Strike Magazine Saint Augustine Issue 03 by Strike Magazines

Saint Augustine

Dreamland

Photo: Shauna Gentile Cover: Gracie Gianoukos

DREAMLAND. 01

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Abby Martos CREATIVE DIRECTOR Grace Garlesky ART Art Director Diego Gonzalez Designers Dominic Asselta, Alexis Kittrell, Tom Lichtman, Michaela Rataiczak, Josi Riggert FASHION Fashion Director Gracie Gianoukos Fashion Assistant Sarah Hansen Stylists Piper Leistman, Genevieve Lococo, Jessica Lubbers, Lindsay Murray, Katy Oakley, Allyson Woods BEAUTY Beauty Director Keeli Scarlett Makeup Artists Sarah Hansen, Serena Jefferys PRODUCTION Production Director Cooper Gore Photography Director Kathryn Hennessy Photographers Gracie Gianoukos, Shauna Gentile, Caitlin Gurley, Daisy Pflaum, Brooke Rhonemus Cinematographer Marysa Tuttle SOCIAL MEDIA Social Media Director Gemma Hansen EXTERNAL PR Team Caroline Diefendorf, Charlotte Mendelson Marketing Team Quinn Sheehan, Whitney Van Syckle Castings Director Elisabeth Shirley WRITING Copy Editor Marissa DeMaio Blog Director Madison Sloan Writers Macie Hebert, Allison Kindley, Ainsley McCullen, Kailey Tucker

CONTENTS

Sweet Dreams

Perfection/ Escapism

Rose-Tinted Glasses

Brainstorm

The Void

Introspection

THE THIRD ISSUE FROM STRIKE SAINT AUGUSTINE

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos Models: Maya Grant, Otis Saunders

Letter From the Editor Welcome to my dreams. On behalf of my unbelievably spectacular team, it is with abundant gratitude and immense pride that we present to you Issue 03: Dreamland. This Issue is very personal to me not only because this is my first Issue as Editor-in-Chief, but because it so intimately reflects my most vulnerable thoughts. When I was younger, I was tasked with labeling myself with one word to describe my most challenging attribute. For me, that word was quixotic. The choice of word came as no surprise to my peers, as the word quixotic describes a person who is exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical in her way of thinking. I like to dream big, what can I say? I never thought I could dream of something too big for reality, and I still think so to this day. Dreamland is for creatives–the ones who dare to dream. It’s the visualization of the journey our mind takes us on each and every day, always thinking, always creating, always imagining something unimaginable. Some may say we think too much. Others might think we’re nonsensical and outlandish. We’re dreamers–we don’t know how to be any other way.

The dreams you see on these pages are all the work of a group of passionate and incredibly talented college students who all believe that no dream is too big for reality. It is all thanks to their brilliance and dedication that Strike Magazine is able to continue cultivating creative communities across college campuses nationwide. I would like to personally thank my team for believing in me and my dreams and for giving me their all to make Dreamland a reality. I would also like to thank you, our lovely reader, for investing in young creatives with big dreams. We are building the future of unimagined possibilities, a future with no limits on reality. As you read through our magazine, I encourage you to reflect on your own dreams–even the “unrealistic” ones. We’ve just redefined reality for you, now it’s your turn to act on it. Dream big, and Strike Out! With love, Abby Martos, Editor-in-Chief

Photos: Gracie Gianoukos

Model: Eden Schlagenhauf Photo: Brooke Rhonemus

Sweet Dreams You’ve heard of Grimm’s fairy tales, well these are yours. Every night you close your eyes and dream. Dream of your future, success, imaginary places, or whatever it is. But why do we dream? Is it just to enjoy the possibilities circling in our subconscious, or is it to escape? What’s really hidden beneath our dreams? Our biggest fears? Failures? Insecurities? What happens when our wildest dreams become our worst nightmares?

Makeup Keeli Scarlett

Styling Sarah Hansen, Genevieve Lococo, Jessica Lubbers, Lindsey Murray, Katy Oakley Crochet by Jessica Lubbers

Layout & Graphics Alexis Kittrell Grace Garlesky

Models: Henry Nicol, Patricia Muniz Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Fairy Tales

Meet

Fashion By Madison Sloan

When it comes to the world of fashion, the term “Fairy Tale” is often associated with lavish and extravagant pieces. Couture, especially, has the ability to transform people into a world of magic and fantasy. Many people view fashion as a form of escapism. On the flip side, clothing has also influenced the fictional world. In fairy tales, clothing is used to symbolize wealth, status, and even vanity with certain characters. What’s better than telling a story through what you wear? Over the years, designers have incorporated aspects of stories, such as Alice and Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Beauty and The Beast, within their pieces. These stories came to life in the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In their “Fairy Tale Fashion” exhibit, fifteen stories were illustrated. Colleen Hill, the museum’s assistant curator at the time, utilized the museum’s costume collection and loans from various designers to represent famous motifs from various fables. “The way we put this together was really considering how, for example, many illustrators over time have taken these few key details from these classic written tales and then based their characters off of that,” said Hill in an article with Fashionista written by Chantal Fernandez. “I basically did that using fashion.” One fairy tale that was clearly represented in the exhibit was the story of Cinderella. On display was a shredded chiffon dress from Giorgio di Sant’Angelo’s 1973 collection, The Summer of Jane and Cinderella. This dress was used to symbolize the character before her regal transformation.

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos Models: Patricia Muniz, Eden Schlagenhauf, Henry Nicol

Photo: Caitlin Gurley

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Photo: Caitlin Gurley

Photo: Caitlin Gurley Models: Eden Schlagenhauf, Henry Nicol, Patricia Muniz

Model: Eden Schlagenhauf Photo: Caitlin Gurley

Other pieces that represented the rags to riches storyline of Cinderella included a Shelley Fox dress that had a blowtorched sequin skirt. Fashion is simply not just what we wear. The collection shows that clothing has the capacity to tell a story. “In the midst of a global, technologically driven fashion industry, there remains a desire—perhaps even a need— for designs that value fantasy over function,” states Hill in an Nuvo article written by Whitney Millar. FIT’s exhibit allows people to leave their world behind and enter one of fantasy and dreams. Runway shows have also set the stage for designers to bring their fantasies to life. Nothing says Haute Couture more than the magic of Fendi’s 90th Anniversary show. Set in front of the Trevi Fountain, Fendi showcased forty-six enchanting pieces in their show titled, The Legends and Fairy Tales. While drawing inspiration from illustrations depicted in the fairy tale collection, East of the Sun West of the Moon, Karl Lagerfeld was able to make the story pages come to life.

Model: Patricia Muniz Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

“Life is a nightmare so we need fairy stories right now,” said Karl Lagerfeld in an article with Harper’s Bazaar. Hand-painted chiffon dresses, precious furs, embroidered lace, velvet, and handmade beading were all used to highlight the romance of the show. For the night, the audience was transformed into a fairy tale simply through the use of fashion. While looking at themes embedded in fashion, the incorporation of fairy tale motifs showcases how clothing can be used as a storytelling medium. People who want to escape the reality of life look to fashion as a gateway to imagination. Whether you are watching a runway show or incorporating Cinderella’s slippers into your own wardrobe, you too can be transformed into the world of fairytales and dreams.

Models: Henry Nicol, Patricia Muniz, Eden Schlagenhauf Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Models: Patricia Muniz, Eden Schlagenhauf Photography: Kathryn Hennessy, Gracie Gianoukos, Brooke Rhonemus, Caitlin Gurley Model: Eden Schlagenhauf, Patricia Muniz Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Model: Henry Nicol Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Perfectionism/Escapism

Perfection is an illusion, and the definition of perfection is always changing. Nothing is ever really perfect, it’s an impossibility–a standard intentionally made too high to reach in order to keep people running like hamsters on a wheel. We’re chasing after something that doesn’t exist in an attempt to escape our current reality. The idea of perfection is just a fantasy created as a method of escapism. Perfection is escapism. Where should we escape to?

Photo: Daisy Pflaum Model: Alexis Maenza Makeup: Keeli Scarlett Styling: Sarah Hansen, Katy Oakley, Genevieve Lococo, Lindsey Murray, Ally Woods Layout: Josi Riggert

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Imperfect Perfection in the Beauty Industry By Kailey Tucker & Madison Sloan

The idea of perfection is simply an illusion, but many women still strive for this impossible standard because of growing toxicity within the beauty industry. The need to fit stereotypical perfection comes from years of oversexualization in the media which influences how women in society view themselves. Because of toxic beauty ideals in the media, unrealistic beauty standards such as perfect hair, thinness, and youthfulness have increased. These ideals are pushed through the beauty industry’s advertisements, leading women to believe their bodies exist on an economic scale.

\media can cause more harm than good. One recent trend that has emerged on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok is the promotion of body slimming products. The Kardashian’s have been one of many influencers who have advertised Flat Tummy Tea, as well other dieting supplements that claim to help people lose weight in a fast and easy way. However, influencers fail to mention the negative side effects of detoxing and diet pills. These promotions teach young,

The effects of the beauty industry dominating social media platforms create a strong influence on consumers. Along with pop-up ads, beauty brands also use paid promotions with social media influences to sell products on various platforms. These campaigns motivate the female consumer to purchase the desired products. MAC, Glossier, E.L.F Cosmetics, and Sephora are all brands that use influencers as a way to market their products. Recently, E.L.F Cosmetics launched a campaign on TikTok with the hashtag #eyeslipsface, as well as hiring influencers on Instagram through their “Beautyscape” program. “Influencer marketing is important for businesses around the world, particularly those in retail, fashion, beauty, and entertainment,” said eMarketer principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson, author of Insider’s recent report, “Global Influencer Marketing 2019.” “Many consumers, particularly young people, get product recommendations from the influencers they follow. Retailers that collaborate with an influencer can bring new shoppers into stores and create buzz around their offerings.” Although influencers have paved the way for a new era of digital marketing, social

impressionable women that they should strive to achieve a “perfect” body. How can viewers know the difference between reality and what is fake on social media when they are being pressured by influencers to look a certain way? Recently, Instagram has taken a new approach to help young viewers who may be influenced by these marketing techniques. With studies showing a correlation between eating disorders and media platforms, Instagram has

“How can viewers know the difference between reality and what is fake on social media when they are being pressured by influencers to look a certain way?”

Photos: Shauna Gentile

Photo: Daisy Pflaum

decided to protect viewers under eighteen from weight loss products. After the backlash regarding Kim Kardashion’s post promoting weight- loss lollipops, Instagram now allows people to report certain posts that contain dieting products. “We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media,” Emma Collins, Instagram’s public policy manager, said in a statement to ABC News. Body activist and actor, Jameela Jamil, who has spoken out against the Kardashians, notes that this is a huge win for the fight against the detox industry. “As someone who struggled with an eating disorder for most of my youth, I’ve personally known and suffered the perils of the devious side of the diet/detox industry,” she said in an article with ABC News written by Catherine Thorbecke, calling the policy changes a “day of hope for our generation.” Although social media paints a picture of perfectionism, the perfect body does not exist. Understanding the difference between realistic standards and the standards beauty companies create has never been more important!

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Photos: Shauna Gentile, Gracie Gianoukos

Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Rose-Tinted Glasses

Model: Dominika Mierzwinska Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Model: Brianna Gracie Photo: Daisy Pflaum

“The phrase ‘to see the word through rose-tinted glasses’ means to see things in an overly optimistic, often unrealistic way.” This is how dreamers see the world.

Layout: Michaela Rataiczak Makeup: Sarah Hansen, Serena Jefferys Styling: Sarah Hansen, Genevieve Lococo, Jessica Lubbers, Katy Oakley

Model: Dominika Mierzwinska Photo: Daisy Pflaum

Models: Brianna Gracie, Dominika Mierzwinska Photo: Brooke Rhonemus

Instagram Filters, Photoshop and Rose Tinted Glasses By Allison Kindley & Madison Sloan

In a world of rose-tinted glasses, people create their own version of reality and turn a blind eye to what is actually real in life. When it comes to social media, society doesn’t always view things for how they truly are. On platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, people often present an unrealistic version of themselves. Although image editing has been around for decades, the digital age has created a new desire for beauty filters and photoshop. People often model their own lives after their favorite celebrities’ social media posts; however, many forget that they are human and have flaws just like the rest of us. Recently, celebrities have been speaking against media outlets and photographers who alter body images. Among the celebrities who have come out against body retouching is model and actress, Zendaya. “Had a new shoot come out today and was shocked when I found my 19-year-old hips and torso quite manipulated,” Zendaya stated on her Instagram in 2016. In her post, Zendaya also revealed the original photo and thanked Modeliste Magazine for taking the image down to fix the issue. Priyanka Chopra’s Maxim India Cover was also criticized for being overly edited. While looking at the cover photo, many people began calling the magazine out for Chopra’s “unexisting” armpits. In response, Priyanka posted on her Instagram, “Here is another ‘pit-stopping’ picture to add to the debate. #WillTheRealArmpitPleaseStandUp #nofilter #armpitdiaries.” Beauty filters and photoshop have created a warped view of reality, making it harder to figure out the difference between what is real and what is not. Over the years, plastic surgeons have noticed an increase in what they call “Snapchat Dysmorphia.” More and more people are looking to get procedures that make them look perfect due to the recent obsession with Snapchat filters. “This is an alarming trend because those filtered selfies often present an unattainable look and are blurring the line of reality and fantasy for these patients,” an article published by researchers from Boston University School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology states.

Along with photo retouching, follower counts and likes on apps have created unrealistic standards for people who use various social media platforms. These numbers create labels and definitions that do not truly reflect who we are. Some people believe that having the most followers or likes makes us popular, or defines our worth as a human being. There are even apps that have been created to give accounts fake followers and fake likes. These little numbers have gained so much power over society. People have grown to value these meaningless numbers over positive qualities such as kindness, generosity, and honesty. We need to readjust our values and realize the internet does not define our worth. There is so much darkness that can be found on social media through comparison, jealousy, and negativity. Many celebrities in the media hold unrealistic beauty standards that can often make us feel inadequate. On the other hand, social media can keep us connected and can help us express ourselves creatively. If used correctly, media platforms can be a space to celebrate diversity and share ideas. Many celebrities are stepping up to be more honest and transparent online. Media icons such as Lizzo are spreading body positivity and redefining what it means to be real. We are seeing more diversity in the media and celebrating what makes us real. Things don’t always have to be so perfect or glamorized. It is important to look beyond the rose-tinted glasses, and Instagram filters in order to focus on reality as opposed to what others want us to believe is real.

Model: Brianna Gracie Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Models: Brianna Gracie, Dominika Mierzwinska Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Models: Brianna Gracie, Dominika Mierzwinska Photo: Brooke Rhonemus

NO ONE TRUE ANYTHING is Leading the Way for High-End Sustainable Fashion By Abby Martos

It all started with an idea, so many ideas–in fact–that fashion designer and visionary Jake Posner had no choice but to get straight to work making his vision a reality. A brand that was made to not make sense, NO ONE TRUE ANYTHING, or NOTA, takes a new angle on high-end sustainable fashion. Born from a creative who instinctually pursues new perspectives, NOTA inspires people to dig deeper into the NON/SENSE and find the true meaning behind every story. Jake Posner is a clever and charismatic twenty-something from London with an inherent love for fashion and the act of creating. His unique perception of the world and people manifests itself in his designs and the way he conducts his business, captivating his onlookers in a world of boundless possibilities and a true expression of humanity. The dream to start his own business came to him overnight–in a literal dream–following a series of challenges occurring in his early adulthood where he was forced to leave school at only sixteen, much to the criticism of his peers and family. True to his nature, however, he took a fresh look at his situation, a view from a new perspective, and used it as the fuel to his fire, ultimately bringing NOTA into existence. A true reflection of his own character, Jake’s brand is every bit as engaging and inspiring as he is. NO ONE TRUE ANYTHING is rooted in luxury streetwear, with unisex designs and a minimalistic aesthetic that withstands the test of time. NOTA is for anyone and everyone, regardless of age, gender, or class. Its branding breaks down words Model: Ryusuke Tagaki into syllables to reflect the way that Posner–who lives with dyslexia– processes different words. Posner’s vision creates multidimensional meaning out of words and lines and forces his audience to explore various interpretations of a single idea. This unique way of visualizing and processing words makes it possible for Posner to share his vision of a brand with no limitations on creativity. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to chat with Jake about NOTA– how it came to be and what’s still yet to come–and how he is managing to navigate through the realm of sustainable fashion. Sporting one of his own hoodies from his DE-BUT collection, he breaks down his philosophy on sustainability’s role in fashion and how he handles the responsibility of maintaining a sustainable brand.

Abby: So, tell me about NOTA and how you go about business as a sustainable brand. Jake: Business as a sustainable brand, yeah, a lot of people look at it as the materials that are used to make sustainable fashion. While, yes, that is a massive part of it, it all goes back to the people. My hoodie, for example, the material that I’m wearing is 100% organic cotton. So, the benefits to using organic cotton is it uses 98% less water than normal cotton. It then uses a lot less pesticides and fertilizers, as well, so the crops aren’t sprayed, they’re allowed to grow naturally. Then it gets to the second part of creating fashion, which is the people that manufacture the clothing. The world is in the state that it is because people have always been treated unfairly, they’ve not been given the same platform as everyone else. So, for the world to become a more sustainable place, you have to look after the people. And the more local environments that are improved, the better the rest of the world becomes. My production is something that I treasure and something that really means a lot to me. Without the people who I work with on a daily basis, without the people that bring my ideas to life, I wouldn’t have anything. Those people are really important to what I do, and I feel like the industry as a whole needs to realize that. Because without those people, fashion is nothing.

different from what you find in fast fashion. I get comments on my Instagram about prices and “$160 for a hoodie, that’s crazy!” and, I mean, you can buy a hoodie for $20, but where it’s made, how it’s made, the materials that are used, it’s terrible. There’s no backstory. There’s no traceability to what you’re wearing. You can wear it three times and it’s going in the bin. And for me that’s just madness. And I know there always has to be affordable clothing, but surely there must be a way for these fashion companies to have some sort of legislation to how they’re making their product. But if I can get the message out there and make it clear to people who will judge and look at a price tag, then that for me is a big mission. In a world of consumerism and fast fashion, NO ONE TRUE ANYTHING is rapidly gaining attention for its unique position in sustainable fashion, even catching the eye of Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief at British Vogue, and landing a feature in their “Bright Young Things’’ edition. One can only imagine the heights it will reach and the people it will inspire. NOTA’s DE-BUT collection is available to shop online at noonetrueanything.com.

Model is wearing NOTA hoodie and shirt

Abby: I’ve never heard someone go into that kind of depth when talking about sustainability in fashion. How does that influence your vision for NOTA? Jake: So there’s probably like three or four visions as to what I’m trying to achieve. Going back to that sort of “fuel on the fire,” I just really want to go back to those teachers and family members and all those people [who told me I would never be anything] and–do you mind if I swear? Abby: Not at all! Jake: I just want to say, “Fuck you! Fuck you, yeah I didn’t get a law degree, I didn’t get this degree, I didn’t get that degree, but I’ve gone and made something for myself. I’ve built this from the ground up.” And I’ve always wanted to achieve something like that and find something where I can really excel and become the person that I want to be. The second thing, I just like creating stuff. I like seeing how things come together, so to give me a blank canvas, and the t-shirt is my canvas, I’m gonna create something. And I’m gonna try to create something that the world can appreciate. The third thing is to really try and be a pioneer for sustainable fashion and bring it into somewhere that is deemed as “cool.” I feel like if you look at sustainable fashion at the moment, it’s deemed as maybe a little bit more out-of-line with the Balenciagas and those other items that are high-priced with a production line that is not really sustainable. So, what I’m saying is to bring those two together and be able to give a clear path into sustainable fashion that is deemed as a product that is in line with high fashion. Abby: And what’s something that you want everyone to know about NOTA? Jake: If I had to choose one thing, I guess the main thing would be the outlook of the brand and how we create our pieces. That is the most important thing. It’s such a process, and it’s very expensive to produce, and I want people to be able to really understand why that is. You know, it’s just so

brainstorm

Photo: Shauna Gentile Layout: Tom Lichtman Makeup: Keeli Scarlett, Serena Jefferys, Sarah Hansen Styling: Piper Leistman, Lindsey Murray, Katy Oakley

It’s the feeling of being overwhelmed by your own thoughts. Infinite amounts of information enter our brains every second of every day. There’s only so much information that one mind can take. What happens when it all becomes too much? The result is chaos. Every thought is let loose all at once, and it feels impossible to control, but it’s also the most free you’ve ever felt. Chaos equals peace.

Model: Maya Grant Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Post-Pandemic TikTok Fashion: A Brainstorm of Clothing By Macie Hebert & Madison Sloan

Although it has been a while since we were all huddled up in our beds wearing nothing but pajamas and watching Netflix for a few months, being in a lockdown continues to affect how we dress today. During the peak of the pandemic, many people turned to the popular social media platform TikTok as a form of self-expression. The platform continues to highlight how drastically different people’s sense of fashion has been since the pandemic. People have changed their hair color and cut, clothing style, etc. There are even trends that emphasize the transformation of an individual from how their style was before the pandemic to how it is now. Since the start of the pandemic, people have begun cultivating styles that are much more vibrant! Brighter colors, more accessories, and attention to detail are just a few of the differences seen in people’s style. Now, a lot of this comes from TikTok. While stuck at home, many people became nostalgic of past style trends. Thus, the emergence of Y2K fashion began. Bold colors, low-rise jeans, and claw clips quickly took over the fashion side of TikTok. These fun trends were viewed as an escape from the pandemic’s gloom by many people. Seeing new trends and peoples’ fashion transformations on the app created an inspiration in others to revamp their wardrobes as well.

Model: Maya Grant Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Model: Tallon Coane Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Although a lot of these fashion trends are supposed to have a positive impact on society, as people are becoming more comfortable dressing to their liking, some people are not receiving these changes positively. For example, a popular trend on TikTok is for fashion students to show what they are wearing for the day. A lot of what people tend to put together for an outfit is unconventional. For TikTok influencer and designer, Myra Magdalen, unconventional fashion is at the heart of her wardrobe. Myra’s TikToks center around various objects she incorporates into her style, such as computer chords, tv remotes, and even shoes designed as horse hooves. However, some people take this style in a negative light, saying things like, “Oh, so I guess anything counts as fashion these days, right?” Not everyone is in agreement with the changes and sudden boom of different daily fashion, but for others, it is a whole new world to uncover!

According to fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell, people will continue to shift in the way that they wear clothes after the pandemic. People are paying more attention to why they wear what they wear because they’ve had the time away from society’s feedback outside of social media. “The need to not only be physically comfortable but also psychologically comfortable in what we wear will likely remain as people have come to realize that clothing can be used as a tool to aid cognitive processing and general wellbeing,” Forbes-Bell states in an interview with magazine Marie Claire written by Katie Attardo. Brainstorming new ways to style clothes is a creative way to express yourself. Exploring new styles out of your comfort zone allows for not only personal growth but also helps to create new trends in the fashion world.

Models: Tallon Coane, Maya Grant, Otis Saunders Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Models: Tallon Coane, Maya Grant Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

“Oh, so I guess anything counts as fashion these days, right?”

Model: Otis Saunders Photo: Shauna Gentile

Model: Tallon Coane Photo: Shauna Gentile

The Void

After the brainstorm comes a moment when your brain is completely empty. Your head is clear and everything is quiet. It’s peaceful for a moment, but it can also be haunting. An empty mind echos, and if you’re not careful, it will drive you to insanity Just you and your mind – is the quiet too quiet? Is it really as peaceful as it seems?

Model: Jennifer Dang Layout: Diego Gonzalez Makeup: Keeli Scarlett Styling: Sarah Hansen, Genevieve Lococo, Katy Oakley, Ally Woods

Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Behind the Glamour:

The Void of the Fashion Industry By Marissa DeMaio

The fashion industry is a very competitive environment which often leaves designers feeling insecure and overwhelmed as they create new lines and products. The constant pressure to be perfect promotes motivation and encourages dedication; however, perfectionism comes with its downfalls as well.

While working long, hard days, fashion designers are often consumed by their work. Once the product is finished, designers finally have time to themselves before they start their next project. Although it might seem like a positive thing, self-reflection can cause designers to question their work and compare themselves to others. As the industry has developed, there has been a connection between fashion designers and mental health issues.

One designer who experienced the “dark side” of the fashion industry was Kate Spade. Along with her husband, Andy Spade, she created a handbag company that evolved into her own brand. However, her involvement in the industry contributed to her struggles with her own mental health. In 2018, Kate Spade was found dead in her New York City apartment, and it quickly came out that the cause was suicide. This shocked many people within the fashion world, as Spade was said to have a bubbly personality. The perfectionism that was embedded in Spade’s mind grew to be a battle between her life and her brand.

As a fashion publicist and author, Kelly Cutrone spoke out about the hardships of being in the fashion industry that are often overlooked by society. “Depression and anxiety are epidemic in the entertainment and fashion industries. There’s a lot of pressure in the fashion business, and there’s a lot of pain and suffering behind the illusion of glamor, beauty, and perfection,” Cutrone stated in an interview with Hollywood Life written by Bonnie Fuller.

“Despite its glamorous appeal, the fashion industry has a cruel and brutal side.” Kate Spade sold 57 percent of her company in 1999 to Neiman Marcus Group, although it wasn’t long after she parted with the company as a whole. In 2006, she sold the remaining shares of her company for $124 million, which included the property rights to her name-this marked Spade’s disappearance from the public eye. Spades’ insecurities being involved in the fashion industry and giving up her business were rumored to have taken their toll on the fashion designer. After her death, Reta Saffo, Kate’s older sister, spoke about the tragedy. “It finally took its toll on her. A very tragic and sad ending to the life of a very colorful and delightful being,” Saffo stated in an article with CBS News. Kate Spade and her story highlight the negative aspect of the fashion industry. While it can be a very rewarding field, fashion designers are often suffocated by their thoughts and ambitions. These thoughts transform into mental illnesses that become uncontrollable as designers become more involved in the industry. Kate Spade was drowned by her own thoughts to the point where they consumed her life. Spade is not the only designer with mental health issues. Designers like Alexander McQueen and L’Wren Scott have also been victims of the void. However, these issues often go unnoticed because they are hidden from the public eye.

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Despite its glamorous appeal, the fashion industry has a cruel and brutal side. “Fashion is evil,” Tom Ford told The Financial Times in 2016. “You stay out for very long, and people forget who you are. And your name loses power.”

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

Photos: Gracie Gianoukos, Kathryn Hennessy

A Conversation with

The Dewars By Grace Garlesky

I sat down with Zach and Anthony Dewar, hoping to get the inside scoop on one of Saint Augustine’s most interesting local bands.

How did the Dewars come to be?

pirate. And even though there is a cheesy tourist overtone, it hides the local underbelly of the town that is home to many interesting characters.”

“We started out making music in our film high school for short films and animations, and after school we began working as musicians at downtown gigs as a folk duo. After writing and recording some original songs at home, we went on a couple tours supporting bigger acts. After we moved back to Saint Augustine from New York in 2019 we started playing live again and eventually formed the current 5 piece band with other local musician friends in town.”

How do you feel about anything and everything vintage being considered “trendy” now? “It’s natural to be nostalgic I suppose. Things from the past carry a history with them. If we didnt have these places to preserve and pass things on to new generations they would probably be underground in a dump somewhere. We recently went into an antique store in DeLand and got a few trinkets. Zachary spotted a ouija board from the 70’s. Against the advice of a cross-eyed lady who swore it would be cursed, we bought the thing. So if that antique ouija board ruins my life I may have a different opinion!”

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it? “If I only had an elevator ride’s worth of time I’d probably

say it sounds like if The Mamas & the Papas had twin babies who were raised listening to Pavement and The Everly Brothers on a psychedelic mushroom farm somewhere near the Everglades.”

What’s your favorite song to play live? “Usually the most fun song to play is the newest song the least

How has living in Saint Augustine affected your music?

amount of people have heard before but for the sake of the interview I’ll say Suburban Legends. It’s a horror track about a suburb with deep dark secrets of murder and corruption. I like playing it because it always surprises the audience when we go from a sweet little folk song to a demonic melting metal break down. It’s fun to push the envelope with music and play with people’s emotions.”

“Small towns are great places to write and create material; the beach is a natural antidepressant and the people are generally laid back and friendly. It’s a very supportive community. It’s an enchanted beach town where you can sort of be whoever you want. You can be a musician, or a jewelry maker, or a

A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEWARS What are your thoughts on social media today and the role it plays in your job?

Photo: Ansley Pacetti

“Social media has definitely changed the game, now it’s not just your sound but your whole brand and lifestyle you’re putting out... it’s more competitive but there’s a lot of potential if you play your cards right. Luckily we all have fun dressing up, making art, taking photos, and being goofy so if you enjoy being creative it can be used to your advantage as an artist. But if it makes you want to kill yourself you should probably get off and read a book or something.”

What’s your funniest memory as a band? “The tour was riddled with moments and side plots... You spend two weeks with these people and only 45 minutes a day are spent playing music so you have to seek other entertainment. You all end up dropping your guards and everything becomes an inside joke.”

What inspires you? “I would tell you but... I’d have to kill you.”

What’s your most difficult song to play? “We have one song called Musical Mind Fuck that for some reason when we practice, we get sucked into some kind of wormhole and emerge a few hours later more confused than when we came in. It’s kind of our Moby Dick, one day we might catch it or it could be the death of us, we’ll see...”

What’s something you hope to accomplish in the next year?

Anything else? “Follow us on social media to read more about our projects and check out some of our merch. Thank you and see you soon!”

“We recorded some songs before our tour in March and we’re going to be releasing singles throughout the coming months accompanied by some music videos. We have some local concerts on the horizon but we’re booking a longer tour in October and we’ll likely release an LP on vinyl, tapes, or some other tangible medium.”

the_dewars

INTRO

SPEC TION in·tro· spec·tion

the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes. Makeup Keeli Scarlett

Styling Sarah Hansen Katy Oakley Piper Leistman

Model Kalena Luqman

Layout Dominic Asselta

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

The Importance of Self-Reflection in Pop Culture By Ainsley McCullen & Madison Sloan

Although cultural minorities have often been thrown to the side in Hollywood, there has been a new wave of movies and tv shows featuring inclusive storylines with minority leads. Recent films and TV Shows such as Crazy Rich Asians and Young Royals along with this years Best Picture from the Oscars, CODA, highlight the success of culturally represented stories.

When it comes to introspection, it is all about looking inward and examining who you truly are at your core. While flipping through a magazine or watching a movie, people want to be able to see themselves in the models and characters they see. Research done by psychologists has shown that seeing ourselves reflected on screen is an important part of developing a sense of “self.” There have also been studies done that show humans connect more with things that are familiar to them. So how does diversity in pop culture affect this idea?

Crazy Rich Asians, a film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel, was the first major Hollywood movie to feature an entirely Asian and Asian-American cast since 1993. In an interview, Kwan mentioned how a producer reached out to him about his book and asked if he would be willing to change the main character’s race. “I think it was a request born out of sheer ignorance about the project, and it was a very knee jerk reaction that was indicative of how Hollywood saw its industry, how they felt movies needed to be made, and how they felt a movie with all Asians would just never work,” he stated in an article for The Guardian.

What people view on-screen reinforces who they are and their sense of self, especially among adolescents. Cultural representation in movies and television plays a big role in molding what narratives society deems important. According to a UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report from 2019, “only two out of every 10 lead film actors (or 19.8 percent) were people of color in 2017.” Studies have also found that the lack of cultural representation in pop culture can affect one’s mental health and self-esteem.

Photo: Kathryn Hennessy

“Research done by psychologists has shown that seeing ourselves reflected on screen is an important part of developing a sense of ‘self.”’

Photos: Gracie Gianoukos

Despite Hollywood’s norms, the movie became a huge hit. After breaking box office records, the film went on to become the highest-grossing romantic comedy in the last decade. By defying all stereotypes, Crazy Rich Asians opened the door for representation and opened people’s minds to a new era of racially inclusive films. Another form of representation that has been experiencing a much-deserved incline are LGBTQ+ stories. Netlix’s Swedish TV show Young Royals is one of the best examples. The show successfully showecased multiple storylines with both closeted characters and those who came out. Many viewers connected with the show’s characters and finally felt seen due to the diversity in the show. According to Netflix’s social media pages, the show is currently filming its second season and fans cannot wait to see how the story unfolds. Netflix has had a history of canceling shows with LGBTQ+ representation such as Everything Sucks! which was released in 2018 only to be canceled a few months later. Yet the success of stories like these have brought Netflix to renew shows that highlight queer stories, making representation more accessible and normal for everyday viewers. There has also been an influx of representation for disabled community in the media. The recent Oscar winning movie, CODA, is a great example of this. The movie incorporates ASL into the majority of their scenes. As director, Sian Heder worked alongside many ASL masters and interpreters to make sure the ASL used was accurate, and that the deaf representation was authentic. The film also features deaf cast members such as Troy Kotsur who is the first deaf male actor to be nominated and to have won in his category. CODA and its success will pave the way for more films to hlight and feature those of the disabled community.

Photos: Shauna Gentile

While we are beginning to see an increase in representation in media, there is still more work to be done. Many films and TV shows hopefully will take after this model of representation and create media that allows people to feel seen and heard. The increase of diversity in pop culture has allowed people to see themselves reflected on screen, in pages, and just about everywhere else more and more, with still more room to fill. These stories have the power to show us who we truly are. Next time you turn on the TV, open a book or magazine, or listen to music, reflect on which characters and people you see in yourself !

“The increase of diversity in pop culture has allowed people to see themselves reflected on screen, in pages, and just about everywhere else.”

Photos: Shauna Gentile

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

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Scan to watch videographer Marysa Tuttle’s documentary on Issue 03!

Photo: Gracie Gianoukos

Photo: Shauna Gentile