sense nowadays. I’ve had people question my major and knock down my answer, but it hasn’t changed my mind. My dream of being a journalist may not be the most economical career path, but I’ve decided I want to have a life in which I enjoy going to work where I can put passion into what most people complain about. I think our generation is encouraged to be independent and creative because there is no longer security in a “9 to 5” job. We have to make our own opportunities and define our own success. I think we have a better chance at being happy if we do something we love, if we build our dreams. This statement was equally supported in Forbes Magazine, “The second feature Millennials are seeking is work with a greater purpose.” Some of you may be saying, “I don’t know what that is yet,” so take the time now to figure it out. I recommend buying the book, “Build Your Dreams,” by Alexis Irvin and Chip Hiden, it will certainly offer you a little inspiration and a way to get started. Take our cover girl Lea for example. She wouldn’t have her own company if she didn’t take something she was passionate about, and make it into a brand. I’m not saying this will require less work, less worry, or less stress, but at least the end result will be something you’re proud of.
Summer in the city
By Joanne Drawbaugh
-- you hear the term in songs, in books, and you see it in paintings. It’s the idyllic image of ice cream in the park or lazy days on Fifth Avenue where tanned women languorously saunter down the street, eyeing store windows in search of this season’s new bikini. Yet as a college student spending summers in the city, it can be hard to figure out how to spend your time. As most of the student body returns home and the rest of us get to work on the projects that kept us here, it seems the traditional spirit of excitement one feels on campus has evaporated in the hot summer sun. Fortunately, living in this renowned city simply means this free time provides more opportunities to explore what it has to offer. Skip the sunny days on Eddies and the Friday nights at Mugz’s to take advantage of living the dream-- Summer in New York City. Now that the freezing cold has given way to warmer weather, it is time to shake off the frostbite, emerge outdoors, and enjoy a little surf and turf. Our concrete jungle offers a wide array of parks and other green spaces, all filled almost nightly with free programming for everybody to enjoy. In addition to the daily tanning, games, and picnicking you can partake in at these locations, when the sun sets there is even more free fun to be had.
Take part in the hallmark of the summer season by vis- Central Park offers theater showcases almost every night iting one of the city’s many recently opened beaches. On such as Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater Memorial Day, beaches in four of the boroughs opened starting at 8pm. for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. Join other For you film aficionados out there, from August 18threvelers on Coney Island in Brooklyn, the Rockaways in 22nd you can enjoy classic films in the park at the ConQueens, or Orchard Beach and Promenade in our very servancy Film Festival. own Bronx. You can find other opportunities for free music by For less crowded beaches and new sights, reach beyond checking the park’s official calendar of events at www. the city’s limits with a day or weekend trip to Long Is- centralparknyc.org. land, Connecticut, or New Jersey. On Long Island, take New York City makes free live music available to those the LIRR to head anywhere from the coasts of Queen’s venturing outside of Central Park as well. The city holds neighboring Nassau County to the scenic Hamptons several annual festivals, including Celebrate Brooklyn at farther east. Get a view of the Long Island Sound, a Prospect Park and right under the Brooklyn Bridge. This beautiful bay with views of Manhattan from Stamford, year, performers like Janelle Monae and bluegrass band Connecticut by taking the Metro North and enjoy the Nickel Creek will headline at the bandshell in Prospect calm, spacious beaches this city has to offer. Or, opt for Park while DJs like DJ Underdog and JD Samson spin a more classic beach vacation by taking NJ Transit or for the three dance parties being held under the Brookdriving down to the Jersey Shore. From Wildwood to lyn Bridge. Atlantic City this state’s coast provides its visitors with the quintessential East Coast summer experience. For more information, visit http://bricartsmedia.org/ Check out a full list of available beaches at www.nycgov- performing-arts/celebrate-brooklyn. parks.org. Each destination, whether it’s within the five boroughs or beyond, offers a distinct opportunity to escape the hustle of city life while enjoying a new set of potential good times. After all, adventure and relaxation, that’s what the summer is all about.