tasteful

DIY FRIENdSHIP BRACeLET pg. 22

HOW TO COOK THE BEST TAMaLES pg. 34

The basics of high heels pg. 16

Table

OF

Contents

3 4 6 10 12 16 18 22 24 28 30 34

Letter from the Editors Contributors Highlights of Hairstyling How to Keep Your Desk in Style Spring Frost High Heels: Need-to-Knows Knitted How to Make a Twist Knot Bracelet Focusing In The World of Fashion Hope's Long Journey How to Make Tamales

Photo by Jackie Lee Young

Letter

from the

editor

[ ] Dear

Reader,

Fashion is something that all of the team at “tasteful” is passionate about. We found inspiration in our own lives and strived to create interesting articles that allow our readers to take something away for themselves. We hope that as you read our magazine, you can get a taste of our individual styles.

Each story was written from different perspectives about style, and we all worked together to produce a magazine that we hope will motivate and encourage our readers to find their own personal taste when it comes to fashion. Everyone contributed their best to the magazine and each of the reporters and writers at “tasteful” expressed their personal interests through the articles they wrote.

In this issue of “tasteful”, we brought you everything— from timeless hair tips to fashion photographers’ stylistic choices. We included a variety of different stories to provide our readers with knowledge about fashion. We hope that you enjoy this magazine, and that our articles help you develop a better sense for your own personal style.

Best Regards ,

tasteful | 3

Meet

the

Lily Woytek

Lily is a productive

young woman. She enjoys cooking, eating, reading, watching youtube videos or movies, and hanging out with friends and family. She is a big fan of dark chocolate and jewelPhoto By: Lily Woytek

ry. Lily also adores fashion and

Photo By: Lily Woytek

photography.

Leah Marsh

Shastia Azulay

Born in New Jersey,

Leah is an ambitious and active

wonderful young mind. She

teenager. She takes dance and

spends much of her time baking

voice lessons, does yoga, bakes

and eating Chex Mix. She starred

and reads. Leah has been playing

as Nancy in Oliver! the musical.

the piano for seven years, and

Shastia has also lived in Kazakh-

loves jewelry and chocolate. Not

stan for two years and she is now

only is she into fashion, she also

the proud owner of many ador-

enjoys running track.

4 | tasteful

Shastia has a bright,

able chickens.

Photo By: Leah Marsh

Authors Jamie Dawson

Jamie is a big fan of

sports. She loves swimming and soccer. She spends her free time watching movies, going swimming and hanging out with friends. She is half Japanese from her mom’s side and she loves eating sushi.

Photo By: Lily Woytek

Anna Martinez

Anna’s favaorite things

to do in her free time are watching Netflix and eating pizza. She loves to play soccer and hang out with her friends. Her favorite place in the world is her bed and Bejucos, Mex. She enjoys eating Mexican food on a daily basis and drinking horchata on a hot Photo By: Lily Woytek

summer day.

tasteful | 5

highlights i [OF ]

hairstyling s Behind the scenes of a successful hairstylist Leah Marsh

6 | tasteful

I

t’s 5:30 in the morning.

Dreary eyed and sleep deprived, Hannah Saquing goes into her bathroom to attempt to look presentable, but every morning comes with new decisions to make and new tasks to complete. Most people don’t even think about hair and styling it until that particular task is the next one at hand.

At this point in Hannah’s routine, exhaustion still has a major presence over her clouded mind and sluggish body.

Everyone’s been there, and many people start out their days like LASA student, Hannah Saquing. When it comes to hairstyling, creativity can be hard with time restrictions and a limited amount of hairstyles that seem easy enough, but some people actually use hairstyling as a creative outlet.

Deanna Valdes originally went to college wanting to be a photographer, but she ended up dropping out, “feeling like the creativity had been beaten out of me, which was really defeating.” Valdes turned towards hairstyling, and is now a professional hairstylist who has her own personal studio in Austin, where she works with clients. Valdes also works with clients through Lifetime, a membership-required gym.

From her years of experience and training, she has powerful insight regarding timeless haircuts and styles, trends, and the cycle that popular styles follow.

Valdes knows that no matter what the styles and trends are, the technical aspects of hairstyling stay the same, acting as a constant baseline.

Face shape has a strong presence in regards to the technicalities of hairstyling, and as popular demand changes, “the goal is [still] to get more of an oval shape and softer features.”

While two people may want the same hairstyle, the hairstyle won’t be cut the same way.

“If someone has more of an angular shaped face, you

“Everyhas to be head

considered on its

Sometimes texture like straight vs. curly is another issue.

Curly hair always gets bigger with humidity, so sometimes it’s harder to go short with that kind of hair because it just gets big until you have a little fro going on,” Valdes said.

In the end, though, Valdes thinks that, “every head has to be considered on its own.”

Along with all the constant technicalities, there are a few very prominent trends that are popular right now that could possibly evolve into more complex trends later on.

Conveniently, the fad has slowly become less professional and more laid back over time, but Valdes still insists that hair is meant to be styled and showcased, not thrown in a ponytail and forgotten about. Comparing places Valdes has worked at, styles, and opinions towards how people want to present themselves over time produces a drastic change.

“I think, in Austin, people don’t fix their hair or style it because people crave more of a style that’s ‘easy.’ That is also reflective of the fashion trends right now. They’re not high maintenance styles,” Valdes said.

Whether talking about clothes, such as the popular oversized t-shirt style, or a messy bun, the majority of people present themselves in less of a professional, conservative manner than they did a few years ago.

own.”

would probably want softer ends that are more feathered and softened or longer hair so that it doesn’t end right around the jawline.”

When considering what haircuts will look best on certain people, hairstylists have to consider other aspects of their hair including texture, thinness and length.

“If you have fine hair, then you have to be careful how much your hair thins out with layers because all layers take bulk out of the hair. Thick hair is another story because it can be short, and it can be long, but it has to be cut right.

tasteful | 7

selves stand out from others.

“My mom dyed my hair an auburn color over the summer. It was more cost effective to get what I wanted done to my hair

“ It’s

that’s really

8 | tasteful

and I could easily mess up my hair. I looked at pictures on Pinterest and Google Images for natural ombré so that I could figure out what I wanted, and showed my hairstylist what I wanted,” Ana Marsh said.

As dyeing hair becomes increasingly popular, you can look back and see how much trends are dependent on technology. In the ‘80s there wasn’t well developed products, tools, and techniques to dye hair, but as demand increased, technology developed and adapted.

“Here’s the thing, in the 80s if you got your hair colored, you wouldn’t tell anybody you colored your hair. Now everything’s out there. Back then, it was a practicality. You got highlights if you wanted to do ‘fun.’ If you got color, you got it to cover your gray. It wasn’t creative the way it is now,” Valdes said.

color

big

a

thing right

Throughout 27 years of hairstyling, Valdes noticed a classic cut, as well as an evolving cut that is constantly in demand and is a perfect, timeless, go-to haircut if you don’t want to do anything wild and out of the ordinary.

Valdes mentions that different versions of the bob fluctuate in and out of style.

“The other [popular hairstyle] would be something along the lines of long hair, long layers. You know, just a totally basic cut.”

As people strive for a basic cut, they also try to find ways to personalize their hair.

“It’s color that’s really a big thing right now. Lots of crazy color and lots of streaks of color and that kind of stuff. Cuts are kind of boring right now.”

All across the country, people are dyeing their hair in unique ways to make them-

now.”

this way,” Hannah Saquing said.

Ana Marsh, a junior at LASA, took a slightly different approach to the hair coloring trend.

“I got my hair ombréd by a professional because I didn’t trust myself to do it myself. I didn’t know what I was doing,

This shows the process of Casey, one of Valdes’ coworkers, getting her hair dyed on a slow day at work. Photo

by Deanna Valdes.

Deanna Valdes, an Austin hairstylist, stands with her two sons, Ethan and Dakota.

Photo courtesy of Deanna Valdes.

As technology develops, so does the number of celebrities. As social media spreads and becomes a part of many people’s daily lives, the number of celebrities people know about increases. This backhandedly influences popular hairstyles within newer generations.

“I definitely see a trend between celebrities and hairstyles. It used to be hair magazines and now it’s fun when everyone has their Pinterest boards of hairstyles they want.

It makes everything better because people come in with five to six different hairstyles they like and we can pick and choose what we like out of those styles.”

You can predict what one of the newest hairstyles will be

by referring to famous people who just got their haircuts or if they starred in a movie and had a “signature look,” Valdes said.

Valdes has an eye for change and differences between cultures.

“I worked with exchange students for like four years. I love them,” Valdes said. “I love meeting people, so that’s definitely part of it. I love meeting people from another country and seeing how they’re interesting.”

As trends change over time and overseas, everything is constantly evolving. Change is always happening, even in the most hectic times. Ideas, opinions, and people change.

Even as hairstyles and trends evolve with people’s interests, we find new ways to style hair.

tasteful | 9

[

DIY

clock

1. Go to a local craft store and buy a cheap kit of clock parts.

2. Cut out part of a cardboard box to the size and shape you wish your clock to be.

3. Cut out a piece of cardstock, and layer it on top of the cardboard.

4. Decorate the paper as you wish.

5. Assemble your clock and put batteries in.

[ d r a o b k l a Ch

1. Cut out a piece of cardboard to a size that will fit your selected picture frame.

2. Take chalkboard paint and spray two full coats on the cardboard.

Be sure to wait approximately one hour in between each coat.

3. Remove the glass from the picture frame and place the cardboard inside instead.

[

DIY

10 | tasteful

[

life

how to keep your

Photos by: Leah Marsh

desk

in

If you have an unorganized or bland desk, here are a few ways for you to spice up your work area with some cheap, DIY decorations.

[

DIY Whiteboard calendar

1. Get a whiteboard that is laying around your house or go out and get a cheap whiteboard.

2. Buy a small roll of scotch tape that has a printed design on it.

3. Divide the whiteboard into seven rows and seven columns.

4. Label the first row with the days of the week, and fill in the information for the current month.

[

tip

[

[

Organization

Leah marsh

Put pens, sharpies, and highlighters in mason jars or glass milk bottles for easy access and a pop of color.

tasteful | 11

Spring Frost

By Shastia Azulay

Inexpensive designer clothing for the seasons

“We want [our customers] to leave looking and feeling better than any other store they’ve left.”

I

ntrigued by the name, you open the door of a building you see. A bell chimes as the opening door activates it, and a woman at the counter calls a greeting to you. You step inside, curious as to what you can buy, and see the clothing and shoes all around you. From blue jeans to watermelon shoes, there’s a little bit of everything you could ever want in a look.

Before you know it, you’ve been at the boutique for two hours and have created a whole, new, fabulous you, thanks to the personal styling they offer. “Thank you, come again!” you hear behind you as you leave, already excited for your next visit to the Spring Frost Boutique.

Founded in 2008, Spring Frost is a boutique that offers a wide variety of quality clothing, shoes,

12 | tasteful

jewelry, purses, and other fashionable items at inexpensive prices. The boutique also offers a one-on-one personal styling opportunity to get some advice from the experts. Spring Frost wants its customers to leave looking and feeling fabulous.

Originally called Designer Clearance House, the boutique was later named after owner Spring Frost Castillo.

“We thought [Designer Clearance House] doesn’t sound very boutique-ish, and we present ourselves like a boutique,” Castillo said, “We chose Spring

Photo taken by Shastia Azulay

Frost because it’s my first name and my maiden name, but when you go to market or when you’re buying for a store, you’re buying for the spring season and you buy for winter, so Spring Frost just felt like a cute little nod to the seasons,” Owning a business runs through Spring’s family, with her mother running a boutique in Dallas, and a brother with a bike shop in Austin.

“I grew up with a level of comfort about having one’s own business, being one’s own boss,” Castillo said, “That’s what paved the way for me to even think about having my own store.”

With a husband and two children, Castillo works hard to manage her business. “[Spring] is the best retailer ever! Retail is a very, very hard

Photo taken by Shastia Azulay

tasteful | 13

find a business. And to this or a that, so be successful in that’s always a From left to right: Natalie Moore (Buyer and Sales Manit, you have to ager), Spring Frost (Owner), Gineen Pospisil (Assistant challenge.” work really hard. She does,” Manager) Photo taken by Shastia Azulay Castillo loves extreme said Deborah Hornickel, a quality and things that frequent customer.

“We determine what it go above and beyond to Spring Frost Boutique startbe unexpectedly good. ed when another business is you’re comfortable in, “I really believe in quality moved away. “The company but we also try to show because it looks better and that I was working for decided fits better and looks better to close up shop and move away, you things you’re not also they basically gave their shoe ways comfortable in, that for longer,” Castillo said, “it’s nice to be able to offer that to company to me. They said, look fabulous on you, that your client.”

‘We’re moving, do you want Spring Frost Boutique offers it?’ and it was like a handshake stretch your boundaries” clothing at the lowest possideal, there was not a dollar ex“Every store needs a black pump; ble price for the highest qualchanged,” Castillo said. well, sometimes I don’t have a ity products.

Spring Frost Boutique doesn’t black pump because it wasn’t “I love a deal,” Castillo said, “We get its merchandise from a simavailable as an end-of-season always try to weigh out the true ple market-- its products are item. Because maybe that store value, again, just trying to be from different stores.

“We work with high-end bou- sold all of their black pumps so mindful of our client’s budgets tiques and buy their end-of-sea- we don’t get them that season,“ and their dollars.” son,” Castillo said, “they’ve only Castillo said, “There’s always The boutique’s prices are always got one or two locations, but if someone coming in that needs a 50% off of the original price you work with 30 of those stores this or a that. Sometimes I can’t from the store the product was originally offered from. you can fill a store like this.”

“I have to evaluate everything I Sometimes it is difficult for Casbring in and say ‘is this going to tillo to maintain her inventory be worth it to my customer or levels. are we just putting an expensive price tag on this for expensive price tag’s sake,’” Castillo said.

Photo taken by Shastia Azulay 14 | tasteful If you’re not

Photos taken by Shastia Azulay

sure what you want to wear and buy, the boutique offers a free personal styling service that takes about one and a half to two hours. ”We talk to you, we look at you, we assess what we think is for you, your body type, and also your lifestyle.” Castillo says.

She loves to provide, for example, $25 pieces that are the same quality as $200 pieces at other stores.

Depending on your preferences and style, you will be shown different outfits for your wardrobe.

“We determine what it is you’re comfortable in, but we also try to show you things you’re not always comfortable in, that look fabulous on you, that kind of stretch your boundaries.” The customers agree. “[Spring] and her staff are so good at finding things that work. Just the right piece for your figure and your pocketbook,” said Hornickel.

Spring Frost Boutique revolves around its customers.

“We are very, very

customer-service driven,” Castillo said, “We want them to leave looking and feeling better than any other store they’ve left.” The staff and customers are usually on a first name basis.

“It’s much more than just clothes; you learn about their lives and their careers or families,” said Natalie Moore, the buyer and sales manager of Spring Frost, “It’s nice that you can, in a professional setting, still have that personal touch.”

The good relations work for everyone.

“I’ve known [Spring] a long, long time, and she is a brilliant retailer,” Hornickel said, “She’s just good at trying to pull things that she knows might work for me.”

Gineen Pospisil, the assistant manager at the boutique, also knows the customers well.

“They come in and you know what they’re looking for, you know what size they are,” Pospisil said.

If there’s one thing to know about, it’s trends.

“Stay away from trends; trends are expensive and they don’t last very long,“ Castillo said, “Buy less… pay more for the quality that’s going to last for a long time.”

Castillo recommends investing in quality staples such as your white shirt, black shirt, and well-fitting blue jeans.

“You have to prioritize what looks best on you, and if you can fall in line with some of the trends, then that’s good too,” Moore said.

Spring Frost hopes to continue to sell quality, inexpensive, and fashionable products to its clients. Castillo will carry on with her business, improving it and making it even better for her customers.

“We want you to leave having had a better experience but having paid a heck of a lot less money and feeling like we’ve shown you some things you never would have picked out but you’re delighted that you found.”

tasteful | 15

High Heels:

By Shastia Azulay

Everything you need to know about which heels to wear!

Stiletto

Kitten

A stiletto heel is a 3-6 in heel that makes your leg look longer. Wear this heel with a pencil skirt, long skirt, slim pants, ankle-revealing pants, or any other clothing that lengthen your leg. DO NOT wear with miniskirts or shorts.

Kitten heels do not exceed a 2 inch height and are more comfortable than other heels. Wear these to the office or if you’re going out.

Kitten heels are appropriate for almost any occasion. ž pants, pencil skirts, and bow skirts are recommended to have with these shoes, but make sure not to wear them with large pants-this makes your legs look stumpy.

16 | tasteful

Fomore information, visit: http://dresslikeaparisian.com/how-to-wear-heels/ http://www.overstock.com/guides/womens-shoes-buying-guide http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/804755/the-perfect-shoe-for-every-outfit

Need-To-Knows Platform Pumps Platform Pump heels are comfortable heels with a 1+ inch platform underneath.

These heels don’t hurt your legs and back as much as other heels because, thanks to the platform, the shoes adds height without having your foot at an extreme angle. With their shape, these heels go with any leg type: thin or thick, long or short, etc.

http://www.wikihow.com/Select-Shoes-to-Wear-with-an-Outfit http://shoes.allwomenstalk.com/7-reasons-to-love-platform-pumps

Wedge Wedge heels are very easy to walk in and can be worn with almost any clothing.

Just make sure not to wear them with bootcut pants.

There are many types of wedges, such as sandal wedges and thick wedges.

Sandal wedges look better with more bare legs. Thick wedges make your leg look thinner.

tasteful | 17

Kni

tte

by Ja m

d

ie D aws on

Pho to b y

: Jam

ie D

awso n

18 | tasteful

Tomoko smiles at the camera as she sits at the breakfast table knitting a sweater. Photo by: Jamie Dawson

T

he needle weaves in and out, poking through holes and wrapped in string, moving so rapidly it’s hard for one’s mind to process, watching the movements in awe. She consistently knits in this manner, never missing a beat. When she is done, she inspects her work intently, finding and correcting even the smallest mistake. She gives only her best work to the customers.

Tomoko Dawson is a working mother of two from Austin, Texas, who, in addition to working an office day job, runs an online store selling products she makes at home.

She has a love of all things crafting--knitting, sewing, jewelry, etc. She uses her talents to create and sell these products online

and locally.

She says the main reason she sells these items is not for the money. “I make the things that I want to make or that I am interested in to begin with,” Dawson said, “and hope that other people have the same interests and like my products.”

“

I was immediately hooked.

that she had made, mostly small, intricate rings made of tiny beads. “She taught me how to recreate the patterns, and when we started making them, I was immediately hooked,” Dawson said, “I kept thinking, ‘What should I make next?’”

She remembers how she eventually made so much jewelry that she had too much for her own use anymore. Originally, she gave them away as gifts or presents, until her friends suggested she sell them. From there, her newly founded shop expanded, from selling only beaded jewelry to a variety of different handmade fashion products.

Tomoko sells the majority of her products on a website called Etsy. Etsy is a peer-totasteful | 19 peer website

”

Tomoko has loved crafting since she was a little girl, but the interest really grew about 15 years ago, when her mother came from their hometown in Japan to visit the family. With her, she brought some jewelry

“

for online selling of products, focused on handmade or vintage items. As of 2014, it had around 54 million members, and 29 million items listed for sale. “I was a customer first,” Dawson said, “but after looking around for a while, I decided to start posting and selling items of my own.”

The name of her shop was an accident. “I made my username ‘Tomoko D’ and didn’t realize that it was the name of the shop as well,” she said, “andwhen I went back they wouldn’t let me change it!” She laughs and says how embarrassing it is to be stuck with her own name as the title of her store. “As soon as I have the chance,” she said, “I am going to fix that!”

Tomoko also sells many of her products at local bazaars, with booths that she can rent and set up to show her creations.

“I go to many Asian-related events, and also a lot around Christmas time,” she said.

Being able to meet in

My business is about meeting the person in the middle and catering to their specific needs.

person with potential customers or returning ones who are looking for new items is an important part of selling the items she creates. Tomoko gets the opportunity to connect and get to know each individual person more than through a computer screen. It is also helpful in bringing in new customers, and helps get her creations seen by the public.

Because Tomoko’s shop is largely based on custom orders from people, communication is key to figuring out what each individual customer wants. “My business is about meeting the person in the middle and catering to their specific needs.” she

Photo by: Jamie Dawson

20 | tasteful

Tomoko begins knitting a light purple sweater for her daughter, inspired by one she saw in a fashion magazine.

”

said.

Jessica Baker, a frequent customer of Tomoko’s, says that one of the reasons she knew she would love her shop right away was because of how easy the communication between the seller and the customer was. Their conversations led to amazing bracelets being created and a great friendship forming.

“The service of Tomoko’s store is about as good as it gets,” Baker said, “She is always ready and willing to work with me and make the perfect bracelet!”

Running a business is no small task--it takes a major time commitment. Because Tomoko is a working mother, it is hard to find time to keep up with her shop. The majority of her working hours are at night. “Whenever I’m done with dinner and cleaning up, I go straight to my craft room and start making the orders,” she said, “I also catch up on weekends when I have rush orders and extra time on my hands.”

She is especially skilled at multitasking, such as knitting while watching movies and relaxing with the family. “I find

myself needing a distraction while I knit, otherwise the motions start to feel repetitive and almost robotic, and I can’t enjoy it as much.” Dawson said.

This productivity and time organization is what keeps her store efficient and able to send packages out in a timely manner. Keeping up with orders is an important factor in having a successful business.

One of her most popular products are wrap bracelets, made of very small beads and stones that wrap around the wrist five or six times. Custom orders of bracelets like these are very common, with requests for colors, sizes, or lengths, making each bracelet unique and oneof-a-kind. She also knits purses and shopping bags, and scarves that gain popularity during the wintertime.

The items offered at Tomoko’s shop are perfect for almost any occasion. “I will wear my bracelet almost anywhere,”

“

You can make incredible things when you get that spark of inspiration.

This is one of Tomoko’s favorite kinds of bracelets to make, because of the intricate details and variety of options for beads to use. This is one of the bracelets she has up for sale on her Etsy shop. Photo by: Jamie Dawson

another customer, Maya Larson, said, “Work, date night, brunch, you name it!”

Many of Tomoko’s items she offers are inspired from the culture in Japan, her native country. The fact that these products are not as common on the Etsy market is what adds to the unique style of her store.

Her customer base is made up of mostly Asian women, though other people do buy her products as well. “Because of the Japanese inspiration for my products, most of the buyers tend to be people who appreciate and understand the value of the culture.” Dawson said.

Tomoko’s advice for people thinking about starting their own store is to find something

they love and make a plan. “It’s as simple as that,” she said, “If you’re not going to enjoy what you’re doing, it’s just not going to work.”

When she genuinely enjoys what she is making is when Tomoko makes her best creations. “You can make incredible things when you get that spark of inspiration,” she said.

She also adds that starting the business should be for the experience and passion for the things you are making, not just to make money. “It is hard to stick with it because it takes so much time and dedication,” she said, “so just find what you like and make it fun!”

tasteful | 21

How To Make A Twist Knot Bracelet

1

Learn how to make a cute and simple bracelet of your own!

2

A

A

B

C

Choose around three or four colors of string that you like.

Tie them all together into a knot and secure them by taping them to a table or using a clipboard.

22 | tasteful

B

C

Choose your first color and start your knot by crossing that string over your other two strings (ex. string A over string B and C).

3

4

A B

C

A B

5

Illustrations by : Jamie Dawson

Finish your knot by pulling the string back through the hole and pulling it tight.

C

Repeat steps 1-3 with that same string until you want to change colors. To change colors, choose your next string and wrap it around the two others, repeating steps 1-3.

Your finished bracelet should look something like this! tasteful | 23

Foc

cusing In Lily Woytek

Photo courtesy of David Heisler

F

Fashion Photography and All its Aspects

ocusing a camera and pressing a button seems effortless; anyone can snap a photo of someone posing. But it’s not as obvious as it seems. Successful photography takes thought, time, and commitment to create an effective photo. Particularly fashion photography because it has so many variables that can change the outcome of the photo: the pose, the lighting, the hair, the makeup and the clothes need to match each other to achieve a great photograph.

Originally a headshot photographer, David Heisler now specializes in fashion, advertising and portrait photography and currently runs his own photography business called David Heisler Photography. He has worked under Greg Gorman, who is a well-renowned celebrity photographer. Heisler’s exceptional work has given him the opportunity to be featured in many famous publications and TV networks worldwide.

Austinite Jackie Lee Young is a talented fashion photographer who grew up in Saudi

Arabia. She went to St. Edward’s University and made the choice to stay in Austin. She uses her creative works to show human nature in her fashion, music and travel photographs. Young’s pieces incorporate portrait photography to show symbolic meanings. She uses her experiences in Saudi Arabia to help her shoot better photographs.

Very early on, Art Guajardo found himself fascinated with design and the arts. He started taking pictures with his dad’s Minolta “film” camera. After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in Fine Arts - Communication Design he moved to Austin, Texas and started working as a freelance photographer. Guajardo is now traveling between New York and Austin, continuing his career as a fashion photographer and illustrator. He hopes to one day make a book with all of his work.

Fashion photography highlights clothing, makeup and hair, producing an image that displays creativity. “It’s about showcasing apparel in such tasteful | 25

a way to create desire,” Heisler said. “A great fashion photograph should illuminate the apparel prominently and create a sense of want and or need from potential customers purchasing them. They should, in a sense, see themselves as the model in the shots and feel confident in their purchases given their own personal style, edge and character.” It captures the beauty of style and shows the theme of outfits.

Photographers must represent the client’s idea through the model’s appearance and pose. They have to be resourceful and use unique angles to show their creativity. Guajardo added that the photos show off the stylistic aspects of fashion, but also reveal a deeper meaning. “[The picture] should tell a story in a single frame and simply stir up your imagination and aspirations.” he said.

Photographers don’t always solely determine the outcome of the photo, even if they

are the ones who press the shutter button to take the picture.

They tend to have a full team of stylists, designers and models to help them achieve a high quality photo. Guajardo describes how he feels about the designer’s ideas on futuristic styles. “I love to see the imaginations of the designers run wild on what the future may look like.” Guajardo said.

Stylists often decide what a model wears at the shoot.

They work as a group to generate a memorable look through a photo. Young describes how the process of creating a photo isn’t an easy, one-person job.

“Working in fashion is more collaborative and takes a great team of people to make the end product. If you work with a stylist who can choose outrageous styles for your model, then can pair the outfit with fun poses and extensive hair and makeup.” Young said.

The background of a photo often affects the perspec-

Art Guajardo encapsulates the natural beauty of a model wearing round sunglasses Photo courtesy of artsimage.com during a shoot in New York.

Photo courtesy of livvyland.com

Olivia Watson wears a statement dress with a peephole back from Free People and accessorizes with booties.

tive of the photo. Heisler describes how the fashion choices correspond to the location of the shoot. “Outfits help to bind the model to the shoot location and create a certain aesthetic for the images to be captured. It gives a sense of feel and believability to the model in his/her landscape.”

Heisler said. The backdrop of the photo sets the scene and alone provides a feel for what the style of fashion will behold. The outfit, hair and makeup must match with the background to produce an effective picture.

The model’s opinion on the style and choice also affects the outcome of the photo. “If the model loves what she/he is wearing, it makes the whole photo shoot more fun and enjoyable. This translates to more energy, better expressions, engaging poses and better images!” Art said.

Each of these photographers gained popularity through sharing their work.

Guajardo progressed into fashion photography from practice shoots with his friends. The first shoots were very basic, only the model and Guajardo.

The model was dressed simply and had on natural make-up.

He shared the photos through social media and connected with more models and stylists.

By then, he was contacted by local modeling agencies and started working with their models. “Fashion photography can be very exciting and rewarding! Just keep shooting and you will see your work improve after every shoot. “ Guajardo said.

Young started very DIY in Austin. She found a few stylists and models that would want to try anything. Her advice to aspiring fashion photographers is to never give up on an idea. Young also shared his shots through social media and got signed by an agency.

Heisler first started off on creating portraits for people. He became better at styling people thus adding to the impact of his headshots. He noticed the connections between his subject and their environments. He was

Photo courtesy of jackielyoung.com

Jackie Lee Young captures the elegance of a ballgown by having the model hold the dress up and utilizing a worm’s eye view.

excited about creating better shots with new detail and complexity because of wardrobe, thus the adventure into fashion.

Austinite Olivia Watson knows how to show off her style through a pictures. She runs a modern fashion blog that reflects her classy, boho style and displays her love for design and inspiration. Watson incorporates her trendy photos through her common blog entries that showcase her personal fashion choices. “I hope my style is “approachable” and that there’s not an intimidation factor with my outfit choices. Fashion should be fun, not scary!” Watson said.

Whenever Watson goes to popular Austin events such

as Austin City Limits, she takes pictures of her outfits. Next, she writes a paragraph explaining her choices that keep her comfortable, yet trendy clothing. Her successful blog relates her photos and events to her audience.

She posts often and receives many positive comments about each entry. Each entry is unique and different from the last.

David Heisler, Jackie Lee Young and Art Guajardo all share a love for photographing fashion. Each of their pictures are different, but each stylistic photo they take reveal a deeper meaning. Olivia Watson uses her blog to show her style through visual depictions of her fashion.

“A great fashion photograph should tell a story in a single frame and simply stir up your imagination and aspirations” -Art Guajardo

tasteful | 27

of

the

Popular trends from 5 differen Berlin, Germany

Photo courtesy of Zappos.com

Birkenstocks are a German brand sandal. The bottom of the shoe is made from rubber and formed cork.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

28 | tasteful

A rug hoodie is texturally alike a poncho. However, it has a hood, longer sleeves and a sweatshirt-like fit.

Photo courtesy of Kate Spade

Photo from mexicanthreads.com

NEW YORK, USA

Originally a New York hand-bag company, Kate Spade has grown to make many different products.

Lily Woytek

nt countries around the world

Jewelry is a trend that started almost 5000 years ago. In India, every state has a recognizable style of necklace.

DELHI, INDIA

SYDNEY, AUSTRAILIA UGG is an Austrailian and New Zealand brand furlined boot. The shoe comes in many styles and colors.

Photo courtesy of Zappos.com

tasteful | 29

Hope’s Long

Hortencia Lopez. Photo by: Anna Martinez

Journey by: Anna Martinez

30 | tasteful

H

er hands are crooked and torn down, yet they still function as if they are brand new.

She is a mother of eight. She lived in poverty her whole life. This is the power of will, perseverance, and hope. This is the life of Hortencia Lopez.

Ms. Lopez’s childhood was sad all throughout her young life, “When I was a child,” Ms. Lopez said, “I worked with my dad working in the fields. My father grew corn, beans, and seeds. I was 7 years old when I went to work with him, until the sun rose y se metia. I used to chop wood on the mountain, and I carried rolls of firewood to my home so my mother could make something for us to eat, because we were very poor. And all that time, I was going to work without huaraches,

This is an example of a traditional mexican dress Ms. Lopez designed/made.

Photo courtesy of: Aida Coronado

Map from Bejucos, Mexico (Ms. Lopez home town) to Austin ,Tx (Ms Lopez current location). Photo by: Google without anything, just bare feet. I would prick my foot with thorns, and I still had to go like that. But thank God we did not die, and here we are.”

After her childhood, she started her own family. She married a young man named Rogaciano Trujillo. With him, she had two sons and six daughters. The oldest daughter is named Estela Lopez. She was there from cleaning the house to changing her siblings diapers. “It was a hard life to have. I would sometimes hate my mom but then I remember. She was just trying to give us values and a better life,” Estela said.

The middle child was named Elda Trujillo. and she, of all, suffered the most. “I helped my mom clean the dishes, wash everybody’s clothes, and make a big stack of tortillas before I could

even go to work,” Elda said.

Though Ms. Lopez had no education, she was always taught to work hard even during dark times.

“After [my husband] passed away, I was left to provide for a family of eight. I started to sew. A lady gave me clothes to patch up, and I did. I learned to make dresses and skirts. I cut and sewed clothes for many people,” Ms. Lopez said.

Ms. Lopez’s journey of becoming a persevering mother had just begun. She began to sell dresses. “When the other women were charging about 70 or 80 pesos, I charged about 12 or 13 pesos, and that’s how I sold more than the other ladies, by being not overpriced and having [the dresses] good quality” Ms. Lopez said. tasteful | 31

Potato filled taquitos. Photo by: Jon Sullivan

Flautas (Taquitos)

For the chicken filling: • 1 large chicken breast, bone in • 1 garlic clove • 2 slices of onion • Enough water to cover the chicken • Salt to taste • Place the Chicken, garlic, onion, salt, and water in a pot and simmer covered for about 30 minutes or until tender. Let it cool and shred.

For the potato filling: • 2 Large potatoes • Salt to taste • Enough water to cover the potatoes • Peel and cut the potatoes into large cubes. Cook in salted water until tender; do not overcook. Drain and mash.

Taste in case it needs more salt.

Wrapping the Stuffing: 1. Heat the tortillas on a griddle to make them more pliable and easy to roll. Put some of

32 | tasteful

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

the shreds of meat close to the edge of the tortilla.

Roll tightly, but not too much to avoid squeezing the filling out of the tortilla.

Secure the tortilla with a toothpick. Roll another tortilla with its filling and again hold the center with a toothpick. You can attach them in pairs as shown in the picture.

While you are rolling the tacos, heat the oil (enough to cover the the bottom of the pan) in a frying pan on high heat.

Deep-fry the flautas in the already-heated oil, turning them once, until golden and crisp.

Remove and drain the excess oil on paper towels. It’s also a good idea to let them cool a little since the filling will be very hot.

Serve 3 per plate and top with Mexican cream, and cheese. and salsa. Enjoy!

“Since I had all girls, it was like an obligation to learn [how to sew]. I never went to school because my father would not let me go because he wanted to teach me just to work. For me, it was an obligation to do my daughters’ dresses because we had no money to pay a designer to make my daughters’ dresses.” Ms. Lopez said.

“Then my husband said, ‘Tear this dress apart and use that fabric to make new ones.’ I got to thinking, ‘Well, if that dress is that size for that particular girl, I can make the other dresses bigger or smaller. But how in the world am I going to make them the same design?’ It was not possible right? So what I did was take measurements of the dresses people brought me or the dress that I wanted to cut, and I made them. And apparently they would turn out well because more ladies came and brought me their own personal dresses to fix, or they would ask me to design their own customized dress. I made skirts, shorts, bags, and napkins. I did many many things with my hands to survive because it was not a life of luxury and comfort.”

Besides her natural skill of sewing, Ms. Lopez used her inherited cooking skills from her mother to help provide for her family. “Flutes, as they say here, I called them golden taquitos,” are one of the most famous food Ms. Lopez made to sell aound the streets. “I grabbed my pechugas chicken and cooked it well, and I made my salsas. My daughters and I put them all into a bucket and bits of paper to sell their taquitos and salsitas to neighboring houses. When they came back,

they only came with a bunch of coins and no flutes,” Ms. Lopez said.

Ms. Lopez did this every single day. She would wake up early in the morning with the ingredients ready to be utilized and began to cook. Her daughters Elda and Estela would go the day before to tell the neighbors, “Tomorrow my mom will be cooking menudo and we wanted to ask if you want to buy a dish or two.” That was the everyday routine of the family.

“I did whatever I had to do to keep my children; I did not let them starve. And right now, Menudo Rojo. Photo by: Juan Calderon thanks to God, I am old and I have nothing to do, because they won’t 3. Place pig feet and tripe in the Menudo Rojo give me any work to do here-- just Chile Sauce: 4. pot, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours. Periodically skim off because I’m older,” Mr. Lopez said • 5 dried ancho chiles, seeds and fat with a spoon stem removed with smile on her face.

5. Drain water, reduce heat, and • 5 dried guajillo chiles, seeds and

“It was a very sad life pour in a fresh 2 gallons of stem removed because there was no work at the water. Continue to simmer for • 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped time. You were left to fend for 2 hours • 6 garlic cloves 6. Drain pour remaining 2 galyourself. You had to find ways to • Few sprigs of fresh oregano lons water into the pot with keep your family alive and provide • Olive oil, for drizzling pig feet and tripe, bring to a • Reserved water from soaked them a better future,” Mr. Lopez boil. chiles said.

7. Stir in garlic and white onion.

Procedure:

Today, Ms. Lopez is living Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper. Reduce in a small retirement home with 1. Rinse pig feet and tripe in heat, and simmer 1 hour. cold water little amounts to pay and enjoying 8. Arrange the de arbol chile 2.

In a large stock pot, bring 2 life to her capability. She continues peppers on a baking sheet, gallons water to a boil to do small work to and broil about 2 minutes, just keep her going. until they begin to scorch.

“Lo que 9. Remove from heat, slit lengthMs. Lopez “Though it was a wise, and remove seeds. still sells sad life, I appreciyo quisiera es 10. In a blender or food procesfood, like ate it every day I sor, blend the de arbol chile hacer un trabajo tamales, live. Because if peppers and japones chile to sell peppers until very fine.

I hadn’t lived mejor para que me 11. Mix the hominy and remainand through all that, ing ingredients into the pot. pagaran mejor o de tener I would have gain Continue cooking 1 hour. indenever apprecimás formas para salir 12. Serve with remaining onion, penated all thes woncilantro, and lime juice. adelante con mi dency. derful commodi ties I have today.” familia.”

tasteful | 33

How To Make Tamales

by Anna Martinez Tamale Filling Ingredients:

Tamale Dough Ingredients: 2 cups of Masa Harina 1 can of Beef Broth 1tsp of Baking Power 1/2 tsp of Salt 2/3 cups of Lard 1 Package of Corn Tusks 1 cup of Sour Cream

1 1/4 pounds pork loin 1 large onion, halved 1 clove garlic 4 dried California chile pods 2 cups water 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Step One:

Step Two:

Place the dried cornhusks in a pan or dish and cover with hot water, allowing husks to soak until soft (thin, pliable husks require less soaking time than tough, brittle ones). Softening cornhusks can take up to 30 minutes.

With an electric mixer, beat the lard or shortening until light and fluffy. Beat in the dry ingredients and liquid as directed in the recipe.

The finished dough should resemble a thick, creamy paste that is easy to work with.

Step Three Cont. of the long sides of the husk.

• Spread about 1 tablespoon desired filling lengthwise down the center of the dough on each husk.

34 | tasteful

Step Three: • Remove the husks from the water, drain in a colander, and pat dry.

• Top each husk with 2 tablespoons of the masa dough, spreading dough into a rectangle that runs close to

Step Four: For each tamale, fold the long end of the husk so it slightly overlaps the dough. Next, roll the husk around the dough and filling.

Step Five: Tie the ends of each husk with strips of soaked cornhusk or 100-percent-cotton string.

Tying the ends keeps the condensed steam away from the masa (dough) when steaming and keeps the bundles intact.

Step Five Cont.

This gives them the quintessential bundle shape that is so charming.

Step Six Tamales are cooked in a steamer. You can purchase a steamer with a basket or rack inside. Or create your own steamer by using a Dutch oven fitted with a vegetable steamer basket or a metal rack inside.

Step Seven: Pour at least 1-1/2 inches water in the bottom of the steamer or Dutch oven. Place the filled steamer basket over the water.

Bring the water to boiling.

Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Steam the tamales until the dough pulls

Step Six Cont.

Arrange the tamales in a single layer or stand them upright in the steamer basket, filling the space but not packing them tightly.

Step Seven Cont. away from the cornhusks and is spongy and cooked through.

tasteful | 35

naturally

soft

naturally

beautiful