Fashion Avengers… Assemble

BY RILEY RUNNELLS PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has put stans and casual viewers alike in an unwavering chokehold. Between the coronavirus quarantine giving the opportunity for people to binge-watch every film in the order they choose, and being fed so much new content, Marvel has effectively infiltrated every aspect of pop culture.

Though a lot of the Marvel projects are stand-alone, it is much more rewarding to watch all of the films together. The characters have become figureheads for all ages, and subsequently the merchandise sales have skyrocketed. Stores like Target, the Disney Store, and Hot Topic have all made millions selling shirts with the Marvel logo and characters on them, costumes, action figures, and more.

Fashion has been a huge source of advertising for the MCU. Not only through the fashion line released through Hot Topic in 2015 from Her Universe and Disney Consumer Products, but through a collective called the Fashion Avengers.

No, the Fashion Avengers were not assembled by Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. to save the universe from impending doom. However, they are, like the Avengers, seeking to make global change by joining forces to inspire action.

Fashion Avengers is an amalgamation of global fashion organizations that are working together to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Initialized by Project Everyone, an initiative to accelerate progress toward a fairer, greener, and more just world by 2030, Fashion Avengers has garnered the support of the British Fashion Council (BFC) and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Models, brands, agencies, and media are all coming together to support this global effort. At the time of publication, the lineup of partners includes PANGAIA, Marie Claire, Burberry, Rankin, Bottletop, Vanish, Pour Les Femmes, ForwardPMX, and

With Love Darling.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Global Goals include 17 key points. These include no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals. The goal of Fashion Avengers is to highlight the important role fashion plays in achieving these goals.

As one of the most influential industries in the world, fashion intersects with culture, creativity, and selfexpression. However, it is also rooted in deeply unsustainable models of consumption and production, which come at the expense of both people and the planet.

The supply chains for the fashion industry suffer from a lack of transparency, meaning methods of unethical production can easily go without correction. The reality is, poor working conditions, low wages, and limited rights are a major issue among garment workers worldwide – not to mention 80% of whom are women.

Additionally, some of the harsh environmental realities in relation to fashion include deforestation, soil degradation, water consumption, and waste production. For context, the fashion industry’s 2019 carbon output was equivalent to the footprint of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined. Online shopping’s rise has contributed to this greatly; clothing production has almost doubled in the past 15 years, worsening the industry’s impact.

Currently, the industry is shifting toward transparency from brands on the realistic impact, as well as creating more of a commitment to waste and carbon emission reduction. There has also been more of a push to implement more intense workers’ rights policies across supply chains.

However, Fashion Avengers wants to speed up this incredibly slow change process. Setting the goal year for 2030, Fashion Avengers is building on Business Avengers to create a group of disruptors, innovators, and team players that reflect the many facets of the industry. Those involved are committed to making sustainability the norm, not just a trend.

The soft launch was in January 2021, but Fashion Avengers is available for everyone to participate in. People can participate by adapting, upcycling, and converting by reinventing one’s wardrobe; borrowing or swapping from friends and family; buying products made responsibly or second-hand; and spreading the word by showing off one’s Fashion Avenger outfit using the hashtag #FashionAvenger.

Though not everyone can be fighting Thanos with a trusty team of superheroes by their side, anyone who wants to can be a Fashion Avenger and help achieve the global goals necessary for sustainable development.

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CULTIVATING CULTURE:

HOW ASIAN MEDIA HAS GAINED POPULARITY IN AMERICA

BY AMY SZMIK | PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

Western pop culture is becoming so much more diverse these days. It is no longer just white people in the media we consume, but a variety of stories, faces, and people to whom others can relate to. People are gaining new perspectives, and it seems that many Asians and Asian-Americans can finally tell their stories and see representation for themselves. From the rise of entertainment such as K-pop, anime, Crazy Rich Asians, 88rising, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and now the wildly successful Squid Game, the door has opened for East Asian stories that Hollywood never thought would be able to make it big.

For decades, Hollywood has lacked significant representation for Asians, usually demoting them to racist stereotypes and ideals. There were jokes and remarks made, and harmful stereotypes upheld, at the expense of Asian people. That in turn affected how people saw them and how they would see themselves. The Asian characters that people would see on TV were either unable to speak any English and had no purpose in the plot; a weird, loud caricature of what white people assumed that Asian people were; or a hypersexualized, purposefully submissive female character. Asian women in the media were simply seen as sexual bodies, and that perpetuated ideas that would hypersexualize Asian women. The media also managed to demasculinize Asian men, attempting to portray them on-screen solely as nerdy or effeminate. There is nothing wrong with Asian men who happen to be more feminine, but these stereotypes cause Asian men to be called “girls” in real life and have slurs used against them to further demasculinize them. The Asian man on screen would not be muscular or strong like his white male counterparts; rather, he would be the shy type who would be there for laughs. There are so many negative stereotypes that the Asian community has fought through to get to their current place in the media. They deserve to be seen

and treated like they should be there.

The recent shift in media representation has been seen as positive by many in the Asian community. Jake Boyk, a senior with a double major in communication studies and integrated media, believes that Asian media becoming more prominent in Western culture is a good thing. “It means marginalized perspectives are being represented and advocated for. I believe it really kickstarted during the rise of the #StopAsianHate movement, and since then the Asian American media has really taken off,” Boyk said. The #StopAsianHate movement started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when alarming amounts of Asian people were violently attacked in public. The interest in Asian culture has started to really grow during the pandemic.

This new view on Asian media that views Asian people as people who can be trendy, be cool, and create media that is enjoyable is slowly being recognized by Western audiences. Especially in a time where people target and hate crime Asian people, representation for Asians is important to see.

K-pop music is easily one of the most recognizable forms of Asian media that has broken into Western media in the last several years. Regardless of how anyone feels about it, K-pop has allowed Asians to see themselves in music charts and interviews. Especially with prominent names like BTS and Blackpink dominating the

charts, seeing songs that are sung in different languages is a major landmark for the Asian community. “Idols,” the name for K-pop stars, face discrimination in the form of microaggressions, from being told they all look alike to the male idols being demasculinized and called girls. Their presence in pop music is so important to bridge cultural gaps in music and break stereotypes that Americans and the world believe about people from Asian countries. K-pop groups can sing, dance, and compose and write music, and those are not activities that many people associate with Asians. Their influence makes way for not only more music in different languages, but Asian artists in America to break into the mainstream as well.

In America, the Asian artistry collective 88rising features prominent Asian-American artists like Joji, Rich Brian, and Niki, who are all making waves. They have collaborated with well-known names like Major Lazor, Swae Lee, and Playboi Carti. 88rising brings together Asian-American youths to see other people who have had the same experiences in America and can understand them. Both K-pop and 88rising’s roster contains different artists from across the globe, yet they are bringing Asian musicians to the forefront. Their music has transcended language barriers, appearances, and stereotypes, and they are slowly pushing their way toward a more prominent role in the music industry.

In the television and movie industry, Asian characters have gone from being background, one-dimensional characters, to fully developed main characters, acting beyond Asian stereotypes. There are finally stories being told from the perspective of an Asian character or family. The television show Fresh Off The Boat portrayed an immigrant family and their lives in America in a lighthearted and refreshing way. On the big screen, films like Crazy Rich Asians, Parasite, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have all shown a large Asian ensemble cast. The men are heroes and romantic leads in these films, and the women are powerful, self-made, and clever. All of these films have been large successes and have proved to Hollywood that people will watch stories with Asian casts.

The television show Squid Game is the newest addition to the list of Asian entertainment that has broken into the mainstream. One of Netflix’s most-watched shows, the Korean drama about debt-ridden people playing risky, deadly games to win money has gotten the world’s attention. To see a fully South Korean show become one of Netflix’s most popular shows of all time is a historic milestone. The representation that these films and shows bring is so important. Asian casts are

breaking long-held negative beliefs about Asians while portraying compelling stories that audiences enjoy.

Alexis Karolin, a senior studying history, said, “It’s very exciting as an Asian American to see the rise of media from Asian countries such as Squid Game, Alice in Borderland, and Parasite. Oftentimes AAPI [Asian American Pacific Islander] culture is misrepresented in Western media, which too often relies on stereotypes. So, when we have media produced from regions where AAPIs are represented diversely and can tell their own story, it really helps destabilize misconceptions in popular culture and gives me a sense of pride.”

The sense of pride that Asians have for their culture is not new, but being able to see their culture represented in a way that tells their story is new. Seeing Asian culture integrated into everyday stories is starting to become the new norm. For many Asian Americans, they did not grow up seeing people who looked like them on screen. Now, more Asian Americans can grow up knowing Asian celebrities. Katie Hall, a sophomore studying marketing and analytics, agreed with Karolin, saying, “I love seeing how popular Asian media has come to be, especially in the past year. We saw the success of Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi [and the Legend of the Ten Rings], Parasite, Squid Game, K-pop, and even the Disney movie, Raya and the Last Dragon. After growing up with barely any Asian idols to look up to, it’s a breath of fresh air to finally see some representation in the media. Along with that, it’s opened much-needed

conversations around diverse representation in Hollywood and over the normalization of consuming non-Western media. Across the world, we see Western media dominating entertainment, which hasn’t left much room for all the amazing creative works of non-Western artists. Efforts to greater dialogue around the Asian American experience are coming to fruition and I’m excited to see what change is enacted by the growth of Asian representation in headlines and entertainment.”

There is a long way to go in the entertainment industry for Asian representation. Asian people are still sorely lacking in media, other than the films and shows mentioned above. The music industry still does not take music in different languages seriously, and there is a lot of prejudice that stands. Asian media itself also still needs to diversify to tell other stories. The world is changing, and everyone deserves a place to be seen. People deserve to see themselves on screens, hear themselves on the radio, and even see themselves regularly in magazines. The media’s hurtful and insulting preconceived notions regarding Asian people leave effects larger than one may think. People carry these ideas and treat people differently because of them. Jokes, insults,

and violence toward Asian people are all commonplace, and pop culture does hold some responsibility. People need to unlearn stereotypes.

These past few years have been monumental for the Asian community, thanks to the trailblazers who are fighting for their right to be seen and heard. Asian pop culture is not a commodity; it represents all people who do not see themselves in any shows or movies. Hopefully, in the next few years, there will be many more films and shows with Asian leads, and more Asian artists on the radio. Representation and diversity are so important, and Asian media crossing over into American media is an exciting landmark to celebrate.

MASCULINITY TAKES OVER ANDROGYNOUS FASHION

BY MIA WALSH PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

Gender-neutral clothing is trending. Fashion is always evolving with society. Trends that were once boundary-breaking become the norm and permanently change fashion forever. One of the surest ways to break a boundary is to break the binary of gendered clothing. This has been seen over and over again with men wearing skirts, growing out their hair, or getting piercings and painting their nails. This has also been seen in women wearing suits, cutting their hair, not wearing makeup, and not shaving

their armpits or legs. These fashion moments exist due to breaking binary gender norms. However, there are also clothes that break the gender binary. Not really, rather, the clothes exist and cater to outside of the gender binary.

Gender-neutral, androgynous, or unisex clothing brands have been popping up since the early 2010s. The purpose: to create clothes that do not fit into genders stereotypes to provide comfort and euphoria for those that exist outside of gender stereotypes or gender itself. The clothes from these lines have many things in common: they are usually shapeless or boxy, and might be in a neutral gray or an earthy brown tone. Because of these commonalities, the clothing lines have been the butt of internet jokes for years with a recent TikTok user @vanguardian’s joke post gaining 275.1K views and 81.2K likes. While jokes about these brands are common, they have also found their audience and are appreciated by all walks of people on the gender spectrum. The clothes themselves are very traditionally masculine in their style, not actually neutral of any gender stereotype. This is harmful for a number of reasons.

This, nonbinary clothes being modeled after men’s clothes, is bad because it creates the idea that nonbinary people owe the world masculinity or androgyny. The majority of clothes labeled androgynous or unisex are clothes that have historically been worn by men, such as pants, buttoned shirts, and blazers. Meanwhile, clothes that have been historically viewed as more feminine such

as skirts, dresses, or blouses, are still labeled as womenswear. This idea contributes to a number of chain reactions, including the erasure and ridicule of femininepresenting nonbinary folk. Nonbinary folks who choose to dress in a more feminine style are commonly seen to be less trans or less nonbinary than those who dress more masculine or androgynous.

Aside from just articles of clothing being gendered, colors are also gendered. Pastels, like shades of pink, and darker colors, like navy, are masculine. Attempts to avoid this in gender-neutral clothes have oversaturated the market for them which has led to jokes about beiges and grays on the internet, like @vanguardian’s video.

Another reason these genderneutral clothing brands are harmful is that they assign a body type to be nonbinary. In offering masculine styles, the ideal body type becomes masculinized: no curves, small or no chest, angular jawlines, and short hair. This, again, is an issue. It is not bad that these clothes and bodies are labeled as nonbinary when they are not, it is an issue that these are inadvertently the new standard and expectations for how nonbinary people should look and dress. These expectations tend to offer more masculine styles as being genderless and leaving out

feminine styles, especially styles that are flattering on people of all body types and people of all backgrounds.

A common expression to come up when going through LGBTQ+, especially trans, discourse is that clothes do not have a gender and one should wear whatever they please or makes them happy. While this idea is very helpful to some, it is a detrimental idea to others. Gender-affirming clothing has been a powerful tool for trans people for centuries. Clothes can have no gender to some while affirming others’ genders. These ideas are not mutually exclusive and can both be true at the same time. We, as a society, have coexisted with these ideas for years. The thing is, clothes do not have a gender inherently. The communication theory symbolic interactionism is behind prescribing meaning to clothes. According to ThoughtCo, “This perspective [theory] relies on the symbolic meaning that people develop and build upon in the process of social interaction.” The clothes are assigned meaning, and further, gender, by our own experiences and what society, our culture, and time tell us. All of these factors come into play for us, as a westernized society, who have deemed certain pieces of cloth appropriate for each of the two binary genders. Now, there is also assigned meaning to unisex clothes. This can cause problems.

It is very easy for cis people to point out how gender appears to them and complements their view on society. Yet, the concept of gender conformity can be more complex for gender nonconforming or transgender individuals. Gender-neutral clothing brands are not the issue. The implications and homogenization of genderneutrality are the issues. Some individuals feel most themselves in boxy, rust-colored, loungewear. That is completely their

prerogative. This is simply a call to action that gender-neutral clothes should incorporate more individualistic designs. Designers of gender-neutral clothing lines should not be afraid to incorporate a variety of patterns, colors, and cuts of fabric. A skirt or silk top paired with heeled boots and a blazer can be a fun way to mix the gender stereotypes to create something new and fun.

Fashion trends evolve and change. In the mid-century modern classic styles of the 1900s, women wore dresses, heels, and curled their hair daily. Now, many women still do this, but it is far from the standard. Whatever is in style now will fade or grow into something more than what anyone could have previously predicted. While gender-neutral clothes now create harmful implications and lack variation, the future is wide open to this changing. After a few more trend cycles, maybe we will be able to express ourselves on the street however we would like, no matter the implications of our gender expression and identity. There is more than one way to be each gender or lack thereof. Fashion will catch up soon enough.

BY TATE RAUB PHOTOS BY MICHAELA FREY

Fashion is usually only looked at through the specific, most notable types of looks from a certain decade. To change that, here are some examples of how noteworthy style has appeared on the album covers of some of the most celebrated music releases of the past 50 years.

THE ‘70S

Over 40 years after its release, Rumours remains Fleetwood Mac’s most well-known album. On its cover are Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood, both dressed in clothing that resembles a collaboration between pirates and the hippie style of the ’70s. Nicks’ look is perfectly flowy and elegant with the added bonus of her signature shag haircut, and Fleetwood’s look is confident, but not overly masculine. While the fashion on this cover is not the poster child for the previously mentioned ’70s hippie style, it incorporates the essential elements while staying true to the vibe of the album.

When it comes to makeup, few have come close to creating a look as famous as David Bowie’s on his album cover for Aladdin Sane (1973). The lightning bolt over one eye, in combination with his bright orange hair, has been replicated so many times by fans that it has become a symbol people associate with Bowie. The appearance of a mysterious and potentially supernatural liquid hints at the alter ego created on his previous album, Ziggy Stardust.

THE ‘80S

Prince’s Purple Rain and Michael Jackson’s Bad are the epitome of two differing but individually essential styles in 1980s fashion. Prince’s signature shade of purple on his suit is a prime example of the vibrant colors of the decade, the ruffles on his shirt demonstrating one of the more extravagant trends seen on women’s blouses at the time. Jackson’s white shirt being almost entirely covered by his leather jacket was a staple look of

’80s rock and roll artists. With the classic ’80s mullet and smoky eye makeup, it is an ideal badass look that fits the feel of the album.

THE ‘90S

Another fashion-forward album that is the artists’ most wellknown is the Cranberries’ No Need to Argue. The Cranberries give all anyone could want and more for the cover of a 1994 alternative rock album. The whole band is wearing something very ’90s: slightly oversized, neutralcolored suits. The varying shades of brown in particular are very specific to the ’90s, and the couch fits the color palette as well. While they are not wearing the classic flannel-and-hikingboots style of the grunge era, this photo should be put in a 1990s time capsule for people to find hundreds of years from now.

THE 2000S

After debuting her pop career and reviving the teen pop genre, Britney Spears released her second studio album, Oops!... I Did It Again, in 2000. The gold, shiny, disco-esque background makes her more simple outfit the best choice. Spears’ cropped vest and low-rise pants are arguably the most notable outfit choice from the early 2000s, and the

look has even started to make a comeback in 2020s fashion. The neutral brown color she is wearing lets her have her literal spotlight moment without creating an overwhelming scene.

THE 2010S

For Taylor Swift, a large part of every album she releases is that each one usher in a new era of her career. The album’s lyrics and the vibe of its cover intertwine to create a distinct type of look for press events, touring, etc. For Red, the dark, wide-brimmed hat and visible part of the white shirt she is wearing on the cover set the tone for the fashion of this album’s era. Her outfits very well fit the “hipster” clothing style of the early 2010s, and the red lipstick became part of her everyday looks, which included a clothing color palette of red paired with something neutral.

THE 2020S

As arguably one of the most fashionable people of the 21st century, the cover of Harry Styles’ second studio album, Fine Line, has become one of his most memorable looks. The outfit he is wearing on the cover seems inspired by a similar one worn by David Bowie, the only difference being that Styles’ shirt is bright pink while Bowie’s was blue. However, that same blue color in the background of the cover looks awfully familiar. Overall, his fashion is a conglomeration of his favorite musicians’ styles, including artists on this list such as Prince and Michael Jackson. Others that serve as inspiration for Styles include Elton John and Freddie Mercury.

It is far from acknowledged enough how intertwined fashion is with the music industry. Album covers both shape and embrace the fashion of the times when released. They have consistently done so over the past five decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

With the temperature finally dipping, sweaters are breaking out of closets left, right, and sideways. But for some, sweaters are a styling enigma. Luckily, the wardrobe staple comes in all different styles, so everyone can join in on the coziness.

COTTAGECORE

The “cottagecore” aesthetic centers on light, fairy-esque colors and styles, often combined with many elements from the natural world around us. Cottagecore colors include creams, light pinks, pale greens, pale tans, and any pastel of choice. Oversized sweaters are an ideal option to embody the style’s sense of comfort and airiness. These sweaters, when layered over flowy dresses or paired with skirts, create a look reminiscent of a mystical fairy. An array of cottagecore sweater options should also include pieces with loose-knit and all-natural fibers to fit the theme’s closeness to nature.

ACADEMIA

Academia has many different subsections, including dark academia, light academia, chaotic academia, and so on. However, the focus is on the themes that are central to all of the subsets, as a large part of this aesthetic is practicality and sophistication. Academia aesthetic colors include tan, dark brown, earthy greens, and some neutral grays. Style-wise, lean toward crewneck sweaters with fitted cuffs. However, it should not be too

fitted to the body, or layering, a crucial part of practicality, could be hindered. A great example of academia style is to layer a brown knit sweater over top of a white or matching collared shirt.

CLASSIC

A classic style brings to mind the likes of those such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. Although distinct in their own ways, these icons both share certain style similarities when it comes to clothes. For a classic sweater, colors should be either very neutral or very rich. Browns and other earthy tones do not have much of a place here. However, blacks, grays, whites, reds, and blues do. If a sweater must be colorful, be sure that the color is not too striking. This style embraces deep color tones. As for the cut of classic sweaters, a nicely fitted turtleneck never fails. Look for pieces that are tightly knit and avoid bulky styles. Pieces

should highlight the wearer’s assets subtly, but well. One of the most classic ways to wear a sweater of this style is to pair a tight-knit black turtleneck with a statement necklace layered over top.

OLDIES

A style that has regained popularity in the past few months, the oldies style, focuses on bright colors and outrageous patterns. Oftentimes, sweaters falling under this style are actually “oldies” themselves, having been found in both vintage and thrift shops. The colors best for this aesthetic are bright, in-your-face colors, often patterned atop a black background to really make them pop. Look for primary colors and funky patterns to fit this aesthetic; big and chunky pieces to go with a nice pair of vintage jeans. A signature look for this style would be a chunky sweater with a bright, geometric pattern paired with straight-leg jeans and a pair of canvas sneakers.

A Concert is the Most Fun You Can Have Without Taking Your Clothes Off

BY CARLIE REESE PHOTOS BY CORY TOWE

Concerts are possibly the most fun someone can have in one single night. Singing along to songs by a favorite artist with friends until voices fail and feet ache — there is nothing quite like the experience. Thankfully, it is finally time to return to concerts after not having them for over a year. And, with concerts come concert outfits. Whether waiting in line for hours to get closest to the stage or sitting up in the nosebleeds, looking one’s best is the goal. As well as being fashionable, being comfortable while singing and dancing for hours is always the best option.

Deciding what to wear to a concert can depend on several different factors: the artist being seen, whether the venue is indoors or outdoors, seat location, etc. Dressing appropriately for the weather is key, especially at an outdoor concert. If the weather is going to be hot, dress in light and flowy clothing to keep cool. Always check the weather before an event in order to plan for a proper outfit.

When attending concerts, everyone is mostly focused on the actual show and the experience of listening to an artist live. Worrying about what to wear and being uncomfortable can be irritating when trying to enjoy a concert. Making sure an outfit will not impose on the fun is the best way to go.

At concerts, people are usually very close, which can increase the temperature in any type of venue. Wearing layers that are easily removable as the venue becomes warmer is a great idea. Wearing a cute top, such as a tank or a crop top with a lightweight button-up sweater or jacket over top, is a simple way to gain style points while also being comfortable and dressing for the occasion.

Printed pants are an interesting

way to complement a concert look. Pants are comfortable, and the print will add some flair to any basic outfit. Pairing printed pants with a solid-colored tee or tank will look great on anyone at any type of concert. Finish the outfit off with platform sneakers. It is easy and on-trend. Skirts or a dress are also great options, too, for a more feminine flair.

Shoes are possibly the most important part of a concert outfit. Standing for a few hours can cause a lot of foot pain, and wearing a comfy and attractive shoe can be a game changer. Opting for a cute sneaker rather than a heel or tight-fitting boot will fend off lots of pain. Dr. Martens boots are a more comfortable option to edge up a look — that is, if they are broken in, of course. But, if being a little extra is the goal and pain does not matter, wear the heels.

Having fun is the most important part of attending a concert, so dressing to the nines may not be for everyone. For some people, comfortability and functionality are the way to go, while others prefer getting all dressed up and looking stylish. When someone looks good, they feel good, and feeling good is always what is most important when going anywhere.

An Inclusive Fairytale BY JILLIAN CRAIG PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

They are puffy, lovely, and pastel-colored: they’re Selkie dresses! The cloud-like dresses grew in popularity during the earlier days of the pandemic, according to an article from Glamour, and their popularity has only risen since.

Fun, fanciful, and featuring an array of sizes, Selkie is a luxury fashion brand that is both size-inclusive and “no waste.” Kimberley Gordon, former Wildfox co-founder and creative director, started Selkie after leaving Wildfox in 2015, according to an article from UncoverLA.

The brand name “Selkie” comes from Irish, Icelandic, and Scandinavian folklore. According to Selkie’s website, a selkie is “a woman of the ocean who lives inside a seal skin. When she comes up to the rocks, she slips out of her skin to bask in the sun. If a man is able to steal her skin while she sleeps, she is forced to become his wife and live on land. But, if the selkie finds her skin again, she transforms back into her true form and immediately returns to the sea, free.”

Selkie boasts expansive size options, which vary from XXS–5X, and the website features a variety of clothing styles from comfy sweatshirts to whimsical dresses. In the “Why I started the brand” section of the website, Gordon expresses how heartbreaking it felt to never find a dress beyond a size 10.

“I couldn't find romantic, fanciful clothing in my size — in fact, as a size 12, I would even cry in dressing rooms from shame, realizing most magical dresses in the largest size might not go over my hips,” Gordon wrote on the Selkie website. “My goal with Selkie is even if you don't like the style or fit, you can put it on, admire yourself (cause it fits without crying,) and either love it or change!”

On its website, the brand also states it is “a no waste company, [and] WRAP and BSCI production certified,” and Gordon credits her mother for

instilling sustainable values in her business.

“My mother is very outspoken and an environmentalist. She pushes me to be as ethical as possible,” Gordon said in an interview with UncoverLA.

In addition to being a female start-up, eco-conscious, and sizeinclusive, Selkie also practices diversity in employment and seeks to engage in philanthropic actions, according to an article from Dreamcatcher Dallas. “Selkie is committed to feminism and will eventually showcase small charity collections, donating proceeds to important causes such as homeless girls and women, animal rights, and environmental protection,” the article, written by Abria Allen, stated.

Because Selkie is a luxury

brand, the clothing is priced higher than the average store. The website lists the lowestpriced article of clothing at $75 and the highest at $399. Considering how much thought and effort goes into ensuring the brand maintains quality, inclusivity, and its “no waste” status, the price appears justifiable.

Gordon encourages clothing wearers to enjoy a sense of power when wearing Selkie-brand clothing. “Clothing is power. I started Selkie to offer women a sense of power through style, albeit pastel and poofy, but wearing exuberant clothing can be life changing!” Gordon wrote on the Selkie website. “Show them your strength [by] wearing bold clothing that fits! This is how I show my strength.”

RANT/RAVE

THE BACHELOR FRANCHISE

ILLUSTRATIONS BY GRACE SUBLETT

RANT

BY MIA WALSH

Many people have tried to argue that The Bachelor is peak reality television, but the truth is that it is not that great. While certainly not the worst show, it is harmful to those who watch for two reasons: it portrays poor relationship dynamics and perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Per the nature of the show, The Bachelor is deeply rooted in drama, distrust, and many other unhealthy relationship patterns. The women must prove their love to a man, and this usually resorts to women being pitted against each other. Vying for attention and love in a relationship throughout the season in aim for an engagement ring is weird energy. Cameras are constantly rolling. The girls put their whole heart into winning a date, and eventually the ring, at the end of the season, and when they do not succeed, their self-worth crumbles, which can send a bad message to impressionable viewers.

Another reason that The Bachelor is harmful is that it plays into — and plays up — harmful stereotypes. The premise of the show has one man entertaining around 30 women. The show encourages him to share his time equally among them all, and be a, well, bachelor. That includes anything from speaking with the contestants to having sex with them. The trope of sleeping with all of the contestants is so regular in the show that when a bachelor is a virgin or chooses not to have sex, it is emphasized for shock value. This reinforces the stereotype that men “want one thing”/need to have sex to prove their manliness, which is harmful to all viewers, no matter their gender or age.

Overall, The Bachelor is just another reality T.V. show with faults that make it inexcusable (But give us an openly gay bachelor, dammit!).

RAVE

BY CRISTINA FORMICHELLI

While the Bachelor franchise is certainly not made up of the best shows on television, they are certainly not the worst, either. The empire that is The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise take over pop culture and the internet with its controversy, “stars,” and, of course, drama. Often, events of last night’s episode are the break room and classroom buzz the next morning, bringing strangers and friends together to bond over and discuss the hot goss’. Fans look forward to watch parties and wine with their friends and loved ones once per week, rooting for their favorite couples and booing off the villains. Also, to the inner romantic, watching one person fall in love with beautiful people in beautiful places is so fun and butterfly-inducing, even if the romance is scripted or doomed to fail. It may be “trashy” television, but ask any member of Bachelor Nation and they will say it is not always the content of the show that they love so much, but the social currency it possesses.