Bloom Magazine by Stance

VOLUME ONE

AIDS, FASHION, AND LIFE THROUGH MARC JACOBS + EDITORIAL A

DAY

THE

SUN

NO STONE LEFT UNTURNED: THE TRUE SUSTAINABILITY OF FASHION 15

ITEMS

YOUTH CULTURE, ING, FASHION AND AN A AN

EDITORIAL SHORT FICTION

LETTER F

SKATEBOARDIN BETWEEN

‘OF

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80’S’

STORY; DYSTOPIIN DYSTOPIAN TIMES

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AIDS, FASHION, AND LIFE THROUGH MARC JACOBS AIDS and fashion have been at war with each other for decades. The two seemingly unrelated subjects hold a narrative intertwined with a vortex of history. Since the epidemic began plotting course in the late 70’s, the fashion industry began losing pivotal creatives and icons to the virus as it swept out entire regions of fashion. Marc Jacobs, a relatively unknown and rising star at this time, experienced the tragedy first hand as he attended Parsons School of Design in the early 80’s. The life he lived in this time period proves to be of massive influence on Marc’s work even today. Marc’s influence and fashion genius helped him support AIDS foundations, curate and build a well known fashion house, and leave a major impact on the world of fashion today. Being in the New York fashion scene in the 80’s most

likely means that somebody you knew died due to complications with AIDS. It was something to be genuinely terrified of because of how little information scientists had gathered regarding the virus. Marc was no stranger to this. In 1986, Perry Ellis, a dear friend and mentor to Jacobs, was tragically taken from the world at the age of 46 due to complications involving aids. Losing Ellis sent a shockwave throughout not only the fashion scene, but society as well. This forever impacted the life of young Jacobs. Furthermore, Marc’s boyfriend at the time had been diagnosed with the virus, leading him to even more tragedy resulting from AIDS. Marc’s endurance of the decade helped him evolve into the fashion genius he’s blossomed into. Losing dear people in such a sad way led to Marc releasing different t-shirts multiple times across

years to spread awareness and raise money by giving all proceeds to AIDS Foundations. His way of giving back through his fashion influence deserves true ovation and recognition especially considering the hardships he faced during the times of reckoning. Marc’s outlook on fashion and ability to create brought an entirely new form of dress to the runway. He was recruited to Ellis after designing a collection of hand knit sweaters which his grandmother knitted while attending Parsons School of Design, where he was recognized as Design Student of the Year as well as winning the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble award. Following his recognition, Marc was hired as head designer at Perry Ellis. Heavily inspired by grunge fashion and streetwear, Marc began developing a grunge runway line while working under the Ellis fashion label. Following his debut, Marc’s runway line was faced with vast and polar mixed reviews. Ranging from love to disgust from all

walks of culture, the show resulted in Marc being terminated from his position at Perry as well as a mix of public praise and disapproval. The show’s aesthetic was a result of Marc’s obsessions with bands like Nirvana and grunge aesthetic. Ironically enough, the show resulted in gruesome criticism from both the grunge punk scene and some of it’s royalty leaders, Kurt and Courtney Cobain. The reasons for the mixed reviews is seemingly clear looking back over two decades later. The show took place in 1993, which was a weird time for the aesthetics Marc was pushing. Grunge in fashion was developed from edgy and typically lower class teens. The ‘anti fash-

ion’ went from nothing to mainstream fashion overnight. Next, to over saturation, and finally, high fashion. This order of events made it almost uncool in the same manner it became cool. The grunge runway look pushed ‘grunge’ kids to become almost anti grunge. When Jacobs sent overly skinny and emo looking women in flannels down the runway, it was the final blow in the eyes of the more punk scene. Grunge had officially been cancelled, and the loyal followers weren’t the only people left upset. Perry Ellis notoriously fired Jacobs after the show due to the differences in taste. However, some of the same reasons for backlash also proved to be reasons why other people, specifically some fashion critics, loved the show. This is what pushed Marc into the spotlight that would officially trigger his lifelong career. As a result of his wildly critiqued Perry Ellis show, Jacobs went on to get hired at his first major fashion house, where he made his first of many industry big impacts on fashion. The Spring 1993 Ready to wear runway collection from Perry Ellis was indeed met with criticism from many, while others including some fashion critics ate up every crumb of soft goth grunge wear that Jacobs sent down the runway. This notorious outcome

PHOTO: VOGUE AUSTRALIA

is what landed him at none other than Louis Vuitton in 1997, where he continued to grow the brand’s revenue immensely for years to come. He left LV after a valiant 16 years as a top designer and collaborated with many other artists and designers. He famously stated, “A lot of people who don’t consider themselves ‘fashion people’ end up being so stylish, because they deliberately go out of their way to avoid what is fashionable at the moment,” Marc said. “And in doing so, they create the next fashion.” This quote seems to define Marc’s unusual approach to fashion, which takes hold in reverse fashion trends. Marc Jacobs was able to build his empire of accomplishments by establishing himself as a visionary and top tier designer at a young age. His range of accomplishments goes well beyond high fashion. AID and gay marriage legalization are just some of the world issues that Jacob’s has heavily supported through his fashion line and influence. He will forever be recognized for his work and his name has become history. Marc’s influence and fashion genius not only helped him raise money and bring more awareness to AIDS, he also released clothing through many different brands that left a major impact on the world of fashion today.

A DAY IN THE SUN

NO STONE LEFT UNT THE TRUE SUSTAINA When it comes to the world of fashion, it tends to be widely acknowledged that the fashion industry is deeply harmful for the environment. In fact, it is recognized as the second most polluting industry in the world. Now, how accurate is that statistic. Is it entirely true? Well, the answer is yes.. and no. In terms of it’s effect on the environment, fashion is anything but healthy. Statistics say that even with recycling awareness being spread across the globe and sustainability starting to become trendy, only 1% or less of clothing produced is reused or recycled for new clothes. Furthermore, an i-D Vice article stated that “The fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are more than all international shipping and flights combined, and every second the equivalent of one rubbish truck of textiles is landfilled or burned” (Osman Ahmed). Even worse, the microfibres that are released in the environment as a result of humanities need for washing machines are sickening. A reported 500,000 tonnes end up in the ocean year after year. So yes, the fashion industry and its impact on humanity leads to an overwhelming amount of pollution. However, is it the world’s second worst enemy when it comes to pollution levels? Well, not really. Many climate and pollution experts, as well as The New York Times, debunked this thriving so called fact.

In fact, Weston Kearl, a freshman at The New School; Parsons School of Design commented saying, “As a freshman, I’ve already had many professors preach the statistics of fashion as the second worst polluter globally as if they were the first people to discover it. I think in order to understand the depth and real facts of the matter, it would take years to discover using thousands of metrics and confirmed facts.” In conclusion, yes fashion is a serious pollution problem.. but the second worst? I guess we don’t really know. Can fashion pollution be significantly reduced within a relatively short amount of time? Simply put, the fashion industry is failing to be sustainable for the earth. Rather than talking about the damage that has been done already, this question poses another angle to the subject matter. How will fast fashion react to the damage that is being done? How will society react to their favorite fast fashion destroying the environment through clothing like never before. How will we combat this crisis? Well for starters, recycling in the industry isn’t horrible. As a matter of fact, there are currently 2 million tonnes of recycled textiles each year, which is a substantial amount. It seems besides that, humanity’s best option is taking the

TURNED: ABILITY OF FASHION moral standpoint, and changing the way of production altogether. However, with the amount of money companies are making, big CEO’s and fashion executives don’t seem to care about the effects on the earth. That leaves the earth in the hands of the consumer. The best way to accommodate the pollution is by knowing what you’re buying and knowing how to recycle your old clothes. There are basically two ways to recycle used clothing. The first is to sell back to the consumer directly. People can get different apps or go on websites where they can re list used or new clothes, which saves people from buying new ones. This process puts money in the seller’s pocket, gives the buyer a new clothing item, and is the most environmentally friendly way to buy clothes. The next thing people can do to recycle clothes is to donate. If there is a buildup of clothes that a person will not use, it’s best to get rid of them before buying new clothes. If selling is not an option, donation is the next best. Not only will you be recycling clothing, but you could help somebody who needs new clothes. This recycling process has a moral bonus too. Besides reselling or regifting, you could also swap clothes with friends. If you have non friends.. go to a swap meet! Lastly, if you’re only interested in new clothes, something you can keep in mind is this. Buy clothes with quality and reduce the quantity. Can hemp be used for eco friendly fabric? Actually, the answer is yes. As it turns out, hemp is one of the most eco friendly fabrics designers and clothing companies can and should use. It’s

process of growth from a natural substance into natural fibers has close to no negative effects on the earth, and is also a great alternative to cotton for the human skin. Hemp is not only very environmentally friendly, it’s also economically friendly as well. Since hemp is a high producing crop, it’s space to production ratio is high as well. Furthermore, hemp doesn’t need any pesticides to grow the way it does, which is an environmental plus. Plus, when hemp grows, the quality of the soil surrounding it improves significantly. Hemp material is also eco friendly by having a very low impact and no chemical process needed to convert it into fabrics. However, hemp is also the main substance used to grow marijuana, making it illegal in the United States. Like hemp, bamboo is also a substance that can be used to create clothing while also being environmentally healthy and sustainable. Bamboo grows at an extremely fast rate, making it highly sustainable. It shares many characteristic similarities with hemp, and creates a nice soft textured fabric. Bamboo was originally debunked as a healthier alternative to cotton due to the chemical process it once needed to develop into fabric. However, newer ways of creating fabric from bamboo have been invented, and it doesn’t require any sort of chemicals, making it just as healthy as hemp to use as a resource in fashion. However, the most environmentally friendly way to recreate clothing in a way that is mindful of pollution is to use already existing materials. This takes materials that would have otherwise been useless and ended up in a landfill to use, allowing for a full recycling rotation to happen. Could plastic be used as a basis component for a new material? Is there

a sustainable way to manufacture clothing from old plastic? How do we create a plastic based fabric and make it easily accessible? To my surprise, yes entirely. Plastic is already a huge resource in the production of different fabrics, mostly plastic water bottles. One of the main fabrics used for this process is polyester, a seemingly woollike fabric that can be made up with mostly strictly recycled material. The basis of this process begins with the obvious, plastic water bottles. These bottles are collected and sorted by manufacturing companies in order to begin the process of making the material. Next, the bottles are organized and grouped by colour. Once everything is in order, the bottles are shredded into tiny little pieces. These pieces are heated pushed through a mold with tiny holes in order to create stringy like pieces that are the main makeup of the fab-

ric. Once the mold is done pressing the shreds, the strands are then cut from lengthy stringy pieces to smaller threads. These threads go through a process called bailing, which leaves the smaller pieces clumped and piled. Lastly, these clumps are run through a machine that is able to organize and separate the strings into finer strands. These strands are taken into the final machine of the process, where they are woven tightly with one another at height speeds, resulting with a nice soft yarn that can be used for many different types of things including bedding, towels, and clothing of course. However, due to its process of production, these materials are actually totally unsustainable at this point because they’re effects on the environment. As a result, I think polyester should be avoided at all costs. Although polyester can be made into a fully recyclable fabric,

it’s not easily accessible, which is why companies continue to make new polyester rather than recycling it. Until there is a more accessible way to recycle polyester, no polyester!! How could technology aid in creating clothing? What affects will AI have? Technology and fashion have been slowly growing closer over the last few decades , and recently they are closer than ever before. One of the biggest changes fashion is looking forward to is the introduction of IoT. IoT is a software sort of system that is built into the product, allowing for more interaction between the seller and consumer than anyone has ever seen. These small tech pieces will send data mines from the user directly to the companies, which will help manufacturers better understand the problems and pluses of the article of clothing. As well as IoT, there is more tech that is looking to indulge itself in the new decade of fashion. This tech is formerly known as AI, or artificial intelligence. Currently AI has its hand in the world of data mining. Software developers are able to use AI to tend to the needs of the consumer while they shop. For instance, the AI software collects data from a consumer’s fashion preferences, and then scans it’s software for similar results. These results are simply presented to the consumers, eliminating the struggle of having to search for their preferences. Once an AI has gathered enough data, it can organize and be studied in order to begin predicting fashion trends before they blow up. This process hugely eliminates the gaps between the buyer, the seller, and the next trend. With a buildup of technology, fashion will be able to tend to and accommodate to the customers concerns in a way that has never been possible until now. One of the most alluring technologies that

fashion can look forward to is the ability to eliminate unethical and unfair work for companies that order in bulk from worldwide vendors. New tech will expose big name brands for underpaying workers in order to maximize their profit. This will change the buyers moral acceptance for what clothes are right for purchase, as well as prohibit the use of poor people working for unfair salaries. What is the worst fabric for the environment? What is the best fabric for the environment? The number one worst fabric for the environment is polyester. As explained before, this process begins with an unsustainable products, plastic bottles. The biggest culprit when it comes to pollution from fast fashion material usage is cheap polyester. Cheap polyester is bad because it’s easier to make than recycled polyester. The cost effective method of creating this material causes serious environmental issues. The plastic microfiber emitted from the fabric is so excessive, that it has made polyester as a whole unsustainable. Another fabric heavily used in fashion that also has a heavy poor impact is acrylics. Acrylic fabric not only has a bad impact on the earth, but it also does on humans. According to the EPA, Acrylic fabric can cause cancer in humans. If that wasn’t enough, it also is very hard to recycle, and has a really hard time biodegrading. Polyester as well as Acrylic fabrics should be avoided at all costs, whether it’s being worn or cut/sewn. Contrary to these fabrics, the best fabric that can be used for making clothes is well… fabric that’s already been made, regardless of what it is. Reusing fabric is always the best option. However, the best fabric to use that is produced is hemp. Hemp fabric has the

most natural process when it comes to making fabric, from start to finish. It’s natural, non gmo, and requires no pesticides to use. Furthermore, it has many properties beyond clothing. It can be used for an array of uses, and is easy to grow and manufacture. If youre shopping for fabrics or clothes and cant find hemp based, the next best thing is soy silk or soy cashmere. Although products made from these can be expensive, the purchase goes beyond the price tag. These products are like the dairy alternative to regular milk. They are able to mimic the characteristics of real cashmere, with a much less dramatic effect on the earth. How sustainable is the fashion industry as a whole? As a whole, fashion is slowly becoming more sustainable. At the same time, fashion has also grown to be largely unsustainable. The way I see it, fashion and its pollution is reaching a tipping point. On the one hand, the amount of overproduction done by big brands that leads to a massive waste of clothing was at an all time high, with 30% of all clothes produced unsold annually. People also are buying clothes more than ever, as fast fashion and high fashion continue to become bigger in the economy. Even worse, a recent study published reported that 12.8 billion tons of clothing is sent to landfills annually. So in many ways, the unsustainable aspects of fashion have really become a global issue. However, there is still hope for a better future. In 2020, more brands than ever are producing more and more clothes using sustainable methods. Society has also come to realize that fashion pollution is near the top of the priority list of global problems. As a result, articles are consistently published in the press. Com-

reported that 12.8 billion tons of clothing is sent to landfills annually.

panies are limiting and eliminating the use of plastic based materials as well as beginning to use recycled materials. Not only are they cutting down on the harmful fabrics, but soy and hemp based fabrics are beginning to popularize in the industry. For example, Adidas just announced the release of a signature shoe made entirely out of ocean plastic. Depop, Grailed, StockX, The RealReal, and many other software platforms are used for people to buy and sell clothing consumer to consumer, and they are gaining popularity at a rapid pace. Even more, the process that companies use to design, outsource, produce and manufacture is slowly getting more transparent through the industry. People want to know how the things theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re buying are being made. All this is leading to a healthier industry, followed by a healthier planet. The future of fashion sustainability lies within the generation of the next decade.

AD 32

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BIANCA CHANDON

3. 4.

10.

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SKIP THE SKIP THE CC RR U M B SS ,, 15 15 ITEMS ITEMS W W OO R TT HH YY O U RR DD OO U GG HH

1. Supreme x Velvet Underground Rayon Shirt 2. Fucking Awesome Trucker Cap 3. Polar Skate Co. Big Boy Jeans 4. Polar Skate Co. 93’ Denim 5. YSL Hankercheif 6. Converse X Polar Skate Co. Happy Sad High Top All Star 7. N95 Mask 8. Louis Vuitton Fashion and Architecture Book 9. Sun Bum Surf Paste 10. Liquitex Basics Paint Set and brushes 11. Dotera Introductrory Essential Oils Kit 12. Artist’s Studio Art Eisel and Canvas set 13. Pelligrino Sparkling Beverage 14. Morrisey “Viva Hate” Vinyl 15. A-Ha “Hunting High and Low” Vinyl

Y o u t h Culture: S k a t e boar ding, Fashion and in Between In the year 1994 in New York City, James Jebbia opened up a shop in the upper parts of Soho selling hoodies and tees. ‘Supreme’ was New Yorks’ newborn child, and the skate and youth culture Jebbia was feeding it began taking a hold. In 2019, Supreme is not only a provider of clothing and hard skate goods, it also puts out video content and photos in order to really immerse itself in different cultures in a unique and iconic way. Among these are cultures are skateboarding, music, and high fashion. Skateboarding has been able to unify and cater to youth culture since its beginning. The influence it holds now is greater than ever, and high fashion is looking to skateboarding for it’s next inspirations. However, this is not always the best idea. Although there have been times where skateboarders and high fashion have clashed for the better, the way that skateboarding is taken in fashion is more of a cultural appropriation rather than pure inspiration. Kids around the world seemingly turn to skateboarding for many reasons; an escape from problems, a way to feel connected to a culture and people, and for a new lifestyle that provides challenge/satisfaction. When high fashion bites skateboarding, this concept gets lost in transition. Skate ‘inspired’ wear ends up on the chests of fashion moguls simply because ‘it’s cool’. As the legendary Editor in Chief Jake Phelps at Thrasher Magazine put it, “The reason they wear the gear is because it's stylish and people went and bought it for them, they don't know what Thrasher is”. Rest in Peace Phelps.

(Supreme ad featuring skate team circa 1997)

Whether it is an art form, a form of expression, a job, a mode of transportation or a sport, even the definition of what skateboarding is remains controversial among skateboarders as well as citizens... Skateboarding and artist have coincided since the beginning of skateboarding. The independence of something like this ‘sport’ really shapes and molds a person with a different grain, and allows them to find themselves in times of trial. Skateboarding is like danc-

ing, or even fashion.. it is highly independent and allows people to express themselves non verbally. What it means to be a skateboarder is to feel a connection to it deep inside your stomach. Being a skateboarder goes beyond pushing around the street. It’s one of the most contact sports a person can do. It means knowing that concrete is a bitch and falling on it countless times. Skateboarding is one of the most contact sports there is. It also means learning how to get back up when nobody is around to tell you to. This mentality is like the backbone of the industry. “Skaters are incredible, intelligent, and creative, and people want a piece of what they’ve got. It’s really that simple.” says Brendon Babenzien, founder Noah and an early employee at Supreme. Although in some lights they are looked upon as glorious creatives, skateboarders endure a lot for just being skateboarders. I would say lots of people find skateboarding as a result of neglect from everywhere else. Skateboarders tend to be outsiders among jocks and typ-

while simultaneously advertising it in core skate videos. Skateboarding in many ways has turned into a fashion trend itself. With the development of ‘instagram skateboarding’, true raw skateboarding is being drowned out, and people are able to sell themselves to the internet in such a commercial way that skateboarding is literally trendy. People who sell it well enough are able to gain views, likes, followings etc. Then, mainstream high end fashion brands find these people and use them to market their product through secondary advertisement. For example, Virgil Abloh of Louis Vutton and OffWhite sends product and support to people like Lucien Clarke, a professional skateboarder and fashion model. Lucien shows support for Virgil through his instagram and serves as an advertiser for the brand. Now, Lucien is starring in Louis Vutton campaigns for exposure and a new form of marketing. Other skate stars like Evan Mock, and Blondey Mccoy are finding successful ways of blending the world of fashion and skateboarding

(Mateo Rael at San Clemente High School)

ical high school cliques. This group of ‘annoying skater kids’ has grown into so many different brands across all platforms. Apple, Ford, and other everyday big businesses have used skaters in advertisements to market their new products. Beyond the big everyday companies, there are so many different kinds of skate brands; all marketed towards a different subculture of skateboarding. All of these different cultures subcultures within skateboarding become a marketplace for and living space for kids. Skateboarding as a whole can be seen as something that is well balanced enough to bring unification to an entire youth culture. Skateboard Magazine Publisher Fran Richards says, “Kids turn to this sport in their early teen years as a way of expressing themselves. Skateboarding has started to bleed into the mainstream culture in fashion and music’’. Skateboarding to the outside world is looked upon as a whole; meaning people do not understand it’s complexity unless they’re apart of it. Although as a whole, skateboarding is one of the most accepting sports, it is one of the most judgemental and hypocritical as well. Brands that are worn and style presented defines the kind of skateboarder somebody is. Core skate brands focus mostly on the heavy aspects of what it means to be a raw 100% skate or die person. On the other hand, brands like Fucking Awesome and Supreme have created their own subculture of skateboarding which is revolved around both skateboarding and fashion. These brands present themselves like a top of the line clothing brand with high end style clothing and designs, but use skateboarding as their backbone and platform to market to the masses. They shoot look books and ‘drop’ clothing that continues to sell out

together. Consumerism in skateboarding has continued to grow as skateboarders begin to take on high fashion and high fashion continues to blend with skateboarding. This is especially seen in brands like Golf, Stussy, Supreme, Palace and more. Furthermore, there are brands like Polar Skate Co who hit a specific market of a subgenre of skateboarding. Polar has developed a really special kind of brand that indulges itself more in the arts world rather than fashion. They have collaborated with many successful modern artists, among those being Iggy NYC, a famous New York local. However, one of the most important and defining things about a true skate brand is their ability to release full length skate videos. The final project of a full length can take years of filming. It basically defines the people who skate in it and the brand itself for years to come. This is a compilation that will either attract or push away the most important audience to a skate brand; skateboarders. Not only is this art, performance, and aesthetic pleasure; it’s also the most important direct to consumer marketing there is. (Blondey for Burberry)

(Sean for Supreme)

(Dylan Rieder)

With skateboarding and fashion continuing to grow closer together, it continuously becomes easier to see the connections between them. Recently, Kanye West wore a Dickies Eisenhower jacket to a met gala. Kanye is somebody who has for decades boasted about expensive designer wear, when suddenly he’s pictured at a gala in a staple piece for skateboarders. Other artists who are now wearing skateboarding clothing are essentially paving a new road for people to appropriate the culture of skateboarding by basically ignoring all the integrity of it. All of a sudden, Justin Bieber and Rihanna are photographed in Thrasher Magazine logos walking down Hollywood boulevard. These are more than just logos, they are symbols. Symbols for a fashion statement that actually have deep meaning in skateboarding. Symbols of the trial and error. Bendon Babenzien of Noah also famously said, “Skaters...they’ve historically been outcasts...One day you’re an outcast and the next day everybody wants to wear the clothes you’re into and lay claim to it? You’re going to be a little annoyed by that”. When there is an entire new aspect of skateboarding which is being influenced by celebrities who actually know nothing about skateboarding, high fashion sees opportunity. Runway designer Jeremy Scott found himself in lawsuit trouble after he bit the legendary Santa Cruz Skateboards screaming hand graphic. Gosha Rubchinskiy, a Russian streetwear designer has also frequently been caught stealing from Thrasher Magazine’s logo. Even name brands such as Forever 21 and H&M have stumbled into copyright problems with Thrasher on multiple occasions. However, rather than a lawsuit, the brand issued a big “FUCK YOU” on their Instagram. Jake Phelps also commented by saying, “People

(Jake Phelps)

want to buy skateboarding because they understand that skateboarding is the hardest thing to do...We sell the brand. Thrasher is a business, it means ‘fuck you’ to me.” Everybody please remember to thank Phelps for that.

Skateboarding and fashion are both deeply intertwined in youth culture, especially that of New York City. During an age that is continuously being influenced more so by social media, both industries will continue to work parallel to the other. With so much diversity and culture, it is important to remember where it comes from. Skateboarders are protective because they feel like they bleed for symbols that have begun to show up in malls and on the shirts and sweaters of celebrities who don’t actually know anything about skateboarding or the culture. It means a lot to feel like a skateboarder, and endure what it takes to become that. In some ways it’s like a badge that you don’t have to show, it’s just there. In the end, people wearing skate wear that should definitely not be wearing skate wear just gives skateboarders something to shit on and a slight sense of pride anyway. Just stop stealing logos!

FF AA SS HH -ION OF ION OF THE 80’S 80’S THE AN EDIEDIAN O RR II AA LL TT O

SAM DAMESHEK WESTON KEARL

Dystopian Fiction for the Dystopian Times; A Short Story rough cut

Nothing but chaos ran along the walls, parallel to the vamping of an orchestra. Yelling commenced and became increasingly more violent, as if there was not enough cutthroat energy already in the room. It was a war scene for a conference board. “I am beginning the focking meeting now everyone sit the fuck down!!” The safehouse was completely full, never had there been a full house meeting. Voices dimmed to echos, then slowly to silence. Their eyes pierced him like darts. He remained standing, his dominance unspoken. Anger and emotion was stuck to them like parasites. There was an unsettling feeling of doom, and the eerie lights of the room reflected the essence and trembles of their bodies and fears. Those who followed him had never had a doubt until now. And why would they? Since the collapse of 2075, Natas led the group to control and riches, just like he promised. “I called this meeting because as many of you know, there has been a disturbance in the control system, as we presumed there would be. It is extremely difficult to decipher and separate them accordingly, as you all know. We have successfully identified the contingent body as number 2337 and there are OPTICs on the way to bring him in.” “Natas. I don’t need to remind you what is riding on the completion of this experiment. If we fuck this up everything could crumble.”

“He’s a fucking kid Blaire. He doesn’t know anything.” “My allegiance has just sent a message.” said Blaire. “They did some background and found a name, Jane … Jane Jones Harpe.” Silence swallowed the room. Meanwhile, in the dark hole he knew as his room, Atticus sat in shock. He’d been studying the old journals of his mother’s for weeks. He finally understood what was happening. All this time, he could never have known. He jumped out of his room and ran into the attic. His mother’s old belongings boxed and hidden away. He rummaged through it like a crackhead urging for a fix. “The gun, where the fuck is the fucking gun” Panic swept over him like a tsunami, sweat dripped from his forehead like a broken faucet. Through all this, his sanity was being slowly stripped from him. The weight of his thoughts were bricks on his shoulders. “Where could it possibly be?” he thought. “Got it”. He ran past his dad, mindlessly absorbed in the latest OPTICS news updates. He stopped and stared at his father, his heart began to crumble. His father’s red shirt had dirt stains from the construction site he worked at. He lived a normal life; hard worker on the weekdays and the couch with a beer on the weekends. It was only now, Atticus understood. He briefly let his mind drift

among the countless sickening possibilities that consumed his life. “Did I ever know the real you? Are you awake in there? Will I ever see you again?” As his hand softly twisted the handle of the front door, he heard a name. A name from the T.V.. His name. He looked up in shock. It repeated. “Once again, if you see or hear anything regarding ATTICUS JONES, please report to OPTICS immediately. He has sinned against the faction and his crimes are punishable by death.” On the south side, silence continued. The group remained sitting around the long oval conference table in dead silence. All black. Everyone was dressed in black. The uniform of an official OPTIC. Black was not allowed to anyone else. In fact, no colour was, no colour at all, other than of course, the shades of red that filled the streets. From vibrant primary reds to soft pale fades turning pink, everyone dressed in red. People for decades have been wearing red as enforced by OPTIC. As far as the public was concerned, it was only their faction’s home colour. “You know what that means Natas.” said Blaire, cursed by the fact the words left her mouth so shamelessly. Tensions in the room skyrocketed. Nearly 20 years ago, Jane Harpe uncovered the true blueprints within the OPTIC organization. She was the first and only mistake ever made in the process.

Natas knew she was moments away from exposing everything. “Onto other pressing matters. We’re using RED at a rate we cannot continue to produce… Demand is growing due to population” spoke another board member. “Shut up Jon. We can harvest more from the kid as soon as we find him”. Atticus turned around and ran back to his room. He heard pounding at the door. His father was yelling his name. The door burst open. As he hopped out his bedroom window, the last sounds he heard were the plates of his kitchen shattering and cries of his innocent father. He ran like hell. “The plan is simple, we do him like we did his mother. As soon as we find him, we need to tranquilize him and begin the extraction process. It must be fresh to work. He is grown so there is opportunity to multiply. He may just be the key we needed”. Natas sat back in his chair. He tapped his fingers on the table slowly and rubbed his chin. His thoughts were protruded by the knowledge of a right brain existing right under his nose. Atticus went to school and graduated.. how could he have gone under the radar all this time? The door bursts open. Atticus walks in slowly. The room goes dead silent. He’s drenched in sweat from running, short of breath. He stops and stares across the room, directly into the soul of Natas. His eyes stuck, like they were pried open

by a vice. “How the fuck did you get in here?! How did you find this place?” “Jane must’ve known” “You don’t say her fucking name!” The knowledge had become communal in the room, a truly unfamiliar feeling for those who’d been there before. Atticus had read it all. The process from start to finish. How everything was built by psychos with a need for control. OPTIC was separating humans at birth. They were divided by the side of their brain that was most prevalent, left or right. The organization had learned the blood of the creative right-brained held potential properties that made their work so enticing it was almost as if people couldn’t help themselves to look away. It was like mind control. That sparked the new project of the century.. Project RED. After their discovery, the OPTICS, a new government organization, began experiments with the blood of the right brain children. They learned that in large amounts, it could be manipulated to give submissive properties to anyone in contact. They slowly began the process of harvesting blood from the right brain people. However, at the rate they could extract, it wasn’t enough blood. They needed more to fully embark on the . OPTIC started draining blood from children until they were lifeless. Once they had enough, they could multiply the blood at a much faster rate. The blood was converted into a dye

that could be used in clothing. “You twisted fucks have been putting everyone in red for all this time. So you could manipulate them however you’d like. So you could live like slave owners. You murdered children for it. You put my mother through hell, and I’m gonna be the one to take you the-” “Could somebody please shut him the fu-” BANG. Jons body hit the table with such force he nearly tipped it over. The room fell silent. BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG. Click, click. The clip hit the floor. Atticus drew another from his waistband and reloaded it. BANG BANG BAng. Everyone was dead. Everyone except Atticus and Natas. They were the only people left standing. Bodies and blood filled the room like a bath. “It’s no wonder your name is Satan backwards. You’re his spitting image. Now you’re gonna meet hi-”. BANG. His body hit the floor hard, just like the rest. BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG. He emptied the clip. Natas blew smoke off the tip of his .45. He sat back in his chair, surrounded by the bodies of the closest family he’d ever known, the one he made. He drew a small box from his pocket, and dragged out a white stick. His red zippo sparked and a cloud filled the room. He slowly inhaled, then exhaled. BANG.

letter from the editor: t h a n k you dearest reader