Fashion and sports have always intersected with each other throughout history, but now more than ever we see the line blurring together. Using sportswear aspects in clothing on the runway like jerseys, or cleats are a big trend. On the other side, we see athletes creating brand deals with clothing companies and including fun aspects of dress into their uniforms while competing. The models in the editorial shoot are Lasell athletes, and they show the balance between sports and fashion, competitiveness and high fashion. I’ve played sports all of my life, and also had an interest in fashion all of my life. This issue was close to my heart, as it combined two of my loves in life, and merged the difference between them that can often be seen as stark.
Transitioning into my second semester as Creative Director, I continue to learn from and lean on my amazing team for support. I am so thankful to be surrounded by all of them, and always enjoy meeting thve new members of the team. POLISHED really shows how well our different teams collaborate, and how we can create something as beautiful as this publication. Now introducing this semester’s Starting Lineup!
This issue of POLISHED Magazine explores the dynamic intersection of sports and fashion, a theme that has exploded in popularity in recent years. When you think of popular sports, basketball, football, or hockey may come to mind. Despite that, the promotion of fitness and well-being, whether that is physical, mental, and social health, takes many forms. The variety of businesses that we are excited to showcase embody this concept, from The Handle Bar and their straightforward fitness-focused vibe, to 9Tailors, who provide tailoring for those with active lifestyles.
As I reflect on this semester, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible journey that has brought me to this point. I have been with POLISHED Magazine since fall 2021, when I co-wrote an article about vintage clothing store Vivant Vintage. Fast forward three years, and I am the managing editor and overseeing our entire editorial process. This semester has been challenging, but also enormously rewarding … with thanks being in order. A special shoutout to our phenomenal writers and editors, namely, Angela DeFelice, my predecessor Liah Brown, our faculty advisor Gregory Cass, and of course our esteemed business partners. And now, please enjoy this latest issue of POLISHED Magazine!
From Friday night lights to flashing cameras, Starting Lineup seamlessly blends game and glamor, taking you right onto the sidelines of our creation. Articles like “No Limits” and the Calendar are a perfect representation of the beauty and energy that is produced when fashion meets sports. This issue’s Trend dives deeper into that playfulness and nostalgia through artistic expression, embodying a “do it yourself” approach to customizing your style.
With this being my first issue as Art Director, I was beyond excited to be leading a team full of such talented graphic designers. Additionally, I found myself incredibly thankful to be surrounded by such a supportive team and I am so proud of what we have accomplished together.
Publisher
Founder
Creative Director
Managing Editor
Art Director
Art Editor
Editors
Lasell University
Richard Bath
Maddie Young
Spencer Villinski
Eva Parker
Ella Rivera
Angela DeFelice
Inès Dupupet
Lead Stylist
Stylists
Kayla Campbell
Alyssa Guglielmo
Clare Tonucci
Ella Rivera
Lucia Gagliano
Rebecca Donovan
Assistant Stylists
Elijah Antoine
Isabella Yagmin
Editorial Photographers Models
Eva Parker
Mia Sullivan-Sanders
Olivia Molina
Media Directors Social Media Team
Kim Nguyen
Lila Carpenter
Nicole Reusch
Alena D’Antonio
Emma Fandel
Emma Gott
Grace Martin
Kaleigh McGrath
Morgan Healy
Nicole Parrella Vaughn
Faculty Advisors
Dylan Wilson
Gregory Cass
Ken Calhoun
CALENDAR 4
Designer: Erin Tilley
Writer: Spencer Villinski
BUILDING A BETTER YOU 6
Designer: Eva Parker
Writer: Kassandra Fisher
MODERN SUITING 8
Designer: Angela Murray
Writer: Vanessa Lee
NO LIMITS 10
Designer: Olivia Sousa
Writer: Spencer Villinski
ON THE COVER
STARTING LINEUP 12
Retailers: Diversity
Consignment, Salvage Angel, SoWa Vintage, Stargirl Designs, Lyric Miller
Location: Bentley University
Photography: Eva Parker
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH HOLLY DALTON 20
Designer: Eva Parker
Writer: Liliana Luksch
TREND REPORT 22
Designer: Eva Parker
Writer: Maddie Young
Models: Luke Davis, Jocelyn Salcedo, Andres Saenz, Emily Brennan
Mia Sullivan-Sanders & Olivia Molina
Retailers: SoWa Vintage & Stargirl Designs
Photography by Eva Parker
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of POLISHED Magazine is to promote and highlight the diverse and vibrant culture and fashion scene of Boston and the surrounding area.
PUNK MEETS SPORT 24
Designer: Olivia Sousa
Writer: Spencer Villinski
COLORING IN THE GAPS 26
Designer: Ella Rivera
Writer: Ayovi Gilreath
BETTER IN BULK 28
Designer: Erin Tilley
Writer: Evan Terry
STELLAR STYLE 30
Designer: Angela Murray
Writer: Payton Andrews & Clementine Burns
POLISHED Magazine is produced by the Lasell University School of Fashion with graphic design support from the Graphic Design League at Lasell University. Visit us at graphicdesignleague.com
POLISHED Magazine is printed by Solo Printing
Now - 29 The Holiday Market at Snowport
Ring in the winter months with the Holiday Market at Snowport. Put on by digital marketing platform Constant Contact, the event will feature over 120 makers, more food than any other previous year, custom cocktail bars, festive décor, live music, and more. The Holiday Market will be located at 100 Seaport Boulevard, adjacent to The Current. It opens at either 11:00 AM or 3:00 PM each day, seven days a week, with extended hours during the peak holiday season.
31 First Night Boston
If you want to kick off the new year with a time-honored, vibrant Massachusetts tradition, look no further than Boston’s
16-19 Boston Celtic Music Festival 2025
Back for its 22nd straight year, the Boston Celtic Music Festival, also known as BCMFest, is returning in mid-January to Club Passim, Somerville Theater, Crystal Ballroom, The Burren, and The Rockwell. The festival, which is managed by Cambridge-based non-profit Passim, will showcase music, song, and dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Québécois, and other Celtic communities. There will be a variety of performers, from traditional to contemporary, and touring acts to local session musicians.
25-February 1 Recycled Percussion in Boston
If you want a truly unique theater experience, you might want to consider getting yourself to Blue Ocean Music Hall for a Recycled Percussion show. Able to trace their stardom back to performances on America’s Got Talent, Recycled Percussion is a New Hampshire based junk rock band. Junk rock being a rock subgenre defined by high energy rock, funk, and pop drumming on recycled instruments among other items. Tickets will surely sell out, so act soon!
14-16 Boskone 62
A science fiction and fantasy lover’s dream, Boskone 62, New England’s longest-running science fiction and fantasy convention, will be taking place in mid-February at the Westin Boston Seaport District. To quote a previous attendee, “Boskone is a wonderful, welcoming, and cheerful convention, a haven of science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts gathering for warmth and comfort amid the Boston winter.” The featured guests at
Runners, rejoice! The Boston Run Show will be returning to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in early-March. The event is welcoming of all runners, regardless of how far or fast you go. There will be inspirational speakers (including none other than legendary American long-distance runner Meb Keflezighi), tons of running gear, the cutting-edge in running technology, some of the best and brightest coaches, races, nutrition, and more. The featured exhibitors include Adidas, Hyperice, Runna, INOV8, and UYN—Unleash your nature.
2 Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra:
Mahler No. 6
The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will undoubtedly ensure that the first Sunday evening in March is an elegant,
Spencer Villinski
Boston
is home to an array of fitness studios, but one boutique fitness studio is transforming the landscape with an invigorating approach. The Handle Bar, founded in 2013, offers seven studio locations across Boston and Cambridge; this fitness hub prioritizes self-betterment, connection, and community—putting wellness over calories.
At the heart of this studio and brand are its three founders: Tom Resor, Jess Fracalossi, and Nick Resor, who all came together with a passion for physical activity not being a chore but a way to release stress from daily life and jobs. Eleven years ago, these three founders journey began when two competitors in the area joined forces, creating this beloved studio. As the fitness industry has changed over time, so has their business, always aiming to provide the best boutique class at an affordable price. Having seven different studios all throughout Boston has made it accessible to varying demographics and allows members to be able to pop into any of the locations for a class and then easily go about the rest of their day. Currently five of the seven stores are cycling studios and three are sculpt studios. This studio aims to not just create a workout for each of its members but a wellness journey that’s goal is, as their brand mission states:
“To better the lives of our clients from the inside out.”
Their business is meant to offer a more meaningful experience and environment that does not just chase the latest fitness trend but ensures that every participant in any of their workouts leaves not only fitter, but more connected to themselves and others in this community. Handle Bar was built around this idea of providing an experience in the same way
that a movie or show does. Especially in the bustling city of Boston, it’s important to provide a space where you can workout as well as socialize. Handle Bar fitness goes far beyond the body by valuing mental wellness just as deeply as physical fitness.
Their wide variety of opportunities for classes offers something for everyone, from mat classes focusing on flow, strength, and sculpting, to cycle classes focused on cardio and low impact training. All their classes are music-driven, creating an immersive experience that goes beyond just the physical exercise, focusing on rhythm, energy, and connection. The goal is to provide for all lifestyles through accessibility and flexibility. None of their classes are labeled with a level, which allows people of all different capabilities to join and learn from both the instructor and each other. They embrace the idea that everyone’s fitness journey may look different and try to provide diverse options.
According to Tom, it’s important that anyone in the Boston area should be able to walk into any of their classes and get something positive out of it... even just a slight change to their mindset for the day. Handle Bar is a through and through believer that the mental health goes hand in hand with the physical health. They offer four different membership plans that include: four visits a month at $79/mo, eight visits a month at $139/ mo, twelve visits a month at $199/mo, and unlimited times a month at $229/mo. This membership is your passport for the city, and it meets you where you are for a quick pick-me-up workout. They all have the same benefits; it’s just based on the number of times a month you want to attend. The benefits include early access booking, an apparel discount at 15%, guest passes (limited members get one per month while unlimited
members get two per month), discounts to re-up credits, and special events. For new clientele they offer a challenge that costs $39 for three classes and if you complete those three classes in two weeks you get three more classes for no additional price. They offer discounts to various groups of people including, students, teachers, health care workers, and military personnel. Handle Bar finds it important to strive to be affordable for those in all different stages and walks of life.
The scene for every studio varies based on the area and the type of studio you walk into. However, one thing pulls them all together: the music. Each playlist is custom for every class; the instructor takes the time to put them together to make it interactive and fun. Having that upbeat music often distracts from or adds on to the fact that you are working out. The mood is also set through the dim lighting, making it easier for members to focus primarily on themselves and not worry about others. At one point each of the instructors were members, so they understand the significance of providing a welcoming experience for all. While these instructors are there in classes to be a guide, Handle Bar has built a structure that allows the class not to be driven solely by the instructor.
“It’s all individuals playing a team sport,” Tom said.
This makes every member of Handle Bar feel connected to the community and feel like their workout matters. To foster this sense of community, they hold about one event per month. During the summer months they often take their classes outside into the city. This past August, they held an outdoor cycle class in East Boston at Tall Ships. Handle Bar is always paying attention to what is going on in terms of holidays and will hold classes and events that correspond to them.
Handle Bar started and runs a movement called “Handle With Care” which is built around raising awareness to the stigmas associated with mental health. They believe that mental and physical health are
intertwined and aim to create a community of solidarity while also providing resources, knowledge, and events centered around the initiative. Handle Bar also provides mental health professionals with a 20% off class credit for up to twenty classes. Aligned with this effort, they also host book swaps at all their locations. They accept any books focused on topics of mental health and wellness.
Another initiative that they have started is “Joyful Movement Rides” which focuses on finding a way to transform your mentality towards exercise that feels good for your unique body; working hard to create safe and welcoming environments for all bodies and body types to move. Their “Joyful Movement Rides” are always hosted in connection to a mental health fundraiser.
At its core, Handle Bar has transformed the fitness scene for Boston through its embrace of community and its awareness of mental health as a top priority. Bringing together different people all across the city to share the same unique experience. So why would you not want to try it out? Show up, take a class, and let the experience and community win you over. Handle Bar isn’t just redefining fitness—it’s transforming lives by creating a powerful, lasting connection between mind, body, and community, inspiring people to become the best version of themselves both inside and out.
@the_handle_bar;thehandlebarstudios.com
Kassandra Fisher
he Merriam Webster Dictionary defines ‘Bespoke’ as “producing custom made articles of clothing”. 9Tailors is a premium clothing brand that specializes in Tailored suiting.
The journey of 9Tailors began in 2008 with Samantha Shih. At the time, she was in China doing a Chinese-language immersion program as a steppingstone towards a career in consulting. She struggled to find professional clothing for herself that would fit her petite frame, as well as her unique style. Shih thought to herself while at a fabric market “What
if I brought Old World tailoring to Modern American gentlemen?” After months of researching, planning, and saving, Shih launched the 9Tailors website. Running her business out of her apartment, she began only selling men’s shirts. Shih would spend the next several years “combining technology and personal custom tailoring.”
How Shih’s original website worked is similar to the 9Tailors business process today. The customer determined everything that went into the shirts, from the fabric that was used, to the buttons that were sewn onto the shirts as finishings. Over the next several years, her blossoming business continued to rise, successfully customizing suits for consumers of all shapes and sizes.
Shih would later expand her business to include customizable suits alongside the shirts. She has been celebrated for being a woman obtaining success in a male-dominated space in the fashion industry, and for creating a safe space where everyone of all races and gender identities can wear a suit that fits their body shape and personal style.
As 9Tailors continued to gain success, Shih gained a greater appreciation for the consulting aspect and face-to-face part of her business, creating a desire to form more in-person interaction with her clients. Fast forward to 2017, Shih then decided to make 9Tailors into a brick-and-mortar business. She opened a 1,300 square foot showroom located in the Leather District of Boston, east of Chinatown. The business continued to flourish and gain satisfied customers from all around the Boston area.
When the pandemic hit, Shih shifted the business practice of 9Tailors. She temporarily created three different types of masks that essential healthcare workers and local residents would be able to wear to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Once the pandemic subsided, she incorporated an updated website to include e-commerce in order to cater to an even wider and more diverse clientele.
In 2022, Shih sold the business for a profit to explore other creative ventures. Today, the company is run by Jeff Lahens, a gentleman with more than 20 years of experience, 10 of those years being customizing suits at 9Tailors. He is the founder and former head designer of ECC Life and Style, which was a menswear company that sold posh lines Pragma, Misura, and Genuine Bespoke. While managing at 9Tailors, Lahens simultaneously teaches retail management, marketing, and fashion retail studies at Lasell University as an adjunct professor. He currently operates the business with the help of a diverse group of stylists and managers that continue to maintain the 9Tailors brand of bespoke suits for everyone. On what sets 9Tailors apart from other bespoke tailoring services in Boston:
“At 9Tailors, we provide custom, bespoke, and couture services for most body types, incorporating a multi-fitting process that typically incudes 2-3 fittings to ensure the garment aligns perfectly with the client’s preferences and our stylists’ recommendations. Our diverse fabric assortment is not limited to seasonal offerings, for example, clients can order garments made with fall or winter fabrics at any time of the year,” said Lahens.
Today, 9Tailors has many services that cater to many different events, the main one being weddings. They also do custom suiting & shirting, ready-to-wear pieces, and customizable essentials. Today, the business works daily to focus on sustainability and eco-conscious practices, one of those ways being using organic cotton and eco-friendly wool as fabric choices for customizable suits.
The process of creating the customizable suits starts with a one-hour consultation by an expert style advisor to discuss what the customer is looking for in their product. From there, the buyer will choose the fabric, the silhouette, and what event they plan to wear the suit to. After the consultation ends, the staff begins crafting, which takes about 6-8 weeks to do. Once the “finished” piece is done, the client will go back to do a fitting determining if any changes or alterations need to be added or taken away. If so, the alterations will be done for free after 30 days of receiving the suit. If nothing needs to be changed, then it’s done!
“Iama huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person’s life is the affect they have on others,” legendary point guard and all-time NBA player Steve Nash once said.
Professional athletes have a storied history of giving back to their communities. Examples include Serena Williams’ Yetunde Price Resource Center, LeBron James’ The LeBron James Family Foundation, A’ja Wilson’s The A’ja Wilson Foundation, Russell Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, and Terance Mann’s Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation.
Mann, listed at 6’ 5”, 215 pounds, is a shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and at the age of ten he relocated to Lowell, Massachusetts, his adopted hometown. As a fourstar recruit, Mann signed with Florida State University. He wrapped up his time as a Seminole with some impressive feats: first in games played (180), tied for eighth in game started (101), and fourteenth in career rebounds (710), just to name a few. Mann was taken by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 48th pick in the 2019 NBA draft, making his NBA debut on October 24, 2019. Last season, per regular season game, he averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Mann was recently extended by the Clippers, to the tune of 3-years, $47 million.
Mann’s philanthropic efforts are funneled through his nonprofit organization: The Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation (TMCPF). The primary aim of TMCPF is to increase opportunities for students, particularly underrepresented students, by providing access to sports and academia. With this aid, students are well on their way to becoming well-rounded individuals, both on and off the court. When asked if there were any particular successes or moments that stand out from his work with TMCPF:
“There’s a ton, man, tons of kids getting into private schools, tons of kids getting looked at by private schools to better their education, getting recruited to causes, just so many different stories that, you know, I can’t even name one.”
The TMCPF’s main four initiatives are: (1) the Terance Mann Scholarship Program, (2) funding the Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization Inspiring Young Minds, (3) conducting basketball camps and clinics, and (4) supporting the Saint Lucia Ministry of Sports and Basketball Federation (Saint Lucia being where Mann’s parents hail from). When asked what inspired him to start the TMCPF:
“I think just the opportunity to be able to give back to my community, the community that helped me, just give kids the opportunity that I had to get to where I am,” said Mann.
On Thursday, August 15, 2024, the TMCPF hosted the No Limits Fashion Event, in Lowell, Massachusetts, at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. As a matter of fact, the No Limits Fashion Event kicked off a whole slew of events and activities packed into one week, dubbed the TMann Takeover Week. They were as follows: an annual charity basketball tournament known as the Billy G. Classic, a backpack drive at the Billy G. Classic, a youth basketball camp, and a prep school/academic fair, both held at Mill Works, a sports complex in Westford, Massachusetts.
The No Limits Fashion event was threefold: (1) a shopping experience featuring show designers, as well as up-and-coming designers, (2) a dazzling runway show, and (3) a VIP afterparty. Lasell University students were involved with the event … and in a big way. Most notably, fashion design and production majors Taylor Lane, Lauren Swift, and Hazel Nichols had their designs featured in the show. Of those three, Swift was chosen to design a garment that Mann will wear during the 2024-2025 NBA season. On how it felt to have her work featured in the show and be chosen to design an outfit for Mann:
“It feels amazing to have been able to showcase my work in the fashion show and then to go on and win the competition is such a dream. I can’t wait to see my designs worn by Terance Mann,” said Swift.
POLISHED Magazine personnel were also in attendance: creative director Madeleine Young, art director Eva Parker, managing editor Spencer Villinski, and faculty advisor Dylan Wilson. The quartet conducted interviews with the likes of hairstyling extraordinaire Jamie Millmather, makeup artist Holly Dalton (who has a spread of her very own in this issue), and of course, Mann himself. There were even students who acted as event support volunteers. Furthermore, esteemed guests included Miss Massachusetts 2024 Kiersten Khoury, current mayor of Lowell and city council representative Daniel P. Rourke, and current president of Lasell University Eric Turner.
Fashion brands featured in the show included Amy Page DeBlasio (APD), Blessed Living, Dareales, Lalla Bee, Mavlife Clothing, Peach Carr, Weathers, and Wild World of AK. As one can imagine, over a dozen different designers presenting in a single show makes for a pretty eclectic exhibition. You could sort all the looks of the night into three buckets: (1) casual chic, (2) athleisure, and (3) professional elegance. Items such as blazers, loose trousers, and flowy dresses, that appeared relaxed and comfortable, were quite common.
Considering Mann’s line of work, sporty elements were understandably another throughline. Typical sportswear items such as joggers, hoodies, and sneakers, popped up here and there. And finally, sophisticated monochrome and neutral tailoring rounded things out, think blazers, pencil skirts, and tailored trousers. Event sponsors included ADMP Events, Dunkin’, Fashion Inspires, STYLEWEEK Northeast, and Skechers (to whom Mann is signed).
@terancemanncpf;tmcpf.org
Consignment
Consignment
Why do we wear makeup? Is it to fit in with society, or to stand out? For centuries, makeup was seen as a tool to enhance someone’s natural features. Makeup can be much more than something used to attain a beauty standard; it can be used to make art. One person who uses makeup for more than its beauty is Holly Dalton. She believes that makeup is the art of finding one’s personal style, and that they can use makeup to express their inner self. For her, every brushstroke is like painting on a canvas; each look can showcase someone’s true personality, emotion, and creativity. Dalton tries to encourage people to view makeup not as a mask to hide your natural features, but as a means of celebrating your unique beauty.
Dalton’s passion for makeup started as a child when she observed her mother’s beauty routine and became fascinated by it. She noticed that her mother used different techniques with ease to enhance her appearance. After growing up watching her mother paint her face with glamor every day, Dalton thought that it was a necessity for women. She came to the conclusion that makeup was a responsibility.
She later learned that makeup is not a requirement, but an art, and her affection for it grew tenfold. Throughout her life, Dalton gathered tips and tricks from her mom and applied them to her makeup routine, learning the importance of having a good skincare base and effectively blending products. Not only did this further her skill, but it boosted her confidence.
As a child, Dalton was given a glitter lipstick which she used to mimic her grandma, only increasing her allure of the world of makeup. She wanted to feel included and wanted to engage with activities her grandma was doing. The women in her life proved to be important influences in her love of all things beauty. Later, this hobby of hers would would spark her desire to become a makeup artist, though she did not start out looking for this type of career. She began studying business and biology, but eventually realized that this did not bring her joy. Her true passion in life was makeup.
“I was pursuing the wrong things for all the wrong reasons,” said Dalton.
Once she realized this, she quickly turned her focus to makeup. Dalton was always creative; she loved to paint and draw, and that blossomed into using makeup on people’s faces and bodies to make art. She noticed that most people view makeup as something that is used to fit societal standards, while she believes that makeup can be a form of art used to express one’s creativity and personal style.
Dalton tends to keep a sharp eye on trends. She likes to observe people and their unique behaviors in order to inspire her makeup artistry. One trend that she has grown fond of is the “no makeup” makeup look, where people opt out of using certain products like false lashes and instead use a lighter hand to apply their makeup, bringing out their natural beauty.
“I find this very refreshing,” said Dalton.
The shift towards natural beauty not only resonates with Dalton, but also reflects a broader cultural emphasis on authenticity and self-expression.
A trend that Dalton misses is the impactful 80s makeup look, where people would wear a lot of bold pops of color on their faces. Dalton loves the brightness of the 80s and would love to re-introduce that type of style to younger generations. Dalton also enjoys when people do not wear a full face of makeup; she loves how meaningful every look is.
Dalton has worked a variety of events, including the Terrance Mann No Limits Fashion Event this past August. Behind the scenes of the show, Dalton held the role of Key Artist, where she led a team of other artists to craft the models’ makeup looks. The event was a full day commitment, beginning at 10:00 AM to ensure she can have enough time to make each model look and feel beautiful. This also allowed time for Dalton to unload her materials with the help of her “core team.”
A highlight of Dalton’s career was when she got to direct and serve as Key Artist for legendary fashion designer Pierre Cardin’s 95th birthday show, which was held in Newport, Rhode Island. Dalton’s role was to lead the beauty team in developing makeup looks to pair with over 90 of Pierre Cardin’s couture pieces.
She is currently working as a freelance makeup artist; businesses or individuals can contact and book Dalton through her website. Her main events that she specializes in are weddings and runway events. Additionally, Dalton offers makeup lessons for those who want to learn how to express themselves.
“I want to empower clients and help them shine,” said Dalton with regard to the extensive catelogue of lessons she teaches.
Services Dalton offers include makeup applications, tattoo coverups, false lash applications, and LGBTQ+ makeup lessons, among others.
Holly Dalton reshapes the meaning of makeup by trying not to see it as a simple beauty tool, but instead trying to turn it into a way to form and show off personal expressions and creativity. Being inspired by both her mother’s and her grandmother’s beauty routines helped her with her later career as a makeup artist. Dalton’s philosophy is centered on empowering others to express their own personalities. Her work blurs the lines between beauty and art, and celebrates makeup as a way to express boldness, confidence and creative freedom. She believes that makeup is not about following trends; it is about channeling your individual style and embracing your true self with confidence and creativity.
@hollywooddalton;hollydalton.com
Liliana Luksch
Overaccesorizing, like layering jewelry, or personalizing your shoes or purses is a fun way to make your outfits pop. Jane Birkin, a British-French actress in the 60s and 70s, was known for her eccentric style of handbag, the Birkin bag, made by Hermés. She would take this purse, and would carry this luxury bag around in a very casual way, and decorated it. The trend of “Jane Birkinifying” bags became popular on Tik Tok recently. People were making videos of themselves personalizing their purses with charms, jewelry, scarves and much more to bring their own twist and make the bags truly their own. This trend is just one way that we can express ourselves through our outfit details. In this shoot, we see the models wearing textured, chunky jewelry, layered patterns, and fun hair accessories.
In the trend focused era that fashion is in right now, there’s an influx of need to be different, and stand out. Repurposing clothing, taking otherwise bland, simple articles of clothing or accessories, and turning it into something new and personalized is a great way to practice sustainability and put your own special twist on it. Creating your own clothing or accessories brings an added layer of individuality to a look, and can upgrade an outfit instantly. Working with friends to craft and create your own individual accessories is a great way to bond and have fun.
It would be extraordinarily challenging to find another sport quite like roller derby. For starters, it would have to be fast-paced and highly competitive, defiant of gender norms, and embody third-wave feminism influences. Roller derby can be traced to the mid-1880s; however, it became a sport in the 1930s. It peaked in the 1940s, but later developed into scripted entertainment with predetermined outcomes before fading into obscurity in the mid-1970s. The year 2001 marked the birth of modern roller derby, with a group of women in Austin, Texas using a flat track rather than the tried-and-true banked track. Roller derby has gained traction since the turn of the century; hundreds of flat-track nonprofit derby leagues exist worldwide today.
When a sport or activity is popular, specialty retailers that cater to that sport or activity are crucial. One such specialty retailer, which has dubbed itself the “best #rollerskate shop in the world” in its Instagram bio, is the roller derby store Bruised Boutique Skate Shop. Regarding the name, manager Eric Jones describes the significance:
“It really suits us because, you know, roller derby is a contact sport. There’s definitely a kind of punk rock thing to skate park skating that is similar. And, so everyone’s kind of literally bruised. We also have the boutique side of it, which is to have a place or a pro shop where we really know what we’re talking about,” said Jones.
Bruised Boutique is the brainchild of now owner Allie “Dee” Trela. In the late 2000s, Dee, a resident of New Hampshire, noticed that the only nearby roller derby leagues were in Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and Maine. She came up with the initial idea of starting a New Hampshire-based roller derby league. That was all well and good, but it presented the need for a nearby roller derby retailer, the West Coast being the closest for such needs at the time. Especially when it comes to roller derby equipment, “try before you buy” is a good rule of thumb. The makeshift solution for Dee and her teammates was to go through a hockey retailer and order from their catalog. While they were certainly not to blame, a hockey retailer is not in the business of selling roller derby equipment and cannot truly deliver high-quality items for that sport.
From there, in order to get equipment for herself and her teammates that was up to par, Dee began an informal online store, to be able to order from the manufacturers. Likely due to the growing popularity of the sport and limited roller derby retailers, Dee began receiving orders from complete strangers.
Jones recounted a time in which someone called Dee’s “business” cell phone number, which was merely her personal cell phone number. The person told Dee that they had arrived at the store, although they could not see it, to which Dee remarked that the brick-and-mortar they had stumbled across was, in fact, her apartment, filled to the brim with roller derby products.
This was Dee’s cue to acquire a small retail space. Things grew and they grew fast; a bigger space was needed in almost no time at all. At this point, Jones quit his other full-time job to support Bruised Boutique and its business operations. Bruised Boutique remained in place for about ten years, before moving to its current location in Nashua, New Hampshire. Compared to the last spot, this one is “bigger and brighter,” with plenty of room for inventory, and is even able to fit a half pipe ramp.
When it comes to their offerings, Bruised Boutique carries every kind of traditional quad skates that there are. Within those there are sports skates, which are what roller derby athletes use, as well as artistic skates, which can be seen as all-purpose skates. Imagine what you can get at a roller rink, but far nicer. They have a good price range too, starting at entry-level and inexpensive, and going all the way up to the top shelf, uber fancy stuff. Your favorite mainstream footwear brands can even be changed from regular shoes into roller skates at Bruised Boutique. Accessories and other nonroller skate items are super important as well. Some notable categories include protective gear like kneepads, elbow guards, wrist guards, helmets, mouth guards; backpacks and rolling bags; an unthinkable number of different kinds of wheels; and cosmetic or miscellaneous items including novelty socks, stickers, patches, and pins.
Beyond the merchandise, community is critical to roller derby at the end of the day. Jones is adamant about the fact that the roller derby community is an incredibly welcoming one that attracts all different kinds of people and really encourages participants to be their authentic selves. Roller derby is certainly distinct from other adjacent subcultures, such as recreational skating and rink skating. However, they are all similar in at least one regard.
“They all kind of share that welcoming atmosphere of ‘you’re welcome here’ and ‘let’s just skate and forget about the outside world’ and ‘no judgments’ and, you know, it’s not perfect. It’s a big group of people, so not all are going to be perfect all the time. But in general, and compared to a lot of other communities and subcultures, you can kind of be who you are, and it’s great. This is not only accepted, but encouraged and there is enthusiasm behind it,” said Jones.
If you are interested in getting into roller derby, Jones highly suggests you do it and do it right. You could get your equipment from the big box stores, such as Target or Walmart, but you would really be doing yourself a disservice. That craftsmanship oftentimes is shoddy, uncomfortable, and fragile. You sort of need to spring for the real deal; your feet will certainly thank you. Jones believes that it’s the worst when people who are interested in roller derby call it quits and miss out on all the fun just because the pair of skates that they bought were not quality.
So, if you have been experiencing a hankering recently for skating at high speeds, or perhaps ramming your shoulder into someone’s ribcage, but above all want to be part of what is perhaps the most inclusive, vibrant, and bold community among all sports, maybe you should give roller derby a try.
Bruised Boutique Skate Shop is located in the small, eclectic town of Nashua, New Hampshire, at 522 Amherst Street.
@bruisedboutique;bruisedboutique.com
eep in the heart of Kendall Square, Cambridge, resides the MIT Museum, founded in 1971 “to engage the wider community with MIT’s science, technology and other areas of scholarship in ways that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.” The exhibitions intersect art, science, and technology in an immersive cocktail guaranteed to enlighten all guests. The main purpose is to make research and innovation accessible to everyone. The MIT Museum wants to challenge the notion that it’s either art or science when it’s normally both, since research often can take on an artistic lens. Through diverse approaches, they showcase the innovation of the university while connecting to the wider community.
