SEPTEMBER 2020
ISSUE 01
Editor's Letter Dear readers, Fashion Insider is a monthly digital magazine under my fashion platform, The Mishy Way. The name of the magazine is different from the platform's name because I wanted to make the name more related to the purpose of this magazine since it has grown to become more than just a personal blog. Fashion Insider is dedicated to scale our mission to continue empowering teenagers through fashion and to connect people from all over the world to share their unique styles, stories, and cultures behind their fashion. For the first issue, we have included blog-style writings and articles, an interview featuring a high school student who has extensive travel experiences in Asia, and outfit curated by our fashion stylists. This is the beginning of our magazine issues and I’m inspired to use this platform to empower and connect with people from all parts of the world through fashion. Michelle Chen (Founder)
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Check Us Out! TheMishyWay.xyz (themishyway.wixsite.com/home)
@TheMishyWay
@TheMishyWay
Apply for Issue II! tinyurl.com/tmwapp FASHION INSIDER
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Michelle Chen Founder
Jasmin Singh Layout Designer, Fashion Stylist
Niyanta Chirawala Fashion Stylist, Writer
Risha Chaurasia
Seci Burese
Writer
Editor, Fashion Stylist
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Shruti Kale Editor
Carolyn You Artist
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Table of Contents FASHION 2 Editor's Letter 3 Check Us Out 4 Meet the Team 6 Finding the Perfect Outfits to let your confidence shine 9 How Can the Colors You Wear Affect Your Mood? 13 The Downside of Denim
FEATURES 16 Interview 20 Outfit Ideas 24 Sources
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Written By Michelle Chen Edited By Shruti Kale and Seci Burese
Art By Carolyn You Layout By Michelle Chen
Finding the Perfect Outfits to Let Your Confidence Shine
As you know, part of our mission is to inspire and empower teenagers to express their individuality and to build their confidence through fashion. So, how do you actually find the outfits that can empower you and let your confidence shine? Well, we’ll help you find out!
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Am I comfortable wearing this outfit? Comfort is key! An article of clothing can be uncomfortable to wear based on its material, how tight or loose it is, and the design. You definitely need to be comfortable in wearing an outfit to fully release your confidence! In my perspective, you probably won’t wear the outfit if it’s uncomfortable. So, don’t buy anything that you don’t feel comfortable wearing.
Am I going out of my comfort zone? It may be scary to go out of your comfort zone. However, you should always step out of your comfort zone and try out a new style or clothing piece. Take a risk and you might discover a new side of you that you never knew before! Maybe you’ll like the outfit or find yourself liking the style. Fashion is about discovering who YOU are to better express yourself!
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Should I wear it more than one time? Of course! It’s pointless to buy an outfit or clothes that you won’t be wearing often. There are countless ways you can style pieces of clothes and even accessories! Go ahead and use your creativity to discover how you can wear them! Additionally, if you find yourself unable to wear a piece of clothing more than once, it probably means that they are not the best clothes to empower you. Moreover, wearing an outfit more than once would be more sustainable for our planet rather than spending on buying new clothes.
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How can the colors you wear affect your mood?
There are various colors, ranging from warm tones like red and yellow to cool ones like green or blue. We all wear some type of color. Although it may not be familiar to most people, numerous studies have suggested that colors can actually affect your emotions. Countless designers and marketers have been utilizing this concept to impact your behaviors and moods. Now, let’s take a look at the psychological effects of some of the most popular colors.
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Red Ever wonder why people wear red for romantic events and Valentine’s Day? Well, red is the perfect color to draw attention from others. It’s one of the most vibrant colors and it symbolizes romance and strong passion which empowers the wearer. For example, red can be associated with fire which evokes strong emotions and feelings of power given its fiery hue. Additionally, red can cause excitement based on other psychological effects it gives, like an increase in heart rate.
Orange Orange is a combination of red and yellow which contributes to the energy and strength it gives to the wearer when they feel emotionally down. Additionally, orange can draw attention like red and yellow but to a lighter extent since it isn’t as bright or strong. Besides that, orange is definitely a cheerful color to wear that may be a bit tricky to pull off for certain skin tones.
Yellow Yellow is typically associated with sunshine and laughter. Therefore, it can bring happiness and make the wearer feel optimistic and energetic. When you’re feeling down, wearing yellow will make you feel hopeful and can cheer you up. Moreover, studies have shown that yellow can increase productivity. Therefore, you should definitely wear it when you’re looking for motivation to study!
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Green According to Paul Brunton, green is “nature's color.” It is “restful, soothing, cheerful, and health-giving." These are true since green creates a balance between your heart and your mind, making it a calm and soothing color. Thus, when you’re overwhelmed by exams or stressed out by certain events, wearing green might help you feel relaxed. Although green is a popular color to wear in Spring, it may be a difficult color to pull off.
Blue Like the color green, blue associates with calm as well as trust and intelligence. People often wear blue to interviews because it can make them appear trustworthy and loyal. Thus, it is also a popular color for working outfits. Additionally, blue is an excellent color to wear when you’re feeling stressed and want to feel calm. However, don’t wear it when you’re feeling down since it may actually cause you to feel more “blue.”
Purple Purple is associated with mystery, creativity, wealth, and royalty. In the past, only people who were wealthy could afford to wear purple. This was because the dye was difficult to create due to the lack of materials. Nowadays, people who wear purple are commonly seen as dreamers, mysterious, and majestic.
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White White symbolizes purity, cleanliness, and simplicity. That is the reason why doctors wear white coats and brides usually wear white dresses at weddings! Moreover, in numerous Asian cultures, white is often worn at funerals which symbolizes new beginnings. Other than that, white is a neutral color and can be worn with many other colors!
Black Black is a timeless, chic, and elegant color that can be worn with any colors and at various occasions and seasons. According to a study, most people wear black to interviews. That’s because black is associated with power, seriousness, and professionalism. Moreover, the study reveals that the majority of people picked black as the color that brings out their confidence. Thus, if you’re a timid person, black is the best color to channel your confidence and make you feel elegant, independent, ambitious, and powerful, like a boss.
Pink Pink symbolizes romance and femininity. Wearing pink clothes can give the wearer a warm and sweet vibe.
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Layout By Jasmin Singh & Michelle Chen
Downside of Denim Written By Risha Chaurasia Edited By Shruti Kale & Seci Burese When in doubt, wear denim! I am sure all of us have heard this at least once. Denim...one of the most worn and sought after fabrics may not be all fairy tales and sunshine. That bright blue pair of jeans that you own, that jumpsuit, or those shorts are detrimental as they pose major ecological threats since they are a mass polluter.
Discovered on May 20, 1873, by Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss, denim has pontificated its way into almost every garment store. For hundreds of companies, the production of denim is a highly lucrative business and brands like Levi's and Wrangler are famous for their jeans. However, denim may not be as beneficial for the environment as it is for the bank accounts. The fashion industry in itself is a huge polluter, currently
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generating over 14 million tons of reusable waste every year. It is responsible for 10% of total global waste and is the secondlargest polluter of the world. Denim is a major contributor to pollution and is at the forefront of waste generation. The pollution begins right from the start of production. Cotton is a very thirsty crop and requires massive amounts of water to
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Downside of Denim grow, with about 20,000 liters of water required to produce one kilogram of cotton, which makes just one pair of jeans. This is equivalent to about 5000 gallons of water for one pair of jeans. Fashion accounts for about 20% of total global wastewater. Additionally, besides the excessive water use, cotton also requires many chemicals to grow. 11% of all pesticides are used in the production of cotton, causing soil and water pollution. Adding to the threat these chemicals pose to the environment, they are also toxic and harm the health of workers and farmers. Because of these hazardous conditions, farmers can catch illnesses and diseases such as asthma, diabetes, Parkinson's,
Alzheimer’s, and even some types of cancer. The condition of Xintang’s rivers is stark evidence of the colossal pollution caused by denim production. In 2013, Xintang’s rivers turned deep blue and emitted a foul odor, a result of manufacturers dumping chemical-laden wastewater directly into local waterways. Colossal amounts of toxic metals like mercury, lead, and copper was found in its waters, which residents rely on drinking, bathing, and more.
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Moreover, the rich blue color of denim comes from synthetic dyes made from fossil fuels. Also, renowned stone wash jeans are the largest polluters in terms of jeans. They get their unique weathered texture using volcanic pumice stones. Once the stones break down, many companies discard their dust into their local watersheds. The large quantities of pumice dust pollute rivers and local streams. Sometimes, even small particles of denim end up in the water which is then used by the factory workers. As global citizens, we must recognize this threat and strive to better the situation. We must reduce the use of denim and try to recycle all the used clothes we have. All these little things help make a massive impact.
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INTERVIEW By Michelle Chen
Check out our website for all posted interviews.
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Interview, Art, and Layout By Michelle Chen
Interview
with Jun
Background: Jun is a high school student in New York.
Hello! Can you tell me who you are? Hi, I’m an Asian kid in finance major, taller than average, and am pretty outward. How would you describe your fashion style? Well, it used to be super flashy with silver chains, shiny tucked in shirts with ripped skinny jeans. I didn't like how it made me look and so I switched to a more conservative style. These days I try to keep it earthy with much darker tones, primarily shades of brown and green, with softer textures, trying to convey a more mature and compassionate me. I also incorporate more head accessories to my outfit these days as it just adds the finishing sophistication that makes the outfit stand out. Who inspires your outfits and fashion sense? Is there anyone you look up to? I don’t look up to anyone for fashion inspiration. I mostly get inspiration through people I see on the streets. As I've walked around shopping districts in China, Singapore, and New York, I've seen quite a few outfits that had elements that stood out to me. I keep those in my head as I put new outfits together.
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That sounds great. Do you have any particular favorite apparel stores? Well, I personally enjoy Uniqlo a lot because they have a lot of Asian elements in clothing. Also, their clothing is really easy to build layers with due to their simplicity, which is not to say they're plain. They just don't do many flashy patterns. It's just a lot more about the silhouette of the clothing. I personally prefer this emphasis on the silhouette due to my taste in oversized clothing.
I really like the simplicity of the clothes in Uniqlo too. Do you think there is a diverse range of styles in your school? How would you compare your style with everyone else’s there? I personally think that it is not that diverse in terms of fashion. I see a lot of the same outfits everyday, especially among girls, namely the light blue jeans with white crop top look. But there is a numerous numbered subgroup of folks exhibiting some unique choices in their outfits. I personally think my style is quite unique in the school.
How does school influence the way you dress? The school doesn't affect me that much in what my style is but it does affect how much effort I put into thinking about it. That’s because I like to feel confident in what I wear.
How do the clothes you wear help you feel confident? They allow me to show that I care about how I present myself. Also, they grab the attention of others and the casual glances make me feel confident.
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How did you discover what clothes and style you feel confident with?
I look for clothing that looks good and can easily curate outfits with. For example, I personally buy new cohesive pieces and then, I pick and match them with pieces that I have already. Do you tend to stay on top of fashion trends?
Yes, I do. I look for the latest trends to explore new styles.
Do you think there’s a story behind your style? Does it tell people who you are as a person? Yes, I think my extensive travels in Asia does often reflect in my stylistic choices. I think it correctly reflects my status as a reserved, outward, and soft person.
How long does it take you to come up with outfit ideas everyday? I have a few clothing groups of 6-10 pieces that work with each other and I spend around five minutes each morning putting it together based on which ones are available while the rest are washing.
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What are your essential pieces? All of my earthy pieces: browns and beiges. I feel like those shades fit well on me. What advice would you give to teens and youths who are trying to express their individuality through fashion, finding their own styles, and to feel confident in what they wear? I would say to keep experimenting and look to their peers for inspiration. Thank you for your time and for letting me interview you. I learned so much. Have a great day!
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Layout by Michelle Chen
OUTFIT IDEAS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR! Here are some of the outfit ideas we have curated. Check out our website for all the outfits we have and for the links of the clothes to shop the looks!
By Michelle chen
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By Jasmin Singh
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By Seci Burese
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By niyanta chirawala
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Works Gremillion AS. Colors and emotions: how colors make you feel. 99designs. https://99designs.com/blog/tips/how-color-impacts-emotions-and-behaviors/. Published August 30, 2019. [1] Cherry, Kendra. The Impact of the Color Yellow on Your Mood. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-yellow-2795823. Published 2020. [2]
Cherry, Kendra. How Does the Color Red Impact Your Mood and Behavior? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-red-2795821. Published 2020. [3] Kelly D. The Psychology of Color — Yellow - David Kelly - Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/@davidkellyuph/the-psychology-of-color-yellow-fc9420cf2ff7. Published February 7, 2019. [4] The Color Orange. Empowered By Color. https://www.empower-yourself-with-colorpsychology.com/colororange.html#:~:text=The%20color%20orange%20radiates%20warmth,emotional%20stre ngth%20in%20difficult%20times. Published 2018. [5] Cherry, Kendra. How Does the Color Green Impact Mood and Behavior? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-green-2795817. Published 2020. [6] Cherry, Kendra Effects of the Color Purple on Mood and Behavior. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-purple2795820#:~:text=Color%20psychology%20suggests%20that%20colors,our%20moods% 20and%20even%20behaviors.&text=People%20often%20describe%20this%20color,vie wed%20as%20rare%20and%20intriguing. Published 2020. [7]
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Cited The Color White. Empowered By Color. https://www.empower-yourself-with-colorpsychology.com/colorwhite.html#:~:text=The%20psychological%20meaning%20of%20white,slate%20clean%2C %20so%20to%20speak.&text=White%20contains%20an%20equal%20balance,negative% 20aspects%20of%20all%20colors. Published 2018. [8]
What Do the Colours You Wear Say About You? Buytshirtsonline.co.uk. http://www.buytshirtsonline.co.uk/colour-perception/. Published 2020. [9]
Fashion Industry Waste Statistics. E D G E. https://edgexpo.com/fashion-industry-wastestatistics/. Published July 20, 2016. [10]
Denim M. Are My Denim Jeans Bad for the Environment? NRDC. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/are-my-denim-jeans-bad-environment. Published August 18, 2020. [11]
Webber K. The Environmental and Human Cost of Making a Pair of Jeans. EcoWatch. https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-cost-jeans-2544519658.html. Published March 8, 2018. [12]
The Logical Indian. It Takes Upto 10,000 Litres Of Water To Make One Pair Of Jeans, Know How It Affects The Environment. Thelogicalindian.com. https://thelogicalindian.com/environment/jeans/. Published February 3, 2017. [13]
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Fashion Insider
Thank you for reading issue I! @TheMishyWay