Style on the Hill: Vol.5 by Style on the Hill

STYLE ON THE HILL Minimalism

Fall 2016

Vol. 5

styleonthehill.com

Style on the Hill would like to thank Professor Carol Holstead for her encouragement and advising, and Heather Lawrenz for her professional support.

styleonthehill.com

Table of Contents Lifestyle Food & Drink

Holiday Spirits Which Lawrence Bar Are You?

Fitness

College Conditioning: Tabata Edition

Sex & Relationships Married with Children: The New College Try Is Sex Just Sex?

8 10 14 11 12

Culture Art

Gender Inclusive Housing at the University of Kansas

Haute Holiday Beauty Looks

Technology

Campus Architecture 2.0 Contemporary Pop Art on Decorative Laptop Covers

18 22

Music

Tunes on the Hill

Features

Minimalism: A Reprieve from the Madness Maximizing a Minimalist Closet An Unforgettable Silence

28 31 38

Style Trends

The Thigh is the Limit Getting the Most out of Mass

Fashion

Christmas Lights Mega(logo)mania

41 52 styleonthehill.com

Meet the Staff FAll2016

Mary Ann Omoscharka Maggie Russell Logan Gossett Darby VanHoutan Beau Weber Emma Creighton Elias Medici Ellie Milton Georgia Hickam Justin Hermstedt

Jaden Nussbaum Nick Purcell Natalie Gibson Rebekah Swank Sydnie Germany Maria Rodriguez Rebekah Swank Imani Jacobs Allison Elllis Haley Regan

styleonthehill.com

˙ EDITOR’S LETTER

Photography by Emma Creighton

Fall 2016

The first day I set foot on the University of Kansas’ campus, I was surprised by the distinct and omni-present expression of unity and loyalty to the school. Sports apparel in crimson and blue colors as well as the iconic Jayhawk were a significant part of every student’s outfit. That was something I was not entirely used to seeing in my home country, the Czech Republic. As the semester passed by, I noticed this was not just a one week “school has started” pride matter. It was the heart-rending reality. Lack of individualism and originality, barely any sense of style whatsoever. I refused to believe that young people at the University of Kansas are blank pages of paper with no personal character and expression skills. I didn’t see students when walking to class; I saw masses of crimson and blue oversized t-shirts. Because as British designer and fashion rebel John Galliano said, “I prefer bad taste to no taste.” By all means, there is always an exception to the rule. When I first got involved with the Style on the Hill magazine as a writer, and eventually became the editor-in-chief, I finally felt like I had the opportunity to make a greater impact on the campus’s aesthetic. I met a team of amazing people, who cared about fashion and lifestyle as much as I did, and together we could express our distinct creative visions in an effort to revitalize the magazine’s image on campus and produce a publication that was going to provide effortless education and entertainment. In other words, we put together a number of stories and fashion

editorials so that KU students could be exposed to an alternative to their idle pajamas or yoga pants. The theme of Style on the Hill’s Fall 2016 issue is minimalism. In a world ruled by highly consumerist societies, this movement is here to say “You can be happy with less.” From minimalistic living to minimalistic dressing and accessorizing, you will find inspiration in clean compositions and straightforward images that will bring you inner peace and hopefully a hint of motivation to take a moment and think of a way you could incorporate this “trend” into your lifestyle. I, myself, am no minimalist, which can be easily proven by my collection of biker jackets and Chuck Taylors. Yet, I am learning to count to ten before I make an impulsive purchase that would barely fit in my closet anyway. If you assume that the outfit you choose to wear in the morning makes no difference, you are simply mistaken. First impressions are key, especially for university students, who have begun the journey of searching for unique, life-long opportunities. You never know who you will run into. It might be an encouraging mentor, your future employer or predestined soulmate. Dress for it. Work it. Rock it. We really hope you will enjoy reading the new issue of the Style on the Hill magazine as much as we enjoyed creating it. Jayhawks, this one is for you. Stay fabulous. - Mary Ann O.

styleonthehill.com

pg. 18

Campus Architecture 2.0

styleonthehill.com

Holiday Spirits Words by Mary Ann Omoscharka Images by Maggie Russell

Sure, wine can be good and convenient but why not show off your yet unexplored bartending skills by mixing some tasty drinks? We bet you had at least one “to learn something new” New Year’s resolution anyway.

As the holiday season comes knocking on our doors, plans on how to spend the last days of 2016 with our friends and family become the most frequently discussed topic around the table. The celebratory atmosphere combined with the cold weather and overcrowded malls leaves us with a natural desire to stay at home with our loved ones while watching Love Actually, or put on our dancing shoes and throw a party with everyone we have even known. Either way, there is one thing you most definitely need to top the evening:Cocktails.

Since piña coladas are so last season, we experimented and put together three relatively effortless cocktail recipes that every classy, legally drinking individual (duh?!) will appreciate. Remember, it’s all about the journey!

styleonthehill.com

A Holly Jolly Toddy Who doesn’t like an aromatic, hot beverage during a snowy night? 1.5 oz. Bourbon 2 oz. Apple Cider 0.5 oz. Lemon Juice A pinch of cinnamon Mix the bourbon, apple cider and lemon juice, then warm up on a stove top and pour in a glass or mug. Sprinkle the top with a hint of cinnamon.

Fräulein M.

All you need is love! Well, that and Jägermeister. 2 oz. Jägermeister 1.5 oz. Orange Juice 0.5 oz. Lemon Juice 0.5 oz. maple syrup Shake all ingredients together with ice and strain in a rocks glass with more new ice. Add an apple slice as a garnish.

Santa’s Medicine A drink for the brave and bold gourmets among us. 1.5 oz. Dark Rum 2 oz. Chocolate Stout 0.5 Maple Syrup 1 Egg White Shake all ingredients together without ice. Then, add ice and shake again. Strain liquid into a stemmed cocktail glass. You should see a delicate white foam rising on the surface of the cocktail.

styleonthehill.com

Entertainment

WHICH LAWRENCE BAR ARE YOU? Graphic by Georgia Hickam

Words by Georgia Hickam, Rebecca Swank

It’s Saturday night. Who are you hanging out with? I’m meeting up with a bunch of people

My besties, obviously.

One of your friends doesn’t have an ID. What do you do?

I only wanna be with my friends.

All my friends have IDs.

How hard are you willing to throw your ass in a circle?

Do you like big crowds or small groups?

The only convo I wanna have is across a bathroom stall.

Pass back and hope for the best. My ass will stay in place.

Hard AF

THE HAWK

THE BULL

THE WHEEL

THE CAVE

You’re a Freshman at heart. For you, nothing will ever beat gettin’ down n’ dirty in the Boom Boom Room.

You’re a social chameleon.You like a chill atmosphere, and gallons of alc. but you can also dance and drink along with the best of them.

Hope you brought some spare change, because you’re gonna be choosing songs on the juke box and crackin open PBR all night.

You’re single and ready to mingle. Sip those frozen margs and dance!

styleonthehill.com

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN The New College Try

Words and photography by Georgia Hickam

Think of the average college student. They go to class. They involve themselves with various on-campus clubs and activities. They study all week so that on the weekends they can go out with their friends, have fun, and let loose from the stress. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Married students have a highly diverse college experience, going through a much different phase in their lives. To learn more about what it’s like, I talked to my friend, Rachel. She and her husband, Alex, went to highschool together in Topeka, Kansas and graduated in 2014. The 21-year-olds were married this past summer and just had their first child, Kensington. Q. Are you and your spouse currently in school? What for? A. Yes, my husband and I are both in school. I am attending nursing school at Baker University and my husband is taking classes at Allen County Community college to get a degree in Business. Q. What made you decide to get married while still in college instead of waiting until after graduation? A, We had originally planned to get married after we graduated but when we found out we were expecting, we decided to speed up our timeline and get married while we were still in school. Q. It is considered a big deal to get married before graduating. Were you nervous about what your family and friends would think of your decision? A. There are a lot of stigmas surrounding those who get married while they are still in college. It was definitely something that I was self-conscious about as I knew my friend’s position on the matter. Ultimately, though, I knew it was the best decision for our family and it didn’t matter if everyone else understood why.

Q. How do you think marriage has impacted your life as a student thus far? A. Married life has definitely shifted my perspective as a student. Getting a degree has a lot more meaning when it’s not just about you anymore. Alex and I are a team and we rely on each other. It’s important that I do my best in school because, ultimately, it affects both of our lives. Q. As a young adult, what’s the most difficult thing about being a married student? A. One of the difficult things about being a married student is the lack of community. It is challenging to find other students who are also married. While we still love hanging out with our friends, a lot changes when you get married and I think we both wish we knew more couples in the same situation. Q. What do you think is the best thing about being a married student? A. The best thing about being a married student is always having someone to come home to at the end of the day. No matter how the day has gone, I know I get to share it with my best friend, who’s always there for me. Our life isn’t grand but it’s the little moments like eating lunch together after I get done with class that mean the most. Q. What would you like to do with your life after finishing school? A. After I graduate, I hope to get a job as an RN in a nearby hospital. I hope to be able to find a position that is flexible and allows one of us to be at home with our daughter while the other one is at work. Eventually, both of us plan on attending grad school in addition to growing our little family.

styleonthehill.com

IS SEX JUST SEX?

Words by Jaden Nussbaum Photography by Emma Creighton

If you were to even breathe the phrase “hookup culture” amidst a room full of teenagers, one of two general reactions are likely to occur: violent eye rolling, or an oddly passionate shame speech bearing a staunch resemblance to your grandfather yelling about how millennials are ruining the housing market. You know what I’m talking about; you’re probably already thinking about the people you know that react one way or the other. It’s not a new discussion -- we have all been through the ringer with this polarizing topic. We have heard this term more times than we

could ever recall, and we have heard it in nearly every context used in nearly every form. We have grown with hookup culture, just as it has grown with us. We have endured through hookup culture’s many phases, including one in which it seemed to hate itself. You know the one, where nearly a third of the teenage population had the Drake lyric “we live in a generation of not being in love, and not being together” in their Twitter bio. Apathy towards hookup culture was cool back then; but did that really ever stop anyone from contributing to its rise? No. It didn’t. As we all know, a hookup culture (in its styleonthehill.com

“

Not that often. Usually, when I go out it’s

for myself but if something happens that’s awesome, but it’s more for a relationship. Sometimes I’m more disappointed when it does happen cuz dammit I just hooked up with someone..I told myself I was done with that. If i’m going to hook up with you I want to know you….or you better be really fucking hot. Normally, when I have hookups I’m intoxicated, so that being said, I probably attempt at flirting but

“

that probably doesn’t work out so well so I would say things happen more organically.

“

Honestly, I will go out looking for someone to

hookup with. What’s strange is how I normally end

“

up getting to know and starting a relationship with those that fall victim to my schemes.

We took to the streets and gathered several anonymous responses from young people, regarding their views and experiences towards the topic in order to form a more cohesive understanding of what this phenomena is and how it Oh yes. I think that peoaffects our generation. ple ‘talk’, they don’t date. I think The feedback we received instead of taking a girl on a date, varied drastically. he’ll just want to meet up on the Keep in mind that our weekend, or visa versa. It’s less rointerviewees are a mix of manticized. A main difference of guys and girls. Some of these guys like guys, some our generation compared to others of these girls like girls, and is that we start off by hooking up some of them like both. It a lot of the time. I don’t think I’ve all adds a healthy diversity been taken out on a legit date..or at to the pot. With the most least we’ve never called them that. simple question in mind: Haha that’s kinda sad. are we really trapped in a hookup culture? Some answered this question with a simple “yes” -- answers that made me feel stupid for asking. We did, however, garner some responses that added complexity to our understanding about how others feel towards hooking up.

“

purest form) is a society hinging off of the consensus that sex is just sex. What comes along with this skewed (or evolved) moral compass? Many things. One night stands are void of stigma, “thottie” is a term of endearment, and you No I don’t, but I think since can even regularly sleep we’re in college at this point -- people with someone on your aren’t looking for relationships. It’s not intramural volleyball team like in the past where there was a focus without the expectation on dating. Now we’re pushed to be more for commitment rearing successful and do more and so we don’t its ugly head into your focus as you try to nail that have time to actually date. But the feelunderhand serve. Hookup ings are still there. If people really like culture is, depending on each other they’ll be exclusive but somewho you ask, clean livin’. times you just want to hook up to let the There are no rules. stress off. If people are dating in college So: are we affiliates of you know it’s really serious… this wobbly social code of sexing it up? “Nearly” is the closest answer I can give you. While we are a generation that shows a vivacious habit of not being in love and not being together, I’m not entirely convinced that how we view sex is completely aligned with the prerequisites for a hookup culture.

WOW. Okay, sometimes I forget that people actually have differing opinions and worldviews, and that lumping their thoughts together as a collective consciousness is not appropriate. We even got a couple answers praising Jesus. People, you surprise me everyday. I think these answers prove that we are NOT in a society that is completely okay with doing the dirty with no intentions of putting a ring on it. What is apparent, however, is that although this sort of culture is not necessarily praised, it is noted. People seem to be aware of its existence and conscious of the possibility that they themselves may at some point be of contribution. My point is nearly proved when we asked our interviewees if they actually find themselves looking for a hookup. Who on Earth tried to convince me that young people don’t have souls? I think these responses pose a different question: is hookup culture even real, or is all of this just kids inadvertently fulfilling their need for sex while looking for an emotional connection? It makes sense. Even the one person who admitted to actually preying on others for sex admitted they normally find a budding relationship after the last thrust is done. This investigation opened up my eyes to a lot of things, mainly being: teenagers aren’t looking for just sex. It’s just an accident that it happens that way, and that has seemed to brand us all. I’m going to be honest with you, I am rooting for hookup culture. Sex is a good thing. It’s completely natural and something nearly everyone has an urge to take part in. Why would anyone ever be shamed for it? So, whether you are looking for a quickie or hunting for “the one,” whatever you find is best for you is no big deal.

styleonthehill.com

College Conditioning: Tabata Edition Repeat Three Times High Knees - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Froggers - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Speed Skaters - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Plank Jack + Knee Tuck - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Tuck Jumps - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Mountain Climbers - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Squat Jump Turns - 20 sec Rest - 10 sec Burpees -20 sec Rest - 10 sec Crunches - 20 sec Rest - 1 minute

A revolutionary full-body workout to get your blood flowing and muscles growing. If you are a gym rat, you know that Tabata has been sweeping the nation with its 20 seconds on, 10 second rest styled workout. However, if you are brand new to this, get ready to sweat with high intensity interval training. Tabata training was first put into place by Japanese scientist Dr. Izumi Tabata and his team of researchers. They found that high intensity interval

training has a positive impact on both the aerobic and anaerobic systems. Are you ready to finally get off the couch, stop watching Netflix and get moving? Perfect! Turn on your favorite super-energetic Spotify playlist and try the Tabata high intensity training. You will be killing the workout game in no time!

Words by Natalie Gibson Photography by Emma Creighton

styleonthehill.com

styleonthehill.com styleonthehill.com

GENDER INCLUSIVE HOUSING AT THE UNIVER SI T Y OF KANSAS Words by Justin Hermstedt Photography by Beau Weber

his past summer, the University of Kansas joined the ranks of hundreds of other colleges around the country by introducing a gender-inclusive student housing option. Notably, KU is the first college in the state of Kansas to do so. Policy that encourages inclusivity has been an emphasis recently at KU, particularly since student activists have staged sit-ins and silent protests in support of black students and transgender students. G.I.H. is a concrete example of KU taking a step toward the ultimate goal of inclusivity. Housing is gender-inclusive if it doesn’t require students to define or declare a gender in order to live in that space. The majority of housing at KU is assigned based on binary gender; some students don’t feel welcomed by this strict categorization. “Some of the staff from the Sexuality and Gender Diversity office had approached us with feedback they’d gotten from some students that they felt like there was a need for gender-inclusive housing at our campus,” Dr. Diana Robertson, the director of Student Housing said. The housing staff explored approaches taken by other

schools and communicated with students to ascertain the best fit for KU. The following summer, G.I.H. was born. Student Housing chose Lewis Hall as the location to accommodate G.I.H. partly because it’s not restricted to first year students, meaning it’s already home to a greater degree of diversity. And although G.I.H is only in its first semester of existence at KU, it tentatively seems to be a success. “The students who signed up are pleased that the option is there,” Dr. Robertson said. “It’s a nice step in the right direction, and our commitment is to making sure that every student finds a place for themselves within our communities.” Indeed, G.I.H. may seem like a baby step toward the desired climate at KU. Most students had already signed housing contracts before G.I.H was formally announced, so the number of students who opted for G.I.H. was relatively low. Next school year could be a more complete test for G.I.H. as awareness of the project continues to grow. Everyone deserves to find a home at school, and G.I.H. undeniably helps some students with exactly that.

styleonthehill.com

Campus Architecture 2.0 Words by Darby VanHoutan Photography by Beau Weber

If there is one thing that is at the centerpoint of everything on the KU campus, it is growth. With a total of 28,091 students, the University of Kansas is constantly evolving. This year, KU accomplished greater improvement. They opened the doors to Capitol Federal Hall, the new business school with almost 167,000 square feet. Translation: it’s ginormous. The new 20-classroom-hall first broke ground in April of 2014. The website for the new Business School explains that saying, “Innovation like this takes time.” Innovation, that is as aesthetically pleasing as this obviously does. The University of Kansas doesn’t simply create new schools and buildings while ignoring the old. The rich history of the

university is what makes it so beautiful to be engulfed in. The recent remodeling of The Spencer Museum of Art is a prime example. The museum originally opened in 1978 and underwent a 16-month-long renovation that cost $7.5 million beginning in April 2015. This was made possible through the Museum’s 2010 partnership with architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, where it all began. The Spencer Museum of Art’s communications coordinator Elizabeth Kanost said the purpose of the redesign was, in summation, to make it less frumpy. The museum did this by creating more open spaces, and making actual lookouts through large windows in order to assist visitors with navigation.

styleonthehill.com

This isn’t all. The renovations, titled “Phase I”, closed down the Spencer’s galleries for an entire year. This allowed for more than just physical growth. According to the director, Saralyn Reece Hardy’s, remarks on the Spencer Museum’s website, “Functioning for more than one year without our galleries has stimulated new ways of working and new partnerships results in a Spencer Museum of Art that is more versatile and better equipped to benefit all of our audiences”. The state-of-the-art Capitol Federal Hall provides KU students affirmation that the time, money and most likely tears they’re putting into KU, the University is giving back with up to date buildings and comfortable spaces to grow themselves. The Phase I Spencer Museum Renovations do the same while refusing to demolish what got KU to where it is now.

styleonthehill.com

Words by Elias Medici Photography by Emma Creighton

Contemporary Pop Art on Decorative Laptop Covers Remember when you were in kindergarten, assigned those pointless projects involving a simple pair of scissors, a selective medium and Elmer’s liquid adhesive? Well, those times are over bub, you’re in adult school now. I’m talking the collegiate level institution, not some school that exclusively teaches pornography as it sounded like. Anyways, every college student secretly executes this bare minimum project done as a toddler with his or her available medium, the laptop. Pop art reigned the late 60’s and sparked a peculiar art revolution. Warhol, Lichenstein, Rosenquest, Oldenburg and many more talented individuals brought forth a new concept appreciating pop culture. The people and absolute glamour all identified certain characteristics of society

that possessed individual meaning. It surpassed abstract expressionism and introduced an insurgent candidate for “high art” classification, an ongoing issue of pretension with art overall. Little do college students know, their cover art symbolizes meaning within the spread of stickers. Though it doesn’t have a detailed diptych covered with an exceptional grid of Marilyn Monroe or life-size bullets full of color on a wooden panel, the art remains clear and representative. The individual displays rely on the personality of the user, deciding on permanent stickers to lie out a visual for passerby viewers at the library. From cramped collages to clean, patterned surfaces, it was easy to find our forced contestants.

styleonthehill.com

Diving immediately into our first decoration, this beautiful MacBook lost its raw exterior and was turned into a sorority makeover. Could you classify this as art? That’s for you to decide. Would you pay $104.5 million like Warhol’s Campbell Soup can goes for? Oh, hell no. What popped my eye first were the multiple life advice stickers and the “be healthy” in the middle. In addition, the cover includes multiple flowers connected to a “stay weird” stamp and a personified teabag. I’m not too sure how these items relate, but it identifies to her. Safe to assume this is a girl’s laptop.

The next piece up for sale holds a cause; a Talladega Night’s quote surrounding an innocent George Washington, a young Matthew McConaughey totally creeping at a bowling alley full of high schoolers and a highly questionable ZZ Top-looking four individuals wearing sunglasses obviously bought at a Walgreens. Also, the sorority letters are present above an assertive “CHILL,” thus assuming this is a girl. I can’t identify the top right figure, but this pop art piece holds meaning to her.

styleonthehill.com

I like to think of laptop stickers as tattoos, designating unique symbols, objects, people, etc. to exhibit meaning to the world whether it was on purpose or not. We’ve all been a little too rowdy

The last and final piece deserves this exclusive background. The center “VOTE” sticker shows her advocacy to the most qualified election this nation has ever had. Slightly to the left, the blatant, layered “GoPro” sticker showcases the lazy implementation of this useless sticker. The attitude was definitely a “eh, whatever” play. It is safe to assume the person is from Austin, Texas unless the person went to ACL and didn’t want to leave. All in all, this piece is “Top Notch.” Pop art is a stimulus from expressionistic art connecting to the love of pop culture. Celebrated people involve favored traits that society takes into account

in Vegas one too many times. Collages are an array of significant objects relevant to the current time, contributing to the success of professionals, looking similar in structure to these pieces.

and relates it to their own lives. The artistic form conveyed craft, as purported by meaningful stickers working amongst each other to transform a message. Isn’t that what art is in the first place? An unpredictable piece that has some kind of meaning whether emotional, physical or all out questionable to its integrity. This cheap art display is recognizable on all laptops across campus and serve to represent individuality. Unfortunately, these examples aren’t qualified for a museum just yet. With a little bit more effort and Elmer’s liquid glue, you never know, these cover arts could land you with a design job.

styleonthehill.com

pg. 31

Maximizing a Minimalistic Closet

styleonthehill.com

Tunes on the Hill Do you wear what you play? Photograped by Beau Weber Holden Coming down Zimmerman Dum Dum Girls

Maria Dance for You Comerford Beyonce

Hunter My Way James Calvin Harris

26 styleonthehill.com

Nick For Good Berman Kristen Chenoweth

Savannah Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Son Hay Placebo Mitchell Simoriah Irby Aerosmith

Dylan Your Graduation Leckner Modern Baseball

styleonthehill.com

minimalism: a reprieve from the madness Words by Logan Gossett Photography by Sydnie Germany

The clichéd boogeyman of design clumsily presents himself on the wall of your hotel room. Just like every other hotel room, a lamp with a 2,000-watt light-bulb rests on the end-table, which is perfect for reading/going blind before a restless night in sheets with a threadcount of ten. You briefly scout the bathroom, where you spot a few brown towels that should probably be white. In its usual position, a painting hangs parallel to the bed. Although the hotel zen-painting is partially obscured by the excessively luminant lamp beside you, a line of italicized text is clearly visible: “less is more.”

“Less Is More”

Phrases like “less is more” and “if everything is important, nothing is” are endemic. If you haven’t seen them occupying the wall in a two-star hotel, you’ve probably seen them in the opening paragraph of a self-help book -- or even the opening paragraph of a magazine article. Professorial phrases like this dance around an unspoken truth, a boogeyman that juxtaposes the freneticism of life. This boogeyman was birthed in Scandinavia, where less is more and not everything is important. When this boogeyman was in his embryonic stages - when he was just a “boogeyboy” - Scandinavian design began to evocatively reflect Scandinavian life. With this, the young boogeyboy underwent puberty and rapidly grew into minimalism -- a core element of prototypical modern design.

History of Minimalism Necessity birthed invention, and she added another leaf to her fertile family tree with Scandinavian minimalism. The climate and geography of Scandinavia - which often comprises the Nordic collective of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland - is varied, and its environment is generally uncompromising. As a result, Scandinavian minimalism reflects the resourcefulness that was curated by its environment, and later its proximity to the world wars. Similar to Wilson Fisk in Netflix’s “Daredevil,” minimalism draws inspiration from staring at a blank wall. It synergizes color, shape, and design to create the most functional object possible. It eliminates thrills and - if you’re a fish, for instance - replaces them with gills. If you’re a bird, it replaces thrills with bills -- primarily used to catch fish. If you’re a fish and the bird replaced its thrills with bills, you swallow the red pill and go

styleonthehill.com

die in a landfill. Basically, function always comes first, and, thanks to the serene sphere of Scandinavian minimalism, you’re unlikely to find many landfills in a Nordic country. Yale’s 2016 Environmental Protection Index ranked Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark as the world’s four most environmentally friendly countries (Norway received a participation award, placing 17th.) And in 2009, the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden concluded that Sweden’s exceptionally high household recycling rates are heavily influenced by their innate moral imperative to be prudent with their isolated resources. Form truly follows function in both Scandinavian life and design. Design should imbue an item with sustainability, simplicity, and exceptional utility. Start with what you need and end with the best version of what you need. There are a million ways to say it, but all of them have a common ancestor in the boogeyman of design: less is more.

Minimizing is More-inizing The New York Times ran an opinion piece written by entrepreneur and self-proclaimed everything-guru Graham Hill titled, “Living With Less. A Lot Less.” He wrote about his experiences cutting the clutter, in addition to how awesome he is. Despite reading like a man who would write his own recommendation letter, Hill described his possessions as detractors from his ability to adequately experience life, and how awesome he is. His passions - minimalism, the environment, and himself - have fulfilled him more than his sectional couch or black turbocharged Volvo ever could. The frenetic turbulence of society ends up propelling us to cling to the few elusive events and objects that might create excitement. But life shouldn’t always resemble the gastrointestinal purge before a colonoscopy, where you agonizingly wait for things to get “exciting.” Our homes should be a reprieve from the madness, not a blade on the turbine creating it. An overcrowded to-do list on the refrigerator or shelves stocked with books you won’t read compounds the mayhem of life and makes experiencing it more difficult. Digital fashion magazine Onpointfresh recently described the value of minimalistic design, saying, “If there are fewer distractions, there’s less thought between you and understanding what you see, creating the aesthetic experience (pure emotion and sensation) that much more effectively.” Simple, high quality design helps eliminate the clutter, allowing more room for the tasks littering the to-do list.

In an essay published by the Journal of Consumer Psychology, social psychologist Dr. Thomas Gilovich described the conflict of collection, saying “Many of our possessions are highly visible and therefore serve as conspicuous markers of the selves we present to the world.” His solution for this symptom of materialism is pursuing less tangible, more fulfilling experiences. For example, experiencing a Bruce Springsteen concert is more lucrative and memorable than purchasing a movie that plays “Born in the U.S.A” during a montage. Scandinavian minimalism’s criterion of functionalism and resourcefulness promotes the same cleansing of material clutter that Dr. Gilovich advocates. Every belonging should serve an absolutely necessary purpose, but sometimes a sudden and drastic reduction of belongings isn’t always possible. Even pawning off your old, undignified Yu-Gi-Oh card collection can be difficult. When minimizing seems overwhelming, remember what Ron Swanson sagely grumbled: “Never half-ass two things. Wholeass one thing.” Minimizing means you have more ass to commit to the things that matter, which is another zen-painting quote. If ass isn’t doing it for you, consider Chekhov’s gun, which is the principle that every memorable event in a piece of fiction should be essential and every nonessential element should be removed. Apply that to your living space and you’re off to a solid start.

styleonthehill.com

“Rome wasn’t built in a day...” ... and neither was my offensively large Yu-Gi-Oh card collection. But a day of decluttering scaffolds a lifetime of clarity.

styleonthehill.com

MAXIMIZING A MINIMALIST CLOSET Minimalism is more than just a lifestyle and an art movement, it’s also an essential part of fashion. Famous designers like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Chanel have helped pave a way for minimalist fashion to make it cleancut and modernly trendy. When the minimalist fashion movement first appeared around the 1960’s, minimalist aesthetics also showed up on runways. The garments were complex and geometric; in other words, it was art. At the time, designers like Balenciaga found it difficult bringing their attire onto the streets. Since then, fashionistas have incorporated minimalist garments into their complex daily outfits. The minimalist aesthetic is more than color coordination; it’s the individuals that make the casual style creative. Simple and chic are the perfect words to describe a minimalist’s closet. Let’s just say their wardrobe doesn’t have too many exciting colors unless the colors black and white bring a light to your eyes. What really matters about this style is the execution. Individualism and the freedom to express yourself with clothes is important, especially for many minimalist designers and stylists. Minimalist fashion gives many people the opportunity to define themselves in a simpler manner. Without all of the confusion in the morning with trying to figure out an outfit for the day, you can grab just a few random items and most likely the outfit will be stunning if it’s executed properly.

Words by Imani Jacobs Photograhy by Beau Weber

styleonthehill.com

With the wintertime approaching, it’s a minimalist’s prime time to shine. Not everyone who dresses minimalistic has to be a minimalist -- some fashionistas are just effortlessly well dressed hotties. I have entered the minimalist fashion world a few times when getting ready for my day in the morning, and let me just say simplicity made me feel quite fashionable. Some pieces I’d suggest to wear this season are oversized sweaters, vintagejeans, and boots -- lots of boots, too! Other options are trench coats, vintage tees, black skinny jeans and some Stan Smith shoes. Minimalistic fashionistas will be bringing their unique and chic styles to a street near you! The essentials you’ll find in a minimalists closet are items like:

Tops Silk tops, tank tops, long sleeves, oversized knitted sweaters, turtlenecks, trench coats, leather jackets, blazers, dresses, and graphic tees Bottoms Slacks, distressed jeans, vintage jeans (mom jeans), flare jeans, cropped denim, maxi skirts, leather leggings, black pants Accessories Watches, clutches, cross body bags, black, white, nude (nail polish), sunglasses, lipstick, bralettes, necklace, rings, hats, scarves, fashion glasses

Shoes Black converse, booties, loafers, sandals, slip on heels, Stan Smiths, slippers

Need places to shop? Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Express, Zara, H&M, plus many more are good options. Let’s just say that maintaining this aesthetic can cost a pretty penny, but shopping in the right places, at the right time with the right sales will help fashionistas who embrace this style live up to their standards. To some minimalism is a lifestyle, a mindset - even their daily routine - whereas to others it’s just a trend.

styleonthehill.com

ccessories: the items you apply to your body to make your outfit look even better than it already is. From your bracelet to your socks, accessories can make a difference to your OOTD (outfit of the day). Minimalists typically don’t wear too many accessories anyways, so just three small accessories are all you need. Since minimalism can be so effortless, adding accessories can only help improve your style. Let’s look at some head to toe accessories that can help complete your minimalistic look. Watches not only tell time, but they’re also a great addition to an outfit. There are a large variety of watches to choose from, like small, vintage watches, average sized watches and even an apple watch if you want to get technical. If you’re someone who isn’t that huge of a fan of trinkets on your wrist, a watch is the most useful and simplest route to turn to. There are also band options that come in a variety of colors and materials, like leather, metal, and rubber watches. Clutches, purses, and handbags are another great addition to your look! Depending on the person, you can either carry all of your essentials in a small body bag or a large purse, you know whatever holds all of your necessary things. Minimalists typically wear clutches or small handbags because it carries all of the important things people normally need, from your phone to your money. Small

purses are a cheaper and cuter accessory to carry, there are so many options to choose from and some of the latest trends in handbags are to carry mini leather backpacks, they come in a variety of colors and they are probably the easiest bags to carry around. With winter approaching mini backpacks with oversized sweaters, leather leggings, and a pair of black converse can be a simple outfit to wear. Shades! The sun may not be out daily but who cares when your outfit does all the shining. Feel free to incorporate a pair of sunglasses into your outfit. 2016 has been pretty innovative in the sunglasses department, plus throwback sunglasses have made a comeback. Do you remember John Lennon rocking his small circular shades? Whether you like small sunglasses or large geometric shaped ones, you’ll catch a minimalist sporting some. Lastly, fashion glasses. No, not prescription glasses, but non-prescription glasses! Fashion glasses have been a huge trend in 2016. Many online clothing companies have begun to sell them on their websites, because guess what? They are the hottest accessory. You can either pull off that nerdy look with some Ray-Bans or go for a sophisticated look. Some glasses that are hot right now are the aviator glasses, basically the old grandpa-style ones. You can shop at Urban Outfitters to find some cool frames and maybe at your local thrift store.

styleonthehill.com

36 styleonthehill.com

styleonthehill.com

An Unforgettable Silence Words by Logan Gossett

There’s something unsettling about the common question, “where were you during 9/11?” Each response only extracts a drop of muddy water from a vast sea of experiences. 9/11 caused the world’s political landscape to change in an instant, but the human impact of the event would slowly unravel into a blood-stained red carpet for the world to amble through for the years

to come. Everybody experienced something wholly unique and unforgettable. I was at Dillons with my mom where I was complaining about being at Dillons with my mom. The attendant didn’t ask my mom if she would like her gallon of milk in a bag. The worker at the register didn’t chirp her usual, “Have a nice day!” That was an unfair demand. Nobody said I was cute, because I wasn’t, so that real-

styleonthehill.com

ly wasn’t too unusual. The only thing exchanged was money; exchanging dialogue was out of the question. Even the national dialogue had changed. CNN, NBC, FOX, Cartoon Network -- every station was tirelessly covering the attacks. Some pundits briefly hedged against producing hottakes, opting for lukewarm fear-mongering instead. Composer William Basinksi viewed the

There’s something unsettling about the common question, “where were you during 9/11?” Each response only extracts a drop of muddy water from a vast sea of experiences. 9/11 caused the world’s

“We’re overstimulated, over-occupied, and overwhelmed as a result.” political landscape to change in an instant, but the human impact of the event would slowly unravel into a blood-stained red carpet for the world to amble through for the years to come. Everybody experienced something wholly unique and unforgettable. I was at Dillons with my mom where I was complaining about being at Dillons with my mom. The attendant didn’t ask my mom if she would like her gallon of milk in a bag. The worker at the register didn’t chirp her usual, “Have a nice day!” That was an unfair demand. Nobody said I was cute, because I wasn’t, so that really wasn’t too unusual. The only thing exchanged was money; exchanging dialogue was out of the question. Even the national dialogue had changed. CNN, NBC, FOX, Cartoon Network -- every station was tirelessly covering the attacks. Some pundits briefly hedged against producing hot-takes, opting for lukewarm fear-mongering instead. Composer William Basinksi viewed the aftermath of the attacks from his Brooklyn apartment. He had just finished working on a project he would title, “The Disintegration Loops.” After completing the project, he observed the husk of the

NY skyline from his roof. Later, he began recording the sunset over the smoke-obscured sky. “The Disintegration Loops” is a collection of tapes that loop samples repeatedly. Every time the samples were looped during Basinksi’s attempt to convert the tapes to digital recordings further disintegrated them. As a result of the tape’s disintegration, the samples pause and distort with increasing veracity ‘en route to their inevitable conclusion: silence. Basinksi played the first volume of these Disintegration Loops over his video recording of New York’s dilapidated skyline. Pundits resumed their hot takes. The United States prepared for retaliation. The world’s collective body fruitlessly attempted to move on. But on “The Disintegration Loops,” Basinksi immortalizes the smokey skyline, the setting sun, and the sound of disintegration. By looping a brief melancholic sample for 10-60 minutes, Basinksi captured the collective emotion of 9/11 more viscerally than annual memorials ever will. I may eventually forget where I was during 9/11, but I’ll never forget the unspoken malaise of emotion that blanketed that day. “The Disintegration Loops” are so mesmerizing because they conjure the emotion that makes 9/11 so unforgettable in the first place. They present a skeleton for the listener to occupy with their own experiences.

styleonthehill.com

Many notable songwriters and film directors utilize every sensory element to create an overwhelming, capitulating experience. Film moguls Steven Spielberg and Alfred Hitchcock capture their audiences with evocative camera angles and intense emotional climaxes. Dichotomous musical acts Bon Jovi and Godspeed You! Black Emperor similarly evoke strong emotional responses through inspiring climactic moments. Before his death in 2016, Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami was known for extracting more organic emotional responses. His 2008 film “Shirin” is a primary example of his cinematic minimalism. The entirety of the film’s hour and a half run-time comprises shots of 114 Iranian women viewing a film in a theater. We never see the film playing in the theater, only the subtle facial expressions of the women watching it. Through the eye movements, the pursing of lips, and raising of eyebrows, we infer emotions from the film. Perhaps most importantly, we’re free to interpret their emotions and the intent of the film organically. Dr. Hajnal Király analyzed the role of the spectator in Abbas

The Thigh is the Limit Words by Haley Regan at you, Queen Bey.) If you are going for a cozier approach, sweater dresses are an excellent choice. If you’re feeling a little preppy, try a softer leather pair with skinny jeans and a turtleneck. Edgy? High-waisted jean shorts and a crop top. Historic? Perhaps a pair of tights with a double-breasted jacket and a

Photography by Georgia Hickam

The thigh-high boot has existed for ages at the intersection of fashion and entertainment. Go-go dancers and pop divas have been rocking this trend for decades. Lucky for us, these beautiful creatures have finally walked themselves off the stage, straight into the lives of us common folks. They have since become a staple in street fashion. All you need is a mini skirt or a pair skinny jeans, a little waist-accentuation and BOOM! You’ve become a powerhouse. These babies may have had a negative connotation in the past, no thanks to Julia Roberts and her infamous leather boots in Pretty Woman. But now that we have overcome this hooker-esque obstacle, thigh boots have become trendy but flattering on all walks of life, and are hopefully here to stay. Myth: “Only tall people actually look good in thigh-high boots”. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be the height of a model to sport a slick pair of thigh-highs. Some icons who have spearheaded this trend stand at just five feet or a few inches over. Nicki Minaj (5’2”), Kim K (5’3”), Ariana Grande (5’0”) and Eva Longoria (5’2”) have all rocked a pair at least once, and they look just as hot, if not hotter, as their towering peers. If you are letting your height be an excuse to not experiment with your style… don’t. Myth busted. So far, black thigh-highs have been at the forefront of the trend, but it’s likely that this style will evolve. There is evidence of a few A-listers sporting peep-toe and vibrantly colored boots that indicates that this trend could grow into an even bigger statement. Thigh boots are frequently paired with a nice A-line skirt or dress, high-waisted pants or, if you are feeling bold, can even serve as a pant substitution with an elaborate leotard. (Here’s looking

styleonthehill.com

powdered wig. (We won’t judge, everybody has a historic phase.) However, the look is versatile and adds a nice saucy touch to most any outfit. Do not shy away from a new look, fashionista! Go channel your inner badass; invest in a pair of thigh-highs and see what a few inches of exposed thigh can do.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.â&#x20AC;? - Albus Dumbledore Photography by Emma Creighton Modeled by Maddie Reid-Tedesco

styleonthehill.com

42 styleonthehill.com

styleonthehill.com

44 styleonthehill.com

styleonthehill.com

46 styleonthehill.com

styleonthehill.com

Getting the Most out of Mass

Your Lawrence holiday gift guide Words by Ellie Milton Photography by Emma Creighton

Are you baffled by what to gift your guy this holiday season? Is your girlfriend going through a hipster phase while you’re used to shopping exclusively at Target? Do your parents expect you to buy your estranged aunt a Christmas present even though you’re broke and can barely buy yourself lunch? Have no fear! Massachusetts Street, a favorite shopping area here in Lawrence, offers thousands of gift opportunities and has a store for every person on your gift list. The Hipster – Urban Outfitters is always a classic choice, but Mass. Street offers numerous other unique spots to shop for your favorite trendsetter. Arizona Trading Company is a high-end thrift store (8th and Mass). Wild Man Vintage also offers some wacky finds (10th and Mass). Both of the aforementioned thrift shops would put even Macklemore to shame, and will surely provide you with whatever mid-1980’s-era sweater vest or decrepit Doc Martens your hipster friends would simply adore. Srat or Frat Star – For the frat daddy (or srat mommy?) in your life, Mass Street holds a plethora of boutiques and shops filled to the brim with Vineyard Vines and Alex & Ani merchandise. Most sorority mem-

bers will love any creative spin on an item with their letters on it, so Fortuity (8th and Mass), Prairie Patches (8th and Mass), Envy Boutique (9th and Mass), and Jock’s Nitch (9th and Mass) all carry a variety of Greek merchandise. Prairie Patches also offers a variety of Yeti products (because if you don’t own a Yeti you might as well just drop out of your frat, right?), and Weaver’s Men’s store (9th and Mass) has every possible frat-tastic brand you can think of. Earthy - Is there someone on your gift list who frequently smells of incense and has been constantly seen loitering around a salt lamp? Or maybe it’s just your roommate who seems to have an “appreciation” for Indian culture but in reality just wants a tapestry to take cute Instas in front of. Either way, Mass Street offers some uniquely “earth-conscious” stores with an assortment of clothes and trinkets that anyone sporting an overpriced drug-rug and $200 vegan-leather satchel would love. The Third Planet and Earthbound Trading Company (both off of 9th and Massachusetts) have an abundance of products that, once attained, would make any self-actualized hippie jealous.

48 styleonthehill.com

Outdoor enthusiast/Athlete - Mass doesn’t only offer fun ‘n’ flirty boutiques and chakra lounges, it also includes a couple of shops that are perfect for any of your mountain-man (or woman) friends. Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop has a huge selection of camping and hiking goods, as well as copious amounts of Patagonia and Columbia (in case your trip to Weaver’s for your frat star bore no fruit). For the person on your list crazy enough to enjoy running, Ad Astra Running offers lots of top-notch athletic gear as well.

Non-Kansan - If there’s someone on your list that doesn’t have the pleasure of attending the University of Kansas, a classic gift for them is waiting for them at some of Lawrence’s own shops. A t-shirt from ACME (9th and Mass) or something from Shark’s Surf Shop is a great way to show LFK’s unique style and small businesses. Of course, if you want to be basic and just get them a $20 KU shirt, there’s always Rally House or Jock’s Nitch.

styleonthehill.com

HAUTE HOLIDAY BEAUTY LOOKS Words by Sydnie Germany Photos by Emma Creighton Makeup by Celeste Arias Modeled by Jenna Melvin, Olivia Feathers, Alex Botello, Mary Ann Omoscharka

When winter rolls around, sweaters come out and there’s fluffy scarves galore. Hot chocolate fills up every cup and fashion takes a turn for the coziest. Is there a more fitting way to compliment an amazing winter outfit than with a stunning makeup job? Beauty guru’s from all around the world take inspiration from every source imaginable, and what better a source for holiday makeup than the music that fuels it’s merry mood?

Various Artists: Christmas Classics From the multi-artist Christmas album called “Christmas Classics”, this look really takes after the warm colors on the cover. For the eye makeup, winged black eyeliner fades into a soft rose gold on both the eyelid and lining the bottom lashes. For the lips, a warm burgundy color is topped with a bit of gold eyeshadow to tie the whole look together.

styleonthehill.com

Straight No Chaser: Under the Influence Off of Straight No Chaser’s album “Under the Influence” comes this daring look. Dark green eyeshadow transitions into thick winged, black eyeliner. This is then paired with red lipstick with a slight gold highlight capturing the album’s main color scheme

Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas

Last, but certainly not least, inspired by Michael Bublé’s album “Christmas” this gorgeous look was created. Representing both his black clothing and the snow on the cover, her eye makeup is composed of white eyeliner accented with glitter and is topped off with a bit of black eyeliner on the tips of the wings. Her lighter eye makeup is then balanced out with a bold, red matte lipstick to complete the look.

Michael Bublé: Christmas

Based off of Mariah Carey’s album “Merry Christmas,” this look presents some striking eye makeup with thick, winged, red eyeliner. It is matched with a lip look that is just as bold, red glitter lips. To get the intense glitter effect, apply a little bit of eyelash glue onto your lips and pat red glitter on top for it to stick. styleonthehill.com

Mega(logo)mania: Gauging the Inherent and Socially Constructed Value of Branded

Words by Justin Hermstedt Photography by Maggie Russell

In 2016, branded clothing finds itself at a crossroads. The popularity and fashionability of logos is caught between the decline of their glory days in the early 2000s and the rise of a new culture of brand worship. Logos are still everywhere, and that’s not going to change any time soon. The bottom line becomes, are they cool?

Throughout the first decade of the new millennium, brands like American Eagle, Aeropostale and Abercrombie & Fitch led the low-end segment of the apparel industry by selling clothes with tiny logos on the chest. In recent years, these companies are struggling to avoid bankruptcy. Some fashion purists insist that logos are tacky; a tiny man on a horse or a “swoosh” do nothing to aesthetically enhance an outfit. H&M and Forever 21, the successors to the

styleonthehill.com

throne of the retail kingdom, adhere to this idea that the look of an outfit, not the brand, should determine its value. These fast-fashion giants, makers of #trendy clothing, seem to indicate that logos are out. After all, this model has practically run the mainstream retailers of yore out of business because kids no longer want “AERO 1987” plastered across their chest. So, maybe logos aren’t cool.

In contrast to that movement, a subculture devoted to iconic brands is proliferating in America and even on campus. Against all odds, Supreme is practically a household name. Supreme has ascended to its status of streetwear powerhouse by being consistently cool and low-key for two decades now. Supreme stands proudly poised amid the remains of the eviscerated superpowers that were Aeropostale, Hollister and Abercrombie. And it’s not alone. A wise man whose name rhymes with “Dawnday Zest” once said “It ain’t no Ralph though.” Branding and logos are essential in sneaker culture, which seems to get more popular every day. So, maybe logos are cool.

It makes sense that logos might not add much inherent appeal from a design perspective. That being said, clothing doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Fashion is all about cultural context. Clothing is symbolism, and logos are the most blatant manifestation of this. A logo conveys everything that a brand represents. A pair of Nike shoes channels every million dollar ad campaign and celebrity endorsement the company has ever done. Your t-shirt that says “Sarcasm: one of my many talents,” indicates that sarcasm is one of your many talents… and dressing well isn’t. Designer bags prove that you can afford designer bags. A Supreme tee evokes the exclusivity and skateboard-inspired grit the brand has come to be known for.

The point is, brands are an important aspect of clothing, and logos aren’t necessarily a faux pas. Just as the fashionable cut of jeans shifts over time, brands rise and fall. Perhaps as Supreme grows, it becomes less special, less pure, and more commonplace.

Of course, brands aren’t everything. For example, Unbranded, a denim label, emphasizes a “you get what you pay for” business model, eliminating all branding and marketing expenses. The typical gripe with designer items or branded clothing is that you’re paying for the name, not the substance. In reality, that’s absolutely true; however, branded clothes carry additional, socially constructed value, and just because it’s socially constructed, doesn’t mean it’s not really there. About half of the money spent on Nike shoes goes to Nike’s marketing department, but that doesn’t mean you’re not getting your money’s worth.

Logos can enhance an outfit, but you have to rock the right ones. A brand doesn’t always bring to the table what it represents, but the cool ones do. The most successful brands tend to be the ones that stand for individuality. So while it’s nice to keep up with what’s trendy, you’re better off choosing brands that speak to you personally. You’ll look best in clothes that reflect the kind of person you are, and brands are a perfect way to achieve this balance.

styleonthehill.com

“S o ,

“Heard on

the gender neutral term for sug -

“I love you more than Mormons love Diet Coke.”

ar daddy is glucose guardian and damn do

need one of those .”

“She’s cute but that girl is a witch.”

“Stop being a bad bitch, go to bed!”

“I would pole dance for a pizza right now, just saying.” “I don’t believe in parking tickets.”

“Is Neil deGrasse Tyson the gay one from How I Met Your Mother?”

“We’re not in England right now, you can’t just say that!”

“Hopefully this flash drive doesn’t have any porn on it, but nowadays you really can’t be surprised.”

“I’m so ugly, I’m leaving.”

styleonthehill.com

”

n the Hill

“OMG you’re like the wife I never wanted.”

Person 1: “Wow, that’s a lot of money.” Person 2: “Yeah, but not enough to buy a cousin.”

“He does meth; he doesn’t want vegetables.”

“In my opinion, few things match a nice circumcision.”

“I have $10 on my face right now, I am not sweating that shit off at the gym.”

“It’s the holiday season, of course I’m lit.”

“Is it really a spooky day if you haven’t eaten an entire bag of salt and vinegar chips?”

“Embryos are cool and stuff.”

Person 1: “I seriously have no time, I have to give up eating or sleeping.” Person 2: “Because God knows you aren’t going to give up your knitting.”

“You don’t enjoy McDonald’s fries, you eat them until you hate yourself.”

styleonthehill.com