Letter from the Creative Director

Welcome to our first publication. We’re so glad you’re here.

During the summer of 2019 I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a post that caught my eye. A senior named Erin Garry had posted about a fashion magazine that she had just started at UMD. She was looking for people interested in helping her and joining the team. As a freshman journalism major who was disappointed in the lack of diversity of journalism topics that my classes covered, I was immediately excited. I have always loved fashion and style, but I never got the chance to explore that in my classes. I tried writing for other campus publications and even starting my own blog, but I felt like there was never a place for me to discover the things I really loved and cared about. I immediately reached out to Erin with my interest in Monumental Magazine and was named Managing Editor my sophomore year.

I loved writing my own content because it could be literally anything I wanted. From fashion and its intersection with politics to fashion’s changes throughout the decades to style at the MET Gala to LGBTQ+ creators in the fashion industry, I finally got the chance to write about the topics that excite and interest me. Being able to pitch my own ideas and write freely has not only been something that I enjoy doing, but it has allowed me to become a better writer. Monumental Magazine has given me the creative outlet that I had hoped for and it has opened my eyes to so much more.

I have been truly honored to serve as Creative Director of Monumental Magazine this year. This past year has truly been transformative in terms of fashion, beauty, music, and politics, and these changes are something Monumental Magazine continues to explore. Despite not being able to hold physical meetings and events, this publication has managed to continue to produce content and create The Intention Issue, something I never thought was possible during a global pandemic. We have flourished in these uncertain and unpredictable times, continuing to welcome creativity in all forms. My experience with this magazine has been nothing but transformative, and I am extremely thankful for everything this magazine and its members have taught me. I am so proud to be a part of Monumental Magazine, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for it and all of its members.

Kassidy McDonald

Creative Director