THE YEAR OF
You
HILLTOP FASHION AND S T YLE
Fall/Winter 2019
DA L L A S ’ FINEST RET AIL EXP ERIENCE
SMU LOOK FALL/WINTER 2019
O VER 2 3 0 ST O RES A ND REST A URA N T S
AM C 15 T HE AT R E S
W OR L D-CL AS S AR T COL L E CT I ON
Fall/Winter 2019 • 1
Board certified physicians for major and minor emergencies- No wait time!
PARK CITIES 5201 W. Lovers Lane 214.238.6440
GALLERIA AREA 12338 Inwood Road 214.238.6270
AdvanceER.com 2 • SMU LOOK
DEFY CONVENTION. CHALLENGE PERSPECTIVES. CELEBRATE TRADITION.
SMU Meadows School of the Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary this year! The school was formally named in 1969 in honor of benefactor Algur H. Meadows, a Dallas oilman who was a staunch supporter of the arts at SMU. Learn more about the story of the school, our remarkable faculty and alumni through the years, and the work we do to prepare students for vibrant lives as professionals and to ensure there is a financially healthy arts and cultural community in which they can thrive.
Visit smu.edu/meadows50.
Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@ smu.edu. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. 1 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688.
Fall/Winter 2019 • 3
BEAUTY & BRAINS T T E G S T N E D U ST
F F O % 0 1 VICES R U M S
R E S
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D do: r SMU I o t t Wha lash you f day ffers. Just s r u – Th other o : y w a o d h n to k alid Mon ined wit t a Wh ffer v comb o e This annot b c and
ALI MIKLES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR MEREDITH WELBORN SENIOR EDITOR CAROLINE LIDL ASSISTANT EDITOR CHLOE SMITH CREATIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR MAGGIE KLIMUSZKO FASHION EDITOR HAILEY HAASE STYLE EDITOR ISABEL ENSMINGER ASSISTANT STYLE EDITORS PARKER PAPACCIO AND MAGGIE HIGGINS ASSISTANT CREATIVE PRODUCTION MADDY MCGUIRE ART ART DIRECTORS GILLIAN BRESSIE, SARAH SCAMBRAY, MEREDITH EMBREE, HILLERY LEMON, SYDNEY HOSBEIN, AND MEREDITH WELBORN DIGITAL DIGITAL DIRECTOR EMMA CASTNER ASSISTANT DIGITAL DIRECTOR LIZZIE LOFTUS WRITERS MARY-WESLEY MADDOX, LYDIA BROOKS, AND MARIA RYAN PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR JULES FOX SOCIAL STRATEGIST MADISON CHERMOL SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER SIENNA WYMBS VIDEO EDITOR NICKI JACKSON MARKETING MARKETING DIRECTOR CAILLIE HORNER SALES & MARKETING MANAGER AMELIA EVANS SALES ASSISTANTS CLAUDIA GILLEM, MACKENZIE WRAY, AND EMMA EAKER EVENT COORDINATOR CRISTINA DONDIEGO WRITERS MAY BOLTE, LYDIA BROOKS, BELLE CAMPBELL, SHELBY FISHMAN, CAILLIE HORNER, AUDREY JOHNSON, MAGGIE KELLEHER, LIZZIE LOFTUS, MARY GRACE METHENY, NICOLE PUTERMAN, SUMMER RYE, AND RACHEL TOMLINSON CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHERS CHASE HALL, LAYNIE TENENBAUM CREATIVE CONSULTANTS CAREY BRADLEY AND RYAN MIKLES ADVISING EDITORS JAYNE SUHLER, CANDACE BARNHILL, LISA GOODSON, JENNY DAVIS, AND MYLES ETHAN LASCITY
Haus Dallas- Preston Royal 6025 Royal Lane, Suite 123 Dallas, TX 75230
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TONY PEDERSON
Haus Dallas West Village 3699 McKinney Ave Suite 312 Dallas, TX 75204
SMU Look, a student-run magazine at Southern Methodist University, is published by the Division of Journalism in Meadows School of the Arts. SMU Look is dedicated to providing a youthful take on Dallas fashion and living. We strive to inspire and cultivate the standard of style on campus and beyond. Umphrey Lee Center 6225 Hillcrest Avenue Dallas, TX 75275
4 • SMU LOOK
Thefacehaus.com
855-550-HAUS
@facehaus
CONTENTS VOLUME 4. ISSUE 1
7 Femme de La Femme
At Draper James, Head of Design Kathryn Sukey changes fashion’s role in the workplace by arming customers with the power of femininity.
16 Booty Talk
Forget the squats, give your tush some love with this bootylicious beauty trick.
17 Will You Accept This Rose?
From the Hilltop to reality TV, SMU alum Connor Saeli made his way onto The Bachelorette and into our hearts. We picked his brain on all things SMU, Dallas, love, and what it’s like to be “Connor S.”
18 Off the Beaten Boulevard
From visionaries to entrepreneurs these mustangs prove there’s more to college than just classes and coffee breaks.
28 Bricks Over Clicks
Read it and believe it: Traditional brick and mortar thrives despite rise of online retailers.
34 The Rise and Shine of Drag
As queens dazzle their way into hearts across the nation, discover why the Dallas drag scene continues to reign supreme
Delessepspalmbeach.com @DeLesseps_
Fall/Winter 2019 • 5
editor’s letter
You Do You Be you. Be original. Be bold. We are constantly bombarded with cliché and seemingly inauthentic phrases that encourage us to go against the status quo. Instead of nodding our heads and rolling our eyes in dismissal, the minute we hear those over-saturated terms we should take a step back and consider what these messages are intending to draw our attention to. Embodying the “you do you” narrative might be one of the only ways we can achieve true happiness – in our lives and within ourselves. Will we ever achieve greatness and fulfill our potential if we don’t ask provocative questions, speak up, act on our dreams, or do something that breaks the mold? Drawing inside the lines is comfortable, so sometimes we need a little inspiration to take that jump. Luckily, we don’t have to look far. Consider some of our outstanding peers: SMU law student and Miss Dallas 2020, Averie Bishop, and her philanthropic endeavors (pg. 18). Sophomore Surya Ramakrishnan with his bold and daring makeup looks (pg. 18). And former Mustang Connor Saeli, who took a chance after graduating in 2017 by quitting his job and embarking on the popular reality TV shows The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise (pg. 17). If we never had the courage to go against the grain, we wouldn’t have Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line, Draper James, which encourages women to resist the notion that appearing feminine in the workplace is unprofessional (pg. 7). If we didn’t question mainstream narratives, we would be oblivious to the fact that even in the world of Amazon, brick and mortar retail is not dying, but in fact, thriving (pg. 28). And finally, what could scream BE YOU more than the drag community (pg. 34)? Expressing ourselves and doing something out of the ordinary is so crucial to our wellbeing.
Ali Mikles Editor-in-Chief
6 • SMU LOOK
serve looks
Femme de La Femme By Meredith Welborn
A bright red lip, a flowy dress, and stilettos. This is what being “feminine” used to look like. Today, femininity means something different for every woman. In recent years, traditional femininity in the workplace has been seen as unprofessional, but Draper James is changing this narrative. Draper James is a fashion and lifestyle brand founded in 2013 by Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon. From the famous “Totes Y’all” tote to dresses in eye-catching patterns, the brand offers its customers a wide array of merchandise with a little southern flare. “Draper James is a brand with a lot of heart. Reese and I design the line for women to feel their best,” says Kathryn Sukey, head of design at Draper James. “I believe wholeheartedly that if you feel good then you are more confident to put your best foot forward and do good.” Femininity and lifting up women are central aspects to the Draper James brand. One way that they try to accomplish this is through inclusive sizing and encouraging women to feel comfortable being who they are. “[Reese] is very, very involved in really elevating women and treating everybody, especially women, with respect,” says Sukey. Draper James is changing the idea of what it means to be successful in the workplace by encouraging women to embrace their femininity. “Being a woman is a super power, especially if you are a woman who nurtures, supports, and empowers other women and girls. There is absolutely no shame in femininity,” says Sukey. In a world where women have constantly been told “no,” Reese Witherspoon and her team at Draper James are showing women that the only “yes” that matters is the one coming from within.
Kathryn Sukey, Draper James’ Head of Design. Hannah Vista Photography.
Fall/Winter 2019 • 7
serve looks
Now Trending
Don’t let the temperamental Dallas weather deter you from looking your absolute best this season. Hailing from the runways, the streets of D-town, and our Instagram feeds, these trends are keeping our credit cards busy and our wardrobes full. Take a look at these must-have styles!
monochrome @krystalschlegel
Who says you can’t wear one color head-to-toe? The monochrome trend has you covered on the days you’re running late and can’t seem to find anything to wear. Why? Because no matter what, you will always look put together. Whether you stick to neutrals or flaunt a bold color, the key to this look is playing with different textures and fits. - Chloe Smith
Amazon.com, $11
Pearly Whites
Get in touch with your feminine side! Pearls are no longer just your grandma’s go-to accessory. The best part is you can never run out of ways to wear them: earrings, necklaces, or even hair accessories. We’ve seen them as barrettes, but for something more seasonal, try an oversized pearl-embellished headband. - Meredith Welborn
be there or be square
Move over, Juliet! Square necklines are back and better than ever. This classic feminine style, popularized during the Renaissance, made a comeback during NYFW this fall, appearing in shows such as Y/Project and Vaquera. Brands like ASOS and Reformation are also stocked with this trend and will have you looking and feeling your best in what Elle named “the most flattering neckline.” - Meredith Welborn
Nord
s trom
.com,
$2,35
0
practicalqueenap.com
Get a Handle on Things
Whether you prefer a micro mini or oversized tote, top handle bags will keep your hands full all season long. Beaded, braided, hooped, and sculptural-handled designs are decorating bags too special to just sling over your shoulder. - Caroline Lidl
out of
office
Suits are having a major fashion moment. With so many fabrics, styles, and prints to choose from, the options are endless. Pair a blazer with a dress, skirt, or matching bottoms for a night on the town, or show up to your 9-to-5 looking like a boss. The traditionally masculine ensemble has been reinvented, so let your creativity flow! - Chloe Smith
chain reaction
AKA Chain Link Necklaces The signature chains that are worn by your favorite hip hop artists have gotten an elegant upgrade. Say hello to your new favorite accessory: the chain link necklace. Dressed up or down, the dainty gold chain is simple enough for an everyday look, or as the finishing touch for an outfit that screams class. - Chloe Smith
Fall/Winter 2019 • 9
Dress well
do well
Clocking in: don’t be boring in the boardroom — give your office style a raise!
Models: Valentina Martinez, Class of 2022; Josephine Gantz , Class of 2022; Maya Hart, Class of 2022 Photography: Laynie Tenenbaum Stylists: Maggie Klimuszko, Isabel Ensminger, Hailey Haase, Maddy McGuire, Parker Papaccio, Maggie Higgins 10 • SMU LOOK
It’s A Woman’s World On right: Jacket: Veronica Beard, $750 Pants: Veronica Beard, $450 Heels: Sam Edelman, $100 On Left: Skirt: Veronica Beard, $395 Jacket: Veronica Beard, $750 Turtleneck: Veronica Beard, $350 Platoform Heels: Steve Madden, $100
Work Hard, Play Hard Skirt: Veronica Beard, $495 Sweater: Veronica Beard, $295 Platform Heels: ASOS, $28
Fall/Winter 2019 • 11
12 • SMU LOOK
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work On Right: Dress: Alice and Olivia, $495 Platform Heels: ASOS, $28 On Left: Blouse: Alice and Olivia, $265 Pants: Alice and Olivia, $295 Heels: Steve Madden, $100 Fall/Winter 2019 • 13
Better Than Sex Mascara
What’s in my Bag? The SMU Look Staff reveals their beauty must-haves.
Chloe Smith
Nordstrom.com, $25
If there is one beauty staple that everyone needs, it’s the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. It volumizes, lengthens, and thickens your lashes and lasts all day or all night long. This mascara gets the job done and it doesn’t break the bank.
Casetify Phone Case Chloe Smith
The Wet Look Meredith Welborn
French Skincare Meredith Welborn
The wet look has been sweeping social media and may possibly be the most low maintenance trend of all time! Swipe a cream shadow, like Glossier’s Lidstar, across your lids and you’re golden — literally.
Casetifyb.com, $45 Amazon.com, $30
Phone cases that are both cute and durable are hard to find, but Casetify has created their products with us in mind. They are known for their customizable and personalized cases that are blowing up faster than our group text.
14 • SMU LOOK
Glossier.com, $18
Say au revoir to your old skincare routine! French skincare is much more regulated than it is here in the U.S., so next time you’re trying to amp up your routine, opt for Caudalie or La Roche-Posay and say bonjour to flawless skin.
good looks Summer Fridays R + R Mask Meredith Welborn
Dermaplaning Caroline Lidl
After a long semester of exams and papers, take some time for yourself this holiday season with the cult-favorite beauty line Summer Fridays! Their R+R mask is just the thing to give yourself a little TLC.
Under Eye Mask Caroline Lidl
Treat your eyes to the wakeup call they deserve. Transform your hungover or sleepdeprived eyes in just 10 minutes by wearing an under eye mask. These miracle workers tighten and hydrate the skin, reduce puffiness, diminish dark circles and the appearance of wrinkles.
Sephora.com, $75
Sephora.com, $52
Don’t freak out, but there is something on your face! Get rid of peach fuzz, unwanted blemishes, and layers of dead skin from your face with dermaplaning. This pain-free, exfoliating procedure involves the removal of the top superficial layer of skin for a flawless finish.
Sephora.com, $75
Scent-Sational Caroline Lidl
For generations, the fragrance category has been divided by gender: sweet florals for women and woodsy notes for men. Brands have begun renouncing this industry practice, crafting instead interesting scents for the individual. Customization opportunities include matching the scent to your preferences or to your exact DNA, as well as personalizing packaging and bottle design.
Farfetch.com, $242
Nordstrom.com, $275
Fall/Winter 2019 • 15
good looks
BOOTY TALK By Chloe Smith
What do Kim Kardashian, JLo, and Emily Ratajkowski have in common? A killer booty, of course! Everyone knows about skincare for the face but what many may not consider is the care for our behinds. While we may not all be able to achieve the bootyliciousness of Kim K, total-body skincare is gaining traction in the beauty world: specifically, skincare for your behind. Want to get rid of your wrinkles? Try a face cream. Want a flawless complexion? Try a six-step beauty routine. Want your hands to look young forever? Use a serum. Want a firm, acne-free, glowing butt? Try a butt mask! That’s right, skincare for your booty is #trending. It may sound absurd, but Los Angeles-based esthetician Ariane Penalosa says, “You should treat the skin on your body the same way you do your face.” Many women are self-conscious of their butts; whether it be stretch marks, cellulite, acne, or its appearance in general. But with the United States beauty and personal care industry racking in $93.5 billion in 2019 alone, it should come as no surprise that consumers are saying goodbye to homemade coffee grind scrubs or oil and fruit juice concoctions that supposedly fix blemishes and imperfections, and hello to masks and treatments that actually do the trick. One of the first brands to hone in on women’s booty needs is the award- winning Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Cream. Packed with Cupuaçu Butter, Açaí Oil, and Coconut Oil the cult favorite product promises to tighten the appearance of skin. Today, shelves are stocked with everything from treatments to scrubs to oils for your behind, but sheet masks are all the rage in the booty care industry. Bawdy Beauty is a brand that has capitalized on the trend and only offers sheet masks for your backside. They offer four masks, each designed to work on your bottom’s different needs. They’re only $9 a pop! Brands originally recognized for their face sheet masks like Yes To, Peach & Lily, and Palmer’s have taken note of the booty care craze and each created butt masks of their own. Similar to a sheet mask, Tush from Nannette de Gaspé is a five-week butt treatment that you stick to your behind and wear for an hour each day. Clay butt masks are also on the market. B-Tight’s butt mask tightens and targets cellulite, Maskk’s charcoal butt mask fights acne, and Anese’s Down With The Thickness mask plumps the behind. If you’re interested in giving your booty the attention it deserves, Anese also offers The Booty Trio, which includes a scrub, mask, and oil. Though the booty care industry is just getting its feet wet, these products are worth giving a try. “People may think using masks, scrubs, or creams that are made for your butt is unusual or a hoax, but we use the same kinds of products on our face all the time,” Penalosa says. “These products will absolutely make a difference if you keep up with it, just like you do with your face.”
16 • SMU LOOK
CONN R SAELI
Will you accept this rose?
From the Hilltop to reality TV, SMU alum Connor Saeli made his way onto The Bachelorette and into our hearts. We picked his brain on all things SMU, Dallas, love, and what it’s like to be “Connor S.” By Gillian Bressie SMU Look: What made you want to go on The Bachelorette? Connor Saeli: When I was younger I would watch the show with my sister and then when I was in high school I would watch the show with my friends. It became a joke that if I was ever 24 or 25 and single they would nominate me to be on the show, and then that’s exactly what happened. They didn’t tell me; I just got a call from one of the casting agents who said someone nominated me and [asked] would you be interested in doing this? It just kind of went from there. SL: Which show was a better experience: The Bachelor in Paradise or The Bachelorette? CS: They were fun in different ways. I think overall paradise was a more enjoyable experience just because you have more freedom with what you do during the day and going to bed when you want to. You can roam around the beach, swim, eat, order whatever food you want, so from that aspect it was much more enjoyable. I would say The Bachelorette was more fun just because it was just so cool to go through these crazy experiences with these guys. And the dates on The Bachelorette were just incredible. Things you can never recreate. SL: Do you feel like anybody on either show was misrepresented? CS: No. I’ve said this from the very beginning. It’s always the people who weren’t portrayed well, they’re the ones that say this was edited, chopped up, all that. I was shocked
because I really don’t think anybody was portrayed inaccurately. I think people say that stuff because they’re trying to save face and they’re not happy with who they really are. SL: Are there any secrets of reality TV that fans would be surprised to learn about? CS: I think on The Bachelorette the big thing people always ask about is, “Do you guys eat the food on the dates?” No, we don’t. We’re not allowed to touch the food. SL: Why is that? CS: You don’t look good eating on TV apparently. So before every date there would be the daytime part of the date and then before the nighttime part of the date you would go to a hotel and you have your own room and you eat there and then you go to the nighttime part. SL: So you graduated from SMU in 2017. What is it like being back on campus? CS: I haven’t really been back as much lately, but I love just driving around campus sometimes because for me it kind of reconnects me to where I came from a little bit. Just like brings you back to those days. SL: Did you live on campus? CS: Freshman year, I lived on the fourth floor in Mcelvaney which is half the size of a normal floor so it was cool because we were kind of a tighter community up there. I mean my two roommates now, I met in my dorm freshman year. Sophomore year I lived in the Pike house. It was disgusting. It was a fun experience, [but I] would never do that again.
SL: Would you date a fan? Asking for a friend. CS: Yeah, I’d date a fan. Only if they’re genuine. I don’t want someone to go on a date with me because I’m Connor S. from The Bachelorette. I want to go on a date with someone that’s interested in getting to know me and interested in being in a relationship.
Fall/Winter 2019 • 17
Looking out
OFF THE BEATEN BOULEVARD News flash: We go to school with some really cool people. From visionaries to entrepreneurs, these Mustangs prove there’s more to college than just classes and coffee breaks.
Averie Bishop By Summer Rye
Along with her first year of law school at SMU, running a foundation, and serving as Miss Dallas 2020, Averie Bishop is defining what it means to be a go-getter. SMU Look: What inspired you to create your own charity, The Tulong Foundation? Averie Bishop: Every other year or so, my mom and I would travel back to the Philippines. In the summer of 2015, [my mom] signed me up to attend a very provincial school in the Philippines and for about four months I experienced what it was like to not have air conditioning in school, sit on floors, and sometimes not even have a roof over our heads. I was able to speak to a lot girls who desperately wanted to go to school everyday but couldn’t because sometimes they were needed in the rice field, couldn’t transport themselves to school, or couldn’t afford the school uniforms. I wanted to do something to give back and help since I understood that education was something so important — especially for women. SL: How has your foundation expanded over the last four years? AB: It’s exploded. We finance the education of more than 30 girls, we have built over four wate wells across the island and we also built a community garden that has over, I think 2,000 vegetables. We will probably expand to Vietnam next year. SL: Congratulations on being crowned Miss Dallas 2020! You competed in several pageants as a child. What inspired you to take up pagentery again prior to becoming Miss Dallas? AB: I think the only city I ever wanted to represent was Dallas and there’s never been an Asian American woman to represent the title. I think what brought me back to the idea of competing in pageants was not ever seeing someone who looked like me in those shoes and at that capacity. Instead of waiting for someone to be that mentor and to be that role model I wanted, I decided to be it myself because I can’t wait around anymore. SL: Why did you decide to attend law school? AB: I’ve always been interested in the law and I did speech and debate growing up. I found the [SMU] Human Rights Program and have always wanted to be a civil rights attorney. SL: How do you balance your role as Miss Dallas with attending law school? AB: I make sure to take time off for myself and I honestly have to write in my planner “take care of yourself.” I get everything done a week ahead so if something comes up I’m prepared. SL: What is your greatest achievement? AB: I’d say one of my greatest achievements is graduating college and being the first in my family to do so. Seeing the look on my parent’s face as I walked across the stage meant the world to me. SL: What’s your theme song? AB: “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncè
18 • SMU LOOK
Surya Ramakrishnan By Maggie Kelleher
From perfecting his makeup, to running a YouTube channel, to practicing Carnatic, a traditional style of Indian singing, sophomore finance and statistics major Surya Ramakrishnan is a modern-day Renaissance man. SMU Look: When and why did you first start experimenting with makeup? Surya Ramakrishnan: I first started in October of last year when I borrowed my friend’s makeup for a scarecrow Halloween look. The knowledge from watching YouTubers had stuck, and it felt really natural. SL: What has influenced your makeup style? SR: I’ve incorporated a lot of drag techniques into my makeup, like covering my facial hair with color corrector, but the makeup that I do isn’t drag. I’m also influenced by people like Jeffree Starr and James Charles — I try to disassociate the drama from the person and the makeup. SL: What are your goals for your channel? SR: They’re more qualitative. It’s my creative outlet, so I’d like to have a passive income from it outside of my main job — which I hope is in accounting. I hope I can help someone else feel like they have friends or social interaction if they’re having trouble getting that somewhere else. SL: What has the feedback been like? SR: People have been really supportive. The only thing is that people will approach me and ask about one thing, like YouTube or makeup, when I try to be a multifaceted person. SL: What else are you involved in on campus? SR: I’m the PR chair for the Indian Student Association and I’m in Program Council. I play sand volleyball and I’m training for a marathon. I do Carnatic, which is a traditional style of learning Indian music, and that’s taught me a lot about practice and keeping to a timetable. I started that when I was 3. SL: What’s your biggest achievement? SR: Nothing yet — just kidding. Probably being happy right now. I don’t really believe in as a social construct — like salaries or whatever. I try to be happier every day.
success
SL: What’s your guilty pleasure? SR: Great British Baking Show and Tik Tok — actually, Tik Tok’s more of a lifestyle.
Klearcut Media
By Meredith Welborn
Kat Allen (Class of 2019) and Katelyn Fletcher (Class of 2018) created their digital marketing agency, Klearcut Media, in 2017 while in the comfort of their sorority house. Their agency has since expanded into an office that tackles clients like The Bachelor, Brighton Keller, and Class Studios. SMU Look: What is it like owning a business while still being in school? Kat & Katelyn: You get to incorporate what you are learning in school to what you will be doing after graduation. However, it requires lots of time and adjustment to be in the mindset of building a business while trying to make sure you are prepared for a test in a random class. But we did it together, which made it even more fun. SL: Do you have any tips for owning a business with a partner? K&K: The most important thing in having a business partner is communication. 100%. Every day brings a new set of events that are predictable or not, but either way you have to be in constant communication. Another big thing is to always be encouraging toward your business partner, but also being open and honest about what each others’ strengths and weaknesses are. SL: What has been your biggest obstacle as young entrepreneurs? K&K: We both are resilient when it comes to obstacles and feel lucky to have each other, but it was hard at first when people looked at us like we were crazy. Now, we have been able to prove people wrong, and that has been pretty rewarding.
Fall/Winter 2019 • 19
Models: John David Clark, Class of 2021; Emma Hines, Class of 2022 Photography: Chase Hall Stylists: Maggie Klimuszko, Isabel Ensminger, Hailey Haase, Maddy McGuire, Parker Papaccio, Maggie Higgins Location: Dallas Country Club 20 • SMU LOOK
Match made
Serve fashion like an ace by mixing casual with chic.
The Ball’s In Her Court On Her: Skirt: Veronica Beard, $375 Sports Bra: Bandier, $75 Sneakers: Amazon, $51 Ruffle Socks: Brandy Melville, $6 Sweater: Orvis, $129 Earrings: Veronica Beard, $125 Sunglasses: Krewe, $275 On Him: Sweater: Orvis, $129 Sunglasses: Persol, $499 Shorts: Lululemon, $68 Tennis Shoes: Nike, $95 Fall/Winter 2019 • 21
Eyes On You Turtleneck: Bloomingdale’s, Stylist’s Own Pants: Ralph Lauren, $998 Cape: Ralph Lauren, Stylist’s Own Boots: Michael Kors, $225
22 • SMU LOOK
In Full Swing Jacket: Veronica Beard, $695 Sweater: Veronica Beard, $375 Earrings: Veronica Beard, $125 Boots: Amazon, $40 Hat: Brandy Melville, $20 Skinny Jeans: Reformation, $98 Fall/Winter 2019 • 23
Love Is In the Air On Him: Jeans: 34 Heritage, $199 Sweater: Orvis, $129 Loafers: Gucci, $699 Dress Shirt:Brooks Brothers, $125 On Her: Jacket: Veronica Beard, $695 Sweater: Veronica Beard, $375 Earrings: Veronica Beard, $125 Boots: Amazon, $40 Hat: Brandy Melville, $20 Skinny Jeans: Reformation, $98
24 • SMU LOOK
Fall/Winter 2019 • 25
Playing for Keeps Skirt: Veronica Beard, $375 Sports Bra: Bandier, $75 Sneakers: Amazon, $51 Ruffle Socks: Brandy Melville, $6 Sweater: Orvis, $129 Earrings: Veronica Beard, $125 Sunglasses: Krewe, $275
26 • SMU LOOK
O L I V I A + A L I C E
H O U S T O N
D A L L A S
A T L A N T A
T O O T S I E S . C O M
By Rachel Tomlinson SMU senior Chandler Pike shops online like most of her peers. But when it comes to serious retail therapy or buying something special, she prefers heading out to brick-and-mortar stores. “I prefer going into the store because then I can see, feel, and try the clothes on,” Pike says, who spent 10 weeks interning at the Neiman Marcus headquarters this past summer. The Dallas-based retailer is known for its attentive, in-store customer service and luxurious surroundings. Chuck Dannis, an adjunct real estate professor at SMU’s Cox School of Business and Senior Managing Director at National Valuation Consultants, Inc., says despite rumors of a brick-and-mortar apocalypse, stores, and shopping centers are not disappearing due to online competition, they’re just evolving. “Best in class shopping centers such as NorthPark Center and Highland Park Village will never go away,” Chuck Dannis says. “Boring retail that fails to evolve with the times is going away, but retailers who are constantly working to provide a valuable experience to customers are seeing great success.” Dannis says brick-and-mortar stores allow for retailers to interact with their customers in a way e-commerce can’t. He believes it’s important for retailers to know their customers and the best way to find out is by catering to them face-to-face in the store. NorthPark Center has more than doubled its sales over the last decade
to an estimated $1.3 billion, with 21 million visitors annually, a sign that many Dallas shoppers like their in-store experiences. Dannis attributes this success to the center’s ability to constantly move tenants around to different spaces so retailers always complement each other. The goal is to have retailers with similar products and price points located in the same area of the center, giving shoppers a cohesive experience. Over the past few years, e-commerce and retailer bankruptcies have made national headlines and gained consumers’ attention. Business Insider said in 2019, “More than 8,200 stores are closing in 2019 as the retail apocalypse drags on,” and The Wall Street Journal in 2019 noted, “The Mall Meltdown Continues.” But even in the age of Amazon, brickand-mortar retail still accounts for about 90 percent of total retail sales according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The National Retail Federation reported that retail industry sales rose 4.6 percent in 2018 and the trend is predicted to continue upward for 2019. In fact, Amazon is rolling out its own brick-and-mortar stores across the country. The e-commerce giant is approaching 600 physical retail locations across the U.S., according to GeekWire. Other brands that originated through e-commerce platforms, known as digital natives, are also opening storefronts. In 2013, for instance, Warby Parker opened its first storefront. The eyeglass retailer had 64 stores in 2018 with plans to expand to 100 stores in the near future.
“But even in the age of Amazon,
brick-and-mortar retail still
accounts for about 90 percent of total retail sales according to
the U.S. Department of Commerce.”
28 • SMU LOOK
A year later, the mattress company Casper followed Warby Parker’s lead and opened up their first storefront. Now, ModCloth, Bonobos, Glossier, Tuft & Needle, and Allbirds are all digital natives with a brick-and-mortar presence. Linda Rubiola, a retail broker at SHOP Companies, helps digitally native brands increase their presence through brick-and-mortar stores. “Both ad pricing and ad volume for Google and Facebook have skyrocketed and brands just don’t want to buy online ads anymore,” Rubiola says. “It’s more expensive to capture consumers online, and they don’t see it being as beneficial to their brand as it used to be.” As the online advertisement market becomes highly saturated, retailers are looking for other ways to gain exposure and provide their customers with experiences. “We’ve seen a lot of these digitally native brands, like Bonobos, have major success from pop-up shops,” Rubiola says. The brands will track where their online sales come from and do pop-ups in those locations.” Physical retail locations drive digital engagement. Modern Citizen, a women’s clothing retailer, is one example. Rubiola and her team helped bring a Modern Citizen pop-up to the West Village shopping and dining district of Dallas. Rubiola says Modern Citizen since opening its pop-up shop in this fall, has seen a 34 percent increase in sales in the DallasFort Worth market. Physical stores drive up web traffic an average of 27 percent according to a May 2018 report conducted by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). The inverse is also true. Closing physical stores drive web traffic down When retailers invest in brick-and-mortar stores, their online presence thrives. SMU senior Jackie Biel, a political science and human rights major, refuses to order clothing online. She worries about sizing, credit card fraud, and difficult return policies. “I don’t ever order anything online because I never know what size I am and sizes vary so much brand to brand. I would have to order three different sizes in everything,” Biel says. “I don’t like charging my credit card triple the amount I would if I went into the store and many of my friends have had issues with online retailers stealing their information.” Biel says she also gets frustrated by how long it takes to get a refund from online retailers. She says many of them make it inconvenient to make a return. And she is not the only Generation Z consumer shopping in physical stores. A 2018 survey from ICSC found 76 percent of Gen Z consumers believe physical stores provide a better shopping experience. About half of online shoppers say a nearby brick-and-mortar store is important when buying online according to a recent survey by
ICSC of 9,000 consumers. Their reasons for importance can vary from easy in-store returns to click-and-collect. Although Biel doesn’t purchase anything online, she does browse her favorite retailer’s websites, and sometimes uses click-and-collect. “I often will look online to see what I like and then I’ll go into the store to try on everything I saw online,” Biel said. “If they don’t have a physical store, I will find a different place to shop.” Loyalty programs are shifting from transactional to emotional in order to gain more traction, Rubiola says. It is no longer enough to reward points and dollars off. New models are focusing on convenience and experience instead. “These brands are giving shoppers a reason to come into the stores and an experience that e-commerce can’t provide,” Rubiola says. “Ninety cents of every retail dollar are still spent in physical stores.”
Fall/Winter 2019 • 29
Eyes On the Prize Sports Bra: Bandier, $65 Jacket: Bandier, $228 Biker Short: Bandier, $65 Sunglasses: ChiMi, $99 30 • SMU LOOK
Let'S Roll
In the game of style, you call the shots.
Models: Johnasia Cash, Class of 2021; Katie Steel, Class of 2023; Chanel Stinson, Class of 2021 Photography: Chase Hall Stylists: Maggie Klimuszko, Isabel Ensminger, Hailey Haase, Maddy McGuire, Parker Papaccio, Maggie Higgins Location: Texas Skatium Fall/Winter 2019 • 31
Got A Secret, Can You Keep It On Right: Bustier: Alice and Olivia, $550 Rainbow Fur Jacket: Alice and Olivia, $957 Skirt: Alice and Olivia, $975 On Left: Blouse: Alice and Olivia, $265 Pants: Alice and Olivia, $195 Green Fur Coat: Alice and Olivia, $1495
32 • SMU LOOK
Under the Disco Lights Top: Alice and Olivia, $395 Pants: Stylist’s Own Fall/Winter 2019 • 33
Rise& Shineof Rise D R A G of Shine
The
by Maggie Kelleher
The
DRAG &
by Maggie Kelleher
Oooo girl –
it’s official: drag has gone mainstream. Queens are everywhere, from the cover of New York magazine, to the exclusive Met Gala, to the big screen in films like the 2018 A Star is Born remake. And there’s no better place than Dallas to get in on the action. D-Town: home of the Cowboys, authentic barbeque, sophisticated southern charm, and … drag? Yep, that’s right. Dallas it’s official: drag has gone is a major drag hub — holding the annual Miss Gay USofA mainstream. Queens everywhere,show from bar, the cover pageant and the location of theare world-famous The of New YorkinMagazine, the exclusive MetonGala, to the big screen in Rose Room, Oak Lawn.toThree contestants the most films of like the 2018 A Star is Born remake. recent season competition reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag And the there’s no area. better place than Dallas to get in on the acRace hail from Dallas “We’re ation. benchmark of drag for the country,” Hoselton says. home of theup-and-coming Cowboys, authentic barbeque, sophis“We have aD-Town: rich scene for new, queens. It’s ticated southern charm, and… drag? Yep, that’s right. Dallas very healthy community.” is a major drag holding Gay USofA Jenna Skyy, winner ofhub-the 2014 Missthe Gayannual USofAMiss pageant, pageant andinthe location the world-famous knows Dallas’ place drag cultureoffirsthand. Known onshow SMUbar, The Rose in Oak Lawn.ofThree contestants on the campus as JoeRoom, Hoselton, director graduate admissions formost season competition TVcast show RuPaul’s Drag Meadowsrecent School of theofArts, Skyy is a reality longtime member Race hail from the Dallas area. at The Rose Room. “We’re a benchmark of drag for the country,” Hoselton Drag scenes in other major cities, including Los Angeles and says. “We have a richconnections scene for new, up-and-coming queens. It’s a New York, often require to book paid gigs, but Dallas is very muchhealthy less politically driven. The focus in Dallas is on community.” pleasing theJenna audience an audience thatMiss Krystal Skyy,— winner of the 2014 GaySummers, USofA pageant, another cast member The Rose Room, saysfirsthand. is now more knows Dallas’atplace in drag culture Known on SMU diverse than ever.as Joe Hoselton, director of graduate admissions for campus “I remember whenSchool I started out,Arts, it was mostly LGBT people Meadows of the Skyy is a longtime cast member who wereatatThe ourRose shows,” Summers says. “Now, there’s Room. straight, gay, bi — everybody. it and Drag scenes in otherEverybody’s major cities,celebrating including Los Angeles or enjoying New it now.” York, often require connections to book paid gigs, but The audience is much not theless only part of the drag community Dallas is politically driven. The focus in Dallas is on diversifying. Individuals of different race, gender, sexual pleasing the audience – an audience that and Krstyal Summers, orientation are trying Summers, for example, is a is transanother cast drag. member at The Rose Room, says now more gender female queen. Cisgender females, transgender people, diverse than ever. and non-binary people are becoming represented “I remember when I startedincreasingly out, it was mostly LGBT people and embraced by the dragshows,” community, alongside traditional that were at our Summers says. “Now, there’s cisgenderstraight, males. gay, bi – everybody. Everybody’s celebrating it and Willie Baronet, professor enjoyinga it now.” in creative advertising at SMU, identifies as straight but has tried drag periodically since The audience is not the only part of the the drag1990s. community diversifying. Individuals of different race, gender, and sexual orientation are trying drag. Summers, for example, is a transgender female queen. Cisgender females, transgender people, and non-binary people are becoming increasingly represented and embraced by the drag community, alongside traditional cisgender males.
Oooo girl –
34 • SMU LOOK
“There was nothing about it for me, at least that I am aware of, that was around my own sexual orientation,” Baronet says. “But there was something satisfying about convincing someone else that I could dress at that level.” With drag queens’ signature tongue pops and death drops now seen and heard around the world, it is hard to believe that the glamorous world of drag was once a taboo subculture within the LGBTQ+ community. “There was nothing about it for me, at least that I am aware of, that was around my own sexual orientation,” Baronet says. “But D-Town: home of the Cowboys, there was something satisfying about convincing someone else that I authentic sophisticould dress at thatbarbeque, level.” With drag queens’ signature tongue pops death drops now cated southern charm,and and… seen and heard around the world, it is hard to believe that the glamYep, that’s right.within the LGBTQ+ orousdrag? world of drag was once a taboo subculture community.
According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, the term “drag” D-Town: originated as slang from 19thof century theater home theBritish Cowboys, when men often dressed as women for performances. authentic barbeque, sophistiEarly female impersonators like Julian Eltinge, who became an intercated southern charm, and… national celebrity in the early 20th century, began drag’s evolution into its own art form. The new type of entertainment became intertwined drag? Yep, that’s right. with the LGBTQ+ community during the prohibition era, when gay men would watch and participate in performances at speakeasies.
“This was pre-YouTube. Pageants had videographers and made According to the National Center Transgender the VHS tapes,” Hoselton says. “The goal was for to make it to the Equality, final termif“drag” originated slanglike from 19th century British theater night, and you did, you got as to tour a celebrity.” when men often dressed as women for performances. Early female impersonators like Julian Eltinge, who became an international celebrity in the early 20th century, began drag’s evolution into its own art form. The new type of entertainment became intertwined with the LGBTQ+ community during the prohibition era, when gay men would watch and participate in performances at
Now, queens can become famous overnight via a YouTube video, an Instagram post, or a spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race — the success of which grew alongside a nationwide movement towards acceptance of LGBTQ+ culture. Debuted in 2009, it took several years for the show to finally score a major award. It premiered during a time when gender fluidity was not on the mainstream’s radar and televised drag shows were relatively uncommon. This year, more than 700 million viewers tuned in to this season’s finale according to Statista, and the show has won 13 Emmy awards since 2016. “It’s just such a fun show,” Erika Geisler says, a junior fashion media major. “There’s drama, the fashion is amazing, and everyone has such big personalities.” Now, queens become famous overnight a YouTube Despite drag’s longcan history, many queens today dovia not measure video, an Instagram post, or a spot on RuPaul’s Drag Race—the success of success by TV appearances or walks down the red carpet. Becoming which grew alongside a nationwide movement towards acceptance a polished and respected of LGBTQ+ culture. queen takes time and dedication. “The amount and several time management involved Debutedofindiscipline 2009, it took years for the show toinfinally score performing at the national level — it’s like a Ph. D. in drag,” a major award. It premiered during a time when genderHoselton fluidity was says. virtually “When you get to aofnational where This you have unheard and gaypageant, marriagethat’s was illegal. year,to more reallythan apply and investviewers in yourself.” 700 million tuned in to this season’s finale according to ThisStatista, investment personal and Hoselton and is theboth show has won 13 financial. Emmy awards sinceestimates 2016. that he spent roughly to earn hisGeisler 2014 national pageant title. “It’s just such a$30,000 fun show,” Erika says, a junior fashion “You’re lucky to make that money back ever,” Hoselton says. media major. “There’s drama, the fashion is amazing, and everyone “Fortunately, working entertainer, so I get to recoup those costs has suchI’m bigapersonalities.” now, butDespite that’s not verylong common these days.” drag’s history, many queens today do not measure Thesuccess cost of all wigs, makeup, outfits necessary a bythe TV heels, appearances or walksand down the red carpet.of Becoming refined queen have climbed alongside the rise of social media, where polished and queen timeCustom-made and dedication. onlinea fans expect torespected see new looks alltakes the time. apamount discipline time management involved in perparel is“The the norm, andofgone are theand days when queens could re-wear forming at the national level – it’s like a PhD in drag,” Hoselton says. costumes. “When youhas get changed to a national pageant, that’sonce where you have “Social media the game, because you take a to really and investwe in shouldn’t yourself.” see much of it anymore,” Hoselton promoapply in something, This investment both personal and financial. Hoselton says. “So, often you find is girls that will rent things or create thingsestimates just that he spent roughly $30,000 to earn his 2014 national pageant title. for a [camera] shot.” lucky to makedemands, that money back Hoselton says. Even “You’re with these changing there is aever,” certain power of “Fortunately, I’mis a working entertainer, so I get to recoup those costs creativity in drag that fundamental now, but does that’sitnot days.” “Everybody forvery verycommon differentthese reasons, and that reason can The cost of the heels, wigs, outfits necessary change,” Hoselt onall says. “For me, I’vemakeup, focusedand my career on being of a refined queen have climbed alongside the rise of social media, successful rather than on being famous. That’s why I’ve made the where online fans expect to see new looks all the time. Custom-made apdecisions I’ve made.” parel is the and gone are It the when queens could re-wear At its core, dragnorm, is entertainment. isdays fun, glittery, flamboyant, costumes. and accepting. “Social mediaif has changed the game, because once take a “Raise your hand you’ve ever been to a drag show,” asksyou Ruby promo in something, shouldn’t much of itput anymore,” Hoselton Diamond Doll, the emcee atwe SMU’s Dragsee Bingo event on by SPECsays. “So, often you find girls that will rent things or create things TRUM each September. She demands the crowd’s attention in a hot just for agown [camera] shot.” pink tulle paired with crystal-covered stilettos. Students are Even withathese demands, there is a certain power– of scattered across dozenchanging long tables in the Hughes-Trigg ballroom intheir drag hands. that is fundamental. aboutcreativity half raised “I’m going to teach you bit about dragreasons, show etiquette,” “Everybody doesaitlittle for very different and that reason can Doll says. “TheHoselt louderon you cheer, better perform.” The crowd change,” says. “Forthe me, I’ve we focused my career on being eruptssuccessful in shrieksrather and applause, making clear that Shante! Themade queenthe than on being famous. That’s why I’ve scenedecisions is here to I’ve stay!made.” At its core, drag is entertainment. It is fun, glittery, flamboyant, and accepting. “Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to a drag show,” asks Ruby Diamond Doll, the emcee at SMU’s Drag Bingo event put on by SPECTRUM each September. She demands the crowd’s attention in a hot pink tulle gown paired with crystal-covered stilettos. Students are scattered across a dozen long tables in the Hughes-Trigg ballroom – about half raised their hands. “I’m going to teach you a little bit about drag show etiquette,” Doll says. “The louder you cheer, the better we perform.” The crowd erupts in shrieks and applause, making clear that Shante! The queen scene is here to stay!
Fall/Winter 2019 • 35
look back
From a Dallas Department Store,
The World of Fashion By Caroline Lidl From black-tie galas to Bishop Boulevard on game day, the fashion
This Dallas shop not only delivered worldly styles to the uber-fashionable
scene in the Big D is undeniably flourishing. Within the last century, Dallas
Dallasites, but it became the pioneer of the department-store industry. Retail
has become an internationally recognized fashion mecca — the home of
mastermind Stanley Marcus grew up in the world he would eventually take
a number of luxury designers, fashion bloggers, and tens of thousands of
by storm, succeeding his father by becoming Neiman Marcus’s president
clothing stores. For this well-dressed reputation, Dallas has Stanley Marcus
and then chairman of the board. The eccentric character integrated luxury
and his family’s department store,
into the culture of Dallas, and
Neiman Marcus, to thank.
eventually the world, by making
Siblings Herbert Marcus and Carrie
it accessible to everyone. In-store
Marcus Neiman opened Neiman
fashion shows, a holiday catalogue
Marcus in the center of downtown
entitled The Christmas Book, gift
Dallas in 1907, promising quality
wrapping, and customer loyalty
styles and unparalleled customer
programs are Marcus’s brainchildren
service to the community. The iconic
that forever changed the business
129,000-square-foot store standing
practices of department stores.
in the middle of downtown today
Marcus also established one of
replaced the original after a fire in 1913.
the most prestigious awards in the
The building suffered damage in yet
fashion industry: The Neiman Marcus
another fire in 1964, which caused $7
Award for Distinguished Service
million in damage to merchandise and
in the Field of Fashion. Winners,
property.
including Coco Chanel, Christian
Despite setbacks, their flagship store
Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent, were
has remained a center of innovation
treated to celebratory fashion shows
and a symbol of the longstanding
and, of course, some Texas barbeque.
success of luxury retail in Dallas.
Deep in the heart of Texas, a savvy
Today, the building serves as the corporate headquarters for the Neiman
businessman transformed his family Coco Chanel pictured with Stanley Marcus.
store into a legacy of fantastical
Marcus Group and houses luxury-brand clothing, jewelry, accessories,
fashion. Neiman Marcus set the stage for Dallas’s fashion scene, solidifying
the fine-dining restaurant Zodiac, a salon, an alterations department, fur
our southern style is not to be overlooked.
services, an espresso bar, and a bridal salon.
Image Credits: SMU Archives
Dallas is 1,127 miles from the heart of Mexico City, but only minutes away from Gourmet Mexicano cuisine. Setting the bar for Continental Mexico City Cuisine for the last 40 years, Javier’s is not your typical Tex-Mex Restaurant. You will not find tacos or enchiladas here, but you will find some delicios dishes of tenderloin beef, fresh seafood, shrimp, chicken and quail dishes seasoned with traditional spices of Mexico, and influenced by its Spanish heritage. Javier’s will change the way you think of Mexican food. We surround you with a classic colonial sophistication that you will not want to leave behind. And why should you? After dinner enjoy the wonderful ambiance of the famous cigar bar, and select from the large selection of premium cigars, ports, and handcrafted drinks in a sophisticated ambiance that you won’t find anywhere else in Dallas.
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