ROCKET by Roam Boulder

Photography by Olivia Overton

Roam Visits Balto Farms

Rhett Kaya

Balto Farms is one of Boulder’s oldest and most historic landmarks. Dating back to 1870, the farm now provides fresh honey from its hives and organic lavender to the Boulder and larger Colorado community.

The farm is the perfect place to find fresh and quality products including essential oils made in house from its copper still, soaps, hand and face lotions, and hydrosols. Beyond its assortment of flowers, food products, and wool, the location offers engaging and timeless activities including vendor pop-ups and flower picking. Roam Boulder was lucky enough to experience the beautiful Balto flower fields. For the making of Rocket, Roam Boulder got to make bouquets from their lush variety of flora. Balto also generously let us shoot some of our print on its grounds.

The farm offers photo sessions for those interested in recreating some of the photos found in our print or looking for a serene setting for some quality portraits.

Beyond the canopying trees and vibrant flora, visitors may notice some of the family’s furry friends, including the family’s beloved dogs, horses, and Alpacas. Visitors can even purchase sheep wool and Alpaca fiber.

For more information on Balto’s products and events, visit its website here, and look out for our Roam models frolicking amongst the flower fields throughout this print.

Photography by Garrett Botsch, Tylyn King, Nina Vo, Sam Nelson

Photography by Alex Johnson

In 2020, the tension in American politics was palpable.

Not just in the sense that individuals had differing opinions, it was more than that. We were facing not only a worldwide pandemic, but also stress due to foreign affairs, racial dissatisfaction, and political unrest. The sentiment amongst all Americans seemed to be the same: tune out the election, and pray for a safe transition of power and a peaceful administration. We longed for a time when our lives weren’t boiled down to a 30-minute fear-mongering segment on a newscast. We didn’t want change; we wanted calm.

According to CNBC, “A record-breaking 159.8 million Americans voted in the 2020 election.” After the exhaustion of the past year, Americans were seeking new horizons–horizons that could remedy a year so tragic in both lives lost and experiences. They wanted a way back to a pre-pandemic America, where the dystopian feeling of never knowing when you would see the in-person world again wasn’t a reality. Simon Rosenberg, former President of the New Democrat Network and the New Policy Institute discussed the cultural moment in the same article,

“It wasn’t any one thing. It was a whole series of things. It was the economic and physical dislocation of COVID-19. It was climate change, which is a major issue for young people. It was the protests that we saw this spring and summer which really turned huge numbers of young people into political activism for the first time.”

For the first time in so many election cycles, young people were voting for what mattered; and it was apparent.

So what did this teach us?

The myth that Gen Z refused to vote was a lie. When given issues they connect to, Gen Z would vote. Really, they are the generation that has the most incentive to vote. They will be living in this country with a lot of issues left for them to fix, they might as well get a head start. So here we are 4 years later. Another election year has arrived, but the sentiment remains the same. While we aren’t living in a pandemic world anymore, the exhaustion with American politics is the same. People are disillusioned by

the various narratives being peddled to them by the media. Misinformation is rampant, and the noise is a little too much for everyone. A social media overload is occurring. However, this is not a new issue. Based on data from the 2020 election, NPR believes,

“‘One-third of Gen Z voters wished they had known more about the candidates and their positions in the last election — compared to 21% of Millennials, 11% of members of Generation X and 6% of Baby Boomers.”

It’s not a lack of care; Gen Z cares about the issues, possibly more than every other generation. But no other generation had the information overflow that they have, and the task of voting seems daunting and exhausting.

There is no clear-cut solution to be sure. Not one single candidate can check all of your boxes, but that’s not the point–doing research is. Media literacy is falling to the back burner, and voters don’t know what a “good source” is anymore. Read academic journals, research the biases of different media sources before taking their data, and view several different sources. Bias is inevitable, even if we try to get rid of our own. The important part is to do your research and know what matters to you as a voter. View the issues from all sides.

Voting is simple, but it is so important, especially for Gen Z. We will be the ones inheriting the world when other generations retire or pass. We will raise our children here, and create our adult lives as well. Voting is a democratic right but also a privilege. We need to do the hard work to deserve that privilege and craft a future that makes the most sense for us.

It isn’t all bleak though. Gen Z are enthusiastic voters. A study published by Tufts states, “28.4% of youth ages 18-24 cast a ballot in 2022. That’s significantly higher than the 23% of Millennials who voted in 2006 and 23.5% of Gen Xers who voted in 1990 when each generation first made up the whole of that age group”

There are brighter things on the horizon, just like there were brighter things on the horizon after the 2020 election. The reason why, is because we made a conscious effort to participate in the democratic process.

For more voting information, click here

Photography by Garrett Botsch

Photography by Samson Kidane

Photography by Lilian Ma

Photography by Jason Thomas Geering

Photography by Sam Nelson

Photography by Gabi Linke

Photograph by Jorja Stratton

Friends of the Fruit Bowl & Adventurous Environmentalism

Sierra Palian

ROAM Boulder is excited to announce that we’ve partnered with Friends of the Fruit Bowl, a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to environmental stewardship. By working directly with Utah’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other local government bodies, Friends of the Fruit Bowl is striving to preserve the beautiful 10-acre canyon within Grand County known as the “Fruit Bowl”. This canyon is frequented by BASE jumpers, highliners and aerial silk artists, along with many other adventurists that make the trek to appreciate its stunning scenery.

Led by Jackson Helgevold and Jesse Faircloth, Friends of the Fruit Bowl aims to function as a sustainable recreation grassroots organization; they recognize the simultaneous importance of the environmental conservation of the Fruit Bowl, as well as its cultural and recreational significance to those who frequent it. To ensure its preservation for years to come, Helgevold and Faircloth are coordinating with Utah’s BLM to define a clear map of fruit bowl perimeters, provide online sustainability educational material and relocate the information kiosk to a high-traffic area. These efforts of environmentalism are coupled with a desire to further build its community, which is already blossoming because of events like the annual “Gobble, Gobble, Bitches, Yeah” gathering for adventurers.

Friends of the Fruit Bowl demonstrates that advocating for environmentalism while promoting recreational play within biodiverse public spaces is more than possible–when there are conservation efforts to be led, they can be accomplished through the power of creativity and community. At ROAM Boulder, we deeply value upcycling and sustainability, both in and outside of the sphere of fashion. We strive to minimize our impact on the planet while maximizing self-expression, and these principles echo Friends of the Fruit Bowl’s mission. Together, our organizations pursue the same motive: to bring the community together in supporting the planet while pursuing creative endeavors of purpose. We believe their goal is immeasurably valuable to the local environment and beyond, and we are proud to be working with them to further the collective environmental consciousness.

Functioning as a grassroots nonprofit, Friends of the Fruit Bowl relies on community involvement to spread their message. If you’re interested in their mission, you can find out more by emailing fruitbowlfriends@slackline.us, checking out their FAQ page at ggby.org/faq, or following them on Instagram at @fruitbowlfriends. We would once again like to thank Friends of the Fruit Bowl for partnering with ROAM Boulder and are looking forward to collaborating with them in the near future.

Photography by Logan Brown

Photography by Aria Brauchli & Yash

GEN Z IN DC

Ava Rotman

With the upcoming 2024 elections just around the corner, there’s a ton of fuss over politicians. Whether it’s the presidential candidates themselves, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, or their familial relations, nearly everyone has picked apart the candidates and the people involved with them. An unexpected nitpick includes fashion. Fashion is prominent in every era — indicating who or what someone represents. Ever evolving as Gen-Z grows up, it’s become a staple of our culture with constant new trends arising, some of which can be recognized in our very own Gen-Z elites of DC.

The daughters of our ‘first social media president,’ Malia and Sasha Obama have made their own statements with fashion. Malia was recognized in the outlet, Hola! As a Gen Z fashion icon, Malia, a film director and writer, is often caught wearing “cool” outfits. Following the Gen Z trend of styling menswear with street style, her outfits are often labeled as off-duty-chic or slouchy-bohemian. It’s clear she loves her calf-high leather boots–they’re a

staple piece in her wardrobe. She also isn’t afraid to dress up; for her 26th birthday celebration she was pictured wearing a red top showing off the stomach, a floral skirt, and tall black boots. In a quick interview with Paris Match, wearing a Vivienne Westwood mixed plaid ensemble she stated, “It’s cool, I don’t know as much about fashion, but I’m happy to be wearing it.”

Malia’s younger sister, Sasha Obama’s style is bold, trendy, and fun; with calls towards 90’s bohemian mixed with more current streetwear trends–unafraid of playing with color, patterns, and pieces. She has been seen styling pieces like a green headscarf with a green tank, a tie dye jacket, with baggy overalls, and colorful dunks. She’s also sported a purple tank with margaritas on it, boyfriend jeans, and Ugg boots with tons of jewelry. Contrary to her sister, she is often caught wearing an assortment of accessories, like stacking necklaces, chunky rings and bags ranging from totes to colorful purses. She also has an array of jingles on her at all times. With their father, former president Obama, no longer in the harsh light of politics, both women have less pressure to dress for and according to the public view, allowing them both to wear what makes them comfortable.

unibrow. This is seen on her social media pages, where she posts sartorial tendencies of colorful, layered assortments like patterned or ruffled dresses and skirts over pants. She has also been seen wearing a statement top, some pleated trousers and loafers. Emhoff also loves to knit and often wears her own knitted pieces such as sweaters and bunny hats which feeds into Gen Z’s quirky aesthetic.

Arguably, the two people currently in the ‘style hot seat’ of the public eye are Ella Emhoff – democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter, and Barron Trump, the son of the infamous former, and current republican candidate, Donald Trump.

Emhoff’s first introduction to the public was during the Biden and Harris inauguration of 2021. Wearing a Miu Miu embellished A-line coat with an embroidered floppy collar, a Loeffler Randall Bobbie headband, a Batsheva black wool dress, black leather gloves, and black boots, she created a fusion between femininity and masculinity. Emhoff’s fashion can be summarized as eclectic, trendy, and androgynous: due to her choice of fit and her staple

“I never saw myself as someone stylish at all,” she tells ELLE US, “I was really into doing my own thing and being really comfortable in my own body.”

Upon the endorsement of Harris, conservatives sparked an argument across social media platforms, wanting their kid to turn out like Barron and not Emhoff. Her eccentric and androgynous style, highly contrasts Barron’s sleek and simple outfits. Although both Malia and Emhoff play into less feminine-focused fashion–Emhoff is in the spotlight alongside her step mother, Harris.

Barron was recently pictured in a white polo, black pants and Adida Gazelle sneakers for his first day at NYU. He’s often caught in a similar fashion or in a suit and tie for more formal events. The comparative reactions between Emhoff and Barron’s fashion can be mirrored in the public’s attitude towards Trump and Harris’ (male vs. female) fashion choices.

Trump consistently reps a fitted navy blue suit and red tie ensemble or a golf polo and pants without any criticism of his choice in attire. However, like most female politicians, Harris and her team must be pickier about their choices. Not wanting to be seen as “too bold,” “too feminine,” or informal, Harris leans towards monochromatic suits in purples, blacks, grays, creams, blues, and ‘coconut brown.’ She has also been seen in mid-height heels or Converse and pearls. For less formal events she’ll wear a fitted blouse, a plain high-neck top, and fitted blue jeans. This contrast in choice reflects the constant added pressure that comes with being a woman in the spotlight.

Photographed by Olivia Overton

Photographs by Alex Johnson

Photography by Gabi Linke

PhotographybyOliviaOverton

Photography by Jorja Stratton

Hiding in Plain Sight:

The Resurgence of Camo

Hayden Chedid

Camouflage was designed to help people blend in, but in 2024, it’s doing anything but that. From TikTok trends to political merchandise, camo is having a major moment—ironically, by standing out more than ever. Once a symbol of rugged outdoor life and military service, the pattern has found a home in Gen Z’s closets and on the shelves of pop stars like Chappell Roan and even political figures like Kamala Harris.

Historically, camouflage was all about utility. Designed for military uniforms to help soldiers blend into their surroundings, it signaled toughness and pragmatism, far removed from today’s runways and street style. Throughout the 20th century, camo slowly bled into civilian life, appearing in hunting gear, workwear and later as a rebellious symbol during the Vietnam War protests.

But in 2024, camouflage is no longer confined to its rugged roots. Instead, it’s found itself adorning Gen Zers, mainstream pop artists, and even political figures, who use the once lowprofile print to make high-profile statements. Like clockwork, camouflage has returned to the limelight, taking on entirely new meanings this go-around. Its resurgence is part of a broader trend in fashion where traditional symbols are reclaimed, reinterpreted, and used in bold, sometimes ironic ways.

Jeffrey DeShell, a novelist and professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder who recently published a fashion work titled “Pretty,” imparted the paradoxical duality of camo’s meaning in contemporary fashion.

“Fashion is a way of establishing authenticity…and negotiating the self with the outside world,” DeShell said. “Camouflage is a weird thing because it’s militaristic. Uniforms function in the military to suppress individuality…Camouflage is a way [of] disappearing, but then when you wear it fashionably, it has the opposite effect.”

This mix of rebellion and irony echoes Gen Z’s broader cultural tendencies while standing in contrast to the traditional associations of camouflage with conservative audiences. From Y2K fashion to flipping outdated stereotypes, this generation thrives on remixing conventions and turning them into something

new. Camouflage, once associated with strict functionality and military pride, has now been adopted as a playful and fashionforward statement.

Thanks to a surplus of military gear, second-hand camo is affordable and easy to find. Thrift stores and online platforms are brimming with it, making camo both accessible and appealing to Gen Z’s love of thrift culture and sustainable fashion. Wearing camo isn’t just trendy—it’s also an act of resourcefulness and environmental consciousness.

Pop star Chappell Roan is one of the many artists leading the charge in repurposing camo for a younger audience. Known for her bold, eclectic style, Roan has embraced camouflage in her merchandise and fashion choices, using it as a way to connect with her fans and amplify her message of individuality and empowerment.

Roan famously assigns themes with dress codes for her concert audiences, one of which is “Midwestern Princess.” This style directive encourages fans to embrace and reclaim the rugged aesthetic of camo gear that once dominated the conservative Midwest, facetiously rejecting traditional symbols. Whether playful or political, camo’s comeback reflects a generation’s desire to both challenge expectations and subvert norms.

It’s not just the fashion world that’s embracing camouflage— politicians are using the pattern too, albeit with different intentions. Vice President Kamala Harris introduced camo hats and aprons in her merchandise line, blending traditional American imagery with progressive ideals.

For Harris, the use of camo may represent resilience, solidarity with military families, or even a nod to working-class values. In an increasingly polarized political landscape, using a pattern with such deep historical ties to both military service and blue-collar life bridges divides. Harris’s campaign has resonated with younger audiences by embracing current fads, and the incorporation of camo into her merchandise may be a strategic move to further this

connection. From Charli XCX’s “Brat” to camo print, the Harris campaign’s savvy use of trends has demonstrated a commitment to engaging with new voters on a cultural level.

Camo’s ability to straddle the line between tough and trendy, conservative and progressive, makes it a rare cultural symbol that can speak to many different groups simultaneously. Whether it’s on the racks of high-fashion boutiques or in the merchandise of pop stars and politicians, camo in 2024 is a pattern that refuses to blend into the background.

For Gen Z especially, camo isn’t just a nostalgic nod to its historical origins. It represents a shift in how we think about identity, power and style, with each person who wears it adding their own meaning to its already rich history. “When you create yourself, I think that’s an inherently political act,” DeShell said. Today’s camo is less about survival in the wilderness and more about survival in the social landscape—announcing who you are is as much a declaration as what you wear.

Photography by Samson Kidane