Maroon Life — Fashion 2023 by The Battalion

MAROON LIFE The Battalion

The Fashion Issue

In collaboration with A-Line Magazine

T R E N DY, D E S I G N E R & V I N TA G E

EARN CASH FOR CLOTHES Welcome Aggies!!

2022

2410 Texas Ave S, College Station, TX

Photo by Ana Renfroe — Photographer Fayobami Taiwo photographs Favour Okafor in The Battalion studio located at the Memorial Student Center on Oct. 13, 2023.

Table of Contents 03 Francesca’s Campaign 04 Redefining Corporate Couture 09 Fashion Freedom 12 Sunday Best 14 Campus Profile 16 MNKY CLUB 18 Letter from the Editor

20 Men’s Hairstyle Tips to Men’s New 23 Guide Fashion 24 Backpack Accessorization 26 Fighting Fast Fashion 28 First Friday Fashion 31 Retail Therapy

On the cover: Light Nadjiressem wearing Francesca’s Ivanna Teal Floral Maxi Dress, photographed by Connor May All graphics courtesy of The Battalion archive

Contributors The Battalion Special Sections Editor: Ruben Hernandez Editor-In-Chief: Zoe May Managing Editor: Caleb Elizondo Director of Photography: Ruben Hernandez Assistant Photo Chief: Kyle Heise Page Designers: Ruben Hernandez, Megan Williams Advertising Team: Dan Hung, Hayden Arevalo, Hamsini Mahadevan, Austin Yong, Carmen Horillo Tamayo Copy Editors: Zoe May, Caleb Elizondo, Anna Deardorff, Luke White, Megan Williams Advisor: Spencer O’Daniel

A-Line Magazine President: Mary Trantham Editor-In-Chief: Chloe Pham Editor: Emma Ehle Photography Chief: Kylie Dunlap Assistant to Photography Chief: Peri Shaink Creative Director: Aubrey Matson Copy Editors: Mary Trantham, Emma Ehle

Special Thanks A-Line Magazine francesca’s Friends of The Battalion

Connor May — THE BATTALION

By Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse

owdy, and welcome to the first-ever fashion magazine for The Battalion and Maroon Life. It is as exciting as it is scary as “first-ever” carries the burden of larger margins of error before a good rhythm is established. The past few months have been filled with back-breaking work ranging from creating the stories, doing page layouts, ordering and styling clothes, planning ads and creating numerous documents in order to describe to the contributors how I want the magazine to look. I wanted to make a fashion magazine for two reasons. For one, I was already interested in fashion. Not so much in the aspect of buying brands and boasting “look at my Marc Jacobs socks,” but more just looking at the clothes. As a very visual person who can feel textures and patterns just by looking at a picture, it’s a niche that satisfies something deep in my brain. Two: I love people watching. By being on a campus with over 70,000 students, every day has a new story to tell. Not only that, but Texas A&M is so diverse in the people that it brings together, ranging from country, preppy, extravagant, humble, punk and conservative. It’s hard to put into words how amazing clothing as a form of communication can be. I’m a person who is often disappointed that no matter how much I express myself in words, personally, it’s just not enough. Style to me is like the missing puzzle piece. The consumption of clothes is based on a direct subconscious knowledge of knowing what you are and are not. To make the clothes is a different story in and of itself, stemming not just from designer interests but marketing tactics, business decisions, manual labor and historical influences. When you put the clothes on your body and people see you, it’s an instantaneous click. A 1,000-word essay in one look. To me, it’s just something that works.To have that small little passion be part of this project is something that I am extremely grateful for. I understand College Station isn’t known to be the most fashion-forward town — I’m talking to you, college girl who always goes out in a black top and denim shorts. But that’s why I made this magazine, to show that fashion isn’t just rich people in New York, but the person next to you at the bus stop. I want to show that maybe if you understand more about what you put on your skin, you’ll get to know yourself just a little better. I want to thank my family first — dad, mom and sister — for being there for me all the time, especially during those late-night calls where all I can do is rant about how much work I’m putting myself through. I want to thank the photographers, writers and models who made this magazine possible because without them this project would never come to fruition. Finally, I want to thank my friends, both in and outside The Battalion, for being there for me.

LETTER from the EDITOR

More professionally, I greatly thank A-Line Magazine President Mary Trantham, Editor-In-Chief Chloe Pham and the other editors as well, for being the other half of this magazine.Without their contributions, this magazine would only have half the content and half the magic. A very deep and personal thank you to the whole A-Line team. Furthermore, I would like to thank again and again former Battalion Editor-in-Chief Michaela Rush. If she had not walked into that student radio lounge that one day I was there, I would not be here writing this letter. I thank my professors Tom Burton and Larry Lemmons for being amazing mentors both in and outside the classroom, pushing me further to become a better journalist. I would also like to thank Angelique Gammon who was nothing more than a caring hand throughout the summer and Kathleen McElroy, who decided to stay at the University of Texas but still inspired me greatly in the brief time I met her. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank our newest advisor Spencer O’Daniel for being the support I needed throughout this whole experience. So, without further ado: fashion. Enjoy.

Francesca’s Campaign

By Zoe May @MayZoella

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

If you open any of the major fashion magazines, you’ll garunteed find a mention of how 90s style is back and “better than ever.” However, with the pre-Y2K trends circulating all over social media, it can be hard to find your own unique space while staying on trend. The solution: stick to a pop of 90s flair. If your outfit screams 2023, refrence the era of MTV with your accessories or hair. Classic button down need an extra spruce? Slip on a Cassie tweed mini skirt a la Chanel spring/ summer 1996 and a pair of MIA Gigi Suede Boots.

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Connor May — THE BATTALION

Little black dress, meet long floral maxi. Ingrained in the hart of fashion is the LBD. In 2023, maxi dresses patterned in a variety of florals took their place right next to the party favorite. Whether its a walk through a farmer’s market or a Sunday brunch, a long floral dress is flexible and universal. Don’t know where to start? Try the Annie off-the-shoulder dress with a multi-seasonal soft blue floral; dress it up with a pair of heels or down with strappy sandals.

Connor May — THE BATTALION

Pop quiz: what style of clothing makes women feel the most confident according to Who What Wear Magazine? Trick question, confidence isn’t universal, but if we’re going to be technical a power suit is the correct answer. Since the 80s power suits have been the image of female empowerment, however, gone are the days of shoulder pads. Generation Z has taken the power suit and turned it on its head with styles like the Gina sleeveless utility romper; pair it with tights and a cute heel and you’re office ready.

Any outfit can be elevated with the right pair of shoes. So, when grabbing your next pair on your way out of the house, consider these options: (left to right) MIA Kable Athletic Sneakers, Madden Girl Holly Mary Jane Lug Platforms, Sugar Chain Mule Loafers

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fashion faced a pivotal switch as comfort was placed first on the list of priorities. Now, the re-connected world struggles to balance comfort with practicality. As much as we would all love to rock a pair of pajama pants to every event, it is not always possible or functional. A tried-and-true method is for every article of clothing put on that you deem uncomfortable — a heel, a tight top, an irritating material — don one comfortable edition. If you slip on a pair of Sugar Vallentina stappy platforms and Harper Heritage high-rise bootcut jeans, pop on a comfy sherpa jacket and a basic cropped white tank.

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Holiday season is just around the corner, and along with the lavish feasts, lights and festive music, comes the time-old dilmma of deciding what to wear to the family Chrsitmas party. Do you go casual but classy with jeans and a cute top? Do you go comfortable and comdeic with a time-honored ugly Chrsitmas sweater? Or do you dress to impress, and pull that Savannah plaid babydoll dress you’ve been saving in the back of your closet and your favorite pair of Madden Girl Holly mary jane platforms? The coice is yours and no matter what you pick, you can’t go wrong as long as you stay true to you.

Connor May — THE BATTALION

As the time left in 2023 dwindles, fashion experts race to compile the biggest styling trends of the year. One of their verdicts: the big and little theory. This idea suggests that for every stylistic pairing, mainly throughout the spring and summer, their must be a “little” item and a “big” item. If you grab a pair of baggy jeans, pair it with a little top. If oversized T-shirts are your go-to, try a smaller or tighter pant. This idea helps maintain body proportions with the growing emphasis on oversized looks. So, if want to wear your Ellis argyle sweater vest, experts say walk write past that mini skirt and grab your Sloan denim maxi skirt.

Connor May — THE BATTALION

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Shoes continued: (Left to right, top to bottom) MIA Tex Western Boots, DV by Dolce Vita Maggie Platform Heels, Sugar Vallentina Strap Platform, MIA Barby Stacked Heel Boot

Connor May — THE BATTALION

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

As the temperature drops, the sleeves get longer and the materials get heavier. It can be tough for people to maintain their sense of style while making sure they avoid the chilling winds. One way to instantly up your style and keep warm is to layer your pieces. Throw your Amelia embroidered sherpa coat over a white button up. Toss a Maia cropped utility jacket ontop of a quarter-zip sweater for extra warmth. Or, if there’s only a slight nip in the air, pair a Rachel button front tweed vest with a trendy mock turtle neck and jeans. If classic and simple is more your jam, wear a comfy sweater of your choice but try a fun bottom like the Harper heritage high-rise jeans or the Anastasia fitted sweater skirt.

Connor May — THE BATTALION

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

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edefining orporate outure Stepping into the workplace makes Generation Z step out of the box By Catherine White A-Line Contributor

one are the days of power suits and pencil skirts. Modern office culture is no longer sold under the enticing guise of the American Dream as Generation Z, or Gen Z, is reconsidering what it means to be successful. A worldwide pandemic can have that effect. Gen Z wore diapers in September 2001, began STAAR testing during an unprecedented recession and graduated high school amidst a global pandemic. Not to mention that social media has been woven into the fabric of their everyday lives, a channel for globalization in their back pocket. Each generation is exposed to a variety of elements that shape their perspectives. Baby Boomers were born into an age of optimism, benefitting from the post-World War II economic boom. As second-wave feminism encouraged more women to join the workforce, Generation X matured through shifting social conventions. Millennials grew up under a lens of idealism, perpetuated by the advent of the internet. However, the greatest cultural chasm has been caused by the youngest generation — those who had an Instagram account before they could legally drive. In this new paradigm, authenticity and individuality are praised over conformity. This shift is evident in the emphasis placed on aesthetics as an outlet for self-expression. A notable facet of Gen Z style is its intersectionality with social concerns such as gender identity, race and environmentalism. Though trends continue to emerge, the amount of people able to participate in modern fashion discourse has grown dramatically. Moreover, the return of thrift culture poses a challenge to the fast fashion industry as young adults now aim to construct an environmentally conscious aesthetic. Fashion cannot be ideologically neutral in an individualistic Western society, except for where it’s expected to be: the workplace. Unfortunately, for the last 50 years or so, businesses have operated under the charade of professionalism. Companies at the time were more “process-oriented,” or more concerned with success rather than the effects. In an environment where employees are expected to adhere to a narrow framework, it is only logical to dress them accordingly. Rigid dress codes were materialized out of generational values such as productivity, employee cohesion and company loyalty. A three-piece suit, pantyhose and stilettos were deemed appropriate office wear by a previous generation. While this connotation of professionalism may have been warmly received in the past, it certainly

isn’t held to the same standard anymore. With baby boomers swiftly retiring and Gen Z already accounting for 13% of the workforce, according to Forage, a figure that will likely triple by the end of the decade, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this adjustment in ideology would also affect the future of professional attire. Thus, the rollback of formality begins. The emphasis on identity, however, is more than just a generational complaint. While the surface goal of professional attire seems to aim for uniformity, it is difficult to ignore its implications regardless of intention. However, a business can’t enforce uniformity when a large percentage of employees don’t fit their standards. Under the guise of professionalism, traditional dress codes serve to police certain identities and ensure that employees follow universally subscribed practices. Unfortunately, marginalized groups tend to be disproportionately targeted. For many businesses, Black applicants can be asked at any point to cut or straighten their natural hair as an additional requirement for employment. In 2019, the CROWN Act was passed as a means to protect against racial discrimination based on hairstyles unique to their culture such as braids, locs, twists and knots. Furthermore, coded language is used in the workplace as a subtle expression of racist, sexist and other identity-related stereotypes. Unlike more apparent forms of bigotry, coded language is veiled behind ordinary words and phrases. “Professional” and “appropriate” are words that can be used to police and exclude whole identities. While bigotry remains a systematic issue in the workplace from hiring preferences to daily interactions, legal progress like the CROWN Act and overwhelming online support has had a favorable impact on Black and other marginalized groups’ employment opportunities. In an evolving landscape, it’s crucial to consider what industry standards are modeled after and, consequently, the ways in which racial identities are being barred from the professional sphere. So, what are the kids wearing these days? First and foremost, Gen Z prioritizes comfort. In 2020, fashion changed drastically. Responding to global events, suits and blouses were replaced with pajamas and loungewear. The “upper half ” look was a favorite of the pandemic years with its camera-ready shirt and hairstyle, and the sweats and slippers intentionally out of sight. Since re-entering the office, many have reestablished button-downs and blouses in their closet but the lack of formality still persists. For those who entered the workforce during the final days of the pandemic and happen to be the first cohort of this generation, the casual COVID-19 style is their only gauge. Contrary to what past generations might say, dressing casually does not necessarily imply one is unprofessional. Loose sweaters and wide-legged pants act as a mature development of this trend, as around 30% of full-time employees continue to alternate between a home office and a corporate setting, according to Forbes. Gen Z values individual styles of self-expression, and has a strong desire to be more than a cog in the machine. Contemporary office fashion suggests that this generation finds comfort

in authenticity when not being pushed to put on a polished persona. Mixed styles, bold colors and harsh patterns allow for agency in personal style regardless of traditional gender norms. Eclectic means of self-expression is a generational forte and thankfully, the professional look as we knew it is soon to be obsolete. What once was a severe workplace taboo is now a requirement for future employees. Having established a successful history, Gen Z continues to transform not only how we think about work, but how we dress for it. This cohort is focused on living in the moment, re-imagining radically new forms of self-expression and redefining what the professional look entails. Style is the statement, clothing is about one’s identity and Gen Z isn’t interested in conformity.

“In an evolving landscape, it’s crucial to consider what industry standards are modeled after”

Photos by Emma Trueba, A-line Contributor — First page Top left: Model adjusts her white blazer and shows off her black vest with a gold chain. Middle left: A puffy sleeve blouse and maxi skirt adapt the modern day corporate attire for comfortability. Wide leg slacks and a classic-style blazer reflect tradition while embracing trends. Bottom left: Model highlights a classic hoop while pairing an oversized blazer with a style-basic turtleneck and slacks. Top right: Models pose in J Wayne Stark Galleries in the Memorial Student Center, embracing their natural hair and qualities while donning corporate attire. Second page Low heeled shoes replace stilettos in corporate looks to embrace comfortability, a simple shoulder bag and light jewelry round out the outfit.

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ashion reedom

In an era of increasing restrictions on free expression, clothing operates as a tool of liberation By Nathan Brooks A-Line Contributor

ook, for a moment, into the attitude that you bring to your own fashion choices. Do your clothes fit? Do they match? Do you plan your outfits in advance? How seriously do you take your fashion? Everyday, consciously or not, these questions are answered by your own decisions, your own actions. The way in which you present and express yourself is guided by culture, dogma, influencers and corporations, oftentimes with convoluted or differing goals and incentives. This legitimization and formalization of fashion hinders true self-expression, replacing infinite choices with a set of a closed sey of options in which you ought to fit. The most promising future for which fashion can follow is to replace the structure, the rules, the seriousness of it all, with pure freedom of self expression, to tear down the boxes and regain the infinite plane, and such a future might just be on its way. Our story begins in Milan, as spectators gathered to witness fashion brand AVAVAV present their runway show at the Fall/Winter 2023 Milan Fashion Week. The first model steps out from behind the facade at the back of the stage and begins her walk. Halfway down the runway, a strap breaks from her handbag, leaving it dangling by her side. As she reaches the end and stops, the bag falls off altogether, hitting the floor and rolling away from her. Without as much as looking down at the now empty strap she holds in her right hand, she turns around and finishes her walk. This was simply one out of the many wardrobe malfunctions featured — yes, featured — throughout the collection. Lenses from a model’s sunglasses fall off of her face and into the crowd. Heels fall off of another model’s shoes, as she stumbles to keep her composure and finish her walk. A pearl necklace shatters halfway down the runway, leaving pearls to scatter about the floor. A sleeve falls off of a shirt. Pants are inexplicably torn from a model, leaving him to walk back in underwear. A knitted top is slowly unraveled from a single thread throughout an entire walk. Whole outfits fall apart on stage, clothing ripped away and shredded with seemingly no cause. Finally, Beate Karlsson, Founder and Creative Director of AVAVAV, walks down the runway to thunderous applause. As she makes her way to the front of the stage, the wall behind her tilts forward and begins to fall. Audience members get up from their seats and stumble backwards away from the

“The idealizations of high fashion feeds downwards into everyday clothing”

facade. Karlsson herself looks back and runs from the wall, as if in fear, as the back wall of her show, in essence, the entire show itself, falls apart. At this point in the show it is clear that this was no accident, nor had been any of the numerous wardrobe malfunctions that filled the show. Karlsson has once again blurred the line between fashion and performance art. The idea behind this show, as explained by Karlsson in an interview after the event, was to examine the relationship in the fashion industry between luxury and seriousness. Runway shows are expected to be the highest degree of wealth and class, with even mainstream fashion shows being private events, only attended by VIPs, influencers and the ultra-elite. Especially for events in the “Big Four” or the Fashion Weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York, the standard is utter precision in all aspects and incredible seriousness at all times. Events of such a high caliber only happen twice a year, so the ability of a designer or brand to put on a show that’s both uniquely impressive and free of error is essential. The AVAVAV show was instead built around the question of, “What’s the most embarrassing thing that can happen to a fashion house?” The goal of the show was to break the facade of perfection by breaking the clothing itself. To tear down the preconceived notions of what luxury must be by tearing its own pieces apart. As stated by Karlsson in reference to the show, “[It’s] an effective tool to ironically pick on the things in the industry that are so serious.” Looking away from the “industry” and inwards at what most people actually wear, the idealizations of high fashion feeds downwards into everyday clothing. The art is, even here, to be taken seriously. Colors must match. Proportions must make sense. Themes must align. The idea of dressing “fashionably” today is shrouded in lookbooks, internet trends and aesthetic movements.

Photos by Rylie Meek, A-line Contributor — First page Top right: Model sports statement velvet pants with a casual jacket and black military boots. Bottom middle: Model wears graphic patchwork jeans with a blue hoodie tied around chest for stylish transport. Second Page Left: Model 1 (left) mix-and-matches a high-waisted skirt with a crochet bralette, ripped tights, leg warmers and Mary-Jane’s. Model 2 (right) styles cuffed, oversized jeans with a buttoned neckline sweater tunic. Top right: Model pairs a casual T-shirt with black sweatpants with multicolored accents. Bottom right: Model layers a patterned-lined trench coat on top of a zip-up skeletal jacket.

Fashion is a form of art centered around self-expression, but concealed behind that is conformity. Outfits are not made to express oneself, but to fit into a predefined category of dress. Streetwear, Normcore, 90’s Minimalism, Preppy, Grunge fashion, Boho-chic, there are an endless number of styles and trends, all with guidelines and tutorials. So much work and effort can be put into dressing well, all just to look like someone else. The dystopian future of fashion is one where individualism no longer exists, all style is merely entrance into a collective of others and clothing is no more than trends. However, a utopian future could exist instead. Self-verification theory, developed by William Swann, is a psychological theory defined as the desire for people to be seen by others as similarly as possible as to how they see themselves. This rule applies to both positive and negative self-evaluations — people just want people to agree with the way they see themselves. This verification helps make the world seem predictable and coherent. If one can understand themselves accurately as their most biased observer, then they must understand everything else pretty well too. Self-verification is strived for in all aspects of life and can help explain an argument for individuality. People don’t want to be seen as anything other than them-

selves. A big part of how one is seen exists in how one dresses and self-verification carries importantly into fashion as self-expression. Individuals don’t want to dress like other people, they want to dress like themselves. It is human nature to want to be understood as an individual, to wear something unique and be seen as such. Self-verification disregards standards and trends, as it is only focused with the mind. The utopian future of fashion is to dress creatively, uniquely, interestingly, to dress only as oneself can. It is not to stand out by fitting in, but to fit in by standing out. To develop trends of which there will only ever be one follower. When the impacts of culture, norms and expectations are removed, fashion is, at its core, self-expression and storytelling through clothing.Visual communication worn on the body or stored in a closet. Fashion has long been taken too seriously, and thus has lost meaning. When thought and care are aimed at fitting into trends and guidelines, following rules and adhering to do’s and don’ts, they are missing from true expression. Karlsson has worked to subvert the seriousness of runway fashion and we can do the same to fashion at large. Fight for the freedom of fashion, and stop taking it all too seriously.

SUNDAY One day a week where you dress to impress — or don’t By Logan Hansen @A-Line Contributor

“Individuality is a treasured possession, but there is a holy call to surrender the spotlight”

Photos by Nicole Hinojosa, A-line Contributor — Top: Model gazes upon the statue of St. Mary outside St. Mary’s Catholic Center on Church Avenue. Middle: Model 1 (left) wears a matching mint two-piece with a spaghetti strap top and wide leg pant. Model 2 (right) combines a long-sleeved gray sweater with a fitted maxi skirt. Bottom: Model dons a red floral midi sundress with a silk scarf headpiece.

rom Impact Retreat in the summer to Breakaway on Tuesdays, Aggies have shined brightly amongst other college campuses for the opportunities and strength of its religious services. Entering college and going from being encouraged by parents in faith to having to be self encouraged to attend holy services is an understandably daunting task. Texas A&M counters this stress with bountiful welcoming churches and religious organizations that want to become a second family to all those looking for one. Countless minutes are lost each Sunday traversing through outfit after outfit to answer the widely debated topic of what “Sunday Best” truly looks like. In our nation, Sunday is seen as “the day of otium cum dignitate, the day of rest, the day when people wash and clean themselves, and as the saying is, put on their Sunday’s best,” as stated by John Bew for The Political Magazine and Parliamentary, Naval, Military and Literary Journal. “Sunday Best,” however, does not refer to a universal standard of holy service fashion to adhere to, but simply your best for the day. Our clothing is an expression of ourselves and current states of mind. It is a form of nonverbal communication and is the first impression people receive of us when we walk through the doors of a place of worship. Regardless of what religion or specific sect one chooses to follow, this time is meant to be a refreshing and fulfilling period in an individual’s week. A time to be filled with the fruits of the spirit from a Christian perspective, as well as the pursuit of Om Tat Sat from a Hindu perspective. This is a mentality that is commonly reflected in our fashion choices. Whether that is jeans in the early morning or a casual jumpsuit after a late night, Sunday best is an aspiration to start your week anew in whatever attire you find comfort in. Feelings, subconscious or surface level, are adorned upon us through our clothing each and everyday. Low days may feature sweats, while high days may feature slacks.We all have go-to pieces depending on the given situation or emotion and the Church calls for the same. Religious meetings can offer a sense of joy,and tranquility. Joy is present in pastel colors that highlight warmer skin tones. Tranquility is found in the easy flow of a long sundress. For example, Young Life Ministry Team Leader

BEST

Madeleine Guirl said she can be seen in clean and minimal styles with simple gold jewelry on her days of worship. “[I believe] these styles are so comfortable, light and effortless, that they take my mind off what I’m wearing and allow me to worship without distractions,” Guirl said. Regardless of the contents in an individual’s closet or their reason for going to church, the idea of coming to better oneself or just to learn is all the same. Therefore, why not show up in clothing that you feel the most confident in? Reverence to a holy idol, place or symbol is sacred to followers of any faith, as their personal expression is viewed as a direct line of praise to the being that their religion is founded upon.While it may seem farfetched, the respect that is due within a holy setting has merit in the presence of clothing within church. “Services are not meant to be an opportunity to bring attention to an individual, but rather that as a community the body of Christ can worship and glorify God without distraction,” Grace Bible Church college pastor Benjamin Pinkerton said. Pinkerton’s viewpoint is based in humility, a principle that many, if not all, religions preach as well. Humility that can be lost in the extensively bejeweled and shining fabrics that draw eyes. Humility that can also be lost in the disheveled just-rolled-out-of-bed look. Ultimately, glitzy and informal wear remains to be subjective, but ask yourself this: how exactly am I choosing to stand out amongst the masses? Individuality is a treasured possession, but there is a holy call to surrender the spotlight. It is important to lead with the freedom of choice and comfort, but also to pair that choice with an awareness of how a bedazzled graphic t-shirt may disrupt the spiritual focus of the surrounding faith community. Comfort, while imperative to feeling your best in any given situation, is an especially important aspect of one’s Sunday best. This comfort could be found in the excitement in dressing in lavish wool for a service, or may just as easily manifest itself in the form of a casual linen outfit. This differentiation is one that Impact Camp CoChair Josie Ishmael describes how her, “friends that lean towards viewing God as powerful tend to dress nicer and [her] friends who view God more so on the friend side show up more casually.” Ultimately, the expectations of Sunday best fashion are just that, expectations not rules.You are always welcome into church as you are, however, there is also a level of respect, care and forethought to be considered in your clothing choices. Ishmael adds, “If your best happens to be a pair of old jeans and a shirt then that is fine, and if it is a silk dress then that’s fine too.”

TAILGATE time! 12875 Wellborn Road

Campus Profile Campus Profile Campus Profile Campus Profile Campus Profile From head to toe: the looks of A&M students By Olive Okoro A-Line contributor

“

hen you look good, you feel good,” is a common phrase everyone has likely heard at least once throughout their lives, but not everyone is able to fully embrace their unique style until they become an adult. The coming-of-age story of a college student does not only revolve around students breaking out of their small towns, meeting people from different walks of life and gaining

new knowledge and experiences; it is also about learning and becoming fully comfortable in what you wear. The unheard loudness of self-expression that comes with an outfit is one of the most noticeable ways to signal to others what a student is into and what trends they are currently wearing. From business suits to baggy sweatpants, and even the occasional fairycore outfit dripped in a Kanken backpack or an extremely heavy tote bag, Aggies are focused on academics and comfort. Every now and then, there are students who really show out on the sidewalks of campus. Campus profile showcases some of these lovely Aggies and their opinions on the campus’ fashion lifestyle over the years and how to better improve students’ style throughout their college journey. Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Top right: Aishat Ameo laughs in conversation, wearing an earthtoned argyle sweater vest outside the Memorial Student Center. Top middle: Students congregate around drink offerings in various styles of dress outside The Annex.

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Middle left: Ambica Yella-

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Bottom right: Cecilia Chong

mraju sports a basic white turtle neck with wide-leg car-

dons a loose-fitted, off-the-shoulder T-shirt with casual

go jeans while walking with her sister Aparna Yellamraju

black sweatpants as she walks to class outside the Bio-

who wears a black cropped tee and striped brown pants

logical Sciences Building -West. Bottom center-right: Blake

in front of the Liberal Arts and Humanities Building. Bot-

Stewart (left) and Marcus Alonzo (right) pair a button down

tom center-left: The Academic Building on Oct. 6, 2023.

work-wear shirt with jeans and a brown belt, topped off

Bottom left: Liam Le walks to class brandishing a metallic

with baseball caps matching their shirts as they stand out-

necklace and graphic, black T-shirt outside the Chemistry

side Harrington Education Center.

Building.

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Top left: Harmony Smith wears a cropped, blue tank with high-waisted jeans while walking alongside Valeri Chica who sports a black zip-up over a matching crop-top and wide-leg jeans. Middle left: Alyssa Toledo dons a polo shirt and a white tennis skirt whilst talking with Thomas Cumming who styles a patterned sweater with bright blue pants and his wire-framed glasses.

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Top right: The Flag Room on Oct. 6, 2023. Middle right: Oluwasegi Johnson walks through the Memorial Student Center Plaza, accessorized by a pair of gold wire-framed aviator glasses with a casual T-shirt sat atop his jeans. Middle center: Luke Wilkins poses in the Corps of Cadet standard uniform, characterized by its neutral tones and historic bright-white belt with a gold buckle.

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — Bottom right: Olena Koralcheck leaves Evans Library layering blue overshirt with a cropped brown top and sage green cargo pants. Bottom middle: William Tran sports a multicolored soccer jersey on his way to class outside the Higher Education Center Classrooms. Bottom left: Michelle Chang poses on Ross Street in a vibrant red pullover overtop oversized, gray cargo pants.

MNKY CLUB

“ M a y

N e v e r

K n o w Yo u ”

Customers come first in local tapestry project By Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse

ired of the branding that is so forthput in the fashion industry, some students have taken it upon themselves to start a clothing line where the customer’s vision is the forefront of the brand. One of these students, neuroscience junior Elian Vigil, started his line MNKY CLUB. MNKY CLUB, short for “May Never Know You” Club, was first established in 2019 by Vigil, a South Texas native who grew up in the border cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.The clothing line, as with many other start-up brands, first started with simple designs put up front on a t-shirt or hoodie. Soon after,Vigil took a different approach with the material and design aspect of his clothes: He allowed the customer to choose their own design. Such a drastic turn comes from the hatred of branding on clothing, Vigil said. With brands such as Gap, Hollister and Abercombie & Fitch splattering their image on each customer’s chest, the need for expression through clothing was a calling to be made. “I hate having the word Adidas splattered all over my chest or anything else representing someone else, and I’ve always wanted to express myself,”Vigil said. “But there was never anything that would cover or really satisfy that custom or freedom of expression. So, I just had to make my own thing, where it’s, I

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

guess, logo free. And it’s all just about the design that you want.” Vigil said “May Never Know You” refers to the style of communication each custom piece creates in reference to the wearer. “It has their stories, it has their message, it has what they want — the message they want to give off,”Vigil said. “Anytime you wear something like this out, [people are] going to remember it. Whoever sees you, whoever comes up to you, they’re going to remember it and they might see the message, but they’re never not gonna really know who you are.” Although MNKY CLUB is a solo project, with aspects such as production, creative direction, website management and finances all being run by Vigil, he credits Rayna Middleton Dexter. Dexter, a Texas A&M Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Performance Studies, mentored Vigil in learning to produce the garments, such as pattern drafting and sewing. “With [Vigil], we focused a lot on pattern drafting, so thinking about how to make a custom pattern for the look that you want based on body measurements,” Dexter said. “We also talked about the specific fabric, and how that can affect the way something fits. He’s working primarily with woven blankets, so how do you weave? How do you keep the fabric together after you cut it? It doesn’t have any stretch, so how do you accommodate that in your design?” In the time training Vigil, Dexter said he was very willing to learn the craft, with a friendly disposition and excitement to know more. Now, with Vigil taking further initiative in his creative direction, Dexter said she is excited to see MNKY CLUB’s progress. “The idea of using photography and imagery in the textile and making custom textiles, I think, is really exciting,” Dexter said. “He’s very mindful about the way that the pattern is cut so that the image is placed on the body, according to the design, and I really enjoyed watching his artistic development in that as well.” Dexter said she gives praise to the discipline Vigil has chosen to invest. “Not only [is it] choosing an image [and then] placing it on the textile, but then also how that gets placed on the body in the final garment, I think is really fascinating, creative, original work,” Dexter said. “So picking something that’s been around for a while and elevating it.” Aside from just big branding, Vigil said he also finds distaste for the low-quality end of fabric, with Gildan coming to mind. Changing to tapestry, not only does quality and price go up, but so does the customer experience. “In the communication process with the customer … we just go back and forth on ‘What design is this?’ ‘What works for you?’ ‘What do you like?’” Vigil said. “I personally don’t like to say no to any ideas … I’ll tell you no if it looks bad. If it looks bad, then I’ll tell you like, ‘Hey, maybe let’s try this,’ and if they’re like, ‘No, no, I really want this,’ then I’m like, ‘OK,’ you know, it’s their product, it’s their piece.”

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Once an agreement in ideas has been met with the customer, production of the tapestry commences,Vigil said. “There’s a sketch of where they want the placement, what kind of images they want or what they want them to be,” Vigil said. “And then once you have that, I’ll make that tapestry, and then we just put it all together. And usually production time takes about two to three weeks after an order is placed. Two weeks being very, very minimal, and three or four weeks [being] the more realistic range.” Vigil said with such dedication and work that goes through the production process, an appreciation of the artistic aspect of the final piece soon becomes established. “I don’t really see them as products, I see them more as art pieces,” Vigil said. “These are really personal, they’re not things that I could mass produce. These are going to take time on, so I like to call them artist pieces.” Electrical engineering junior Giovanni Lecky, a friend and customer of Vigil, said he enjoys wearing his custom tapestry sweater, both in quality and design. “I like the material it’s made out of, it’s held up pretty well and I wear it at least once a week,” Lecky said. “It felt pretty great knowing that I had input on what I was gonna get as a final product. He designed it, but actually took my thoughts into consideration because it was something uniquely for me.” Even with sales being small, an eye for interest in the brand has been catching on. “Every time I wear it, people ask me what the brand is [and] where I got it,” Lecky said. As for the future of the small fashion brand,Vigil said he wants to reach a larger audience and see MNKY CLUB establish itself further into the culture, although there is so only much he can do as a full-time student. As of now, the brand aims to creatively reach new places, he said. “I try to learn something new with every single piece, and so far it’s been working,” Vigil said. “So, I want to eventually get to a level where I have nothing else to learn.”

“I hate representing someone else, and I’ve always wanted to express myself ... So, I just had to make my own thing”

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

Photos by Fayobami Taiwo and Adriano Espinosa — First Page Top right: Models pose in garments made by neuroscience junior Elian Vigil in the Langford A building on Spet. 29, 2023. Bottom left: Tapestry sweater inspired by musical group TV Girl. Second Page Top right: Additional garment made by the MNKY CLUB with reference to musical artist Frank Ocean by request of customer.

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION

Laura McClintock — THE BATTALION

Proper hair care from 1A to 4C, confidence in the barber’s chair By Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse ost days, when people leave their homes, fashion might be the last thing on their mind. They may be early or late, with mismatched socks or no deodorant — the one thing they won’t leave with, however, is bad hair. Men, as we know it, are not as fashion forward compared to their female counterparts. This doesn’t mean they’re completely off the style train, simply shifting their focus to the more nuanced attributes of an outfit. Most style their entire fit on a pair of pants, perhaps even an accessory and brandish off their jewelry, but the number one priority amongst men is the hair they crown their head with. The following quotes are from barbers from Texas A&M’s local barbershop 4.0 Cuts at the Memorial Student Center. Each gave their own advice on which hair textures fit best with certain styles, as well as an inside look on the proper way to ask your barber what you want. This is what they said:

Cadet haircut Jacob Cervantes: A good fade is always important for the blend to be as high as it is, but still be blended into the number two that’s on top. Or even a lot of cadets are starting to grow out their hair more. [A] good fade’s always important, and then the juniors and seniors are able to actually style the hair a little bit more. Tavian Bonds: Do a high fade. Just don’t take it too high over the parietal ridge. You just keep it right below that, and they usually get away with it. EJ Hibbler: By adding the lineup, that always helps. [It] adds confidence to the haircut because they just all look alike. But you can set them apart by doing that.

Straight hair Cervantes: With straight hair, you’re going to need a lot of length to weigh down the hair because straight hair tends to stick out a lot. So having a lot of weight is important; messy looks are always cool. Bonds: It all depends on the thickness of hair.

Men’s Hairstyle Tips Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

If you have really thick hair, you can [style it] backwards [or] you can do the side. If you have thin hair, you can do the same thing, It just takes a lot of texturing and not cutting down to the skin. Hibbler: Head shape always matters. So when you’re lining it up, you want to look for symmetry along the head, like if [it’s] higher on the right in the left. You want to [be like], ‘Hey, this would look better,’ maybe getting a pompadour, maybe getting some kind of business cut. Maybe you have a rounder [head] shape, you want to lower or have a graduation cut, that’s where it’s lower on the sides, and then it gradually raises as you get to the crown and the top of the hair.

Bonds: They don’t know what they want. They come in there and they [accidently] say what they [don’t] want. Like they’ll be like, ‘Hey, I want a high fade,’ but really they wanted a low fade. Hibbler: They don’t know what they want, and they leave it to the barber to have to interpolate what they want. If it doesn’t match what they visualize, then it happens to frustrate the customer and then frustrate the barber. Then you don’t end up getting great conversation, which is what barbers really long for because we do the same haircut every day. When you can converse very well, that helps.

How to get what you want

Cervantes: Know what kind of hair texture and hair type you have. If you’re looking for Cervantes: Wavy hair is tough. So myself, I new hairstyles, definitely look [for references have wavy hair, I throw everything back, but of] people [who] have similar hair to you. You also keep it straight because the wave only know if you have dark straight hair, don’t look tends to happen when it gets longer. I usually at hairstyles that are super curly, or just like long keep it under three inches. and thin. Bonds: Get the flow, the flow hits with Bonds: Pictures [and] videos. Knowing the wavy hair. To achieve that you have to grow lingo, if you say, ‘Hey, I want to zero,’ but you the sides out, match it to the top. Take about don’t want it down to skin, that’s down the skin. half an inch off each month, maybe even less, So know your lingo and have a picture ready. just to keep maintenance. Hibbler: By showing us a Hibbler: That’s got to picture, because we’re prettake a lot of consultation. ty much visual learners, and We have to take our time even describing how you with that one. I would say, want to add your own little for me, one of my specialflair, and then giving us the ties that I like to do with creativity to add our own wavy hair is [not cutting] little flair to it as well. the total wavelength off, cut about half of it. That leaves the waves in there, especially if they just got a perm, that helps with preserving the length for as long as possible and preserving the wave.

Wavy hair

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

“Head shape always matters. So when you’re lining [the hair] up, you want to look for symmetry along the head”

Laura McClintock — THE BATTALION

Curly hair Cervantes: You can do a lot of things. If you’d like to wear your curls, you could keep a ‘fro on top and have an undercut. That’s what’s in these days, or just having curly hair everywhere with the taper fade on the sides. Taper fades are good on everybody. Bonds: [With] curly hair, you just put some Lotta Body [hair products]. You have to take shampoo, condition it, get a mid fade [and] have a curly top.You good. That’s all I do. Hibbler: Curly hair clients like myself, I typically offer a fade or just a temple fade so that you don’t take off much of the hair. Because if you do, they’ll end up looking like they’re bald. You want to just tell them the one and a half guard usually is what helps for clients that look like me, and maybe just doing light scissor work for other clients.

Common mistakes Cervantes:Trying to go away from their natural lay. A lot of people like to go against what their natural hair is doing and then when a barber tries to attempt what they’re asking for, it’s going to cause a little mishaps, especially if people have cowlicks and want a different hair where it’s going against a cowlick. You really just have to go with what your hair is offering.

Laura McClintock — THE BATTALION

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

Photos by Adriano Espinosa and Laura McClintock — Model 1: (First page top left, second page bottom right) Model sports a high fade with a close cut to maintain his natural hair. Model 2: (Centerpiece) Model shows off his naturally curly hair in a loose cut to his shoulders. Model 3: (Second page top right) Model highlights his curls by maintaining their length on the top and back, but keeping functionality with short cuts on the side. Model 4: (Second page middle right) Model keeps volume in his straight hair with a middle part and a slight undercut.

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

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Putting effort into your outfit is more than manly By Maddie McMurrough @MadsMcMurrough

Guide to Men’s

ost men on campus have horrific fashion taste. Yep, I said it. You guys are terrible at dressing yourself. Nike shorts? A t-shirt? Is that the best you can do? I know you guys are capable of much more than the bare minimum. Here’s your chance to set yourself apart and elevate your fashion game. Now, the toxic masculinity of the South has ingrained into our beloved male population that the idea of putting effort into the way you dress is ‘effeminate’ or something that ‘manly men’ just don’t do. Since when has ‘manly’ been the term granted to men who put no effort into the way they look, though? A more apt assessment is ‘lazy.’ A true ‘manly man’ is unafraid to put effort into the way they look and dress fashionably. Only Tom Selleck can pull off the rugged have-no-care look, and even then, curating his wardrobe was anything but effortless. Sorry, but none of you guys hold a candle to Selleck, so maybe try to put some effort in. Looking good doesn’t have to break the bank either. Thrifting is one of the easiest ways to level up your wardrobe. You may be thinking to yourself, ‘I know nothing about thrifting or my own personal style! How do I start this intimidating process?’ Lucky for you boys, I got an expert from the thrifting scene. Telecommunication media studies junior Thomas Cumming is a thrifting enthusiast and founder of Totality Vintage, a local thrifting business. Grab your paper and pencil and write this down, because with his expertise and impeccable style, he will take you from monster to ultimate man. Step One The first step is the most important but also the easiest.You have to know what you are looking for and what style you want to adopt. “The biggest thing is to find inspiration,” Cumming said. “For me, it was all through Instagram. I followed people who knew what they were doing, so you learn a lot from them on what’s in and how to style things.” To truly cultivate your own personal style, you have to look through examples of what you like and what you absolutely hate. Download Pinterest and search for the aesthetic that inspires you, or go on Instagram and see what your favorite athletes wear on their days off. Experiment and have fun with it.

Photos by Ahsan Yahya — Left: Model wears a leather jacket on top of a thrifted brown sweater, accompanied by pants and a belt passed down from his grandfather. Middle: Model sports an Adidas soccer polo jersey under a denim jacket paired with straight fitted jeans. Right: Model puts on a thrifted, yellow Nike Air zip-up with a basic white blank and brown cargo pants.

New Fashion Step Two

Now that you have a pretty good idea of what you like style-wise, it’s important to know your own body and what will look good on it. “This one took me a while to figure out, but: proportions,” Cumming said. “You need to know your body.You’ll see people on Instagram, and you’re not them, so you have to be able to adapt it to yourself and see what works for you, and that’s all that matters.” Spend not just your money, but also your time. Try different clothes on. Clothing stores have dressing rooms for a reason. One size does not fit all, and the only way to figure out what looks good on you is to try everything on. It’s also totally OK to ask your friends for advice on certain clothes. An outside opinion is always helpful. If you’re worried about your friends dogging you for shopping, I think it’s time to find some new friends who are more secure in themselves.There is nothing wrong with caring about your presentation.

Girls love to dress their boys, and they usually won’t disappoint with their clothing choices for you, handpicked with love. Step Four

Now comes the fun part: buying the clothes. “[Create] a closet of basics that will work with everything and learn how to mix and match and repeat outfits — don’t overthink it,” Cumming said. Basics are just as the name implies: jeans, hoodies and plain white t-shirts. Pretty much any clothes that would work with all other parts of your wardrobe. When you have your basics, then you can elevate them with accessories. “Not enough people accessorize,” Cumming said. “You need to have a go-to pair of sunglasses, throw some rings on there and it really goes the extra mile. It shows that you cared when you got out of bed.”

“[Learn] how to mix and match and repeat outfits — don’t overthink it”

Step Three Now that you know your personal style and what looks good on you, the next step is knowing where to shop. “As much as people think thrifting is just going to Goodwill and just looking through racks, it’s a lot more than that,” Cumming said. “It becomes more of a thing of going to pop up markets, going to actual thrift stores and online places. I’m big on Depop and Poshmark.” Thrifting takes time, patience and multiple locations. Don’t expect the first store you go into to be the place you find your entire wardrobe. Make a day of it. It’s also a good idea for a fashion forward date.

Why Should You Care? Besides thrifting being an environmentally responsible way to shop, it is also a good way to build your confidence on a budget. “The big thing that made me want to start caring about the way I dress, [is] it becomes another dimension of how you present yourself,” Cumming said. “For me, it’s a huge boost in confidence. First impressions are everything and a big part of that is how you look and how other people see you … I go into conversations feeling better about it because I feel good about how I look.” You should always put your best foot forward every morning, and when you look good, I guarantee you will feel good.With those steps in mind, nothing is holding you back from elevating your fashion, and with that, you will elevate yourself as well.

Backpack and Bag Accesorization Carrying the weight of school on your shoulders in style By Parker Elkins A-Line Contributor

he staple of every student’s closet: a bag. Backpacks, book bags, tote bags, shoulder bags — the list is endless. In a generation where having “personal style” is as integral as having a personality, this studious accessory cannot and should not be the exception. The manner in which you dress is the true first impression of any interaction. However, this does not mean you have to dress to the nines every day, but rather, dress to express a fun fact about yourself. As a college student on a college budget, it can be difficult to build an expressive wardrobe, so a customized book bag is the perfect place to start. Kerina Farias and Leslie Ortega, a biomedical sciences junior, each have their collection of pins and keychains on display on their totes. Not only does it provide a gorgeous pop of color but it’s also a great conversation starter when sitting next to a stranger in class. Kerina decorates her black tote with anime pins that remind her of her sweet pup, and Leslie personalizes her canvas tote as a form of creative self-expression. Keychains and pins are easy and inexpensive collectibles. They can be found anywhere: thrift shops, gas stations, gift shops, custom ordered, DIY, etc. At one point in time, pins were primarily used in American culture to convey a person’s political alignment. It became a trend in the 90s to use pins for self-expression and not just for politics. And just as everything else in the 90s is making a comeback, justifiably so, customized pins are no exception. While abroad in Italy, Alyssa Dulock, a telecommunication media studies junior found a pale-pink leather shoulder bag for 15 euros. The leather provides two strong benefits: one, the straps are far more comfortable on your shoulder, and two, the material itself is strong enough to hold multiple heavy textbooks. Genuine leather bags can range anywhere from $10 to $500 depending on the designer and manufacturer. The price of a leather bag is not always associated with the quality of the bag, but rather the high-end name attached to it. A $20 leather bag can be just as well-crafted as a $200 designer bag. Small businesses, such as the Italian vendor Alyssa purchased her bag from, are great places to source affordable leather products.While maintaining a leather bag is more difficult than a regular backpack, if done properly, it can last decades before it weathers beyond wear. Artist Catie Samson, a psychology sophomore, hand painted her favorite video game character on her bag. Canvas totes are the perfect platform for a creative outlet or to hone in on a new skill because you can buy blank totes a dime a dozen online or at local arts and crafts stores. These bags are easy to maintain and are surprisingly difficult to permanently stain. Canvas totes are machine washable, but small smudges can be drawn out with just some liquid makeup remover and a cotton swab. Accessorizing goes a long way when it comes to making first impressions, breaking the ice around strangers and letting creativity flow.You do not have to spend a fortune to look put together, and you do not have to be a creative genius to show a little personality in your style.

Photos by Grace Wang, A-line Contributor — Top right, middle right: Models showcase their tote bags, adorned with pins of various colors, phrases and images. Top left: Model carries her canvas tote bag, customized with her personal painting of a video game character. Middle left, bottom right: Model presents her Italian pink leather bag, personalized with a simple seashell keychain.

Fighting Fast Fashion: A&M’s Waste Wear Wearable Art Students assemble outfits using common pollutants By John Chapa @JDChapaBatt

ashion has derived itself from different cultures and trends over time. Those looking to stay up to date with the latest style do so by adopting the next trend. One Texas A&M professor has encouraged her students to explore the newest emerging trend: saving the world. Last spring, performance studies lecturer Grace Adinku, Ph.D., tasked the two sections of her fashion in world-culture course with creating a garment out of recyclable materials. Together, she and her students organized the Waste Wear Wearable Art runway show in Rudder Theater in April. The prevalence of fast

fashion inspired the professor to challenge her students to create 100% recyclable looks for a runway show, Adinku said. “When I started teaching [the class], I saw that when we look at different cultures and look at different dresses, items that we refer to as garments, we get to a point where we start talking fast fashion, modern fashion, and the effect of [these] on our climate and environment,” Adinku said. “That’s where I got the idea about incorporating a wearable art runway show.” Adinku said she created the semester-long, fashion project to bring awareness of sustainability solutions to A&M. “I set out to do this to draw the attention of my students to fashion and climate change,” Adinku said. “I wanted my students to be creative in how we consume things and their recyclable tendencies. We called it waste wear wearable art. We used this knowledge of culture and dresses to create garments using recyclable materials.” Adinku assigned a total of 24 groups of five to seven students of different majors and classifications to create a garment for the catwalk. Biomedical sciences junior Alexa Mihailescu and finance junior Shrikar Pinnam worked together in group No. 22, creating a mermaid dress to raise awareness of the fashion industry’s contribution to ocean pollution. The students wanted to demonstrate that recyclable materials can form works of beauty without destroying the natural beauty of Earth and its oceans, Mihailescu said. “It was the first thing that came to mind,” Mihailescu said. “Thinking about recyclable materials, we thought [of] plastic, and one of the biggest issues with plastic comes with plastic pollution in the ocean.

Photos by Ani Tummalapalli — First Page Centerpiece: Students meet and discuss their project with reporter John Chapa in professor Grace Adinku’s office in the Liberal Arts and Humanities Building on Oct. 6, 2023. Bottom right: Sketches of project designs hung on the wall of Adinku’s office. Second Page Centerpiece: Finished projects of the students made of various recycled materials. Bottom left: A group’s final two-piece dress made entirely out of upcycled newspapers from The Battalion.

Animals getting strangled by plastic, animals that ingest microplastics — all of this can be devastating. I thought, ‘How can we make plastic pollution look pretty to get the message across without being disturbing?’ We used a mermaid as a symbol for the issue.” Pinnam said the most challenging aspect of the design process had nothing to do with executing the design, but creating a schedule for everyone to work on the dress at once. “Dr. Adinku gave us some class days kind of often to work on this,” Pinnam said. “But when you’re working on something like this, that time isn’t necessarily sufficient, so you have to make sure that you find outsideof-class time to work on it. We had someone who’s doing a nursing degree [and] someone who’s doing architecture engineering. There is a lot of classwork for these majors. It was hard to coordinate everybody together. Luckily, we were able to get it done in the end.” Creative challenges were part of the design process, notably for the group that created a two-piece dress and crown headpiece made entirely of The Battalion newspapers. Adinku said she challenged the newspaper group to utilize no fabric, only newspapers and cello tape when needed. Group No. 22 used straws, soda tabs and an upcycled dress to create its mermaid piece. Upcycling is reusing or refashioning material and is a sustainable form of fashion that many people don’t even realize they take part in and should do more, Adinku said. “Unconsciously, sometimes you pick a dress or you pick a shirt that you haven’t worn in a long time and you decide, ‘Oh, I’m gonna wear this shirt, but I’m gonna wear it with a jacket,’ right?” Adinku said. “That is upcycling. You’re already upcycling your look. And the way you use that item, or the way you have been

using the item, you can even decide that, ‘Okay, these jeans are really old, but I’m just gonna cut it into a knee-length bottom.’” When asked if sustainability and better environmental practices are the next emerging trend for fashion, Adinku said the U.S. has yet to catch up to what the rest of the world does. “We cannot discuss global warming or global change without looking at various parts of our own lifestyle, how we treat things that are around us,” Adinku said. “In places like Africa, people don’t dump clothes. If I feel like I don’t want this dress anymore, I can give it to my sister, my junior sister. If my junior sister does not want it, she can give it to her friend. Communal exchanging of hands within African culture, is something the Western culture doesn’t have anymore. They used to, but they don’t have it anymore.” While later U.S. generations are no longer practicing the act of wearing hand-me-downs, people shopping at thrift stores for second-hand clothes is a sustainable practice. Then again, fast fashion draws consumers into buying things that they don’t need, Adinku said. More companies worldwide are creating sustainable solutions to combat the fashion industry’s negative effects on climate change. Thaely, a sneaker company in India, produces sneakers made out of 10 plastic bags and 12 plastic bottles. Desserto has created an alternative to animal leather out of nopal, or cactus, that brands like BMW, H&M and Adidas have used for car interiors, handbags and apparel. If the world wants to continue seeing new fashion trends, the world must adopt practices that prolong the world’s lifespan.

First

Friday

Fashion Historic streets become a runway for community members, locals By Camryn Bacon A-Line Contributor

very First Friday, fashion enthusiasts of all ages gather in Downtown Bryan to highlight local vendors and small businesses. Live music and dance performances fill the historic streets, encapsulating a community coming together in one night. This monthly event is a visual work that combines standard aesthetics with urban flare into an environment not entirely fashion-focused — a college student-based area. Fortunately, Downtown Bryan becomes an environment for those with fashion interests and brings together a community with similar tastes. Small businesses that specialize in thrifted clothing attract those who have an interest in age old classics. Living in a college town, it’s difficult to find vintage and thrifted clothing which is why young adults attend First Friday. It is an assortment of aesthetics. The combination of fashion choices, culture and individuality captivates others to transcend into their style — booths decorated with treasures, streets filled with dancers and musicians among the blocked-off streets. Businesses line up closely together with

neon lighted signs and racks full of clothes. Tristan Nigos, a computer science senior at Texas A&M University and owner of Bygone Vintage, joined First Friday for his third time vendoring and helped put together the clothing event. “Seeing all of the college students come downtown on a Friday night to enjoy what the city has to offer and seeing the community is something I always want to be a part of that brings me back,” Nigos said. The colors and patterns of timeless clothing shown throughout the streets underneath the evening lights bring a sense of comfort to the setting. Couples are often seen in coordinated outfits, personalized Adidas sambas or unique vintage band tees from local booths. Street fashion prevails and vintage is the star of the show. Many opt to style worn-in tees with the athleisure shoe of the season. The ensembles show an effortless style. Pairing together dark wash denim jeans with a white tee and adidas sambas is a favorite. Sheyla Hidalgo, a communication junior, attended First Friday wearing an outfit very similar.

“I love coming to buy new pieces of clothing from the vendors here, the unique jackets are some of my favorites,” Hidalgo said. A lot of vendors sell old race car and high quality denim jackets which seemed to be favored on this First Friday due to winter just around the corner. These jackets are often styled with loose-fitted jeans, a white tee and a pair of sneakers. Although sneakers are a staple, it never stops people from wearing a good pair of cowboy boots. It’s not uncommon to see girls confidently strutting their style with a twist, pairing cowboy boots with long maxi skirts, trendy gold chain belts and crop tops layered with denim jackets. This blend of Western style and modern trends results in an exciting mix of chic and southern. Moreover, jean lovers find their creative outlet through easy yet daring denim-on-denim ensembles. Other than denim, attendees mix and match different patterns and colors when it comes to bottoms, making it easier to pair with statement pieces such as jackets. “I play around with my style all the time, I’m wearing red gingham shorts, blue adidas sambas, a black baby tee and a leather jacket I thrifted,” said Isabella Kaarto, a global arts, planning, design and construction senior. Blending old and new trends results in a tasteful combination of nostalgic and modern styles. The streets are transformed into a runway of creativity every First Friday. Both men and women use their wardrobes to express their personalities. Unique designs, lively colors and peculiar accessories are a bold statement, reflecting the many fashion influences infiltrating the Bryan area. As the sun sets and live music fills the air, Downtown Bryan becomes a cozy spot for everyone to enjoy. First Friday is more than just a bash — it’s a fashion display that reflects the neighborhood’s sense of style.The Texan festivities pay homage to the Bryan community’s unique flare. Personal expression has no limits, and neither does First Friday.

Photos by Rayan Syed, A-line Contributor — First Page Top right: Event goers don both tote bags and traditional backpacks to carry items and trinkets purchased at First Friday. Top left: Customers browse clothing options from a local vendor on the streets of Downtown Bryan on Oct. 6, 2023. Bottom right: First Friday attendees pose in traditional southern style: button downs, boot cut jeans, a belt and a cowboy hat. Bottom left: A staircase against a building in Downtown Bryan on Oct. 6, 2023. Second Page Top right: Main Street is lined with tents and vendors for the market event in front of the Queen’s Theater on Oct. 6, 2023. Top left: Attendees show off experimental styles with painted, distressed painted jeans and dresses. Middle right: First Friday serves as a mixing of fashion aesthetics with modern trends like wide-leg jeans and square-framed sunglasses and southern style like boot-cut pants and cowboy hats. Middle center: Attendees pose for a photo in the streets of Downtown Bryan, showing the range of styles seen at First Friday on Oct. 6, 2023. Middle left: Denim is the fabric of choice at First Friday with pieces such as a classic jean or a denim vest. Bottom right: Skaters attending First Friday keep to their personal style of graphic T-shirts and loose-fitting pants.

Retail Therapy Knowing where to draw the line between desire and debt “Sometimes you do need to spend By Richa Shah @WhoIsRichaShah

etail therapy is the triedand-true method of making yourself feel better by shopping. “Retail” implies fashion items such as clothes or accessories and “therapy” comes with the idea that shiny clothes dull or diminish the negative feelings brewing inside. It’s hard to feel sad when you get to unbox a new pair of boots. Essentially, the idea is to spend money to treat yourself to clothes or shoes to brighten your spirits. Sociology senior Casey Zaragoza said she is a believer in the art of retail therapy — something she’s practiced since she began earning money. Though she once spent almost $300 on a Dior perfume in a sadness-fueled shopping expedition, Zaragoza said she cautions against going overboard. “A little [retail therapy] is OK, but don’t overdo it,” Zaragoza said. “A little treat is fine but not too many little treats.” Zaragoza said she encourages retail therapy up until the point where it causes irrevocable harm to your finances. Going into debt during a ‘go-treat-yourself ’ spree is a surefire way to double your problems. “I always spend within my meansish,” Zaragoza said. “If it’s going to be impulsive, it shouldn’t be expensive.” Similarly, psychology senior Alexis Fales said she generally thinks of retail therapy as a coping mechanism for smaller problems. Fales said she admits retail therapy generally only makes her feel better temporarily, however, it makes tackling i s sues feel more achievable. “I need to blow some money and it’s going to make me feel better,” Fales said.

that money, just because it’s going to relieve something in you.” Fales said she orders shoes she doesn’t need, going so far as to buy more pairs than she has room for. Fales said her shoe closet had been overflowing until she forced herself to clean it out last spring. “When I’m upset, I’ll just get on designer websites I cannot afford and browse,” Fales said. “I’ve never bought anything super expensive, but when I buy cheap things over and over, the bill adds up.” When asked whether Fales recommends retail therapy as a coping mechanism, she said there are healthier and less expensive options. “No, I recommend therapy,” Fales said. Biomedical sciences sophomore Brenden Gerstenberg said he strongly disapproves of retail therapy. He said he used to engage but realized it wasn’t for him. “I started using being sad as an excuse to spend too much,” Gerstenberg said. “Over time, my little treats turned into big treats, and that was a problem.” After vowing not to revert to retail therapy, Gerstenberg said he understood why it was so common. “If practiced in moderation, [retail therapy] is harmless and cheaper than therapy,” Gerstenberg said. “If you have the self-control to stop at a little trinket, I say go for it.” The verdict: shop ‘til you drop, or at least till your bank calls to confirm your recent purchases.

Main graphics by Selene Castillo

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