Breeze: September 2022 Issue

PICTURED BELOW

Rachel Hale photographed by Jami Balicki, Staff Photographer

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Mason Braasch

Kora Quinn

Jessica Tenenbaum

ARTS CURATOR

Mac Gale

Hunter Kiehl

Elise Wilson

FASHION

Erin Galioto

FASHION EDITOR

Jane Houseal

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Mi Chuinda Levy

CULTURE EDITOR

Rachel Hale

ARTS EDITOR

Danielle Csaszar

TEAM

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Rachel Van Hefty

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Jamie Randall

WEBSITE MANAGER

Kara Conrad

ONLINE EDITOR

Alison Stecker

NEW MEMBERS DIRECTOR

Maya Greenberg

PR AND OUTREACH DIRECTOR

Emma Goshin

PROGRAMMING AND SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Ella Cunz

GRAPHICS BELOW AND ON NEXT PAGE

Mac Gale • Haley Wolff

MODA IS PRODUCED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE WISCONSIN UNION AND WISCONSIN UNION DIRECTORATE PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE.

WRITERS

Kara Conrad • Erin Galioto • Emma Goshin • Rachel Hale

• Jane Houseal • Mi Chiunda Levy • Kora Quinn • Jamie Randall • Alison Stecker

ART

Mac Gale

Emma Gray • Emily Han • Riya Shah • Haley Wolff

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jami Balicki • Abby Cima • Hannah Huber • Hunter Kiehl

• Luc Marchessault

Emma Spaciel

Jessica Tenenbaum

MODELS

Leanne Blum • Laine Bottemiller • Sydney Collins

• Amaya Gatling • Rachel Hale • Robin Jolly • Hayley Knowles

ON THE COVER

Laine Bottemiller, Rachel Hale and Robin Jolly photographed by Jessica Tenenbaum, Creative Director

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CULTURE

08 The Modern Coastal Grandmother

Blurring the line between the 21st-century woman and her role in the home

34 Beach Erosion

Coastal erosion impact on beach towns

LIFESTYLE

06 Easy Breezy Summer Drinks

Four summer drinks you can whip-up right in your kitchen

19 The 'I Am' Glow

Step into the light of daily affirmations.

ARTS 22 Yacht or Nychat?

The Golden Age Endures

The Greek mythology behind the canvas

How summer’s favorite music genre got its name

31 Gone with the Wind Books that will make you feel light and weightless

FASHION

20 Floating Back to Earth September Trend Report

32 Material Girl

How designers innovate with sustainable fabrics

35 Sheer Bliss

Celeb-adored brand Fancì Club plays with Mesh

FEATURED 12 Wake 25 Chilled

Calm, Cool & Consistent

Dear Readers,

There’s a running joke that Midwesterners will always find an excuse to blame the wind for unpleasant weather. Being a Midwesterner through-andthrough (my friends will tell you that I have one of the most stereotypical Minnesotan accents you’ve ever heard) I often catch myself lamenting that “it wouldn’t be so cold if it wasn’t windy,” or that the mid-August heat wouldn’t be so unbearable if only there was a wind to break it up. The temperatures in the Midwest are unpredictable and always changing, but the wind is persistent, and present is every one of our seasons.

Like many people who find themselves experiencing the ever-changing weather of the Midwest, I always get excited when I feel the first sign of an impending autumn — a cool breeze. A breeze is one of the only things that separates a Midwest summer to an early fall; and as we return to school and trek through summer-like temperatures to get to class, it is the cool breeze of fall that hints at what is next. A breeze is a gentle reminder of what is to come.

This issue of Moda Magazine is inspired by this placid warning. While many of us prepare for a new season, we also cling to the carefree connotation of summer. Moda’s Newsletter Editor, Jamie Randall, explores this laid-back summer mentality by sharing four drinks that induce feelings of sunshine and peace of mind in her article, “Eazy Breezy Summer Drinks.” By embracing the past while acknowledging the present, Randall encourages us to “treat September as a celebration” of the in-between.

The duality of the current season is unique to the Midwest. As we cherish the lingering warmth, we also anticipate the season ahead of us. Trends are similar to seasons in the way that they are constantly changing. PR and Outreach Director, Emma Goshin dives into this summer’s latest trend, “The Coastal Grandmother,” and explores the unique duality of the airy aesthetic, explaining that “the modern coastal

grandmother gives women an outlet to embrace femininity while also acknowledging their independence and strength.”

Like trends, no breeze is ever the same. At the same time, a breeze can signify different emotions throughout different seasons. On a hot summer day, a breeze can act as a reprieve, bringing about a sense of relief and momentary comfort. In her piece, “Gone with the Wind,” Moda’s Deputy Editor, Kora Quinn, shares books that act as her breeze when the weather is unpleasant—books that act “as a pause, an intermission in what might otherwise be a stressful or challenging day.” In the same way that a gentle breeze can bring us comfort, so can the art that we consume.

Breeze was created in the in-between of summer and September. We have created it as a celebration of both a beginning and an end. As we grapple with the unpredictable temperatures and weather patterns of the Midwest climate, Breeze is a keepsake of what has passed and a glimpse at what is to come. Like a gust of cool September air, I invite you to embrace Breeze as your gentle reminder to celebrate the consistencies in our ever-changing world.

Cheers, Mason Braasch Editor in Chief

Easy Breezy Summer Drinks

Four summer drinks you can whip-up right in your kitchen.

Written by Jamie Randall, Newsletter Editor

Photographed by Luc Marshessault, Staff Photographer

For most people, September means the end of summer. Everyone goes back to school and the leaves on the trees start to change. However, we forget that the beginning of September can still be warm and includes fun events such

as Labor Day celebrations and reunions with friends back at school. So treat September as a celebration! Here are four easy breezy drinks you can make with your friends to toast to a never-ending summer!

Strawberry Spritzer

A berry good refresher

Ingredients

1 package (10 oz) of frozen sweetened sliced strawberries

2 liters of lemon-lime soda

1 can of frozen pink lemonade concen trate

Instructions

1. Place the frozen strawberries in a blender and blend until pureed.

2. Pour strawberries into a pitcher and stir in the lemonade concentrate and soda.

3. Add in alcohol of your choice (vodka or rum would pair well) or enjoy with out!

Recipe by Taste of Home ■

The Classic Mojito

Reliable and refreshing

Ingredients

6 fresh mint leaves

1 oz lime juice

2 oz rum

1 oz simple syrup

½ cup soda water

Instructions

1. Muddle mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add in lime juice, rum and simple syrup.

2. Shake for 10 seconds.

3. Pour club soda then the shaker contents into a glass with ice.

Recipe by Sonja Overhiser from a Couple Cooks

The Bay Breeze

Easy to make and tastes like a beach

Ingredients

4 oz Cranberry juice

2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz vodka

Pineapple wedge

Instructions

1. Add cranberry juice, pineapple juice and vodka to an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Recipe by Emma Crist

Habanero Margarita

Time to get spicy

Ingredients

3 oz of silver Tequila

2 oz orange liqueur

1 oz of fresh lime juice

1 habanero pepper

Ice Salt

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the tequila.

2. Slice the habanero pepper. Add 2-4 slices to the shaker and shake for 10 seconds.

3. Add lime juice and orange liqueur and shake for 10 more seconds.

4. Optional: Rub a lime wedge along the rim, then dip in salt.

5. Strain margarita into glasses over ice and garnish with a lime or habanero.

Recipe from Hilah Cooking

The Modern Coastal Grandmother

Written by Emma Goshin, PR and Outreach Director Graphic by Emily Han, Contributing Graphic Artist

She’s

elegant, she’s carefree, she bakes and she gardens. The coastal grandmother aesthetic, coined by TikToker Lex Nicoleta, embraces a Nancy Meyers-era woman who is clean, organized and unbothered. It gathered significant attention not only from 2.5 million viewers on TikTok, but from news outlets such as NPR, Today and The Wall Street Journal. But does the coastal grandmother aesthetic set us back in time by encouraging women to take on a more “traditional” domestic role in the home?

Search “coastal grandmother” on Pinterest and you will be bombarded with white linen, light-colored decor and classic Cape Cod-style homes. Despite the connotation the trend’s name evokes, you don’t have to be from the coast or even a grandmother to take part in this phenomenon. According to the term’s creator the aesthetic is “an aspirational lifestyle involving wearing white clothing, button-down blouses, gardening, and cooking your favorite Barefoot Contessa recipes.”1

Historically, women have been pressed into a tight mold of conformity that limits the view of their role to domestic tasks like cooking, cleaning and caring for their children.2 With the rise of womens’ rights movements over the last century, incredible progress has been made in bringing awareness to the contributions they make to society.

So where does that leave the coastal grandmother?

TikTok’s latest trend pays tribute to the women who work hard for decades before they have the chance to relax. The coastal grandmother is not a path back in time; it plays into the more tradition-

1 Caitlin Flanagan, “I’m a Coastal Grandmother. Stop Appropriating Our Culture,” The Atlantic, June 1, 2022

2 Marie McKeown, “Women Through History: Women’s Experience Through the Ages,” Owlcation, June 25, 2018

al lifestyle of home and ties it together with the modern professional accomplishments of 21st century women.

Although this trend became popular after her success, Martha Stewart is a great example of how the trend not only empowers women but gives them a beautifully curated setting for their accomplishments. She has built a multi-million dollar lifestyle brand of cookbooks and home decor and has become a tycoon with a massive career.3 At the core of this is branding, marketing and merchandising so strong that it prevailed her to a career comeback despite a 2004 stint in prison. Stewart’s entire brand is the modern coastal grandmother.

As stated by Caitlin Flanagan, a writer for The Atlantic, Stewart embodies the empowering coastal grandmother trend by living by the trendy aspects of the aesthetic, while also working hard every day for what she has.4

“[She] is powerful not because she’s been a corporate wife for 40 years. She’s powerful because she was her own corporate wife for 40 years. When she decides to paint her antique wicker chaise in the exact same shade as her bedroom walls (Pride of the Regiment Eggshell), she’s empowered as hell. She’s earned it.”

The modern coastal grandmother gives women an outlet to embrace femininity while also acknowledging their independence and strength. Don’t forget what makes the aesthetic luxurious— all the years lived and worked before it.

As Flanagan explains, “Coastal grandmother isn’t the thing! Coastal grandmother is the reward for the thing.”5 ■

3 Warren Cassell Jr., “Who Is Martha Stewart,” Investopedia, October 5, 2021

4 Caitlin Flanagan, “I’m a Coastal Grandmother. Stop Appropriating Our Culture,” The Atlantic, June 1, 2022

5 Caitlin Flanagan, “I’m a Coastal Grandmother. Stop Appropriating Our Culture," The Atlantic,

Blurring the line between the 21st-century woman and her role in the home

The Golden Age Endures

The mythology behind the canvas

Written by Kara Conrad, Website Manager

It is almost guaranteed that if you step into any art museum, you will come across some form of art originating from the Renaissance period or Romanticism era. The Renaissance period took place during the 14th through the 17th century and focuses on the concepts of Naturalism—often through nudity, Contrapposto (enhancement of the realism of figures by focusing on how they stand), and Chiaroscuro which is the emphasis on color contrasts of light and dark.1 The late 18th century to mid 19th century, also known as the Romanticism era, was a reaction to the Age of Enlightenment. While similar in some respects to renaissance art, romantic art is categorized as naturecentered, light-driven and highly imaginative.2 The stories of Greek and Roman mythology naturally align with both categories of art.

Whether depicted in ancient sculp tures or modern paintings, the stories of these gods and goddesses continue to inspire our present cultures, millen niums after creation. Greek and Ro man mythology centers on universal human experiences such as tragedy and romance. With such deep-rooted origins, these works of art will contin ue to resonate with the current issues people face because their messages and symbols provide answers to time less questions. These stories hold mo dernity through movies, music, popular brand names and visual arts of all kinds. Classical Greek mythology stories take place in the Golden Age (the first of five). And while it precedes Roman my thology by 1,000 years, they share many of the same gods and goddesses in their stories—oftentimes with different names and connection to gender, however.3

1 “Renaissance Art – An Artistic Exploration of the Renaissance Time Period,” Art In Context, May 13, 2022.

2 “Romanticism Art – The Art, Literature, and Music of the Romantic Period,” Art In Context, January 28, 2022.

3 Luke and Monica Roman, “Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman mythology,” Infobase Publish

The Birth of Venus, painted in the early renaissance period by Sandro Botticel li, is exemplary of such art. The painting on the canvas tells the story of Venus, the Roman Goddess of Love and Beau ty (Aphrodite in Greek mythology). She was blown across the water by Zeph yr and Aura and is pictured arriving on the island of Cyprus.4 Centered on a scallop shell, Venus symbolizes the pureness and beauty of a pearl. Upon arrival, a woman holds out a cloak cov ered in flowers blown in by the wind. There are many elements of nature and flowy details in this painting that give off a refreshing and light feel—which Venus often signifies. The pureness Ve nus embodies in this piece is shown by the light colors, flowing hair and nature all around. This clean, calm aesthetic or innocent stereotype is one that remains present in societal media.

ing, 2010.

4 Mary Cooch, “Birth of Venus,” Encyclopedia Britannica, April 11, 2022.

The Triumph of Galatea by Italian painter Raphel is a Renaissance fresco. The painting portrays a scene from the story of Acis and Galatea. Galatea,the name meaning, ‘she who is milk white,’ is a sea nymph, which symbolizes ev erything that is beautiful and kind about the sea. She fell in love with Acis, a mortal peasant shepherd. The jeal ous one-eyed giant Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, kills Acis, leading Galatea to transform Acis into the Sicilian immor tal river spirit.5 This piece is the diviniza tion of Galatea standing triumphant in a shell chariot pulled by dolphins pro tecting the Sicillian river. The average person may not experience sea nymphs or cyclopes but the underlying love tri angle plot is a theme in many modern works of art—and possibly a situation we have found ourselves in.

February, 2020.

Sandro Botticell, "Birth of Venus", tempera on canvas, 172.5 x 278.5 cm, 1485

A third classic piece of art is the romantic Pandora’s Box by Walter Crane. The story of Pandora, the first mortal woman in Greek Mythology, comes from a series of poems written by Heisod. She can be described as an Ancient Greek Eve. Upon her creation by Hephaestus, husband to Aphrodite, she was gifted a jar full of all evils and diseases—her “box of ills” as Heisod describes it. Eventually out of curiosity, Pan dora lifted the lid of the jar, instantaneously releasing all of its contaminants to the world. She quickly tried to put the lid back, managing to only trap the virtue of hope inside.6 Crane brings this story to life through water color paint in quite a “decorative” manner.7 Crane’s piece portrays Pando ra over her box, conflicted and struggling to fight the urge to discover what is inside.

Beyond these three, classical mythology is dramatic and magical. However, these stories are not limited to pages of entertainment or painted canvases. They provide a sense of comfort by expanding on common human experiences and explanations for the meaning of the environment we live in. Classical mythological figures represent pure ideas that absorb the condition of human physical and spiritual life through the ages.8

6 Hesiod, “The Homeric Hymns and Homerica with an English Translation by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Theogony”, Harvard University Press, 1914.

7 Morna O’neill, “Pandora’s Box: Walter Crane, “Our Sphinx-Riddle,” and the Politics of Decoration,” Cambridge University Press, 2007.

8 Walter Pater, “Greek Studies, A Series of Essays,” London: Macmillan and Co., 1895.

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, "Triumph of Galatea", fresco, 295 x 225 cm, 1514

Walter Crane,

Wake

Directed by Elise Wilson, Editorial Director

Photographed by Jessica Tenenbaum, Creative Director and Jami Balicki, Staff Photographer Models Robin Jolly, Laine Bottemiller and Rachel Hale, Culture Editor

The ‘I Am’ Glow

Step into the light of daily affirmations

Written by Mi Chuinda Levy, Lifestyle Editor Graphic by Emma Gray, Contributing Graphic Artist

Rapper Baby Tate knew what she was talking about when she said “I am healthy. I am wealthy. I am rich. I am that bitch” in the chorus of her 2020 hit song “I Am.” Reciting daily affirmations like the ones that Baby Tate sings has been proven to be beneficial in elevating self-love and creating a positive mindset.1

Daily affirmations are positive phrases or sayings that can be used to combat hypercritical, negative or unhelpful thoughts.2 There’s science behind them too! The act of reciting daily affirmations primarily stems from the self affirmation theory of social psychologist, Claude Steele.3 According to Steele, people are motivated to maintain favorable views of themselves—and many do so through affirming various aspects of the self, such as personality, appearance, motivations, goals and more4

Daily affirmations can also allow people to be at peace with themselves and feel morally grounded, as proven by the psychology theory of self-concept by researchers Geoffrey Cohen and David Sherman.5 They found that the global narrative humans keep about themselves is highly flexible and could be shaped with consistent practice over an extended period of time.6

By no means is self-affirmation through daily affirmations meant to promote the narrative of being perfect or above anyone else. When practicing daily affirmations, it is important to go into it with the mindset and goal of creating a feeling of being competent and content in the areas of your life that are most valuable to you. Daily affirmations are about creating a feeling of being “moral, flexible and solid.”7

Try your hand at daily affirmations through these four tips to help guide you on your journey of self-love and affirmation.

1 Angermann , Marlena. “A Guide to Positive Affirmations for Self-Love.” Utopia, May 23, 2022.

2 Catherine Moore, Psychologist. “Positive Daily Affirmations: Is There Science behind It?” PositivePsychology.com, July 12, 2022.

3 Ibid.

4 “Apa Dictionary of Psychology.” American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association.

5 Catherine Moore, Psychologist. “Positive Daily Affirmations: Is There Science behind It?” PositivePsychology.com, July 12, 2022.

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid.

Make it reality.

When using your affirmations, be sure to state them in present tense. You can do this by starting each affirmation with phrases such as, “I am,” “I believe” or “ I feel.” There is no right or wrong way to incorporate affirmations into your life. Maybe you’ll like to speak them aloud, write them down or even simply recite them in your head. All ways are perfectly valid. Manifest these affirmations into existence by whatever means feel most comfortable to you!

Make it meaningful.

Create affirmations that are heartfelt and important to you. The more effort and thought you put into this, the more rewarding it will be.

Make it consistent.

Practice and repetition are key. Similar to the concept of fake it until you make it, the more frequently you recite the affirmations, the more likely you are to begin believing them and making them a reality. With that being said, you do not have to use the same affirmations everyday. Feel free to keep an affirmation rotation that best represents the energy you’d like to bring into your mindset and space.

Be patient.

It is important to remember that change doesn’t happen overnight, and you should be kind to yourself. Like many good things, it might take time for you to be able to see the changes being made to yourself through daily affirmations.

Floating Back to Earth

Moda's September 2022 Trend Report

Written by Erin Galioto, Fashion Editorial Director

As the temperatures drop and our to-do lists grow longer, we are being rudely awoken from our European summer musings. However, this fall’s trends still look like a dream while having all the functionality needed to get your sh*t done. This season, designers are playing with the combination of wistful aesthetics like romanticism and “coastal grandmother” with hard-edge aesthetics like grunge and utility. Don’t be alarmed if you see some ghosts from fashion’s past, like the crossbody bag or the clog—I promise their reinventions will entice you to take a second look. As we say goodbye to summer vacations and hello to the grind of fall, these “dream girl meets girlboss” picks for your back to school wardrobe will help ease the transition.

1Wide Leg Trouser

FOR LOVE & LEMONS - $185

3

CLOG

GANNI - $425

this

For this fall season, For Love & Lemons offers a wide leg trouser so effortlessly cool that it easily rivals Aritzia’s Wilfred Pant. Featuring delicate pleating and chunky double belt buckles, these pants are the perfect incarnation of romantic utility. The flexibility and ease of wide leg trousers make them a staple silhouette for the back to school season. This particular pair comes in cream or a gorgeous candy violet colorway, making it easy to style as the weather transitions. Pair with For Love & Lemons matching Natasha Crop Top or your favorite knit sweater for an easy ‘fit for class or a girls night out!

BREEZY LAYERS

FREE PEOPLE - $60

Layering doesn’t always have to mean heavy and warm. Free People’s “Push Send” slip is an ultra-femme, fairy-like rendition of the “underwear as outerwear” look. It’s a fun and bouncy layering piece to get you into the fall fashion spirit while still keeping cool. The slip features a relaxed, tiered silhouette and low-back design in eight different colors. The “tranquil blue” color was highlighted by WGSN, a trend forecasting company, for Pre-Fall as representative of “lightness and clarity linked to air and water.”

Close-toed season is officially upon us, and with it comes the resurgence of the comfortable and dependable clog. GANNI’s overstated Retro Clogs are anything but granola, featuring a chunky silver buckle, oversized round studs and a dark chocolate wooden sole. Wooden shoes not your thing? Jeffrey Campbell also offers a near-perfect dupe for the Gucci rubber “GG” sandal for only $60 and in ten different colorways.

4

Forest Florals

URBAN REVIVO - $80

Who said florals are just for spring?

Tapping into the demand for trans-seasonal styles, designers are playing with pastel sprigs in unconventional pieces such as outerwear. This loose fit button-up jacket by Urban Revivo features a print that channels florals in less of a “field of daisies” way and gives more of an autumn-harvest feel. With winter just around the corner, try looking for florals and traditional spring prints in seasonal pieces such as puffer jackets and overcoats.

5LOOSE DENIM

AGOLDE - $228

Parachute pants hit the scene in a big way this summer, offering a roomy, loose pant option perfect for the “model-off duty” look—as seen on the likes of A-list icon Hailey Bieber. Trendy brands like Jaded London and I.AM. GIA created renditions of the baggy Y2K comeback that sold out quickly on their sites. Expect to see more of this new loose shape in denim this fall, such as in these balloon-shaped denim jeans with pierced insert detailing by Agolde.

6

CROSS-BODY BAG

UNIQLO - $20

It is officially time to say your goodbyes to ultra small purses (see Jacquemus “Le Chiquito”) and shift towards a bag that can hold all the essentials with ease. After hints from the crossbody fanny pack trend, the crossbody bag is back and better than ever, featuring contemporary, rounded constructions that nod to the “soft-volume” aesthetic. I previously lived out my Mary Poppins “Magic Bag” dreams with my trusty tote bag, but my right shoulder was crying for a substitute. At only $20, this simple, yet stylish canvas crossbody by Uniqlo was an instant add-to-cart. Anthropology also offers an identical shape and color in a leather bag with fun, interchangeable straps for $78.

9

THE CHOKER

Blo_oberry - $70

Just in time for the release of Greta Gerwig’s new movie, “Barbie,” homemade jewelry brand Blo_oberry offers nostalgic, doll-like accessories featuring plastic beads and oversized charms. Chunky, embellished chokers are an upcoming trend for fall, and this silver and white necklace sold by Urban Outfitters is the perfect way to elevate an otherwise simple outfit. ■

7

BUTTERY KNITS

GANNI - $185

22-23 season, “butter” is no longer just an ingredient in your favorite fall comfort food. The light and creamy yellow color has been carried over from summer and implemented into soft sweaters to create a fresh sense of coziness and comfort for fall. The sweater vest had a big moment last season and the O-Neck Wool Vest by GANNI feels very fresh for 2022.

Highlighted as a key knitwear color for the AW

8MONOCHROME PATCHWORK

Urban Outfitters - $65

As a tribute to the sustainable fashion movement, brands have been experimenting with patchworking previous seasons’ fabrics together for new collections. The trend meshed seamlessly with the rise in popularity of the “grandma-chic” aesthetic. This skirt by Urban Outfitters is a fresh take on this fad, featuring an imperfect collage of monochromatic textures. The midi length skirt is a nod to the revival of the ’40s style, but with a Y2K twist in the asymmetric silhouette.

Yacht or Nychat?

How summer’s favorite music genre got its name

By Rachel Hale, Culture Editor Photographed by Hannah Huber, Staff Photographer and Abby Cima, Staff Photographer | Modeled by Sydney Collins

There’s no better soundtrack to accompany an ocean breeze than yacht rock—soft rock’s melodic cousin that graced radio airwaves between 1976 and 1984. Characterized by mellow songwriting with smooth vocal harmonies and glossy production, its keyboard-heavy sound evokes images of swaying palm trees, summer flings and the bays of Southern California that served as the setting for the genre’s origin.1 More popular now than in its heyday, the genre’s cult following is conditional to the paradoxical circumstances under which it received its name: from a fictional web series.

The term “Yacht Rock” entered the vernacular in 2005, the year when the comedy web series by the same name premiered on the LA-based website, Channel 101. Created by JD Ryznar, Steve Huey, Hunter Stair and Dave Lyons, the 12-episode series lovingly lampooned the lives of real yacht rock artists, depicting stars like Kenny Loggins and Hall & Oates as a group of friends making smooth rock in the seaside community of Marina del Rey. The show’s success prompted the group’s podcast, “Beyond Yacht Rock,” and later, their Yacht or Nyacht website.2 Using a system deemed The Yachtski Scale, the group rates hits on musical yacht-ness, with anything above 50 qualifying as Yacht, and below 50 Nyacht. (The Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes” scores a perfect 100, but cult classics like “Brandy” and “Summer Breeze” earn 36.83 and 21.75, respectively). Each song ranking is linked to the subsequent podcast episode in which its classification was discussed.

from everyone from Mark Ronson to Jimmy Fallon.

Beneath the high production value are nautical storylines about the sea or broken-hearted, foolish men in romantic pursuit. England Dan and John Cord Foley’s “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” Ambrosia’s “You’re the Only Woman” and “How Much I Feel,” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Real Love” highlight these, while Cross’s “Sailing” and Rupert Holmes’s “Escape” illicit more direct connotations of a Caribbean getaway. Even listening in the depths of winter, the music conjures memories of whispered late-night conversations and coconut after-sun lo-

Beneath the high production value are nautical storylines about the sea or broken-hearted, foolish men in romantic pursuit.

The revival also inspired a slew of tribute bands, starting with Yacht Rock Revue in 2007 and followed by Yachtley Crew, Yachty By Nature, The Docksiders, Monsters of Yacht and the Yacht Rockettes. Newer artists like Young Gun Silver Fox, Thundercat, Foxygen, Haim and Chromeo have incorporated the smooth and soulful harmonies into modern-day sounds, such as Thundercat’s 2017 song “Show You the Way” featuring Yacht rock heavyweights Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.8 Yacht rock-themed nights have sprouted up at bars across the country and even in London, where Club Yacht Rock serves up record lists stacked with the aforementioned artists along with big-league players Toto, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac. Chris Scott, the man behind the club nights, said the general perception of yacht rock has changed since the ‘80s.9

“If it had a stigma in the past, that was probably because people thought of growing up with dad’s lousy music,” Scott said. “It’s completely gone. The name is memorable, raises a chuckle when you first hear it, and now people use it as a term of love.”10

Long before there was a term to describe the genre, groups like The Doobie Brothers and Crosby, Stills & Nash set the foundation for the sub-genre. Drawing on elements of jazz and funk, artists like Christopher Cross, Steely Dan and Hall & Oates cemented the commercialized sound into the rock variety. Originally known as the West Coast Sound, the music has distinctly Californian roots, save for East Coast outliers like Steely Dan and Robbie Dupree. Regarded in its height as ultra-commercial and glib, time has varnished a glossy resin over the bouncy rhythms and saccharine songwriting, bringing about musical appreciation

1 “Yacht Rock Guide: A Brief History of Yacht Rock,” MasterClass, September 9, 2021

2 “Home - Yacht or NYACHT?,” Home - Yacht or Nyacht?

tion hastily applied before dinner. Throughout the 2000s, the cult status among fans of “Yacht Rock” helped revive interest in the sub-genre’s artists, sending a new generation of fans to concerts and an old one back to long-forgotten favorite records. When Hall & Oates won BMI’s Icon award in 2008, a Chicago Tribune article amply titled “Hall & Oates redeem their cool cred”3 attributed part of their redemption to the series, and Hall & Oates themselves called the series “the beginning of this whole Hall & Oates resurrection.”4 Robbie Dupree offered a re-issue of his first two records in 2018.5 SiriusXM made its Yacht Rock Radio channel permanent after a successful trial run in 2015,6 and Spotify’s 75-song Yacht Rock playlist has racked up over 1.2 million likes.7

3 Ann Powers, “Hall & Oates Redeem Their Cool Cred,” chicagotribune.com, May 27, 2008.

4 Alexis Petridis, “I Can Go for That: How Soft Rock Finally Got Cool,” The Guardian October 27, 2017.

5 Darren Paltrowitz, “Robbie Dupree on ReIssuing His First Two Albums, ‘Yacht Rock’ & Recording Music for the Wwf,” The Hype Magazine, May 1, 2018.

6 “Channel Update Faqs - Siriusxm Radio,” SiriusXM, 2019

7 “PLAYLIST Yacht Rock: Cruise to the Smooth

In the years since its revival, music critics and fans alike have tried to explain, categorize and brand the phenomenon. On the anniversary of the web series, a conversational-style 2015 Rolling Stone article, “Sail Away: The Oral History of Yacht Rock” detailed how Ryznar, Huey, Stair and Lyons brought the show to life.11 Greg Prato’s 2018 book “Yacht Rock,” which featured interviews with artists including Oates, Loggins, and Don Felder, called it “one of the most celebrated ‘yesteryear’ styles of pop music.”12

Using the term “ennui deluxe” to describe the genre, columnist Katie Puckrik dove through yacht’s underlying cultural shifts in 2019’s “I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock.” The BBC documentary explained how LA music groups and crystalline production fueled a mellower, more idyllic

Grooves of These Yacht Rock Tunes,” Spotify

Patrick Hosken, “Are We in the Middle of a Yacht-Rock Revival?,” MTV, February 7, 2017

Elisa Bray, “From Haim to Chromeo: The New Wave of Yacht-Rockers,” The Independent, June 5, 2014

Ibid.

11 Drew Toal, “Sail Away: The Oral History of ‘Yacht Rock’,” Rolling Stone, January 15, 2019

Greg Prato, “The Yacht Rock Book The Oral History of the Soft, Smooth Sounds of the 70’s and 80’s,” Amazon, Jawbone Press, 2018.

sound from the likes of the Laurel Canyon solo singer-songwriters consistent with the nonconformist, individualistic music of the early ‘70s.13 Balmy music that soothed an America ravaged by Watergate and Vietnam arrived as trends reflected a surge in female involvement in household spending,14 resulting in increased consideration of female listeners and a breakdown in the gender roles behind songwriting. Yacht became a place where men, perhaps donned in trousers and sporting mustaches, “could be sensitive.”15

“It’s timeless,” Puckrik said of the music. “It’s like medicine for the soul. It promises joy and it promises escape … And at the same time it lets you lose yourself. It’s kind of irresistible.”16

Perhaps America’s fascination with yacht rock in the present day comes down to our desire to revel in nostalgia in the same way one pores over grainy photographs or yellowed family scrapbooks. The ‘70s and ‘80s were rife with their own social and political issues, but the summer music produced in the era was ignorantly blissful of them, and amid our current political climate, maybe that’s the reason the sound is so appealing now. Its effortless rhythms encapsulate feelings of escape, as if the music itself puts sun-freckled highlights in your hair and the taste of a blue curacao cocktail on your tongue.

Yacht rock never tried to change the world. Its greatest success lies in providing a permanent sound for the ephemeral feelings its lyrics evoke— long after the tan lines fade and the alcohol runs dry, its songs conjure summer memories fresh in mind. ■

13 Jeff Robson, “I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock Was Retro Heaven,” inews. co.uk, October 8, 2020

14 Jack Seale, “I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock Review – Lushly Comforting,” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, June 14, 2019.

15 Alastair McKay, “I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock on BBC Four,” Evening Standard, June 14, 2019

16 Ibid.

BETWEEN A YACHT AND A HARD PLACE

Moda’s playlist sticks to high-ranking songs on The Yachtski Scale with the addition of a few fan favorites.

WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

ROSANNA TOTO

HUMAN NATURE MICHAEL JACKSON

SAILING CHRISTOPHER CROSS

PEG

STEELY DAN

STEAL AWAY ROBBIE DUPREE

SHE’S GONE

DARYL HALL AND JOHN OATES

I KEEP FORGETTIN’ (EVERY TIME YOU’RE NEAR) MICHAEL MCDONALD

HEART TO HEART KENNY LOGGINS

BIGGEST PART OF ME AMBROSIA

REAL LOVE

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

I’D REALLY LOVE TO SEE YOU TONIGHT ENGLAND DAN AND JOHN CORD FOLEY ESCAPE

RUPERT HOLMES

BRANDY

LOOKING GLASS

SUMMER BREEZE

SEALS AND CROFTS

CHILLED

Directed by Erin Galioto, Fashion Editorial Director Photographed by Hunter Kiehl, Photography Director and Emma Spaciel, Contributing Photographer Modeled by Amaya Gatling and Hayley Knowles

Gone with the Wind

Books that will make you feel light and weightless

Written by Kora Quinn, Deputy Editor Graphic by Mac Gale, Arts Curator

I’ve always thought of entertainment—especially reading— as a pause, an intermission in what might otherwise be a stressful or challenging day. Not everyone has this perception, especially if you use the media you consume as a tool for knowledge or to help you understand concepts and thoughts outside of your own experience. But even if your shelves are full of nonfiction and you’ve never touched a romance novel in your life, it can still be a lovely thing to use reading as a respite from reality.

So, here are five books that will help you feel light and weightless when everything else feels heavy:

1. “Daughter of the Moon Goddess” by Sue Lynn Tan

“Daughter of the Moon Goddess,” Tan’s debut novel, is a breathtaking, whimsical adult fantasy inspired by the Chinese legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. It follows Xingyin, Chang’e’s daughter, who sets out to free her mother from exile. While “Daughter of the Moon Goddess’’ has its beasts, villains and betrayals, it’s also laced with an endearing, forbidden romance accompanied by captivating imagery that will make you feel as if you’re with Xingyin, flying on a cloud and longing for home in a mother-of-pearl palace

2. “Book Lovers” by Emily

Author of beloved titles such as “People We Meet on Vacation” and “Beach Read,” Henry’s 2022 release, “Book Lovers,” follows Nora Stephens on her journey to become the heroine she’s always read about for work. But the last thing Nora expects as a literary agent on vacation is to come across a brooding editor she knows from the city, Charlie Lastra. Henry’s fresh bestseller is a classic enemies-to-lovers ro-

mance dedicated to book lovers with all the charm, humor and warmth she’s known for.

3. “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree

Baldree’s debut novel, “Legends and Lattes,” has all the familiar elements of a high fantasy—an orc barbarian narrator, forgotten legends and fabled artifacts—but with a fresh twist. Viv, a former warrior, settles down in the city of Thune to open its first ever coffee shop. In this cozy, light read, Baldree emphasizes the importance of love, community, found family and friendship while highlighting the rewards of trying something new, no matter how impossible it may seem.

4. “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George, translated by Simon Pare

Published in 2013, “The Little Paris Bookshop” is a timeless story about Jean Perdu, a self titled “literary apothecary.” On his floating bookstore on a barge in the Seine, Perdu mends broken hearts and helps his customers through hardship by prescribing books he knows will aid in their healing. A story that will leave you wishing the characters could come to life and prescribe you literary medicine, “The Little Paris Bookshop” is the perfect blend of floating fun and heart wrenching emotion.

5. “After Hours on Milagro Street” by Angelina M. Lopez

Alex and Jeremiah are opposites in nearly every way; she’s a tough and tattooed bartender looking to revive her grandmother’s bar, and he’s a shy professor who would do anything to keep her from ruining the bar’s legacy and the relationship he’s built with her family and community. In “After Hours on Milagro Street,” Lopez has created a playful, vivid and lust-driven story in which two very different people must come together to save their home. ■

Material Girl

How designers innovate with sustainable fabrics

Written and Styled by Jane Houseal, Fashion Editor

Modeled by Leanne Blum | Photographed by Luc Marchessault, Staff Photographer

The pressure for the fashion industry to become more sustainable has continued to increase over the last couple of years, and designers, brands and fashion councils have taken steps toward a more eco-friendly future. For Autumn/Winter 2023 collections, the Copenhagen Fashion Week council created an action plan with over 18 sustainability criteria for participating designers, including banning animal-fur.1

It may be obvious from the many criteria Copenhagen Fashion Week provided, but there are numerous steps to sustainability. When it comes to clothing, choosing the right fabrics is one of them. A sustainable fabric choice can make a product that lasts longer, creates less waste and causes less overall environmental harm.

One type of sustainable fabrics are those that are derived from plant-based fibers. These fabrics include recycled cotton, or ganic hemp and organic linen, among oth ers. It is also common for sustainable de signers to seek out deadstock fabric, fabric that is no longer being produced, or use recycled materials.

Advancements in technology have led to new, innovative fabrics such as artificial silk which is made by bees, or solar fabric that intends to produce more energy than it took to create.2 Designers sometimes even opt to not use fabric at all, instead us ing material that would otherwise be waste such as plastic bags, soda-can tabs and other various pieces of trash.

Here are a few designers, new and estab lished, that are making waves in the fashion industry with the materials they use:

Alexandra Sipa Fashion designer Alexandra Sipa and entre preneur Lucas Baker founded their brand, Alexandra Sipa, on principles of “trans

1 Bella Webb, “Can Fashion Shows Ever Be Sustainable?,” Vogue Business, March 4, 2022, ; Rachel Cernansky, “Copenhagen Fashion Week Bans Fur as Animal Rights and Sustainability Merge,” Vogue Business (Vogue Business, August 8, 2022), 2 Ben Schiller, “”5 Weird Fabrics That Could Cut Fashion’s Footprint,” Fast Company, September 13,

parency; ingenuity; and environmental, economic, and social sustainability.”3 With a goal of transforming waste into luxury textiles, Sipa designs intricate garments uti lizing unlikely materials such as discarded electrical materials from demolished build ings and old beach towels. She manipulates the wires to create colorful lace inspired by Romanian culture; specifically, the idea that even the most mundane objects should be treated like treasure and kept for a lifetime.4

Some of the looks in her graduate collec tion, “Romanian Camouflage,” include an abstract floral bustier held up with pink velvet straps, a vibrant a-line dress finished off with point lace (a Romanian technique) and a backless dress covered in volumi nous ruffles.5 All of these looks, along with the rest of the collection, are created us ing electrical wire-turned lace. “Romanian Camouflage” aims to make a small dent in decreasing e-waste.6

Sipa’s most recent Spring/Summer 2023 collection, “Unlikely Kings,” also incorpo rates wire lace and a variety of other re purposed materials. “Unlikely Kings” is just as dreamy as “Romanian Camouflage,” but with an edgy twist. Think floor-length wa tercolor gowns, double-buckle pleated mini skirts and 3-D appliqué of bows and flow ers.7 With her unique designs and innova tive use of materials, Sipa proves that even the most unexpected items can have a glo rious second life.

Anna Molinari

Influencer and designer Anna Molinari got her start in the most Gen Z way possible: by sharing her provocative designs on TikTok. She began by posting simple sewing videos and eventually showed her first collection at New York Fashion Week.8 Now, Moli

3 “About - Alexandra Sipa,” ABOUT - alexandra sipa, accessed September 3, 2022, https:// alexandrasipa.com/ABOUT.

4 Jennifer Hahn |15 September 2020 Leave a comment, “Alexandra Sipa Weaves Discarded Electrical Wires Together like Lace for Graduate Fashion Collection,” Dezeen, September 15, 2020.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

7 “Episode 2 Uncertain Kings - Alexandra Sipa,” EPISODE 2 UNCERTAIN KINGS - alexandra sipa, accessed September 3, 2022.

8 “How Going Viral on TikTok Led to a Sellout New York Fashion Week Show,” ChatterBlast,

nari continues to work on her slow fashion brand, Instinct Brand, which encourages consumers’ instinct to shop sustainably.

Molinari creates garments from a huge vari ety of repurposed materials, including a Juul Pod under-bust corset and a soda can tab dress. Her designs are intended to inspire this generation to find sustainable solutions and ultimately, “Unfuck the World,” which is the name of her latest collection.9

One of her most popular creations is a Met-Gala-inspired dress made out of 2020 newspapers. The gown showcases all the impactful headlines from the year and com ments on how much more effort is need ed to make the world more just.10 Among her other designs are structured sailing line corsets, matching sets made out of plas tic bags and extravagant tooth-pick chok ers. Though the future of fashion may not always include repurposed trash the way Molinari does, her political designs serve as motivation to work toward a better future.

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney often comes to mind when thinking of sustainable fashion. Her collections consistently experiment and pave the way for sustainable luxury fashion. Each detail of McCartney’s brand is thought out—past collections have featured organic cotton, ethically-sourced wool, regenerated cashmere and more.11 In both her Spring/ Summer 2022 collection and in her brand’s swimwear line she used ECONYL, a new re generated nylon material.12

McCartney’s most recent Resort 2023 col lection was her most sustainable show yet, with 85% of the collection produced sus tainably. 13 The collection, “Rewilding and Rechilding,” utilized many different tex tiles—although grape leather may be the

February 10, 2022.

9 Emerald Pellot, “Gen Z Fashion Designer Anna Molinari Makes Chic Looks out of Recycled Trash,” In The Know, March 12, 2021.

10 “How Going Viral on TikTok Led to a Sellout New York Fashion Week Show,” ChatterBlast, February 10, 2022.

11 “Top 7 Sustainable Fashion Designers Making a Change in 2022,” Motif, September 8, 2022.

12 “Stella McCartney’s Summer 2019 Collection,” Econyl, October 31, 2018.

13 Nicole Phelps, “Stella McCartney Resort 2023,” Vogue, May 26, 2022.

most interesting. Grape leather is made from grape waste produced during the wine making process. McCartney used grape leather to make funky trainers and bags as unique as the material they are made of.14 Though McCartney is already known in the fashion industry for her sustainability, she is one to continue to watch, as she never settles when it comes to finding sustainable fashion solutions.

Phoebe English

Phoebe English is a womenswear and menswear designer that has implement ed sustainability into every aspect of her brand, specifically focusing on designing out waste from the start and exploring the potential to make textiles and textile waste circular. English also pays careful attention to the chemical components of the fabrics she uses by experimenting with plant dyes.15 English takes into consideration how the clothing and fabric is constructed and the item’s capacity for longevity.16 Long-lasting clothing is a true hallmark of sustainability.

English’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection used zero-virgin fabrics and dyed fabrics with locally-sourced materials. English and her team collected acorns on their way to work to create a black and blue-black col or, and used avocado stones from nearby cafés to create a terracotta color. 17 The re sult is beautifully colored fabrics that pull the collection together perfectly. English’s approach to sustainability is meticulous and thorough, and her willingness to re search and appreciate the slower aspects of sustainable fashion makes her a brilliant industry leader. Her commitment has also earned the designer recognition, as Phoe be English was recently awarded the Marie Claire Sustainability Award for Best Sustain able Design Brand.18 ■

14 Ibid.

15 “About - Phoebe English,” Phoebe English, 2022.

16 Jessica Davis, “Phoebe English: How the industry needs to change to be truly sustainable,” November 28, 2019.

17 Sarah Mower, “Phoebe English Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear,” September 22, 2020.

18 “About - Phoebe English,” Phoebe English, 2022.

1

The Beach Erosion

Coastal Erosion's impact on beach towns

By Alison Stecker, Online Editor

Graphic by Mac Gale, Arts Curator

Beaches bring about images of salty air, sun-kissed skin and a wave of calmness that numbs your body the second you dive into the water. There is a weightless feeling that overcomes your mind when your feet sink into the wet sand for the first time each summer. The beach is peaceful. The beach is home. But how would it feel if that home was slowly eroding away until nothing is left? Coastal erosion is happening to our beaches now, and in order to slow it down, it’s important to be educated on the issue and the impact it has on our beloved coast.

What is coastal erosion?

Coastal erosion is when environmental factors—such as an increase in sea level, strong waves and flooding—wash away the sand, soil and rocks along a coastline.1 It naturally occurs due to storms and waves, but global warming is causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, exacerbating the problem.2 Since humans are a large part of the climate change crisis, we are indirectly worsening the effects of coastal erosion.

Dangerous swimming conditions

In addition to its environmental impact, coastal erosion is worsening swimming conditions for beach residents, visitors and tourists. This summer, for example, strong winds in Brick Township, New Jersey formed holes in popular swimming spots. Individuals were walking along a sandbar that appeared normal at first, then dropped 10 to 20 feet, creating a dangerous situation for all.3 “I never saw a curve like that. I was curious about it and then I noticed the

Pia De Los Reyes, “The Impact of Coastal Erosion on Seaside Communities,” One Green Planet, October 2021.

2 Ibid.

3 Kevin Rincon, “Growing Concern over Jersey Shore beach erosion,” CBS New York, July 28, 2022.

staircase is gone,” recalled Orry Baffi, a beach citizen, about a drop-off in the ocean. As a result, many beaches have to close areas for swimming, impacting a core reason why people travel to the beach in the first place.

Erosion threatens the housing market

Owning a beachfront property or renting a hut overlooking the seaside is a desirable lifestyle for many people. There is something peaceful and relaxing about coastal living, yet the housing market is one of the primary targets of coastal erosion in seaside communities.

According to a study in the Nature Science Journal, 2,452 miles of sandy U.S. coastline will be reduced in the next 30 years.4 The coastline is slowly disappearing, and all the sand and rock that small beach towns depend upon will be washed away and covered by the ocean. In the southeast, coastlines are eroding at a rate of 25 feet per year, and in the Great Lakes region the erosion rate is double that.5

Nshan Atakhanian, a resident of Hillsdale, New Jersey, observed the beaches in Brick Township. “When you’re walking over here, you can’t even see the beach anymore. Soon enough the beach is going to be gone,” he said.6

Individuals interested in buying a house in coastal areas should proceed with caution, as the homes are at a high risk of weathering. In Ocean City, New Jersey, approximately 38% of homes were considered vulnerable to erosion, and it’s estimated that over five billion dollars of home values would be com-

4 Pia De Los Reyes, “The Impact of Coastal Erosion on Seaside Communities,” One Green Planet, October 2021. 5 Ibid.

6 Kevin Rincon, “Growing Concern over Jersey Shore beach erosion,” CBS New York, July 28, 2022.

promised by 2050.7 It is not worth investing in a beach house if the ocean will gradually eat away at the home’s foundation.

Today, it is increasingly difficult to justify putting down roots in a beach town because the homes will eventually erode away. The housing market will depreciate if coastal erosion continues, and there will be no residents or visitors to keep small businesses afloat.

How we can slow down erosion

Although it is impossible to prevent erosion from happening, there are ways to slow down the process and protect your property from damage. A great place to start is reducing your carbon footprint, or the amount of greenhouse gases you release into the atmosphere.8 Transportation is one of the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and in 2020, 91.5% of U.S. households had at least one vehicle available for use.9 Public transportation, walking, biking or carpooling are great alternatives that can help you reduce the number of vehicles on the road. By minimizing the number of activities that have high carbon emission rates, you can slow down global warming and thus, coastal erosion. Beach nourishment, anchoring your home and habitat restoration are other ways you can help slow down the effects of erosion, but we won’t be able to save our beaches and lovely beach towns if we don’t care for this planet first.10 ■

7 Pia De Los Reyes, “The Impact of Coastal Erosion on Seaside Communities,” One Green Planet, October 2021.

8 Leah Asmelash, “What you need to know about carbon footprints,” CNN, September 8, 2019.

9 Lyle Daly, “How Many Cars in the U.S.? Car ownership Statistics 2022,” The Ascent, May 18, 2022.

10 “Protect your Property from Coastal Erosion,” FEMA, September 7, 2022.

Sheer Bliss

Celeb-adored brand Fancì Club plays with Mesh

Written by Erin Galioto, Fashion Editorial Director

Graphic by Riya Shah, Contributing Graphic Artist

As consumers are becoming more aware of their effect on the environment and the impact of fast fashion consumption, we are shifting toward recycling clothing through activities like thrifting and DIY. Inspired by the desire to use recycled scraps in high fashion, 22-year-old, Vietnamese designer Khanh Duy Tran created Fancì Club in 2020.1 His designs push the boundaries of the ultra-sexy, nearly-naked movement as he looks to empower women to love even the more “hush-hush” parts of their bodies.2

A nod to the Y2K resurgence, Fancì Club garments include low-rise pants and corsets3 and feature heavy use of nylon, ruffles, ties, bows and fur in colors that will make your heart swell. Tran’s ultimate goal with Fancì Club is to promote the beauty of the naked body and spark conversations about the limits of risqué, nude fashion.4

“I’m trying to create a revolution with Fancì Club,” he told British Vogue. “I’d like to normalize showing taboo parts of the body including—and not limited to—the buttocks. I hope my designs encourage people to love themselves.”5

Tran highlights Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood “and myself” as his style icons.6 But Tran’s true muse for his work, “comes from appreciating the beauty within forgotten things, my surroundings and nature.

1 Blair, Sonia. “Where to Buy FanciClub: The Vietnamese Brand to Know.” RUSSH, RUSSH Magazine, 18 July 2022, 2 Gilchrist, Ava. “Meet FANCÌ Club, the Hot New Label Loved by Supermodels and Pop Sensations Alike.” ELLE, Are Media PTY Limited, 15 July 2022 3 Blair, Sonia. “Where to Buy FanciClub: The Vietnamese Brand to Know.” RUSSH, RUSSH Magazine, 18 July 2022,

4 Subair, Eni. “Discover the Brand Taking the ‘Naked’ Dress to New Extremes.” British Vogue, Condé Nast, 14 Feb. 2022

5 Ibid.

6 Blair, Sonia. “Where to Buy FanciClub: The Vietnamese Brand to Know.” RUSSH, RUSSH Magazine, 18 July 2022

Most of my pieces were inspired by the materials I bought from the thrift market that day” he said.7

As a Gen Z designer, Tran is an avid thrifter and has always dreamed of creating his own sustainable fashion brand.8 Fancì Club’s handmade, custom pieces first appeared on Depop and are curated in Vietnam from sourced deadstock, thrifted and damaged fabrics.9 But the fabric is not the only unique part of Tran’s design process. In sort of a “Charlie Brown” Christmas Tree fashion, Tran haphazardly pieces, shuffles and sews on these fabrics until he is happy with the final product. On average, the construction process for a single garment only takes 15 minutes.10 Tran created his 15 piece collection “His Ring and Her Edge” in just two weeks.11

His latest collection, “The Lethal Roses,” is a mesh dream, featuring dramatic evening gowns, two-piece sets, draping full-length tops and semi-sheer low rise pants. Several pieces feature the delicate, oversized rose motif that cascades into long, waterfalling ruffles.

Fancì Club has matured exponentially since its conception on Depop. Bella Hadid is working overtime to secure her spot as number-one fan of the brand; she frequently appears photographed and posts on Instagram in Tran’s designs. Hailey Bieber wore cus-

7 Maitland, Hayley. “Hailey Bieber & Kendall Jenner Just Raised the Bar for Summer Party Dressing.” British Vogue, Condé Nast, 18 June 2022

8 Blair, Sonia. “Where to Buy FanciClub: The Vietnamese Brand to Know.” RUSSH, RUSSH Magazine, 18 July 9 Ibid.

10 Ibid.

11 Subair, Eni. “Discover the Brand Taking the ‘Naked’ Dress to New Extremes.” British Vogue, Condé Nast, 14 Feb. 2022.

tom Fancì Club to her Rhode Makeup launch party and Olivia Rodrigo wore the “Bad Sheep” corset to her “driving home 2 u” premiere.12 Other members of the A-list fan club include Emma Chamberlain, Doja Cat, Rosalia, Elsa Hosk and Kali Uchis.13

Looking to jump on the bandwagon? With most pieces ranging from $150$300, Fancì Club falls on the affordable end of celebrity-worn brands and it is worth taking a look to invest in pieces for a special occasion. ■

12 Maitland, Hayley. “Hailey Bieber & Kendall Jenner Just Raised the Bar for Summer Party Dressing.” British Vogue, Condé Nast, 18 June 2022, Grimes, Collette. “Olivia Rodrigo Wears a Girly Corset to ‘Driving Home 2 U’ Premiere.” HYPEBAE, Hyperbeast Limited, 25 Mar. 2022, 13 Gilchrist, Ava. “Meet FANCÌ Club, the Hot New Label Loved by Supermodels and Pop Sensations Alike.” ELLE, Are Media PTY Limited, 15 July 2022.