Standford Lipsey Student Publications Building 420 Maynard St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
DANA GRAY Editor-in-Chief
Co-Publisher/Marketing Director
GRACE DONNELY
Design Editors
MARGARET LAAKSO
YUNA HWANG
Video Editors TAKARA WILSON
JOHANNES PARDI
Managing Photo Editor TARA WASIK
Creative Director BOBBY CURRIE
Print Fashion Editors ELENA SHAHEEN SOPHIA STRASBURG
Digital Fashion Editor TAYLOR STEVENS
Digital Content Editor HANIYA FAROOQ
Events Coordinator ERIN SEGUI
Human Resources Coordinators
CYNTHIA QIAN ALIA GAMEZ
Co-Publisher/Marketing Director ERIN CASEY
Print Features Editor MELISSA WERKEMA
Digital Features Editor MYA FROMWILLER
Digital Photo Editor KAELIN PARK
Print Production Manager CALLISTA BRAND
Public Relations Coordinators OLIVIA WIMPARI SUBIN PYO
Beauty Team
Miles Hionis, Ana Cano, Krystal Salgado, Ella Graeb, Marguerite Smith, Margaret Mckinney, Gretchen Brookes, Adrienne Feige, Camille Naves, Yun-Hsi Chiang
Design Team
Margaret Laasko, Yuna Hwang, Isabella Schneider, Lara Ringey, Avery White, Story Triplett, Katie Kell, Milcah Kresnadi, Erin Hobbs, Caroline Kegg, Ashley Turner, Chloe Bratton
Fashion Team
Sophia Strasburg, Elena Shaheen, Taylor Stevens, Micah Webster-Bass, Ceridwen Roberts, Sally Jang, Porter Selfridge, Jared Ruffing, Anika Lopes, Amelia Kocis, Ella Graeb, Gloria Yu, Hana Farooq, Kaavya Chavan, Christine Kim, Reagan Hakala, Janna Jacobson, Paige Tushman, Mary-Katharine Acho-Tartoni, Jessica Kroetsch, Juliana Ramirez, Subin Yang, Riley Neville, Temmie Yu, Samuel Cao, Jeffrey Wanger, Emilio Rodriguez, Jessica Au, Emma Blair, Caroline Chacko
Photography Team
Sory Keita, Anisha Chopra, Kaelin Park, Sureet Sarau, Maggie Kirkman, Vivian Leech, Emmanuelle Cubba, Mary Katharine Acho-Tartoni, Patrick Li, Niah Sei, Ava Muntner, Kamryn Washington, Chloe Kiriluk, Isabella Possin, Lane Liu, Zhixian (Zoe) Xiong, Margaret (Maggie) Whitten
Features Team
Melissa Werkema, Marxie Colliver, Jared Ruffing, Avery White, Isidora Purrier, Lane Liu, Avalon Ring, Wren Wilson, Makayla Whitsell, Mya Fromwiller, Emerson McKay, Emma Edmondson, Enia McLaughlin, Raymond Zou, Ana Sharshar, Ashley Turner, Bianca Done, Tessa Valera-Castro, Emma Blair, Caroline Chacko, Mimi Vu
Digital Content Team
Print Photo Editors SORY KEITA
MARGARET KIRKMAN
Print Beauty Editor MILES HIONIS
Digital Beauty Editor MING SMITH
Print Production Designer CAMILLE CHIPPEWA
Social Media Coordinator REAGAN HAKALA
Haniya Farooq, Felicia Wang, Aalleyah Fysudeen, Ashley Xu, Jessica Yang, Sydney Emuakhagbon, Kiana Pandit, Irem Hatipoglu, Katie Lee, Katelyn Knickerbocker, Hannah Hoang-Pham, Nethra Vijayakumar, Sydney Abam
Video Team
Takara Wilson, Johannes Pardi, Sydney Seifert, Olga Brazhnikova, Chloe Kiriluk, Kaelin Park, Felicia Wang, Samridhi Sharma, Naimah Perez, Jasmin Rhymes
Human Resources Team
Alia Gamez, Cynthia Qian, Sathvika Ravichandran, Iliana Morgan Chevres, Hien Ha
Public Relations Team
Olivia Wimpari, Subin Pyo, Tyler Beck, Audrey Brower, Ana Cano, Mackenzie Radle, Mackenzie Jackson, Lily Fishman
Events Team
Erin Segui, Mythily Lokam, Samantha Tandy, Natalie Mark, Lizzie Foley, Katelyn Knickerbocker, Alissia Anghel
Social Media Team
Reagan Hakala, Teagan Hollman, Carolyn Lira, Christian Hernandez, Mackenzie Jackson, Genevieve Jones, Mackenzie Radle, Lily Rose, Brianna Pirini, Jaden Johnson, Renee Bourcier
Finance Team
Taylor Jones, Elena Reyes, Elise Hsaio, Emily Farhat, Teagan Hollman, Ana Liu, Megan Dobie
Igrew up in a maximalist home, some may say messy, I would say eclectically curated. A museum of knick knacks and tchotchkes galore. We had more than just JUNK DRAWERS, we had junk tables, cabinets, boxes, shelves. But it really isn’t junk. It’s travel souvenirs, family memorabilia, interesting thrift finds, artifacts, treasures and trinkets, its memories. I’ve always been highly sentimental and have a hard time giving things away, and so does the rest of my family. There’s almost an obligation to hold onto some of this stuff, siblings arguing over who will have to take the century old “legacy” furniture when we are all having to move into increasingly smaller apartments as rent sky rockets.
As I prepare to graduate college and look around at my own “junk”, I am having to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. My apartment echoes my childhood home with covered countertops and walls with minimal blank space. The biggest culprit is my wardrobe, who would’ve thought an editor in chief of a fashion magazine would have a hard time purging a closet?! Even the clothes that are no longer my size or my style has evolved away from still feel sentimental, even if I know I will very likely never wear them again. It has become almost habitual to put these pieces on to see if I want to wear them and immediately taking them off, instinctively throwing them back in their ever growing pile. The painfully 2010’s looking cardigan I had my first kiss wearing. The Collina Strada x Vans sneakers that never really fit but I am too infatuated with their metallic green sheen to part with. The pile of clothing I intend to mend or upcycle that keeps growing and growing every time I come back from the thrift store. And as a freelance stylist, I can assure you my trips to the thrift are plenty!
Why should we even throw things away? I’m sure some millennials now regret throwing away their Jeffery Campbell Litas circa 2013 now that the shoes are back on the website and across Pinterest boards. Just as my mother regrets throwing away her David Bowie records in 2007 when vinyl became trendy again nearly a decade later. Are we cursed to hold onto our junk forever in the sheer chance it could become cool or popular again? Yet your home must always be meticulously clean and organized for that clean girl aesthetic? How can you win!?
The trend pendulum endlessly swings between maximalism and minimalism. Does what we own and what we choose to purchase consume us? Are we obligated to declutter and purge? Will our random junk end up in landfills? How does the average consumer know what is authentically their style and taste and what’s good marketing? This March issue resists the spring cleaning. We explore whether or not the things we own end up owning us. Embracing the maximalist, the trashy, the eclectic, the stuff we just can’t seem to get rid of and the out of this world JUNK!
Aswe move through life, many items are left behind. Crumpled receipts from trips to the grocery store, loose buttons from a well-loved sweater, and museum brochures from exhibits that have since been replaced pose the eternal question: keep or throw away? In an effort to maintain a sense of tidiness, we must determine the fate of these items, either finding them a new home in the trash, or allowing them to linger a while longer, not quite ready to part ways. These decisions continuously present themselves in a never-ending cycle, confronting us both in major life changes, as explored in “Interdependent Remnants”, and in our daily routine, as described in “The Subway.”
Although these seemingly meaningless items often earn the title of ‘“junk”, they collectively tell the story of our lives, marking the places we’ve been, the people we’ve met, and the experiences we may (or may not) have forgotten about. The concept of JUNK DRAWER examines what can be revealed from the items we struggle to say goodbye to and how collections of trinkets and treasures can serve as a reminder of our past, providing a timeless physical form for memories and emotions.
Mya Fromwiller
Digital Features Editor
IIto the
Bigger. Bolder. Better. Fun textures, intricate patterns, crazy combinations. Maximalism means overthe-top everything; think Fancy Nancy. The wackier the clothes the better. Maximalism has been creeping its way into the mainstream trend cycle, but some individuals have always been ahead of the curve, letting their most vivid side shine. These trendsetters bring joy with what they put together and provide inspiration for those just starting to venture into maximalism; I know they put a smile on my face. I dub four people “icons of maximalism”: Iris Apfel, André Leon Talley, Jaclyn of @lolfashiondump, and Aimee Kelly of @byaimeekelly. These four are vastly different in their approaches to fashion, personal style, and the aesthetic of maximalism, and each provides a unique interpretation of how to successfully pull off “more is more”.
Iris Apfel, with her large, round glasses and
chunky costume jewelry, is the queen of iconic maximalist style. This woman became a symbol of maximalist fashion in her 90s and continues to inspire after her death in 2024. Her everyday looks come from her extensive collection of costume jewelry sourced from all over the world, including NYC flea markets. Some of her favorite designers include Ralph Rucci, Isabel Toledo and Naeem Khan who reflect her attitude towards fashion which can be summed up with her observation: “Life is grey and dull, so you might as well have a little fun when you dress”. At age 101, Iris participated in her first beauty campaign, collaborating with Ciaté London, and her eccentric style lives on through her legacy of approaching fashion differently. Her clothing and accessories collections have been featured in museum exhibitions, books, and films and one thing Iris embodies is the idea that you can find your style and share it with the world at any age.
WRITER
EMMA BLAIR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CHLOE BRATTON
IIAndré Leon Talley, the famed fashion editor known for having a “deep academic understanding of fashion and design” is another top-tier maximalist. The original Met Gala carpet interviewer, Talley expressed his admiration for fashion through his clothes. Often seen in large flowing capes, furs, and not afraid of color André Leon Talley said, “I take my story with me wherever I go. The past is always in the present”. Talley changed what it meant to be fashionable, and he teaches us that embracing our individuality and history can be a gift. One of my favorite looks from André Leon Talley is his 2011 Met Gala appearance. His bright blue, silk kaftan billows down the Met steps and boldly announces his presence. I find this unapologetic use of color and shape inspiring and Talley expresses that we should not be ashamed to take up space and be individual.
Another icon of the maximalist aesthetic, Jaclyn (@lolfashiondump on TikTok and Instagram), is a fashion influencer creating some of the most vibrant outfits today. She is rarely seen without her large tortoise shell glasses and long, over-the-top nails that she creates herself. Jaclyn has cited Helena Bonham Carter and Betsey Johnson as sources of inspiration for her sense of style and it’s definitely reflected in her content. Her creative and vibrant personality comes out in her clothes as she shows how to have fun with style. One of my favorite outfits Jaclyn put together features a pink crochet beanie that looks like a brain, a colorful oversize tie, a purple shirt and pants, and some silver metallic mary jane flats. This look is maximalist, comfy, and cute while also a little quirky and fun.
I@byaimeekelly is another maximizer showing how fun visually interesting outfits can be for an average day. Her Instagram is filled with crazy colors, textures, cute nails, and eccentric accessories. Based in NYC, her photos are often shot in the subway or street, using the ambiance of the city as an extra layer of maximalism. Most of her outfits use color to create bold statements and stand out against the busyness of a NYC street. Her approach to maximalism has more of a streetwear lens and she shows that we can be girly and boyish at the same time. One of Aimee Kelly’s best looks is a double denim set with post-it notes “stuck” on featuring phrases like ‘You’re cute!’ and ‘Te Amo’. She actually DIYed this post-it look herself and styled it with a plaid tie and shoes, a silver clutch, and some accent glasses. This fit truly leans into the fun side of maximalism and demonstrates that it is possible to create something truly special and maximal ourselves with ordinary objects we already have. All four of these people mastered maximalism as a form of expression and experimentation. Despite their shared love of maximalism, each of their individual personalities and sense of style still shines through. They all communicate their own fashion points-of-view and can inspire us to form our own individual perspective and style (maybe a maximalist one!).
SHOOT
The Subway
WRITER
ANA SHARSHAR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
MILCAH KRESNADI
The New York subway platform remained one of the only escapes from the July heat. Underground, people crowd close to the edge, perspiration lining their skin as they await the cool air trapped inside the train. I sat on a bench near the back, releasing the heat with the fan of a notebook. Every day, I would take the 5 o’clock subway after wandering around the city aimlessly. As the subway car pulled into the station, I gathered my things and caught a glimpse of myself in the reflective metal of the train. My hair had become undone from the humidity and my tank top was sticky with sweat, my skin absorbing the heat of the day.
After finding a seat in the train compartment, I closed my eyes to feel the cool air, limiting my other senses’ access to my surroundings. As I freed my eyes from the black, I saw him for the first time. He
stood across from me, facing the front of the train car, holding onto the hanging strap. It began there: with him engulfed in expensive linens and Italian leather shoes, his glasses hitting the tip of his nose. He appeared to have just gotten off of work. Dressed in his finest summer wardrobe paired with his youthful skin, I had no doubt that he had inherited the money he flaunted through his appearance. I wondered where he may be heading, perhaps he was going to release the tension in his shoulders by having drinks with his friends or with a swim. Either way, he wasn’t going home, and I wasn’t looking elsewhere
Four stops later, he began to shift, indicating that he was about to get off. It was only then that I realized I should have exited the train two stops ago. I was envious of the way he maneuvered as he exited the
secret. I quickly pocketed it and headed home, running my fingers on the buttons edges for a taste of his touch.
train car. He could glide past anyone, nearly invisible in his light fabrics, and could gently indicate his presence by pressing his palms against the shoulders of strangers. He was non-intrusive yet commanding, and as quickly as he arrived, he was gone.
I remained frozen in my seat. Whether I was stuck due to the heat between my thighs and the seat or from his presence, I couldn’t say. I kept my eyes on where he had stood minutes earlier, where his body had filled up my vision, and I could imagine whatever I wanted of him. That is, when I noticed a small button on the floor of the train. A small white button from his linen shirt was all that remained of his presence and its small, smooth, circular shape seemed reminiscent of his touch. He would button up his shirt every morning, his hands tying the button to the shirt, hiding his tanned skin like a
For weeks on end, collecting his items became a ritual. Sometimes he was there and sometimes he wasn’t, but when he was, I attempted to steal a piece of him, something to indicate to me who he was, even if it was junk. Every evening, when I returned to my apartment, I headed into my bedroom. A shoebox sat on my dresser containing the pieces of him I had gathered. I had collected cigarette butts, buttons, papers, change, and receipts. I stared at it every night before going to bed and frequently laid out his junk, my discoveries before me. I pondered about what I thought I knew about him. I pictured his cigarettes in social settings, imagining them reflecting like a mirror ball in a club where he smelled of alcohol, concluding his night with a long drag. The sight of loose change gave insight to his carelessness and trivial association with money that proved true with the recurring receipts he dropped; all associated with dry cleaning and food. I knew that he ate dollar slice pizzas often and would pick up his fresh suits from the dry cleaners at costs unrecognizable to me.
Yet it wasn’t enough.
I was hungry to know what his job was like, who he was closest to, if he was happy in his ways or if he wished to be somewhere else or with someone else. He became an all-consuming aspect of my
life and my life froze while his played out before me. His things completed my room. He belonged to me in ways he would never know. I imagined what we would look like together, where he would take me out, and who he would introduce me to. I wanted to wear his glasses, exchange sweat in the humid July, or share an iced tea. I longed to hold each of his belongings in my hand to understand how they fit into his life, every bit of junk equally as important as the next. But, he was just another man on the subway. As I made my way down the stairs of the subway for the third week in a row, I momentarily suspected that one day I may never see him again or that my attention might be aimed at someone else, someone more interesting. I may forget to collect his things or realize that he isn’t mine to relish over. The box of junk on my dresser may never be opened again or it might overflow; I could be hit with overwhelming anxiety due to his absence or embarrassed at how his existence overtook
my mind. But, for now, the 5 o’clock train awaited me, and I would remain filling my life with fragments of his, wondering what it would feel like to stand beside him, to breathe the same air as him, or to share his junk drawer.
