THE REVIVAL ISSUE by Monumental Magazine

photography by Kassidy McDonald cover model Karly McDonald

THIS EDITION IS DEDICATED TO MONUMENTAL MAGAZINE’S SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE DONATED FUNDS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PRODUCE NEW AND EXCITING CONTENT THIS YEAR! THE BIGGEST THANK YOU TO... J.R. & KATHLEEN MCDONALD, JOHN GARRY, SANDRA TASSEL, MISSY MALONEY, DEB & GREG NORRIS, JUDI & ROBB MANSI, DAMON & KAREN MARKOWSKI, COLLEEN & BRIAN LEE, HEATHER CUNNINGHAM, SUSAN DANSON, KELLEE FEARON, BEVERLY MANSI, KERRILY JEDNOROWICZ, LAWRENCE LEFF, JODO TURK, ERIN GARRY, AND BRIAN & KERIS MCDONALD

Revival

e re•viv•al / ri-vi-v l

1 : an act or instance of reviving: the state of being revived: such as : a. renewed attention to or interest in something b. a new presentation or publication of something old c. (1) a period of renewed religious interest (2) an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings 2 : a restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)

Letter From The Editor . . .

I’m so excited for you to view the photo shoots we’ve produced, read the amazing articles we’ve written and see the graphics our layout team worked so hard to create. Although this has been a confusing period for many, our team was able to come together virtually to create something we are so proud of. Monumental Magazine has been a part of my life since I started my freshman year at The University of Maryland. It’s truly amazing to me to see how much this publication has grown in these past couple of years. From welcoming new writers and photographers to giving freelancers a platform to showcase their work, I have been blown away by the quantity of content we’ve been able to produce. Not only have we grown in terms of size and have welcomed so

Editor-In-Chief Kassidy McDonald

many amazing creatives to our platform, but we have grown in the content we produce as well. Fashion, beauty, and even lifestyle journalism isn’t only about

I had never really thought about why “girly girls” are portrayed in such a negative light in pop culture and in society. Pieces like this are why I love journalism and Monumental Magazine in particular, because our members are forward thinking and cover topics that will really enlighten our audience. We chose the theme of revival for this particular issue because it is a word that I feel represents a creative opportunity for society right now. There has been a sort of “creative awakening” that has been occurring during and post-pandemic. I’ve seen people pick up new hobbies, make art and create new music during unsettling and unprecedent-

what is trending or what celebrities are wearing, it can be so much more than that. There are endless opportunities to tell stories that really resonate with readers. One of my favorites from this issue is on page 31 and talks about the demonization of femininity. The article really resonated with me because

ed times. The pandemic has truly changed our personal relationships, careers, and overall outlook on what truly matters. It’s alarming to think about all the changes we’ve had to make in our lives living through this. A story is included in our edition on page 47 called “Resurgence,” which talks more about what kinds of

welcome to the revival issue

personal challenges the pandemic has caused and how we can take control of our lives after this is over. I hope that even with all this uncertainty moving forward that people continue this surge of creativity and even more art is created. Another meaning of the word revival is that it can mean something is becoming popular again, which is such an important concept in the fashion industry right now. It has been one of the most affected industries during the pandemic and has undergone so many changes. We’ve asked questions of what brands will look like after the pandemic in terms of collections, runway shows and even overall aesthetic. What brands and trends will stay, and which ones from the past will have their own “revival?” We have a piece on page 19 about how these trends come and go and the cycles they go through to become popular again. For fashion lovers like me, this period is definitely uncertain but also presents an opportunity for companies to completely rebrand and become more consumer friendly. I hope that you enjoy this edition as much as I enjoyed creating it. This magazine has a bright future ahead of it and I hope you continue to follow our creative journey.

A Look Into A Student Fashion Designers Process

by Jacqueline Maloney

MANIFESTATION has been huge recently, and although sometimes it’s hard to believe that you can just will something into your life, I do find it very helpful to map out what I want and how I want to live my life.

BY JACQUELINE MALONEY

Having this board next to my bed and above my mini design studio helps me achieve this. Sometimes it’s hard to find inspiration and motivation, so it’s a good way to be reminded of where I am headed.

fashion

start

D E S I G N PROCESS, I make a mood board consisting of the color story and general vibe I want for my work. I usually make a Pinterest board full of pictures and sometimes print the images out to make a collage to really get my creative juices flowing.

fashion

CREATIVE B L O C K S

are the worst and sometimes last days. When the ideas start coming, I sit down and fill pages of rough sketches just to get all of my ideas down.

If I sketched something that I liked, I’ll do a more detailed S K E T C H / D E S I G N . These type of sketches include textures and testing different color combinations.

It’s really hard to keep the DESIGN SPACE clean, considering all that happens and living in a dorm room. Although, I did enjoy working in the dorms because it felt like it was my own space to be messy when I needed to.

Everytime

FINISH

garment I have to document it. Nothing feels better than finishing a product and loving what you created, which is what I love most about designing and sewing.

fashion

S U M M E R LOOKBOOK Models Tayla Horn, Megan Burke, Joelle Everett Production Assistant Roe Lanford Photographer Zuri Fearon

fashion

Additional Assitance Gaile Mallon

1515

fashion

F A S H I O N O R E C A S T Photography by Roe Lanford

fashion

BIG IS

BACK

Big bags are coming back. After years of small totes, clutches and crossbody bags being in style, it’s about time that big bags make their long awaited comeback. “It girls” have been carrying around bags like the iconic Jacquemus “Le Chiquito”, an extremely tiny bag, for the past couple of years. While fashionable, these tiny totes are far from functional. With a new fashion revival on the horizon post-pandemic, we are predicting that big bags will make a comeback and become mainstream againjust like they were in the 2000’s.

BIG IS

fashion

by Karly McDonald

fashion

Most people involved in the fashion industry can recognize the recycling and revamping of old trends. This year, many brands are putting a unique twist on styles that were popular in the 80s, 90s, 2000s and more. Designers draw inspiration from past collections and rework styles that people previously loved. Clothing from decades ago is making a comeback, but these trends are also becoming less likely to last. An article by fashion bloggers The Polished Pearls, talks about the simplistics of the fashion cycle, and how a trend is introduced by a designer rises in recognition, hits peak popularity, falls, and then eventually becomes outdated. Oftentimes we see trends come back after 20 or 30 years. Trends from the 2000’s such as lowrise jeans, bedazzled tops, and tracksuits are all becoming popular again. The burst of creativity that came with lockdown during the pandemic inspired new collections and designers to rethink the way they run their brands. Trends from years ago are being recycled, but current ones are going out of style faster than ever. Another important aspect to note is how social media platforms have become extremely important during the pandemic because in person shopping wasn’t possible. The shift to online shopping became mandatory for most retail stores. It was then easy for people to get new clothes fast and cheap. While people were lacking in social connections and not partaking in old routines, they found themselves just buying clothes to occupy themselves. Influencers on social media did more unnecessary hauls from fast fashion brands like Shein and Zara because their audience had more of a demand for interesting and frequent content. Instead of buying investment pieces or only buying a couple pieces at a time, customers splurged because of boredom. Fashion trends have partly become extremely fast moving due to the high volume of fast fashion brands that are making it cheap and easily accessible to buy large amounts of clothes. Brands like Shein and Fashion Nova focus on hyper trendy drops that aren’t meant to last long term for consumers. With thousands of items being mass produced, inspiration from past popular items are bound to show up. While some may

fashion

benefit from these fleeting trends, there are more ethical ways to get popular clothes or restyle ones from years back. Second hand clothing apps like Poshmark and Depop have become a significant tool for users to purchase items for their closets. Styles like Y2k, tie dye, or denim styles are commonly searched. Many people, including myself, also used time in quarantine to learn to sew. Being able to rework old jeans into a new top or create a simple slip dress with old pieces of fabric is a useful and fun skill to have. Apps like Tiktok have made tutorials easily accessible. Tiktoker “@Andriaahall” posted a viral video on how to create a dress from bed sheets. Her profile details ways to flip old clothes and items from thrift stores into new pieces. Herself and others have created businesses out of it and have contributed to growing the secondhand clothing market. Many people have also experimented with new styles and found that time alone in the pandemic created a judgment free period for self expression. Fashion brands had to create new strategies and cater to demand that was prevalent during the pandemic. Companies based around festival wear had to create a way to produce something that could still be used. Many brands focused on clothes that could be used as lounge wear or athletic wear because that was in high demand during quarantine. As we are finally moving past these dark times and people are making their way back to the events they loved, I predict there will be a significant burst in clothes created for concerts, festivals, and going-out. As the fashion world is constantly changing, trends will go and new ones will take their place. Brands like Juicy Couture and Von Dutch have made significant comebacks that will eventually follow the fashion cycle again. These past few years have made a significant impact on the fashion industry as a whole and have forced companies to change the way they work. Social media and the demand for new clothes is seriously affecting the ethics that come with buying clothes. Although these times have been difficult and confusing for most people, the abundance of creativity throughout this time period is something that will change the fashion industry for the better.

Trend Forecast: photography by Roe Lanford article by Hope Rovansek models Hope Rovansek and Sophia Wooden

beauty

GLOWY SKIN

Time to wave goodbye to full coverage "cake faces," because this summer's most popular beauty trend is the “no make-up” makeup look. This look features the natural, glowy, fresh face finish you see worn by many models and influencers across all social media platforms. In the Tik-tok and Instagram world, you see the popular combo of minimal lash action, unruly brows, and a subtle lip gloss. This trend is leaving behind many people's hour-long make-up routines in the dust. After months of wearing no makeup around the house due to the lack of social events this past year, you would think people would be eager to get back to their heavy faces of foundation and concealer. Instead, people are seen embracing their newfound natural beauty and only wearing makeup that slightly enhances their natural appearance. The focus has been shifted from coverage to the upkeep of longer skincare routines that keep skin glowy, natural and healthy.

beauty

The best thing about this trend is that anyone can accomplish this look. From just a simple moisturizer, serum, lip balm, and keeping the skin hydrated and plump, this look is achievable for anyone with any skin type. A good skincare routine is the most crucial step in achieving this look, and products that keep your skin looking hydrated The main areas of focus in this type of look are skin, eyes, and lips. To incorporate the summer glow into the all-natural trend, people have increased the use of bronzer, highlighter, and blush to enhance their skin and give it that beautiful beachy glow. Popular makeup brands like Glossier and Morphe have caught onto the trend. Glossier’s line is known for its minimal makeup products like the skin tints, cloud paints, and skin balms. With more brands creating products to copy these trends, expect to see more natural beauty looks on celebrities, influencers and even people’s everyday looks.

beauty

graphic by Christine Fung article by Isabella Stoepel Feeling pale? There’s a filter to make you tanner. Small lips? There’s a filter to make them bigger. Bad breakout? There’s a filter to smooth your skin. These days there’s a filter for almost every insecurity someone has. There are filters that brighten the room, filters that completely change the color of your eyes, hair, and skin, and filters that can completely change the shape of your face. Given how popular and easy they are to use, it’s hard to realize how detrimental they can be to one’s body image. It’s important to view filters as ways to enhance one’s natural beauty, and not as a means of altering one’s appearance. So what exactly are filters and how can they affect your mental health? A filter is a way to change a photo through a pre-set edit. Filter’s range in their design and severity. While filters may have started as a way to enhance a picture, they have escalated into edits that can photoshop a person’s features in order to match the current beauty standard (i.e. smoothing skin, enlarging lips, pulling back the eyes to create a cat-like shape). This makes the filter-user feel as though they need to have certain features to be considered conventionally attractive or pretty. This often leads to self-esteem issues and even body dysmorphia. This can be specifically detrimental to young girls and be damaging to their self-esteem. In addition to filters wreaking havoc on mental health, they also put forth unrealistic beauty standards. It’s rare that a person naturally has all the features that photoshopped filters create. With the creation of new technology and these unrealistic filters, anyone can change their appearance to look like anything or anyone. The images and edits produced online can be so extreme that it’s impossible to look like that in real life. This can be detrimental to viewers, as they see influencers

beauty

and celebrities with photoshopped pictures and don’t realize these pictures are extremely fake. Even unedited pictures may be shot with the most flattering lighting, angles, and photo quality possible. Yet again, viewers, especially young and impressionable ones, may see these pictures and think that’s how they have to look to be pretty and accepted in society. Ultimately, I’m not here to tell you to stop using filters or editing photos. I myself use filters all the time. Sometimes it’s important to take a step back and realize how unrealistic some pictures on social media may be. I went through a period in my life where I struggled a lot with my self-esteem. In order to work on myself, I stopped using filters that photoshopped my body and my features. This helped me learn how to embrace my natural beauty and love what makes me unique. Second, I started to unfollow accounts that made me feel bad about my body image. Some of the accounts I unfollowed were influencers and celebrities, but many of the accounts were people that I knew. I realized there was no shame in unfollowing people I knew if their posts were causing my mental health to suffer. To this day, if I notice someone’s social media account is making me feel bad about myself, I immediately unfollow. Now, I’ve started following accounts that make me feel happy by promoting body positivity and prioritizing mental health. Some of my favorite influencers include Clara Gulliem, Anna Sitar and Mik Zazon. All three of these women promote self love and acceptance on their various platforms which is something I now know is so important. It is so important to embrace your own beauty, love your insecurities, and remember:“ Stop comparing yourself to other people, you’re supposed to be unique” - Sonya Parker.

Overconsumption XS

by Roe Lanford

model Megan Burke 27

culture

has become literal.

culture

Fast fashion has reached an all time high, pumping out product at record speeds.

We are in uncharted territory, and our appetite is only growing. 29

Where there were once only four fashion seasons, there are now 52 micro seasons, with trends coming and going in the blink of an eye.

The Demonization of

Femininity

article by Ashley Ankapong photography by Roe Lanford model Emily Berman

culture

When you think of pink sparkly outfits, lots of lip gloss, and freshly done nails, what kind of person comes into mind? I hope that a smart, strong, and compassionate person comes to mind, or maybe you might envision yourself in that image and associate all of your good qualities with it. Whatever that view may be, it is sure to conflict with society’s view of ultra feminine women. O u r s o c i e t y s e e m s t o h a v e a p r o b l e m w i t h “g i r l y g i r l s” The Youtube video titled, “The Demonization of Ultra-Femininity” by a youtuber who goes by the name of Shanspeare explains how the popular media (i.e Hollywood films) has destroyed the image of the girly girl. One of her main points in the video was the ideology of second wave feminism, where women behind that movement believed they were to strip everything feminine about them in order to fit into a male dominated society. Although their intentions meant well, it created problems. The stripping of their femininity in order to gain approval and decent respect from their male peers subliminally shows that the

culture

“ultra feminine” woman are deemed useless unless it involves marriage or sex. It also stemmed the trend of the “I’m not like other girls’’ trope in our popular culture. This trend consists of women talking about how different they are from the stereotypical girl, which is supposed to make them “special”. A clear example of this is heard in the pre choruses of the well known Taylor Swift song, “You Belong With Me,” where she chants, “She wears high heels, I wear sneakers/she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts.” These lyrics Swift belts out gives off this vibe of how she is more authentic than the dude’s significant other.

Another point Shanspeare theatre overshadowed by the makes in her video is the way fact that she was the main the ultra feminine persona is antagonist in the first two portrayed in popular media. movies in the series,as she Ultra Feminine women are was characterized as a selfish either portrayed as spiteful and ill mannered person. One or ditzy. Many of our iconic other example is London Tipchildhood movies and shows ton from the Disney Channel are at fault for this negative show The Suite Life of Zack portrayal of ultra femiand Cody, where the nine women. Mean fashionable heirGirls is one exess of the Tipton ample, where hotel also hapUltra Feminine the elite girl pens to be a women are either total airhead. group The Plastics wear portrayed as spiteful This viewpink and do point of ulor ditzy. a lot of shoptra feminism ping, but they that the popare absolutely viular media procious towards their duced became inpeers and towards each fluential. Thinking back other. Sharpay Evans from into my childhood, I rememHigh School Musical, a blonde ber moments where girls got haired character who is mem- teased for being too girly. orable for her bedazzled out- Boys and sometimes othfits and for being heavily ac- er girls were quick to mock cessorized unfortunately has others if they liked One Diher hard work and passion for rection or Justin Bieber.

What the media needs to show is that there are a good amount of women who upkeep their femininity while being in male dominated spaces. Elle Woods, the iconic main character from the 2001 movie Legally Blonde, never scaled down on her girly personality to adapt to Harvard Law School and still managed to be successful. The media also needs to exhibit more substantial female characters that exude feminine energy. As a young child, I was fortunate to grow up on Winx Club and Totally Spies. The main characters in those shows would step on necks literally and 35

metaphorically,but that wasn’t enoughto overpower the ugly narrative our society has put on ultra feminine women. Ultra Femininity does not exist to be evil or set women back a few centuries. The demonization of ultra femininity reveals that misogyny and sexism are still present in our society and the little progress we have made with feminism. Women should be allowed to embrace their femininity without being shamed or judged. Femininity is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. 36

culture

by Isabella Milano Social media has become more and more prevalent in our everyday lives. We have become less focused on enjoying the time spent and more focused on capturing time spent in idealistic portrayals or growing envious of others.

We are all so accustomed to associating summer bodies with these phrases as a result of what we see on social media, that when asked what it means to have a summer body, that is what comes to mind first. Enforcing a set body image that is deemed The issue with social media is simply that it is an “superior” to other types of bodies is mentally inaccurate portrayal of real life. Yet, we refuse to and physically draining on any individual. By accept that the photos we see on Instagram or vidpromoting the summer body, we allow for an eos we see on TikTok have not been heavily filtered increase in poor mental health because peoor even professionally edited for celebrities. When ple feel pressured to look a certain way to be we were younger, we would occasionally see moddesirable. If we do not already look that way, els in magazines or on television, but now that sowe must do whatever is necessary to get there. cial media has become an everyday interaction, we This toxic thought process can lead to poor constantly swipe through edited images that slowly eating routines, eating disorders, mental health but surely become ingrained in our minds of how we issues, and poor physical health overall. “should” look in terms of body image. Now is the time to change the meaning of “the Now that summer has rolled around, our feeds have perfect summer body” from slim, toned, and become flooded with images of “summer bodies”, or attractive to making someone confident and the “perfect body”. It is important to remind ourcomfortable enough to enjoy their summer. selves that we do not have to look a certain way to Nobody should have to feel ashamed of what have a summer body- the “perfect summer body” is their body looks like, during summer or for an artificial creation by society’s standards. any other season. Affirmations and surrounding ourselves with positive and uplifting conThis particular social media misconception needs tent and people is an important step in learnto be acknowledged more often. We need to recog- ing to love the body you were given. Moving nize and remind ourselves that what we see scrolling forward, it is important to teach young indithrough our feeds is not an accurate depiction of viduals that we should all embrace what makes real life. The craftily edited bodies with perfect pro- our bodies our bodies, because each body is a portions are nearly impossible to mirror in person. summer body. To show just how toxic the idea of the summer body is, I decided to post on some of my social media accounts asking people what comes to mind when they hear the term “summer body”. I received messages such as “toned”, “slim”, “a shredded physique” and much more descriptive language along the same lines. Not one person mentioned self-loving phrases regarding summer bodies, which furthered my awareness on how we perceive the summer body.

culture

Resurfacing Retail by Sophia Wooden

W hen we look at some of the most

famous trends of today, we often forget fashion is a cycle and that trends resurface. Whether it is five, ten, or fifteen years later, there’s a good chance you’ll see your favorite bell bottom jeans or halter top at the local mall again. A lot of times we take inspiration from other cultures and modify it into a new design. Some of the most unique and functional items from the past have now been given a new take and more modern look. It’s when innovation meets fashion that these modernized trends arise. On the other hand, some forms of fashion have been kept intact over centuries. These are the classics. Your basic denim jean is something you never have to get rid of, and is a staple in almost everyone’s closet. You might have bought them 10 years ago, but they’ve been with you through friendships, breakups, college, and more. If you were considering throwing out some old staples, don’t! There’s a good chance you might see them in magazines a few years down the line. Here are a few trends that have managed to transcend time and remain relevant after so many years.

Saddle Bags ~ Columbia, South America

Many don’t know this, but your unique, asymmetrical saddle bag actually originated in Columbia, South America. In Columbia, the “carriel” originates from the Aburra Valley region and is used by male farmers to collect produce. When working in the mountains, they are able to carry as much as possible while still being able to use their hands. In more modern times, saddlebags have evolved into atypical fashion statements. They come in many colors shapes and styles, and can be worn with any outfit. Perhaps the most famous saddle bag is John Galliano’s Dior Saddle Bag that every fashion-forward girl wishes to have.

culture

Lace Up Sandals ~ Ancient Greece, Europe

While the origin of this footwear remains unknown, we do know that this type of sandal has been in style for at least ten thousand years. In ancient Greco-Roman times, the build of the sole and design was based on the physical demands of its wearer. Hunters and horse men wore a boot sandal, gladiators wore flat and wide strap sandals, and entertainers wore light and leafy sandals. In more modern times, these sandals do still come in many colors, shapes and sizes. However, you will mostly see this type of shoe on women instead of men.

Choker Necklaces ~ France, Europe

This trend dates back to the French Revolution, where young French women would wear red ribbons on their necks as a sign of a melancholic occurrence. Back then, women wore chokers to pay respects to those that had died at the site of a French guillotine. Now, modern day chokers come in many colors and designs. Some chokers are simply ribbon, while others are beaded. For an extravagant occasion brands even design diamond chokers that are paired with formal wear.

culture

African Waist Beads ~ Uganda, Africa

These colorful beads originate from the motherland herself. In Uganda, African waist beads are named “butiti.” Originally, they were used by men and women to control and measure the size of one’s waist. Nowadays, we mainly see women wearing them as a colorful accessory. Waist beads accentuate hips and curves in all the right places. They are normally worn with exposed midriffs, but can even be worn underneath clothes as a special addition that only you have to know about!

Winged Eyeliner~ Ancient Egypt, Africa

Cat eye eyeliner is one of the most classic makeup trends to date. Every girl tries to perfect theirs, while only few succeed. As many know, this trend originates in Ancient Egypt and was said to be worn by some of the most fashion forward Egyptian women, Nefertiti and Cleopatra. They used minerals like copper to form thick black lines around their eyes. Today, especially in the warmer seasons we see so many different colored eyeliners. Blue, orange, pink, red, you name it, they’ve probably got it.

Our rooms and the spaces we frequent are oftentimes a beautiful reflection of who we are. The human experience is infinitely dynamic and having an area to just be is extremely important. Some people are able to make their bedrooms their luxury, while some seek out other spaces for contentment. This series features myself and some of my friends in places where we feel the most ourselves.

lifestyle

photography Zuri Fearon models Emory Reahm, Jordan Fiordaliso, Zuri Fearon

lifestyle

graphic by Talya Horn

lifestyle

The world is finally opening up, so it’s time to recalibrate and reboot. The pandemic has affected our relationships and our mental wellbeing. There have been a lot of feelings and emotions that we never thought that we would experience. With the loss of life through this mysterious virus, the pandemic has forever shifted our culture and the way we see this world.

Rest is probably one of the main things that the pandemic has taught people, including myself. Prior to the pandemic our life was non-stop hustle and bustle, especially being so close to a major city. However, we were forced to slow down and reevaluate what was truly important in our lives. Activities like going for a walk and going to the park were things that everybody picked up during the pandemic. It becomes important that as the world continues to open up, we don’t lose the importance of rest and recalibration in our lives. As we use this time period as a sort of personal “revival”, we have to acknowledge that our relationships took a hit during the pandemic as well. From dating relationships to relationships with family and friends, we all felt the sharp sting of isolation and loneliness while we were stuck in quarantine. This period of isolation taught us the importance of finding ways to connect with those that matter the most. I recently went on a roadtrip with my mom, and it was something that we haven’t done in a long time due to pandemic restrictions. It is so much fun to experience new places and go on new adventures, and doing it with someone you may have not been able to see during quarantine makes it that much more special. I find that traveling is one of the best ways to enrich your life and broaden your horizons. You’ll end up having an appreciation for the way that you live and the way that other people live. Traveling is something that connects me with other humans, and allows me to be more empathetic. My goal moving forward is to make plans to experience new cultures post-pandemic, and I know I’ll be appreciative of all the opportunities I have to travel in the future.

lifestyle

Our careers and our hobbies were also put on pause. Internships have been mostly online, offices weren’t at their usual full capacity, and people lost their jobs because of the pandemic. During this time of renewal, I believe it is the perfect time to put in that application for that internship, apply for your dream job, and take a foreign language class to pick up a new skill. The pandemic has made me realize how my own career path may change. It’s a question that I know other people have experienced during this pandemic. Taking every opportunity you are offered and trying out new things is something I won’t take for granted after the pandemic because I realized every opportunity can provide growth. For me, I have been working on my own period of “revival.” This looks like taking more writing classes, photography classes, and maybe even trying an improv class. Trying out and developing these skills will not only strengthen your capabilities as a professional, but also help you grow as a human being. Developing new skills gives me the opportunity to expand your knowledge, meet new people, and try out new job niches that I normally wouldn’t. Ultimately, I think that this past year and a half represents a period of trauma for so many people and that this post-pandemic period of revival is truly what you make it to be. For me, this looks like loving myself, setting up a morning and night routine, taking care of my skin and limiting the amount of time I am in front of a screen. The pandemic taught me to never take my health and my loved ones for granted, not to be afraid to try new things and jump at opportunities, as well as the importance of rest. What has the pandemic taught you, and how will you be incorporating it into your life now that the world is opening up?

wetheflowers.com @we_the_flowers on Instagram

“It’s all a matter of realizing that all art is related somehow, some way and you can take the framework, process and templates of creation from one thing and be able to transmute that into other art and create something with that. I also think like the main thing concurrent throughout all of them is iteration, the need for iteration and control of knowing when to stop or when to keep going.”

Glenn De Los Santos is a rising senior Architecture major, construction project management minor at the University of Maryland. He is the creator of We The Flowers/Love Flaws, a storytelling, art brand that features poetic phrases and abstract design.

lifestyle

De Los Santos has wanted to start an art brand since middle school, and recalled a Supreme t-shirt that featured a screen printed image drawn out in Sharpie as initial inspiration. He went through sketchbook after sketchbook of concepts, names and ideas, but nothing really stuck. “Like before I got to We The Flowers, I was Weird Dreams, before that it was What You Live For, before that it was Corvini, before that it was just things that didn’t hit.” Until he heard “Roses” by Kanye West. At the end of the song West says, “cause instead of sending flowers, we the roses.” However, De Los Santos would always say “we the flowers”. He appreciated that the phrase could be perceived in so many different ways. “Love Flaws’’ appeared because flaw is a homophone for flos, which is flowers in latin. De Los Santos believes, “you should love your flaws and to love your flaws is power. After you love your flaws you can do whatever you want.” De Los Santos sees his interest in design as concurrent with his interests in architecture. He would always draw on the side and he found that it was the easiest way for him to express himself. When he entered college he used his creativity and resourcefulness to explore that interest. “That’s when “What You Live For” and “Weird Dreams” started. I was actually selling t-shirts freshman year. I would get Gildan white t-shirts from Michael’s. I would go home and steep a whole bunch of tea that I got from the diner and then I would tea stain them, all of them. So then I had like 10 different shirts. And then do you know Artist and Craftsman that art store over there? In Hyattsville, I saw they had fabric paint, so I hand painted like every shirt that there was. It was just like 2 squares of color, but I was selling those to my friends and my RAs.” De Los Santos continued to grow in his creative process and began incorporating other elements when he started to create for We The Flowers/Love Flaws. “When I try to make a t-shirt, I try to take the approach of poetry. There are only like 7 lines, and they are short words, but they mean a bunch of different things. So I think when designing t-shirts and stuff I go into the process of drawing a lot of things and trying to figure out which things speak the most and illustrate the emotions I’m trying to bring out. That also carries onto like the advertising, the images, and the photoshoots that I do with it.” Once De Los Santos settles on a design he screenprints it, and sometimes uses a heat transfer vinyl as well. “For screen printing, I have silk screen screens. And I’ll do that process of coating it with emulsion and then I print out the design on film and then burn the screen. And then I’ll just screenprint it with a squeegee and ink. Then I’ll cure it and sew on the tag. If it has a heat transfer vinyl then I’ll heat press it on.” De Los Santos completes this entire process himself. “I do it all in my basement. I think the reason why I chose to take that route instead of sending it to a shop or something is because it would give me complete creative freedom.”

lifestyle

Creative freedom is extremely important to De Los Santos and can be traced back to his early influences, heritage and favorite artists. “So my parents raised me to speak Tagalog like there’s a lot of things and nuances in the language that can’t be translated into English. I think that influences a lot of my mindset, like the Filipino culture also influenced my mindset on family, and love, and love for culture too. Staying true to yourself- that’s something that is really big, at least in my immediate family. And I feel like I had to include that inside the brand because I’m Filipino, you know I gotta include it somehow, someway.” “I think it originally started with my parents not wanting to be like others. It could be really annoying when I was younger, but I realized how that seeped into me now and individualism is where it’s at. I think that also seeped into my later influences and artists and stuff like Tyler the Creator, Kendrick Lamar and each one of these people that I list out, I take different things from them, so Kendrick, Tyler, Mac Miller, Pharrell Williams, Andre 3000, and Outkast, Thundercat, all the jazz musicians as well. I wanna also name my two uncles, Andrew and Cody. They really influenced my musical interests and how deeply I looked into things. And then there is also visual artists as well, architects and othersZaha Hadid, Le Corbusier, Marcel Duchamp, Giorgio de Chirico, Basquiat, Willem de Kooning and Kandinsky.” De Los Santos’ Filipino heritage also had an influence in the name of the brand. “The entire full name of We The Flowers is We The Flowers of the Motherland. So initially it was a concept brand to memorialize immigrant families and immigrant children because I am one. I didn’t make it entirely “We The Flowers of the Motherland’’ because I felt it was too focused on one situation and I wanted to keep it ambiguous with traceable roots.” This ambiguity can also be seen in the phrases that De Los Santos includes on the clothing, like “Mind your Garden.” “Mind your garden, you could be telling somebody to mind their garden, to keep in mind the different things that enter your head, that enter your life, that enter your circle, so be aware of everything because your mind is your garden. So you gotta mind your garden because your mind is your garden.” When discussing advice for other creators De Los Santos said, “Keep on searching, never settle. This is gonna be real cliche, but you gotta keep on, even when you’re comfortable with something, you shouldn’t be comfortable enough to the point of complacency. You should be able to push past that joy that you felt, let that joy happen, but then realize that’s not your best work yet. So, constantly live in the mindset of oh I haven’t created my best work yet. What I last made, that’s nothing compared to what I’m going to make next, like to constantly live in that mindset I think is helpful for the manifestation and the creation of art.”

by Jessie Garten

lifestyle

For over a year we’ve missed out on lecture halls, class discussions and communicating face-to-face with students, professors and peers. As we make our way into fall 2021 eager for a new semester, we’re also overwhelmed with nerves and the uncertainty of what this year will hold. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the nature of our social interactions, causing many students to flee from the mental and physical state of campus without return. For UMD, it is of utmost importance that people feel comfortable and take care of themselves as they return. The coronavirus crisis has made it clear that it’s important to connect and check in with others to make sure they’re doing their best. By simply asking “how are you feeling?” and “what would make you feel comfortable?” continues to strengthen a relationship of trust between one another. Here are some tips and tricks to ease the pressures that come along with returning to the “new norm.”

Get plenty of sleep. While many students struggle with the balance of a social life and academics, studies have shown a lack of sleep not only lowers your mood, but can be detrimental to your health. Quality sleep is important to keep your mind sharp and maximize energy. This is important for college students staying up late studying or waking up early for class.

Timing. Creating a routine saves all of the pressure that comes with being on time. From scrambling to be on time for class, group meetings to even rushing through work to meet up with friends: timing is key. This may mean waking up 15 minutes earlier to have time to yourself before a day of class and school work, or planning out time between work to listen to music or go on a walk. Creating time in the day for self care and doing what you love most creates a break in the day for something to look forward to.

5. lifestyle

Meal prep and well-balanced meals. From food courts to fast food chains, students are looking for a quick, easy on-the-go option. Meal prep is a great way for students to save money and eat smart. Creating a variety of meals for the week to throw in your bag is an easy way to grab a tupperware or healthy snack without the worry of having to run to the nearest food court and healthy options. Listen to music on the way. From rock to pop, R&B to EDM, and old songs to new, songs are released daily. Creating a fun playlist with songs to listen to is a great way to enjoy your walk to class. This allows you to have a clear head and studies have shown that music may lead to the release of neurotransmitters associated with reward, such as dopamine which is an easy way to alter your mood or relieve stress.

Connect with your instructors regularly. As you begin meeting the teachers and students it is important to connect and communicate with others. Whether you have a question on an assignment or needing clarification, staying in touch keeps you accountable for completing work on time. Connection determines the quality of the relationship as well. For instructors, taking the opportunity to communicate is a valuable way that sets the student and teacher up for success.