“THE CLASSIC FLAP BAG”
173 NEW BOND STREET - LONDON W1 SELFRIDGES WONDER ROOM - LONDON W1 HARRODS HANDBAG & ACCESSORIES ROOM - LONDON SW1 FOR ALL ENQUIRIES PLEASE TELEPHONE 020 7499 0005 www.chanel.com
MAGAZINE STAFF Gabriela Tijerina
Nicole Daniels
Editor-in-Chief
Associate Fashion Director
Jessica Ande
Natalie Butcher
Executive Editor
Lifestyle Editor
Britt Oldham
Jazmine Swanson
Associate Editor
Features Director
Monica Giacoman
Lizzet Acosta
Creative Director
Beauty Director
Stephanie Olague
Amanda Archuletta
Associate Creative Director
Public Relations Coordinator
Valeria Soto
Peggy Blum
Fashion Director
Advisory Board
OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION AND GRADITUDE GOES TO: Keith Waldon & the Depature Lounge Team
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Quentin Keele
Steven Ayers
Mauro Carrera
Ana Maese
Lisa Muller
Allan Piedra
Echo McLaughlin
Rikki Velez
Nelson Ortiz Richard Barnes
MAKE UP
Tiffanee Reyes
Michelle Adriano
Ashley Parent Jonathan Reyes
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Eleven Summer 2014
EDITOR’S LETTER
T
his number is very dear to our hearts, to our eleven hearts. This number along with the June/ July season commemorates the launch of our magazine, a magazine that composes of eleven voices and eleven different points of views. As young fashion professionals, we all have different interpretations of the current trends, which represent the core of our editorial work. As editor-in-chief, I am proud to present this work to the community, a work that wouldn’t have been possible without my editorial team and the guidance from our fashion Professor Ms. Peggy Blum. In this issue you will learn everything you need to know for the summer, including the biggest trends in fashion, beauty, health and a special spotlight on Austin, Texas. We can’t wait to show what we love the most about this season.
Gaby Tijerina
Eleven Summer 2014
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CONTENTS - SUMMER 2014
FASHION
10 FASHION SENSE Fashion vocabulary that everyone should know 19 WHAT’S TRENDING? This season’s top trend, Retro Romance 22 BLUE HAZE AND SUMMER DAZE A look at this summer’s most glamorous styles
BEAUTY
12 SUMMER GLAM TIPS: CHANEL Learn how to wear your makeup with Chanel cosmetics 14 THE BRIGHT SIDE OF COSMETIC PROCEDURES What you don’t know about plastic surgery 8
Eleven Summer 2014
FEATURES
13 MIAMI FASHION WEEK Travel to Miami with designer Sherri Hill 16 THE BUYER DIARIES A day in the life of a fashion buyer in NYC 20 TRAVELING WITH NATALIE A look into Austin’s top 11 hotspots 30 THE MODERN FEMALE PHARAOHS Influential ladies to look up to 32 YOUNG DESIGNER TO WATCH A Q&A with Jessica Faith Marshall
M I N E R A L I Z E RIC H LIPS TIC K
Fashion Sense
By Jazmine Swanson
Knowing all of the hip trends is important for all aspiring fashionistas. Get educated on the top Elleven fashion terms chosen by Elleven different fashion professionals with Elleven unique personalities.
1
A line dress = Dress that gradually flares out at the hemline.
3 5 7 9 11 10
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2
Pleats = Severe rigid folds in a garment.
Unfinished (Raw Edge) = Fabric with edges that haven’t been completed.
4 6
Applique = Design trimmings on fabrics.
Yoke = Garments with a portion of
fabric that separates neckline from the shoulders.
Lettuce Hem = Curvy gathered
hem.
Boxy = Silhouette that has a square effect.
8
Extended Shoulders = Shoulders on a garment are elongated.
Iridescent (similar to shimmering) =
Glow of sequins or bright objects on a garment.
10
One piece (jumpsuit, romper) =
Garment that doesn’t have separate pieces.
Loose = Garment silhouette that isn’t tightly fitted.
5
2
7 3 4
10
8
9
11 Eleven Summer 2014
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Summer Glam tips:
Chanel
A
re you indecisive of your makeup for this summer? Well, I have the perfect products and tips to share with you! With the help of Sales Associate Amanda Chandler and Product Specialist Deidre Pulido at Chanel Cosmetics Neiman Marcus, I was able to determine what was trending this summer. For this summer, rose bronze cheeks, subtle smokey eyes, and coral lips are the perfect combos for any occasion and all skin tones. It is also important to hydrate, cleanse, and moisturize your face when dealing with the summer heat. This method also increases your make-up wear up to 12 hours. Using foundation with sunscreen also helps protect your gorgeous skin, ladies. The summer kiss glow effect is also popular this season and you can easily achieve that look by mixing Chanel’s “Sheer Illumination Fluid” with your foundation or even your lotion for a full body effect does the trick. Also, using the Rose Bronze Blush can be used to highlight all areas of your face. All you need to do is apply the blush in small amounts covering all of your cheek bone in an upward motion. Waterproof eyeliner and mascara is definitely a must – have for this summer and I would definitely recommend using the Chanel “14 Mystic Eyes” to compliment this look. Now don’t forget about those eye brows of yours, sculpting them “Frames the windows of your beautiful soul” (Deidre Pulido, Product Specialist) using the Chanel “Sculpting Eye Pencil” all you do is brush down, fill in, and brush over that simple (tip from Amanda Chandler). Last but not least, lips! You definitely can’t go wrong with coral lips this summer. Prep your lips with a small amount of concealer. Then Highlight your lips with Chanel’s “ Aqua Crayon Lip Colour Stick” (Rosey) Apply the Madamaselle color lipstick and seal it with a small coat of Chanel’s “ Lèvres Sciantillantes Lipgloss” (Sonate). With these products and tips, you are now ready to throw on your favorite sundress and enjoy a full day of summer fun looking trendy and fabulous. Special thanks to Sales Associate Amanda Chandler and Product Specialist Deidre Pulido, at Neiman Marcus Austin, TX.
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Eleven Summer 2014
By Lizzet Acosta
Miami FASHION WEEK By Valeria Soto
B
eing a young fashion professional, I was offered an amazing opportunity to fly to Miami Beach and work alongside the wonderful American designer Sherri Hill. She has many lines of clothing ranging from cocktail, pageant, couture, and prom wear. Just being present was such a rewarding experience. When I arrived, I was instructed to steam the dresses and begin getting ready for the shoot. I literally gasped and had a loss for words. I was so enamored with her collections. I can imagine myself wearing her dresses, pretending I was an heir of royalty. A lot was accomplished in a week’s time, however I was drained throughout the entire trip. It was totally worth it though! I helped conduct shoots with Fadil, the photographer. I learned an immense amount of information when working these shoots and working with such a personable, lively, and talented team. During my time, I also got a chance to meet interesting people in the fashion industry and network with buyers. The highlight of my trip was watching the actual fashion show after working hard backstage. The models were vey kind and professional. We had Bella Thorne in attendance as our main guest sitting front row. Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler and Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza strut down the runway. They were nice, talented and amazing ladies! After the Sherri Hill runway show, I got the chance to attend the Sherri Hill after party! YAY! It was on a yacht, a huge one I must say! It was so fun hanging out with the crew, models, and of course the extraordinary Sherri Hill. Having dinner and spending time with the crew fueled my passion even more for this industry and inspires me to be just as hardworking as the amazing individuals I worked with.
Sherri Hill runway
Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler
Designer Sherri Hill Eleven Summer 2014
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The
Bright Side of
Cosmetic Procedures
By Stephanie Olague
B
eing an employee at Beleza Medical Spa in Austin, Texas for a year has shaped my perspective on the traditional views of plastic surgery. Many people scrunch up their faces and have negative responses when someone reveals that they have had plastic surgery done. With my experience as a scrub tech at Beleza Medical Spa, I’m here to shed some light on how plastic surgery procedures can positively impact someone’s life.
Reasons for Procedure
What procedure is done?
Complications
Breast Cancer
Mastectomy
Long Lasting Pain
Birth Defects
Reconstructive Surgery
Scarring/Bruising
Migraines
Botox Injections
Eyelid Drooping/Bruising
Massive Weight Loss
Full Body Lift
Blood Clots/Infection
{
“Sometimes we can be our own worst critics. Before getting a procedure done, ask yourself if its something you really need.”
}
The most important factor to consider when choosing to have a procedure done is ensuring you have chosen a board certified plastic surgeon and doing as much research on them as you can. Doctor’s should always provide you with pictures of previous work they have done and of course, ask a lot of questions. Eleven Summer 2014
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THE BUYER DIARIES By Monica Giacomán
B
eing an aspiring fashion professional from the southern part of the U.S., you might think what’s not to love about New York City, right? It is the house of glamorous fashion shows, talented designers and artists, and not to mention the powerful heart sustaining the Fashion Industry around the world. But the day-to-day life of a fashion professional living in NYC can’t really be as amazing as it sounds, can it? I’ve decided to take on the task of documenting a day in the life of a fashion buyer living in The Big Apple. With the help of Mexican entrepreneur and fashion blogger, Paulina Redondo, and her beautiful boutique Lace & Tulle, located in Monterrey, Mexico, I was able to experience and document an insider’s view of what it is really like working in the fashion world. Our day went as follows:
8:30 A.M.
10:00 A.M. We arrived at the Tadashi Shoji showroom. Dawn, a sales rep, was already waiting for us at the reception. As you can imagine, the process went on pretty similarly as it did earlier. We pulled, we edited, then we pulled some more. Then we selected sizes and filled out order forms. Time flew by and before we knew it was almost time for our next appointment at Jill Stuart.
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Eleven Summer 2014
We arrived at the first meeting of the day at the Nicole Miller showroom. My first impression of the place was that it looked like one of those pictures you pin on Pinterest under your “dream house inspiration” board. It was absolutely lovely. With various sketches and paintings hanging around in different sizes and frames throughout the reception, I wished I could take a few for myself. As we waited for our sales rep, Anna, we started glancing at the clothing just to get a feel of what we had to work with. Once she arrived, we started pulling our selection. Since Lace & Tulle focuses mostly on dresses and one pieces, we tried not to drift towards the separates. Though it was pretty hard not to. As we pulled, Anna separated our selection into deliverable dates, which is separating it by the month the merchandise will be arriving to the store. Next, my second favorite part after pulling was the editing. We needed to figure out if what we selected was a) appropriate for the season or month it would be arriving, b) tailored to the niche customer, with their demands and preferences, c) and corresponding to the store’s aesthetic and vision. Once that was settled, we focused on selecting the sizes for each piece, while filling out the order forms. After all the good old paper work was signed, and hands were shaken, we were ready to go on to the next appointment.
11:30 A.M. We arrived at Jill Stuart, and were immediately welcomed into what I had always dreamt a New York show room would look like. It had a studio-like structure with white walls and big windows facing the streets. Industrial racks with beautiful garments hanging were surrounding the space, and a simple white table was situated in the middle of the room. We selected the more minimalistic pieces that still had a very luxurious feel to them. They had less merchandise than the previous vendors so we ended up pulling almost all of the new designs they had to offer.
1:00 P.M. We were on our way to grab a quick lunch. We went to the nearest place we could find close to our next appointment. We actually almost forgot to eat our food because we were going through all the lookbooks memorizing the selections we had made thus far. We needed to keep every detail in mind to make sure we would select the widest variety of styles and colors.
2:00 P.M. By this time we were walking through the BCBG Max Azria reception. This show room was the biggest of all, with three floors and several different rooms filled with merchandise. Our sales representative, Chelsea, came to the reception to greet and guide us towards the dresses. We were overwhelmed by the variety and quantity of merchandise: short, midi, long, sequence, strapless, A-line, you name it. We pulled whatever time allowed us to, and decided it would be best to make another appointment for the next day just so we could completely finish looking through everything. We then had to rush, and move from the industrial Fashion District to the more picturesque streets of Tribeca, where the Erin Fetherston showroom is located.
4:00 P.M. Melissa, who was previously a BCBG sales rep, was excited to greet us. She showed and explained to us the thought and design within each piece. By the end of her demonstration, we were sold. We couldn’t get our hands on the merchandise fast enough. Everything was fashion forward; simply unexpected from Erin’s previous collections. It all had the perfect combination of feminism and structural design that are overall flattering and empowering for women of any size and shape. As much as we would have loved to pull every single piece, we needed to keep in mind who we were shopping for, and save the more risky pieces for our personal selection. As the order forms were getting filled, I heard some clacks from the top floor, and Melissa told us that was actually Erin herself working on the newest collection. She mentioned that all of their workspace – from corporate offices, to show room, to design space – was all located within that tiny
building, and that they were planning on expanding and moving to the Fashion District soon. As much as we wanted to hang around and wait to see if Erin would ever come down, it was almost time for our next appointment in the Soho district.
5:00 P.M. We were outside a building situated between Stella McCartney and Louis Vuitton. The company’s name is Fragments, and they distribute all sorts of merchandise from different designers. We were there for a specific jewelry designer named Suzanna Dai. We selected some of her brilliantly designed pieces, even the risqué hand piece that just doesn’t fall into the norm of what you think a hand piece would look like. After this appointment, we were officially done.
6:30 P.M. We walked our way towards Elizabeth Street, where a dinner reservation at PUBLIC restaurant was waiting for us .The place was trendy as New York restaurants can get, and the food was out of this world.
8:00 P.M. What better way to end the day than by visiting the Broadway production Of Mice & Men. Starring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd, it had stellar performances by the cast, and was the perfect distraction after a busy day of work. After the play we were ready to call it a night, and more than ready to forget all about buying and number crunching. Until the next morning of course. By then we were be ready for whatever the day had in store for us as fashion buyers in New York City. Eleven Summer 2014
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What’s
Trending?
Retro Romance
By Jessica Ande
Executive editor, Jessica Ande, shares 11 pieces on her wish list for this summer’s trends.
I
am a huge fan of necklaces, this pearl necklace from Chanel 1 is perfect for looking stylish and retro. This high-waisted floral skirt from Dolce & Gabbana 2 is romantic yet flirty. The gold Emilio Pucci bracelet 3 is simple yet elegant. This bracelet has a nautical essence, which is great for summer. I have been wanting this nude Givenchy tote 4 for a while now and it works perfectly for this trend. The Dolce & Gabbana scarf 5 is one of my favorite pieces here. I love wearing scarves around my neck as well as on my head, great for that retro look. These emerald teardrop earrings, from BCBG Max Azria, 6 are beautiful and have a vintage style. I have not been a fan of the crop top trend but I adore this white sweater top by Salvatore Ferragamo 7, it provides a more subtle version of this trend. The striped high-waisted shorts from Stella McCartney 8 scream summer to me. High-waisted shorts have been trending for a while now, but these are a great simple summer update to this trend. Sunglasses are always a must for summer. Keeping up with the retro romance trend are these cat eye Valentino sunglasses 9 . They are ideal for protecting your eyes from the sun while still being fashionable. Alexander McQueen has an extravagant way of using prints. This clutch 10 is no exception, the color and print is so vibrant and gorgeous you can almost smell the flowers. I love the modern and vintage vibe that these Valentino studded kitten heels 11 give off. To rap up this retro romance trend, I thought a complete look was just what was needed. I think that this 2014 spring/ summer runway look from EMODA 12 was a perfect representation of this trend from head to toe. Happy trending!
1. Chanel necklace, $1,700 2. Dolce & Gabbana skirt, $975 3. Emilio Pucci bracelet, $663 4. Givenchy tote, $2,280 5. Dolce & Gabbana scarf, $525 6. BCBG Max Azria earrings, $58 7. Salvatore Ferragamo top, $1,255 8. Stella McCartney shorts, $628 9. Valentino sunglasses, $396 10. Alexander McQueen clutch, $540 11. Valentino shoes, $945 12. EMODA S/S 2014 runway
Eleven Summer 2014
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Traveling With
11
Natalie
Austin Hotspots By Natalie Butcher
T
raveling is so much more than just traveling to me. In my mind, the places I’ve seen are almost ranked as an accomplishment. The places I’ve been are positioned as trophies of life. I grew up in a very small town in South Texas. It was a border town and not very
reputable by any standards. I was raised by a single mother and life was not always easy. However, I never felt as if I was missing out on anything because of my supportive mother and determintion of success. As a child, I longed for the day I could live on my own in a New York City apartment, working a fabulous career and traveling the world. I consider myself conditioned to crave this life by the countless movies I watched growing up, and rather than memorizing storylines and falling for the love interest of the heroine, I rememberd the places. In “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” I remembered Holly Golightly’s humble apartment and her love affair with Manhattan, not the complicated relationship between her and Paul Varjack. In Sleepless in Seattle I imangined what it would be like to live on a houseboat in Seattle, not Meg Ryan’s and Tom Hanks’ undeniable chemisty. Perhaps, I was wired differently, but it was as if I convinced myself that if I didn’t travel, then I hadn’t achieved what I wanted out of life. So, I grew up and since then have gone to France, England, Scotland and a few places in the U.S. I am going back to Scotland in June and planning a trip to Spain in the spring. I am determined to see those places I day dreamed about and check off my mental list. Because of this passion the editors at Elleven magazine asked me to travel to Austin and get my take on the quirky town. Here are my findings.
Hotels:
1. San Jose Hotel - Hotel San Jose was built in 1939. The bungalow style hotel contradicts its origin date with a modern eclectic style and feel. This is for the minimalist looking for a chic stay in Austin. Located off of South Congress in a prime location for good food and great shopping. Ideal for the wandering tourist like me, Hotel San Jose provides more of the “Austin Experience” as opposed to others. A little hipster mixed with a dash of California cool, this hotel has a beautiful lounging area and host events for hotel guests and natives alike, Hotel San Jose provides a “unique place to sleep” and also like many Austin gathering sites, is dog friendly!
2. Driskill 3. The W Hotel 20
Eleven Summer 2014
Food 4. La Condesa 5. Barely Swine 6. The Old Pecan St. Café – I adore this quaint little café. It has that Texas charm and rustic visual appeal with a casual elegance that you just don’t get from other cities. The outside patio is just a gorgeous way to eat al fresco and gather with friends over coffee. My friend and I came here for brunch and I ordered the pecan pancakes, and it’s safe to say that sharing, and “yumming” was happening. The open doors and warm colors equate to a warm welcome. I would recommend this restaurant to any Austin tourist for a lovely Sunday brunch.
Shop
7. By George 8. Estilo
9. Feathers Boutique-
Every corner you turn, you find a new treasure to behold. Rooms filled
with cowboy boots, clothes and accessories, color coordinated and displayed for convenience. Tags dated from the era of the garment,thoughtfully recorded to familiarize the shopper. I found a 1940’s red printed bathing suit that I am currently obsessed with and determined to come back for. I have shopped in vintage stores from Glasgow to Paris and it’s very rare for me to find honest and desirable fashions in them, but Feathers is different. Everything from the faint Fleetwood
Drink
10. The Elephant Room
Mac playing softly in the background to that gorgeous swimsuit speaks to me. “We try to curate an experience for our shoppers and we choose well-made, one of kind items and try to create an enjoyable experience for our customers” , says Emily Hoover, Co- Owner. I asked her what is the must have item in the store and she replied, the “1970’s Navajo, turquoise and silver squash blossom necklace, also the most expensive item in our store, $1,195.” If you want to swoop this one-of-a-kind piece or simply check out this lovely vintage shop, come to Feathers Boutique.
11. The Handlebar – I loved this casual bar on our trip. We asked around and heard that on Sundays The Handlebar has an all day happy hour, so we walked over to see what it was all about. It had this great old timely feel with a mix of this Austin lure. The rooftop held a great band playing cover songs and an amazing view of the city. We played “giant jenga” and listened to music all while sipping our cocktails in the Texas heat, it was exactly how we wanted to end our trip.
Austin truly was a blast, it’s a city mixed of young hopefuls and it has this eternal youthful atmosphere. Singles and coktails flow like the lakes in this place. Music everywhere you turn and people with dogs strolling the streets walking to their humble lofts. It’s hard to imagine that people could ever get anything done here. Somehow, they do and they do it well. I would re-visit Austin in an instant. It’s exactly how I imagined except, surprisingly sophisticated. The food was great, our hotel was chic and the people were friendly, how much more could a person want. Catch me if you can...
Eleven Summer 2014
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Model: Minna Photographer: Quentin Director: Monica, Jessica Stylist: Monica, Valeria Hair & Makeup: Michelle, Jessica Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Gabby, Jazmine, Jessica, Lizzet, Monica, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Valeria
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Eleven Summer 2014
BLUE HAZE & SUMMER DAZE
Model: Maria, Alex Photographer: Nelson Director: Monica Stylist: Monica, Valeria Hair & Makeup: Amanda, Michelle Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Gabby, Jazmine, Jessica, Lizzet, Monica, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Valeria
Model: Crystal Photographer: Jonathan Director: Jessica, Natalie, Stephanie Stylist: Jessica, Stephanie Hair & Makeup: Jessica Contributors: Jessica, Natalie, Stephanie
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Eleven Summer 2014
Model: Maria Photographer: Quentin Director: Monica, Valeria Stylist: Monica, Valeria Hair & Makeup: Michelle, Valeria Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Gabby, Jazmine, Jessica, Lizzet, Monica, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Valeria
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Eleven Summer 2014
Model: Minna Photographer: Quentin Director: Gabby, Monica, Valeria Stylist: Monica, Valeria Hair & Makeup: Michelle, Jessica Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Gabby, Jazmine, Jessica, Lizzet, Monica, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Valeria
Eleven Summer 2014
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Model: Lady Patra Photographer: Jonathan Director: Jessica Stylist: Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie Hair & Makeup: Brittany, Jessica Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Jessica, Lizzet, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie
Model: Alex Photographer: Quentin Director: Monica Stylist: Gabby, Monica Hair & Makeup: Amanda, Michelle Contributors: Amanda, Brittany, Gabby, Jazmine, Jessica, Lizzet, Monica, Natalie, Nicole, Stephanie, Valeria
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Eleven Summer 2014
The Modern
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Eleven Summer 2014
Pharaohs
Female
By Britt Oldham
As an editor of Elleven and fashion marketer, being aware of the terrible effects the media has on the public is a double-edged sword. My love of fashion is driven by trends and classics, the very engine that keeps things going,the price paid for this billion dollar industry is gloomy. It has a long way to go, but the first steps have been made. Due to public awareness and the introduction of the Truth in Advertising Act being brought to the floor by two Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lethinen (R) and Lois Capps (D). The act will implement guidelines for companies’ usage of Photoshop and regulate image manipulation in advertisements. While this is a step in the right direction, the difficult task of rectifying the past falls on us and our society’s ability to transform the mindset. That transformation has to start early with boys and especially girls, for gender attitudes and stereotypes to change naturally through generations to come. Who do young girls have today to look up to that is a positive example of what a woman should aspire to be? I didn’t have a lot of positive female role models growing up, and because of that I looked to the past. Young girls are not exposed to many influential figures today, and how lucky I was to have this female heroine to look up to. The legend I fell in love with was Cleopatra. Not Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, but she was a masterpiece all her own. I was enchanted by the mystery and the romanticism of the ancient world as a young girl, it was all I dreamt and thought about. Whatever transpired from that first moment of exposure has unquestionably become the main source for the respect I have for fashion, history, and feminism today. Perhaps it is an odd scenario, but the lady I admired most at the tender age of five wasn’t any actress, pop star or reality socialite. Today teenage girls are much more suggestible, with negative and positive influences coming from all directions. When asked for progressive female role models, it’s the celebrities that first come to mind. They often leave the biggest impression as well. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, and nearly anyone else that will get partially nude for the most Twitter followers and fame. To be noted, I genuinely applaud (and secretly fume) for their money and success, and I understand the fact that everyone must live their lives freely and not be cornered into a stereotypical “role model” box. How can it even be their fault? Our society has had this idea of the place a woman should take in this world long before present times. The objectification of women has been transpiring since the early beginnings of propaganda and advertising. To give you a fresh perspective, the Romans did it to Cleopatra during her life and after. Her name was mostly erased from Roman written record and many of her statues were either demolished or defaced. Our culture objectifies women significantly; it’s to a point that most consumers don’t see it blatantly in front of them, even with the millions of advertisements thrown at them daily. We showcase female sexuality and praise it, then destroy it in the next breath when it’s beyond a limit of social acceptance. We degrade that same sexuality in the turn of the next page with a botched digitally altered model. Now here’s an ad with a woman made-up to look like a thirteen-year-old, but the position she’s in is either hyper sexualized, vulnerable, or dehumanized. In Jean Kilbourne’s reflective Killing Us Softly, she poignantly stated, “Ads sell more than products... They sell concepts of normalcy... They tell us who we are and who we should want to be.” For me, the strength and power of Cleopatra inspired me to pursue anthropology as a possible career. That prospect was something my late father was supportive of and highly bolstered by. He took me to museums and brought home books that I would devour until memorization, on this brilliant and strategic woman who spoke upwards of nine languages. Not only that, she also had great make-up and hair, extravagant clothing and jewelry, all while trying to take over the world and was seen as a living god. With the Nile River, the pyramids, and fine art of ancient Egypt running through my imagination as a young girl, it was kind of hard not to want to be a pharaoh myself. Like my hero, Cleopatra.
Top 3 Influential Ladies
All young girls have idols that they look up to. From the past through today, take a look at these phenomenal women making a difference and inspiring ladies around the world. “A girl should be
1. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel two things: Who and What she wants”
She’s been immortalized throughout culture as the ultimate classic, withstanding the growth and change of the fashion industry. The iconic French designer and founder of the high fashion house Chanel redefined femininity throughout the 1900s with understated sophistication and an innovative design aesthetic that freed women from more than just the corset and hobble skirt.
2. Beyoncé Knowles
“I woke up like this” The style icon and entrepreneurial mega-house just finished the yearlong and highly successful Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, all while being a full time mother and releasing a new album. She’s setting a higher standard for young women around the world and balancing professional and personal life with no restrictions.
3. Janelle Monáe
“People don’t ask Jay Z to take his shirt off when he rhymes. Showing my skin is not what makes me sexy… It was up to me to show people and young girls there was another way” A fresh face for femininity comes straight out of Kansas with this singer-songwriter, model, and producer. The Electric Lady’s staple style consists of the classic tux with a twist. This “lifestyle,” as she describes it, reminds her of the tradition and work ethic of her parents. Eleven Summer 2014
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YOUNG DESIGNER TO WATCH
By Nicole Daniels
A Q&A with
Jessica Faith Marshall
J
essica Faith Marshall is a young star in the making, a 14 year-old designer. Her lifestyle brand embodies a modern day twist to a refined street style touch. Growing up, she has always been interested in sketching, studying fashion magazines, and picking apart garments. Always having an eye for fashion since the age of five; Jessica overtime knew that being a designer was for her. She wanted to be able to offer others her vision through garments. Jessica now resides in Dallas, TX. Her collections have been featured in both Austin Fashion Week and Plitz New York Fashion Week. She is now evolving her brand image offering both high-end and affordable lines. Her designs can be viewed and purchased at FaithbyJessica.com Lower end customer offering: Faith Contemporary, Highend brand offering: Faith by Jessica
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Eleven Summer 2014
Nicole Daniels: What inspired you to become a designer at such a young age? What drew you to becoming a designer out of all the other choices? Jessica Faith Marshall: My life values are hard work, motivation, and pursuing what I know my future will be regardless of my age or circumstance. While growing up, I’ve always had a passion for design, art, and fashion. There was just something about it that I was drawn to ever since I was five years old and began sketching. As I got older, I gained more vision and ideas and it ultimately transferred into my work now. What inspired me to becoming a designer recently in the past years was that I explored my career choices I knew fashion was for me. I know I’m young; I never wanted to close myself off to all the potential industry choices. My ultimate goal in fashion was to share my vision; I could have been a blogger or a stylist. The key about being a designer is I can offer the full package, you offer a story that is your idea. For example, being a model, you’re someone else’s vision. That is why I wanted to become a designer so I could transfer my ideas and they can impact others around me in the largest way possible.
ND: What was your greatest experience when showing for the first time in New York Fashion Week and how has that impacted your future decisions? JFM: The thing about New York Fashion Week is we realized that runway shows and launching big collections is really to build brand image. The best thing about New York Fashion Week is to be present in the dialogue in the fashion industry. Ultimately, it didn’t fully expand the brand but refined the business image. Ever since New York Fashion Week, we have decided to offer lines throughout the year instead of exclusively launching runway collections. This will positively influence the future of Faith by Jessica. ND: What do you feel is unique about you in your design aesthetic? JFM: The thing about my design aesthetic I have always had an eye for a very refined point of view. Very glamorous, high end and refined. As I have gone throughout my career, I have always stuck with that which has pretty much tied everything together. I have slowly let menswear inspire my collections; which has become very influential to me. This is what I feel separates me from other designers. That tough, refined, edgy street style, with a touch of glamour. ND: Who has inspired you while working in the fashion industry? JFM: Victoria Beckham. She used to be a celebrity and is now a wellrespected member of the fashion industry. The evolution of Victoria Beckham has always inspired me. If you have visions do it anyways; people might change their opinion about you in the future. I also look up to Yves Saint Laurent and Joseph Altuzarra. ND: What are your future plans? Where would you like to see yourself in the next three years? JFM: My vision is to offer my design aesthetic to a more accessible market on my online store. I have also been transferring that vision into video and blogging. I have taken my role as a designer and offered it into other platforms of media. I wanted to make fashion a visual and editorial experience offering a lifestyle brand.
ND: What do you do to give back to your community? JFM: While growing up, I have always prioritized giving back in the past. For my first trunk show, I donated all the revenue that was received to the Haiti disaster. Last September, for the Susan G. Komen foundation, I paired with a breast cancer survivor and custom designed a garment and judges were to choose 1 winner out of 30 designers also selected. The garment I made for the breast cancer survivor was the winning piece. I also would like to continue giving 10% to nonprofit organizations. ND: How would you describe the profile of your target customer? JFM: The profile of my customer is now a younger market; the young adult, the New York women going to college. A women that wants to be urban and chic or, the everyday working women between the ages of 18 and early 30’s. ND: What have you learned from your past collections that you must improve now for future collections? JFM: My previous collections were for a more exclusive market. I now offer lower prices & give more accessibility. I want to offer a contemporary high-end aesthetic, with a slight androgynous look. ND: What advice would you give to any up and coming designer? JFM: You have to be more than a designer during this day and age. You have to know and stick with your entire vision when it works for you. I would also say find what is your role/niche in the industry. Don’t ever be afraid to make a statement and try different things. ND: If you had to describe your current collection in the works in three words, what would it be? JFM: Three words to describe my future planned works are modern, refined, and androgynous.
ND: What keeps you grounded to strive to be the best? During the times that you have encountered setbacks what kept you motivated? JFM: Preparing for NYFW I had minor setbacks, but after coming out of those setbacks, I have a better vision of what I want. I use setbacks as motivation to strengthen my designs and have developed more creativity and vision. Eleven Summer 2014
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Element of the Month EDITOR: MONICA GIACOMAN
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