FRONT-OF-BOOK

MESSAGE: Behind the Cover X

Conceptualized by Art Director Haley Domzalski and Fashion Director Dané Simms, the cyber issue cover shoot draws inspiration from Y2K cyber-core and 90s R&B girl groups. Styled in monochromatic white ensembles, the Cyber Shoot transports you through time, code, and space to a place inspired by the “backrooms”: where reality can be anything you want it to be.

://Special thanks to our models: Garrett Ricigliano, Simone Ruth, Sarah McDuff, and Kobe Whitaker

REFINE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF... Rebekah Harding FOUNDER... Sarah Madaus MANAGING EDITOR... Milly McKinnish SENIOR EDITOR... Samantha Roehl | Editorial | FEATURES EDITOR... Raven Lawson CULTURE EDITOR... Gionna Kinchen LOVE EDITOR... Bryanna Santos FASHION EDITOR... Molly Reinhard HEALTH EDITOR... Kendra Franklin FRONT-OF-BOOK EDITOR... Camillia Benjamin COPY EDITORS... Lydia Davidheiser, Taylor Johnson | Visuals | ART DIRECTOR... Haley Domzalski DESIGN EDITOR... Nicole Hwang ASST. DESIGN EDITORS... Juliana DiCesare, Sophie Powell FASHION DIRECTOR... Dané Simms | Social Media and Business | SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR... Tonja Butler ASST. SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR... Clare Sykes TREASURER... Peace Okiye

A special thanks to our staff writers, and editorial, digital, and visuals contributors

WHO WE ARE

We love you, but we have no qualms about giving it to you straight.

Fashion Director Dané Simms with cover shoot models on set

ED’S NOTE

Oh, you’re back?

What a semester it’s been. I, along with the rest of the REFINE team, can attest that this fall was one of the hardest production seasons, both as a team and for each of us personally, in our four years in publication. And I’m sure you, reader, could say the same. As we mustered the energy to tackle our forth pandemic-semester, many of us tackled mental health dilemmas, burnout, lack of inspiration, and the overall frustration of starting another year without seeing each other face to face.

But here we are, persisting. In this issue, we tackle all things internet culture inspired by the cybercore aesthetic of Y2K girl groups and tech, the Cyber issue feels like home to

As we bring out this issue, this time digitally and in with pride and gratitude for each and every one of meetings with a 13-hour time difference between Philadelphia and my dorm room in South Korea during my semester abroad to pulling together three fantastic photoshoots in just a couple of weeks, the dedication that this team has shown is something I

I want to especially thank Managing Editor Milly McKinnish for her years of hard work on the

Rebekah Harding, EIC

Tonja, TU ‘22

Social Media Director

Tonja Butler, a senior advertising major, has led our social media team for two years. From picking the gagement, she’s done it all. Our front-of-book editor, Camillia Benjamin, sat down with Tonja to chat more about her role.

CB: This is your second year as REFINE’s social media director and due to COVID, we’ve been operating remotely the entire time— what’s it like handling all our social media and promotional operations remotely?

CB: Has the global switch to remote work affected your career path or professional goals? As a social media team member, what does that look like for you and your position?

CB: Do you have any unpopular opinions about social media culture? What are they?

Doing social media as a career, do you have any tips regarding taking a step back from social media? How do you combat social media burnout?

CB: Any social media faux pas or pet peeves that get under your skin?

TB: De nitely when people post too much of what’s going on their life instead of just being present. A lot of content is overwhelming. But if you don’t like it, you can unfollow that person. So I live with that mentality.