Strike Magazine Saint Augustine Issue 05

STAFF LIST

EXECUTIVE

CREATIVE

Editor-in-Chief

Creative Director

Assistants to the Editor-in-Chief

Creative Assistant

Art Director

Graphic Designers

WRITING EXTERNAL

Fashion Director

Fashion Assistant

Stylists

Abby Martos

Sarah Hansen

Genevieve Lococo

Gabriella Fasciani

Maya Grant

Evita Noelle Carrasco

Lindsey Murray

Orange Farinella

Emma Kichline

Olivia Blank

Kathyrn Hennessy

Genevieve Lococo

Faith Annabelle Corneliussen

Allyson Woods

Lindsey Murray

Alexis Jade Maenza

Gabriella Fasciani

Steven Cody Jr

Piper Leistman

Digital Stylist

Kylee Cromwell

Photography Director Kathryn Hennessy

Photographers

Daisy Pflaum

Jana Klinger

Eli Alexander

Emma Chadwick

Mia Kasen

Digital Photographer

Videographers

Emmy Brutnell

Palmer Guthrie

Kathryn Hennessy

Alexis Jade Maenza

Makeup Director Keeli Scarlett

Makeup Artists

Production Director

Production Assistants

Sarah Hansen

Daniella Stevens

Alexis Jade Maenza

Maya Grant

Rafael Angel Dasilva Candelario

Sydney Preston

Copy Editor Madison Sloan

Blog Director Ainsley McCullen

Assistant Editor

Staff Writers

Faith Annabelle Corneliussen

Allyson Woods

Lindsey Murray

Alexis Jade Maenza

Gabriella Fasciani

Steven Cody Jr

Piper Leistman

Finance Director

Finance Assistant

Social Media Director

Social Media Assistant

Hunter Chen

Madison Test

Gemma Hansen

Lauren Lytle

Public Relations Director Abigail Elizabeth Simpson

Public Relations Assistants

Cameron Buttrick

Lauren Stapleton

Lilly Dietz

Marketing Assistants

Skylar Pittman

Emma Chadwick

NARCISSIST

Why I am Trying to Become a Narcissist, and You Should Too

NEPOBABY BOOM

Nepo No-Nos: How Not to Respond

FASHION ADDICT

Psychology of a Fashion Addict

“IT” GIRL

It’s Their World, and We are Just Living In It

HUSTLER

The Great War: Women in the Workforce

PRETTY GIRL

The Dark Side of Pretty Privilege

Three years and five issues later, I’m finally saying goodbye to what has been one of the most impactful experiences of my college career. I have been extremely fortunate to witness and contribute to the growth of this magazine from the very beginning. There’s something so special about working on a project from the ground up. Progress can be agonizingly slow and terrifyingly fast all at the same time, and nobody knows what they’re doing, just that it needs to be done. I’ve been privileged to work alongside some of the most passionate and talented individuals throughout my journey with Strike, and I cannot say thank you enough to the people who’ve mentored me all along the way. I couldn’t do any of this without the support of my team, everyone from Issue 01 all the way to Issue 05. I am so grateful for every triumph and every obstacle that has made my experience at Strike Magazine Saint Augustine unforgettable.

As I prepare for the next steps in my life, I am honored and excited to leave this magazine in the hands of our new Editor-in-Chief and our rising staff, who I know will continue to take Strike to new heights–to prove what it means to dream bigger than anyone else ever has before, to be limitless in a world full of limiting institutions and beliefs, and to show the world that everyone deserves a seat at the table, even sexy, confident, hustling, fashion-loving Primadonnas.

Strike has been my love letter to the world. As you flip through the following pages, I hope you feel inspired by the love, passion, and hard work that has been translated into beautiful words and stunning images. This is my final love letter to you (for now). Thank you for your endless support and for the opportunity to share my heart with you. Dream big, be limitless, be you, and Strike Out!

With love,

Abby Martos, Editor-in-Chief

Once again we did it! I couldn’t be more grateful for our amazing team who year after year gets the job done. Working with you all has been a dream, and even when it looks like it won’t get done, we pull through. This is my first and last year working with you as creative director and I couldn’t be more honored and thankful for this role within the magazine.

I started as a makeup artist on issue two and have grown by leaps and bounds since then. Having worked in four different positions in Strike, the experience opened my eyes to the many sides of production and made me appreciate each team even more. Working side by side with other directors and helping make each issue come to life has been a most rewarding opportunity because it’s not often in life you can be surrounded by so many like-minded people.

“There’s no business like show business” and having worked on issue 5, I can tell you this saying should absolutely include magazines! Putting together a magazine is a journey like no other: editing, hiring, makeup, shopping, shooting, writing, etc. When we publish and get the first copy of the magazine I can practically smell the blood, sweat, and tears on the pages, and I love it. This has been an experience I will definitely treasure and will never forget all those who worked with me and helped shape who I am today.

Our theme Primadonna Girl meant a lot to me as well as our team. What is that? Who is she? Is it a way of being? These were all things running through my head when I reflected on this concept of the Primadonna Girl. I came to the conclusion that it’s about adding a little extraness to our everyday lives. So stop living simply and be extra! Be extra in your fashion, voice, dreams, and goals. So when you find what you want, go for it and be bold.

So while this is a hello, it’s also a bittersweet goodbye. My time as creative director has been short, but so lifechanging and monumental. I wish for everyone who reads this to be inspired and live a life with zest! Dream big, live large, and channel the energy of a Primadonna girl.

With Gratitude, Sarah Hansen Creative Director

1. What’s your go-to drink?

a. Spicy margs

b. Espresso martini

c. Cosmopolitan

d. Champagne

e. Old Fashioned

f. Lemon drop martini

2. Who’s your fashion icon?

a. Kate Moss

b. Julia Fox

c. Princess Diana

d. Paris Hilton

e. Iris Apfel

f. Kim Kardashian

3. How would you describe your style?

a. Elegant

b. Preppy

c. Eccentric

d. Comfortable

e. Sexy

f. Trendy

4. What’s your favorite aesthetic?

a. Baddie

b. Barbiecore

c. Light academia

d. Model off-duty

e. Glam girl

f. Camp

5. Which iconic female lead do you relate to most?

a. Rory Gilmore

b. Serena Vanderwoodsen

c. Elle Woods

d. Emily Cooper

e. Samantha Jones

f. Catwoman

6. What’s your dream travel destination?

a. Italy

b. Dubai

c. Tokyo

d. Greece

e. Paris

f. Switzerland

7. What’s your zodiac sign?

a. Capricorn, Aries

b. Leo, Sagittarius

c. Virgo, Pisces

d. Cancer, Taurus

e. Aquarius, Gemini

f. Libra, Scorpio

8. Pick an activity:

a.Visit an art museum

b. Hit the club

c. Attend a fashion show

d. Have a self-care day

e. Go on a shopping spree

f. Take a boxing class

9. Choose your favorite fashion brand:

a. Blumarine

b. Ralph Lauren

c. Miu Miu

d. Versace

e. Mugler

f. Loewe

10. Finally, choose your favorite song:

a. Her - Meghan Thee Stallion

b. Perfect Day - Hoku

c. Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean

d. Cool Girl - Tove Lo

e. When I Grow Up - Pussy Cat Dolls

f. Vogue - Madonna

NARC

ISSIST

Talent Dominicque Bruno-Pacella

Design Orange Farinella Photography Kathryn Hennessy Daisy Pflaum

TAKE RISKS

What if a little sprinkle of a false sense of superiority is exactly what you need?

NARCISSIST

VIEW FAILURE AS A MOTIVATOR INSTEAD OF A SETBACK

Why I Am Trying to Become a Narcissist, and You Should Too

By Indigo Carter

If you’ve known a narcissist, chances are that you were subjected to some serious negative experiences as a result of their narcissism. Like anything, narcissism works on a spectrum, and an excess of it will lead to some unwanted personality defects. But, what if healthy levels of narcissism are a good thing? What if a little sprinkle of a false sense of superiority is exactly what you need?

I asked my friends their initial thoughts on narcissism, and how they feel about the word. “I can pull up my dad’s Facebook profile to give you a good sense of Narcissism,” and “If you wanna learn about narcissism, you should meet my ex,” they said as they rolled their eyes. Clearly, most people don’t think of a narcissistic person with joy in their heart, because there are serious negative traits to narcissism, like an excess of entitlement. Still, there must be a reason that people with Narcissistic Personality Disorder are more likely to be successful in their careers, bagging promotions and becoming CEOs. They have the courage to take risks and view failure as a motivator instead of a setback. Maybe, their false sense of superiority, in some cases, is actually making them superior.

A healthy narcissist is someone who can reign in their grandiose personality traits, and use them to benefit their lives and others, instead of using it as a manipulation tactic. They are confident and capable of handling failures without being susceptible to the damaging qualities that an excess of narcissism can lead to.

This is who I want to be. The question is, how does one transform from an insecure person into an independent, happy, and healthy narcissist? If self-love is a gift that keeps on giving, how do I get on the gift registry? These questions lead me wanting to experiment with becoming narcissistic, after all, I won’t recommend something I haven’t tried. I began researching and was able to compile three main traits that I believe define healthy narcissism.

Trait Number One: Focus on how you feel on the inside, not how you look on the outside.

I admit, I had problems with this one. Already on step number one, I was struggling. But as a woman in modern-day society, a lot of pressure surrounds looking good. An emphasis is put on appearance with the rise of social media and perfectly filtered flawless

skin on the trending page. I tend to notice if my mascara is smudged before noticing that I haven’t drank water all day. Although tending to your physical appearance is an important thing, it’s definitely not healthy to obsess over it and prioritize it to the point of neglecting your mental health.

With this in mind, I tried to start focusing on how I felt rather than how I looked. I started simple, making sure I was hydrated and sleeping enough to have substantial energy throughout my day. As I started to feel better from these quick changes, I noticed it was easier to implement other attributes. I became more in tune with my emotions, as I decided to check in with myself more. I like to journal, but something as simple as verbal affirmations or a rant in the Notes App would work. Starting a conversation with myself felt like getting to know myself all over again. I figured out things I had always been meaning to do, but never got around to. I bought a planting starter kit to learn how to grow my own herbs. I was learning that self love goes beyond skin care and physical appearance. It felt good and so I felt ready for the next step.

Trait Number Two: Don’t Let Your Imperfections Make You Stop Liking Yourself.

An unhealthy narcissist is only satisfied when they feel they have reached perfection. They want to see themselves as superior to others, and cannot feel satisfied if they don’t. A healthy version of this trait is to accept your cons and not let them distract you from your pros. Personally, it can be difficult to stay away from self doubt, especially after failing or experiencing a setback. But I believe the best way to combat this negativity is to keep up a positive conversation with yourself. If becoming the best version of yourself means trying out some verbal or value affirmations, why not? A healthy narcissist accepts themselves for who they are, including all strengths and weaknesses, they love themselves and extend that acceptance to others. And though falling in love with yourself is a difficult and seemingly impossible task to some, it is very possible to those willing to expand their mindset and try out new things. It all starts with learning to accept the things you cannot change about yourself, and the willingness to work on the things you can.

Trait Number Three: Extend That Hyper Acceptance to Everyone

An unhealthy Narcissist is going to be extremely self

occupied, only caring about themselves. They treat themselves well, amazing even, but neglect the needs and feelings of those around them. A large part of mental health is dictated by your environment- who you surround yourself with.

Treating those around you with love and kindness raises your personal vibration and energy. In that sense, spoiling your loved ones and friends with affection can be narcissistic- meaning that you gain personal benefit from doing it. But, so do they. Everyone is happy and you are creating beautiful connections through fully accepting and appreciating those around you.

Acceptance comes from empathy, something that extremely unhealthy narcissists lack. Empathy is the ability to understand others feelings and relate to them. There are strategies to gain empathy, like stepping out of your comfort zone to gain curiosity or joining a shared cause. A healthy narcissist understands and learns about themselves deeply through their acceptance, care, and empathy for others.

Confidence can be a life changer. The chance to build it up, and experiment with becoming a healthy narcissist, is a privilege. The ability to improve oneself at their own will is something that not everybody gets to experience, whether it be because of a lack of exposure or unfortunate circumstances.

Everyone who has the chance should consider looking into themselves, and finding where adapting some traits of narcissism could work in their favor. Self love is all the rage now, and I’ve always loved following a good trend.

BABY NEPO NEPO BABY

NEPO NO-NO’S HOW NOT TO RESPOND

By Maya Kayyal

We’ve all heard the different takes surrounding the nepotism epidemic. Some despise it while others applaud it. It seems that every day, a new child of nepotism, labeled ‘nepo-baby’ by the media and public, uses the spotlight to share why they believe they are above complaints of nepotism, spreading the same excuses thousands before them have worn to the bone. Of course, children cannot help who their parents are, but they certainly can do their best to recognize their privilege and help give opportunities to other talented performers attempting to make it on their own.

The amount of complaints against nepo-babies has skyrocketed along with the surface level responses to them. What many celebrities are missing, however, is that the public (generally) is not complaining about their parentage, but rather their ignorance to the amount of opportunities nepo-babies have been handed since their births. Many actors with actor parents share agents or perform in their filmmaker parents’ movies, and musician nepo-babies are offered record deals from the same label as their parents. A surprising number of SNL writers have also been the nepo-offspring of other writers. These are opportunities that would not be offered to a person without such connections. In all industries, nepotism erases authenticity, reduces diversity, and lowers quality performance rates. A talented performer without the same opportunities as a child of nepotism can only make it so far in today’s Hollywood.

Some celebrities try to cover up their nepotism, while others wear it with pride. Hailey Bieber, daughter of actor Stephen Baldwinm, caused quite a stir in the media for her questionable choice to flaunt her status. She was seen sporting a white crop-top with two bold words stamped across the front - ‘Nepo Baby’. This is an example of an ignorant response to very real concerns about the dangers of nepotism, as she is romanticizing privilege and using it as an excuse to brag.

Lily Rose Depp, daughter of actor Johnny Depp and singer/model Vanessa Paradis, as well as Maude Apatow, daughter of actor Leslie Mann and comedian Judd Apatow, have both made some questionable comments when it comes to their nepotism status. In an interview with Elle Magazine, Depp stated, “People are going to have preconceived ideas about you or how you got there, and I can definitely say that nothing is going to get you the part

except for being right for the part.” Was Chanel right for the part in her first acting cameo at 14-years-old or was the opportunity handed to her because of her parents’ connections in the industry? Would she have been chosen as an ambassador for Chanel at 16 if her mother wasn’t a famous model? I think we can all agree that nothing is going to get you the part except for parent’s success.

Apatow stated in 2020 in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that she has “acted in so many of my parents’ movies, and people are going to say it’s nepotism. I mean, it’s not even an insult- well, it is an insult, but it is what it is. I’m gonna spend my whole life trying to prove myself as an individual, and that’s a chip on my shoulder.”

Apatow is a talented actor, but the issues with this statement are endless. People are going to say acting in a parent’s movie is nepotism because that’s exactly what it is. While it must be a lot of pressure for Apatow to be constantly proving herself because of her parents’ fame, it is a whole lot more difficult for someone else to get to her position without the plethora of cash and connections her parents provide her, and that’s a real “chip on the shoulder.”

In contrast, other nepo-babies acknowledge the platform they’ve been given and try their best to use it for good. Actor and director Destry Spielberg, daughter of director Steven Spielberg and actor Kate Capshaw, is a great example of this. In response to nepotism backlash, she tweeted, “I acknowledge that I was born with privilege! I own that through and through! I make it my mission to bring new talent into the industry [and] give opportunities to artists of all backgrounds. No one should be left out because of the connections they don’t have.”

Maya Hawke, daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, also recognizes the opportunities she’s received as a result of her parentage. She told People that “I’m very grateful for the fact that [my parents] made it so easy for me to do the thing that I love. I think I’ll get a couple chances on their name and then if I suck, I’ll get kicked out of the kingdom. ... And that’s what should happen. So I’m just going to try not to suck.” Hawke not only recognizes her privilege, but uses it as motivation to continue working hard at what she does rather than relying on her parents’ names (and succeeds).

Nepotism is unavoidable in all industries. CEOs will always promote their children, actors will always lend their children use of their agents, and diehard fans will always turn their heads away from the ignorance of their idols. What can change how nepo-babies use their given platform and their response to criticism? If nepos in the industry heard the criticisms made against them rather than immediately responding defensively, a lot of good could come of it.

Now entering the chat: Artificial Intelligence

By Madison Sloan

The Pope and Balenciaga crossover was not how any of us envisioned 2023 going. But a recent photo of Pope Francis wearing a trendy, white puffer jacket circulated on social media, capturing the attention of everyone who scrolled past the peculiar image.

Don’t worry, you weren’t the only one who believed the picture of Pope Francis was real. “Does the Pope have a stylist?” and “Is his new look inspired by Rihanna’s half time show” were just two of the questions circulating the media after the photo went viral. Even celebrities went online to express their surprise. “I thought the pope’s puffer jacket was real and didn’t give it a second thought,” Chrissy Teigen tweeted. “No way am I surviving the future of technology.”

Most users couldn’t believe the photo was real. And it wasn’t. The image that broke the internet was created by the AI art tool Midjourney. But why is this fashionable photo of the Pope important and what does this mean for the future of Artificial Intelligence in the fashion industry?

From virtual try-on apps to computer generated runway shows and models, AI technology is advancing at a far greater rate than we could have ever imagined. Although many people see AI as a way to personalize the customer experience and reduce marketing costs, others fear this new technology will take creativity out of fashion.

Innovative denim brand G-Star RAW is choosing to see the advantages of AI in the creative process with their new piece of denim couture. To create their “AI Denim Cape,” G-Star’s design team worked hand-in-hand with Artificial Intelligence app Midjourney to come up with 12 unique designs by using a series of prompts.

The team then chose one of the AI-generated designs to be made a reality. Crafted out of premium raw denim with futuristic shapes, an adjustable waistband and detailed stitching, the AI Denim Cape uses new technology to replicate the brand’s aesthetic, bridging the gap between fashion and technological innovations. “Innovation is ingrained in the G-Star DNA.We believe

in giving our fashion designers the freedom to bring their dreams through AI,” said Gwenda van Vliet, CMO of G-Star RAW. “While anyone could make a design using AI, at G-Star RAW, we have the craftsmanship to make those designs into real garments. We should see AI as enhancing the creative process, rather than taking it over.”

The AI Denim Cape will be showcased at the G-Star RAW Antwerp store, as the world’s first garment designed by Artificial Intelligence and crafted in the real world.

While other brands are using AI tools to boost creativity, the famous denim brand Levi’s announced they will be partnering with Lalaland.ai, an AI studio that creates hyper-realistic digital models, to “supplement human models” and increase the “number and diversity of our models.” However, shouldn’t a multibillion-dollar industry be able to pay actual models of different sizes and races to boost diversity?

Currently, Levi’s’ website displays one model per clothing item and usually leaves out the size the model is wearing. If other brands, like Universal Standard, can show how garments fit on models ranging from a size 0 to 36, then why can’t Levi’s follow in their footsteps? Despite Levi’s’ controversial use of Artificial Intelligence, other brands have shifted towards using virtual 3D models in their marketing campaigns.

Whether it’s an altered photo of a celebrity or the use of virtual models, Artificial Intelligence has clearly taken over the realm of fashion. So it is time to make some room, because AI technology isn’t going anywhere.

Makeup Keeli Scarlet Sarah Hansen

Production Alexis Maenza Maya Grant

Fashion

Genevieve Lococo

Allyson Woods

Steven Cody Jr.

Piper Leistman

Faith Annabelle

Talent Olivia Pagliuca

Design Evita Carrasco

Photography Kathryn Hennessy Mia Kasen

By Emma Brutnell

In a world of fashion, your inner confidence should always be on fire. If you feel good in that outfit then you accomplished the fashion secret, the fashion goal. Once you achieve that secret, then you will be fully immersed into the world of fashion and will forever be labeled as an addict. However, on the downside, society depicts those obsessed with their clothing as self-absorbed, only caring about their unrealistic “hobby.” But there’s more to a fashion addict than the color of her shoes.

Let’s face it, deep down we all strive to be as glamorous and eccentric as Iris Apfel. So what if I told you there’s a psychological formula you could follow to achieve the fashion addict status? When digging into the brain of a fashion addict, there are several secrets beyond their fabulous wardrobe and accessories.

Fashion addiction secret number one is all about brands. According to Medill Reports Chicago, a fashion addiction is “A psychological state that entails an emotional attachment to a particular brand, driven by compulsive urges that generally provide pleasure.” Mona Mrad, Assistant Professor of marketing at the American University of Sharjah came up with this idea that brand obsession is fueled by the feeling of being pleased and comfortable with just one brand. By wearing those Gucci sunglasses, you get the feeling of comfort, just because they are Gucci. The psychological state of being attached to one brand brings a sense of comfortableness. Being a fashion addict can simply entail that one brand makes your body float. Following the brands social media, their websites, and keeping an eye on sales gives you the ability to search more for fashion and soon you become addicted.

Secret number two considers the clothes themselves. People all over the world tend to wear certain clothes based on how they think and feel. Soon, you’ll feel powerful by knowing you are happy in an outfit. The Journal of Experimental Psychology states, “The color, comfort, fit and style of our clothes can directly

affect our confidence levels. More than 96% of people report a change in their emotional state with a change in their style of dressing.” In this study, it was found that colors have a major impact on mood. For instance, by wearing the color white, you may feel calm and focused. What people wear everyday influences their mood positively, and even in a negative way. However, it’s important to remember clothes can’t define you, you define your clothes.

The third secret to a fashion addict is pain may have to be worth it. In the world of fashion, high heels are a symbol of confidence. While wearing heels, you may feel like you are the only girl in the world as you become numb to the blisters. Women are willing to sacrifice their pain in order to look their best, which highlights a contrast between gender roles in fashion. While women hide their pain behind makeup and jewelry, men are known to dress more comfortably because of their gender. According to the research paper, These Boots Weren’t Made for

Walking: Gendered Discrepancies in Wearing

Painful, Restricting, or Distracting Clothing, the biggest differences were the gender contrasts in shoe comfort, as women were up to ten times more likely to wear painful footwear. Up to 55% of women, but only up to 12% of men, said they’d worn clothing that left “red marks or welts” on their bodies. This secret of “beauty is pain” is complex based on your vanity. How much pain are you willing to take to feel power from heels? As you connect your emotions to your style, you

become unstoppable and numb to the blisters.

The last secret to being a fashion addict entails having a role model, an influencer that you dream of becoming or a designer you strive to dress like. As you start to follow a specific celebrity, you are more open to new styles and you learn the new trends. The media as a whole has a grip on fashion trends, but what matters is what you do with that trend. Do you make it your own or do you follow the trend completely? For example, an article called Influencer Hunter expands on the idea of looking up to an influencer and examines the psychology behind it by explaining that “This is what influencer marketing is built on: our tendency to trust the people we put on a pedestal. People who follow influencers value their opinions because they look up to them.” As we watch our favorite influencer brag about brands, we are more accustomed to the ability to trust them. As an influencer boasts about a certain shirt, we all want that shirt and immediately go to the brand’s website before it’s sold out. This is what we call the “Halo Effect”. The halo effect is our tendency to allow our positive feelings of a person, brand, or product positively influence our feelings about them in another area.

Despite society’s critiques, fashion addicts are as powerful and confident as their clothes. And what we wear says a lot about our psyche. Bold personalities are displayed through red dresses and a matching red lip. Happy souls live in bathing suits paired with the perfect dad hat. Hopeless romantics live their fantasies while wearing a white wedding dress. Secrets are what people desire the most of (other than a good sense of style). And it all comes down to psychology, so don’t let anyone tell you can’t have beauty and brains!

Makeup

Keeli Scarlet Daniella Stevens

Production Alexis Maenza Maya Grant

Fashion

Genevieve Lococo

Faith Annabelle

Corneliussen

Gabriella Fasciani

Lindsey Murray

Alexis Maenza

Talent

Tianna Gaddis

Design Oliva Blank Photography Kathryn Hennessy Eli Alexander

By Piper Leistman

From Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana to Zendaya and Gigi Hadid, every generation has a woman whose beauty and style charms society. Whether it’s because of what they wear or because of the occasional, scandalous headline that follows them, these “It” girls are constantly in the spotlight, becoming the muses of their decade.

But what exactly is an “It” girl? The term was coined in the early 20th century by the upper-class in England. They viewed social women who had sex appeal, as well as beauty and charisma, as the “It” girl. She was someone who knew everyone and everyone knew her, but only in the best light despite the controversies that might surround them.

Throughout generations, our idea of a woman having it all together has changed drastically. In the ‘50s, it was a woman who had a loving husband with a good paying job. Her kids were straight-A students, and she had a great book club. When transitioning to the ‘70s, it was a feminist woman who had sleek straight hair, long perfect legs, and a mysterious vibe about her. But what about now?

In September of 2022, Nylon magazine curated a whole issue on what it means to be an “It” girl. They open their article by defining an “It” girl as “a powerful character who trancedes the boundaries of time, space, and social class to become a larger than life figure - or simply one with very good taste.” Nylon also goes on to add that everyone’s definition of an “It” girl is truly different and unique to their own style and taste. Someone who worships the rap and R&B genres may see Megan Thee Stallion or Rhianna as their “It” girl while others who listen to country music may idolize Kacey Musgraves or Carrie Underwood. It’s all relative depending on who you ask.

IT’s their world, and we are just living in it

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Unlike in the past, becoming an “It” girl in 2023 is as easy as opening your phone and posting a fashion haul on TikTok, anyone can do it. The digital era has opened the door for anyone wanting to become the next big icon, making it a lot harder to remain in the spotlight. Recently, actresses such as Madelyn Cline and Sydney Sweeny have dominated the Hollywood game with hit TV shows and movies. However, there’s more to the “It” girl formula than having a successful career.

The modern Marilyn Monroe has to not only capture the attention of the paparazzi, but also steal the hearts of their followers on social media. Although Florence Pugh’s career, style, and relatable personality have made her an icon for today’s generation, her cooking livestreams and social media presence helped to further her “It” girl status. TikTok stars, such as Alix Earle and Addison Rae, have been able to use the platform to launch them into the spotlight and help them take control of current trends. What is a trendy aesthetic without the “It” girls behind them? Today on social media, we have trends like “The Clean Girl” and “The Granola Girl” aesthetics that embody different versions of what’s in trend for women now.

“It” girls are trailblazers for these aesthetics, taking over your Pinterest and FYP the second you show interest. “The Clean Girl” aesthetic has taken over with models and influencers wearing minimal natural makeup

and keeping a light and airy color palette. “The Granola Girl” aesthetic has created a movement of tote bags, birkenstocks, funky patterns and green palettes. You can find an “It” girl in any aesthetic you see, showing you product recommendations and “get ready with me videos.” They help show you what to wear and how to wear it so you can follow in their footsteps.

Now that you know what an “It” girl is, you may want to see what you can do to steal the spotlight. When Googling “How to be an ‘It’ Girl,” there are step-bystep instructions that are “guaranteed to make heads turn” and to “make you the most envied girl around.” Hot girls express themselves, they’re not afraid to be who they are and let their true selves shine, and an “It” girl does just that. Bringing something to the table we haven’t seen yet is another big step that you need to take to make the spotlight yours. Being unique and creative, not holding back, and having a fun and charismatic vibe are essential. “It” girls don’t give a shit, so neither should you.

So, with this in mind- be your own kind of “It” girl that starts new trends, isn’t afraid to say what is on their mind, and wears something that might not be exactly in style. And like I said before, everyone’s definition and vision of the perfect “It” girl is different. As long as you make it your own and are true to yourself, who cares?

HUSTLER HUSTLER HUSTLER HUSTLER HUSTLER HUSTLER HUSTLER

The Great War: Women in the Workforce

By Lauren Lytle

There is an established picture of the perfect corporate woman tailored, striking pantsuit, styled hair, and flawless makeup. These are the characteristics one thinks of when picturing a woman running a business- no signs of stress or disarray, composed. A defining trait of corporate women is how they put their business above everything else, prioritizing it over starting a family, getting married, or taking frequent vacations. However, a working woman can be something else entirely.

When we imagine the picture-perfect girlboss, our minds usually go straight to women in the corporate world, business owners and trailblazers. But what if I told you a woman can be a hustler without having to become the CEO of the next biggest tech start-up? You might be appalled to call a stripper a girlboss. “That’s not an actual job” or “why on Earth would someone do that” you might say. However, their hustle isn’t any less impressive just because their closet isn’t full of suits and briefcases.

And oftentimes, they are using the money they make from stripping to invest in their girlboss goals. Take Cardi B for example. Before she became a popular rapper, she

started stripping as a young adult for over three years and is now one of the highest earning rap stars. Or what about Lady Gaga who stripped at night to afford school at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts? Today, we would consider these celebrities hustlers, but before they reached fame, they would not have been given the same respect.

Society’s perception of what a corporate woman should look like compared to the realistic picture of the typical, working woman is vastly different. Despite the stereotypes of women putting their careers above family, a working woman can also be someone who juggles marriage, children, and a career. If a woman is mother on top of a girlboss, society might perceive them as tired, disordered, and barely managing their work life amongst all her priorities outside of it. On the surface, this working woman may not appear to not stand out in a business, as they are seen as just another average worker, one who will not make any big impact in the workforce. Some working women may be perceived as cold yet driven while others are seen as affectionate yet messy. However, comparing working women creates a toxic environment where they are constantly being pitted against each other.

Since women have had to fight their way to the top, clawing and scratching for any opportunity they can grasp, society is always pinning women against each other in the work environment. When looking at the differences in working women, society has to realize that they pursue different careers for various reasons, based on their own beliefs and desires. We don’t consider this when we force women to compete and tear each other

down selfishly to succeed and be on top. Instead, we should be applauding every woman who enters and succeeds in the workforce and representing all women as a whole who want to have the chance to be seen as strong and career oriented just like men. Rather than creating a cutthroat atmosphere for women to see other women fail in the workplace, we should be creating the possibility that two women might help each other to reach both of their goals. Men have a “boys club” so why can’t women have a “girls club?”

Along with the challenge of women feeling like they have overpower other women, there are other obstacles women face in the workplace. One of the most well known challenges is the fight for equal pay. More and more women have taken their place in business over the past century, so one would think equal pay wouldn’t be an issue anymore. But it is. Men are constantly arguing that the pay gap is this unrealistic thing women have created in their imaginations. However, men also love to ignore the statistics in their efforts to belittle women. This past year on average women earned 82% of what men earned. Employers view women differently because of the choices they tend to make between balancing work and family.

While a man can actually see an increase in their pay solely for being a working father.

There will also always be the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, and as much as we fight for change, men like Harvey Weinstein will always exist. However, with the recent rise of the #MeToo movement, more people have become aware and vocal of what they’ve experienced as working women. Once sexually harassed at work, the victim can be forced to change jobs, have limited job opportunities, face unemployment, or never advance higher than their level in the field out of fear of being sexually harassed more.

As you can see, there’s a lot that comes into play in a woman taking part in the workplace. What role are they going to play? Are they going to rise to a higher position or remain in one role for the entirety of their career? Are they going to juggle work while they start a family? Are they going to create change? Are they going to remain to succeed? Clearly this is not something a woman can ever prepare for. There are always textbook statistics and word of mouth reports, but it isn’t until a woman is faced with the challenges in the work field that can determine if it will make or break her.

Makeup Keeli Scarlet Production Alexis Maenza Angel Candelario

Fashion

Genevieve Lococo

Faith Annabelle

Corneliussen

Allyson Woods

Talent Hannah Walls

Tyler James Olson Ariel Priya Affan

Design Lindsey Murray

Photography Kathryn Hennessy

The

by A i nsley M c C u llen

Every woman knows the feeling of being objectified simply due to the fact that it happens to us daily, no matter where we go or what we wear. It’s everywhere and it can be as normalized as a man “sliding right by you” and grazing his hand against your lower back or telling you to smile more. The terrifying part is women nowadays are so used to this treatment we don’t even bat an eye as we walk down the streets with men slinging words at us like bullets. From a young age, girls start to feel the effects of objectification. At fifteen years old, you’re still a child, barely into highschool. However, men don’t stop and ask for your ID to verify your age before catcalling you. Before I truly understood the dark side of pretty privilege, I remember being 15-years-old working at a local restaurant and having grown

men lean over the host stand to ask me way too personal questions or tell me they liked my shorts. I’ve been catcalled and stared at and told I’m “stunningly gorgeous” as if the man is doing me a favor. Friends of mine have had coworkers comment on their bodies as if it’s as normal as a greeting. Whether society wants to admit it or not, every woman out there has a story to share. Men ask women out repeatedly, not giving up until they say yes. They form ideas of you in their head, manipulating you to the point you start to believe them. And when they refuse to acknowledge reality and admit to the horrors of objectification, they find a way to make it your fault. The media is even worse, plastering images of women’s bodies on the covers of magazines, pointing out every conceivable flaw. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, makeup ads, and possibly every perfume ad, are all famous for notoriously over sexualizing women. Women are objectified constantly, being belittled to nothing but our appearances. Girls who are pretty are praised and valued, so we are told to focus on our appearance and that looks are what’s most important. We are meant to believe fashion and beauty are the pinnacles of womanhood; yet, the women who care most about appearances, fashion, and beauty are considered vapid, attention-seeking, and asking to be objectified. When women put time and effort into their looks, we’re asked what boy we’re all dolled up for. When we spend an hour doing our hair or our makeup, we’re “trying too hard” and we “should really just be natural,” but when we don’t we’re

“lazy” and “letting ourselves go.” The formula for the “perfect woman” is impossible to achieve. We can’t show too much skin or else we’re a slut, and we can’t cover up too much because then we’re a prude. No matter what we do, we’re always going to be seen as nothing but objects. We find solace and escape from these cruel assumptions in each other and the bonds of womanhood. We do each other’s makeup and support each other’s goals at the same time. The camaraderie and love created through sisterhood is unbreakable. The shared experiences of misogyny and objectification give a sense of comfort in knowing we are not alone because we know what we’re capable of doing, and we know that there’s no harm in looking hot while doing it. Feeling seen as more than just face value is like no other. Being known as someone complex and unique even though you watch for trends and do your makeup every morning is irreplaceable. We can work in fashion or beauty and still be intelligent and capable. In contrast, we can work in science and business and still be interested in fashion or beauty. The rules of womanhood are not one-sided. Girls are so much more than what lies on the surface. We have dreams and aspirations that are just as real as men’s. We can be whatever we want, and we can look good doing it. Remember, just because we’re pretty, doesn’t mean that’s all we are.

girls girls girls girls girls girls

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Perfume:

For our Editor-in-Chief, the perfect perfume is just as essential to any outfit as your shoes or pants, if not the most important part. And her go-to scent is none other than Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel. As the second best-selling perfume from the house of Chanel, this scent features a base of jasmine, white lily and wood spices with notes of energizing orange. If you are looking to embrace your inner Coco

“I’m a person who’s obsessed with scents and how they make you feel. Scents can make you feel powerful, playful, confident, etc. Coco Mademoiselle makes me feel young, elegant, and feminine, which really compliments my style mood at the Rare Beauty’s liquid formula is nothing but devine. Don’t believe us? Ask the 1.5 million Sephora shoppers who have liked the product on the store’s website. The highly-pigmented formula blends perfectly into the skin, and the best part is you don’t have to use a lot of the product to complete your flushed look. All you need is

“I feel like blush elevates every look. I am not even good at makeup, but this blush is everything. It makes your everyday makeup glow, it’s so dewy.”

- Sydney Preston, Production Assistant

You don’t have to be a dancer to rock a pair of classic ballet flats. So, step up your 2023 shoe game by putting on your favorite pair of flats. Recently, these nostalgic shoes have been making their way back into our closets, and our fashion director

“Ballet flats can be casual yet still dressy at the same time! They also go with literally

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask:

There is nothing we hate more than chapped lips. But don’t worry, we have the perfect solution to help you moisturize- the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. From the Korean beauty brand Laneige, this product went viral on the internet, with several A-list celebrities showing their love for the lip mask. If you can get your hands on this product before it sells out, then you won’t be disappointed. To get rid of chapped lips, just apply the mask on before bed, or any time of the day, and let the formula sink in.

“I love how silky it applies onto your lips, and it’s so hydrating and smells divine. The best thing about this product is that it doesn’t require a lot to use, so it lasts you forever.”

- Abby Martos, EIC

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Illustration by Evita Carrasco