issue
10
signature style
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whats inside: page 4 contributors editors note page 6 body mods page 8 pins, patches, and stickers page 10 upcycle and vintage
page 16 men’s coats page 20 craftspeople page 24 boston posse
page 30 student highlight page 32 behind the cover
ali zildjian editor-in-chief
contributors
noelani stevenson, beauty director grace halligan and charlotte miller, layout director bryan edwards, photography director nicole eisenberg, head stylist sophie boorstin, print editorial director nina narayan, digital editorial director photographers sam cho, jerry tang, caroline washington, ryn winner, lynn kim, sarah ferdinand, kyra clark, dan tu stylists julia demaico, nicole eisenberg, emilie matheson, peter negron beauty team sarah gyurina, brenda torres, francesca lanni writers lily qiu, katherine kim, lily williams, francesca lanni, lilia harlan, sophie boorstin, nina narayan, grace halligan copy editors rachel lu, laura radulescu, jo dine, sophie boorstin, lili christie layout team grace halligan, charlotte miller models andrew charman, teddy simson, jaxson cooper, jono quinn, leo ross, samantha fogel, sam lee, alexia assimakopoulos, dorothy poucher, maggie ryan, fluffy aguilar, kaja bielecka, ryn winner, kayley boddy, malik irish, kyandreia jones, harry dubke, sarge gyurina, charlie guterman, anaidys uribe, phinix knight-jacks, mariani german, deb gakpo, jaleel davis, jesse yu, ricardo milien, alex black, emily yong
I have always been a strong believer in fashion as a mode of selfexpression. In fact, very first statement piece I ever wore was the colander in the kitchen, which I had an obsession with as a five-year old. And while the colander has been replaced with more demure fashions like comfy sweaters and velvet scrunchies, I care less about what is ‘in style’ than I do what makes me happy. I don’t think I’m alone in this. Campus is flooded with students flaunting their own unique fashions. Some people go all out with bright colors or intense platform shoes, but even a standard Hamilton sweatshirt can change depending on how the person styles it. Clothes, hair, and makeup are the fastest way for a person to non-verbally describe themselves to a stranger. They can show how a person thinks of themselves and how they want the world to view them. I wanted this magazine to celebrate that spirit in every way possible. The theme this issue is DIY/personalization, highlighting some of the most creative ways Hamilton students use their style to express themselves. We are a creative bunch. From body mods to embroidery, the artistic tastes and prowess of the student body shines through, showing the joy that comes from wearing a style completely unique to you. We here at Signature Style hope that you can take some inspiration from this magazine. Maybe try that wild new eye makeup look you’ve been toying with for awhile. Maybe iron a patch from your favorite movie or show onto an old coat. Or maybe just see what new and creative things you can do with the classic sweatshirt/yoga pants combo to add a personal flair. Whatever way you choose to express yourself is up to you!
editors note
with love, ali
body body body body body body body
mods mods mods mods mods mods mods
“Changing your hair or getting tattoos and piercings let you personalize your style in a more permanent way than your clothes which change everyday.�
edited by laura radulescu photos by jerry tang and kyra clark modeled by malik irish, kayley boddy, fluffy aguilar, ryn winner, kaja bielecka, maggie ryan
Sometimes we forget that an outfit is much more than clothing, shoes, and accessories. However, there are many ways to change parts of your body that can play a huge role in your personal style. Hair, tattoos, and piercings--all being extremely customizable and noticeable-are often an important part of one’s self-expression. For hair, color is the most obvious and noticeable way to start experimenting. It’s easily reversible and relatively riskfree. Hair texture and length can also express personal style. Whether straight or curly, long or short, or anywhere in between, different hairstyles can frame the shape of your face and change your look completely.
Cutting your hair can sometimes make you feel like a whole new person. If you have never experimented with your hair before, cutting off a significant length is a great way to start. It will always grow back, so why not just try it once? Beyond changing the physical color or style of your hair, it’s also easy to change the way you wear it. There are endless ways to wear your hair: middle part, side part, ponytail, bun, down, half up-half down, braided, and more. Even with short hair, gel can be used to style it in several different ways. Tattoos and piercings are also fantastic and very popular ways to express yourself and your style. The options
tattoos-- both the design and location on your body-- are practically endless. Piercings are a great way to add a fun, 3D aspect to your look. Unlike tattoos, piercings are more popular because you can easily take them out. Changing your hair or getting tattoos and piercings let you personalize your style in a more permanent way than your clothes which change everyday. Lily Qiu ‘22
pins, patches, and stickers
It would be pretty hard to find a student laptop at Hamilton that is not plastered with all sorts of colorful stickers. The same goes for backpacks and jackets which are often seen adorned with charming pins and patches. These kinds of tiny accessories have long been used to communicate what kind of person you are and what you stand for. They can serve as great conversation starters, especially if someone recognizes a sticker that conveys a passion or interest and asks you about it. Since pins, patches, stickers, and the like are physically added onto possessions as embellishment, they reflect personalization and character. These small, yet compelling decorations add flare to your otherwise ordinary laptop, water bottle, or backpack and at the same time, show the world what you are passionate about. Some of the popular stickers seen around Hamilton’s campus are any that include the words “Hamilton” or “Patagonia.” Pins and patches in particular can also reflect your social and political views, whether the purpose is to spread awareness or to show support for a movement. If someone notices a pin and agrees with the message, you can instantly bond over shared views. On the other hand, if someone does not agree with what the pin or patch stands for, you can share ideas and learn more about different perspectives. In addition, pins, patches, and stickers are small and portable advertisements. Bands and clubs on campus do not hand branded stickers out lightly. These stickers can spark interest in and spread the word about organizations and clubs, which can lead to more people becoming involved. This in turn benefits the group, while also adding some cute color and flair to your nalgene or MacBook. Ultimately, these accessories can add some fun pizzazz to you and your possessions. An otherwise bland-looking jacket has a greater chance of catching someone’s eye if colorful patches are embroidered on. Thread a few pins onto a bag and, just like that, it turns into a bold fashion statement. Adding stickers, pins, patches, and other personal flair to your belongings is a fantastic way to distinguish your unique personality and show off your style everyday. Katherine Kim ‘22 edited by jo dine
edited by sophie boorstin photos by lynn kim and sarah ferdinand styled by julia demaico modeled by leo ross, sam fogel, sam lee, alexia assimakopolous, dorothy poucher
“After shopping at a thrift store or borrowing something from your grandpa’s closet, the creativity and personalization comes with incorporating the funky piece in with the rest of your wardrobe. Mixing vintage and modern pushes an outfit to be truly original and compelling.�
No matter where you go, it seems like there is always a thrift or vintage store. Something about rifling through wellloved, donated clothes to find a special item appeals to just about anyone. You dig through bins or pick your way through racks of questionable pieces in search of a long-forgotten treasure meant just for you to find. Not only does shopping second hand allow you to find unique pieces that make you stand out, but it is also an economically and environmentally sustainable way to add something new to your wardrobe. Here at Hamilton, thrifting is a big part of the culture. Hamilton’s own Thrift Store or checking out local options like Thrifty Shopper or Goodwill in nearby New Hartford are popular options. Since we aren’t in a huge city full of trendy options, we are forced to get creative.
This also pushes students to change up their look and find new ways to wear old pieces. In this shoot, we found students with different tastes and styles who incorporate upcycled pieces into their wardrobes. One student, Alexia Assimakopoulos (‘22), has a distinct and fun style her friends classify as, “worn and loved, yet funky and fresh.” Her favorite places to shop are Buffalo Exchange, Goodwill, the Garment District in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Urban Outfitters, and Brandy Melville. Her best vintage find is either, “a pair of red high-waisted corduroy flare pants that I found at a Western-themed thrift store in Naples Italy or my pre-worn-in genuine leather jacket at an ‘80s thrift shop also in Naples.”
She loves mixing old and new pieces with cool outerwear, like the sweater she’s sporting in the shoot, as well as interesting earrings -- she says, “they make every outfit!” Looking at the rest of her outfit, her vintage sweater and fun earrings are paired with a purple turtleneck sweater from Goodwill, an Urban Outfitters gingham mini-skirt, and her signature Air Force 1’s -- “a staple shoe you can dress up or down.”
“worn and loved, yet funky and fresh.” Alexia is not alone when it comes to her unique vintage style. One of the best parts of shopping second hand is the inclusivity.
While searching through racks and racks of pre-loved pieces in a thrift store, factors that tend to limit shoppers in traditional shopping environments disappear. Lines between size, gender, and price are nonexistent. To really find a gem, looking through every section of the store is necessary. From the boy’s shirts section, where masculine t-shirts can be cut and upcycled into funky crop tops, to men’s button-downs, where comfy flannels reside, to accessories, where you can find anything to accentuate an outfit, there is a rack for everyone. Looking through whole sections of a thrift store while disregarding traditional labels can make for fun finds and interesting stories to go along with them. Also, thrifting is an incredibly economically responsible option. Almost everything you can find in a traditional thrift store is under $20 or so, which makes it that much easier to take risks with new styles.
While searching through racks and racks of pre-loved pieces in a thrift store, factors that tend to limit shoppers in traditional shopping environments disappear.
After shopping at a thrift store or borrowing something from your grandpa’s closet, the creativity and personalization comes with incorporating the funky piece in with the rest of your wardrobe. Mixing vintage and modern pushes an outfit to be truly original and compelling. For example, try finding a button-down with an interesting collar. Wear this under an old, simple sweater and it’s like you have given your sweater a new life. Or grab a hip jacket and spruce up any boring outfit. The main advantage of thrifting is how easy it is to try something new. Don’t be scared to go out there and hunt for your new signature piece. If you have anything old you don’t wear anymore or you try something new and don’t like it, bring it to a thrift store -- it could be someone else’s new treasure. Grace Halligan ‘22
men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s men’s
coats coats coats coats coats coats coats coats coats coats coats coats
edited by rachel lu photos by sam cho and jerry tang styled by peter negron modeled by andrew charman, theo simson, jaxson cooper, jono quinn
“That is why choosing a good, staple jacket is so important. It’s essentially the equivalent of choosing your fashion best friend.”
Choosing outfits in-between seasons is a skill that can be tricky to master. Especially here in Clinton, when all four seasons can legitimately happen in one day. You are nearly guaranteed to be confronted with some undesirable mash-up of weather. It’s cold. Then suddenly it’s warm. Then the next thing you know, the sky dumps offensive quantities of snow. As we know, it can be frustrating and selecting weather appropriate clothing can get difficult. The good news? Every season in Clinton is jacket season. Now, while there’s no relationship more intimate than the one between a girl and her denim jacket, for guys, this partnership could use some work. Around campus, most of the jackets seen on men tend to have some type of Hamilton sports logo on it. (And no, a Hamilton (insert sport here) hoodie does not count as a jacket.) However, this is not the case for everyone. Many men on this campus sport fashionable denim or corduroy jackets. How do they do so, you ask? See, men’s jackets (and women’s as well) have transformative abilities. They can dress up any outfit. They are versatile enough to salvage even your most dreadfully unfashionable days. That is why choosing a good, staple jacket is so important. It’s essentially the equivalent of choosing your fashion best friend.
You want one that feels like a natural fit, one you can wear over, and over, and over again until the Clinton weather turns unbearably cold and you have to start reaching for you parka. For all the skeptics out there, here are three classic, timeless examples: Simple outfit? Go for leather. Wearing neutral tones and solid colors will allow the leather jacket to make a subtle statement. Also, anyone sporting leather immediately looks ten times more confident. When all you want to wear is joggers and a plain tee? Rock a bomber or a varsity jacket. This gives the illusion that you’re on trend with current street style when in reality, you just wanted to wear your pajamas out in public. No judgements here! Feeling bold? Try pairing a denim jacket with some blue jeans. Denim on denim is always, always, always a look. Regardless of what style you prefer, owning a staple, go-to jacket is essential. Not only can the extra layer keep you warm in the Clinton cold, but jackets add character to an otherwise plain outfit. Francesca Lanni ‘22
c ra f t s p e o p l e As a
second-hand clothing fanatic, I have recently found myself falling down the Pinterest rabbit hole of watching countless upcycling fashion videos where people transform old clothes into new, fun, and trendy attire. I love watching people make their own scarves, stitch flowers onto their pillows, or paint the sun on their jeans. I always see them and think, “I could do that,” yet I never do. It is much easier to simply admire other people’s work. Although I, myself, have yet to accomplish my dreams of repurposing my wardrobe, this article covers some amazingly talented Hamiltonians who took their creative skills and used them to create some unique fashion! This issue features Sarge, Charlie, and Harry who specialize in embroidery, knitting, and drawing respectively. First, let us talk about the women. Not only are Sarge and Charlie both artists, but they are roommates too! Both have showcased their work cute little flowers and words embroidered onto T-shirts and jeans. This is what she is up to now, but how did she get started?
edited by laura radulescu photos by ryn winner, dan tu, bryan edwards modeled by sarah gyurina, charlie guterman, harry dubke
“I used to practice on a pillowcase, and it had a ton of flowers and stuff, and I also embroidered a lil’ penis,” Sarge explained at the photoshoot. She has only been doing it since the summer, but it is something she had wanted to do for a while before she started. Charlie also took up her specialty this summer. She first learned to knit when she was nine years old and even had a knitting themed birthday party! She likes knitting going-out clothes like tube tops because “it’s making this grandma thing sexy,” she jokes. Although her main craft is knitting, Charlie dabbles in just about every medium. She paints, uses charcoal, works with dryer lint, berries, and pinecones. Sarge once showed me a creation of Charlie’s that was a bunch of berries squished and molded into a little animal. It was adorable!
Last but most certainly not least, there is Harry. Harry doodles on his shoes (and creates art on a wall!), inspired by other artists on the Internet. He has been doodling since he was a kid, but decided to invest in nicer pens more recently, when he started drawing in class and thought he could turn his passion into more than just a hobby.
He says his favorite part is when he “zones out” and “time kind of melts away.” All three students are exceedingly talented and have personally inspired me to take up a craft myself. Catch me laying outside with some knitting needles next semester! Or not. It’s a lot of work -- awesome, fun work -- but still work nonetheless. Lilia Harlan ‘22
edited by sophie boorstin styled by julia demaico modeled by class of 2019 posse: jesse, rico, mariani, phinix, deb, jaleel, alex, andy
boston
posse
In the past year, Hamilton decided to discontinue its partnership with Boston Posse. Posse is a scholarship program dedicated to recruiting high achieving student leaders to colleges that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to know about. As the graduating class of Boston Posse scholars prepares to leave Hamilton, they share how Posse has impacted their experience on the hill, as well as their thoughts on the administration’s decision.
What has Posse meant to you over the past 4 years and how do you feel it has impacted your Hamilton experience? Posse has been a critical part of my support system throughout my Hamilton experience. As a freshman, I did not build friendships quickly, but I knew I could turn to my Posse. As a sophomore, I was injured and could barely walk for most of the year, but I knew I had people I could count on to check in and ensure I was okay. As a junior, I was supported as I prepared to study abroad. As a senior, I still receive the same love and support. -Ricardo Millien ‘19 I wouldn’t be at Hamilton if it wasn’t for my Posse. I would’ve never been exposed to a school like Hamilton because they aren’t going to inner city public schools to recruit. I wouldn’t have stayed in a space I deem overall oppressive to my intersectional identities if it wasn’t for the social support I receive from Posse scholars. It’s meant so much to have older Posses tell me that I wasn’t alone in the things I was going through because they had experienced them too. Paying it forward and mentoring younger scholars has been an amazing privilege. -Andy Uribe ‘19 There have been many ups and downs throughout the past 4 years, but my Posse has been consistent. Having people there regardlessof what happens is such anincredible feeling of safety. The Posses above me were integral to my understanding and navigation of Hamilton’s academic and social culture--something the current Boston Posse won’t have after this year. I’m here because of a scholarship, but I’ve stayed and been able to thrive because of the strength that this scholarship gave me. -Alex Black ‘19
The Posse community has been a support system for me. I’ve been in awe at how amazing and talented each new group of Posse students are. -Deb Gakpo ‘19 Posse gave me the emotional and mental support I needed. Hamilton preaches diversity but drastically lacks inclusion, leaving students, like myself, feeling lost. When I did not feel like I belonged, I knew that with my mentor, Jane Springer, and my Posse, I would be accepted for nothing less than what I am. Without them, I most certainly would not have stayed at Hamilton. -Mariani German ‘19 There have been many ups and downs throughout the past 4 years, but my Posse has been consistent. Having people there regardless of what happens is such an incredible feeling of safety. The Posses above me were integral to my understanding and navigation of Hamilton’s academic and social culture--something the current Boston Posse won’t have after this year. I’m here because of a scholarship, but I’ve stayed and been able to thrive because of the strength that this scholarship gave me. -Alex Black ‘19 The Posse community has been a support system for me. I’ve been in awe at how amazing and talented each new group of Posse students are. -Deb Gakpo ‘19 Posse gave me the emotional and mental support I needed. Hamilton preaches diversity but drastically lacks inclusion, leaving students, like myself, feeling lost. When I did not feel like I belonged, I knew that with my mentor, Jane Springer, and my Posse, I would be accepted for nothing less than what I am. Without them, I most certainly would not have stayed at Hamilton. -Mariani German ‘19
A Selection of Final Messages from the Seniors:
I found out that Hamilton was discontinuing their partnership with Posse Boston while I was abroad through email. To not be included in this decision was hurtful. It made me feel like I didn’t belong. The email itself implied that Posse was only utile to Hamilton as a form of bringing racial diversity to campus and they would be filling that gap with Questbridge scholars. I just want the administration to acknowledge that the way they made this decision was dehumanizing to its students. They treated us as though we were just numbers, yet they claim to be committed to Diversity AND Inclusion. This is not inclusion. -Andy Uribe ‘19 For all the times I’ve felt out of place, Posse made me feel like I belong. It’s been a very long four years and my Posse has been there every step of the way. It’s kind of a slap in the face when they cite our ‘disinterest in Hamilton’ for getting rid of Boston Posse, even though they never asked me how I felt. I was abroad when I was informed through the email. No prior warning, no discussion, nothing. -Jesse Yu ‘19 To the last three Boston Posse’s after us (hopefully until the administration realizes our true value): hold it down. -Ricardo Millien ‘19 Nina Narayan ‘22
STUDENT HIGHLIGHT: Kyandreia Jones
What are your favorite places to buy clothes?
Definitely Forever 21 and Walmart are my top two. A lot of the places I used to buy clothes at don’t exist anymore, like Black Seal, and Charlotte Russe, which is also going out of business, which is pretty tragic for me. I also like Kohls a lot, too.
What do you look for in an outfit?
If it’s weird. Something that I think will stand out, even right now I have on this sweatshirt a friend gave me with, like, a graffiti design on it and a shirt covered in pugs underneath that. Anything that is strange and that I know will change someone’s day when they look at me. Anything I think someone will be like, “ Oh that’s such a cool sweater, such a cool shirt!”, That is what I’m drawn to pick up in a store, like any item of clothing I would be drawn to ask someone about. It’s hard to on days when Ii don’t really want to talk to people, but I have so many outfits that make people ask questions. I can’t really be an introvert when I’m wearing a good, weird outfit, but I think it’s really fun.
How do you personalize your style?
edited by lili christie photos by lynn kim styled by emilie matheson modeled by kyandreia jones
It’s not just wearing clothes to make it your own. Anyone can wear the exact same clothes that I am wearing, but it will definitely come off different. I think something that makes it my own is trying to accentuate certain pieces by drawing attention to them. If I’m wearing a really bright shirt, I would pair it with darker pants to get people to look at the shirt.
What makes something weird?
I have this shirt and it’s absolutely hysterical. You would picture it to be a couch, definitely not something for a person to wear. It’s this cute bodysuit with a little bow and if I were to sit on that couch (pointing to opus sofa) I would blend right in. That’s something that’s weird to me because you wouldn’t even think of it as something that is clothing at first. I like designs that look like something from a poster or street art on a wall, not necessarily a design made for fabric or clothing. It can be art, it can be a couch, anything that would make sense anywhere but on a person’s body.
Where are you from? Has that impacted your style?
I’m from Miami, Florida. I don’t really dress in the typical Miami style, but I think it has definitely influenced how I dress. I wear a lot of bright colors because of it. Anything goes in Miami.
Do you dress differently being at home versus at Hamilton?
Being from Miami, anything goes. There is definitely a culture of almost a dress code here at Hamilton that doesn’t exist in Miami. There are a lot of ways for me to wear clothes that would make me blend in with all the other girls around me here, which I’m not trying to do.
As a senior, do you know what you want to do after Hamilton?
I know I want to write. I just wrote a children’s book that comes out May 1st. It’s a “create your own adventure.” It’s really fun and you get to make your own decisions, like you are the main character. In my book, you are a spy named James Armistead Lafayette and you are deciding whether you want to join the American Revolution or find freedom on your own terms. You are engaging with history because this was a real person who no one really knows about. He was a slave who became a spy, and helped America gain its independence, yet he’s not spoken about much. When you embody him you can make choices about liberty and morality. I think it’s really cool for kids to learn how to make these decisions and take action. I guess that goes along with personalization and making it your own, by choosing these decisions. Lily Williams ‘21
edited by lili christie styled by nicole eisenberg modeled by emily yong
an interview with Emily Yong by Sophie Boorstin ‘22 How would you describe yourself in three words?
Three words: chill, sensible, loyal. I think I’m pretty easy-going and, most of the time, I just go with the flow of things and work with what I’m given. I also am sensible in the way that I am reasonable and open to seeing things from a different perspective.
How would you describe your personal style? I think I would say my personal style is very versatile and smart, while focused on comfort. A lot of my clothes can be considered casual or bohemian, but can easily be dressed up to look sophisticated with a cardigan or a nice skirt. For the comfort factor, I look at whether it’s oversized (not baggy), elegant, and/or flowy. I tend to avoid bold colors and patterns or anything too glittery or sparkly because I like clothes that I can dress up or wear for everyday use. On the other hand, I do have athleisure in my closet from my years of running.
You mentioned you run for Hamilton, can you talk a bit more about how athletics has influenced your style? Do you ever feel confined at Hamilton to dress a certain way because you’re a varsity athlete? If so, in what way? I would say almost half of my closet is running-related. I love a good pair of leggings that I can either wear everyday or run in. Sporty-chic or athleisure is something I admire as a style, but I do find it hard to balance function and aesthetics in athletics. As an athlete, I prioritize performing my best, and looking good is a huge bonus but it isn’t a priority in athletics. If you can do both, let me know how because I’m still working on it! And to the second part, I don’t feel confined to dress a certain way at Hamilton as a varsity athlete. I definitely don’t sport a lot of Hamilton gear, but I do have a lot of Nike gear that I switch off wearing at practice and normally for lazy days.
What is one item of clothing you couldn’t live without and why?
One item...that’s hard because I think that would vary per season. If it is the summer, I probably cannot live without a good pair of statement sunglasses. But practically year-round, I would go with highwaisted anything (shorts, leggings, pants). For me, they’re super simple, comfortable, and very versatile. I can tuck in a shirt, wear it with a crop top, and plus, they go well with any pair of shoes.
Since you’re a senior and will be entering the “real world” soon, do you think that your style will change when you leave campus? I hope my style doesn’t change too drastically because I like it the way it is now with its balance of youthfulness, comfort, function, and aesthetics! However, I do see it changing a bit to include more professional and conservative dress, because next year I will be teaching in Taiwan. So I think my style will have to adapt accordingly to my new role/career and the environment postHamilton.