Lexington Line - Spring 2017

THE LEXINGTON LINE lim college | Spring/SUMMER 2017

VERY VERA Flagship Opens in SoHo

Depth Perception

s/s ‘17

Do

AGE GAPS

Matter in Relationships?

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plus

LIM College Royalty: Professor Grailing King Making Moves: LIM’s International Students Best Music of 2017 (so far)

Come Say

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CONTENTS spring 2017

06 08 10 12

Making Moves:

LIM College’s International Students

The Beauty Haul

Nothing But a Number

Fashion Forecast: S/S ‘18

16 18 26 30 33 36 38 42 44 46 54 56

Timeless Hipster:

Professor Grailing King

Fashion Feature: Sixth Sense

Find Yourself

The New Face of Special Effects

The Dark Web

Color Pages:

Kale + Pale Dogwood

Home Sweet SoHo:

Inside Vera Bradley’s Flagship

Silenced:

Mental Health & Hip-Hop

The Vintage Voyageur

Student Style S/S ‘17

Called It:

Music in 2017

Editors’ Picks

ft. Madison Ross, Ashleigh Uzoaru, Keely Schooley-McCormick, + Soukayna Dieng

THE LEXINGTON LINE

staff EDITOR IN CHIEF

MARANDA JANKY

Managing Editor Creative Director Styling Director Web Director Social Media Director Photography Directors

Clarissa Hernandez Pheanny Phen Ashleigh Uzoaru Madison Ross Stephanie Venezia Mikayla Schohl Jessica Feane

Fashion Editor Accessories Editor Beauty Editor Culture Editor at Large Culture Editor News Editor Celebrity Editor

Seth Jubb Madison Roe Keely Schooley-McCormick Tonya Burks Tiffany Fuentes Nicole Jezerski Emma Goodnough

Assistant Social Media Director Assistant Styling Director Assistant Fashion Editor Assistant Accessories Editor Assistant News Editor Designers Digital Content Editor Digital Page Designer Assigning Editor Faculty Advisor Faculty Mentor Art and Sciences Department Chair

Zoli Angelillo Pearl Dorman Ian Grafvonluxburg Nicol Maciejewska Tyler Harris Soukayna Dieng Mickayla Bebem Marina McCarthy Julianna Florian Sabrina Talbert Professor John Deming Dr. Kenneth Kambara Dr. Denice Yanni

Thanks: Harvey Arzu, Jill Bernskoetter, Catherine Calderon, Dr. Daniel Chaskes, Laura Cioffi, Professor Terance Coffee, Christopher Conzen, Professor Andrew Cotto, Professor Michael Creagh, Meredith Finnin, Professor Timothy Foran, Josh Frazier, Ann Marie Gong, Joshua Heller, Professor Jennie Jackson, Bri Kennedy and Boohoo, Melissa Krantz, Pamela Linton, Eric Martin, Mary Beth Maslowski, Gail Nardin, Erikka Olszewski, Kristina Ortiz, Bridget Peters, Olga Raganelli, Travis Stephens, Professor Liz Sweibel, MT Teloki, William Toborowski, The LIM College Bookstore, all LIM College faculty, and all contributors to The Lexington Line.

Special thanks: Michael Londrigan, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Christopher Cyphers, Provost and Executive Vice President; and Elizabeth Marcuse, President of LIM College. The Lexington Line is a registered trademark of LIM College.

#LexLine | @thelexingtonline Cover Model: Genel Robinson wearing Long Tran

TECH IT OUT A letter from The Lexington Line’s Editor in Chief and Managing Editor.

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s we progress through the digital age, technology is becoming our “sixth sense.”

In the fifth issue of The Lexington Line, we explore the infiltration of tech in multiple industries: fashion, beauty, film, and beyond.

Many well-known tech brands are partnering up with fashion moguls to create experiences and collections that merge the two realms. Last year’s Costume Institute exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” was sponsored by none other than tech juggernaut Apple. Unsurprisingly, revolutionary wearable technology like 3D-printed sunglasses and belts debuted on S/S ‘17 Paris Fashion Week runways. Designer Hussein Chalayan partnered up with Intel to fuse hardware into the accessories that project human emotion onto the walls of the catwalk. This issue’s 8-page fashion feature, “Sixth Sense” (pg. 18), highlights mesmerizing shapes and textures evoked by the convergence of fashion and technology.

Advancements in technology, which happen in the blink of an eye, bring unforeseen challenges. In “The Dark Web” (pg. 33), our celebrity editor opens up about her experience with cyber harassment and sheds light on how common and easy it is to be hacked. Additionally, computer generated imagery (CGI) is taking over the film industry and eliminating special effects makeup. Our beauty edi-

tor explores the evolution of movie makeup in “The New Face of Special Effects” (pg. 30).

Reeling it back to the present, our news editors interview people around our campus. In “Timeless Hipster” (pg. 16), visual merchandising Professor Grailing King takes us through his life from professional to professor. On the student-front, four international students who are chasing their dreams in the concrete jungle tell their stories about journeying to New York City. We also feature some of the best dressed around campus in our Student Style spread (pg. 46).

As our team continues to grow, our resources are growing with us. This past January, the college unveiled a brand new photo studio that opened up in Maxwell’s West Wing. The Lex Line staff was able to use the space to shoot photos for articles seen in this issue—Sixth Sense, faculty profile, and our feature on international students.

With another issue closed, we’re looking forward to a hot summer. Whether you’re reading this on paper or screen, we hope you enjoy.

Maranda Janky

Clarissa Hernandez

making moves 6

by Nicole Jezerski

LIM COLLEGE’S INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CHASE THEIR DREAMS IN THE BIG CITY.

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dapting to life in America can be strange.

“Price tags without tax included? How am I supposed to know how much I’m spending?” Jay Wathunyu Pikulsawad exclaims.

Jay, who moved to the U.S. from Thailand five years ago, is one of the many students who has moved from abroad to study at LIM College.

The undergraduate student body is 4 percent international students, while the graduate student body is 34 percent international students, according to Nikisha Williams, Director of Institutional Research.

It comes as no surprise to these students that Americans, and especially New Yorkers, have little to no downtime.

Lavanya Kharbanda, who moved here from India, finds the city to be “undoubtedly fast-paced and overwhelming at times.”

But as with all LIM college students, fashion is in their blood, and they live for opportunities within the industry. And we are in “the fashion hub of the world,” as Lavanya calls it.

“There is so much to inspire you every day,” she says.

When Andjalie Ramdolare moved here from the Netherlands in January 2017, she was so excited to begin her experience in the Big Apple that she committed a few American clichés within her first few hours.

“When the plane was landing, I played the song ‘Empire State of Mind’

by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z to get that New York feeling,” she says. “After that I took a yellow cab to my apartment and had some fried chicken.”

After settling in, the students quickly realized there is no place like New York City or LIM College. The energy, beauty, and opportunities here are worth every second of the cold winters, chaotic subway rides, and crowded streets.

“If I can handle the crazy NYC life, I can probably handle anything,” Andjalie says.

Jay has dreamt of coming to America for years. He admires the freedom to “express [his] feelings through fashion, art, and music.”

LIM emphasizes experiential learning and encourages internships and hands-on involvement with fashion companies. Last spring, Drishtee Gupta com-

pleted her first internship with Nylon as the Product Development Management Intern.

“It was the best internship I’ve ever had,” says Drishtee, who moved here from India in 2014. “I got to manage a design team, bring on new vendors, and develop original Nylon branded products. I cannot think a better way to experience and learn about fashion.”

The college has a variety of clubs and support groups for students studying in America for the first time. One is the Global Students Club, which was created to “promote and represent global awareness on campus” and “foster an inclusive environment.” The group holds lunch mixers each semester to encourage students’ integration into the college community.

“The Global Students Club aims to include both domestic and international students in its programming,” says Thomas Goonan, the club’s president. “We want to provide international students with a safe space to educate others about their culture, and we want domestic students to learn about how diverse our campus is.”

The Writing Center provides another opportunity for students to receive support. Professor Timothy Foran, the assistant director, teaches the college’s Communication for International Students course. He supports his students as a writing teacher and tutor and finds a lot of inspiration in his work.

“Their hard work motivates me to put in my best effort as a teacher and create lesson plans that will truly benefit them,” Professor Foran says.

LIM students treat one another like family, and it’s no secret that the world is going through major changes as a new administration comes into power.

Students from abroad have taken notice.

“I do not want to be interested in politics, but the media gives it so much attention, it is hard to not know what is going on,” Drishtee says. “India’s political system has been corrupt for decades, but I have never seen so much drama as in American politics.”

Through these changes, we are bound to see many lives affected; at LIM College, we are sensitive to women’s rights, the LGBTQ community, and the rights of our international students. Students are becoming more informed and actively learning about the political climate and the effects the Trump Administration will have on the global social economy. Andjalie is “more interested [in American politics] now that Trump wants to make changes that will affect other countries too.”

Luckily, America is still a free country, which is one of the most valued aspects of the culture. Lavanya admires the open-mindedness she has experienced and the opportunity to be “completely independent and responsible.”

This is a major change for most of these students. Studying in New York City offers opportunities for international students to choose their own paths.

“Life in New York feels like I’m in my favorite romantic comedy,” Andjalie says. “The only difference is that I’m living it instead of watching it.”

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the

BEAUTY Shopping for beauty products is hard work, especially when the temperature starts to warm up. Beauty Editor Keely Schooley-McCormick chose ten favorite products that will make the transition from winter to spring a little easier while elevating your look for the new season.

Haul

1 34 5 2 ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS, Modern Renaissance palette. $42, sephora.com.

E.L.F., cosmetic lip exfoliator. $30, elfcosmetics.com.

GARNIER, SkinActive micellar cleansing water. $9, ulta.com.

LANCÔME, Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter in Buff Lights. $30, sephora.com.

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BITE BEAUTY, Amuse Bouche lipstick. $26, sephora.com.

6 MARC JACOBS, Enamored Hi-Shine nail polish in the shade 110 Gatsby. $18, sephora.com.

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VINCE CAMUTO, Amore eau de parfum. $85, ulta.com.

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TARTE, Rainforest of the Sea water foundation. $39, tartecosmetics.com.

10 WET BRUSH. $12, ulta.com.

MARIO BADESCU, facial spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater. $7, ulta.com.

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g n i h not a t u b mbettrer u a m n s p a g do age hips? s in relation

by Clarissa Hernandez 10

I

met my boyfriend, Jimmy, while working at my first retail job when I was 17. He wore a Yankee hat every day, had a huge sneaker collection, and didn’t look much older than me. After weeks of flirting and texting, he took me out to dinner, and I found out that he was 10 years older than me. Thoughts like “Oh my god, people have kids at 27. Don’t they?” and “I can’t do this; I’m about to go to college” immediately ran rampant through my head. I’m so thankful that I didn’t let this initial shock end our relationship because after three years, we’ve already learned so much from each other. Corny, but hear me out.

In 2014, Emory University surveyed 3,000 married and recently divorced couples in an effort to quantify relationship success. In addition to wedding expenses and engagement ring prices, age disparity was an important variable. The study found that a one-year gap makes a couple 3 percent more likely to divorce while a 5-year difference makes a couple 18 percent more likely to split. This figure spikes to a 39 percent marriage failure rate when the age gap is a 10-year difference. Doesn’t sound too great for me, right?

Despite the scientific results of this study, age disparities might not be a huge determining factor in the success of marriages. My grandparents, who also have a 10-year age difference, are still happily married at 79 and 89 years old. Mikayla Schohl, LIM College junior and Lex Line photography director, says that her parents’ relationship inspires her.

“My parents are 13 years apart,” she says. “They have been married for 26 years and going on 27. They are my inspiration for what I want in a relationship, and they both taught me what I deserve and not to accept anything less.”

There are also many cultural and social differences that prove that dating across generations isn’t easy. Rachel Sussman, a marriage therapist and relationship guru, mentions this in an article published by Glamour.

“You can see varied cultural references, disapproval from family and friends, and perhaps community disapproval, as well,” Sussman says in the article. “It might be hard to relate to each other’s peer groups, too.”

This is true; there are numerous instances where I have found the age gap extremely difficult to bear.

Think about it.

I was learning how to ride a bike while my boyfriend was getting his driver’s license. I turned 20 the same year he turned 30, and I am definitely not thinking about kids like his newlywed friends are. But these aren’t things that should scare you from dating someone older. Being the younger one makes you fun to hang out with, and you can actually learn so much from having older friends. According to Mark Vernon, the author of The Meaning of Friendship, older friends can add an im-

“I was learning how to ride a bike while my boyfriend was getting his driver’s license. I turned 20 the same year he turned 30, and I am definitely not thinking about kids like his newlywed friends are.” portant and different viewpoint to conversations.

“Older people not only have the benefit of experience, they’re also less afraid of the opinions of others,” Vernon says in The Daily Mail. “[They] are more likely to say what they think.”

As a 20-year old who has this inherent need to be liked, going out with my boyfriend’s friends makes me realize that you can have fun without being extremely self-conscious. Age disparities in friend groups might also help you lose stupid preconceived notions that you’ve developed about different generations.

There’s an old wives’ tale that tries to establish a formula for age disparity in dating. If you subtract seven from your age and multiply by two, that’s the oldest you can date.

According to this formula, the oldest I can date is 26. But I’m super open minded, so who is going to stop me from dating a 35-year old? This cute unspoken rule might be useful to set your Tinder age range but is definitely not useful when applied to everyday relationships.

Despite science’s efforts and society’s urban myths that attempt to quantify and find patterns in relationships, age is just a number, and all of this will be highly subjective to individual circumstances. There are so many other variables that factor into the success of a relationship: money, education, attractiveness, and just plain ‘ol compatibility.

Just don’t be afraid to fall. Even though she points out cultural differences, Sussman always advises her clients to “cast a wide net.” When most people think of relationships with age gaps, they assume that the men are older. But men shouldn’t be afraid to date older women too, and women can date younger men. Societal norms shouldn’t dictate who you can and cannot fall in love with.

And hey, when you date an older guy, he usually pays for dinner.

These celebs don’t mind the gap ...

Amal + George Clooney 17 years apart

Behati Prinsloo + Adam Levine 10 years apart

Beyonce + Jay Z 12 years apart

Portia de Rossi + Ellen DeGeneres 17 years apart

s/s ‘18 forecast

by Ian Grafvonluxburg

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women’s

Ladies, break out the bikinis, and if you never put yours away to begin with, we salute you! The merging of swimwear and intimate pieces into everyday street style is a trend that we’re all very excited about. Separates are perfect for adding another layer to a look without suffocating under a thick cashmere sweater. This S/S ‘18 season, look out for body suits, bikini tops, and avant-garde drapery walking down the runway for your favorite designers.

This S/S ‘18 season, make sure that if there’s one trend you follow, it’s this one: shine.

And what better way to stay shiny than by wearing silk and satin. Silk and pastels should be the first things to come into your mind when you’re planning your outfits next spring season. If you haven’t gotten a chance to reuse that satin pajama shirt, don’t worry.

Your time to shine is soon to come.

Vivienne Westwood, A/W ‘16 Menswear

Ralph Lauren, S/S ‘17 RTW

DKNY, S/S ‘17 RTW

This S/S ‘18 season is bringing back pastels, and we are here for it! For the A/W seasons, we saw a lot of the reintegration of varied fabrics in collections such as velvet, suede, and fur. S/S ‘18 is going to follow the same trend but with much lighter fabrics.

Tulle, chiffon, and silk are the go-to textiles for this season, and we’re predicting that they will make their way to all the runway shows. It’s going to be all about the pastels this season, and it’s a perfect color palette for our S/S ’18 It Trend for women.

S/S ‘18 will also include a wider variety of trends, extending to ideas such as swimwear and intimates in streetwear, as well as the use of fabrics in garments in nontraditional ways.

The biggest trend this S/S ‘18 season, and our It Trend for women, is actually as simple as one simple fabric: Tulle. All the events that have transpired in the past months point in the direction of a major trend for S/S18. Beyoncé announced her pregnancy with Knowles-Carter twins wearing a pastel green tulle veil. Then M.I.A. dropped a video for her new single “P.O.W.A.” wearing a lavender veil. And lastly, at the 2017 Grammy Awards, J-Lo wore a lavender Ralph and Russo couture dress, draped in all tulle. Point of the story, go out and get yourself some tulle!

MAN, A/W ‘17 Menswear

Seems like everyone is going nude for the fall. Nude color palettes, that is. A mixture of beiges and earth tones walked down the runways last season, so we can expect a similar color scheme for this upcoming spring season. Maybe the collections will incorporate shine and luster into their earth tones; the possibilities are endless.

Matthew Miller, A/W ‘17 Menswear

Last fall, over-sized everything was a trend, especially knitted sweaters. Ranging in size and dimension, every major name included knitted garments that were a couple of sizes too big. For spring, we can expect the same trend but covered in pastel and vibrant colors as well as in a myriad of different prints.

Maybe it’s a fashion PSA about wearing your seatbelt while driving, or maybe not, but straps, buckles, and clips are going to be all the rage next spring season. Spring might also bring in a large amount of leather strapping and embellishments to the runways for a warmer look.

men’s

Rick Owens

Sibling, A/W ‘17 Menswear

Don’t worry gentlemen, we didn’t give away all the good trends for S/S ‘18. The men’s runway for next season is going to see a variety of different and new trends that are going to keep you entertained for quite a while. One of the biggest trends for S/S ‘18 in menswear will actually be borrowed from the girls; monotones, earth tones, and heavy fabrics will creep their way into the collections of of all the spring fashion weeks. Trends that were seen in the A/W collections will be repeated and restyled for spring, giving us all a chance to get in some trendy last-minute looks.

And lastly, we have our S/S ‘18 It Trend for the season. Menswear in womenswear is something that has been around for quite some time, but womenswear picked up by the boys is something that only recently emerged.

For this It Trend, we’re predicting that oversized panel glasses will be the goto accessory for the boys next spring season. The first trendsetter to pick it up was none other than Mrs. Kim Kardashian West, who wore shades like the Celine 41075 Orange Mirror Mask Sunglasses and the Rick Owens Silver Mirrored Mask Shades. Nicki Minaj recently wore a pair of Alexander McQueen silver panel sunglasses on the set of a video shoot. Sooner or later, there will be one boy in the industry who picks up a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones worn by these fashion icons. But before that happens, go out and get yourself a pair!

All photos courtesy of InDigital

ll e g e ’s J o in L IM C o

Philanthropy Club

OUR PURPOSE

- To promote the welfare of others and give back to the community - To assist non-profit organizations in their pursuit to help those in need - To further bring generosity and responsibility into the fashion industry

WHAT WE DO

Volunteer with nonprofit organizations including the American Cancer Society, Mercado Global, New York Cares, and NY Foundling. As we continue to work with various non-profits, we learn about various ways to give back.

MEETING TIMES Mondays, 1:15pm-2:15pm Maxwell Hall, 8th Floor, Room 4582

HOW TO JOIN

You can join anytime throughout the semester. Feel free to send us an e-mail and stop by one of our meetings. Join our e-mail list by contacting Madison Ross (Madison.Ross@limcollege.edu).

Let’s be friends!

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timeless hipster:

Professor Grailing King

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by Tyler Harris Photo by Mikayla Schohl

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rofessor Grailing King, who has always carried a journal and pen wherever he goes, has been interested in fashion and design since he was a child.

“I remember trying to sketch at eight years old,” he says. “After I graduated college, I was designing and putting on fashion shows with my sister. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a part of the industry.”

Professor King originally went to Illinois State and received his BS in Communications with a minor in PR. “I initially saw myself working in advertising. Coming from a small town in Illinois, Danville, it was the practical thing to do,” he recalls.

After a couple of years, he moved to Los Angeles and worked for the Herald Examiner newspaper.

“I did that for a year and realized I couldn’t do this the rest of my life. So I quit my job and went back to school,” he says.

He attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and received a certificate degree in fashion design. After graduating, he was hired as a production assistant for a women’s sportswear company called Active Ingredient. He was promoted to production manager after three years. He soon became the design director for a unisex line called Bolsa.

Eventually, he made his way to New York City.

“I began working in the visual merchandising department at Macy’s Herald Square,” he says.

“After 11 years at Macy’s, I became a visual co-director for Victoria’s Secret, and then worked for Bergdorf Goodman in the visual merchandising department.”

Professor King’s experience also includes designing a line of menswear for New York designer B Michael for a season.

“It was great to see my designs going down the catwalk during fashion week,” he recalls. Although he doesn’t design clothes for the runway anymore, he likes to walk it himself.

Every spring, students cheer on Professor King as he struts his stuff for the annual LIM fashion show.

“I enjoy walking in the show because it feels natural to me,” he says. “Maybe I’m just channeling my alter ego.”

No one would disagree that Professor King is the most stylish person on campus. Describing it as “Timeless Hipster,” Professor King says that his style has evolved over time.

“The more comfortable and confident I became with myself, the more it developed,” he says.

Professor King has been rocking skinny jeans since the 80’s well before they became popular. He also loves a great pair of shoes.

“For me, great men’s shoes are really hard to find unless you pay an exorbitant amount of money,” he explains. “I still wear several pairs of my shoes that are close to 20 years old.”

Fourteen years ago, after his extensive experience in the industry, Professor King decided it was time for a change. He became a teacher.

“When you’re young, the long hours, floor sets, and overnighters are fine; however, when you’re married with three boys at home, it’s hard, and it was time to reassess and prioritize,” he explains. “A friend suggested that I teach. An opportunity presented itself, and I went for it.”

His first teaching job was at Katharine Gibbs College in New York City. He started as an adjunct, absolutely loved it, and continued teaching there for six years. While teaching full time at Katharine Gibbs, he was an adjunct at LIM. Eventually, he was hired full time at LIM, where he continues to teach a variety of courses in the Visual Merchandising department.

“I teach Introduction to Visual Merchandising and History, Theory and Practice of Visual Merchandising,” he says. “I also coteach the Cross Cultural Analysis during the winter and summer sessions, and participate in field trips during the high school program.”

For more than just his style, though, Professor King is beloved by his colleagues and his students.

“I have had the pleasure to know and work with Professor King for the past 10 years,” says Professor Marjorie Lee Woo. “He is very dedicated in his role as an educator.

His kindness and patience coupled with his talent and passion in the Visual Merchandising world make it easy for his students to learn and be inspired by him.”

Professor King’s former student Tatiana Schermick, class of 2019, had him for Introduction to Visual Merchandising her freshman year at LIM. She says, “Professor King is one of my favorite professors that I have ever had at LIM College. He always pushes his students to think outside of the box, and the love and passion he has for his career inspired me every day. He is a very understanding, creative, and hands-on professor. I would recommend that everyone takes one of his classes at some point just to see how great he is.”

Professors and students alike agree he is an inspiration and a great asset to the college as well as to them. This is perhaps in no small part because he loves his work, the importance of which is a central lesson he likes to impart to students.

“Make sure what you’re doing is your heart; it’s your passion. You need to love it, or it will be very hard and frustrating for you,” he says. “Whatever you decide to do in life, you must make sure it’s your passion and that you’re having fun.”

“I enjoy walking in the show because it feels natural to me...

Maybe I’m just channeling my alter ego.”

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Model: Catherine Goba 5:31 JÉRÔME, long sleeve cream mesh dress & rose gold mesh tank dress. S/H KOH, earring.

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Fashion Seth Jubb Ian Grafvonluxburg Styling Ashleigh Uzoaru Pearl Dorman Photography Jessica Feane Mikayla Schohl Hair Megan Hartman Lacey Gress Makeup + Nails Suhanee Patel Chelsea Marino

Sixth Sense In a time when fashion looks to the past for inspiration, we’re setting our eyes on what’s coming next. This exploratory feature full of soft hues, cutting edge silhouettes, and structural textiles is inspired by the developing trend of technological innovation in fashion. Pliable materials, cocooning shapes, and netted knit garments are all becoming components of our “Sixth Sense.”

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OPPOSITE PAGE + THIS PAGE: Model: Natalie Merkert ZEYI STUDIO, dress & top. SLIGHT; S/H KOH, rings. JENNIE LINKS, earrings.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: From left to right: Model: Catherine Goba; Genel Robinson. 5:31 JÉRÔME, tops. JENNIE LINKS, earrings. MODEL’S OWN, bracelet.

THIS PAGE: Model: Gena Wilen. 5:31 JÉRÔME, top.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Model: Genel Robinson. LONG TRAN, suit.

THIS PAGE: From left to right: LONG TRAN, blazer & shirts.

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FIND YOURSELF Freshmen in LIM College’s fall 2016 Writing Essentials classes entered a short essay contest in which they explored what it means to find the real “you” in the city and the world. Here are the winners.

Stepping Out of the Box

by Maeve Duke

FALL 2016 CONTEST WINNER

I

was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, specifically Fells Point, a small neighborhood on the waterfront. In this environment, family was very important, but not to the point where you felt suffocated.

My brothers and I were granted a lot of independence.

Even though I embrace my independence, I suffer from a serious anxiety disorder. When I tell people that I have anxiety, they are usually shocked because I hide it very well. I like to call myself an outgoing introvert; I am able to put myself out there, but I’d rather not. Because of my anxiety, I have always tried to find the easiest way to succeed.

In all aspects of my life, I tend to do the bare minimum, whether it is creating friends, experiencing new things, or setting goals. So moving away to college was a major step. As Frank Bruni wrote in The New York Times, “college is the perfect chapter for diversifying friends and influences, rummaging around in fresh perspectives, bridging divides.” When I arrived in New York City, I decided I needed to push myself and expand my horizons by doing things I never thought I would do; three ideas I had were taking up boxing, studying abroad, and joining clubs at LIM. I haven’t started boxing yet, but I think it will expand me in several ways. It is an intense sport that involves serious commitment. My exercise routine is light, mostly consisting of walking and a yoga class here and there. When I start boxing, I will need a couple of trips to the gym under my belt. I plan on building my way up so I am fit enough to compete with others in the ring. Once I find the right gym, one that isn’t filled with intimidating men, I can start improving both physically and mentally. This will increase my confidence. It will be hard, but I know the end result will be worth it. I will be strong and healthy and will have an outlet for when stress and anxiety arise. The most important part is that I will be pushing myself to do something that makes me uncomfortable because, in the end, I will grow from the experience.

Studying abroad will also help me grow.

Traveling has always been a desire of mine. Fortunately,

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I have been able to go to London, Paris, and Italy during family vacations. While I was there, I was excited by the new culture but felt out of my comfort zone. Being in this new environment—not knowing anyone—made me pull back deeper into my shell. I know that going abroad makes me uncomfortable, and that is why I need to do it. To ensure that I don’t have a mental breakdown abroad, which might happen without the safety net of my family, I need to do some research. LIM offers many study abroad programs. I will narrow it down to English speaking countries to make the trip less anxiety-inducing. Of those programs, I can take a short-term or full semester. The short-term program seems like the best place to start to push myself, but not so far that I fall off the edge. Studying abroad will provide me with new experiences and help me grow as a person.

Boxing and studying abroad are just ideas at this point, but I have actively started expanding my horizons by joining student-led clubs at LIM. Networking is an important aspect of LIM, and joining clubs is a great first step. Even though I know the importance of networking, I find myself wanting to avoid it. But I was encouraged by everyone to join a club, so I joined the Student Life Activities Board (SLAB). When there are events, I make sure I am present and participating with others. So far, I have volunteered at the LIM Drag Show and participated in a food discovery trip

My Awakening

by Haley Clement

FALL 2016 CONTEST RUNNER-UP

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to Los Tacos. The show was a big step for me because I went alone and put myself in an uncomfortable position, but it was worth it. At the Drag Show and food discovery trip, I met some amazing people and enjoyed new experiences. I’m really glad I joined SLAB because I have been exposed to a diverse group of people, and it helped me realize that putting myself out there isn’t as intimidating as I thought. I will continue to participate in SLAB activities and maybe even join more clubs now that I know what to expect.

Bruni also writes, “We live in a country of sharpening divisions, pronounced tribalism, corrosive polarization. And I wish we would nudge kids—no, I wish we would push them—to use college as an exception and a retort to that, as a pre-emptive strike against it, as a staging ground for behaving and living in a different, broader, healthier way.” Boxing, studying abroad, and joining clubs will be the start of my progress. College is the best place for someone to explore their options. It is here, in college, that we can set the adventurous course for the rest of our lives.

I am entering a new place with new people; I can be whoever I want to be. By pushing myself, I become a little bit closer to figuring out who I am and what I like. This kind of knowledge broadens my views and outlook on others. Stepping out of the box is just the first stage of creating a better me.

elevision journalist and businesswoman Deborah Norville once said, “I think for anyone who is going through a crisis, there comes a turning point, an epiphany, that marks the beginning of the end.” Before I came to LIM College, I wasn’t quite sure who I was, who my real friends were, or what I wanted to do. The most challenging thing for me was accepting change and opening up to people who were willing to guide me. I had a bad habit of forming a shell around myself. I thought everyone and everything was out to get me.

This habit started to create a dark and sad person. I started to shut people out and bottle everything up until I just wanted to burst into tears and scream as loud as I possibly could. I believe the energy of the negative people around me played a role in that, but I also believe that it was time for me to move on. I knew I had grown out of some of the friend groups I was a part of in high school and the social pressures of my town, but I just was petrified of change and wasn’t sure how it would work out for me. It made me look at my life in a dark way and made me feel that I had no way out.

Once I got to school at LIM College and saw my family leave with tears in their eyes, I started to panic. I was good at being in high school with a small town and a super close family, and now I was stuck in a huge city and living with entirely new people. As the days moved on, I started to learn to lean on my roommate and best friend, Dakota. She started to guide me out of my dark cave and learn how to open up and trust the people who genuinely care about me.

Without Dakota, I’m not entirely sure if I would be the same person I am, but it wasn’t until I was on my own that I had an awakening. I enjoyed the city because I found it comforting that I was such a small speck in a sea of people and that even if there are millions of people around, you can still be alone.

I was walking to the train after my last class one day mid-semester. It was pouring rain, and of course, I had forgotten my umbrella. I decided to just plug my headphones in and open the door and just go for it. While every other New Yorker around me looked miserable, walking faster than usual and freezing cold, I couldn’t make myself stop smiling. I hadn’t smiled like that in so long, I thought. I looked at all the lights around me and feeling rain drip down my hair.

After smiling for almost the entire walk, I just paused.

I realized I finally made it to where I belonged. I was a real New Yorker. I had found my light by way of the opportunities the city provided me, the friendships, the adventures, the food, the rain. From now on I know not to limit myself and to surround myself with my family, with positive people that will love me and be here no matter what. I also know that it’s okay to be open and let people help you. I will no longer deny change because sometimes it has to happen to lead you to who you really are. Sometimes it may even bring you home. For me, walking down the streets of New York City is home, where I can be myself and have the whole world at my fingertips.

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Happiness

by Analysse Staudt

E

FALL 2016 CONTEST SECOND RUNNER-UP

veryone has a past, and sometimes their decisions cause the feeling of regret or guilt. There have been times in the where I have blamed myself for certain situations and ended up being just an unhappy person. Happiness is such a vague concept; sometimes it seems like it comes from within, and sometimes it seems like you have to go out and find it. For me, the experience of changing school districts helped me build confidence and realize that happiness is about loving yourself, doing what you enjoy, surrounding yourself with positive energy, and letting go of all the burden.

From a very young age, I struggled with my appearance and my persona. Kids my age would make fun of the way I dressed and the fact that I was overweight. Being made fun of is not pleasant, and you cannot change the way your peers look at you. I was not the popular girl; I was my own person, and I always tried to look past the negative comments. As Marcus Aurelius states in “Meditations, Book Four,” “Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years.”

In other words, instead of waiting for something to happen, you should make it happen. Once I entered high school, it got semi-worse. For example, if I dressed a certain way with heels or with a skirt, I would get called names and girls would talk about me right as I entered the room. At that time, I was naïve and oversensitive—and I let them step all over me.

Over the course of middle and high school, I was known as the “sweet girl,” but no one knew what I was going through on the inside. There is always that one group of people who constantly judge, and unfortunately, their words got the best of me. I stopped eating and started exercising multiple times a day. I was obsessed, but moreover, I was insecure. I cared about the way my peers thought of me rather than my health and what I was doing to my body. Overtime, I got sick, not just physically, but mentally. I became this quiet, sad person that did not want to be involved in anything. I quit cheerleading and no longer auditioned for plays. The transition from sophomore to junior year was rough because I was not happy. The word happiness was not in my vocabulary.

In the middle of my junior year, everything changed.

I decided it was time to move on from my past and make a new, brighter future for myself. After the New Year, I transferred schools, and it was the best decision I could have made.

I reconnected with all my elementary school friends, made new ones, and joined the cheerleading team there. Therapy did not help me; I helped myself. Marcus Aurelius states, “What is evil in you does not subsist in the ruling principle of another; nor in any part or transformation of your physical body,” which means that you have control over your own mind and your ability to form opinions. I started eating healthier, working out again (the right way), standing my ground, surrounding myself with only positive people, and trying to love myself.

The journey to self-love and happiness is hard, and a lot of people struggle with this. However, we should all learn to avoid letting the words of others define our worth and who we are. The key in life is to be happy and to love; without those two, there is nothing. Sometimes, change is a good 28 thing, because you are going out of your comfort zone and seeing what’s out there.

Cos metics C lub Jo i n t he co nver s at io n t h at i s i nt ro duc i ng beau ty to LI M Co lle g e

The Cosmetics Club welcomes all students who are interested in learning from industry professionals and uncovering insights that will illuminate and inspire

jOIN TODAy T h e C o s m e t i c s C l u b m e e t s e v e r y M o n d a y a t M a x w e ll H all d u rin g t h e l u n c h h o u r f ro m 1 : 1 5 p m t o 2 : 1 5 p m in room 4 5 L1

F o r m o re i n f o r m a t i o n , p le as e con t act : J a n e t Ov a lle P re s i d e n t a n d F o u n d e r o f t h e C o s me t ics C29lu b J a n e t . Ov a l l e @ l imco lle g e .e d u

The New face of Special Effects

by Keely Schooley-McCormick

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W

hen we think of the type of individual who wears makeup, many of us think of an everyday person who either wants to enhance their appearance or just likes to experiment with how they look. But to the folks in the film industry, makeup and special effects can easily make or break a movie.

Most of the world’s favorite movies would not be remotely as popular if it weren’t for makeup artists transforming normal looking actors into something spectacular. Harry would never have had his scar; we never would have believed that Frodo and Sam were actually hobbits; Jim Carrey wouldn’t be the Grinch; and the 14-year old girl who played Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist wouldn’t have made a single viewer experience nightmares.

While we may give the credit to actors for making our favorite characters so convincing, nothing would be the same without the hours of hard work makeup artists put in everyday on set. Makeup artists show up to the filming location hours before any filming is ever done.

To put into perspective the amount of time it can take a makeup artist to work their magic, on average, it takes about an hour and a half to create a zombie from AMC’s famous show The Walking Dead. On any given day, the show can have up to 70 people transformed into zombies. With that being said, The Walking Dead was certainly not the first horror production to employ special effects makeup. Many films before it relied on makeup in order to be successful at the box office—for example, Dracula, Dawn of the Dead, It, and so on. While these movies are wildly popular and have all helped to shape the special effects game, nothing stacks up to The Exorcist.

The Exorcist is not only one of the most profitable horror movies to date, but it was also a turning point for special effects makeup in film. Dick Smith, who is known as the man who changed the face of film, came up with brand new ways to scare and shock viewers all over the world.

In The Exorcist, Smith made 44-year old Max von Sydow appear to be 70 years old, and he made it so convincing that people today still find it hard to believe the actor was actually so young. Smith also figured out how to transform an innocent 14-year old girl into something demonic. In fact, he did his job so well that thousands of viewers actually fainted because it was so believable and unlike any other movie that had come out before.

Despite special effects makeup being very convincing, advances in technol-

ogy, and more specifically, high definition cameras, have made a makeup artist’s job even tougher. Florence Carter, who was in charge of the special effects for movies such as Spartacus, The Da Vinci Code, and The Woman in Black says, “special effects have had to improve with the unforgiving Hi-Def cameras.” She says that along with the improvement of camera quality, standards for silicone gels and prosthetics have also developed greatly.

Camera quality isn’t the only thing to update with the growth of technology; CGI (computer-generated imagery) now plays a huge role in all of our favorite blockbuster films.

Although CGI is often used to develop an actor’s unearthly appearance, it is also swiftly taking over many makeup artists’ jobs in general. Within the past few years, many talented artists have found themselves without jobs because CGI is a cheaper alternative that only takes a few taps on a keyboard. In fact, from 2003 to 2013, 21 special effects companies either closed or filed for bankruptcy. In an article in The Quartz, Jose Fernandez, the lead artist at Ironhead Studios, who has created costumes for all of our favorite superheroes, says that studios would love to get rid of special effects altogether.

In fact, many actors are taking a stand in order to keep special effects makeup prevalent in the film industry. Fernandez states that he recently spoke with an A-list actress who refused to film in an electrode-covered suit, which needs to be worn in order to put the CGI into effect. Instead, she insisted on a real costume, which many actors believe feels more genuine when playing a role.

Even some directors are starting to push back against the technology. When filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams insisted on going back to the original trilogy’s roots by shooting as much in-camera as possible. To do this, Abrams built extravagant sets and utilized makeup as much as possible, only using CGI where absolutely necessary.

In the end, there are pros and cons to the two methods, but in reality, most movies utilize both CGI and special effects makeup, blending the two. When an actor wears a prosthetic, it is very common for their makeup to be enhanced with CGI to give a more realistic appearance.

Many in the industry believe that eventually, special effects makeup will be gone, and films will go fully digital.

Even if this is true, it won’t happen for a while. Some may classify special effects as a dying practice, but it’s pretty safe to say that they make for one of the most extravagant and beautiful art forms there is.

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THE

K R DA B E W by Emma Goodnough Photo by Jessica Feane

I

magine you receive a break-up text. Picture that feeling you get when your heart and stomach drop. Now make that feeling ten times worse, sustained over several months.

The day it all started was one I will never forget.

I can recall my emotions, my anxiety. The exact sequence of events is mostly a blur. The panic fogged all judgment and decision-making that day, almost like a blackout.

I starting receiving frenzied texts, phone calls, Facebook messages, Instagram direct messages, and e-mails. They came from friends, co-workers, and girls I barely knew.

“Hey, I just received this from this account, not sure you know them and neither do I, just wanted to let you know he is sending this around,” one friend e-mailed.

Attached was the photo. Someone had hacked me and released a very personal photo to nearly all of my contacts.

After months of being harassed via Instagram, Linkedin, and Facebook, I thought it was time for my voice to be heard. I needed to do my part to help prevent others from experiencing what I had just experienced.

A Pew Research study found that women between the ages of 18 and 24 bear the brunt of online sex-

ual harassment. The only way to fight these types of cases is to request the website remove any of your personal content and to hope they comply. But this does nothing to discourage those who initially supplied the website with the content.

Technology and the law have yet to catch up with each other. These things happen incredibly often, but no one ever hears about it—in part, because it is humiliating and hard to talk about. The victims are forced to adapt to this uncomfortable feeling. To live alongside it.

21-year old Katherine (real name redacted) shared personal, adult content with and only for her former boyfriend. He lived in California while she was living in Florida. Katherine was in the middle of a long distance relationship and wanted to have some fun with her boyfriend. It turned into a nightmare.

“It was the most helpless I’ve ever felt,” she says.

She tries not to look back on each detail, but basically what happened was a stranger behind a computer hacked into her computer files and found a video he wanted. A video he suddenly had 99 percent of the control over. He made her video go viral and made it look like she had intentionally posted it herself. While

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people were sending these videos behind her back, the hacker was contacting her other friends and harassing them, too.

No one knew what was really going on. This random person on the internet, whose IP address was tracked to Sweden, was posting her video on adult websites. Every time she found a video of herself, she requested it be taken down. He would find ways to contact her and would say things like, “if you take it down one more time, I will post it on three more sites.”

These words haunt her to this day. She knew there was no way she could win, and she eventually accepted that she had to adapt.

“He eventually stopped trying to get in contact with me and found someone else to harass,” Katherine says.

To this day, she doesn’t know who her perpetrator was; he hid behind an online I.D., hacked her email, and basically found any way to corrupt her privacy.

“He would post everything he hacked on this site, then boast about himself and tear the girls apart, making awful comments about their bodies,” she says. “People would also request girls for him to hack; it was awful.”

I shared some of my similar experiences with her: how my perpetrator tried multiple ways to contact me, that I never responded to any attempt he made and immediately blocked the connection. I told her, and she agreed that there was nothing you could say to change their minds; if anything, you would make it worse.

“I contacted lawyers and the websites. These sites were run overseas, so our laws had no meaning,” Katherine recalls. “We had no power whatsoever; my only option became to sit back and let it run its course, which meant being publicly humiliated for years. It still gets brought up to this day, but I’ve tried my best to put it in the past.”

Putting it in the past was hard for me, too. At one point, I came across an article in The New Yorker about these kinds of cases, and I immediately ripped it out and kept it.

I read it over and over: how a lawyer in Brooklyn named Carrie Goldberg finds ways around the law to make this an illegal act.

“Several websites are dedicated to exactly this purpose, some of them owned and operated by services that charge exorbitant fees to remove the images,” Goldberg said in an interview with her alma mater, Vassar.

I was able to meet with one of her senior associates, Lindsay Lieberman.

Lieberman graduated from Rutgers and Brooklyn Law in 2011 and originally took on cases for the Special Victims Unit in the District Attorney Office, along with cases of child abuse and rape. Lieberman has been working at Carrie’s private law firm since last summer. We discussed what predicts if they can help the victim and take on the case.

Lieberman and Goldberg are confident in their ability to dig up information.

“We always think first, if we can actually help them with the story they give us,” she says. “We don’t worry about not having enough evidence because we can dig for that ourselves.”

I addressed the issue of the victims feeling humiliated and how these cases may be hard to share in a courtroom full of strangers.

“If there is something they do not want to share, they are not forced to,” Lieberman says.

I’m not the type of person that could just live with this. Social media is my life and two of my part-time jobs.

I never contacted my perpetrator when he started making threats; I just took screenshots of everything, saved them, and blocked him. He tried contacting me through four different names; each name and photo was fake and different.

He also tried contacting me on multiple social media platforms; he found my accounts and made exact copies of them. He copied my pictures and bio and made fake profiles of me, pretending to be me and harassing my contacts. I immediately took this to the police.

After he found my LinkedIn profile, he did everything in his power to destroy any reputation I had left. He contacted past employers, current employers, and more.

Basically, he tried to corrupt anyone important in my life.

He sent inappropriate messages and photos of me while also pretending to be other people.

He eventually stopped harassing me, and my friends and I tracked down the IP address. The server was located in Cairo, Egypt. After I met with detectives downtown, we finally figured out that there wasn’t much to be done.

For that reason, I decided to share my story in order to bring more awareness to this issue and be a voice to those who are also being targeted and who may feel silenced as a result.

If you ever feel unsafe sharing personal information, law firms like Goldberg’s protect your privacy, especially when it’s already been disrupted.

It also helps to talk to other victims. I remember being on the phone with Katherine for hours; it helped ease my mind to know that I wasn’t alone. I have learned it is imperative to share your stories with someone you can trust.

Fears of the cyber bullying escalating to worse threats, to worse trauma, and feeling less and less like you have a voice that matters.

It happens much more than you think.

For help, there are hotlines available if you or a friend is in danger of sexual harassment: National RAINN Help Hotline: 877-995-5247 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1 (800) 786-2929 New York Victims Assistance (315) 782-1855

Writing Center • Writing Tutoring • CAD Tutoring • The Lexington Line

To make an appointment, go to limcollege.mywconline.com NOW OFFERING ONLINE TUTORING

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From left to right: NEW BALANCE, Mash-Up sneaker. $110, revolve.com. ISABEL MARANT, Eydie high waist suede trousers. $1,710, modaoperandi.com.

ORIGINS, RitualiTea™ Matcha Madness™ revitalizing powder face mask with matcha & green tea. $36, sephora.com. BRANDON MAXWELL, heavy georgette and satin piped bodice dress. $3,895, modaoperandi.com. MICHELE, ‘Cape’ topaz dial silicone strap watch, 34mm. $345, nordstrom.com. SMASHBOX, photo finish color correcting foundation primer. $39, sephora.com. YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE, kale + spinach + green tea age prevention cleanser. $36, sephora.com. SELF PORTRAIT, lace-paneled mini skirt. $375, modaoperandi.com. M MISSONI, textured crossbody bag. $222, revolve.com. Runway Look: Rick Owens S/S ‘17 Menswear, indigital.com.

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kal e

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From left to right: LUISA BECCARIA, linen embroidered pants. $1,410, modaoperandi.com. HERBIVORE, Pink Clay gentle cleanse clay soap bar. $12, sephora.com. AMO, vintage vintage stretch denim jacket. $350, modaoperandi.com. ALICE + OLIVIA, Layla platform. $350, revolve.com. KENDRA SCOTT, Alex drop earrings. $55, nordstrom.com. URBAN DECAY, color correcting fluid. $28, macys.com. PHASE 3, ‘City’ backpack. $79, nordstrom.com.

SANDRA MANSOUR, Sirène beaded midi dress. $1,430, modaoperandi.com. BEAUTYBLENDER, beautyblender® bubble. $20, sephora.com. Runway Look: Marchesa S/S ‘17 Ready-to-Wear, indigital.com.

CO LO R PAG E S //

pa le dogwo od

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HOME SWEET SOHO: INSIDE VERA BRADLEY’S FLAGSHIP

by Madison Roe

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era Bradley, the iconic, pioneering fashion brand, has officially opened its first-ever New York City store. Right in the heart of SoHo, the historical, two-story, 5,700-square-foot space brings life to the brand’s rich heritage and still showcases its new collection through a fresh, modern lens. The store features a wide selection of innovative and colorful handbags, luggage, accessories, and—get this—a specialty New York City-inspired collection only available at this location. The atmosphere feeds the customers with excitement, vibrancy, and contemporary flare. Catherine Calderon, who once attended LIM College, is the store’s co-director.

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Where is the store located and why did Vera Bradley pick this location?

The store is located at 411 West Broadway and was strategically chosen in SoHo in order to reflect the warm and welcoming vibe of the neighborhood, with the spirit of SoHo and New York’s art community woven throughout the retail environment.

SoHo, being the archetype of our rebrand, the collision of traditionalism, classic, and modernity that always pays homage to beauty, was chosen in order to create an environment which visually speaks to the brand with which we are evolving.

Can you describe what you do for Vera Bradley?

I am the co-director of the flagship. Every manager’s priority is to drive sales. I spend a lot of the time on the sales floor managing the team and selling interactions with the clients. Recruiting and hiring is also a priority in my role. Lately, I have been doing a lot of outreach and event planning for the store. So I do a little bit of everything!

What makes you enjoy your job and want to work for Vera Bradley?

I love the location of the store, client interactions, and neighborhood dogs! Working in the most fashion-forward neighborhood is so inspirational. We get a mixture of local clients, domestic tourists, and international tourists, giving me a chance to interact with so many people from all over.

I find Vera Bradley to be feminine and not afraid of color.

As co-director of the new flagship store, can you tell us your goals, the changes you’ve made and some challenges you have faced?

My goal is to put our flagship on the map and [make it] the go-to store for fashionistas who want a fun shopping experience.

The biggest challenge I had was recruiting a team of 20 before the store opened.

This is the first store in Manhattan and the first to showcase the new Vera Bradley.

We have a cleaner and more sophisticated look, from our fixtures to our walls. We want to showcase the patterns and colors in our product.

Our store has many intricate designs and architectural innovations that

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were strategically created to create an ambiance that is reflective of who we were, who we are, and where we are going. The building is one of SoHo’s 500 cast iron historical buildings that has remained since the colonial times, and it still holds many historical architectural elements.

Holding true to our culture, we have elements of retired patterns scattered in the most unlikely places, such as bordering our stairs and on the cotton-quilted animal heads you see upon entering the store. I have to say, the most inspiring piece, for myself, is the true homage to our founder—our ping-pong table. Yes, Vera Bradley’s signature products were founded on an actual ping-pong table in Barbara Bradley’s garage with $500 and two ladies who had an eye for merging beauty and function. The ping-pong table represents where we came from and how we became who we are. Sure, we have grown and gained a lot in the years since 1982, but at Vera, we always remember where we came from in the most humble and inviting manner.

What is the experience you want your customer to get from visiting the store?

Here at Vera Bradley, we aim to make our clients feel warm and welcomed. Most importantly, we want them to take their time to enjoy our product, have good conversation over coffee (we provide coffee every day), and simply have a fun shopping experience.

What accessories and products are being sold in the store?

We have bags such as satchels, backpacks, crossbodies. There is an extensive Travel category in which we have small organizing accessories, actual luggage, and more.

Being that we are the flagship, we have two exclusive collections, VB Designs and the Hadley Collection, as well as an exclusive pattern called City Sketch. We have school essentials such as backpacks, lunch bags, notecards, pens, pencils, laptop

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cases, agendas, and more. We also carry Sugarfina candy! They designed a special Bento Box for us.

What considerations come into play when trying to balance e-commerce with a new brick-and-mortar location?

Being that we haven’t had a store in NYC, there is already a huge e-commerce following. They are slowly but surely trickling into the store to check it out and see the product in person. We always offer to include them in our client books, to directly reach out for sales and other in-store happenings. They love the store and have told us that they will come back.

Your duffel bag use to be one of your bestselling products, is it still?

The duffel will always be our heritage.

Travel does really well here, especially with the tourism we get.

I was looking into the brand and saw that Vera Bradley participates in different types of corporate social responsibility campaigns, one of them being the “It’s Good to Be a Girl” campaign.

“It’s Good to be a Girl” was a marketing campaign to celebrate why we love being girls. In terms of social responsibility, we do have “Vera Bradley’s Foundation for Breast Cancer.” This foundation was created in 1998 in response to the death of one of their very good friends and first sales rep, Mary Sloan. We always ask the customer if they would like to round up and donate that change to the foundation.

How do you feel about the rebranding? Do you find Vera Bradley more attractive for the New York consumer?

I think that the rebranding is definitely more attractive for New Yorkers. It is chic and feminine, functional and reasonably priced. You can’t go wrong with that!

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@thelexingtonline 41

silenced: Mental health &HIP-HOP I

s it a sign of weakness?

This is the question I ask myself when I try to come up with a reason why any form of mental health is looked down upon, even laughed at, especially in our social media-laden society. Yet, it seems it is twice as bad in the hip-hop community. Why is there such a lack of empathy when it comes to mental health? As a society, we so commonly deem those who suffer from it as “crazy” or say “oh, they’re just celebrities, they all a little wack in the head” instead of trying to sympathize with or understand what they are going through.

But making quick judgements won’t help anyone.

Nor will silence.

Some of your most notable players in the music industry have either openly revealed their struggles with mental illness or penned it on paper through song. Some of those most notable rappers, including Scarface, Kendrick Lamar, DMX, Isaiah Rashad, Joe Budden, Eminem, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Danny Brown, have all been through their fair share of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other forms of mental illness.

Lil Wayne also recently opened up about an unreported suicide attempt. On a new song with Solange called “Mad,” from her A Seat at the Table album, Weezy raps, “And when I attempted suicide, I didn’t die / I remember how mad I was on that day.”

In 2014, Joe Budden tweeted, “Depression is killing more than ever, yet still it remains the largest elephant in the room.” On his track “Only Human,” he raps, “Tired of being strong, please let me be weak for a minute / Kinda thought that my disease tried to kill your man first.”

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BY TONYA BURKS

Based on information provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, only one quarter of African Americans who suffer from mental illness get treatment, compared to 40 percent of white people.

“In the African-American community, many people misunderstand what a mental health condition is and don’t talk about this topic,” the organization reports. “This lack of knowledge leads many to believe that a mental health condition is a personal weakness or some sort of punishment from God. African Americans may be reluctant to discuss mental health issues and seek treatment because of the shame and stigma associated with such conditions.”

In his 2014 memoir, Diary Of A Mad Man, Scarface wrote in depth about his battles with depression and the fact that they almost led to suicide.

“I would spend a lot of time alone,” he explains.

“I was raised with the idea that I was born dying. That with every breath you take, you get closer to your last. It’s something I’ve always known. So my mentality, even back then, was always, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?

That I could die or be killed? But I’m born dying, so death is inevitable. Why should I be scared of that?’ Being alone just gave me something to really think about. And with sh— going so wrong for me then, and with me constantly feeling like [...] I couldn’t do anything right, the conclusion I came to was that I might as well just get it over with.”

And who can forget Kendrick’s revealing display of vulnerability in his track “u,” where he openly discusses his relationship with depression, which led him to struggle

with success and consider himself worthless. He stated in a Rolling Stone interview, “just remember: from ‘u,’ you will eventually reach ‘i,’” the latter a song of self-love, positivity, and peace.

In more recent news, Kanye West’s mental state went public. Time and time again, we see crazy outbursts and rants, stirring rumors about his soundness of mind, especially after his mother passed in 2007. As stated in the Washington Post, “West’s public breakdowns and stream-of-consciousness speeches have been the subject of jokes and disdain.”

But the seriousness of his circumstances would eventually come to light. According to The Guardian, “news broke out about his hospitalization in the psychiatric ward of UCLA, reportedly for stress and exhaustion following a week of erratic behaviour on stage and the subsequent cancellation of his tour.”

Even friends of West advised him to seek help.

In response to a commenter on Twitter, Rhymefest wrote, “My brother needs help in the form of counseling. Spiritual and mental. He should step away from the public and ‘yesmen’ and heal.”

West has never directly admitted anything to the world about his mental health outside of his 2012 song “Clique,” where he addresses depression and suicide.

Some think he never will.

In an article in Vibe, R.A. Murphy writes, “Yeezy would probably never admit to needing any kind of intervention—if any is needed. And such is the case for countless individuals suffering from mental illness today…primarily those in minority communities.”

It is often built into men’s brain cells from an early age that there is no room for weakness. So when you add the hardcore effects of hip-hop and standards put upon those who dare to enter, you will only end up with turmoil. Mental health problems are often stigmatized, and many in minority communities feel they can’t

Do you see the problem here? If you’re a man and minority, you are condemned to two times the weight on your shoulders.

Stigmas against mental health problems lead to shame and embarrassment, which is why so many often refuse help. Just this past October, rapper Kid Cudi revealed online that he would take time off from music to check himself into rehab due to depression and suicidal urges.

“It’s been difficult for me to find the words to what I’m about to share with you because I feel ashamed,” Cudi said on Facebook. “Ashamed to be a leader and hero to so many while admitting I’ve been living a lie. It took me awhile to get to this place of commitment, but it is something I have to do for myself, my family, my best friend/daughter and all of you, my fans.”

Notice the use of the word ashamed. No one should feel this way, especially for something so natural and uncontrollable. As humans, we face glitches in our system, but they don’t need to be a source of shame.

While mental illness is not exclusive to hip-hop, hip-hop culture adds an extra layer of complication because of the obsession with demanding power over weakness. What Kid Cudi did by being so transparent about his issues is something that was not done in the industry before. Such openness might be normal for celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Winona Ryder, and Zayn Malik, but historically, it’s not for the world of hip-hop, where bragging and masculinity are central to identity—and to sales.

We forget as a society a majority of the time that at the end of the day, we are all human beings, where imperfections are inevitable. Any sign of “weakness” is condemned to be scrutinized.

In the end, no form of mental illness should be dealt with alone. If you’re someone who suffers from this, please feel free to seek help from a professional or reach out to a loved one.

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Explore wit h THE VINTAGE VOYAGEUR

by Seth Jubb

T

o the fashion-driven individual, vintage fashion is an opportunity to don pieces that have their own stories to tell. What used to be a kitschy way of dressing is now a chance to create individuality in an increasingly fast-fashion world. As trends continue to look back into the archives of designers in the ‘60s and ‘70s, there are a select few who are actually wearing the pieces that inspire fashion today. Meet: The Vintage Voyageur.

What it is: The Vintage Voyageur is a new web series that takes you on a journey to different vintage shops across the U.S. Created by musical theater actress and vintage aficionado Allison Maldonado, the series provides tips and tricks on how to incorporate vintage pieces into your wardrobe with an emphasis on creating your own unique style. Paired with quirky commentary, dress-up sessions, fashion history lessons, and one-on-one interviews with the owners of each store, The Vintage Voyageur aims to inspire the fashion lover in all of us to rock our individuality through the styles of yesteryear.

PAST Filming for The Vintage Voyageur began in August 2016, but Maldonado conceived the idea much earlier.

“I remember searching on YouTube and Google for shows similar to this, and I was shocked to find that there really wasn’t anything like it,” she says. “The closest thing was a show called This Old Thing that ran for one season in 2014 in England. However, that focused a lot more on making over people, whereas I wanted to focus

on the actual shops themselves while promoting personal style,” she says.

In late July, she was finishing up an acting gig and realized it was time to act.

“I thought, it’s now or never,” she recalls. “I called up one of my great friends, Nikhil, who is a photographer/ videographer and asked him if he’d help me. He was screaming yes into the phone before I was even done asking.”

During the month of September, seven episodes were filmed at seven different locations, and the series was released in the midst of filming.

The trailer alone reached more than 15,000 people in only a matter of days on Facebook.

“Right away, we were receiving such positive reactions, not only from viewers, but from the owners of the vintage stores we’d covered as well,” Maldonado says. “It was great to know that we were clearly doing something right!”

Maldonado has had a successful career in both theater and fashion.

With musical theater, she’s been lucky enough to travel all over the country

“I remember searching on YouTube and Google for shows similar to this, and I was shocked to find that there really wasn't anything like it.” performing at regional theaters and in national tours. In between performance jobs, she has worked for fashion companies such as Kate Spade, Jack Spade, James Perse, Theory, and Bonobos. She has been curating her own vintage style since her teenage years, and her passion for vintage has inspired her to educate herself on the fashions of the past.

The show, she says, has been a wonderful way of combining her two loves into one.

“I’m able to perform a little bit on each show and at the same time share my knowledge of vintage shopping,” Maldonado explains. “It helps that I have been shopping vintage since I was about 12, that I have experience in styling, and that I know a lot about tailoring and taking proper measurements from wearing so many costumes over the years.”

PRESENT Currently, The Vintage Voyageur is in the process of filming episodes for Season 2. New episodes are released every Monday on YouTube (because, digital relevance).

“I wanted The Vintage Voyageur to have the qualities of a show you would see on HGTV or TLC with a structured weekly schedule and set season, but with the candidness and relaxed vibe that YouTube provides,” she says.

After only five weeks of being a channel on YouTube, The Vintage Voyageur has already racked up more than 15,000 minutes of view time with hundreds of followers on Instagram and Facebook.

“Since starting this project, every couple of days I receive screenshots from my friends of a text conversation they’ve had with one of their friends or family members that I don’t know, but

who has found and enjoyed the series immensely,” she says.

Viewers have offered rave reviews, including, “She’s inspired me to start going vintage shopping,” “I’ve already begun incorporating her genius styling tips!” and “I love her confidence!

It adds that extra element to her vintage style that makes it so exciting.”

The Vintage Voyageur also sheds light on the niche market of curating, buying and selling vintage in interviews with shop owners and/or buyers.

“I am ALL about local business, small business, and entrepreneurs!

Chances are, if you own an amazing vintage store, you most likely have a pretty cool story of how you got your start,” she says. “Being able to promote my favorite vintage stores and their awesome teams that work so hard at finding, repairing and maintaining gorgeous pieces from the past is an absolute joy. And it’s a process not every viewer is knowledgeable about, so it’s awesome to educate at the same time.”

FUTURE “I’m already excited for the second season,” Maldonado exclaims. “We’ll be shooting at vintage stores up and down the East Coast as far south as Atlanta.”

She hopes to continue to reach wider audiences by building a larger fan base on social media, and she dreams not only about streaming on YouTube but

developing an online presence on other forums such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.

As The Vintage Voyageur continues to grow, Maldonado hopes to cover all aspects of vintage culture, including brick-and-mortar shops all over the world, online vintage companies, vintage cars, and vintage furniture.

“I’d even love to dedicate a season to interviewing people that live very anachronistic lifestyles like burlesque performers, barbers, and big band leaders who dress everyday as if it were a different decade,” Maldonado says.

She is also making a website, thevintagevoyageur.com, which she hopes will be similar to other webzines with multiple contributors and articles about all things vintage. Make sure you keep an eye out.

“I really intend for this to be more than just your typical web series,” she says. “I want it to be an entire experience. You watch the show, you follow online, you read articles, and you talk to others who have the same interests.”

At the end of the day, Maldonado explains, it’s all about inspiring people to be excited about getting dressed in the morning.

“Whether it’s the totally novice vintage dresser who is adding a vintage bag or jewelry into their wardrobe for the first time, or the vintage expert wearing head-to-toe ‘40s style, I believe The Vintage Voyageur can have something for everyone,” she says.

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IMANI SHELTON // ‘18

student

style

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CHIARA CHARLES // ‘19 photo by @shotbyjessica

AMY COOPER // ‘18

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TONYA BURKS // ‘17

JAY PIKULSAWAD // ‘18

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KIARA NAVARRO // ‘20

JAMES ROWE // ‘20 photo by Austin Sierra/Formula 154

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Called it!

by Tiffany Fuentes

2016 might not have been lit life-wise for some, but music-wise, it was one hell of a year. We got Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Solange’s A Seat At the Table, Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book, and many more stunning albums. Prior to the year coming to an end, I had a great feeling about to what was to come in 2017. With only a dent in the new year, it seems I couldn’t have been more accurate.

DRAKE The man who never takes breaks is back with his new project, More Life, which is set to drop early this year.

In late January, Drake appeared on Kentucky’s head basketball coach John Calipari’s Cal Cast podcast to reveal more on the project. Drake revealed that More Life will be a playlist collaboration with Apple Music made primarily to keep his54fans entertained until he releases his next

SZA album. The playlist will more than likely include hits like “Fake Love” and “Sneakin.’” Drake has yet to release a specific date, stating it will be here “very soon,” and at the moment he is focused on his Boys Meets World Tour, which started on January 28.

Although it may be a disappointment to some fans that he didn’t make the 2016 deadline, hasn’t Drake done enough in the last year or so?

After SZA released “2 A.M.,” covered PartyNextDoor’s “Come and See Me,” and did her biggest feature on Rihanna’s “Consideration” this past summer, the hype behind her was in full force. The thought of a debut album close behind wasn’t a crazy one. Not long ago, though, SZA tweeted “I actually quit” due to frustration with her record label, Top Dawg

Entertainment, delaying the release of her album.

It felt as if we had to prepare for the possibility of her departure from the music world. Luckily, the tweet has since been deleted, and her new single, “Drew Barrymore,” was released on January 13, 2017, essentially hinting that the beef between her and her label has been dealt with and an album is indeed on its way.

SYD THA KYD Syd, a rising member of The Internet and former member of Odd Future, made her solo debut with the album Fin in early February. Some wonder if this is foreshadowing a possible breakup between her and her fellow bandmates. But according to Syd, her solo move is “an in-between thing,” we shouldn’t dwell on it. The single “All About Me” is a statement about loyalty and keeping her circle tight.

Her single “Body” is so sexy, sensual, and full of emotion that it makes me weak in the knees. Both are instant bangers that set the tone for what to expect, and her Aaliyah style mixed with modern day futuristic beats make her an addictive listen. This is the ultimate “Netflix and chill” album.

GORILLAZ As a fan of the Gorillaz, I am crying tears of joy knowing that a comeback album will arrive this year. Jamie Hewlett, the co-creator and graphic designer of the cartoon band, has confirmed that the Gorillaz are indeed back. This will be their first proper album since 2011’s The Fall. Alongside Hewlett, Damon Albarn is the mastermind behind the group, and after his 2014 solo album, Everyday Robots, it’s good to know these two are back in the studio making magic. Make sure to hop on their social media platforms because that is where they have been curating a story behind their absence from music. This is gonna be huge.

BIG SEAN Big Sean took to social media to announce the title of his upcoming album, I Decided, which was released in early February. Last year, Sean did a collaboration album with his girlfriend, Jhene Aiko, titled Twenty88. According to the tweet Sean posted on November 21, 2016, it will have a sequel: “The next @twenty88 is coming next year. We gon get our solos off too though!” Following 2015’s Dark Sky Paradise, this new album’s leading hits “Bounce Back,”“Moves,” and “Halfway Off the Balcony” are dominating the charts. Sean Don is back baby!

SAMPHA

Hailing from South London, Sampha Sisay is very talented, yet very underrated, very unappreciated. He plays keyboard, and he’s a songwriter, singer, and producer, so let me know what this guy can’t do. In my opinion, he’s a mixture between R&B and electronic, so it’s hard to squeeze him into one specific genre. He is well-known for his collaborations with Jessie Ware, Drake, Solange, and even Kanye. In 2010, he released the EP Sundanza, and in 2013, he released his second EP, Dual. In late 2016, he announced his debut album Process would be out February 3, 2017 and would feature hit singles “Blood on Me” and “Timmy’s Prayer.” He is currently on tour and hit New York on February 9 at Terminal 5 before leaving the country to continue. If you happened to miss him, there will be another chance, because this is definitely just the beginning for Sampha.

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EDITORS’ Madison picks

Ross

web director

From left to right: DIOR, lipstick. $35, sephora.com. ZARA, coat. $170, zara. com. TOPSHOP, straight leg jeans. $80, topshop.com.ALDO, briefcase. $40, aldoshoes.com. THE REPUBLIC, by Plato. $11, amazon.com. ZARA, ankle boots. $120, zara.com. BVLGARI, Mon Jasmine Noir. $97, sephora.com. Photography

by Mikayla Schohl.

Simplistic and sustainable. Retro and chic.

These are the qualities I am trying to acquire for my style. I aim for a lot of neutrals like black and denim because (1) they’ll match with anything and (2) they’re timeless. In a world slowly becoming more sustainable and eco-conscious, it is a means of survival for even us, the consumer, to shop proactively and accordingly. I recently began exploring the world of thrifting. Thanks to a dear friend of mine, ClothesMinded, I scored my very first black tweed blazer inspired by Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2017 Show. I’m excited to see what I can find next. Because I walk everywhere, a nice thick-heeled boot is my go-to for when I have to dress up, and classic white converses are lifesavers for when I have a relaxed day. You’ll always catch me with my briefcase from Aldo, most likely with a philosophical book inside of it. I get inspired by artists like Edgar Degas because the characters in his paintings look so natural and honest.

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Chanel Runway Pre-Fall ‘17

styling director

This Opening Ceremony S/S ‘17 menswear look is exactly my style: simple and comfortable. Comfort in particular is a vital element to any outfit I put on given that I spend most days running around New York to class, meeting, and everything in between. Bomber jackets have been my favorite staple piece this past winter season and I love the bold color of my burgundy one. I plan to continue wearing it into the beginning months of spring before the weather becomes consistently warm. Spring can never come fast enough for me, though, and I can’t wait to switch to my signature white converse. The past few years it has become my staple and I will wear them every single day of the spring through the summer. They can be styled a million and one ways, and no matter your style, most have a pair of Converse in their closet, they’re a classic! The spring is also when I tend to wear makeup regularly. There is something about the sunshine and flowers blooming that inspires me to take more time to polish my appearance. In these cases, the Anastasia Beverly Hills foundation stick is my go-to. Amazing coverage and a true match, I highly recommend for all skin types. You have got to see their shade range too…unbelievable!

ALEXANDER WANG, bomber jacket. $850, farfetch.com. MSGM, stripe and gingham ruffle shirt. $361, brownsfashion.com. RE/DONE, straight leg jeans. $302, brownsfashion.com. CONVERSE, Chuck II waterproof sneaker boot. $140, nike.com. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS, stick foundation. $25, sephora.com. MILK AND HONEY, by Rupi Kaur. $12, target.com.

GIVENCHY, duffle bag. $2,890, barneys.com. FUJIFILM, Instax Camera. $70, urbanoutfitters. com. Photography by Mikayla Schohl.

Ashleigh Uzoaru

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Opening Ceremony S/S 2017

Erin Fetherston A/W ‘17 Ready-To-Wear

Keely SchooleyMcCormick

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NATASHA DENONAD, eyeshadow palette. $169, sephora.com. JENNIFER FISHER, ring. $215, net-a-porter.com. RAY-BAN, sunglasses. $150, ray-ban.com. ELLERY, silk top. $943, net-a-porter.com. LANEIGE, Lip Sleeping Mask. $17, laneige.com. H&M, slip-on shoes. $17.99, hm.com.

CHANEL, Chance. $78, chanel.com. GANNI, wide-leg pants. $350, net-a-porter.com. CHLOE, Python Paneled Bag. $3,900, bergdorfgoodman.com. Photography by Mikayla Schohl.

beauty editor There’s nothing like velvet done right, which is exactly what this Erin Fetherston A/W ‘17 outfit achieves. A dark, sexy velvet can transform any basic outfit into something out of this world, and I’m living for it. I’ve been loving mixing fabrics like silk, velvet and leather to make the perfect textured outfit. After adding on some basic silver jewelry, the perfect sunglasses, and a funky bag, I’m ready to head out the door. Of course, I can’t forget a perfume. Mac Cosmetics Turquatic has been one of my favorites for years, and with its crisp smell, it’s perfect for the upcoming warm summer months. And finally, these Natasha Denona eyeshadows are buttery and easy to work with; they’re perfect for makeup beginners, experts, and everyone in between.

BALENCIAGA, coat. $3,250, net-a-porter.com. AFRICAN SHEA BUTTER $5, amazon.com. COSMOS, by Carl Sagan $11, amazon.com. A SEAT AT THE TABLE by Solange $25, urbanoutfitters.com. ETRO, pants. $1,300, luisaviaroma. com. INGLOT, Lip Tint. $18, inglotcosmetics.com. GUCCI, handbag. $3500, saksfifthavenue.com. DEREK LAM, oxfords $275, revolve.com. Photography by Madison Ross.

Soukayna Dieng designer

Gucci hasn’t ceased to amaze me after their last few seasons under Alessandro Michele. Their A/W ‘17 runway looks are quite eclectic, which I loved. Their pieces encompassed the history of fashion within western society and the different cultures that have influenced it. I don’t restrict myself to a certain style; I experiment with all types that I find fun, functional and expressive.

And that’s something you would see in my everyday style. On a regular day, you can catch me outside in some funky footwear, comfy trousers, and outerwear bigger than my hair. To top that all off, I use African Shea butter all over my skin, hair, and nails. It works wonders! Lately, I’ve been reading Cosmos by Carl Sagan (brilliant man btw) and listening to Solange’s recent album, A Seat at the Table.

Gucci RTW A/W ‘17

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