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FROM THE EDITORS
Dear readers, As we reflect on the past three issues, it is a great accomplishment to see how much out club and magazine has grown. As many of us graduating seniors leave you, we decided to focus this issue on what our magazine has been comprised of for the past two years: art and fashion. We have posed the question of whether or not fashion could be considered an art form. Our talented group of writers, photographers, artists, and fashion designers have taken on the challenge of trying to answer that question for you. As we leave you to our successors—who we know will carry on the hard work and passion we have had for this magazine—we want to say thank you for all your support the past two years and we hope you continue reading the STYLE Magazine for the rest of your time here at Framingham State College. Your Editors,
Hayley Maybury & Melina Laguerrre
STYLE MAGAZINE SPRING 2009
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CONTRIBUTORS
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HAYLEY MAYBURY | MELINA LAGUERRE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PHOTOGRAPHERS / SARA FORTIN MATT BENNETT NICOLE BECHARD ERIN HINES BILLIE MCGHEE MATT ROCCO
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SECRETARY / MARIA GELSOMINI TREASURER / BRITTANY HUSSEY ART DIRECTOR / TUSHAWN WHITE
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LAYOUT EDITORS / NICOLE BECHARD BILLIE MCGHEE
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS / BRITNEE CANN BILLIE MCGHEE MARIA GELSOMINI CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / BRITNEE CANN MEAGHAN TIANO SARA SHEHOD MELINA LAGUERRE HAYLEY MAYBURY ERIN BERRY BILLIE MCGHEE TUSHAWN WHITE SARA FORTIN BETHANY MCDONALD DANIELLE CODERRE KRISTEN MAZZAFERRO
style M A G A Z I N E
LE THIS M
ZINE
PLEA S
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fscfashionmag08@yahoo.co
We would especially like to thank Justin Mayotte and Adam Young of Flash House Studios, John Manning and Celsa Cutillo of Phillip DePalma Hair Salon and BCBG and Lord & Taylor of the Natick Collection because without the studio space, beautiful hair, make-up and clothing, our spring editorial shoot would not have been possible.
Throughout the history of fashion clothing, accessories, and footwear have been the foundation of costume and dress. Fashions of the world are expressed through different colors, patterns and construction details, and find their inspiration from nature, objects, and the world around us. The question is whether fashion is art. Fashion is defined as a style of dress, behavior, and a way of living or expressing oneself. Art is the creation of beautiful or significant things expressed through different medias. In the New York Times, Jeff Chu, the writer of the article “You know how it is:” stated that “art and fashion were once like two grande dames at a cocktail party”. The two knew each other but never bothered to acknowledge one another. For instance, in the 1996 Fall fashion show in Paris, the producers wanted to experiment with combining art and fashion. The director of the show paired up designers such as Prada, Versace, and Alaia with artists
“ART AND FASHION WERE ONCE LIKE TWO GRANDE DAMES AT A COCKTAIL PARTY...THE TWO KNEW EACH OTHER BUT NEVER BOTHERED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ONE ANOTHER.” Damien Hirst and Julian Schnabel. Hirst is an English artist that dominated the art scene in Britain during the 1990s with his portraits of dead animals. Schnabel is a British artist who established his career with painting detailed realist depictions of suburban houses. It was discovered that some of the pairs collaborated, others played off each other, while the rest simply divided their work space and went in their own creative directions. At the end of the collaboration some observers of the show believed it was a sign of good things to come, while others felt the two were different and don’t need to mix. Prada, in the New York Times article “The Patroness” article states “art and fashion are distinct enterprises”. She keeps art out of her fashion shows, stores, and the clothing. She goes on to say that “fashion is fun but frivolous, and fundamentally commercial, while contemporary art is serious and intellectual”. In closing, ask the question, “is fashion art”? Art is more subjective because the artist may only consider themselves than others. Fashion, on the other hand, has to think of others, the wearer of the garment. It is true that both art and fashion are visual elements that have history, identity, and meaning but what separates them like anything else is the use of the two. Let me ask you again, is fashion art?
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STYLE MAGAZINE SPRING 2009
cover story :
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FLA H HOU E STUDIOS
After being extremely generous and letting us use their studio to shoot our cover and spring editorial shoot, the boys of Flash House Studios—Justin Mayotte and Adam Young—were also kind enough to sit down for a little one on one time with our very own DANIELLE CODERRE
Adam Young (L) and Justin Mayotte (R), co-owners of Flash House Studios located in Worcester, MA. For more info, visit www.flashhousestudios.com
STYLE: Why did you guys decide to get together and open a studio? JUSTIN MAYOTTE: Adam and I worked together through the busy Christmas season at Picture People. We thought about taking our diverse backgrounds of photography and collaborating on projects that will make an impact in the Worcester art scene. We decided back in January to put our knowledge and experience into a studio thus creating Flash House Studios. ADAM YOUNG: We met and somehow our personalities just clicked. Justin had a nice portfolio of work he had done with models, fashion ads and quite a few connections. I felt that with that base, my experience photographing on top of having some management experience, it would be a great fit. STYLE: What sort of client base are you trying to get? JM: Our demographic is college students—ages ranging from 18 to 26—that are interested in modeling who want to start or build a portfolio. To start off with, we are looking for local small businesses, agencies, and designers to work with. Eventually we would like to be able to take on higher clients in the bigger cities like LA, Miami, Chicago, NY, etc. STYLE: Do you guys each have something special to bring to the table? JM: Aside from our good looks and charm, we each have a unique portfolio with different types of photography. AY: Yeah, we have vastly different styles, and even very different areas of photography that we focus on. Being an aerospace engineer on parachutes I tend to see things more technically where Justin has more of an art perspective. This gives a good blend and allows us to constantly teach each other. STYLE: What’s the hardest thing about opening and running your own business? JM: Besides the economy downfall, finding clients. The truth is, the photography industry is getting too easy for everyday people to join. Internet has given us so much access and knowledge on secrets and simple ways to turn a regular image into a professional image using a simple camera and a lamp. Professional cameras are available at local Wal-Marts and kids are learning Photoshop in middle school. People don’t want to pay for professional photos when they can buy their own camera and upload and enhance themselves. You really have to network yourself and find your groove that no one else has. You need that special something to give them that they could never do themselves or somewhere else. AY: Starting a business in this economy may be the craziest thing I’ve ever done. Balancing between trying to provide clients a quality product at a price they can afford with making enough money to have the business continue is very difficult. What we need to do is prove to clients that the images we take are worth the money. STYLE: Each describe your first photo shoot…were you nervous? Did things go wrong? Were you and the model both pleasantly surprised? JM: My very first stab at photography was taking photos of my exgirlfriend that never liked getting her pictures taken so I basically heard “Are we done yet?” over and over. It wasn’t until June of 2007 when I took on my first real model shoot. I drove an hour and a half to Manchester, NH to shoot her after talking online for a few days. We shot in a drained hotel pool outside of a closed Hooters restaurant. I was so nervous but she was great, she obviously had more experience and was the one that calmed me down. I basically had my canon D30 with an inexpensive flash. It rained half of the time but I couldn’t have asked for a better day. We started with a hand shake and ended with a hug (which happens at all my shoots). I sent her the pictures the next day and she still uses them in her portfolio today! AY: My first shoot was at a retail photography studio taking pictures of
STYLE MAGAZINE SPRING 2009
a family. It was a Mom, Dad and two kids. I was so nervous sweat was dripping off my forehead and that just made me more nervous. I did a great job of getting everybody posed and entertaining the kids while capturing them at their best. I know the family was pleased with the images and I know I was. Thankfully, I don’t get that nervous anymore. I now enjoy the interaction with my subjects as much as I enjoy the photography and I think it helps make my photography better. STYLE: Any embarrassing moments during a shoot? JM: Let’s see, besides the typical everyday shoot of me forgetting my lens cap is on, misplacing my camera and tripping over everything in sight, I have a good story that shows how there is never a dull moment in this industry. I did a shoot in downtown Worcester on Main Street and I had the couple pose in small bushes under a tree to get a city/nature fashion shot I had in mind. After taking about four pictures, the guy came running out yelling “OWW!” as the girl screamed and ran down the road. I then heard mad buzzing all around and so I ran with them. Without thinking, both models took off their shirts and pants getting the bees out of their clothes. So here I am on Main Street with a guy down to his boxers, a girl in her bra and panties, and me with my camera around my neck all catching our breaths. After counting the stings while putting our clothes back on, we walked to the nearest bar and toasted to another experience with Justin Mayotte! AY: Most situations have been embarrassing for me, like sweating terribly in my first 3 shoots, taking photos only to realize I don’t have a memory card, and tripping over everything, even breaking a light. But if you don’t let it embarrass you it’s not too bad. I try to keep telling myself that.
PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS ARE AVAILABLE AT LOCAL WAL-MARTS AND KIDS ARE LEARNING PHOTOSHOP IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO PAY FOR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS WHEN THEY CAN BUY THEIR OWN CAMERA AND UPLOAD AND ENHANCE THEMSELVES. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS PROVE TO CLIENTS THAT THE IMAGES WE TAKE ARE WORTH THE MONEY. STYLE: What kind of advice could you give to aspiring models or photographers who want to get into the business? JM: NETWORK! When you start out, it’s all about your portfolio, working on getting shots that fit your personality and what you want to achieve. Once you have the portfolio, market yourself like you would market a brand of clothing. You need exposure, advertising that will make you stand out, a fan base, professionalism, and above all motivation to succeed. In this industry opportunities are everywhere, it’s the people that are prepared and willing to make sacrifices that make it past the door, the others only get their feet stuck. As I always say… “Go Big or Go Home!” AY: Study, study, study. For both photographers and models you need three basics to go into business: talent, technique, and business sense. First, for photographers your talent is your photographic eye, your ability to see and judge artistic composition and your ability to do that under the pressures of a deadline. Your technique is all the technical aspects you have learned to apply, including knowing the basics of exposure, lighting, and perspective. A person can make a great image with all automatic settings and flash, but until you manually set your camera and your lights including position, you can’t truly control your image. Finally, the business sense is probably the hardest and most important of the three. This is probably the hardest lesson for a photographer to learn. Opposite: Some behind-the-scenes shots of STYLE’s visit to Flash House Studio during our spring editorial shoots.
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THE
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BY MELINA LAGUERRE
Kanye West, M.I.A. and Santogold are just a few of the musical artists that are changing the rap name forever. Can we even call them rappers or are they new wave? Not only are these artists performers but they influence lifestyle and change. They are also very inspired by art and it is clear by the clothing they wear and the style they embody. They are a very collective group of artists that are individually so unique that people just flock to their styles. Is there a direct connection from music to fashion to art, or is it art inspires fashion and fashion in turn inspires music? Only one can answer that for themselves. In my opinion, people that are creative are so in many aspects of life. As a fashion designer, art and music are two of the things that inspire me the most. Music isn’t just about hearing the music it’s about seeing it as well. The same can be
said for art. In addition to seeing the art, one also needs to listen to what is going on in the piece. In an interview in Detail Magazine Kanye West is described as “one of those rare, synthetic types who actually see sound as colors, shape”. Kanye is one whose life is inspired by art, fashion, architecture, and technology. His blog is being updated numerous times a day with things that he finds interesting and inspirational. Kanye always talks about how he came into the rap game as a “polo khaki wearing brother” when the fashion of the music industry was jerseys and baggy jeans. It could almost seem that this set the precedent for his future in the industry. “A Chicago whiz-kid geek in jeans, a button-down shirt, and a baseball cap worn with the bill forward, he was ‘a real contradiction’”. It is apparent in the way that he carries himself that
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he has the eye for art and fashion. Many people love to emulate him. For example when the “Kanye scarf” hit Abercrombie it was
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apparent he had really arrived as a trend icon.
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We all know the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes”. The first time I watched one of M.I.A.’s music videos I was so influenced by her clothing. I thought it was great how she made the crazy colored leggings so
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popular not only in hip hop but also in the punk scene as well. The clothing industry is rushing to make these trends available for the mass public so the average person can look just like their favorite
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artist. That gives the musical artist freedom with their fashion that
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maybe a movie star or a NBA player does not. For example, when I saw Dwayne Wade at the dunk competition I instantly thought why
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is he all “Kanye-ed” out?
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Santogold is another rising artist that is very fashion and music forward In an article from SPIN Magazine, Phoebe Reilly states:
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“Santogold’s debut album will indeed defy categorization: ‘L.E.S.
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Artistes’ is shiver-inducing new wave, while the grime-y rhythm and shrill vocals on ‘Creator’ recall M.I.A.”. Santogold’s music is very
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diverse. Like M.I.A. and Kanye, she has many different sounds yet she can still prove herself as a rapper.
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Personally I love anything out of the ordinary so it’s great to see these artists
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doing so well that it can move your soul and inspire you to be different.
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IN RAW CLAW FASHION BY DANIELLE CODERRE
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ost designers in the fashion industry tend to go through practical steps to
behind each spot she marked. “If it says my name, then I’m ready to go to the next spot.
after showing off her symbol on Calvin Klein’s underwear, Marc Ecko’s clothing, and Nike’s
get where they are. Fashion school
Like I don’t care. Let’s just keep it moving
sneakers, it’s clear that the fashion world
first, then move into a company as someone’s
because it’s about volume.” If she could get
put the illegal aspect of her graffiti aside and
assistant’s assistant, and slowly make a name for themselves as the new bright, young, and
her claw up around forty spots a night, Claw would consider it a good night.
decided to cash in on her unique style.
upcoming designer. Most don’t get worldwide
After realizing the potential for her work, Claw
credibility until they are older and have
Other writers found respect for her due to
began to create her own line of exclusive
established themselves as a unique force in the
her volume. A graffiti writer by the name of
clothing and accessories. Worried about her
industry. What about those that find themselves going down a completely different path but end
West, who had initiated Claw into the crew FC, said, “She showed by doing. You’d be
work losing its street integrity, she made sure to keep her line hard to get a hold of and worth
up at the same place? Claudia (Claw or Claw Money as she is more commonly known) is one
up in the middle of warehouses on a desolate block in the Bronx and there would be Claw.
plenty of dough. Jewelry for up to $550, bags for over $150, and T’s for around $45 a pop,
of those people. Her last name must remain anonymous due to her graffiti past.
And then you’d go to Brooklyn and uptown and downtown and she was so up, that it was obvious she was doing her thing. You couldn’t
Claw certainly found a way to make a profit out of something that for so long had to stay confined to the dark nights of New York.
After idolizing the work she saw around her home and in the city, Claw’s infatuation with
deny it.” Many other crews respected Claw for her raw passion for the art form. She was soon
“Painting is a very personal experience you have with the city. You’re alone and no one’s
graffiti continued to grow throughout her childhood. Coming from a strict household, she
associated with two other crews: PMS (Power Money Sex) and TC5.
around. You put your graffiti there, and then, all of a sudden, you’re a piece of the city.”
knew the idea of her new hobby would never be accepted by her family. She tried to stay
According to New York City’s Laws on graffiti,
Knowing she has to break off her relationship
“normal” for her parents’ sake and attended FIT in New York, but after she realized she
“No person shall write, paint or draw any inscription, figure or mark of any type on any
with the streets, Claw continues to push her way into the fashion world in her own raw
could make more money as a coat checker at a club rather than an assistant designer, Claw
public or private building or other structure or any other real or personal property owned,
fashion. You can check out her clothing line at www.clawmoney.com or look for her pieces in
dropped out and pursued her love for graffiti.
operated or maintained by a public benefit
Union (NYC and LA), Alife, aNYthing, I Heart
Every writer has a symbol that is unique to
corporation.” According to Claw however, “It’s all about the illegal aspect of it. It’s the only form
and Everything Must Go in New York, and Commissary stores in California and Colette
them and allows others to track their work to see who is marking up the most areas. Claw’s
of art that is illegal and that makes it unique.”
in Paris. Her jewelry even appears in Boston’s own Bodega.
symbol would be easy. A rough fat paw with three claws would be all you could find left
So what would the fashion world make of Miss Claw Money and her illegal art form? Well 11
my dorm room is better than yours!
VRE SHOWS AMANDA LEFEB N OF HOME US HER VERSIO ME. AWAY FROM HO BY SARA FORTIN
Walking into the dorm room of junior Communications major Amanda Lefebvre, you immediately feel the warmth and color radiating from her side of the room. Her walls are almost completely covered in posters and clippings from various magazines. The objects around the room, such as her blue butterfly pillow and colorful bedding, introduce you to Amanda’s bubbly personality. Amanda has lived in the O’Conner residence hall for the past three years here at Framingham State and feels at home there. She calls her room her “home away from home” and says that when it comes time to decorate, “I decorate like I do at home. This actually looks very similar to my bedroom there.” Amanda believes that her dorm is better than your dorm! Looking around her room, a trend becomes clear. With many photographs of sunsets and tropical beaches sprinkled across the walls, could it be possible that Ms. Lefebvre is a bit of a beach bum? “I love island pictures and ones of tropical places where there’s warm weather. I just love vibrant colors.” So while we are hit with snowstorm after snowstorm in Framingham, Amanda is fantasizing about dipping her toes in the sand and drinking lemonade until the sun goes down. There is nothing wrong with that! Amanda loves everything about her room and is very proud of her decorating style. Though she does not have a specific method for her décor, she loves having big spaces to fill. “I don’t get it when I walk into other people’s dorms and they have, like, one poster on the wall. I don’t know how they do it!” she
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exclaims as she looks over her very covered walls. Amanda has been determined to cover her walls with style since freshmen year when she first saw how blank the walls were in her dorm building. Since then, the amount of decoration on her walls has increased. Her roommate and friend from down the hall agrees, saying that “every year there’s even more than the previous year.” Amanda definitely feels free to fill space freely, filling in gaps between her larger posters with clipped phrases from magazines and colorful advertisements. Amanda’s favorite part of her dorm is her mirror. With rubbery letters that stick to the glass, the mirror encourages her to love. Could it be a self-esteem booster? Amanda says that her love-themed mirror “encourages her to feel happy every day.” Surrounding the mirror are photos of friends and pets, post-it notes with scribbled notes or reminders on them, more island themed clippings, and stickers supplying her with wise words. She likes to get ready for class there, letting the small reminders of the positive side of life pump her up for the day ahead of her. It is obvious that Amanda’s dorm makes her happy. Like any home (or home away from home), it welcomes her after a long day and makes her comfortable when she’s stressed. With all the breathtaking sunsets surrounding her as she goes to bed at night, how can she not feel completely at ease there? Feel like you can do better than Amanda? Prove it to us!
Send an e-mail to FSCFashionMag08@yahoo.com and you just might see your dorm room featured in our next issue!
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rtistic talent is not limited to just the visual arts and fashion world, it can also be found in music. Last semester a friend and I happened to stumble upon a local band playing at the 6 Mile bar in downtown Framingham. I was pleasantly surprised to hear an upbeat sound reminiscent of the classic tunes on my favorite oldies station. “The Bright Hours” is a fresh revival of the late nineteen sixties rock and roll, influenced by such classics as the Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground and The Beatles. The band members, Roger Poulin(guitar/ vocals), Brian Fernald(bass/ vocals), Mike Guerra(drummer) and Nate Phipps(tambourine/ guitar) were all good friends before they collaborated to form a band. Just as visual artists can gather inspiration
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from music, muscians can pull ideas from art. The name of the band itself came from an exhibition of British poster art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Although Roger is the primary writer of the song lyrics, the band members always work together, tweaking the words and listening to the flow of the music. Brian explains, “You don’t really get a feel for how a song sounds until you play it live for the first timethen it really comes together” The band often plays at the favorite haunts of Framingham State college students such as Brubergers and the 6 Mile Bar. They also play at various locations in Boston and Cambridge. The Bright Hours mixes the eclectic sounds of today with the classics of yesterday, pulling listeners back to a time when musicians were epic and unforgettable.
THE
Bright s r u o H BY ERIN BERRY
really t ’ n o d u “Yo feel for get a song sounds how a you play it until or the first live f hen it really time t together” comes
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where art meets fashion
BY HAYLEY MAYBURY
As I sit outside Piazza Navona in Rome, watching people pass by to stare at all the beautiful sculptures, fountains and incredible architecture that they are surrounds them, I think to myself how lucky I am. It is not often one gets to be immersed in such art work of some of the most famous and innovative artists in the world. The detail and time that went into creating these works of art is incredible and at the same time overwhelming. As designer, I understand how these details are very important aspects in any work of art. I suppose every form of art starts somewhere. For a painter it’s their canvas, a sculptor their block of stone, an architect a plot of land, and for a fashion designer their fabric. Here is where I start to wonder why some believe that fashion is not art. Yes, there is the fact that clothing is an everyday need where as art can be considered a luxury, but the process of creating clothing is the same process one uses to create a painting or a sculpture. Some start with a vision and go from there, while others just pick up a brush or their scissors and see the vision as they go. To be able to have a vision or idea and be able to carry it out whether it is through painting, clothing, sculpture, music, or writing is a great artistic talent which many may envy!
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PHOTOGRAPHIC FIGURES NOVEMBER 19, 200 – M AY 1 0 , 2 0 0 9 Herb Ritts and Clementine Haas Michel Brown Galleries
gallery critique BY SARA SHEHOD
A photograph is literally an image that is “drawn” by light. The viewer can be amazed by the image’s tones, colors and texture. A photograph can magnify the simplest things into compelling, detailed works of art. The exhibit “Photographic Figures” which runs until May 10, 2009 at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, displays body parts such as heads, hands, feet, legs and eyes as a captivating artistic form. You will find yourself standing in front of a photograph, mesmerized by the beauty of the human body. There are 75 images on display in “Photographic Figures,” the first exhibit in the MFA’s new Herb Ritts Gallery now permanently devoted to photography. Organized by MFA curator, Anne E. Havinga, the show offers a satisfying range of figure studies from classical to experimental. They are by 20th century masters including Ritts himself and lesser-known photographers. The first piece I saw when I walked in the exhibit was the “Eye” photograph from 1930. The artist, Theo Ballmer, depicts an eye and eyebrow at close range. It’s a captivating manipulation of lighting; both quietly compelling and real. From this simple, everyday image it is possible to learn a great deal about the person depicted as well as the artist who took the photo. Another piece is “Back, Paris” photograph from 1938, which has the simple sense of glamour and sophistication associated with fashion photography. The main photographer displayed at the exhibit is Herb Ritts who was a celebrated celebrity and fashion photographer in the 80’s and 90’s. He photographed celebrities such as Richard Gere, Madonna and Cindy Crawford. One of Ritts’ photos at the gallery was an image of Sinead
O’Connor, a popular 90’s Irish pop singer. Ritts made the usually controversial O’Connor appear very calm and collected in an oversized profile portrait. Ritts also photographed Olympic runner Jackie Joyner Kersee in Point Dome in 1987. He captures Kersee in mid-run displaying her muscular legs and torso. The image shows how beautiful the human body is when it is in top shape. The photograph of Kersee shows how Ritts was drawn to clean, pure lines and strong forms; the graphic simplicity of his images allows them to be read and felt instantaneously. One piece that really grabbed me was “Converging Territories” photograph from 2004, which is by Moroccan Photographer Lalla Assia Essaydi. Essaydi blends Arab calligraphy with portraiture to explore female identity within Islamic culture. Essaydi uses photography to represent her different layers “In my art, I wish to present myself through multiple lenses—as artist, as Moroccan, as Saudi, as traditionalist, as Liberal, as Muslim, in short, I invite the viewers to resist stereotypes.” She combines the East and West and allows the photograph to speak for itself. I recommend going to the “Photographic Figures” exhibit at the MFA in Boston because it celebrates the human body in a very artistic form. The works in this exhibition are an exciting preview of the many photographs that will grace the walls of The Herb Ritts Gallery for years to come.
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STYLE MAGAZINE SPRING 2009
What is artistic expression? From da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to the paint splatters of Jackson Pollock, it’s a means to explore one’s own creativity. Why then, should fashion not be considered a form of this expression? From the first draft pattern, to the careful stitching of the garment to the final runway performance, fashion can embody several artistic mediums.
It’s all a big game of construction, some with a brush, some with a shovel, some choose a pen. JACKSON POLLOCK
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I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They’re beautiful. Everybody’s plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic. ANDY WARHOL
There are so many other people out there that are so interesting that they could focus on instead of our shoes and our Starbucks cups. MARY-KATE OLSEN 21
To Parisians, duct tape on your jacket? No way, it doesn’t fly. Unless it’s done by Chanel. FEIST
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It’s a truly mixed up world we live in; it’s all very confusing. I certainly don’t understand it, but I find it beautiful nonetheless. MARC JACOBS
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Palette Pants BY ERIN BERRY
I have never been fully “in tune” with the fashion world or knowledgeable about upcoming trends in clothes. I’m usually wearing my latest thrift store finds or whatever is on top of the clean laundry pile. Being an art major prevents me from coordinating stylish out-fits everyday, because I am constantly covered in various art class mediums. For the same reason I don’t get manicures, I don’t buy expensive clothing- I am a walking mess. You have probably seen me around campus clumsily carrying my cumbersome canvases covered head to toe in paint. I have never considered my paint covered jeans as a fashion statement, only as a practical component of my artistic lifestyle, so I was caught off guard when I was stopped by an employee of Anthropologie, who asked “Where did you get those awesome jeans?” I was confused at first because I had picked them up at a Salvation Army for seven bucks and I didn’t think that they were anything special. When I realized she was talking about the splatters of brightly colored paint adorning my legs, I laughed and told her that I had made them during art class while I was working on my latest oil painting. I have been complimented several more times on my “Palette Pants”, (an appropriate name since I often squeeze paint directly onto my jeans as I’m working on a painting when I can’t find my palette!) but I wonder if the pants should be considered art or fashion? For me they are fully functional for my major and my life. It’s refreshing to be able to just wipe my hands on my jeans if I get paint or grease on them, because it just adds to the chaotic composition. If Abercrombie can sell jeans with rips and bleached out splatters for one hundred and thirty dollars, then maybe the “art student” look will become the next trend. If the jeans don’t make it in the fashion world, perhaps I can pin them up for my next exhibit as a record of my painting progress. Either way, I’m as attached to these jeans as I am to my art.
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BY: BRITTNEE CANN
DRUG STORE BEAUTY If one more person says the word “recession”, I might keel over. As college students with part-time or even no job, we know what it feels like to have only fifty dollars in our checking accounts. This no-money thing is not new to us. If nothing else, being broke teaches you to be thrifty. Poor college kids know which night the movie theater has half-price tickets, which specials are going on at which restaurants on what days, and what budget-brands perform just as well as the big name ones. As far as beauty products go, there are a few gems hidden within the aisles of your local drug-store. Good products for half the price of the big name brands, and you can even save gas by skipping the trip to the mall because there is a CVS virtually everywhere. Sixty dollar cosmetics be damned!
MAYBELLINE GREAT LASH MASCARA (BLACKEST BLACK) A true essential to every girl’s bag of tricks. This is one of the few mascaras that won’t clump up on the tips of your lashes. The small brush head lets you apply very accurately, which is especially nice when it comes to coating your lower lash line. The “blackest black” color is exceptionally dark without any grey or brown tones, a truly perfect black. Drug stores constantly have “buy one get one” sales on this product so you can stock up for cheap.
RIMMEL NATURAL BRONZER In order to help you avoid looking like an extra from the Willy Wonka movie, this bronzer goes on very light and has only a subtle sparkle to it. Apply all over for an even glow or just highlight
NEUTROGENA SKIN-CLEARING FOUNDATION If you have sensitive, pimple-prone skin (it happens) this product is for you. A light-weight liquid foundation that goes on smooth, blends well, and can help even prevent blemishes.
your cheekbones with a little extra color. The airy powder is very light weight and gives the illusion of a sun-kissed glow any time of the year.
Sounds too good to be true, right? The secret ingredient is called salicylic acid, a chemical usually found in facial cleaners that fights acne and can even help exfoliate skin. So stop clogging up your pores with an oily concealer and let this product work its magic.
LOREAL FERIA Anyone who has ever done an at-home hair dye job knows the horror of ending up with a color completely opposite than what was promised to you by a swatch on a box.
EUCERIN ORIGINAL Leave the croc-skin to handbags. This body lotion is dermatologist-recommended for good reason. Its consistency is a bit thicker than some lotions but its hydrating results are far superior to any watery competition. Its formula is very minimal so you don’t have to worry about any of those hard-to-pronounce, disease-causing chemicals. The original formula is unscented which means it won’t compete with your perfume. Or, if you prefer a little something you can add a scented oil right to the bottle and shake it up. Either way, this product will leave you smoother than an Al Green song.
Strawberry blonde often looks like rusty orange, browns always have a surprise red tint, and black ends up looking blue in certain lighting… except if you use L’Oreal Feria. This genius hair color has a what-you-see-iswhat-you-get policy. As long as you follow the color grid on the side of the box, you’ll get the
LIP SMACKERS This glossy chap stick is a nostalgic favorite for
results you want without any surprises. One box has everything you need including a deep-
a lot of girls. The company’s original stick is a cheap and surprisingly hydrating formula with
conditioning treatment. It even comes with a scented oil packet to drop into the bottle after you mix the color which helps soften the harsh chemical stench. It is a few bucks more than your budget-brand color, but it is completely worth it in order to avoid looking like an angst teen that got hold of some manic-panic.
an impressively long list of flavors ranging from Dr.Pepper to watermelon. The bright packaging and cutesy logo is sure to brighten your day. Although you can buy individually, they are usually sold in packs of two or more and priced lower than your daily mocha-caramel-lattewhat-have-you beverage. 2
in the bliss “Restraint, restraint,” I repeated quietly to myself as I interviewed original handmade jeweler and one of FSC’s very own alumna, Meghan Maxfield. Her line of artistic and exquisite jewelry which is known as In the Bliss is both brilliantly feminine and creative.
Hearing that there is an FSC alumna who is now a successful jeweler, and also currently working right here in our very own Fashion Department was more than music to my ears. With earthy stones, festive combinations, and citrus shades staring me in the eye, it was hard to focus in on what Maxfield was saying. Trying my hardest to steer my lids away from the miniature shaped jewelry embellished with gems, I buckled down and got an insider’s look at how this jeweler began showing her artsy kaleidoscope of color pieces in such a stylish manner. With Maxfield having a creative wild eye for fashion now, it is no wonder that this same eye for fashion existed twenty years ago where her real passion for creating jewelry began. Starting off by decorating sweatshirts to tees and everything in-between, using her husband’s gardening pliers, graduating to professional crimpers, her love for beading grew and was then translated into the new art form of jewelry. Maxfield decided to follow her love for beading, and turn her hobby into something for everyone to enjoy. She experimented with friendly plastic, various clays, and mixing vintage and modern beads together. Maxfield eventually reached a certain point where marketing and selling her creations sounded like a good idea. She began selling her bracelets, earrings, pins, and necklaces, to small chain stores like Hallmark, shops in Maine, and local craft fairs. Placing her creations on display in the teacher’s lounge near the communal bubbler or in the woven basket near the students crowded home rooms; Meghan was able to gain regular spectators. Though her loyal buyers and select few soccer moms purchased her creations, opening her jewelry to a college with a strong fashion and art department expanded her customer base, attracting the avid sassy dressers and similar passionate artists. Though many crafters construct jewelry, an accolade for creativity in Meghan’s name is well deserved. With her pieces reflecting a deeply personal vision of style, funk, and texture, Maxfield says “It’s just great and fun. Playing with options and messing around. I love stopping by yard sales and finding old vintage jewelry and taking it apart. It’s those kinds of things. It’s just always fun making something to dress up an outfit!” Combinations of left over clays, molding new formations, and a mixture of glass beads, truly sets her style apart. Maxfield’s unique choices of colors and detailed clasps add the final touches that make her jewelry more like art. It is the intricate gold painted leaf hooks and the translucent chartreuse glass beads that make one wonder, in a second or two of tranquility; there is an understatement in creativity missing from the cool and chaotic world of hand crafted jewelry.
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BY MEAGHAN TIANO
1. Miss Dior ChĂŠrie, 1.7 oz., $72 2. Daisy by Marc Jacobs, 1.7 oz., $58 3. cK One by Calvin Klein, 3.4 oz., $48 4. Burberry The Beat, 1.7 oz., $65 5. Viva la Juicy by Juicy Couture, 1.7 oz., $65 6. DKNY Red Delicious, 1.7 oz, $55
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THE SMELL OF Love is in the air, and so are designer fragrances. Check out some of our favorites.
spring 29
C a P f t
I t i a
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FAKE TRADE
BY BRITTNEE CA
NN
T g s S l a o C s s q t
“ m t a d
E t h b a n t p u
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Copying someone’s original work is frowned upon. Actually, no. That is a huge understatement. Copying someone’s work is an outright crime. Plagiarism, copyright, and patent infringements can get you expelled from college, fired from your job, and is generally treated the same as theft in court. Except, it seems, when it comes to fashion. If copycatting is such a crime then why are fake designer goods flooding the market? And how come buyers have no moral objection to these illegal practices? The answers to these seemingly simple questions are actually quite complicated. To begin answering the first question, we should briefly review our government’s legal system and analyze how it applies to fashion. (That sounds boring, but don’t lose interest yet. I’ll make it quick!) Law professor Susan Scafidi explains on her website (www.counterfeitchic.com) that US laws regarding Intellectual Property cover some aspects of clothing and accessory, but are definitely not all-encompassing. The three main types of Intellectual Property laws are copyrights, trademarks, and patents. Copyrights are mostly for literary and artistic works, trademarks for iconic symbols, and patents apply to new inventions. As you can see… fashion sort of borders categories, and like a pimply high school freshman, can’t quite fit in anywhere. The main problem is that fashion often slips through the cracks of these laws. Scafidi explains: “The [designer] label is probably protected by trademark, but the design may not yet be sufficiently iconic to be protected by trade dress. Since the item is functional, copyright doesn’t apply. Very few garments or accessories actually meet the standards of patentability; even if they did, getting a patent takes months or years.” Essentially, the law makes it intensely difficult for designers to protect their work, and with a new collection debuting ever season… the headaches and fiscal costs hardly seem worth it. Even still, many brands invest millions of dollars every year to help muscle their fight against counterfeiting. Big time brands bring an almost innumerable number of cases to court to defend their ideas against small brands trying to imitate them. But really, the only thing designers can do is keep pumping out new ideas at a pace that the counterfeit market can’t keep up with, because wherever a good idea exists, so does a copycat.
products. But are you really supporting said “loved” brand when you are encouraging the illegal sale and replication of their ideas? Sure, you got your fake Vuitton for forty bucks in Chinatown, but what you didn’t know was that your budget bag is fueling international crime syndicates that deal in money laundering, human trafficking, and child-labor. If you’re not feeling guilty yet, keep reading.
SURE, YOU GOT YOUR FAKE VUITTON FOR FORTY BUCKS IN CHINATOWN, BUT WHAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW WAS THAT YOUR BUDGET BAG IS FUELING INTERNATIONAL CRIME SYNDICATES THAT DEAL IN MONEY LAUNDERING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND CHILD-LABOR. The influx of fakes is having a hugely detrimental effect on the entire luxury industry. According to a 2008 article from Harper’s Bazaar magazine, experts believe that counterfeiting costs American businesses between $200 and $250 billion every year and is directly responsible for the loss of more than 750,000 jobs in the US. You don’t have to be a statistician to understand that those numbers are outrageous. In the interest of staying fair, I will point out that there is a percentage, albeit small, of consumers who think their counterfeit item is actually real. And to clarify… if your designer item came from Canal Street in New York… it is fake. If it came from the Salem flea market in New Hampshire… it is fake. Furthermore, if you have ever bought a designer item from eBay or anywhere online where it was significantly lower than normal price… the likelihood of it being genuine is very, very slim. If you want to make sure your designer goods are real, the only way to know for certain is to buy direct from the brand. The important thing to take away from this article is that the market really does respond to consumer demand. You, as the customer, have power in your dollar to stop these illegal practices and bring the luxury business back to its usual luster just by refusing fake goods. Without demand, the supply will shrink… simple as that.
What about the second question from earlier: why are people so inclined to buy fake goods when they are essentially breaking the law? I’ve actually heard a lot of people brag about their cheap, knock-off 31
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MARC
BY BRITTNEE CANN
JACOBS When the famous poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” I believe she was talking about Marc Jacobs… handsome, funny, creative and just generally likeable, what is not to love? arc has conquered the realms of apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry, fragrance and more… all before his 50th birthday. He is one of the most celebrated American fashion designers alive today, and in my humble opinion, one of the most talented. Marc has influenced the styles of men and women around the world, including you whether or not you even realize it. Marc has a gift that most people can only wish they were born with… the seemingly natural ability to turn anything he touches into gold. His designs are what pioneer the trends of tomorrow and blaze trails in the most unexpected directions.
M
Since the start of his brand in 1986, the Marc Jacobs empire has exploded into a globally recognized brand with in-house statistics that
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report an average spending of $4,000 per customer. What are these loyal customers buying? Walk into any Marc Jacobs store and you might be surprised at what you find: a $500 hang bag perched next to an umbrella that costs $18, mannequins donning $400 dresses accessorized with bracelets that cost $7 each, and a register counter selling key chains, pens, and even condoms all for less than two bucks. Marc’s vision of mixing high and low is the key to what makes the brand feel real, unpretentious, fun and something that every girl can relate to. So when people ask me why I love Marc Jacobs I tell them it’s because he is a metaphorical breath of fresh air. In an industry of champagne-sipping socialites and too-good-for-you attitudes, Marc comes in and breaks all of the rules. Put simply, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Oh, Marc… let me count the ways.