Letter from the Editor The long wait for spring is over. It’s time to bid adieu to the cold New England winter and get ready to stroll about and explore Boston. In this Spring 2013 issue of POLISHED, we have you seeing double. Double, you ask? Yes, we have gone out of our way to offer you more content in our double men’s and women’s issue. We have twice the articles, where you will find a guide to the best of Boston’s hot spots, fashion, and culture. Be sure to look through our photo shoots (insert Titles), where masculine and feminine counterparts show off the best looks for the season. Go ahead and read! Then flip it over and read again, as you immerse yourself in more POLISHED.
CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Shawnda Shaffer
ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anthony Percuoco
Paige Seavey
ADVERTISING TEAM
L. Angel Morales
Allyson Duval Chloe Fimlaid Caitlin Redington Kayla Roberts Nicole Rogers Alyssa Wilcox
ART DIRECTOR
STYLISTS
MANAGING EDITOR
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORS Emily Carr Elise Cronlund Sydnee Nelson Ana Shores
EDITORS
Lindsay Feeney Emily M. Kochanek Mariah LeBlanc Chelsey Plumb
ART EDITOR Kristin Fitzgerald
On the Cover
Chelsey Plumb
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Georgina Fakhoury
L. Angel Morales Managing Editor
BLOGGING DIRECTOR
Lasell College
Kaitlyn Brown Samantha Long Rachel Mlynarczyk
ASSISTANT HAIR AND MAKEUP DIRECTOR Caitlin Wright
MODELS
Taylor Baxter, Maggie Inc. Christina Kapinos, Maggie Inc. Katie Pulfer, Maggie Inc.
FACULTY ADVISORS Richard Bath Lynn Blake Stephen Fischer Becky Kennedy
Couture: Expression by Jennifer Chen, Onyx Model: Taylor Baxter, Maggie Inc. Hair and Makeup: Krystal B. Photographer: Oliver Klink
www.polishedfashion.com blog.polishedfashion.com
The Silver Woman Fine Sterling Silver Jewelry
Daisy Cabrera POLISHED Magazine is produced with graphic design support from the Graphic Design League at Lasell College. Visit us at www.graphicdesignleague.com POLISHED Magazine is printed by Wing Press beau@wingpress.com
Owner
www.thesilverwoman.com silverwomanma@aol.com 617.969.9699 49 Union Street, Newton Centre, MA 02459
1844 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466 | www.lasell.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS ENTERTAINMENT
2 Leila Goldkuhl Uncut Writer: Ashleigh Copeland Graphic Designer: Ana Shores
4 Sonjia Williams: From Lasell to Project Runway Writer: Meghan Sapienza Graphic Designer: Sara Shawles
Style Q&A 6 Style Q&A
Writer: Lindsay Feeney Graphic Designer: Stephen Fischer
CULTURE
7 Fish & Bone
Writer: Jeannette Bolden Graphic Designer: Kristin Fitzgerald
ON THE COVER 8 Sugar Wishes
Hair and Makeup: Krystal B. / krystalbmua.com Photographer: Oliver Klink / klinkfoto.com Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen / expressionbyjenniferchen.com
BOSTON FASHION
14 What Is Your Purse-onality? Writers: Chelsey Plumb Graphic Designer: Kristin Fitzgerald
COMMUNITY
16 A Rose in Boston
Writer: Emily Kochanek Graphic Designer: Elise Cronlund
TRENDS
18 Piecing Together Trends Writer: Lea Piazas Graphic Designer: Rachel Stark
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leila goldkuhl T U C UN
“Ever since I was really young, I wanted to model, and I was always taller than everyone else, and really thin,” said twenty-oneyear-old model Leila Goldkuhl. Last year, the Framingham, Massachusetts, native catapulted into the spotlight as a contestant on Cycle 19 of America’s Next Top Model. After several months of competing, Goldkuhl, better known as Leila, headed back to the University of Rhode Island, to figure out what her future in the fashion industry might be. Leila finished her fall semester as a Textile, Fashion Merchandising and Design major. However, she began her studies at URI 2
as a Marine Biology major. After deciding to pursue modeling in her sophomore year, she joined the TMD program. Leila professed, “I took a leave of absence this semester to explore my options. I’m young now and this is a great opportunity to take advantage of; I can always go back to school.” For a girl who started seriously pursuing modeling at what is considered to be a late age in the industry, Leila certainly has experienced a lot. Before Top Model, she worked in the New England and New York areas. As a student in Providence, Rhode Island, she worked with creative designer Joseph Segal.
PHOTOS Courtesy of Melissa Harrison & Rachael Lynsey RubiN
MAke up done by Alie Linden
After not making it onto the show on her first and second attempts, Leila decided not to audition again. She revealed that being tormented for modeling caused her to be shy, reserved, and unconfident. “I was kind of discouraged after the second time. I shouldn’t have been discouraged, though.”
Leila may be a bicoastal model hanging with the likes of Tyra Banks and Kelly Cutrone, but she still is a Bostonian at heart. She talked about her favorite places in Boston, like the chocolate restaurant, Max Brenner, and The Elephant Walk. For someone with an eclectic sense of style mixing animal prints, cat sweaters, lots of black, “crazy weird things,” and vintage pieces, she loves to frequent the second-time-around stores. Leila expressed, “I really like vintage clothes and styles, things that had a past life. There are very unique stores in Boston.” She said she will mostly wear things her friends would not and describes her style as bohemian vintage: “I like classic things, but I don’t have a comfort zone like some people do. I really like things with cats on them.”
A year after her second audition, Leila had been modeling in the Boston area, and she gained more experience and confidence. “After I started modeling on my own, I decided I’d audition again. I contacted them [ANTM casting agents] and asked if I could come for one more audition. They could tell I was more confident in myself. And I made it on the show.” Leila stated that one of her favorite moments on the show involved traveling to Jamaica. She said, “On Top Model, I was praying they’d take us to Paris. Jamaica was amazing, and so warm and beautiful, but I really want to go to Paris someday. I want to model in Paris and experience everything there. It would be great to model couture pieces.” With the continued support of her family, her boyfriend, Nick, and growing connections in the industry, Leila believes highfashion modeling could be another opportunity in her future. A valuable connection she made while filming ANTM was with public relations professional Kelly Cutrone. Leila confirmed that Cutrone seems like a mean and awful person on television, but in reality she wants to help models she believes in. Leila said, “She’s actually really great. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with her off camera, and she’s so helpful. She definitely is interested in helping models who she thinks have potential. She’s actually more approachable than she seems.”
Reflecting on her own modeling experiences, especially now that her career has really begun, Leila encourages aspiring models in the Boston area to pursue their dreams too. “There is work available in Boston. Nothing like you would see in New York or LA, but it’s definitely a good place to start. It’s [the Boston fashion industry] a really small community, and if a client or photographer likes you, they will set you up with other jobs. That’s how I have got most of my jobs, by word of mouth, or people requesting to work with me. Definitely get into modeling in Boston if you want to be a student too,” explained Leila. Shortly after Leila’s interview with POLISHED, she signed a contract with Next Model Management in Los Angeles. She also booked a campaign for Guess, shot in South Africa. Leila attributed these opportunities to America’s Next Top Model, which opened so many doors for her. Leila can be reached through any of her social media outlets; you can friend her on Facebook by going to facebook. com/LeilaGoldkuhl or you can follow her on twitter @LeilaGoldkuhl, and Instagram @Leilss4realz.
By Ashleigh Copeland 3
Entertainment
Leila auditioned for ANTM after dreaming about being on the show since the first cycle. Leila said she first auditioned when Tyra Banks advertised for viewers to send in their photos to her talk show. Soon after sending her photo, which became a fan favorite, into the Tyra Show, Leila received a call from an ANTM casting agent to come to New York; she was only eighteen.
Leila shared that meeting Kelly Cutrone was one of the best experiences she took away from the show: “I think people like to have a persona; I probably shouldn’t be telling you [laughing] she definitely is nice. A serious person, but funny, and a good person I’d like to have in my life.”
POLISHED Spring 2013
He was recently a designer on Season 11 of Project Runway. “When I first went to work with him, he had a design for one of his lines called Pretty Snake. It’s a cat sweater, which is his signature thing. He has cat leggings, and all these funny little things. I was so excited to work with him because I love that stuff,” stated Leila of Segal’s line.
Sonjia Williams: From the Classroom Studio to Project Runway “Lasell College alumna, Sonjia Williams, became a fashion success overnight. Williams herself admits that “the entire Project Runway experience felt like a complete whirlwind!”
Ever since she was a young girl, Sonjia Williams, now 27, knew that she had a special connection to fashion. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Williams has already had an exciting career in the fashion industry, on a path that has taken her to a home in Woodside, New York. One of her many accomplishments was her participation in the hit television series Project Runway, for the tenth season. “It was not an easy journey,” revealed Williams, but it was one that she would not trade for anything in the world.
Growing up, Williams was attracted to every aspect of the fashion world and marveled at the idea of someday pursuing a career in the field. When asked about her own sense of style, Williams said she “does not really have her own look.” All that matters is that she feels comfortable and confident in what she wears. Eventu4
ally, Williams’ passion for clothing and fashion evolved into a love for fashion designing. Today, she said, “she cannot even imagine doing anything else besides designing clothes.” From the moment she realized fashion design was right for her,
“It is important to go out in the world and get what you want and dream of, because that is how one succeeds.” her family encouraged Williams’ dreams. The encouragement eventually paid off when she made the decision to major in fashion design at Lasell College, a school Williams fell in love with. She admits that she “favored the small, intimate size of the classes, how personal the professors made the lessons feel, and the vast array of opportunities the school had to offer,” especially in fashion. Williams never forgot the first jacket she made in a tailoring class at Lasell. At first she hated it, but at the end of the project, she realized she enjoyed and learned a lot throughout the whole tailoring process. Today, her favorite pieces to design are jackets and coats. After graduation, she never gave up her dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
One quality Williams embodies is ambition. “It is important to go out in the world and get what you want and dream of, because that is how one succeeds,” she said without hesitation. Williams described her beliefs as the motto she lives her own life by. According to Williams, she does not consider what she accomplished on Project Runway as something monumental in the fashion industry. To her, fashion design is something she is passionate about. No matter what she encounters and how tough it may be, “failing is never an option,” proclaimed Williams. Even in the years after college, when Williams worked in retail to make ends meet, she never let her dream of becoming a fashion designer slip away. Today, she is always creating and thinking about future designs for pieces, because she is determined to keep on designing clothes for years to come. To this day, it is hard for Williams to wrap her head around the fact that she was one of the contestants on Project Runway; “it all happened so quickly,” said Williams. From the time she found out she was selected to be on the show, she had little time to actually prepare herself for what she was about to encounter. One of her favorite memories from Project Runway was winning challenges. Williams explained that winning a challenge proved to her that the “judges actually admired
POLISHED Spring 2013
her work.” Williams especially favors winning the baby challenge; “designing the baby clothes was an obstacle within an obstacle,” exclaimed Williams. She had never done anything like that before, so it was astonishing for her when she found out that the judges actually loved her piece and wanted it to be produced for Babies R Us stores. Even though Williams was the last contestant to be sent home before the finals, she made it farther than she ever dreamed she would, and she learned so much from her time on the show. Currently, Williams is the head designer at a company in New York called ANNABELLE, carrying a line by Anna McCraney. She mostly designs outerwear and accessories for the company, and she is working on a new line for the ANNABELLE COLLECTION. Look out for Williams’ name in the future, and check out her style blog at http://hauteandlow.blogspot.com/.
Photos Courtesy of Sonjia Williams
By Meghan Sapienza
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I have a ton of menswear-style pieces from this past fall in my closet, but can I wear them this spring? Or will they look out of place?
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When you invest time and money in a certain look, in this case menswear, it’s difficult to part with clothes after one short season. This separation can be even more painful when money is tight after the holiday season and spring vacations. However, articles from your fall wardrobe can fit seamlessly into that of your spring with a bit of fine tuning. For the spring, a skater-skirt silhouette is on trend. This feminine shape allows you to play with the level of femininity in a given outfit. When incorporating a menswear item, such as a button-down shirt, with a highwaisted skater skirt, you are balancing the prevailing gender. The level of transparency of the shirt can also determine how masculine or feminine your ensemble will look. If you splurged on menswear-inspired trousers, you win in the battle of the seasons: Trousers are still on trend for spring. Though designers have focused this season on patterned pants, any monochrome items or pants with piping can be paired with trendy spring tops for an updated look. In terms of fabric, eyelet tops can be found at nearly any price point. The aesthetic of this fabric offers a feminine feel, though the style of the shirt can either maintain or enhance it. Looking for a harder edge? Try one of the leather styles for
tops sprinkled on the Spring 2013 runways. If spring’s popular fabrics don’t mesh well with your personal style, try for color with spring’s neon craze. Whether your skin tone favors a feisty fuchsia or an optimistic orange, your final look will be on point. The last layer of popular fall menswear items, and typically the last component you’ll add to your outfit, is the blazer. This garment can be a classic in a neutral color and with a slightly tailored fit. Blazers were seen loud and clear on the Spring 2013 runways, though varying slightly from what you may have purchased a few months back. Like trousers, blazers were strewn with striped, polka dot, and checkered patterns in a full spectrum of colors. Combine your neutral or muted blazer with a top in one of spring’s favorite patterns, to make the look your own. For a colder night out, toss your blazer over a leather mini or two-toned dress with strategic piping to keep up with spring trends, and utilize this garment from day to night. The key to carrying over menswear pieces from fall to spring is to broaden your imagination. Don’t associate these pieces with outfits you wore in the fall, but instead think of them as new spring garments. As always, the key to looking great is feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing, regardless of price, season, or popular trend.
By Lindsay Feeney 6
Illustration by Narisha Mercury
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POLISHED Spring 2013
Photos by Kristin Fitzgerald
Newbury Street in Boston is one of the city’s most fashionable shopping areas. Men and women scour the stores day in and day out, looking for the perfect trends and fashions. They are also often seen toting around their furry friends. It is no secret that dogs are a man’s best friend. Luckily, Fish and Bone, a pet store right on Newbury Street, has something for every man’s best pal. The setup of Fish and Bone is very Newbury Street, with hardwood floors, broad windows, and an inviting wall color. Collars and leashes are displayed atop an old builtin fireplace, and other items line the large storefront window. Warm lighting gives the space a soft, welcoming feel. A friendly little pooch sits beside the counter, saying hello to everyone who walks in. It is this warm feeling that makes Fish and Bone a Newbury Street gem. “We’re more interested in solving problems for customers than in being known as the trendiest store in town,” explained the owner of Fish and Bone, Kathy Palmer. She went on to say that she thinks of the store as her home and considers customers her guests. Although the store cares about customer service, it is trendy. “We’re modern and stylish but accessible,” said Palmer. Interested in design, she spends time sourcing
hip new items and fashions. She is glad that the store can be both hip and homey. Fish and Bone is currently in the running as Boston’s best pet boutique. Tucked away in a Newbury Street brownstone, the pet store offers slightly higher end products for the pampered pooch. The store’s quaint size does not take away from the large selection of products for both dogs and cats. Fish and Bone is not a one-trick store, though it sells everything from toys to treats and, of course, apparel for your precious pooch. Palmer was also pleased at the growth in pet food sales. “Our heart and soul is natural foods for cats and dogs, hence the ‘fish’ and the ‘bone’...the icons of a cat and dog’s natural diet,” said Palmer. Anywhere between their twenties and their sixties in age, the shop’s customers show a broad demographic. Some buyers don’t care about price and will spend any amount on their little buddies, yet there is also the broke college student who wants a great deal. Items are not overpriced and cost the same in the Portland, Maine, store. “Newbury Street definitely informs our demographic. But because we’re a community-oriented store, we cater to residents more than tourists,” said Palmer. She did add, however, that the store carries some novelty tourist items, such as Boston or Lobster products. So do Newbury clients pamper their pooches? Palmer likes to call their pets “well-tended” rather than spoiled. “A
well-tended animal is fed well, loved, and given lots of play and attention,” she added. The Fish and Bone clientele most definitely have well-tended animals. It’s now time to answer the timeless question: are dogs really man’s best friend? According to Kathy Palmer, the answer is simple: yes. No matter how you are acting, your dog always loves you. When your human friends are grouchy or busy, you have your furry friend to keep you company. Quite a few men venture into Fish and Bone, sometimes alone, with all different breeds of dogs. But quite often, young couples come in to buy supplies for their new puppies. “Often though, it starts with a couple shopping for their new puppy, a small breed, and the guy is just along for the ride (and fighting against the pink collar, or dog coat)...Then a few weeks later, the guy is the one saying, ‘but no one knows she’s a girl...we have to get her something pink!’” said Palmer. While many men in the Boston area try to keep up their macho Bostonian image, they can’t help but fall in love with a little dog. Fish and Bone is different from other Newbury Street stores. When you walk in, there’s no need to be up with the latest trends. You never feel unwelcome. Yet if you’re feeling classy and want to keep your best friend well-tended, you don’t have to look any further. Dogs are clearly man’s best friend and deserve to be pampered at Fish and Bone.
By Jeannette Bolden 7
Style Q&A // Culture
e h s n o Fi B B &
s Cat s c i h g o rC e fo apper D c a l AP &D
This Page: Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen Polka Dream
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Sugar Wishes
P hotographer: Oliver Klink Hair and Makeup: Krystal B. Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen 9
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This Page: Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen, Onyx On Left: Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen, Silent Dancer & Polka Dream
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This Page: Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen, Vintage Dream On Right: Apparel: Expression by Jennifer Chen, Lime Light
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Lindsay Reilly is currently a Fashion and Retail Merchandising student at Lasell College. Five years ago, she started her business, Lindsay Tia Designs, which is known for original, custom-made handbags. Lindsay Tia handbags are known to accentuate a woman’s individual style but leave her feeling fun, flirty, and fabulous. It’s a bag that can carry everything she needs, and it will always be at her side. Each bag is a one-of-a-kind, handmade bag specifically designed for the customer! Q) What inspires your designs? A) Each bag I create represents a memory in my life, inspired by both people and places. These bags represent who I am, who I want to be, and where I want to go. I am also really inspired by unique prints. I don’t follow trends because they are constantly changing. Essentially, I want to be the trendsetter. Q) What future goals do you have for your business, and what are your plans after graduating? A) After graduating from Lasell, one of my main goals is to open a store in Boston in a good location. Not only will I sell my designed bags there, but also the customer will have the option to create their own. I have a really good idea for a store but want to keep it a secret until I am ready to go ahead and do it! Q) How would you describe your style? A) I would not consider my style boring. I love mixing lots of colors and patterns together. Why have another boring bag with a solid color? Not only is the outside of the bag loud and fun, but the inside of each bag has a different lining. 14
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Purse-o r u o Y s i n ali t a ty h
For example, I have one bag that’s black and white zig-zag on the outside and the inside is a hot pink fabric with black, white, and zebra shoes! Q) Who is your target market/demographic? A) My bags are for woman and children of all ages. My customer wants to be unique and have their own style. I may not be a “Vera Bradley” brand, but my idea is to change the way of shopping. I don’t want to make just another bag; I want my customer to think of their bag as unique and one-of-akind. To make my bags different, I decided to market them as one-of-a-kind handmade bags. My product is for people who want something different that is made in the United States and is a product that no one else will ever have. Q) What made you decide Lasell was the right college for you? A) At first when I came to look at Lasell, I refused to get out of the car to see the school. Now, I am a senior at Lasell College and wouldn’t have it any other way. Lasell is a great school for me and gives me a great advantage for starting my business in Boston. My professors have all worked in the fashion industry, and they have given me helpful advice along the way. Q) How have you progressed in your design career, since you started? A) When I was eight years old, I learned sewing at Institches, located in Quincy, Massachusetts. Ever since then, I have been sewing. I started my career working as an employee for Karen Smith, owner of Institches, when I was sixteen years old. Since I was a freshman in high school, I have been making handbags, headbands, and
Photos by Lindsay reilly
Q) What are your biggest challenges in having your own line, and how do you plan to overcome them? A) Right now, my customer base is people I know. My four bag styles are named after people who have helped me get to where I am. There are also a few other people who have helped me. Without their help, starting a business would have been costly. Being in school is a great advantage for me with all the connections my professors have and their understanding of the business. Money and time are my biggest challenges. A lot of materials I use I buy in bulk, and that’s always a bigger expense, but it is cheaper in the long run. Time is a big issue, since I am still a student. I have to balance running a business and my college workload and try to make time for myself when I can!
Q) What have you learned/gained from having your own business? A) Owning my own business has been something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never really thought I would get the opportunity. As soon as I got a few good opportunities, I decided to go out and do it. It has been a success so far, and there is always something new and exciting going on. Being in school at the same time lets me take what I’m learning in the classroom and apply it to my business in order for it to grow. Q) What advice would you give to people who want to start their own business? A) If you want to start your own business, go for it when you are ready! Following your dreams is probably one of the best thrills. It makes you work hard to grow a great business. You should be able to follow your dreams and do what you want to do. The only one stopping you is yourself!
By Chelsey Plumb 15
Boston Fashion
Q) Do you design anything other than handbags? A) After handbags, I decided to start doing key chains. Some of the key chains are one-of-a-kind, but some are duplicated. Another product that I have online is t-shirts with my logo on them. In the past, the products that I have made are aprons, table skirts, curtains, duvets, cookie bags, necklaces, headbands, clothing, and clutches.
POLISHED Spring 2013
few other accessories. I started off just for fun selling them at my friend’s mom’s hair salon in Quincy, Aura Salon. I also began selling mother, daughter, and doll aprons at a small boutique in East Milton Marketplace called A Gift Garden. Last year was when I decided to make my business official, and I launched my website this past August. As of right now, my handbags are online, at Aura Salon in Quincy, and B. Boutique in East Milton.
Q) Do you have anyone who has significantly helped you develop your business? A) My biggest mentor would be my mother, who has assisted me with everything, because she helps with startup companies. A few other people who have helped me are the four people I named my bags after. The Canavan Carry-All is named after Sue Canavan, my mom’s best friend, who owns Aura Salon. The Miss Karen Original is named after Karen Smith, who taught me everything I know about sewing. The Brooksie Ruffle Tote is named after Lauren Brooks, a good friend of mine. She started her own photography company and helps me take all the pictures of my products and promotional graphics. The last bag is Sewfisticated, named after John Onlinto, who owns the fabric store where I buy my fabric. Another person who has helped me is Holly Bronhard; she helps me make my patterns for my bags and gives me good advice. I name my bags after the people who have helped me. It’s my way of showing my appreciation for what they have helped me with, and how they have helped me get to where I am.
A Rose in Boston The winter is harsh and unforgiving. Walking around Boston can be miserable in the pouring rain, even with a waterproof coat and boots. But imagine not owning a house, a place to sleep, a place to get dry. Where to turn, where to ask for help? On a small street off Mass. Ave. among industrial red brick buildings is a small building at 889 Harrison Avenue, with Rosie’s Place engraved in stone above the double front door. Beyond the grey world of rain and misery, there is a broad foyer illuminated with skylights and decorated with women’s and children’s drawings scattered across the wall, colorful collages, and a quilt that hangs opposite the pictures. All the volunteers smile. Women of every ethnicity and age line the hallways laughing, telling stories, and dancing. “I don’t think you can walk into Rosie’s Place and walk out and not think, ‘Wow, I just saw something special,’” said Leemarie Mosca, Development Director of Rosie’s Place. Rosie’s Place, a shelter for women, offers housing, meals, food, medical attention, psychological help, and education to women in the Boston area. The shelter was founded in 1974 by Kip Tiernan, who saw a need for homeless or struggling women in Boston. At the time, there were no homeless shelters dedicated to women; Tiernan noticed many women would disguise themselves as men to receive the benefits of existing shelters. Rosie’s became the first women’s shelter in the United States. “The idea of Rosie’s Place is community... We know that our guests have challenging lives that take them from lots of places and there’s a lot of waiting around... When you’re poor you don’t have a lot of choices,” said Mosca. 16
The faculty at Rosie’s are dedicated to helping each woman individually. Mosca said faculty aid each woman according to her needs. “We are committed to offering unconditional love and support and helping to aid [women] along in their journeys as directed by them,” said Mosca. “We have to constantly adjust our services and our approach with each woman so that… she can reach whatever success is for her.” Because Rosie’s Place is not funded by the government, it provides services that many other organizations in the area are not able to give. “It may be as small and as short term as ‘I need a Charlie ticket because I have a doctor’s appointment and I can’t get there,’” said Mosca. “Or it could be ‘I’m out of a job… and am about to be evicted from my apartment and I don’t know how to make ends meet.’” The freedom from government funding allows all women to come to Rosie’s Place, no matter their social or economic standing. “We are often asked how [to] tell if somebody is deserving or needing of [our] program, and our philosophy at Rosie’s Place is that if a woman says that she needs help we take her at her word... If a woman has been brave enough to walk through the doors of Rosie’s Place and ask, ‘I need help,’ then we’re not going to discourage her and prevent her from coming back and maybe getting even more help,” said Mosca. Although there is always a need for help at Rosie’s, there is no shortage of volunteers and gifts. Two million dollars of Rosie’s budget come from volunteers who dedicate 60,000 hours per year, and another six million dollars come from giving within the Boston community. “It’s because of the community’s support that we are able to continue to meet the need,” said Mosca.
In the beginning, Summers would wheel her cart of donated antique buttons into Rosie’s dining hall, where women would work together to make pins.
Mosca said that the WCC was not about having a job but about having “the ability to learn, a willingness to learn, an openness to feedback... Barbara’s philosophy is ‘We can teach you the rest.’”
“I thought [buttons] would be a great product to make because first of all it’s really important to have a material that isn’t intimidating to the women. Everyone has a familiarity with buttons,” said Summers.
Michele Chuasse, Communications Director, added, “[It’s] sort of like helping enhance people’s strengths.”
The women of the WCC now create handcrafted earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pins, as well as bookmarks, compact mirrors, and, most recently, Christmas ornaments.
And helping enhance women’s strengths is at the heart of Rosie’s Place. It is not only a place to find shelter and nutrition, but also a place to find unconditional love and a way into the future.
“We’ve evolved over... 15 years,” said Summers, pointing out bead containers lining the walls, professional jewelry-making tools, and mirrors.
“We don’t dictate solutions,” said Mosca. “We offer opportunities.”
The items are sold at fundraising events, craft shows, Rosie’s online, and most notably J. Jill. The retailer alone sells 3,000 WCC items per year. Online profits total 10,000 to 12,000 dollars. Summers also keeps in touch with fashion trends and uses them in the jewelry design.
Photos courtesy of Rosie’s Place
As Mosca talked about the WCC, she noted certain women who shared their own talents within the WCC. She mentioned one woman who used her organizing skills to arrange the beads, and another woman who used her skills as a mother to keep all aspects of packing and shipping in order.
Visit http://www.rosiesplace.org, the WCC’s tab on the site, to learn more and buy jewelry. Students who contact Barbara Summers at (617) 318-0282 will receive a 10 percent discount on all purchases.
By Emily M. Kochanek
Community
“It’s a social enterprise,” said Mosca. The WCC employs nine Rosie’s Place visitors at a time, requiring each to apply and interview for the job.
“We’re very much into... block color. I’m looking at every [fashion] magazine and online all the time. We’re always looking to make something new,” said Summers.
POLISHED Spring 2013
Rosie’s also created the Women’s Craft Cooperative, a jewelry cooperative established in 1996 by Barbara Summers, the WCC’s director. The WCC helps visitors at Rosie’s Place build job skills, work in a professional environment, and earn a salary as Rosie’s Place employees.
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his spring is all about patchedtogether pieces. Designers all over the world are mixing different fabrics and textures to create quirky, chic patchwork collections. Fashion houses in New York, London, Paris, and Milan have developed beautiful collages for many of their lines - Proenza Schouler, Paul Smith, Rodarte, Alexander McQueen, Fendi, and Derek Lam.
English designer Paul Smith took a more subdued approach to the trend. He contrasted muted hues with bold patches of fabric in chic boyish silhouettes. He added touches of lace and flowing skirt lines, which gave the look a feminine edge. Smith envisioned “clothes that are easy to put in your own wardrobe and match with stuff you already owned” in his effortlessly androgynous collection. Rodarte designers and sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy mixed lace, silk, and woven jacquard with leather, macramé, and metal to create a beautifully feminine but edgy collection. The line began with a mix of jacquard and silk dresses in light, fresh colors. The sisters then took a turn for the dark side in metallic and silk dresses detailed with metal and fringed leather jackets. The team was definitely out to make a statement and, according to Vogue’s Calgary Avansino, the line was a success. “The workmanship was exquisite and the fabrics were over the top, as usual,” said Avansino. Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen approached the collage trend in a unique fashion. “It was bringing back the silhouette of the house and embracing the female form - the hip and bust. But there was a lightness to it. It still felt erotic but not overt,” said Burton about her collection inspired by the idea of women as 18
“working bees.” Burton literally incorporated bees by creating beautifully executed patchworks of honeycomb-inspired pieces. Fendi’s spring/summer 2013 was an explosion of bold shapes and luxurious fabric combinations. The extravagant fashion house took patchwork to another level with layered lengths and proportions, cut-outs, and paneled jackets with a chic, utilitarian sensibility. The line incorporated collaging in an architectural and graphic way, as well as adding twists and curves to create a shaping contrast. The line’s luxe fabric mixed summer fur and leather in bold and neutral colors, to make the pieces pop. The accessories tied the line together, with architectural bags and studded heels of multilayered leather. Avansino described Derek Lam’s line as “a surprisingly autumn collection…but perfect for London.” Lam pulled off the muted tones in his line with splashes of bright blue and yellow. Textures such as lustrous tweed, quilted jersey, and macramé with knitted detailing were fused together to create beautifully collaged looks. Leather was mixed with different fabrics throughout the collection. 2013’s spring is all about mixing things up. Designers are layering, fusing fabrics, and interchanging colors and textiles, using technological advances to create something new.
By Lea Piazas
illustration by Sammi yang
Jack McCullough and Larazo Hernandez of Proenza Schouler built their spring/summer line on a structured patchwork look. The line’s opening look incorporated a chartreuse vest accented with reptile textured paneling and collar and a detailed leather skirt coordinating the outfit. The designer duo took basics and intensified them with exotic textiles, bonding leather to jersey and applying laser cutting.
Letter from the Advisors Dear Readers, Working on POLISHED Magazine with young and upcoming writers, stylists and artists is such an honor. Watching them “fly” in their senior year is rewarding, but sadly- it also means we need to say goodbye. We are writing to offer a very special thank you to three highly accomplished students who have used their amazing creative talents and organizational skills to continue to enhance the professional quality of POLISHED Magazine. Creative Director, Shawnda Shaffer has the eye of a true professional. Her creativity, leadership, accessibility, passion and dedication to the magazine truly go unmatched. You have not seen the last of Shawnda! With a constant eye on the POLISHED mission, our Managing Editor, L. Angel Morales has proven to be a gracious, collegial, organized, and talented leader. Determined to raise the bar for each issue, Angel has succeeded by applying professionalism to all of his efforts and being the quintessential role model. Georgina Fakhoury has offered a quiet yet persistent and patient presence for the last two issues. Her skills as a graphic designer combined with her sensible and effective styling choices have contributed greatly to our success this year. It is very much a mixed blessing to be sending these highly capable students off to make their way in the world. We hope they realize how much POLISHED has grown under their creativity, dedication and leadership. Thank you, Shawnda, Angel and Georgina and all the POLISHED staff for giving your heart and soul to POLISHED. We are confident you will continue to create success wherever you go and we will be standing by to watch.
CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER
BLOGGING DIRECTOR
Lasell College
Chelsey Plumb
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Shawnda Shaffer
ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anthony Percuoco
Paige Seavey
ADVERTISING TEAM
L. Angel Morales
Allyson Duval Chloe Fimlaid Caitlin Redington Kayla Roberts Nicole Rogers Alyssa Wilcox
ART DIRECTOR
STYLISTS
MANAGING EDITOR
Georgina Fakhoury
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORS Emily Carr Elise Cronlund Sydnee Nelson Ana Shores
EDITORS
Kristin Fitzgerald
ASSISTANT HAIR AND MAKEUP DIRECTOR Caitlin Wright
MODELS
Lindsay Feeney Emily M. Kochanek Mariah LeBlanc Chelsey Plumb
ART EDITOR
Kaitlyn Brown Samantha Long Rachel Mlynarczyk
Sebastian Putzey, Maggie Inc. Alex Rodriguez, Click
FACULTY ADVISORS Lynn Blake Stephen Fischer Becky Kennedy Richard Bath — Founder
Sincerely,
Professor Lynn Blake, MFA-IA Professor Stephen C, Fischer, MFA-IA Faculty Advisors
On the Cover
Menswear: Sault New England Curated Vintage oxford Ivy Prepster bow tie Model: Sebastian Putzey, Maggie Inc. Hair and Makeup: Caitlin Wright Photographer: Oliver Klink
POLISHED Magazine is produced by the Fashion Department of Lasell college with graphic design support from the Graphic Design League. Visit us at www.graphicdesignleague.com POLISHED Magazine is printed by Wing Press beau@wingpress.com
www.polishedfashion.com blog.polishedfashion.com 1844 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466 | www.lasell.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS BOSTON FASHION
2 Legacy, Tradition, & Hats Writer: Ellen Keane Graphic Designer: Sydnee Nelson
4 Alan Bilzerian
Writer: Elizabeth Diacatos Graphic Designer: Catrina Joki
BEAUTY
6 The Art of Shaving
Writer: Christina Nalepa Graphic Designer: Patrick Leung
ON THE COVER 7 ...And Spice
Hair and Makeup: Caitlin Wright Photographer: Oliver Klink / klinkfoto.com Menswear: Sault New England / saultne.com
HOT SPOT
12 More Sault, Please! Writer: Tanesha Barao Graphic Designer: Emily Carr
STYLE Q&A
14 Men’s Q&A
Writer: Lindsay Feeney Graphic Designer: Andrew Ranalli
CULTURE
15 Top of the Shops
Writer: L. Angel Morales Graphic Designer: Georgina Fakhoury
TRENDS
18 Tones & Hues: Menswear Trends of 2013 Writer: Lindsay Feeney Graphic Designer: Rachel Stark
1
L e g a c y, Tradition
& Hats
Goorin Bros. Hat Shop is an interesting venue, full of history and custom, and located in the heart of Newbury Street. The Goorin Brothers’ tradition of hatmaking started in 1895, when the master craftsman Cassel Goorin sold his first hat from a horse cart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Later on, Cassel’s sons, also known as the Goorin Brothers, continued their father’s tradition of hatmaking when they moved their family business to San Francisco in 1949. Since then, the Goorin Bros. Hat Shops have become very successful and in high demand throughout the country. Besides the Goorins’ first hat shop in San Francisco, there are now eight locations all over California. In addition, they have opened hat shops throughout the entire United States, ranging from Portland,
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Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina. The Goorin Bros. even have two locations in Canada. The Cassel Goorin legacy that can be found in the detail and integrity of each hat has definitely been something that America has found wildly attractive. The Boston area is lucky enough to have two Goorin Bros. Hat Shops. Of these locations, the shop on Newbury Street surely is in tune with the history and tradition of the company. Full of originality and creativity, the shop features unique vintage props, antique furnishings, custom murals, and signage created by company artists. The dark hardwood floors and brick muraled walls create a visually appealing ambiance. The hats displayed throughout the shop are artistically set on top of dark hardwood
Photos by Kristin Fitzgerald
Even the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop associates are trained to give outstanding customer service. Customers rave about the genuine attention and service that they receive as soon as they walk through the doors. Associates are trained to know the fit of each hat and can direct a customer to a particular style that will complement his face shape and head size. Associates are always trying to offer suggestions and feedback to their customers, who leave the store happy and willing to return. For example, one customer happened to come across Goorin Bros. Hat Shop while
In addition to great customer service, the Newbury Street location even offers hat sizing sessions, so if you do not know your hat size, do not worry. Goorin Bros. associates are there to help you. Next time you find yourself strolling down Newbury Street, step into the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop. You will find a variety of hat styles rich with tradition and style, set within a beautifully merchandised shop. The welcoming décor of custom artwork and antiques is paired with gracious customer service that will make you return.
Boston Fashion
walking down Newbury Street. Upon entering the store, he was impressed at the fantastic customer service. The gentleman had always had trouble finding hats that looked good on him, because his head is quite large for his body. Effortlessly, the sales associate was able to find a hat that actually fit the customer’s head and suited his style. “It was the only hat of its kind I actually looked good in,” exclaimed the customer. “The customer service was extremely accommodating, and product quality was immaculate.” To this day, the customer still wears the hat he bought, because “the ladies definitely love it.”
POLISHED Spring 2013
shelves. The Goorin Bros. Hat Shop features a wide variety of men’s hats that include traditional fedoras, top hats, gatsbys, and even baseball caps. Some of the baseball hats are plain and simple, while others feature interesting modern, graphic details on the crown and bill of the cap. Each hat is unique and made with the utmost care and craftsmanship. For those reasons, the prices of the hats are relatively high; the lowest price is $30 for baseball caps and the highest is $200 for some select fedoras. However, since each hat is handmade with quality materials, the customer knows that he is getting the best product.
By Ellen Keane 3
ALAN BILZERIAN Boston’s own, Alan Bilzerian, opened his first store in 1967 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Although it seemed the least likely place to start a boutique, Bilzerian stocked his store with corduroy trousers, bellbottom jeans, and velvet shirts. This was a time of great social and cultural change around the world and in the United States, allowing for new up-and-coming designers to show off their unique concepts and introduce a whole new way of dress to the public. Bilzerian carried many of these young designers, including Giorgio Armani, Katherine Hamnett, and Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garcons label, while also mixing in his own designs on the floor. Bilzerian was first inspired to start his business while traveling in Europe for three months, after graduating from college. He admired the way the European stores displayed their merchandise in a way that evoked emotion in their customers. Upon his return to the States, Bilzerian decided he wanted to open a beautiful store reflecting that style. Bilzerian believes that the key to his success lies in his anticipation of what his customer is looking for next. His boutiques in Newton Centre and on Newbury Street
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are full of quality clothing, much of it is handmade rather than mass produced. The boutique operates as a vertical store, making and buying at the same time, and acting like any fashion house but keeping production under one roof. The Bilzerian customers are looking for a unique experience and timeless yet stylish pieces that will make them stand out in the crowd. While he carries other major designers, Bilzerian displays his own designs as well. It is also important, he says, to make the customer feel like an individual. “Most stores just buy products to fill the shelves. When people come [to our store] from different parts of the country, they come for our own brand, something that no one else has. When Elton John came, he only wanted to see Bilzerian products, and he spent $70,000 on only Bilzerian. It means a lot to have your own identity!” he said. And if something does not look good on his customers, Bilzerian is not afraid to tell them so. Customers do not feel pushed into buying something. If only five people come in but buy a lot of products, it is a successful day. Bilzerian keeps a relatively low profile. He does not do a lot of advertising and stays out of the
spotlight. Bilzerian’s theory is that if you are constantly in the consumers’ faces, they will no longer want you. “It is very difficult to hold your own, doing the things you know will represent the future of what people will gravitate towards. You develop your own style and keep it. We are not for everyone, and we don’t want to be for everyone. We want someone who wants and is interested in a beautiful product,” he said. The best form of advertisement for Alan Bilzerian is word of mouth. When customers happen upon this jewel of a boutique, they will keep coming back for more. A Bilzerian customer is for forever. There is no one popular item among customers, either. The categories change every month. “Usually a woven cashmere, or a particular piece of jewelry, or a certain brand brings different people. We put out a hand basket of our best ideas, and each person zooms in on something different in this kind of environment. Everything moves as a mixing pot and keeps changing,” he said. According to Bilzerian, what attracts men to his clothing is its masculinity. Said Bilzerian, “It is not wimpy. It has a very masculine mentality to it, whether a
POLISHED Spring 2013
“A B ilzerian
customer is forever ”
pair of canvas handmade jeans or a handmade cotton shirt.” The high quality of the garments brings in customers and keeps them coming back, and because the garments are so unique, the Bilzerian man feels like an individual, with his own look and his own opinion. Because of his design technique, unique and timeless designs, and excellent service, Bilzerian has attracted many creative and famous clients over the years, including James Colburn, Steven Tyler, James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Carly Simon, Madonna, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Winona Ryder, and Johnny Depp. His designs have also been commissioned for film directors such as Tim Burton. Forty-seven years after starting his business with only $4,000 in his pocket, Alan Bilzerian has become a major success.
Courtesy of Alan Bilzerian
By Betsy Diacatos
5
shaving : vintage meets modern
The store offers cleancut shaving services for men and sells the most natural creams for shaving as well as all the products needed for “The Perfect Shave.” The company believes in offering “The Perfect Shave” and making a man’s shaving experience “fun, rather than a chore,” said Jonathan Jarry, the assistant manager. Now with 120 locations nationwide, The Art of Shaving is located in most larger cities. The location on 139 Newbury Street in Boston is one of the company’s largest locations, with a barbershop inside the store. “Our clients absolutely love the barbershop. We have gained several loyal customers since this location opened,” said Jarry. “The store gives us an opportunity to teach customers the right way to shave. Because most men come into the store saying they learned from their fathers, TV, or the movies and they complain that they
experience irritation and that shaving has become a chore. We try and make shaving fun for them by teaching them the proper techniques and by providing them with the most natural, top-of-the-line products. Also, everyone has different skin, so by us examining their skin and getting to know a customer, we can set them up with products that are healthy,” said John Rossi, a shaving consultant. The idea of helping men to have a better shaving experience developed out of Melissa Karsaris’ homemade perfume business for women. One day she noticed Eric had shaving irritation. It occurred to Melissa to create a cream product for him. He was so surprised that the cream worked that he sold his BMW and opened their first shaving store on Lexington Avenue in New York City. The store’s main purpose is to make shaving exciting while keeping all skin types healthy. The number one product sold at the store is The Perfect Shaving Kit. The kit includes preshaving oil, shaving cream, a brush, and aftershave. The Perfect Shaving Kit costs 25 dollars. The store also sells
several other kits, scented and nonscented creams, razors, and aftershaves ranging between 12 and 200 dollars. “We look at how a client’s hair grows. We ask what razor they use and recommend a solution to their shaving problem and attend to their needs,” said Jarry. The shop is a replica of barbershops from the 1920s, with a modern twist. The store sells three spa shaving packages: the Royal Shave, which includes a hot shave, a hydration mask, and aftershave for 55 dollars, the Traditional, a simple hot shave for 35 dollars, and a haircut for 40 dollars. Each package gives the client a high-end, vintage experience with the store’s very own master barbers. The store caters to all men: fathers, professionals, and even gym buffs, giving each client that nostalgic experience. To learn more about the products and services that The Art of Shaving has to offer, plus shaving tips from the master barbers, go to www.theartofshaving.com.
By Christina Nalepa 6
Photos by Andrew Rannali
An old trend that was popular in the 1920s has been revived in today’s men’s fashion: cleancut shaves. The Art of Shaving, a vintage barber shop for men, was founded in 1996 by Melissa and Eric Katsaris.
S
n’ PICE Photographer: Oliver Klink
Hair and Makeup: Caitlin Wright Menswear: Sault New England 7
This Page: Apparel & Accessories by Sault New England New England Shirt Company chambray popover $145 Boast polo $78 Toddland Shorts $54 Sailormade bracelet $98 On Right: Apparel & Accessories by Sault New England Curated Vintage raincoat $78 New England Shirt Company $145 Ivy Prepster anchor tie $68 Ivy Prepster fish hook tie clip $58 Unbranded denim $78
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This Page: Apparel & Accessories by Sault New England Curated Vintage oxford $38 Toddland hot dog shorts $68 Ivy Prepster bow tie $100 Jack Spade canvas bag $249 Sailormade bracelet $98
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This Page: Apparel & Accessories by Sault New England Curated Vintage plaid blazer $78 Curated Vintage oxford $38 Paperback twill pants $98
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More Sault New England, located at 677 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End, is a chic boutique for men. The owner, Philip Saul, opened the store in September 2011 after noticing a need for stylish pieces for the everyday man. The white, intricate design of the ceilings combines with the classic wood flooring to create a rustic and comfortable vibe when a customer enters Sault. The store is clean and neat; soft music playing in the background sets the mood for a relaxed shopping environment. Philip Saul is not new to the world of buying and selling, with a background of nearly eighteen years in retail and merchandising. He explained his humble expectations when he first opened his own business. Saul generated the name of the store by adding a t to his last name and including New England to represent
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, Please! the roots of the store and its future. Saul said that he liked the “concept that salt is a form of preservation; it’s very New England, very Cape Cod. . . . Ideally it’d be nice to have multiple stores and kind of keep them in the New England area.” Saul is also supporting the local economy by selling brands from Fall River, Massachusetts. With merchandise ranging from men’s clothing to stationery, light bulbs, and even terrariums, it’s no surprise that choosing a favorite item is tough for the owner. “Some of my favorite pieces, they go in different cycles depending on what season it is,” said Saul. “I try to rotate the merchandise and the look of the store for the season. Everything is my favorite. I mean it’s all got a special place for me. There’s not an item in the store . . . that I don’t really like.” Handpicking each item in the store reflects Saul’s dedication to selling items that he himself would use;
he carries merchandise he values rather than items he knows will sell well. Saul not only selects his stock with great care but also deeply appreciates his customers. “I believe that everybody that walks in the door makes the decision to walk in the store and I appreciate that and I want to be able to give them a good shopping experience,” said Saul. Although Sault sells mostly men’s clothing, Saul is aware that his customers include women. “I’ve got to be realistic,” said Saul, “and realize who my customer base is.” Saul mentioned that a lot of families visit the store, as do women shopping with a friend. “You don’t want to alienate the customers,” said Saul, commenting on the items he sells. He wants everyone who walks in to feel that he or she could buy something. Carrying stationery, books, and candles, Saul is able to interest women
Saul mentioned that he would “never want to have that disconnect between the customer base and what I sell.” It is important to him to see the storeowner take part in the everyday duties of the store. “It’s just nice to be able to see a business that you can actually relate to the owner, and the owner’s actually in the store . . . I find that really interesting,” said Saul, “And that’s something I never want to give up.”
“Everything I sell, I believe in, and where I find my passion and where I get excited is in men’s apparel...”
BY TANESHA BARAO
Photos by TANESHA BARAO
By Tanesha Barao
13
Hot Spot
Saul has a keen eye for men’s fashions but commented thoughtfully on the prospect of expanding into women’s wear. “I’ve been asked that so many times, about women’s,” Saul said. “I think when it comes down to it...everything I sell, I believe in, and where I find my passion and where I get excited is in men’s apparel and in gift and in home. So I could definitely see expanding into a separate home store and then expanding on the apparel end. Everything needs to line up. I want to make an educated risk. I don’t want to take a risk just because.” Clearly knowing his boundaries, Saul has considered expanding but plans on taking it one step at a time.
POLISHED Spring 2013
who are not there to buy men’s clothing. When a woman comes in with her boyfriend, he would like to believe that she will “be able to buy something, and he’ll be able to buy something.”
MEN’S
Q&A A. If people don’t immediately associate men with fashion, they are mistaken. Men display as many personal styles and follow as many trends as do women, sometimes without even realizing it. Just as women seek out tomorrow’s trends, men, also have a personal style. Whether it includes a mix of casual and athletic wear or strictly tailored ensembles, each man’s wardrobe creates his fashion identity. Once a man has acknowledged his clothing preferences and priorities, the trend-information outlets will seem infinite. For the fashion-conscious man, a website such as Fashion Beans offers smart articles and guides for every aspect of the modern gent’s life. With its insights on style, grooming, and fitness, this site indulges readers with a useful blend of industry information, showing them how to take what they read about style and apply it to themselves. Men who visit this site might also enjoy publications like GQ.
Q. I didn’t really care about fashion, but now I do. Is it weird for me to just start wearing completely different stuff?
If you are not a fashion connoisseur but still consider what’s on trend as you get dressed, the Style section of Men’s Health may be your go-to. The website and the print section offer readers a to-thepoint resource on dressing for everyday living or for a business meeting. Tips on fitness, health, and women can also be found on this website.
A. Not at all. Fashion and personal style are an expression of who you are, what you’re feeling, and what you’re comfortable in. Personal transformation is a good thing, and you should embrace your everevolving self as well as your preferences when it comes to wardrobe. If you are self-conscious about shifting your aesthetic, gradually mixing new pieces with your old ones will support a seamless transition. However, if you are ready to take on your personal-style-180, do it! Having fun is most important when making changes. Everyday fashion should allow you to feel confident and better about yourself.
It may take some browsing, but finding a website, magazine, or blog that you can identify with is the best way to find out about men’s fashion trends. There is a resource out there for everyone.
By Lindsay Feeney 14
Illustrations by laura taylor
Q. Where would a guy find out about fashion for men?
POLISHED Spring 2013
TOP OF THE TOP SHOPS SHOPS Style Q&A // Culture
OF THE
A guide to British fashion on Newbury Street
B
oston is often referred to as the smaller version of London, and it is for good reason; many British fashion brands find themselves opening new stores on Newbury Street, Boston’s own High Street. Men’s British fashions have long represented the epitome of good taste. The influential trends are seen on a global scale throughout history. Paris is the epicenter of women’s couture, while London, particularly Savile Row, is the center of men’s tailoring. The British invasion, which is emerging anew, is a contributing factor to the popularity of British menswear. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who were some of the musical bands that brought the youth quake movement to America. These bands threw the rules of fashion out the window and experimented with vintage looks, the use of patterns, and boutique shopping, which inspired uniqueness and originality. The Mods, Teddy Boys, and Peacocks were some of the styles popularized by
this movement. The return to the stage of some of the old-time influential bands has encouraged some of these styles to make a comeback. British music is still very much on trend with bands like Mumford and Sons, Muse, and Coldplay, topping the billboard charts while presenting a unique fashion image. To bring the British look to your wardrobe, check out the top British stores on Newbury Street.
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BURBERRY
Legacy and heritage are words that have been associated with this brand. Since its inception in 1856, Burberry has been a go-to destination in the men’s fashion world. The British Royal Forces commissioned the gabardine, a waterproof fabric, during WWI. Burberry is best known for its trench coats and its tan, white, black, and red plaid. The brand was repositioned in the late 1990s. Burberry had a facelift of sorts; it became a fashion brand when a new creative director was hired to show at London’s Fashion Week. Burberry is priced at the lower level on the luxury goods scale, making the apparel affordable for the upper middle class. The clothing includes investment and timeless pieces that can be worn at any life stage. The shop flanks Newbury at its intersection with Arlington Street, making it the ideal place to start a stroll down the fashionable street.
Of the top shops on Newbury, Ben Sherman is the only store that is completely geared to men’s clothing. The United Kingdom flags remind customers that they have stepped into a Brit store. Ben Sherman offers a wide array of clothing, including dress and casual button-down shirts, suits, oxfords, polo shirts, and much more. The apparel is geared to the new-age Mods. The silhouette is tapered with authentic British cuts. The moderate price point is appealing for men who are looking for the Brit look but don’t want to break the bank. Ben Sherman is a must see and is found at 154 Newbury.
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BEN SHERMAN
POLISHED Spring 2013
JACK WILLS
Fashions in this shop reflect the essence of preppy style. Within the store, the collegiate lifestyle is displayed everywhere, with realistic dorm displays that invite the customers. The clothing is geared towards basic student needs and includes such items as hoodies, sweats, oxford shirts, cable-knit sweaters, and polo shirts. Even though Jack Wills is a university outfitter, the apparel is made with quality fabrics.
One British element in this brand is the logo, a pheasant wearing a top hat and carrying a cane. The pheasant is a symbol of civility, but its accessories add humor. Jack Wills is located at 179 Newbury; make sure to stop by and see how “fabulously British� Jack Wills can be.
Photos by Kristin fitzgerald
TED BAKER
Imagine walking into an Alice in Wonderland setting, with teapots spouting tea from the walls, faux pastries, and green animalshaped shrubs. That is the setting this whimsical store provides its customers. Ted Baker is located at 201 Newbury. The shop offers polished yet casual looks for men that are daring without being clownish. The clothing is colorful and has many patterns and textures, but the cut and silhouette are classic. The apparel is priced for professionals, with polo-style shirts selling at $125, while sport jackets range from $325 up to $998. During the holiday season, the festive mechanized window displays are sure to catch the attention of passersby. These displays are a fun mix of whimsy and humor, as is everything in this store.
By L. Angel Morales 17
art. If you are considering the color block trend, make note that the most common colors to set your sights on are primary colors like red, yellow, and blue.
Designers such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Empirio Armani presented the monochromatic or tone-on-tone look for this spring’s fashions. The style entails wearing the same color but in different hues. For example, Ferragamo’s monochromatic mint look is a show stopper. From a mint blazer to mint and yellow sneakers, the colors are eye catching. However, some men aren’t so bold and can opt for a more subdued color. On the runway of Burberry Prorsum, designer Christopher Bailey introduced a bright yellow version of the signature Burberry trench coat, paired with metallic skinny jeans in shiny purple, blue, yellow, and pink. Pastels, always a popular trend for women during the spring, have finally found their way into menswear. Roberto Cavalli and Riccardo Tisci have displayed pretty pastel suits in their Spring ’13 collections. Cavalli featured an incredible 18
C
olor blocking is a trend spreading like wildfire onto all the major runways. Jill Sander, known for her minimalist approach to fashion design, used the color blocking technique on the basic male cardigan. As in the paintings of Piet Mondrian, Sander used navy blue, green, and yellow patches with white stripes to create a literal work of art. Her use of color blocking was encouraged by Blinky Palermo, a German abstract painter, and Robert Mangold, known for his minimalist art. Sander stayed true to her roots in this line, focusing on form rather than decoration. There was no better way to achieve her comfortable fashion-forward aesthetic than by wearing a color-blocked cardigan inspired by German abstract
By: Mariah Cole
illustration by jesenia lopez
W
hy is color so important? For one, it distinguishes the individual among the billions of people in the world. It benefits us to stand out, and wearing color trends can give us that push. Menswear does not have to be restricted to the “masculine” blues and blacks. In the progressive age we live in, it’s okay for men to experiment with the vibrant colors retailers have to offer. Fashion has been and always will be about testing the limits of what people wear, and Spring 2013 menswear has done just that. Spring is a time of renewal and a perfect time to update that somber winter look. After being introduced to monochrome, pastels, color blocking, and ways to incorporate these fresh runway looks, you may be setting the stage, come spring.
lavender suit with high-waisted pants and a matching pale lavender shirt. When styled with simple black shoes, the whole look was effortlessly pulled together. The garments had a streetwear edge despite the color and could be worn by a trendier older male. Tisci featured a handsome bubble-gum pink, box-shape suit with little emphasis on the model’s silhouette. The jacket highlighted the typical deep V neckline and singlebreasted design in most men’s suits. Another notable ensemble was from the Alexander McQueen 2013 Spring/Summer collection. For many, the garments from the McQueen line were shocking, but not in the usual avant-garde manner that is classic for Alexander McQueen. The outfits for menswear were normal: normal for McQueen, that is. The standout from the line was a powder-blue suit with a one-button jacket that was shaped like an hourglass and featured a slightly baggy pair of pants, cuffed once at the ankle. A collared dark blue/teal polo shirt, paired with shoes resembling the spectators of the’ 20s and ‘30s, gave the garment a vintage look. Although in a muted blue, if paired with the right dark-colored accessories, the suit will appear more masculine.
The overall emotion behind color in menswear garments this spring is that of daring, feminine sweetness meeting suave masculinity. During the past few seasons, we have seen the opposite trend: women wearing suits, oversized jackets, and beanies. Now, for Spring 2013, we have been exposed to pastels, bright colors, and color blocking for men. Pastel pinks and blues look their best when designed with suits or a pair of shorts. The runways suggest that men mix and match with vertical stripes, which never go out of style. Wearing bright colors isn’t always the norm or in every man’s comfort zone, but it is easy to incorporate colors into an everyday outfit. With a neon watch, a hint of yellow in that red belt, or maybe a bright jacket, color will make any male wardrobe a little more fashion forward. A major lesson in fashion is never to be afraid. By starting small, any man can attain his fashion aspiration.