Mode Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

M

E

Spring/Summer 2019

Peyton Turner Fundraising Team

Brenna Powers Fundraising Team

Jeffrey Pelayo Photo Editor

Mรณnica Santiago Model Coordinator

Natalie Commesso Fundraising Team

Frannie Vena-Pedersen Secretary

MEET MODE

Katie Konfino Editor in Chief

Mackenzie Merriman Blog Editor

Ashley Qamar Fashion Editor

Max Durante Fundraising Team

Anna Schmitt Blog Editor

Emily Abate Beauty Editor

Paige Kowal Blog Editor

Emily Malacane Arts & Entertainment Editor

Riya Goel Treasurer

Hannah Gonzalez Managing Editor

Alex Richard Creative Director

Grace Kolbe Social Media Editor

Teylor Veliotis Love & Relationships Editor

Anita Tataj Lifestyle Editor

Table of Contents Fashion 6 Slapping on Supreme 7 Blooming with Wildflower Fashion with Some Flava 8 Buying a Brand, Not Just an Item Defiance in Color 9 Man Rings & Other Fancy Things 10 The Wang$ap Wardrobe 11 The Looming Recession and its Role in the Fashion Industry 12 Made in America(’s Prisons) The Bucket Hat is Back 13 A Closet in the Cloud 14 Two Worlds Collide 15 Spilling the Drama with Diet Prada

Beauty 16 Plump it Up—Or Don’t The Perfect Glow 17 The Chanel Beauty Experience Get Real: Sustainable Shopping & Cosmetics 37 Beauty Brand at 18: Interview with Merlinda Loci

24 Photography Spotlight

Arts & Entertainment 25 Maggie Rogers: A Witchy Feminist Rockstar 26 Stop Separating the Art from the Artist MoMA Takes Steps to Increase Inclusivity 27 Smorgasburg: A Foodie’s Heaven 28 Gentrification in NYC 29 An Old Soul in New York

Meet Makena 18

Love & Relationships

30 The Truth About Trust Issues 31 Struggling With Grief

Lifestyle 32 Does it Spark Joy? Marie Kondo’s Tips 33 The Weekend Getaway Essentials Meatless Monday 34 Oh My WOD 35 Behavioral Economics and the Way We Shop 36 I Went to SoulCycle for the First Time...

37 Living Alone in College: How to Fill the Space 38 Be a Killer and a Sweet Thang 39 The Senior Files: What to Expect & How to Cope

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In This Issue...

Editors

Alexandra Benavides, Zoë Mader, Frannie Vena-Pedersen, Mia Disano, Lauren Cassot, Mira Balsam, Gwen Bischoff, Matt Schumacher, Michaela Lynch, Cassie Doyle-Hines, Cassidy Murphy, Alexandra Lange, Eleanor Keyes, Candice Huang, Giuliana Santomauro, Kieran Downey, Vicky Kalpaxis, Emma Fenton, Caroline Hughes, Gianna Hess, Sabrina Sahler, Hannah Gonzalez

Layout Team

Paige Kowal, Cassie Doyle-Hines, Katie Schulte, Ana Paula Louie-Grover, Vicky Kalpaxis, Mira Balsam, Frannie Vena-Pedersen, Julia Emerson, Alexandra Lange, Olivia Roberts, Emily Abate, Sarah Crawford, Emily Malacane, Katie Crist, Anita Tataj, Mackenzie Merriman, Nicole Sullivan, Teylor Veliotis, Katie Konfino, Alex Richard

Photographers

Lindsay Abel, Eleanor Keyes, Nicole Sullivan, Lindsay Abel, Mackenzie Cranna, Anna Haase, Carson DeLasho, Natalie Lamb, Jenn Hoang, Jordin O’Hara, Alexandra Lupo, Gino Catalano, Joe Byrnes, Steven Ruggiero, Giuliana Santomauro, Teylor Veliotis, Anthony Gambino, Emma Higgins, Max Durante, John Barback, Elizabeth Bjorklund, Gwen Bischoff, Anya Wiggins

Models

Emma Kaden, Becky Ditullio, Estrella Aguilar, Chiebuka Chioke, Teylor Veliotis, Nicole Sullivan, Keara Kennedy, Sarinnagh Budris, Erin Foley, Catherine DeLaurentis, Lindsay Abel, Amanda Blaze, Eleanor Keyes, William Smith, Anna Haase, Merlinda Loci, Julianna Portante, Audrey Johnston, Paige Kowal, Meghan Doran, Anita Tataj, Brenna Powers, JonMichael Connolly, Grace Kubelka, Rohini Ramabadran, Keya Makwana, Genesis Deleon, Justin (Seung Bin) O., Hannah Gammond, Alyssa Iocco, Flava Dance Team, Mary Kate Flock, Amanda McMulty, Grace Trudeau, Jennifer Mula, Julia Haghighi, Allison Kilbride, Samantha Trabattoni, Siera Nezaj, Jeffrey Pelayo, Mónica Santiago Reality Check: Is it really the 2nd semester of senior year? Yikes.

I seriously cannot believe how fast my entire college experience went.

Everyone always warns you: “Savor every moment, it goes by quicker than you think!” Now, even though it makes me feel truly ancient, I can confirm it really does.

My time with MODE Magazine has been an incredible journey. My role as Creative Director (and unofficial Videographer) helped me discover my creative passion and for that, I owe MODE the world. Endless thanks to my Layout Team Babies, E-Board, supportive roommates, and—of course—Editor in Chief/Bestie, Katie.

Well guys, that’s a wrap! Al Rich out 4

Alex Richard Creative Director

MODE

Letter from the Editor

When you realize this is your last MODE mag

My Ramily

Four years have come and gone at Fordham University, and I am truly grateful for all of the people I have met and the experiences I have had. I joined MODE magazine as a timid freshman with a passion to someday be the Editor in Chief. In fact, I even remember walking up to the Editor in Chief at the time and telling her that my dream was to one day take over her role. I was humbled and excited to be given the opportunity to become the Editor in Chief as a junior. It is no easy feat to produce two magazines in an academic year, working with a team of 150 people. To pull it all together, I could have not done it by myself. I want to extend my thank you to my e-board (especially my Creative Director Alex), general members, roommates (Danica & Amanda), friends, and family.

Our Spring/Summer 2019 cover story features Makena Masterson.

Makena is a senior who is an entrepreneur with her own clothing company and is on Fordham University’s sailing team as well. In this issue, we also feature a fashion article on Dior’s transition. In addition, we have a beauty article on the effects of lip plumpers.

Our Arts & Entertainment section, features a piece on separating the art from the artist. We have a lifestyle article on Eileen Kelly, a Millennial Sex Expert. Lastly, we have a Love & Relationships article on struggling with grief. I am extremely proud of all the hard work the writers and editors have put in this semester. As well, the models, photo team, and layout team collaborated for the best visuals we have had.

Change is never easy. I am lucky to say that I would do it all over again, if I was given the chance. My advice for any underclassmen reading this would be to do as many things as you can while at Fordham. You should go to Enzo’s with your best friends and order as much food as you can, have a dance party homework break in your Martyrs Court Goupil dorm room and sit in the middle of Eddie’s all day with your roommates. I can now proudly say that I am more confident leaving Fordham. Here is to the future!

With love,

Katie Konfino Editor in Chief Interview with Makena

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SLAPPING on

By Anthony Gambino

The brand Supreme has become synonymous with highly sought-after streetwear…but crowbars and cough drops? Yes, those too. Resale on seemingly banal items with the Supreme logo smacked onto them racks in absurdly high bids. By supporting the silliness, fervent followers of Supreme only fuel the fire of Supreme’s absurd collabs.

Supreme has come along way from the simple “Bogo” tee sporting its now-iconic red block letter logo. This skaterbased streetwear brand has collaborated with high fashion legends from Louis Vuitton—a collaboration originally born out of a lawsuit—to Rolex. However, Supreme has stayed true to its urban roots by collaborating with the likes of White Castle and the New York Yankees. This versatile brand has proved time and time again that its image successfully collabs from the “suites to the streets.”

Supreme’s meteoric rise in the fashion world, along with its devoted army of “hypebeasts” willing to wait hours in line and pay absurd prices, has allowed the brand’s collabs to grow even more arbitrary without consequence. YouTube is littered with viral videos documenting raving streetwear enthusiasts waiting in line for hours at the Lafayette Supreme store. Are they waiting to snag a Supreme x Playboy Varsity Jacket or a coveted Supreme x Louis Vuitton Wallet? No, they’re waiting for a Supreme crowbar! When one fanatic is questioned by the interviewer about what he will do with his strange purchase, he simply responds, “f*cking nothing.”

Many could argue that dropping $1600 dollars on a pair of Gucci shoes is irresponsible, but the shoes at least have some practicality. Other infamous additions have included a brick ($150 resale), bolt cutters ($398 resale), and, my personal favorite, Luden’s Cough Drops ($125 resale).

I will admit, I am a bit sour that I couldn’t pick up the Supreme crowbar. However, looking at the current direction of Supreme, I am left with a few major questions: What’s next for the brand? Is there a threshold past which people will no longer be interested? Finally, can we expect a Supreme x Fordham collab anytime soon? I can only hope!

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BLOOMING with WILDFLOWER

By Paige Kowal

Wildflower Cases, an upcoming brand, has pushed to the forefront of the phone case world since its creation. Michelle Carlson, alongside her daughters Sydney and Devon Carlson, have created limited edition phone cases. It all began when Michelle decided to create phone cases for her daughters after noticing a lack of fashionable ones on the market, this drew attention from others, including Miley Cyrus who they ran into one day in LA. Upon taking a photo with the girls, Cyrus gushed over their phone cases. From that moment, Wildflower began to bloom.

According to their website, “Wildflower represents all of the girls passionately experiencing life with a free spirit and sense of independence, who are able to grow and survive anywhere, and are driven to succeed.” By creating these limited edition phone cases, they plan to do exactly that, and for $35-$40 a piece, they’re doing it at a reasonable price.

As their company continues to grow, Wildflower Cases continues to work with different celebrities on a series of collaborations.

These stretch anywhere from YouTube star Emma Chamberlain’s primary colored shapes case, to a self customizable license plate designed by the indie band The Neighbourhood. Wildflower cases are currently being sold in major retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Free People, Nordstrom and DollsKill as well as on their personal website (wildflowercases.com).

These cases have been seen on the phones of major stars such as Kylie Jenner, Noah Cyrus, and Maddi Bragg, and they can be seen on your phone as well.

Fashion With Some Flava

By Mónica Santiago

At first glance, dance and fashion may seem completely unrelated, but they are more connected than you might think. Both dance and fashion are rooted in self-expression. Dancers express emotion through their movements and song choices, while fashionistas express their personality and mood through the clothes they wear. During performances, dance and fashion are combined to create one cohesive form of art.

When choosing an outfit for a dance performance, multiple factors are taken into account: dancers have to wear clothing that does not restrict them as they move, and the outfit has to match the vibe of the song.

The type of clothes a dancer wears depends heavily on the style of dance. Ballet, contemporary, lyrical, and jazz dancers usually wear ballet or jazz shoes along with leotards, leggings, or any tight, stretchy clothing that will accentuate their bodies as they move. Latin dancers—whether salsa, tango, or bachata—choose shoes with a half-to three-inch heel and typically wear a skirt with ruffles to accentuate their movements.

Hip-hop dancers and breakdancers tend to wear loose-fitting, baggy, or stretchy clothing so they can move their bodies freely.

Some popular hip-hop fashion trends include sweatshirts with one sleeve on and one sleeve off, cargo pants, baseball jerseys,

and oversized T-shirts.

Flava, Fordham’s hip-hop dance team, color-coordinates their outfits for performances. This visually unifies all the dancers’ looks, though each sports a personalized style. In the February performance at Fordham’s Men’s Basketball game, dancers wore all black with a purple bandana. Each found a different way to style the same accessory, demonstrating how transformable one clothing item can be.

As a dancer on Flava, my personal style for practices and performances is made up mostly of street style clothing with color synchronization. I wear crop tops, sweatpants, leggings, and sneakers while matching and blocking colors.

My teammate Hannah Gammond’s go-to accent is camouflage. No matter the choreography, Hannah loves to style either camo pants, a camo shirt, or even a camo hat to complete her performance look.

Alyssa Iocco, another dancer, rocks the New York street style on the regular, so she can break out into dance at any time. But even though we each have our own unique style of dance and dress, we all come together to form one well-rounded and cohesive team.

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Buying a Brand, Not Just an Item

By Elizabeth Bjorklund

There is nothing more satisfying than finding a beautiful item that will fit perfectly into your wardrobe.

Many people feel very passionately about fashion, as it helps them shape and outwardly express their identity. In 2017, the apparel market generated a whopping $328.07 billion in revenue in the United States alone, and this number is projected to rise to $390 billion for 2025. However, with increasing consumer activity comes increasing consumer awareness.

Companies like JoRocco respond to consumers looking for more from a brand than an appealing item.

Founder Sammy-Jo Rocco started her jewelry company in college and continues to make everything by hand in New York City. The unique pieces start at just $50, making her products an affordable yet stylish option for college students. JoRocco is unconventional and empowering, encouraging buyers to use jewelry in as many

Defiance in COLOR

Entertainment Weekly

creative ways as they can imagine—like wearing bracelets as chokers.

This creative customer experience does not stop at the versatility of the jewelry. JoRocco’s mission is to inspire everyone to live life boldly, celebrating individuality. Their “Get to Know Us” page is where a customer can find information about the company’s goals—not about sales numbers--but rather about how they want to empower their customers.

In addition, they feature multiple videos inviting consumers to learn more about the company as well as the founder and CEO of this growing company.

JoRocco is breaking down the digital barrier of e-commerce to form a genuine relationship with consumers. This company and others like it are shaking up the fashion industry, revealing that when customers buy an item, they are buying into the brand.

By Anna Schmitt

As with other forms of art, fashion has been used to make political statements for decades. Fashion transcends boundaries, bringing its messages to both the streets and the red carpet.

An early example of fashion being used for political motives was suffragettes’ colors in the early 1900s.

They utilized four main colors for their movement: green for hope, purple for loyalty, gold for life, and white for purity. The colors created a recognizable public image, enhancing its memorability and power.

The Black Panther Party, a group championing black power and rights for African Americans beginning in the 1960s, had a dress code of black leather jackets and black berets. This created unity among members, becoming symbolic of their efforts. Using clothes as a means to stand out brought the movement everywhere its members went.

These movements’ emphasis on fashion has paved the way for fashion’s use in other realms. Within the entertainment industry, we saw the majority of attendees at the 2018 Golden Globes wearing black in solidarity with the Me Too movement.

As with any red carpet event, outfits are a focal point for reporters and photographers. Entertainers effectively used their fashion choices to NPR start a different conversation about deep-rooted issues within the industry. Given that many of the initial stories of sexual harassment in the workplace centered on prominent figures in entertainment, it was powerful to see attendees of the awards show calling for increased attention to the movement.

Politicians have also used their clothing to convey political messages. At the 2019 State of the Union Address, female members of Congress wore white in acknowledgment of the suffrage movement, standing in stark contrast to the masses of black and navy suits. These Congress members sent the message that they belong in the positions of power for which women have struggled for so long.

Hillary Clinton has also used color symbolically in her wardrobe. In her concession speech, for example, she wore a black suit with purple accents, symbolizing future bipartisanship.

As can be seen throughout history, fashion’s symbolic potential will always ensure its relationship with politics. Fashion has the power to transform a movement, and this power exists everywhere, from the closets of everyday Americans to glamorous movie stars sashaying across a red carpet.

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Man Rings & Other Fancy Things

By Caroline Hughes

Men’s fashion is having a moment right now.

In the world of popular culture, male celebrities are deviating from the norm to make a statement with colorful suits and bold accessories (e.g. Harry Styles since, like, 2014). Accessorizing, in particular, is a growing trend in men’s fashion. Jewelry such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and even earrings are appearing more and more on fashionable men everywhere— from Hollywood’s red carpets (Timothée Chalamet, for example, wore all of the aforementioned accessories, though he swapped the earrings for a glittery black harness) to the ever-changing street style of New York City.

I decided to look at how this trend is reflected in the fashion of Fordham’s students. The main questions to tackle: Why accessorize, and why now? Two of Fordham’s biggest accessory advocates enlightened me with their responses.

First, I spoke with Mike Pappano, FCRH ’22, who said fashion was how he bonded with his new friends at Fordham and how he adjusted to the culture of New York City. “I’m from Buffalo, New York, and fashion’s not big there. But when I got [to New York City] all of my friends were dressing like this.” Mike described his personal style as a distinct “New York street style” which emulates that of celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet and tends to include a lot of accessories—specifically hats and jewelry such as rings.

When asked why he chooses to accessorize, Mike said adornments like jewelry “add an element to the outfit” that helps him stand out.

I then talked to visual arts major Justin O, FCRH ’21, who said his ability to express himself through fashion and accessories is essential to his identity.

Justin’s interest in fashion began in his senior year of high school, as he was “trying to emulate” the styles of celebrities like A$AP Rocky and Korean boyband BTS. “I grew up in a very strict household,” he explained. “I wasn’t really allowed to express myself in this way… and I really resented that. So one day I just got my ears pierced without telling my parents, and from there it kind of started an addiction.” Justin, whose favorite accessory is a Gucci tiger ring, said that in order for him to buy an accessory, “it has to catch my eye. [I look for] something very flashy…to add that extra ‘oomph’ to my outfit.”

So, guys, whether you’re trying to fit into NYC culture or stand out from the crowd, whether you’re following in the footsteps of your favorite celebrity or just trying to find your own style, Mike and Justin agree that accessorizing is the way to do it. Whether you’re out in Manhattan with friends or hanging around the Bronx, spice up your style with a ring or two. Maybe go bold and get your ears pierced. After all, college is the time to experiment and find your identity, and finding your style is an integral part of finding yourself.

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THE WANG$AP WARDROBE

By Zoë Mader

In addition to their chart-topping raps and unparalleled wit, both A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator are known for their remarkable ability to rock the most fly and funky fits of all time. Nonetheless, these two music moguls often take very different routes when it comes to fashion.

Let’s start with Tyler, The Creator’s signature style: bright colors, cartoonish florals, grandpa-esque trousers, and a hat at all times. His unique and playful look mirrors his hilarious, offthe-wall personality—he is not afraid to wear or say whatever he wants. For example, when he rolled up to the 2018 Grammys decked out in a powder blue Louis Vuitton jacket with cheetah-print hair design, his fans adored it, having expected nothing less. Moreover, whenever Tyler’s fashion line, Golf Wang, launches its seasonal collections, one can always look forward to unique patterns and pieces quickly recognizable as Tyler’s work.

A$AP Rocky, on the other hand, sports a more sophisticated and luxurious, yet equally one-of-a-kind, sense of style. Unlike Tyler’s youthful-prints-meets-old-

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man vibes, Rocky adopts a New York City street style with an avant-garde twist. A$AP Rocky pulls off some of the craziest designer pieces by combining them with everyday streetwear.

He often reps designers like Raf Simons and Rick Owens, who have runway-casual aesthetics.

However, like Tyler, Rocky goes beyond simply rocking the finest pieces. In addition to being a street style icon, he dropped a sneaker collaboration with Under Armour in late 2018.

Mimicking his own closet, Rocky’s sneaker is on-trend with its chunky silhouette and monochromatic look, but its design also stands apart from the rest of the sneakers on the street—just like A$AP Rocky himself.

Whether you’re admiring Tyler, The Creator’s creatively brilliant outfits or A$AP Rocky’s effortlessly fly style, you can’t deny how innovative and fashion-forward these two men are. Although most widely known as two of today’s hottest rap stars, they also have a talent for both wearing and creating coveted clothing pieces.

It’s impossible to compete with Tyler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky’s unpredictable and unmatched styles.

The Looming Recession and its Role in the Fa$hion Industry

By Daniela Fame

Some economists, experts, and business professionals have forecasted that the economy is due for a recession within the next couple of years. According to USA Today, in basic terms, they claim this is due to unemployment falling, increased inflation, and increased interest rates as the government attempts to slow down this quick economic growth. The combination of these factors could lead to the recession—a possibility which looms over the happy times of today.

But what does this mean for the fashion industry?

Essentially, the fashion industry would not exist without the luxury consumer. During a recession, shoppers are split into three categories. The first category is someone who is financially confident, but aware of the potential to be less-than-confident in the future. This individual shops for luxury goods but keeps an eye on their savings. The second category is someone who is impacted by the recession but is still employed. They may adjust their habits by choosing to splurge only on statement and versatile pieces. The third category is someone who is hit the hardest with the recession. While they might still desire to look and feel good, this shopper would alter their habits to be more inclusive of thrift shopping. In every category, shoppers alter their spending habits in some way as a response to the recession. These choices directly impact designers, brands, and what they choose to produce.

Because fashion designers must purchase expensive fabric in order to make expensive clothes, they rely largely on credit. However, they may not get any return on these clothes for six months or longer, keeping them in debt until the clothes are purchased. If the banks increase interest rates and become more cautious about lending money, designers may find themselves in a predicament. In 2008, this exact situation caused retailers to become more selective about which clothes to house at their stores. On a positive note, these decisions forced designers to be more creative in their styles.

So, what will designers focus on creating during a recession? The short answer is accessories. Statement jewelry and handbags, for example, don’t follow trends and therefore maintain a level of timelessness—seemingly offering an inherent value. Since individuals will splurge on accessories even when money is tight, designers often stretch their accessories collection during a time of recession.

On the other hand, designers will feel inclined to make more versatile and basic pieces.

Avant-garde and flashy items will no longer be of interest to consumers. In troubled economic times, shoppers seek out items that will last them through many seasons and styles. Trends will be about practicality and durability, rather than fleeting style.

Although the thought of a looming recession scares most fashionistas, the fear of style becoming scant is misplaced. With the thrift store craze currently sweeping the nation, vintage and secondhand pieces are available to all buyers for a fraction of the retail price.

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MADE IN AMERICA(’s Prisons) by brenna powers No one really knows what Victoria’s “Secret” is, but the lingerie company’s use of prison labor is probably not the secret most people envisioned. Corporations sometimes avoid the cost of minimum wage work by using workers who don’t have the same wage rights as legal citizens. Though the 13th Amendment to the U.S Constitution formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, loopholes have been exploited for unethical forms of labor—including prison labor performed by convicted criminals.

In the Netflix documentary “13th”, historians emphasize that slavery was seen as economically necessary when it was legal in the United States, meaning that

emancipation would result in significant economic repercussions. After the passing of the 13th Amendment, prison labor served as a loophole in order to retain a labor force.

Today, the United States has the highest prison rate in the world, thereby providing a vast workforce for companies to exploit.

Prison-created products are sold by the government and private companies every day. Victoria’s Secret is just one profiteer of the 13th Amendment loophole. In 2018, Newsweek reported that both government and private companies use prisoners for manufacturing. Prisoners make less than minimum wage while working for private companies, and the cost of their own imprisonment (room and board) is taken out of that money.

The prison population is predominantly made up of people of color, a trend that began immediately after slavery was outlawed.

Many companies lobby for legislation that leads to more arrests and longer sentencing, thereby producing more prisoners to create their clothes. Many black men’s lives are ruined in exchange for cheaper production.

Victoria’s Secret’s use of prison labor to make their lingerie is just one example of a

the bucket hat is back

By Grace Kubelka

Much to everyone’s surprise, the bucket hat started popping up last fall straight out of left field. By the time NYFW rolled around, you would be hard-pressed to find a more popular type of hat atop of the models scurrying around SoHo in between shows. The bucket hat trend proceeded to survive the dead of winter and come out on top.

While this new generation of bucket hats is the cooler-younger-sister of yesteryear’s hats, they remain true to the late-’90s and early-2000s styles made famous by Tyra Banks, Lindsay Lohan, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Moreover, if you’re looking for personality in print, you can find anything from a highlighter-yellow number to fuzzy plaid bucket hat. I myself recently copped a deadstock ’90s bucket hat from Etsy crafted with fuzzy leopard-print material.

With so many funky and fashionable looks, there is a bucket hat out there for everyone, and, contrary to popular

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belief, they are incredibly easy to pull off! You can wear one as a pop of color in a monochromatic look, or you can go bold and clash or compliment other patterns and colors in the rest of your outfit. Even better, they’re the new go-to accessory if you’re on your second, third, or even fourth day of dirty hair—or if you just aren’t in the mood to style your mane that day.

Moral of the story: give your beanie a breather and experiment with the best throwback trend of the season!

company profiting off of mass incarceration.

UNICOR, a company owned by the government, uses prisoners to produce a large variety of products. For a questionable fashion statement, you can buy prison jumpsuits made by prisoners. Or, if you prefer, a prisoner can embroider a Bureau of Prisons hat to endorse the system that strips away freedom in order to turn a profit.

Fashion is a tool for self-expression and statement-making. Is the support of prison manufacturing the message we want to send?

A Closet in the Cloud

By Mary Kate Flock

As members of Gen Z, we have grown up in the “sharing” generation. We share our homes through Airbnb, we share our cars through Uber and Lyft, we share our music on Spotify, we share our Netflix subscriptions…we’re generous with pretty much everything. When people think of the fashion industry, however, sharing is not usually what comes to mind. Sure, designers more or less “steal” ideas from one other, but no one “shares,” except of course in the instance of a brand collaboration. But what if I told you there was a service where your closet exists in the cloud—like your photos in the Apple Cloud?

What does “closet in the cloud” even mean? Well, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: you can get designer clothes for events, work, and everyday wear for a fraction of the original price. That’s right: you’ll wear an incredible designer faux fur coat, and you won’t have to buy the knockoff from Zara.

Enter the revolution that is Rent the Runway. RTR provides designer clothing, outerwear, and accessory rentals for both four-day and month-long periods via their online monthly subscription services. Co-founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss in 2009, the company serves over 300 million users nationwide, and their numbers continue to grow. Rent the Runway initially centered on event dress rentals, which is still what it’s known for by most people. But in the past five years, the company has expanded to offer two options for a monthly subscription service: Update and Unlimited.

As one of nine RTR Campus Reps at Fordham, I’ve had the privilege of testing out the RTR Update monthly subscription, and, let me tell you, it’s unreal. Once a month, I head over to the mail room and pick up my RTR package. It typically arrives in a blue garment bag with a return label included, and all of the clothes have been freshly pressed and dry cleaned—they’re still in their dry cleaner bags! I get four pieces to keep for the entire month, and then I swap them out for four new ones. In the winter, I rent at least two jackets a month from RTR.

The options on their website are endless. RTR carries brands like Finders Keepers, For Love & Lemons, Kate Spade, Free People, Fila, Badgley Mischka, and hundreds more. In March of 2019, the company also launched a student discount, so now students everywhere can enjoy an RTR Update subscription for 25% off—that’s about $66!

Most of us go out of our way in search of a good sale. We run to stores like Zara and H&M for their prices, while we thrift to upcycle our wardrobe and help out the environment. Rent the Runway does all these things and more in order to make their shopping practices as sustainable as possible while simultaneously serving the consumer in an economically sound manner. Think about how much money you spend in a year on clothes you only wear once or twice. Now think about how many items of clothing you have hanging in your closet that you will probably never wear again. Consider Rent the Runway your closet in the cloud, where you can shop sustainably and share with others without breaking the bank—all while staying on top of the latest trends.

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Two Worlds Collide

By John Barback & Max Durante

In January of 2018, Kim Jones departed from Louis Vuitton after seven years as men’s artistic director. Having left a profound impact on the fashion world, he was the designer who merged streetwear and high fashion with the highly exclusive Louis Vuitton x Supreme collaboration in 2017. Since then, Louis Vuitton has continued to produce bags and clothes with influences from streetwear. They’ve gone so far as to appoint Virgil Abloh, the head designer of streetwear brand OffWhite, as their new artistic designer. As one would expect, Kim Jones continues to impact the fashion world. Shortly following his departure, he was scooped up by fashion house Dior in March of 2018.

One year later we look back at Kim Jones’s influence on Dior thus far.

Jones began his career for Dior with a splash. Just two months after his departure from Louis Vuitton, Jones had his first work on display: a three-piece suit worn by celebrity David Beckham at the Royal Wedding in May of 2018. The dashing charcoal and light gray suit gained publicity, foreshadowing the future successes of Jones at Dior.

Jones’s work with Dior ranges from suits that conjure up images of idyllic countrysides to futuristic satchels that could have come straight out of Star Trek. The dynamism of his styles partly stems from his collaborations, for which he tapped designer Matthew Williams of Alyx Studios and renowned artist Kaws.

Williams brings one specific piece of design language to the table: his utilitarianism. This shines through in his reconstruction of Dior’s

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highly publicized new sneakers, which feature layered opaque textures emblazoned with the Dior monogram on the upper and a mismatched sole. Williams also incorporates Alyx’s iconic rollercoaster-style buckles with the Christian Dior monogram on all types of accessories.

Kaws’s influence is most apparent is in his graphic take on the Dior logo. The playful reinterpretation of the classic Dior bumblebee features the Kaws trademark “X” eyes, and it flutters on Dior pieces ranging from backpacks to t-shirts.

The Dior text reads in large, pronounced letters in a lighthearted font. The pricing is not as friendly as the design, with even a pair of socks coming in at $250, but one doesn’t need to own every piece in order to appreciate the artistry of the work.

Among the streetwear influences evident in his shows, Kim Jones also pays homage to Dior’s formalwear roots. In his most recent show, Fall/ Winter 2019, Kim Jones reintroduced the two-piece suit as a focal point of the Dior lineup. This is predicted to push the entire industry back towards more conventional luxury garments. In addition, models sported trench coats, a fun nod to the prevalence of the oversize trend in recent years.

Jones’s models, adorned in formal two-piece suits, stood in distinct contrast to the utilitarian conveyor belts which towed them across the runway, subtly unifying the two historically distinct styles of streetwear and formalwear.

Although Kim Jones has only spent a year spearheading Dior’s design team, his impact has already been grand. We look forward to seeing what he brings to Dior’s Spring/Summer 2019.

Spilling the drama with

By Katie Konfino

Tony Liu and Lindsey Schuyler are the masterminds behind the famous Instagram account @diet_prada, which boasts a whopping 1.1 million person following. The aim of @diet_prada is to point out fashion labels that knock each other off and call them out on it. “Dieters”, or followers of the account, feature everyone from Derek Blasberg to Zac Posen. Diet Prada has created an opportunity for social media to serve a greater purpose in the fashion industry. One of the biggest disasters that @diet_prada has displayed on the account is its battle with Dolce & Gabbana, specifically coowner Stefano Gabbana.

The battle between Diet Prada and Gabbana began with a Instagram @diet_prada posted captioned “D&G GHOST! @dolcegabbana takes a stab at the high-low aesthetics of @troubleandrew and @gucci 's GUCCI GHOST collab. #guccighost #gucci#dolcegabbana #dolceandgabbana#graffiti #graffitiart #art #streetwear #copy#copycat #knockoff #troubleandrew#milan #mfw #milanfashionweek.” This caption was accompanied by a image of Gucci’s store layout and underneath was Dolce & Gabbana’s store layout. The response from Gabbana was nothing but annoyed and Stefano writing “Please say sorry to me!!” to Diet Prada. The kicker is that Diet Prada created tee shirts reading #PleaseSaySorryToMe. However, Gabbana then created tee shirts reading the same thing but were sold for over four hundred dollars. This is a prime example of how Diet Prada can make a designer brand feel threatened.

As well as outing designers for their copycat nature, it also demonstrates a lack of ignorance in the fashion community.

It was disheartening to see on a post from January 17th, 2019 where Vogue misrepresents Noor Tagouri, a journalist/ activist/speaker, as the Pakistani actress/director/model Noor Bukhari. A part of the caption of the @diet_prada post on this reads, “Maybe fess up and admit you couldn’t see past the headscarf? Smh.” This lack of awareness by a major fashion magazine demonstrates a sort of rushed carelessness towards diversity and change. Diet Prada has created an environment for people to learn that actions within the fashion industry can have major consequences on individuals. There are other fashion and entertainment Instagram accounts in addition to @diet_prada that provide more insight on fashion brands and faces, such as @oldceline and @celebfaces.

A personal favorite of mine, @oldceline, acts as a documentation of Phoebe Philo at the helm of Céline from 2008 to 2018. Gabrielle Boucinha, a recent graduate from Ryerson University, created this account as a tribute to Phoebe’s take on Céline. Similarly to @diet_prada, @oldceline has an impressive crew of followers ranging from Virgil Abloh, artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's wear collection, to Lauren Santo Domingo, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of online fashion retailer Moda Operandi. This account, @oldceline demonstrates Philo’s approach to a masculinebut-feminine style that is minimalist. Recent posts feature close-ups of old Céline clothing and shoes from 2013 and 2017. This feature of close-up imagery is also shown on the account @celebface.

The shock of @celebface hits you when you scroll through its feed of edited pictures of celebrities next to the untouched, original picture. Posts include side-by-sides of celebrities like Bebe Rexha, who has been all about body positivity, yet clearly making herself seem slimmer on her Instagram. In addition to the original and retouched photos, @celebface posts faces of celebrities zoomed in and images of celebrities that have had lip injections and other work done on themselves. @celebface reveals how celebrities are actually “human” and hide behind FaceTune like some people. These three Instagram accounts exhibit the power and influence of social media in today’s society and the great impact it has on the fashion community.

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Plump It Up- or DON’T

By Emily Abate

The lip-plumping trend is here to stay, but the infamous “Kylie Jenner”

pout comes at a price. Because costly semi-permanent lip fillers aren’t for everyone, many people are turning towards alternatives such as lip-plumping glosses for that desired volume and fullness. The untold truth of lip plumpers is that many contain damaging ingredients that do more harm than good to your lips.

Certain glosses use a semi-synthetic ingredient called palmitoyl

oligopeptides, which uses chemically altered proteins to stimulate the production of collagen in your lips. This is dangerous because of the parabens ingested into your skin. While other glosses steer clear of the chemical route, many contain ingredients such as cinnamon, peppermint, or extracts from spicy pepper. Many people would assume that because cinnamon and cayenne pepper are all-natural, they won’t negatively affect lips or skin. However, even these natural ingredients can cause a harmful reaction if you have allergies or chapped lips, resulting in an itching and stinging sensation instead of the expected light tingling and plumping.

The safest way to obtain fuller, plumper lips is to look for lip-plumping glosses

with the purest of ingredients in order to avoid negative side effects or allergic reactions.

Here’s a tip: honey is your new best friend. Honey’s properties extract moisture to the lip’s surface to hydrate, smooth, and develop the appearance of fuller looking lips. Combining simple ingredients such as honey, melted coconut oil, and olive oil will create a safer and healthier way to achieve that full, hydrated pout many people desire.

The Perfect Glow

By Meghan Doran

I don’t mess around when it comes to a good tan. I’m the girl that lays in the sun all summer making sure to flip every 15 minutes to get an even tan. But the secret to the perfect glow all year round is the self-tanning products from St. Tropez and Isle of Paradise. No, I swear! These brands are a great alternative to the sun’s harmful rays because they offer a variety of options for every level of tanning.

Since switching from St. Tropez gradual lotion to their dark tanning mousse, I’ve noticed an even more incredible glow to my skin. If you’re just starting out with self-tanning or want a subtle, buildable tan, then go with St. Tropez’s Gradual Tan Classic Everyday Body Lotion. But for those looking for a deeper, more noticeable tan, try the Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mousse or the Self Tan Extra Dark Bronzing Mousse for that fresh-from-thebeach tan. With any of their mousses, I highly recommend using the St. Tropez Tanning Applicator Mitt to avoid streaks or getting dye on your hands. I love this product because you get to have control over how tan you want to be. St. Tropez body lotions also give the most natural, even-looking tan to come from self-tanner.

Now you might wonder how I match my pale face to my tan body. I recently discovered Isle of Paradise’s amazing tanning drops, which you mix in with your face moisturizer. Although St. Tropez does offer a face-tanning lotion, I prefer using my own moisturizer and mixing in however many drops I want for the day. The tanning drops create a deep, natural-looking tan. Similar to St. Tropez, Isle of Paradise also offers a variety of tanning levels including Sun-Kissed Glow, Golden Glow, and Bronzed Glow. Isle of Paradise has given me a natural, streak-free, and healthy glow to my face. I also love that this brand is certified clean at Sephora, guaranteeing that it is made with little to no chemicals.

Sephora sells both St. Tropez and Isle of Paradise products. The St. Tropez gradual tanning lotion is $25, the bronzing mousse is $44, and the application mitt is $6. The Isle of Paradise tanning drops cost $29. Although both brands seem pricey, one bottle lasts me almost five months. If you aren’t ready to make the financial commitment just yet, opt for the travel sizes to get a taste of the quality of these products. Why are we even wasting our time in the sun anymore? I promise your skin will thank you for staying out of the UV rays!

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Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

The CHANEL Beauty Experience

By Carson DeLasho

Whether you are a makeup beginner, a makeup

connoisseur, or a Chanel fanatic, you will love Chanel’s new beauty workshop, Atelier Beauté Chanel, located in Soho, Manhattan. Here you are encouraged to experiment with an array of makeup and stay as long as you’d like--for free!

After entering this luxurious Soho space, you sign in and create an online profile on your phone, where you can conveniently keep track of what products you’re using and “like” your favorites for later purchase. Next, you make your way to the sinks to wash and prep your skin

with Chanel skincare products, recommended based on your personal skin concerns. Then you are off to explore the floor on your own!

Products are organized based on categories like skin enhancers, face definers, and eye colors. Chanel offers a wide range of options, with light-up vanities lining the interior for easy yet lavish makeup application.

There is also a room of Chanel’s extensive perfume collection and an entire wall of lip colors and finishes to choose from. Throughout the process, there are plenty of employees to help you at any point, and they are constantly cleaning brushes and applicators to make sure the tools are as sanitary as possible. If you are on the hunt for an Instagram picture, the cherry on top is that the workshop is glamorous and photogenic.

Luckily for us, this location is a permanent attraction, so you can keep coming back to make sure you try everything at least once. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and make the most of this one-of-a-kind experience. As Coco Chanel once said, “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.”

Get Real: Sustainable Shopping and Cosmetics

By Claire Silverberg

Lately, the threat of climate change has had a noticeable effect on our shopping habits. More than ever before, people are using reusable bags, mugs, and even straws instead of single-use options. So how can we be eco-friendly beauty lovers? It’s hard to resist the temptation of trying out new products but, through our purchases, we can support companies that keep the environment in mind.

Luckily, when it comes to applicators and skincare, it’s pretty easy to find mid-range price options for sustainable beauty. EcoTools is a brand that lives up to its name. According to their website, they use recycled plastics, metals, and bamboo for their products, and their packaging is even made with “tree-free” bamboo and cotton paper. The company also offers a sustainable alternative to the iconic Beauty Blender: the EcoTools Total Perfecting Blender, which boasts great reviews and has a great price tag of $5.99.

Another popular brand featuring eco-friendly skincare and bath products is Lush.

Dedicated to reducing plastic waste, Lush has been unveiling a line of “Naked” products.

This includes bath bombs, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and deodorants that come completely packaging free, usually sold in solid bars—like traditional soap, but even more fun. For products sold in jars, Lush offers a wonderful recycling program. According to Lush’s website, their “black pot” packaging is made from 100% recycled plastic, and if you bring five empty pots back to the store, they’ll give you a free face mask.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for sustainable makeup products, you’ll struggle to find any within big brand cosmetic lines. You’d think that more makeup brands would be working to offer eco-friendly products, as a report from Unilever in 2017 revealed that one-third of consumers prefer sustainable brands. The massive and ever-growing makeup industry should work to stay at the forefront of this movement. As consumers, we must voice our concern for sustainability and bring our business to brands that align with our own standards. If customers start shopping with the Earth in mind, we can only hope that more brands will follow suit.

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Come Sail Away 18

Interview by Katie Konfino

I

t is a chilly March day when I meet senior Makena Masterson. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that what I heard about Makena was true, she is easy going and kind. We chat a little bit about her clothing company she started, ‘Chicken Over Rice’, and how she spends her weekends at Fordham University.

Do you have to do conditioning?

Yeah, we have workouts in the morning on weekdays, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then we have practice Tuesday through Friday, 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM and we travel almost every weekend.

How old are you?

I’m 22.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Southern California, but have lived in Rhode Island since high school.

Why did you choose Fordham?

Fordham was a really good fit for me and it also has a really good entrepreneurial program, which is what I wanted to go into at first.

What is your major and your minor?

I am a business administration major with a concentration in marketing.

Why did you pick that combination?

I think it just fits really well [because] you get a general sense of business skills, but then also I have the concentration in marketing which is nice.

What clubs and activities are you involved with on campus?

When I was a freshman, I was involved in Social Impact 360, [previously called Compass]. They take fifteen fellows of the freshman class and they basically teach you entrepreneurial skills -- you go through modules, listen to lectures, and professionals come visit you [and] talk to you. They try to have you start a socially conscious business. So I did that, and then I used my business Snox, from high school. Also, since freshman year I have been on the sailing team.

Can you tell me about your involvement with the sailing team?

Most of our team is recruited, but I just showed up to Fordham University and did not know we had a sailing team. In my orientation group, I met one of my best friends, Roberto Stevens, and his fun fact was that he sailed and was on the sailing team here and I was like “I did that in high school” and we became really good friends. He was like, you should try and join the team and I tried out. Coach accepted me --, we have about twenty-six kids on the team, it’s coed which is really fun. We all practice together. We are all one big team, we say one big family.

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How would you describe your fashion sense?

My friends joke that I have a uniform but I think that is just because I like simplifying my life. Between running around, things can get a little bit busy so [I wear] blue jeans, black jeans. Definitely big hoodies tucked into jeans. Sneakers, boots, yeah.

Was there ever an age that you were interested in fashion?

It went back and forth, for sure. When I was smaller, I completely went full tomboy with big, baggy basketball shorts. I swore off dresses, and then in high school I came back a little bit more toward the middle, I tried liking ‘girly’ things. My mom has short hair, tomboy [style], does not wear too much makeup. I think that is where I get it from.

Who is your fashion inspiration, is it your mom?

I think so, yeah. We share a lot of the same clothes, we have basically the same shoe size, things like that. When it comes to inspiration though, I think strong women leaders. I think I got the idea of a ‘uniform’ from a lot of feminist magazines or things like that -- learning to narrow down your closet and simplifying that so I can have more free time in the day.

That is also why I cut my hair for a while too, just to simplify life.

Do you have a favorite clothing brand?

I love Anthropologie, which is funny because I think they are less minimalist than I usually go. Patagonia, too. I thrift a lot of my stuff. I wear a lot of neutral, black, gray, blue, white and some gold jewelry.

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Can you tell me a little bit about SNOX? My parents are very entrepreneurial, they run their own company, a leather goods company and bags and computer cases. They have done a bunch of different things which allowed us to move from California to the East Coast -- my dad’s family is on the East Coast.

That entrepreneurial spirit is definitely there, and in my grandparents too. When I was fourteen, I suffered from a blood clot and I was stuck in the hospital for a few days and I saw these kids that were in worse [shape] than me. I was on the hematology floor which has a lot of the blood cancers. They have these really stupid socks in the hospital that have this grippy bottom. I wanted to do something to give back, but I was also like “I’m fourteen and I don’t know what I am doing.” By the time I was sixteen, I fully had this idea fleshed out where I developed this line of socks that have this non-stick, grippy bottom and they are used for yoga, pilates, and you can wear them as regular socks around the house. I did them in colorful colors like orange, blues, greens, gray, black and white. Really funky, sixteen year old colors and donated all the profits to charity because I realized at sixteen I can’t run my own charity. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I could give back to the people that know what they are doing.

We raised a little bit over 10,000 dollars. I continued that on and used it for Social Impact 360 freshman year. I won a Kenneth Cole grant for that which gave me a little more money to buy more products, I came out with a thinner version of socks that I call the “Ballerina Socks” for the summer.

Do you still run SNOX today?

I do still have some online. I sold through Amazon so I would have them all manufactured and then have them shipped them to Amazon warehouses because I didn’t have the bandwidth to be shipping out of my house or apartment, or my dorm room. They handled that all for me and take a cut. So, technically, there is some on Amazon but I am going to be taking them down in the next few months.

basically just had everything almost up and running and then came back to Fordham, ordered some samples, took a bunch of photos with my friends and then put everything online.

The response to Chicken Over Rice has been really great it seems. Have you been using social media to promote the company?

Yeah, it has mostly been through Instagram (@chicken. over.rice), that is the only thing I have really been using.

On Instagram I can tag my products so people can click an image and it goes to the website. We do have a Facebook page, but I don’t use that as much.

You have your friends model?

Yeah, a lot of them bought things anyways, so now we will be at parties and I’ll just take their photos or people send in photos which is also really nice. Several of the photos online are photos people sent in.

If our readers wanted to buy one of your products, how would they?

You can go on our Instagram, @chicken.over.rice, and there is the link in bio to the website. Or you can go to the website which is www.chickenoverrice.myshopify.com. The Facebook is ‘Chicken Over Rice.’

Can you tell me about the products that you have?

Right now we just have tee shirts, short sleeves and long sleeves, crewneck sweaters, hoodies, and beanies. We have short sleeve and long sleeve shirts for Mugz, Blue Goose, and Howl. We have things that say ‘Fordham’ on them, we have hoodies that say ‘Are you Keating me?’ which is supposed to be a funny joke. We have crew neck sweaters that look like the Supreme logo (slightly). We have beanies that have “FU” on them.

Did anyone help you with SNOX? My parents were helpful since they had done things like this before. They helped me, but they wanted it to be a learning experience. It was kind of like a “hey, here are the steps but you have to do this.”

Can you tell me about your clothing company, Chicken Over Rice?

With SNOX dying down a little bit, I wanted to do something a little bit different. I took my knowledge and experience from SNOX and the classes and internships I had been having. My dad also sold tee shirts when he was in college, so that was a big motivator for me too.

Over Christmas break 2018, I went home and had some free time since I wasn’t working and created a bunch of different designs, created the website, found this company called ‘Printful’ which manufacture and print all my shirts, and my website which is hosted by ‘Shopify.’ I put all those accounts together and did all the back end and then

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Who is your biggest inspiration in life?

Shoutout first to my parents, their entrepreneurial spirit, instilling that in me when I was a kid and then just helping me grow through everything. It is amazing the amount of support they give me and the amount of things they have done to keep me in Fordham. My little brother is the smartest, he is at MIT right now. I am so thankful for my family. Beyond that, I also have a really good girl group, with the team too, but outside the team, my best friends Molly, Kaitlyn, and Meg are such a support system for me. On the team, we have amazing teammates I know it’s a cliché to call us “one big family” but we are. I just love them.

You said your dad had a clothing company?

Yes, when he was in college he did something pretty similar to me.

He went to Georgetown and he made tee shirts that had knock-off, little Georgetown jokes. We are very much like the same person.

Do you have a dream career, do you think you are on your path to it?

I think so. For me I like having a lot of things going on, so I am not entirely sure what my dream career would be. I do really enjoy being my own boss, but I don’t know if I want that to be a full time thing.

I was reading an article saying, “why does your hobby have to be monetized” and I do agree in some ways, I love doing ‘Chicken Over Rice’ and that I can partner with the bars and Rams Deli Plus. While it is making money, it is not making me enough to pay my rent. I don’t know if I would run my own business full-time, but I love where I am interning now at Beautiful Destinations.

What is Beautiful Destinations?

We are a creative ad agency that focuses on the travel industry and with the demographic of Millennials and Generation Z. Which is definitely interesting for me because I feel like my voice is heard in the company. My position is a “Social Strategy and Insights Intern,” I help manage the social media. We have a few different accounts, @beautifuldestinations, @beautifulhotels, @beautifulmatters, and @beautifulcuisines. I essentially run @beautifulcuisines and I help out with the other accounts. I started interning in June 2018.

Did you do any other internships while in college?

Right after high school I took a gap year. I moved to California for the fall semester and worked at this company Krochet Kids. They work with women in Uganda and Peru to give them mentorship, employment, and teach them skills where these women create products and then we sell them -- so a lot of tee shirts, dresses, things like that. That was a big internship for me because that was a company that was still doing good while making products that people love, which is really inspiring for me. Krochet Kids does amazing work.

I have had a few other things, but my longest one was at the New York Yacht Club where I was their Social Media & Communications & Marketing Intern. I worked two summers there and a few different winters. I love it there, they have a Newport, Rhode Island and a New York office.

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Where do you think you will be in five years?

I love New York and I want to be here for the next couple of years.

But, eventually I do want to move back to California. I idolize Patagonia so if I was doing something with their marketing that would be amazing. I can also see myself in a small town being able to surf on my lunch break.

Visuals by Jeffrey Pelayo

Photography Spotlight Unfortunately, we can’t fit each & every amazing photo/model into our layouts. Here are some we’re obsessed with! *Follow our Insta (@modemagazine) for more featured photography*

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Maggie Rogers

A Witchy

Feminist Rockstar

By Audrey Johnston

I first heard the name Maggie Rogers while watching Saturday Night Live this past November. The freckle-faced 20-somethingyear-old twirled around effortlessly on stage, her long ’70s style hair flowing with her every move. She didn’t look like a typical pop star, which is what made her so intriguing. She wore blue jeans, a white blouse, and very little makeup. Her style was simple, yet elegant and unique. After seeing her performance, I immediately added “Light On” to my current playlist. In only a few years, Maggie has gone from a regular NYU student to a star with a number one song on the Billboard charts.

Maggie’s album was released January 18th of this year, and I have not stopped listening since. Shortly after the release date, my roommate and I saw she would be performing in Brooklyn and promptly bought tickets. Meeting Maggie exceeded my expectations. When we went up to talk to her together, she shook our hands and introduced herself as if we did not already know who she was! Talking to Maggie was like talking to one of your best friends; she was kind and down

to earth. We told her we went to Fordham, to which she responded, “Fordham is so much fucking cooler than NYU, you have an actual campus.” She told us how much she liked Fordham after she did a session at WFUV the day before, and we also talked about our love of the new Stila glitter eyeshadow. After she signed our albums and we said goodbye, I felt like I had just made a new friend. Though I am unfortunately not actually friends with Maggie, she has the magical ability to make you feel like you have known her your whole life.

As if she wasn’t already cool enough, Maggie is also lighthearted and progressive.

She displays feminism proudly on her merch.

After one fan called her a “witchy feminist rockstar” on Twitter, Maggie put the phrase on a t-shirt, which sold out in less than a day. On top of all this, she also makes amazing music!

Her tour is currently sold out, but I would not be surprised if she added more shows soon, so keep your eyes peeled for a chance to see this one-of-a-kind popstar in concert.

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You’ve likely heard fans of controversial artists claim that they “separate the art from the artist.” Fans throw this expression around as a means to justify support for artists who, quite frankly, do not deserve it. To “separate art from the artist” is to acknowledge the artist’s inadmissible decisions and consciously choose to turn a blind eye to it.

In politics, no one would support a candidate who has been proven guilty of a terrible crime. Given their past, we would not want them in power. So why should this outrage be reserved only for politicians? By supporting problematic artists, we feed into their popularity and power. We talk about them,

we stream their music, we make them known, and thus we give them an even larger platform.

Imagine being the victim of one of these crimes— sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, etc.— and being strong enough to speak out about what happened. Then you are victimized again. You’re told that your story isn’t valid, or that it’s still okay to support the perpetrator because their art is great. You have to live your nightmare over and over again while people refuse to acknowledge it.

This situation has been experienced by too many women, famous or otherwise. Men in power always seem to win. It’s hard enough to be a woman in the music industry, constantly held to a higher standard of both music and appearance. But then sexual assault is thrown into the mix. Men get away with it because they know that they can.

We have to support survivors, and we have to believe them. We can’t separate art from abusers, rapists, and misogynistic artists, because, at the end of the day, the artist produced the art.

You are fully in control of what music you listen to, which films you watch, and what art you buy. It may be difficult, but you can choose love. Give your support to the artists who deserve it—those who advocate for what’s right, who are open to growing and learning.

We have to stop streaming artists embroiled in controversy. We have to do better.

By Emily Malacane

Takes Steps to Increase Inclusivity

By Gayathri Thelekatt

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The Museum of Modern Art, one of the most notorious contemporary art museums in the country, has made the bold decision to close its doors this summer in an effort to become a more inclusive art space. Although the museum is home to acclaimed works such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Magritte’s The Lovers, it has been widely criticized for its narrow representation of the contemporary art scene.

White male artists create the majority of the work displayed in the museum. The MoMA plans to address this issue by sacrificing its summer revenue and investing $400 million into 40,000 square feet of additional space. Once reopened on October 21, the museum is anticipated to display female artists and artists of color.

“We don’t want to forget our roots… but the museum didn’t emphasize f e m a l e artists, didn’t emphasize what minority artists were doing, and it was limited on geography,” Leon Black, M o M A’s chairman,

said.

Upon its reopening, the MoMA plans to rotate a portion of its artwork every six to nine months in order to more accurately represent the ever-changing world of the contemporary art scene. Not only will the renovated museum include a more diverse art canon, but MoMA intends to integrate more mixed-media work, including a studio in the center of the museum reserved for performances.

Alongside the newly designed museum, MoMA will partner with the Studio Museum in Harlem to present exhibitions while the museum is closed. Thelma Golden, the Studio Museum’s director, will curate the first exhibition this summer by Michael Armitage, a Kenyan-born artist.

The MoMA’s progress is long overdue. The art world remains extremely exclusive, dominated by wealthy white men, making it almost impossible for the work of minorities to shine. A study done

by CUNY’s Guttman College in 2016 found that 80.5 percent of artists represented in the top galleries of New York City are white.

MoMA’s conscious effort to provide a platform for minority artists is a small step in the right direction, and it will hopefully encourage other museums and galleries to follow suit.

A Foodie’s Heaven

By Alexandra Lange Calling all NYC foodies! Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg food festival is an open-air market featuring over 100 vendors and is the perfect place for food lovers to satisfy their every craving. With so many options, your taste buds will be captivated by the “smorgasbord” of flavors.

Every Saturday from April to October, Smorgasburg is held in Williamsburg, one of Brooklyn’s trendiest neighborhoods. Just a short subway ride from Manhattan, this site is easily accessible for New Yorkers and tourists alike. As a bonus, Smorgasburg’s view of the glamorous Manhattan skyline provides the most gorgeous backdrop for all your Instagram food pics.

To help make your visit the most delicious afternoon of your life, here are five must-visit Smorgasburg vendors.

Big Mozz From the perfectly crispy outside to the gooey, stretchy cheese inside, the mozzarella sticks at Big Mozz put all other mozzarella sticks to shame. Topped with the perfect amount of parmesan cheese and sided with tangy marinara sauce for dipping, these fried masterpieces will leave you with an insatiable desire for more.

Wowfulls

Wowfulls draws one of the longest lines at Smorgasburg and many may wonder whether it lives up to the hype. However, as soon as you walk by and smell the mouthwateringly sweet aroma of waffles crisping, all doubts are put to rest. Wowfulls allows customers to personalize their waffle with their choice of ice cream and a wide range of unique toppings. The crunchy outside and pillow-soft interior of these aesthetically pleasing waffles will “wow” you time and time again, and they’re sure to become your newest sweet obsession.

Home Frites

Love french fries? Look no further than Home Frites! Here you can customize your fries with options like the traditional cut, truffle, dutch, and your choice of dipping sauce. The food here is sure to please every appetite and will leave you coming back week after week to try new flavor combinations.

BTarts

Although few have heard of BTarts before visiting Smorgasburg, after trying this Canadian dessert, you’ll be left wondering where this delectable treat has been all your life. Described as “a cross between pecan pie and Momofuku Milk Bar Crack Pie with a touch of maple syrup,” BTarts are unlike anything you have ever tasted. With hoards of New Yorkers swooning over this unique dessert, BTarts are poised to become as beloved in the States as in Canada.

John’s Juice A day at Smorgasburg would not be complete without John’s Juice in hand. With the motto “All juice. No cups,” the juices from this vendor are some of the quirkiest options at Smorgasburg. Half the fun comes while waiting in line as you watch fruits being carved out with power tools and filled with juice. Featuring the flavors of watermelon, pineapple, dragon fruit, and more, John’s ensures that you’ll get your daily serving of fruit while looking like one of Brooklyn’s trendiest.

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Gentrification in NYC What Is It, and What Can We Do About It?

By Alexandra Benavides

For NYC college students, a typical weekend often consists of heading down to Manhattan or Brooklyn for brunch, shopping, and entertainment.

These activities are lighthearted in nature and enticing to those of college age. However, our participation in these excursions plays a part in the complex, ongoing, and controversial process of gentrification.

Gentrification is defined as “the process of repairing and rebuilding homes and businesses in a deteriorating area (such as an urban neighborhood) accompanied by an influx of middleclass or affluent people and that often results in the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents.” As a result of these “improvement efforts,” property values increase, much to the disadvantage of the neighborhood’s original residents. Those who have called their neighborhood home for decades may be adversely affected by the property value shifts and even end up displaced.

The issue has been a closely-studied issue in New York City, primarily in Manhattan. We cannot turn a blind eye to its negative effects on local communities, whose members may be forced out of housing due to heightened rent or having their self-owned businesses shut down as a result of competition.

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This issue affects restaurants, clubs, clothing stores, and even grocery stores. The installation of supermarkets with pricey organic products clearly target at an affluent audience, becoming successful amongst new renters. Additionally, smaller local markets’ profits suffer and many must shut down. Lowerincome residents now have limited options for basic necessities within their price range. Although the original residents aren’t officially pushed out of these neighborhoods, poorer residents are unable to afford necessities and forced to leave.

Brooklyn is the most heavily affected. There has certainly been a wave of resentment for the “hipsters” from local community members and activists alike. Trendy new residents help drive gentrifying projects through their consumerism. However, the true origin of gentrification lies with public policy makers and urban planners.

Real-estate experts predict that the Bronx, home to our very own Fordham University, is “up next,” with CNBC labeling it “the latest target” of the “relentless” gentrification process.

The Bronx previously had been written off by virtually all buyers and renters due to its socioeconomic struggles, which reached their height in the ’70s and ’80s. But now, regarded as one of the “last frontiers of New York,”

the South Bronx has been nicknamed “SoBro” by those in real estate.

On the surface, the introduction of trendy spots can be exciting to many college students. However, we must address that gentrification is very much a racial issue. Much of the community in these low-income areas is AfricanAmerican or Latinx, and those gentrifying these communities are the affluent white. By essentially pushing these historically underprivileged groups out of their homes and into the streets, we are only further associating them with homelessness, poverty, and danger.

So what can we do, as young adults and potential “gentrifiers”? It is not entirely realistic for us to not participate as consumers, especially when new businesses are specifically aimed at our demographic. However, we can reach out to our city council, which is in charge of land use and zoning, to express our opinions via letter or email. A large-scale change in urban policy is the only true solution to the problem of gentrification here in NYC, and every voice matters. On an everyday basis, we can remain aware of our privileges and be respectful of our local communities. Overall, educating ourselves on gentrification and its harmful impact is key to being socially-conscious New Yorkers.

An Old Soul In New York

By Virginia S. Thior

Food

Katz Delicatessen

A unique classic and the set of many films, this deli possesses the quintessential image of a New York deli. Katz’s began dishing out the flavor of New York in 1888, and today their menu features mouth-watering Jewish deli classics like hot pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and kraut-piled frankfurters.

The term “old soul” can mean something different to everyone. To me, being an old soul doesn’t mean I’ve lived past lives or that I’m stuck in past decades. I’m still immersed in the mainstream media world, but my style stems from nostalgia.

Being an old soul means I appreciate all things vintage and retro, including jazz icons, my Polaroid OneStep, and vinyl records that crackle from sheer age.

Looking at New York City through a sepia-colored filter is one of the most interesting ways to spend your time here.

Whether through fashion, art, cuisine, or shopping, the old soul in you will be awakened as you take in the many retro experiences this city has to offer.

Shopping

Star Struck Vintage Clothing

The magic of this shop is in their variety. Ladies and gents looking to shake up their wardrobes can find everything from well-worn Fleetwood Mac tees to vintage Christian Dior silk scarves. Star Struck is the place to go to satisfy your retro cravings.

10 Ft. Single by Stella Dallas

Deemed the vintage mecca by New Yorkers, this store packs an extensive collection of affordable clothing for girls and guys alike. Eager shoppers can choose from 10 Ft.’s iconic selections of one-of-a-kind shoes and reasonably priced classic denim.

King Cole Bar

This glamorous restaurant showcases an era of vintage luxury. Some even speculate that the Bloody Mary was invented here. Since it opened in 1932, celebrity patrons have included everyone from Salvador Dali to Marilyn Monroe, and the bar was featured in a scene from The Devil Wears Prada. With its iconic mural by Maxfield Parrish, the vibe here is the ultra-chic feel of the ’40s and ’50s.

Lombardi’s

As the country’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s holds a special place in the hearts and bellies of New Yorkers. Founded in 1905 by Italian immigrants, this Little Italy eatery is a staple for all old souls to try a “little slice of history— and heaven.”

Places to Take In

Bethesda Terrace & Belvedere Castle

Both situated in Central Park, these historical landmarks are must-sees. Sitting right by the lake, Bethesda employs stately arches and creative water transportation.

It’s been said, “If you sit here long enough, the entire city walks by.” Belvedere Castle is home to the highest point in Central Park. It is also known as one of the most romantic spots in the city. Keep your eyes peeled for the engagements that happen here every day.

Morgan Library

Procell & Mr. Throwback Fordham students often study at the New Similar in loot, Procell and Mr. Throwback are the pinnacles of ’80s and ’90s fashion. A favorite among celebrities, Mr. Throwback carries the staple vintage sports attire featured in iconic NYC streetwear looks. Procell offers many rare tees for a rugged-yetsexy look, and an old soul can also pick up conversation pieces like vinyl earrings or a Keith Haring keychain.

York Public Library, but many don’t know that the Morgan Library, also situated in Midtown, carries an impressive collection of fine art, literature, and music. This library is meticulously put together, holding a variety of exhibitions every year.

Come to hear a book reading or listen to live music.

The Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera is the ultimate escapist spot—and also the perfect excuse to get dressed up and feel like you’re an old-time socialite. If you email the Met your student ID, tickets start at $35 for seats that usually run for hundreds. Opera may not be your thing, but when you’re in attendance, you’ll find that power of crystal clear voices singing with emotion and telling a story is unmatched.

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The Truth About Trust Issues

By Teylor Veliotis

As a girl who has been in a committed relationship for over a year, I can confirm that what so many people say is true: trust is vital in a healthy relationship. Although it definitely takes some time to form, it’s evident that trust solidifies the love you have for someone. However, trust can sometimes be the one thing that’s missing from an amazing bond between two people.

Regardless of where they come from, trust issues can, unfortunately, be very real in a relationship.

The majority of trust issues stem from the past; someone may have been burnt before, either by an ex, a friend, or even a family member. A single hurtful experience in which trust is broken has the ability to influence how one trusts others in the future.

Trust issues can be difficult for all parties involved, whether you’re the one who can’t trust your partner, or you’re the one who isn’t being trusted. It’s a very painful feeling when you can’t bring yourself to trust the person you love. It’s just as hurtful when the person you’re in love with is unable to trust you.

It’s especially difficult for a person to understand why their partner doesn’t trust them when they haven’t done anything to betray their trust.

What girlfriends and boyfriends who are dating someone with trust issues need to know is this: although you personally may not have done anything to cause your partner to doubt your commitment and love for them, it may very well be possible that they still don’t trust you. This is no fault of your own; past relationships with unfaithful or untrustworthy people may have caused their trust to be harder to gain. The best thing you can do is to be patient and understanding to the best of your ability so that your partner can take their time and feel comfortable trusting you.

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One of the most important things a person with trust issues can do is to be completely open and honest with their partner. Lay everything out on the table. Let your partner know if you have trouble trusting them. It’s up to you how much detail you tell them regarding your past, but keeping them in the dark will do more harm than good. If your partner has ever done anything that has made you question how much you trust them, confront them about it. It may have been a complete misunderstanding. But whether or not it was a real betrayal of confidence, sweeping it under the rug is never the right idea. How can your boyfriend or girlfriend change their ways if they don’t know that they’ve hurt you?

The most important thing to know about trust issues is that, just like other complications that arise within relationships from time to time, they can certainly be dealt with and resolved. The key to working past trust issues is total honesty and transparency. Keeping secrets from a partner with trust issues can be a major trigger of pain or anxiety; if they weren’t able to trust you before and you had done nothing to cause them to question your commitment, now they actually have something to worry about.

Trust is like a muscle; just as a particular part of your body gets stronger the more you exercise it, trust becomes solidified over time. You can’t trust someone completely after just one day of knowing them; trust is built the more you get to know a person.

It’s completely possible to fall madly in love with someone before you can fully trust them. Just know that, regardless of past relationships and experiences, it’s absolutely possible to trust someone again and actually feel confident while doing it.

Struggling With Grief

By Anna Haase When my mom died, I remember sobbing in my dad’s arms. I remember looking at her body and thinking, that’s not my mom. That can’t be her. She’s back at the neighbor’s house and she will come home soon. But life just doesn’t work like that. You can’t predict the future, change fate, or turn back time.

Lesson #1: Everyone handles loss in different ways.

Very early on, I learned that everyone grieves differently. My sister shut herself in her room for a few days. My dad submerged himself in his work and preparations for the funeral. I went over to my best friend’s house to spend time with her and her dogs. There is no right way to grieve—feelings and moods change constantly. I often find myself going through the motions of the day feeling numb and angry at myself for not feeling what I think I should be feeling. I remind myself that it is okay to experience whatever thoughts come into my head. I am an individual with a unique mind that works in its own ways.

Lesson #2: Allow your emotions to go where they want to.

Once I got back to school, I noticed that being around my friends and keeping myself busy with classwork was making me feel a little better. My friends took me out, and I was relieved to be in a familiar environment with people who made me feel safe. But a few days after the start of the semester, a switch flipped inside me. I didn’t want to get out of bed or do laundry or even eat dinner. I kept seeing flashes of my mom’s first seizure, or of her coming back from rehab, or of her walking along the beach with me. I wanted her to appear and assure me that she was still here for me. The tactic that I most often use is simply letting my thoughts wash over me like waves, coming and going as they please, but not fixating on one thought for too long.

Lesson #3: Choose to put your energy into things that mean something to you, and also know when to give yourself a break.

I started to look for love everywhere. All I wanted to do was fill the gaping hole in my heart and forget about everything that had happened. Music and writing are my go-to methods, both of which are healthy and allow me to get my feelings down on paper. Whenever I need some time away from work or just want to relax, I’ll pull out my guitar for 15 minutes. But there was also another method that, in contrast, was much unhealthier. In an attempt to find comfort, I began to look for love in other people. Saturday mornings I’d wake up and be sick to my stomach at the thought of who I had been with the night before.

That type of “love” isn't real; it’s just using another person to make you feel more secure. When attempts at finding love don’t work out, I have to tell myself that not all people will stay, but the right ones will.

Things are not going to instantly become easier, but with time, and by taking everything day by day, I can assure you it’ll get better. Always remember that there are people out there who care and want to help. Allow yourself to talk to others, and know that you are not a burden. You are a blessing.

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Does it Spark Joy? Trying Marie Kondo’s Tips from “Tidying Up”

By Alexandra Benavides

Even if you haven’t seen it, you’ve likely heard others raving about it: “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” is a Netflix original reality series that debuted on the first day of 2019 and gained popularity almost instantaneously. Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and the creator of the KonMari method, detailed in her books Spark Joy (2012) and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2011). On her reality show, she helps families declutter their homes and create organizational habits. Not only do the interiors look amazing at the end of each episode, but families feel their home’s spirit has been refreshed as well. Many viewers felt inspired to clean out their own homes, and there has been a reported increase in donations to clothing drives and thrift stores across the nation.

“Does it Spark Joy?” In order to determine whether a clothing piece goes in the “keep” or “discard” pile, Kondo suggests asking yourself whether a particular item brings you happiness upon seeing it.

Through this method, I was able to part with t-shirts I’d collected from free events around campus or back home when I realized I didn’t regularly wear a majority of them and didn’t feel any sort of emotion towards them.

Utilize Your Dressers Once you sort out what to discard, Kondo suggests keeping your clothes in a dresser as opposed to hanging them. But Fordham provides us with a nicely-sized closet that I like to utilize, especially for jackets and dressier tops. However, I found that I was able to fit more clothing in my drawers after minimizing my belongings, which brings us to Kondo’s next tip.

The Signature Fold Kondo uses a vertical folding technique so that all clothes are standing up and easy to find.

In addition, this method prevents scrambling pieces around when you go to grab an item.

The technique varies slightly from item to item, which makes it difficult to describe in brief, but it mainly consists of folding an item into thirds, then in half, then vertically standing the article of clothing. Lining them alongside one another upright creates a visually pleasing, as well as practical, effect. This one was a real eye-opener for me, as picking my clothes out in the morning became a lot easier when I could see all my options at once!

Fitted Sheet Folding Notoriously difficult to fold, fitted sheets add extra frustration to the laundry process. Kondo suggests the following method to simplify it. Step 1: With the elastic band facing outwards, fold the sheet in thirds lengthwise by bringing one long side across the center, then the other.

This should leave you with a narrow rectangle. Step 2: Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise.

Step 3: Roll the sheet tightly to create a compact cylinder. Step 4: Store the sheet upright in a storage container or drawer. This method works like a charm!

Empty Out That Bag! The last tip of Kondo’s that I found applicable to the college student was to clear out the entirety of your backpack or purse at the end of each day. Personally, the bottom of my bag gets extremely cluttered with gum wrappers, change, hair ties, receipts— you name it.

While a deep cleaning every day might not be practical for busy gals and guys like ourselves, I find cleaning out my bag once a week works just as well.

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Most college students live in smaller spaces, but our rooms can still become cluttered over time. A messy space affects our mood and productivity levels. Having experienced this myself, I decided to see if I could use Marie Kondo’s organization and decluttering tips in a dorm room setting.

What Would Marie Kondo Do?

The Weekend Getaway Essentials

By Kimberly Ternan

A weekend getaway. Ahh… what a nice thought. Whether it be skiing in the mountains or sunbathing somewhere with palm trees, a weekend away is a great way to relax after a stressful week. Follow these packing tips to have the most perfect mini vacation imaginable!

Let’s start with the basics…

Bags A small roller suitcase like one pictured is lightweight fits perfectly as a carry-on (CALPAK, $135)

the and bag.

Calpak Travel Clothes Mixing and matching is the name of the game when packing for a weekend getaway. Before you begin choosing outfits, consider the weather where you’re heading and the size of your suitcase. Aim for plaincolored tops and denim bottoms to maximize your options for outfits. Also, bring clothes that can go from day to night with a simple heel and jacket.

Accessories The biggest key to packing light is accessories, which can make any outfit look completely different in an instant. A selection of hats, scarves, sunglasses, and jewelry should do the trick.

Skin Care Skin care is extremely important while traveling— planes and cars can dry out your skin so fast!

My absolute saviors while traveling are: Simple face wipes ($5.47): I love these because they not only remove makeup but also cleanse your skin.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer ($39): Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer has totally changed the dry skin game this winter, and it has become a part of my daily skin routine.

Mario Badescu Rose Water Spray ($7): This spray is amazing for long plane rides. It is wonderfully hydrating and comes at a much better price point than the Evian Spray.

Bonus Essentials To stay prepared and sweet-smelling, don’t forget to pack: A portable charger, like this super cute avocado charger from Urban Outfitters. ($28) Mini perfume, which you can find in sets of various scents and prices at Sephora. Switch Urban Outfitters them up during your travels! (Sephora Perfume Sampler, $25)

Sephora

A sturdy water bottle! It’s nice to not have to dish out tons of money for a water bottle at the airport. Personally, I really like Hydro Flask.

HydroFlask

Meatless Monday

By Amanda Blaze

I am sure we have all said or heard the phrase, “I admire what vegetarians do, I just could never do it.”

Approximately 3.2 percent of adults in the United States are vegetarian or vegan, which is not a high number. Most of us within the 96.8 percent may love animals and feel a little bit bad whenever we think about baby cows and pigs, but we are not doing anything to change our habits.

Last fall, I was in that exact position.

I have always loved meat, and my favorite food has been steak since I was about seven. However, I began to feel guilty about my environmental footprint and lack of effort towards changing my lifestyle. At the beginning of this year, a lot of things changed. I started college, I made new friends, and I tried a veggie burger for the first time ever (and liked it). With all these changes, I decided that I was ready to step up and challenge myself.

After hearing about how meat production requires massive amounts of carbon and water, I started doing Meatless Monday in October. I knew I did not want to cut out meat completely because it is a valuable and enjoyable source of protein for me. I was also pretty sure I could handle going meatless just one day a week. Now, several months later, I can happily say Meatless Monday is a sustainable way

to make a small difference in the world. I will not lie—there have been many days where I have forgotten or messed up.

I compensate for these slipups with a Tuesday makeup day.

Though I didn’t know it when I began, Meatless Monday is an international movement. This campaign urges people to cut out meat one day a week to improve their own health as well as the health of the planet. This movement gained a lot of attention in late January 2019 when Beyoncé posted on her Instagram that she and her family participate in Meatless Monday and have plant-based breakfasts. In addition, Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z are offering a chance to win free concert tickets for life to fans who commit to plant-based diets. As one of the most well-known singers in the world, her support of this movement has brought it to the attention of millions.

Whether it is for your health, for animals, for the environment, or 98just for the sake of trying something new, I challenge everyone reading this to incorporate Meatless Monday into your life. It may seem like a small contribution, but the impact it has on the earth we live in can really add up.

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Oh My WOD

By Mackenzie Merriman

Oh my WOD - A little over 3 years ago I fell in love with a new sport after being at a loss from ending high school sports. This sport is one worth sharing. Not your average sport per se, but one that requires more grit and determination than I have ever seen or for that matter been a part of. The word sport often draws images of, basketball, soccer, baseball, lacrosse—the list goes on. But, I guarantee the first thing that popped into your head was not crossfit. I’m here to tell you this sport is taking over and with that, making functional fitness possible for all abilities and ages, while also allowing some of the fittest people on earth to compete at high levels of competition and intensity.

Crossfit is all about functional fitness and longevity of health. It is the sport that has come to be for everyone, but without a doubt is hardcore fitness. Crossfit focuses on highintensity workouts and constant variation to ensure that every day is different. It is this that has kept crossfit increasingly growing in the years since its founding by Greg Glassman. The variation and spontaneity, the hardcore center that is crossfit keeps every day and workouts exciting, it keeps a fire lit in its athletes of all ages and abilities. Crossfit is a sport that is about being more than just a sport. It is about a community, just as much as it is about mentality and the way you approach a situation, it is about planning for success. Crossfit has made itself about the athletes, it has become a lifestyle. Promoting living a healthier and fit life in all aspects.

Whatever that may look like for any given individual.

“Crossfit is all about functional fitness”

For those new to the concept of crossfit let’s break it down. For the average athlete who works out at their crossfit box (gym), you will run into movements that come mostly from three main groups: Olympic lifting, weightlifting, and gymnastics. This can include but is not limited to movements like..

Push press Split jerks Deadlifts Power Cleans

Hang Cleans Snatches Squat variations Bench press

Pull-ups Handstand Push-ups Toes to bar

Muscle-ups Kettlebell swings Burpees

Running Rowing Biking

...and the list goes on!

Scared of crossfit? Do not be! It is made to be universally scaleable hence the idea that crossfit is for everyone and anyone. There are Rx divisions, scaled divisions and even adaptive training for those with special circumstances.

No matter your training circumstances, on a given day at the box you can expect to walk into a class and be taken through a warm-up, a strength component and a WOD (workout of the day). Be aware that things will get spicy, but if crossfit is for you, you will enjoy it every step of the way—the good days the bad days and everything in between it is all part of the love of crossfit.

The saying that exercise is a celebration of what your body can do is exemplified by the concept of crossfit.

With time you will learn the lingo, an AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) RFT (rounds for time) and an EMOM (every minute on the minute) will not be as daunting, they will be something you look forward to doing with your gym squat every day. You will crave that friendly competition.

There is a little saying within the crossfit community that often comes at the end of a workout to lighten the mood… “But did you die?” Nope! You most likely got your butt kicked with some of your closest gym buds, left your soul, sweat and tears on the floor after crushing a workout and are feeling on top of the world. That is what crossfit is all about. GRIT!

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Behavioral Economics and the Way We Shop

By Daniela Fame

Retailers are often troubled by logistics, such as how much of a discount to offer and when to offer it. However, studies have proven the importance of presentation, rather than numbers alone, in a successful offer. This research is what makes up the field of behavioral economics, the study of the psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural, and social factors that impact one’s economic decisions.

When Williams-Sonoma introduced a bread making machine for $275, it didn’t sell well. But instead of scrapping the initial machine, Williams-Sonoma placed a larger bread maker next to it for a much higher price. Suddenly, the original machine was selling out at the initial price of $275. Buyers now saw the initial machine as a good deal next to its grand and expensive counterpart. This is an example of the “decoy effect,” and it is just one of the many factors that can impact a buyer’s likelihood to spend.

Even simple word choice can have a large impact on buyers’ choices. Aron Ezra, CEO of a marketing software company, describes two ways of selling belts. The less effective method consists of selling a pair of jeans for $60 and then offering the customer a $15 belt. In this case, most of us would pass on the offer. But what if the belt came as a “gift”? The more effective method consists of the jeans now being priced at $75 with the offer of a free belt the customer can accept or refuse. Everyone loves a gift and, as a result, loves the person who gives it to them. Not only is the customer happier the day they shop in the store, but they are also more likely to return in the future!

These methods are not only limited to retail stores; they are also prevalent in our online shopping culture. Color choices are debated amongst online retailers, with a prominent example being the color of the infamous “buy” button. Amazon tested a multitude of colors before concluding that orange has the greatest optimization for their site. Ezra commented, “Orange is the most visible color right after red, but it doesn’t raise all the negative emotions.”

Maison Margiela $536

Barney’s Warehouse

Another way retailers entice the public is through gameplay, whether in the form of scratching off coupons you get in the mail or spinning a wheel in the store to receive a percentage off. On this concept, psychiatrist Stuart Brown said, “When we play, we are engaged in the purest expression of our humanity, the truest expression of our individuality.” Therefore, customers who would have received the same deal via e-mail are not nearly as excited as the customers who believe they have won something.

Ben Taverniti Unravel Project $1,189 Barney’s Warehouse

Customers’ preferences are constantly shifting, so it’s important for a retailer to continue to switch up their methods. But don’t feel guilty if you have been enticed by these schemes in the past, because you’re not alone. Retailers have mastered the use of behavioral economics.

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I Went to SoulCycle for the First Time & This is What Happened

By Anita Tataj

About

a month ago, I decided to follow the Instagram trend and attend my first SoulCycle class. Admittedly, I was extremely nervous but not much of that nervousness was about the actual workout. Don’t get me wrong, that was scary enough—I didn’t think my body was capable of that level of endurance. The idea of running on a bike in a dark room with someone screaming at me over loud music is intimidating as it is, but it was SoulCycle’s atmosphere that really made me wary. I had always kind of assumed that the people who actually do Soul were members of a cult that weren’t looking for new members. Turns out, I was wrong.

I arrived about 20 minutes early and was greeted by a kind staff member who signed me in, got me spinning shoes (which are free for your first class), and offered me water. I should also mention I went with my best friend for support—I wasn’t prepared to tackle my first class alone. After walking me to a locker and demonstrating how to use it, the woman showed me to the studio, where she helped set up my bike and told me my measurements for the next time I ride. There was a towel and a spot for my water bottle as well as hand weights ready for me behind the bike.

My instructor walked in, and the class quickly got started. No phones are allowed in the studio and no talking is allowed during class (not that you can hear over the loud music and panting), so you’re fully focused. I was worried my body would fail me, but it didn’t. Through the sprints, mountain climbs, push-ups (yes, on the bike), weights, and more, I was encouraged to

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ride at my own pace. They recommend for your first few classes that you sit towards the back so you can find your rhythm and build your stamina and strength. I’ve never sweat more in my entire life than I did during this class. Did I think I was going to die? Yes. Did I push through it? Yes. Was I happy that a lot of the class took place in the dark and I sat in the back corner, so no one could see me? Also yes.

Besides the killer cardio and strength workout, the atmosphere is unmatched. Until getting on the bike, I’d never worked out my body while simultaneously exercising my mind and soul. The class has an emphasis on selflove, acceptance, and perseverance which came through in every single song and exercise led by my awesome instructor, Francesca, in Bronxville, NY. She was so encouraging and motivating for all 45 minutes of sweat. I left feeling empowered, and after my first class, I immediately knew why people were so obsessed with it.

So, will I go back? Absolutely. I already have, and it has become something that I look forward to time and time again. After a hard day or stressful week, I can get on the bike, sweat it out, and feel empowered to handle the next rough day. I love everything the class is about, and I don’t think there’s any other workout quite like it. The staff at the Bronxville studio is amazing, and Leslie is another great instructor you should ride with. Overall, I am so glad I went, and it is definitely not a cult (although the girls who ride in the front row and sidebar are scary good). I feel welcomed every time I walk through the door. It’s helping me build confidence not only in my body but also in my soul.

Living alone in College: How to Fill the S P A

By Nicole Sullivan

CE

Figuring out the perfect decor for your dorm room can be hard enough at the beginning of the year, but when I learned that my double would soon turn into a single, I was puzzled. What was I to do with all this dead space? What would I do with the extra bed? Luckily, after a couple runs to Ikea and Urban Outfitters, my room was completely transformed and it’s safe to say I’m obsessed.

I had embellished my side of the room all I wanted, but now I was going to have to do something with that empty blue mattress plopped right in the middle of the space. I began transforming the dull mattress by investing in an earthy-toned comforter. By lining up pillows agains the wall, any dorm bed can be con-verted into a warm and fuzzy couch. The neutral color scheme played nicely against my plush pink bedspread, and the couch provided tons of space for my friends to sit when they came over.

I was a little worried about feeling lonely in my dorm, so I decided to dress it up with some warm

lighting. Stringing fairy lights can make any room feel a little bit more like home, even when living by yourself.

Just switch off those fluorescent dorm lights and let the warm fairy lights set the mood.

Now the vibe of my room has completely changed, and every time I come home, I’m immediately relaxed. Plus, I have an extra bed for visitors. My friends love coming over and hanging out in my newly converted, comfortable room. Changing up your dorm and making it your own can take some effort, but it’s definitely worth it in the end—even if the coziness makes getting out of bed in the morning a little harder.

Beauty Brand at 18: Interview with Merlinda Loci

By Carson DeLasho

Merlinda Loci is a freshman at Fordham University Rose Hill, where she balances school and her very own beauty brand, GlaMerlinda Beauty. The GlaMerlinda Beauty collection features an array of false lashes. Loci’s beauty brand is quickly growing, and the GlaMerlinda Instagram account (@glamerlinda) currently has almost 2,000 followers. I met with Merlinda to learn more about her life and what it’s been like to dive into the makeup industry at a young age.

How did you start your brand?

It was always a dream to have something with my name on it. When I was in middle school I made my mom buy me all the ingredients needed to make bath bombs, and ever since then, the desire to create has never left my mind.

One day my mom was sitting on the balcony and, I kid you not, I stomped outside right after a really great nap and said: “I’m so bored with my life I want to start my own brand now.” I knew I was eventually going to have one, but it was just a matter of when it was going to happen. So I worked on creating a website and thought of product ideas and came up with designs. Then, on November 1, 2018, I officially released my first products: four pairs of mink eyelashes, ranging from natural to dramatic, and an eyelash applicator.

How do you balance being a student and running a company?

Sometimes both get really hectic, so I have to take breaks back and forth with each: devoting one hour to homework and studying, and the next hour to the brand. Then there are also days where I have two windows opened and multitask as if I am running on two brains. I always tell myself that by doing well in my studies that I’m also doing well for the brand. I will never be fully able to address the question of how I do school and my brand simply because I don’t know the answer myself. It just takes the devotion and extra work to balance them both.

Where do you see your brand in five years?

So ironic that you mentioned five years because the year 2024 has been popping up in my mind constantly as if it’s a sign of something! I see my brand expanding with more and more products over the years. I picture very big expansions, that it will slowly progress, but actions speak louder than words so we shall see what happens over the years.

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JEmbroiderynApplique - Etsy

Be a Killer and a Sweet Thang:

Eileen Kelly and the Sex Ed You Never Got

By Paige Kowal

“If only kids or teenagers could put 15 percent of their (obsession with) Supreme into their sexual health -- we’d be so much better off.”

Eileen Kelly tells this to DazedDigital.com in 2017. Kelly, also known as her Instagram persona @killerandasweetthang, is a 23-year-old sex activist who is taking on the stereotypes of sex in today’s digital era one blog post at a time. Her goals are simple: allowing access to information which helps teens and young adults make informed decisions surrounding sex and sexual health. She was born in Seattle and raised primarily by a single father while attending a private Catholic school. She accredits her interest in the importance of sexual health to these experiences.

Eileen initially rose to fame through her Tumblr page, where she answered questions about sex, drugs, and relationships through their anonymous forum.

In 2012, she explained this experience to W Magazine saying, “My Tumblr is like a diary that I’ve had since I was 15… I shared my life so openly on the Internet, and now I’m not sure whether or not I partially regret that. No one was telling me how to do it. But I can’t take it back.”

Eileen’s Instagram page rose in following due to her sexy selfies and IDGAF attitude. Here is also where she coined the name “killerandasweetthang”. As her following grew, so did her interest in a message. The importance of being more than a photo stemmed into her growth to where she is today.

“It’s so easy to just post a sexy selfie and think that’s it. But I’m more than just a photo. I can use my phone for like, some good. There’s so much more out there than this little screen.”

Eileen addresses the misconceptions portrayed by present day ‘sex-talks’ in her blog also titled, killerandasweetthang. Here, she works alongside a diverse group of writers to create the most wellWhere to find Eileen: rounded content available in the fields of sex, Website - killerandasweetthang.com love, health, and identity. Following its creation Podcast - pillowtalk in 2016, it has grown into a major platform filled Instagram -@killerandasweethang with articles including “Old Ke$ha Was a Feminist, Too” and “I Talked to my Mom about Birth Control.”

Along with this, Eileen works with companies such as Planned Parenthood to give speeches at various schools and universities.

Eileen Kelly’s actions allow people access to sexual education without biases that would otherwise be placed upon them. Through this community, Eileen Kelly grants a new view of sex, one which is different than the generations before… one with its basis in the digital.

Instagram: @Killerandasweetthang

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THE SENIOR FILES

What to Expect & How to Cope

By Alex Richard

My name is Alexandra Richard and I am an in denial senior at Fordham University. I truly do not understand how I got here—wasn’t it just yesterday I was killing my first cockroach in Martyrs Court Lalande, discovering Rams, Best, and Puglsey’s and, with that, the Freshman 15? I would say so but that dreaded “G-word” that’s around the corner begs to differ…

Deep breath: inhale, exhale, repeat. Ok. I’m ready to talk about it.

As I mentioned, the whole “senior year” thing sneaks up on you. Don’t even get me started about how fast the second semester goes. I’m just confused—why does it feel like May comes right after January? Make lots of memories and take lots of pictures. Let your friends drag you out on that random weekday or, in my case, be the friend to drag everyone out on that random weekday!! The “but it’s senior year” rationale will actually work a lot more than you think.

This is the time to do every last thing that is so undeniably Fordham. Go to Tuesday Karaoke Nights at Beer Hall—everyone needs to hear your beautiful rendition of “Mr. Brightside.” Convince a willing freshman with an unlimited meal plan to swipe you into the Cafe. While you’re sitting at a round table with your friends reminiscing, try to fathom just how you used to eat all your meals on campus. Oh, also—The Grille (if you call it Urban Kitchen, you’re dead to me) buffalo chicken wrap. You have to have just one more before you leave. Obviously seize every opportunity to go to Rams, Best, and Pugsleys whether it’s presented at 2 PM or AM. Go to at least one football game!…

Okay, if we’re being realistic, tailgate at least one football game! Eat at your favorite restaurant on Arthur Ave and, next week, eat there again. SIT ON EDDIE’S! You know? That very first beautiful spring day? Go there and take all the frisbee-throwing, Spikeball-playing, music-blasting glory in.

Lean into each and every Fordham cliché because, as much as you don’t want to hear it, it’s your last chance to.

Will you be sad? Sometimes. Will you find yourself hysterically crying in the middle of Mugz while Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” plays? If you’re like me—absolutely. But that’s not what senior year is truly about. It’s about embracing the incredible people you befriended and spending every last quality moment together. Believe it or not, classes might be tough (it’s not like senior year of high school) and some days job searching may make you want to rip your hair out—but you have your people to make sure this final incredible year is one for the books.

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FORDHAM UNIVERSITY’S FASHION & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE