Polished Spring/Summer 2024 Vol. 24, Issue 1

Fashion has transitioned to a point where the designs that stand out the most are the ones that are considered off-putting, as I like to call it. Designers like Collina Strada or Maison Margiela are creating garments for fashion shows that make you want to take a closer look. Standing out and being different from everyone else is the new trend. This being my first issue as Creative Director, I wanted to convey this through the editorial. This issue conveys emotion and gives you a unique sense of wonder, sadness, anger, and excitement.

I’ve felt so supported by the rest of the team throughout this first semester and I am endlessly thankful for them. This has been a dream of mine ever since I discovered POLISHED, and I’m so excited to bring my visions to life with the help of my amazing teammates. I’ve felt welcomed onto the team and wouldn’t have been able to do this without their constant support. I can’t wait for what the future of POLISHED is going to bring!

The one with… my last articles! A world of off-putting fashions unfolds as the POLISHED Team develops another outstanding edition of the Magazine. Find your next sustainably created purse in Work of Heart, or a signature scent straight From the Lab to the Bottle. Need a new hangout spot on a Saturday morning? Then stop by with a group to the iconic Central Perk!

Over my past four years with the POLISHED Team, I have been blessed with being incorporated into this family of creatives. I will never forget writing my first article from the dining room of my childhood home in Connecticut, and have now grown to become the Managing Editor of the writing team for the past two years. As I graduate this year, I am so excited to see what the future holds for Spencer, as he steps into the Managing Editor role for the magazine! Thank you to the amazing team members I have met over the past four years, it has been incredible to work with all of your creative minds. As bittersweet as this is to say, this is the one where I say goodbye!

“Off-putting” is a perfect representation of how to find beauty within the unusual. Over these past few editions, we’ve embraced change in aesthetics through experimentation, and I believe this issue sets the bar for creativity. Our editorial will take you through our eccentric dollhouse, with photography inspiration from creative geniuses such as Lois Cohen and Kirt Barnett. What may visually be “Off-Putting”, does not lack in color story and clean composition.

POLISHED has been a wonderful opportunity that I will forever hold onto. The experience of bringing ideas from conception to our screens while editing, to then see the physical print of each edition has been fulfilling beyond my wildest dreams. With my last semester as Art Director ending, I feel confident in saying that this has been my favorite issue to work on. Here’s to going out with a bang!

Lasell University

Richard Bath

Maddie Young

Liah Brown

Spencer Villinski

Angela DeFelice

Amelia Capron

Eva Parker

Emmett Anderson

Kayla Campbell

Lucia Gagliano

Alyssa Guglielmo

Felicity Nystrom

Ella Rivera

Amelia Capron

Ella Rivera

Kayla Campbell

Claudia Barnard

Michela Bergamo

Julia Figueiral

Hillary Gherardi

Kim Nguyen

Nicole Reusch

Alena D’Antonio

Anna Cardinale

Brooke Mcfarland

Emma Fandel

Emma Gott

Jonah Rubin-Salzberger

Kirsten Miller

Lila Carpenter

Morgan Healy

Nicole Parrella Vaughn

Seymura Baghirova

Payton Hebert

Rebecca Donovan

Morgan Healy

Jenna Messina

Clare Tonucci

Caelan Watson

Angela DeFelice

Kenneth Calhoun

Gregory Cass

Dylan Wilson

Writer: Inès Dupupet CALENDAR 4

Designer: Amelia Capron

Writer: Kassandra Fisher WORK

Designer: Emmett Anderson

Designer: Olivia Sousa

Writer: Liah Brown

Writer: Kaleigh McGrath FROM

Designer: Erin Tilley

Writer: Kim Nguyen OFF-PUTTING 12

Retailers: Diversity Consignment, Salvage Angel, SoWa Vintage, Stargirl Designs, Maddie Young, & Amelia Capron

Location: Pickard House

Photography: Amelia Capron

Designer: Angela Murray

Designer: Amelia Capron

Illustrator: Caelan Watson

Writer: Maddie Young

Models: Kara Hoffman, Katherine

Negreli & Chase Partridge

Designer: Eva Parker

Writer: Evan Terry

Designer: Jamie Kinteris

Writer: Annie N Wenzlick

Designer: Andrew Cardosi

Writer: Andrew Cardosi

Claudia Bernard & Michela Bergamo

Retailers: Salvage Angel & SoWa Vintage

Photography by Amelia Capron

The mission of POLISHED Magazine is to promote and highlight the diverse and vibrant culture and fashion scene of Boston and the surrounding area.

MAY

Hidden Garden Tours

Explore secret, floral treasures in Boston on the Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill Annual Tour! This tour, in its 95th year, will grant you access to private gardens in the area. The Beacon Hill Garden Club seeks to celebrate gardening in a city environment. This rain-or-shine event is the perfect way to make the most of spring. With refreshments provided and an option to pre-order lunch, make a day out of enjoying the beautiful views of Boston’s iconic Beacon Hill.

Forest Hill Cemetery Tour

Cemeteries can be spooky, but the Forest Hills Cemetery is a sight to behold. The “Tales” walking tour will blend music and storytelling for an immersive experience. The impressive entrance gate, lake, and elaborate tombstone sculptures make this location a definite mustsee. With music performed by the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, and tales from professional storyteller Diane Edgecomb, this is sure to be an enchanting encounter.

Boston Night Market

Modeled after Asian night markets, the Boston Night Market is returning from a hiatus for this grand evening. The Ho-Sik Group hosts this event, putting together a classic summer experience with a unique twist. Past years have offered a wide variety of food, drinks, performances, and more endless fun. With tons of delicious treats, crafts and vendors, this event is perfect for the upcoming warmer weather.

Markets are a summer staple, and this one can’t be missed!

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Declared in 2006, June is National Caribbean American Heritage Month, which is the perfect time to celebrate multiple cultures with this annual festival. Hosted by Boston’s Authentic Caribbean Foundation, this free-toattend event will feature it all: music, delicious Caribbean dishes, vendors, arts and crafts, and more! Taking place on June 1st, this festival is the perfect way to kick off the summer months.

The Nathaniel Allen House will be hosting “Juneteenth - Forever Free,” in our very own backyard, Newton, MA. This celebration of freedom will be a multifaceted event. There will be educational opportunities to learn more about Juneteenth through workshops and discussions, as well as performances to honor this historic day. For a well-rounded experience, this is the perfect way to spend your 19th of June.

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For the 11th consecutive year, the Boston Jerkfest Caribbean Foodie Festival is coming to grace our taste buds. This event is a two-parter: the first day allows for sipping on rum, beer, and other drinks infused with Caribbean flavors. On day two, come back for the cuisine! With DJs setting the mood, you’re sure to have a great time. There is no better way to make the most of your summer than with good drinks and tasty bites.

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If you’re a fan of pop culture, then you are in for a treat. There is a two-day convention being hosted at the Westin Seaport Boston, which will include a little bit of everything, for everyone. Past iterations of this event have included costume contests, appearances from voice actors and celebrities, panels, and exhibitions of how talented cosplayers create their art. Feel free to show up in your best cosplay for this fun-filled weekend!

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For the tenth year in a row, the Boston Salsa Festival is coming this August. If you love to dance, this is an opportunity to attend workshops at any skill level, participate in challenges, and enjoy salsa and bachata put on by the local DJs. Celebrated dancers will also be present to share their skills with you. With three days of music, performances, and dancing, this event is guaranteed to be the highlight of your summer.

The legendary Cirque du Soleil is coming to Boston’s Agganis Arena this July. This insectthemed performance, named after the Portuguese word for egg, will tell the love-story of a ladybug and a newcomer. It also features impressive stunts by circus artists portraying various other critters. Get lost in the captivating production this summer, as Cirque du Soleil immerses you into an ecosystem teeming with life and emotion. Inès

Photography by Amelia Capron

Where a hobby and a passion collide, vibrant accessories are born. Alice Yardley, the owner and creative behind her small business, Alice Yardley Maine, that makes enticing handbags of all assortments. Based out of Portland, Maine, Yardley started her business as a side hobby in 2019, making time for her passion, while also being a full-time art teacher. By 2020, she stopped teaching and began pursuing her passion full time. Yardley had begun to find her inspiration in showing her students that art can be a full-time career and should be taken as seriously as any other career.

Yardley chose to be based in Portland, Maine, as that is where she calls home. There she found a supportive community filled with her family; what more could someone ask for when starting a business? She placed great importance on making an impact on a community that she grew up in. From there, other small businesses in Portland inspired her and gave her many opportunities. A sense of family is flowing all throughout her designs bringing various people together. Her first storefront was located in what is called an incubator space. This is a place for new business owners to take advantage of starting their new careers in the retail community and in a sustainable manner. This particular building was made out of old shipping containers connected together to create a storefront.

Yardley collects remnants and donations to make a majority of the bags for a more sustainable approach to leather works. As far as Yardley’s approach to sustainability, she also believes that there is a large amount of waste in the fashion industry. While it’s not completely avoidable, there are plenty of ways for companies and businesses to make an effort against it even if it’s just raising awareness. With people’s concerns about leather not being vegan, Yardley has developed a process that works best for her brand. Many times the alternatives to create a form of leather are developed with plastics, which is why Yardley puts an emphasis on using remnants of leather for productive sustainability. Through this she strives to create handbags that breathe new life into old scraps.

Back in 2020, Yardley had the opportunity to be a part of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which was a huge milestone for her brand. While in New York, a brand called Flying Solo hosted Yardley, as well as other creative minds, to display their products in their stores. NYFW allowed for many eyes to see the work that

she does on a daily basis. That particular year, the company she was working with had curated four fashion shows, in which, as an accessory designer, she got the chance to be partnered with apparel designers. She got to participate in three out of the four shows. Yardley was a part of the whole process, which was an eye-opening experience to what the larger fashion industry could do for her small business.

It was important to Yardley to craft her store to have a warm and inviting atmosphere, similar to her handbags. The colorful leathers that she uses are unique in each design, and comes across in all of her work.

“I don’t feel competitive with the other leather workers in Portland, rather, I want to learn from them,” Yardley said.

Playfulness is often lost in today’s world, so Yardley is strong with weaving those key themes throughout her brand. Working with color blocking techniques to incorporate numerous colors and smaller remnants, she also creates custom bags. When designing the customizations, she finds a style that best fits the buyer. These designs may be produced more in the future based on popularity.

“I believe that fashion shouldn’t be for certain ages,” Yardley said.

Yardley believes that fashion is not age based, rather, it’s personal preferences on styles and confidence level. She trusts her own instincts and design choices for her customers, knowing that they will love to wear what is produced. This has made it more meaningful for her when building this business and attracting the type of customers that will find the same beauty in a handbag.

Looking into the future, a new storefront is being opened in Portland, Maine, on 99 Exchange Street, better known as the Old Port. There is excitement for this next step to bring in a small business to the area. She hopes to one day take part in more Fashion Week events and show off her evolving craft. The future is bright for growing this business. For now, she is just excited in showing her inspirations in a community that supports her.

Alice Yardley is a truly passionate and vibrant woman, who has paved a path in brightly colored leather works. She continues to strive for aspiring artists to follow their dreams. Visiting this store allows you to share in the story and the inspiring energy that she exudes. You never know when your creative outlet can become your life long career.

@aliceyardley.maine; aliceyardleymaine.com

Photo graphy by Emmett Anderson & Melisa Gabriel

Kassandra Fisher

Oh. My. Gawd. It’s the one about the Central Perk Coffeehouse! Bringing artisanal coffees to the Central Perk sets, this Friends inspired location is sure to bring you back to the one where it all started, creating a nostalgic environment for the senses.

This business came to life with the simple question of what Joey Tribiani might be doing right now. That food-loving pretty boy is the reason for the creation of this idea! This thought would then be brought to Warner Brothers, who would juggle ideas from Joey’s very own sandwich pop-up shop to what Central Perk might be today. Newbury Street housing this iconic coffeehouse is something that was written in the stars for dedicated Friends fans. Ensuring that comfort and individuality was created in the space, this is a business that was created to bring people together, just like the sitcom.

Known for its witty one-liners, the relatable show explores the lives of close knit friends. Friendships and family, love and heartbreak, are just a few themes that this show has created for the viewer, making them feel like they are a part of the cast. General Manager, Aaron Constable, expressed the love that he has for this business and the staff that work in it, ensuring that this is looked at as a local coffee shop where all are welcome. When walking through the door, you are greeted with a beautiful coffeehouse with decor inspired by the show Friends. From the warm smiles of the staff to the delicious food and drinks, this place is sure to draw you in from Newbury Street.

However, this is more than just a Friends coffeehouse, the future of expanding this business is in the hands of what this show means to people and how it has affected their lives. From a show that taught people around the world the English language, to giving those who have been bullied a retreat to turn to when times are hard. The staff is what makes this place thrive, with their warm smiles bringing in customers from the street, and giving the business the time it needs to continue to flourish.

“To watch people peer around the corner with wide eyes and smiles; it is so special to see everyday,” Constable said.

For this new business, ensuring the customers enjoyment is top priority. Opening their doors in November of 2023, this sitcom sit-down is working hard to bring everyone together for the love of coffee. While this coffee shop strives for people to exclaim they were “on a break,” their rush of 90s serotonin isn’t the only thing keeping the energy; it’s the great artisanal coffee. Constable used to work in the coffee circut for many years, spending time curating new creations and now loves seeing what his staff can come up with for signature drinks. There was no soft opening when it came to this business landing itself on Newbury Street, as it was announced that they were opening in People Magazine!

Over the next few months, the business wants to continue to expand

their menu offerings bringing in seasonal drinks, such as Valentine’s Day for you and your lobster, and St. Patrick’s Day. Every Tuesday, students can swing by at Central Perk Coffeehouse and enjoy a free small drip coffee, plus a twenty percent discount on any ground, bean, or single-serve pods of coffee. Student discounts are available in-store on Tuesdays with a valid student ID.

They are even looking into getting their licensing in order to serve cocktails and other drinks, including an espresso martini with their signature artisan coffee. Wanting to eat everything at Central Perk like the fridge broke, this business knows how to make a delicious pastry that will entice the senses. No need to worry about any floor cake or one of Rachel’s trifles, though you may have some friends who will want to sing Smelly Cat for you.

“We like to have fun. It is more than just coffee, from employees to the guests!” Constable said.

Anyone can customize their drinks; seeing what the customers can bring to their order is what excites the staff when they get to make these drinks. Adding banana syrup to a latte can make you feel like changing your name to Phoebe. This embodies having communication with the community, and how this business can continue to thrive within their neighborhood and appeal to the regulars. Most tourists visit on the weekends and the locals are very welcoming if someone wants to take a picture on that signature orange couch. This warm and inviting environment provides comfort to anyone who has ever watched the show. Fulfilling an element of desire, as a customer walking into this establishment allows one to live a life through the characters, even if it is just for a few hours. Designing an environment where the customer can be the main character in their own Friends sitcom.

“We want our customers to bring home a little bit of Friends with them when they come to visit.” Constable said.

The customers are there for the Friends experience, but stay to grab a cup of coffee or a pastry, and sit on the couch with friends at this nostalgic coffeehouse.

@centralperk; centralperk.com

Liah Brown

Photography Courtesy of Emmett Anderson, Central Perk Coffeehouse, Brian Nevins, & Polina Tankilevitch

TO BOTTLE

Wepick up and smell perfumes often in our lives, taking in the scents, recalling the places it brings our minds to, but have we ever stopped to think about the chemistry that goes into creating our favorite scents? With LabHouse, now you can come along for the vivid experience of manufacturing perfumes.

Miriam Shechet, the creator of LabHouse, is an outstanding entrepreneur, as she speaks about her work with an unbelievable passion. Her heart and soul goes into her product, one of the many factors contributing to her high-quality fragrances. Shechet’s motivation for creating products comes from the excitement her customers feel when they explore the products from her brand. Within her career, similarly to many other young business owners, she has experienced many ups and downs along the way. When Shechet was only twenty years old, the first idea that she had for her business was to curate a scented lingerie business. She quickly ended up changing course and she was enlightened into the world of perfumery. As this is a part of her identity, chemistry in this industry had become a newfound love in her life. This led to meeting with a perfumer for the first time at the age of twenty one, inspiration to start experimenting with raw materials and their integrations into perfumes intrigued her.

“This opened up a whole world! I was able to smell fragrances very differently. I had found it so fascinating that I decided I wanted to go back to school,” Shechet said.

This was the turning point for Shechet as she decided to begin the process for a chemistry degree, learning more that would help her future businesses’ success. Later graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree

in Chemistry, she applied to corporations that would enhance her skill set. She knew that with her degree in hand, taking a risk would be the best way for her to find the perfect career. Gaining experience in this industry, she worked as a Sight-Odor Coordinator in the quality control department of Gillette, which was a stepping stone for her future. A Covid-related roadblock sent her down another path as she saw an opportunity for her to become an independent perfumer. Though she had plenty of opportunities to further her career at Gillette, it wasn’t the specific opportunity she was looking for. While starting her own business, she was able to customize the perfect working environment. After developing her own product, she attended her first craft fair and the product was received well by the customers. This lit a fire of determination for Shechet, as she wanted to continue forward with this path of creation. After deciding to go down the route of entrepreneurship, she knew it was time to decipher a name.

“It was a lab in my house, it was literally a lab in my basement! I was asking myself what should the name be? Well, it’s a lab in the house... LabHouse,” said Shechet.

Perfume is art and chemistry intersected, and this is an ideal that Schechet wanted to keep within her own brand. Perfumes are complex mixtures of plants, essential oils, and more; all of these ingredients make the perfect mixture of aromas. The mission of LabHouse is to remind people, especially young people, how fascinating chemistry is.

LabHouse had been up and running for over a year and she knew to keep her business afloat that she would need to completely rebrand, due to the unfortunate occurrences in 2020. There were shipments that weren’t

being sent, along with other unforeseeable technical difficulties. These were obstacles that she had to navigate as a first-time business owner. She knew the employees were a must-have to lessen the stress of her growing business. This is when her business began to take off. Having the chemistry knowledge to develop the perfect scent was only the start of what these perfumes could be. The bottles themselves are adorned with artwork. As a visual person, Schechet saw this as an opportunity to share her vision with her customers for each scent.

“The artwork on the bottles is inspired by the fragrance itself. I don’t have synesthesia, but I see colors with different fragrance materials. The art on the bottles is how I visualize the fragrance using my own artistic skills.” Shechet said.

To make each of her fragrances, Shechet has developed her own characteristic formulation style to create bold scents that will match the artwork featured on the outside of each of her bottles. Choosing to not gender any of her scents, they were curated to find the right nose. If you find your signature scent, a gender norm should not be the factor that keeps you from buying that scent. Perfumes are made for everyone; you may just open up a new level of possibilities. Some beautiful scents range from a Fever Dream to a Stellar Bloom, it will make you feel like you are entranced in a Mirage Fever Dream is warm with notes of boozy pineapple and jasmine, while Stellar Bloom has a range of floral notes with petals and sandalwood. Mirage is a scent that will leave you wanting more with notes of cardamom and pepper accord, making for a strong scent palette that will leave others wanting more.

With LabHouse’s business growing, the idea of the future is bright for this young entrepreneur, as Shechet sees her business in major corporations. When you have your own company there are going to be highs and lows in figuring out what to do next to make the brand evolve. In this next chapter, a group of women, including Schechet, opened a storefront in the South End of Boston, which is called “Trove on Tremont”. This is a collective of nine businesses and each of the women sell their own handmade products. Items in this store feature rings, LabHouse perfume, glass blown works of art, clothes, sweet treats, and so much more! The powerful women working in this shop have shown the true power of being a women owned business in Boston. With LabHouse’s bold scents created to stand out, it pairs perfectly with the other art within this Trove.

For this young owner, she will continue to see and curate the evolution of beautiful handcrafted perfumes. As she studied science to learn more about this level of chemistry, the beautiful scents craft a story for this artist. From lab coats to perfume notes, this chemist and her brand, LabHouse, will continue to curate new scents that craft a story.

@labhouse_perfume; labhouseperfume.com

Kaleigh McGrath

Photography by Emily Bernal & Miriam Shechet

Off-Pu ing

Michela (Right) Shirt: Salvage Angel Vest: SoWa Vintage Skirt: SoWa Vintage Shoes: Salvage Angel Rain ( Left )

Claudia Shirt: Stargirl Designs Jacket: Diversity Consignment

Vest: Salvage Angel

Skirt: Maddie Young Shoes: Diversity Consignment

Claudia Shirt: Diversity Consignment Bodysuit: Diversity Consignment Vest: Salvage Angel Acsessories: Diversity Consignment

Michela Dress: Amelia Capron Necklace: Diversity Shoes: Amelia Capron

Claudia ( Left )

Shirt: Diversity Consignment

Bodysuit: Diversity Consignment

Vest: Salvage Angel

Acsessories: Diversity Consignment

Michela ( Right )

Corset: Maddie Young

Jacket: Diversity Consignment

Skirt: Salvage Angel

Shoes: Salavge Angel

Claudia ( Right ) Shirt: Stargirl Designs Jacket: Diversity Consignment Vest: Salvage Angel Skirt: Maddie Young Shoes: Diversity Consignment Rain ( Left )

Michela (Right) Shirt: Salvage Angel Vest: SoWa Vintage Skirt: SoWa Vintage Shoes: Salvage Angel

Claudia Dress: Diversity Consignment Sweater: SoWa Vintage Shorts: Maddie Young Shoes: Amelia Capron Tie: Diversity Consignment

In the vibrant city of Boston, an emerging gem has arrived on the scene. Combining contemporary fashion and modern designs, Ouimillie is a boutique known for its sophistication and unique shopping experience. The owner, Millicent Cutler, has not only paved the way for growing designers to showcase their talents, but has given customers an outlet to discover more about their personal style.

Before settling down and raising a family in Boston, Cutler started her career in Los Angeles, California, as an interior architect. During this time, she created a small shop and introduced a handbag line that had immediate attention and demand, as it had completely sold out! With

this level of expertise with products, Cutler is now sourcing designers from all over the world, to bring her store, Ouimillie, to a whole new level. Creating meaningful relationships and experiences has allowed her to develop many long-term clients that motivate her to do what she does.

What was once a home goods store has now transformed into what Ouimillie is today, a fashion outlet for blossoming designers to show their work. The brand specializes in offering a curated selection of fashion, home goods, and lifestyle products. With dozens of designers and brands to choose from, the products range in a variety of colorful pieces. This allows Culter to bring new products into her space as fashion is always changing, and you need to be ready to bring something new to the table.

As the world of fashion has become more environmentally conscious, Cutler has been striving to work with designers around the world who nurture a strong value for sustainability, showcasing established and emerging talent from countries such as Argentina, France, Italy, Norway, and so many more! She is intentional about what products she sources and brings into the shop, as many manufactured clothes are made through fast fashion and could be easily thrown away due to quality if not created thoughtfully. Utilizing sustainability and carefully curated products has allowed Cutler to perfect her dream store to include every element of her personal style. Her philosophy of traditional craftsmanship and ethical practices is at the forefront with every step you take within the building. Each product tells an enriching story of its designer’s history and how it came into fruition.

“I was really pulling items from different countries that you couldn’t see in your lifetime. To start a business and offer something fresh has always been my goal,” Cutler said.

As the fashion scene has evolved tremendously in Boston, Cutler has brought a more robust shop filled with interesting pieces that can be catered to anyone. Whether you are a fashion-forward person or simply like finding new gems for your wardrobe, the Boston location became the right fit for Ouimillie and its clients.

For those who come across Ouimillie, they are stepping into a more immersive and personalized experience. The team warmly greets clients as they immediately get to know who they are. Cutler wants the longevity

of her client relationships and comfortability to be the focus of her brand rather than trying to make a sale whenever someone walks through the door. Not everyone walking down the street has an eye for fashion, but there will always be people that love clothes and they are the discerning clients that Ouimillie strives to help develop their fashion sense.

Many clients will find themselves booking complimentary in-store appointments, where the Ouimillie team will help the customer find the right piece(s) to add to their collection, whether they have something specific in mind or need direction with building a wardrobe. The team will start by pulling different styles catered to what the client is looking for, or they will even wait for certain designers’ lines to drop, so that they can suggest specific looks for them. From suggesting palatable and statement pieces to luxury pieces, this will provide more direction for the stylist and create more confident decisions. The client will have a full try-on assortment as stylists will offer different techniques to style each garment by working on a personal level to gauge the best color and silhouette for the client. Alterations and tailoring may be offered to create the best fit for each of these garments. More often than not, the customer will fall in love with an item as they walk past the store window shopping, but may find a completely different garment that compliments their personal style. Each client is surrounded by a supportive team that personalizes each session to how closely they work with the client. Ensuring that eveyone who walks through their door feels confident not only in their purchase, but also in themselves is the main success.

“If you are interested in working with us to find your dream garment(s), we are going to show you items that we think are going to be fabulous on you,” said Cutler.

Cutler’s confidence in selecting who she brings onto the team allows her to foster a strong sense of community with her team and her clients. To broaden the team and help it grow, Cutler works with her staff to analyze each of their talents. This includes staff from all walks of life, including some of our very own Lasell University students, who have not only been able to work in the Ouimillie store, but have also been able to help with a Ouimillie collection being shown at Boston Fashion Week. She offers support for her team and serves as an example to help them succeed in their professional and personal goals. Raw human connection is the core principle of Ouimillie, as we are all human and should be able to express our personal style freely.

“Stay creative, get to know other people. There’s nothing like bumping up against each other, that’s where the creativity is.” Said Cutler.

As Ouimillie looks to the future, the brand continues to embrace the importance of human connection through the rapidly changing retail landscape. This brand represents more than just a boutique, it is a safe house for those who seek a place to learn and discover the true beauty of human creativity from all over the world. Infused with beauty, creativity, and sustainability, you are bound to find something unique to revamp your closet. As Ouimillie continues to evolve and inspire, it remains a cherished destination for those who appreciate the art of living well and being curious.

@ouimillie; ouimillie.com

Kim Nguyen

Photography by Kayleigh Bollin & Angela Murray

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Fashion

is not always about the press received from flaunting a garment, but often it is about the “special feeling” it gives to its wearer. That’s where Denise Hajjar thrives. As the owner and designer of her very own store, Denise Hajjar Marina Bay, she wholeheartedly abides by her words, striving to make each woman who enters her store find a unique style that compels them to feel beautiful in their own skin.

Hajjar, who is of Syrian and Lebanese decent, realized at a young age she was fascinated with fashion and everything it had to offer. Creating clothes for her fashionable dolls gave her the head start that she needed in the industry. Years later, she worked to perfect her craft by learning to design and create her mother’s gowns. Hajjar was hard at work during this time as she was designing exceptional pieces for the ladies in her mother’s office, family friends at her church, and for herself as well. Being so well versed in design, she never had to buy her own clothes, as she made whatever ideas came to her mind. Throughout grade school and high school, she was always one step ahead of everyone else. Her immense skills in her classes did not go unnoticed, even resulting in another student flunking a design class as the teacher had easily recognized that Hajjar had helped her. She decided it was her destiny to improve this craft that she had dedicated so much of her upbringing to and attended The School of Fashion Design in Boston. While at school, she learned the ropes of the fashion industry and how it runs deep behind the glamour of the garments she designed. She learned how to sketch, make patterns, drape, and even draft different sizes which was a lot more technical than anything she had been familiar with.

Following her designer’s thesis, Hajjar obtained a fashion design job as soon as she had her degree. Her hard work and success had paid off, demonstrating her values of commitment, perseverance, and hard work. Hajjar illustrates that fashion is not what you think of it as, but much more work. The only glamour that comes with the industry is the flashy fashion shows that are heavily advertised. Life as a fashion designer requires focus, drive, and one hundred percent commitment.

Today, Hajjar owns three brick and mortar businesses, including Denise Hajjar - Marina Bay, Marina Bay Living Gift Shop, and Terre D Italia, and Italian Specialty Shop. While originally being at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel for seven years, and the Intercontinental Hotel for another seven years, Hajjar now owns three permanent locations overlooking the boardwalk at Marina Bay. While her clothing boutique was originally

focused on the custom designing of dresses, jackets, and other couture pieces, it now prioritizes buying and selling. Decorating the shelves of her Marina Bay shop are images of designs she had created for professional photo shoots back in the 1980s, with models sharing these timeless looks that could be seen on runways to this day.

All Hajjar’s customers trust that she will provide beautiful designs for them, without going too crazy. She allows herself to be very creative, but not go outside the box.

“I push to the edge of fashion, but not over,” Hajjar said.

Hajjar strives to make each woman who wears her designs feel special and unique. She describes that her favorite part of being a fashion designer is the positive reviews and responses from customers. Rather than designing for the press, Hajjar designs for the people. Her number one goal is tending to her shoppers’ wants and needs to make sure they

truly enjoy what they are buying. Next comes the pizazz of the fashion shows where she can proudly display her creations and share them with her community. She believes that fashion is for the person wearing it, and not for the judgment from others.

Hajjar began supporting charities when she was a little girl and would go from house to house with a soup can and collect donations. This is something that would carry throughout her career, as she wanted to ensure that she was giving back to a community that was supporting her. She participates in multiple programs, but predominantly focuses on organizations that support women and children. The program that she is most proud of is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as she was originally inspired by Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude. Hajjar appreciated his Lebanese background and culture, which is similar to her own. After making a name for herself, she asked the president of the Boston office of St. Jude if she could do an event for them, to which they happily agreed. She worked on an event called “Big Dreams Start Small,” unfolding with three hundred people and collecting sixty-five thousand dollars. By the tenth year of this event, it was moved to the Marriot Copley, due to the attendance of over one thousand people. This event raised over one million dollars. This year, Hajjar is hosting a charity for the “Quincy Community Action Programs,” which aids over thirty thousand people with food insecurity, housing insecurity, education, jobs, heating, and more.

“Giving back should be the norm, not the exception,” Hajjar said.

While supporting herself for almost forty years, Hajjar has achieved much in her career. Her work extends as far as creations for countless politicians, Middle Eastern royalty, news anchors, camera, special events, and marketing. She has been delighted to design for Channel 5’s host at the Oscars in the past. She has traveled all around the country to participate in numerous trunk shows, as well as design costumes for the main leads in movies. On top of this, she has also had her studio used for a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial. Hajjar has even gained experience in designs for the

Grammys, Inaugural staff, and a week of designing for Vanna White on The Wheel of Fortune. She is honored to have taken on so many prestigious roles that shaped her as a designer.

Hajjar beams with pride in knowing she has had her business for forty years, and has had the ability to say that her customers have come from near and far to buy her works of art. When looking at her own design choices, Hajjar feels that she was most influenced by prominent A-list designers who shaped the world of fashion we know today. She was even able to meet one of these designers when she was in Florida. One of her favorite moments in her career was when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Boston Fashion Awards. This award was bestowed upon a designer that constantly contributed to years of accomplishments for fashion in Boston. Her work was also featured on the cover of International Design Magazine that focused on interior design, fashion, and travel.

In the future, Hajjar hopes to expand her business even further. While currently owning her three shops at Marina Bay in Quincy, Hajjar loves the idea of increasing the size of her businesses and client base. She also hopes to host many more fashion shows in the future that showcase her work and give back to the community. For now, Hajjar welcomes customers old and new for an unforgettable experience, embodying the elegance of beauty.

@denisehajjarcollection; denisehajjar.com

Photography by Caelan Watson

Andrew Cardosi

Mod n

Combining aesthetics like the girly aesthetic from the Rococo era and the grunge aesthetic from the 1990’s, brings a modern flare to fashion. The outfits within this trend puffy skirts and frilly corsets, and combines them with mesh shirts and chunky platform boots. Accessories and accents are key to fashion in recent times. Whether it’s ribbons, pearls, or funky makeup, it’s the small accessories that have an outfit come to life.

In the world of fashion, revamping trends from history brings back times of comfort and expression, connecting many generations by the style of our clothes. The Rococo style, from the 1700s, brings a trend led by Marie Antionette, Queen of France, to the fashion scene in a bold way. Using decorative bows, frills and other fun accessories, it makes fashion feel lived in.

Photography by Amelia Capron; Illustration by Caelan Watson

This shoot was done on a windy, chilly day, but the vibes were warm and fun. The models are pictured frolicking around and giggling with each other, capturing the hidden moments, and of course, like Marie Antoinette, there was cake!

These models are adorned with beautiful makeup, from rhinestone pink brows to pearls and overexaggerated blush. This shows how the trend for makeup is to go big or go home! Like our editorial theme, we see the inner beauty of off-putting fashions.

Maddie Young

Clothing Courtesy of kiiixonline & Styling Team

Have you ever wished you could take home the crisp smells of an apple orchard? Or the beach scents that roll in from the ocean? Sniffs of Adventure is a small business operating out of Boston, Massachusetts, and co-owners Christopher Swank and Adam Shane bring travel to the candle scene. They have founded this candle-making business to ensure that their customers will be able to take a little bit of adventure back to the comfort of their home.

opinions from family and friends before evolving this once hobby into their own candle business. They decided that this brand was something they were willing to take a chance on, and saw an opportunity to share their ideas.

The first destination of this brand started before the 2020 pandemic, where Shane had picked up a hobby of creating candles. This hobby evolved into so much more while Swank and Shane were sitting in their home during the pandemic, as Swank walked into the room and noticed a particular smell. The candle that Shane was creating had smelled exactly like a previous trip they both had taken across the country. This smell ignited something in Swank, and he asked for

Since they both share a love of candles, their house has held many over the years. One thing the pair noticed while they were creating their own line of candles is that many less expensive candles release a black soot when they are burned. With some informative research, they discovered that this soot is incredibly harmful for humans and animals to be breathing in due to the toxins that are released. The couple decided that when they were developing their own candles, they would always focus on having the highest quality materials available. This allows for the notes in their candles to be safe and healthy so that everyone, including pets, can enjoy them. With 100% soy wax that is combined with specialty oils, they are able to add in their own unique smells that will truly take you on an adventure! The oils that the brand uses are free from carcinogens and other harmful additives that are added to many mainstream candles. This brand has thought about every piece of their product from the wax and the oils used, to the wicks being 100% cotton and lead free, they have thought about their customer every step of the way.

When Swank and Shane started out, the pair had a lot of difficulties to overcome, as many new owners do. Neither of the owners knew how to run a business, so they took this as an opportunity to pour countless hours into researching and learning everything they could about how to properly run their business. After many hours of learning and developing what their brand would look like in the future, they felt confident in opening up their first shop in Provincetown, MA. Through trial and error, the pair confidently gained new customers everyday and built up the traction into their store.

After over two years of steady growth, Swank and Shane decided to open up a second store, this time in Boston on Newbury Street. This is where they leased a shop and quickly prepared to sell more candles to a larger audience. With such a big commitment of now having two stores, they knew that this was their future and it was the right time to dedicate all their energy into running these businesses.

“Okay, we’re all in!” Swank and Shane said.

Shortly after opening these beautiful stores, Shane and Swank began getting a consistent number of customers. With almost too many to keep up with, they knew they had to produce more product.

“We simply ran out of product, and we were selling them so fast to this new audience!” Swank and Shane said.

With a backup of orders due to the high demand, they had to learn how to produce enough candles to keep up with the growing demand. The pair worked tirelessly to decide how many employees would be able to maximize production. With changes in the seasons, there were months where their candles were not selling as much. Within the summer months of warmer temperatures, fewer people want to purchase candles. Whereas when the colder temperatures roll in with winter time, more and more customers are looking for those scents that will make their homes smell comfortable and warm.

Shane and Swank wanted to put as much into this business as they possibly could, and with a focus on continuing to invent new scents they were able to stay on the path of creating new adventures. To create the perfect scent for each experience they have had, they worked tirelessly. This brand now offers over 140 different scents in their candles, from citrus and florals to zodiacs and sweets, they have a little bit of something for everyone. Offering scents for all walks of life, maybe you would be interested in Nordic Fjord, The Newbury, or for all of those high school and college graduates, Moving On!

“What did we do to move the business forward today and what else could we do?” Swank and Shane said.

The owners put a heavy focus on investing in staff, to fulfill the ideals that they had for these exquisite candles. Always focusing on the future, these business owners are making sure that they continue to evolve their brand. Asking this question everyday makes sure that everyone is held accountable for their contributions to the company.

The future of this business is bright as Shane and Swank are looking forward to the new adventures that they can begin with this business. Their favorite part of owning their own business is that they are the ones that get to call the shots! This allows for the freedom of creative decisions to be in their hands, as they are the ones creating these adventurous scents. Instead of franchising, they are looking forward to opening up a new store in New England in 2025. Through this rocky trail, a journey has evolved for these owners! Whether you are on an adventure or need a new smell within your home, begin your own quest with Sniffs of Adventure!

@sniffsofadventure; comesniffaround.com

Evan Terry

Photography by Christopher Swank & Sora NoAo; Illustrations by Eva Parker

Handmade jewelry curated for the perfect customer, is what makes anyone feel golden while wearing these pieces. Kimberly Huestis, owner of Porcelain and Stone, went through a variety of career changes before settling into her jewelry making.

Huestis started out as an architect and photographer, but after a while that lost its shine. She quickly found her passion for photography was missing when it became work, and was on the hunt for a new job. Her friends and family started pushing her to share her jewelry. When first looking at the jewelry made by Porcelain and Stone, you might be struck

by the almost historic feel of the pieces or the beachy nautical element. This fun play on history not only came from a love of archeology, but also a lifelong battle with jewelry allergies. Huestis, like so many others, struggles with metal allergies and started making jewelry for herself as a child to have different options. Using clays and hemps, she created jewelry that would work for her. Later, she would move to gold and other metals utilizing her background in sculpture.

“I started out sculpting my own pieces in clays and hemps like most children, but as I got older, I started working with metals because I still found I couldn’t wear what everyone one else was wearing even when it was labeled hypoallergenic (due to issues with industry standards).” Huestis said.

Huestis has a deep love of archeology and this is what led her to choose architecture for her first career option. Initially she wanted to work as closely to archeology as she could, but after a while she found that architecture wasn’t fulfilling the social responsibility she wanted to take part in. Through architecture she learned to employ minimalism, a feature visible throughout her statement pieces. Almost every skill she has acquired in the past, she has been able to apply to her current business in one aspect or another. It was almost by accident her business took off once she decided to follow after jewelry making. She reached out to a local shop owner who ended up selling her work the first week that her porcelain jewelry was launched. When founding her business, she wanted to make sure she was following certain philosophies.

To Huestis social responsibility is in everything Porcelain and Stone does. When packaging items, reused tissue paper is a top priority. Recycling every material that the brand is able to.

To ensure her products come out how she expects, social responsibility is something that Porcelain and Stone takes into consideration. Huestis employs a three-step process: first she’s involved in the chemistry of the clay, this ensures that every piece is made just the way she desires. She loves how she can recycle any project that may not have come out how she has

expected because of the reusable materials that her products are made from. A concept that is near and dear to her is ensuring the sustainability aspect of her brand. The next step of the process is carving, polishing, and glazing the clay pieces. This finishes up the porcelain part of the jewelry, which is much stronger than other pieces of jewelry. We often use porcelain items in our everyday lives and don’t realize it. Only when it is stretched thin or made very large, it might be fragile. The final step is the metal, whether it is gold or another metal.

All jewelry uses a sort of alloy and if your jewelry maker knows what combination is in their pieces, it can be extremely helpful. A little-known fact Huestis found out is even hypoallergenic products are allowed to contain a certain amount of the product you are allergic to. For people like Huestis, this could continue to exacerbate her problems. When she opened her shop, she wanted to raise awareness as so many people have struggled with this, but don’t really know why or how to solve it. With her porcelain jewelry she hoped to provide a safe alternative for people with specific metal alloy issues, even offering to explain the jewelry mixture as needed. Now she owns a store in Boston among other small businesses and loves to share ideas and mentorship to other creatives on how they will be able to know their own worth when creating a brand.

“Stubbornness can be good, it’s good to be hopeful. Do your math. If someone says you’re pricing wrong, do your math and be smart about

Whether it be the past of the porcelain or traditional uses. Porcelain and Stone intend to show us what sustainable, functional, beautiful jewelry and ceramic-ware looks like. This woman-owned local business shows us art for the individual with standards, and how with a little bit of clay being dipped in gold, beautiful creations can be made.

@porcelainandstone; porcelainandstone.com

Annie N Wenzlick

Photography by Angela Murray

Shirt: Diversity Consignment

Bodysuit: Diversity Consignment

Vest: Salvage Angel

Acsessories: Diversity Consignment

Michela ( Right )

Corset: Maddie Young

Jacket: Diversity Consignment

Skirt: Salvage Angel

Shoes: Salavge Angel

Claudia ( Left )