EVOLVE by Monumental Magazine

MONUMENTAL

MAY 2022

EVOLVE

MA G

EVOLVE verb (used with object), e·volved, e·volv·ing. 1) to develop gradually: to evolve a scheme. 2) to give off or emit, as odors or vapors. verb (used without object), e·volved, e·volv·ing. 3) to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution: The whole idea evolved from a casual remark. 4) to gradually change one’s opinions or beliefs: candidates who are still evolving on the issue; an evolved feminist mom. 5) Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition: The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.

defintion from Dictionary.com

editor-inchief

Kassidy McDonald

Hello again Monumental readers! I write this

My biggest hope is that my executive

letter

team and I will pass this magazine on

feeling

bittersweet,

but

mostly

extremely proud of all of the hard work my team has put into this edition- the final one I will be a part of. To say that Monumental Magazine

has

helped

grow

to the next generation of leaders on campus who are just as passionate as we have been about this club for the

understatement. This experience has truly

past 4 years. This magazine is not only

been

transformative

just a club to its members, it is a

experiences in my college career, but also in

platform for expression, a way to

my life. I’ve realized my passion for writing and

experiment, and a group of individuals

one

the

most

how to combine it for my love of fashion and beauty. Monumental has given me a platform to write about things that matter to me. As I

who are artists, photographers, writers, designers, and so much more. It has

start the job application process, so many

not been the easiest journey growing

recruiters and interviewers have been so

this magazine to what it is today, but it

impressed with the way this magazine has

has been extremely rewarding. I know

grown over the years.

that wherever I go on to work after I graduate, I will have the passion for the industry because of this magazine. So thank you for reading all these years, and I can’t wait to see what the future of Monumental Magazine holds.

creative director & digital web manager jessie garten From playing dress-up to being my friends’ personal stylist, fashion has always been a part of my life and will continue to be. Entering college, I couldn’t find the personalized major or space to pursue my passion for creative writing and fashion, so I took other paths to ensure I was still able to do something I loved. Founder, Erin Garry was looking for students to get involved from beauty to lifestyle, and fashion to a variety of other topics, Erin wanted to provide a space to freely express oneself. Immediately pitching articles, from spotlights on influencers to outfits guides, I soon became a part of something I knew could be big. After meeting with Erin, a flood of ideas of what Monumental could be and what I see in the future swamped my head and after 4 years I have been able to implement them. From meeting new diverse students with a strong passion for ways to express themselves, to the consistently supportive team.

Monumental has become a space for students to feel safe and share their creativity. From the launch of new merchandise, curation of digital and print editions, and the collaboration with other clubs and organizations, we’ve not only but evolved Monumental expanded, Magazine to share a greater message of inclusion. Despite COVID-19 and a variety of setbacks our team has had to overcome, I am very grateful for what we’ve accomplished this year at Monumental and the supportive team I am surrounded by. As a senior, I am excited to pass down my role and see what the future holds for Monumental Magazine.

creative director & social media manager

jessica Leff I sit here writing this letter with less than 50

It has been an honor to serve as Social Media

days left as a student here at The University of

Director since the magazine’s inception and

Maryland. No matter how many times I say it,

Co-Creative

reality has yet to sink in. Every so often I

Monumental has flourished, continuing to

reminisce;

grow and tackle new projects each and every

wouldn't

However, be

complete

college without

experience Monumental

day.

felt

Director

amazing

this

past

hold

year.

in-person

Magazine, and I’m so grateful to have joined

meetings for the first time ever (crazy, right?)

back in the fall of my sophomore year. Within

and have so many eager individuals show up in

minutes of hearing news about the publication

support and excitement. As much as I’m going

on campus, I contacted Founder Erin Gary, and

to miss this when I’m gone, I know that I’m

24 hours later, I was the very first Social Media

leaving it in the hands of an incredible group

Manager of Monumental Magazine.I Two and a

of people who will do spectacular things.

half years later, I’ve completely transformed

Kassidy and Jessie, I loved working closely

Monumental's

social

with you both over the years and this digital

media playing such a huge role in our everyday

edition would not have been possible without

lives, this task seemed extremely daunting at

the two of you. I’m incredibly appreciative of

first, yet over time, I became more confident.

Monumental

Monumental Magazine has given me a platform

remember to carry the experience wherever

to express my creativity in new and exciting

the future takes me.

online

presence.

With

ways, in addition to viewing ideas from fresh perspectives.

Magazine

and

will

always

2. EVOLVE

5.DEDICATION

4. CONTRIBUTORS

6. LETTER FROM EIC

CONT

7. LETTER FROM CD

10. CONTENTS

8. LETTER FROM CD

12. NEXTNOW FEST

14. MONUMENTAL ON FILM 24. YOUNG LOVE 26. THE RESURGENCE OF ANDROGYNY 30. BEAUTY TIMELINE

38. COMPANIONSHIP

TENTS 40. DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY 42. SEEING HIGHER HEIGHTS 44. NOT YOUR MOM'S CLAW CLIP 46. SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY 48. CAPSULE WARDROBE 52. A NIGHT TO FORGET

Sept DEC FEB may

NEXT NOW FEST MERCH DROP MAIN SHOOT

RELEASE

2 0 2 1 MONUMENTAL 2 0 2 2

M O N U M E N TA L O N F I L M

model Will Cavanaugh

film photography by Chris Esmele

models (from top down) Mia Labovitz and Lulu Canaan

models (from left to right) Karly McDonald Ebaide Akhigbe

model Amanda Sandow

By Caroline Lissy Tinder, hinge, bumble. All a college student could ever need when looking for their next relationship or just trying to cure their boredom. About 84% of college students report being on Tinder and 17.3% report being on Bumble according to Global Dating Insights. The college scene is highly influenced by this new technology and students spend on average “10 hours a week on dating apps” (Independent Magazine). Yet, the dating scene hasn’t always stemmed from dating apps and social media platforms. This contemporary way of online dating and getting to know your significant other online began when the rise of social media began. When we ask our parents how they met, most say they were highschool sweethearts, had mutual friends, or even met them at a party or bar. The idea of online dating used to be a concept that was ridiculed and not even thought of as a legitimate way to meet someone. To this day, younger generations still get embarrassed about telling their parents that they started talking because of a DM on Instagram. Madeline Apple, a college student from the University of Michigan, wrote in an article for the New York Times reflecting on how she felt embarrassed to have a dating app. Apple described an occurrence when she ran into one of her Tinder matches while walking around campus. She explained how she was “mortified” when someone pointed out that they saw her Tinder profile. Apple was referred to as “Tinder girl” and felt humiliated for even having the app, demonstrating how many college students get embarrassed to confess having these dating apps. The University of Maryland is filled with a variety of successful love stories, one of them being from the class of 2003. Her love story was far different than more recent couples. UMD Alumni, Alison Maidor, met her husband sitting outside the Cumberland Hall stairs on a sunny September day in 1999. Alison was sitting with her friends when her future husband, Bobby, was walking to the rec center to play basketball, she describes. Alison knew Bobby’s friend from orientation. From there, Alison and Bobby’s mutual friend introduced the two love birds and they have been together ever since. Alison’s roommate, Kristen, and her husband, Mike, also met in-person at one of the big Maryland tailgates.

Kristen explained how the couple met drinking warm beer from a backpack in front of a random car in lot 2 before a football game. Now the two couples often take trips to visit the University together and visit the spots where they found love. Yet, currently most couples do not meet this more naturalistic way. According to a study from a sociology profesor from Stanford University, Michael Roseberg, as of 2017 “about 39 percent of heterosexual couples reported meeting their partner online.” When talking to a class of 2020 alumni about how she met her boyfriend,she explained how their love started on Instagram when he DM’ed her because he liked her profile. The couple texted for weeks before meeting up on campus and finally going on a date. At first the class of 2020 alumni did not think the date would go further than meeting up at the bar but the couple instantly connected. The couple described how they met from sliding into DMs as finding their own love story. After three years, the couple are still just as in love as they were when they sent each other their first goodnight text. Social media and dating apps have dominated the dating scene across many college student’s campuses across the world. This new way of dating which may seem like an arbitrary concept to student’s parents and grandparents can spark love similar to the stories of the alumni mentioned above. While the traditional and nontraditional ways of meeting people may differ for college students now, the ending of the stories remain the same. The whole dating world has evolutionized and Tinder may be the way to meet someone currently who knows where love can spark up for these young adults next. The constant changes in the different ways people connect is just continuing to grow and for how couples will be meeting in 20 years from now is full of endless possibilities. Terps alumni from now may look at the Class of 2040 and be amazed by how these college students found love.

1 9 6 0 S

As we make our way into spring 2022 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. Many individuals have been affected by financial losses, yet perhaps even more have been challenged by social distancing mandates and social isolation. The initial stages of Covid-19 caused loved ones to be physically separated from friends and family. With that being said, our normal ways of living and connecting with people we’d see on a daily basis were altered for many people to ensure safety. Rather than lounging on the couch with friends, socially distanced hangouts outside were the new “norm.” Instead of flying to visit a grandparent, virtual FaceTimes allowed people to stay in touch. Social isolation caused people to feel alone, and they relied on companionship to feel a sense of connectivity.

Companionship by Jessie Garten

While

unemployment

rates

increased, and many people faced the sadness of losing a job they loved doing, the average hours per day spent at home increased a considerable amount compared to previous years. News reports have indicated an increase of dog and cat adoption from animal shelters. Interactions with animals allowed a positive physical contact leading to

variety

psychologically.

benefits

Despite not seeing everyday friends or making monthly trips to visit family members, it is still of utmost importance to find alternative ways for social interaction. Companionship allows a sense of togetherness, and our digital world allows this during times of hardship. This overall enhanced the well-being of individuals at home providing companionship, improving mood and easing feelings of loneliness. With human to animal interaction, this can also lead to improving social relationships as people develop a sense of respect and empathy.

Checking in on family members through text, email, FaceTime and Zoom allowed us to catch up and remain in touch. Finding fun outdoor activities with friends safely, enabled kids to enjoy their years forming friendships and close relationships. Friendships and relationships with loved ones were still strengthened despite lack of face-to-face interaction. Companionship allows people to laugh and cry with, share their struggles, and lean on in times of hardship.

The fashion industry is one of the largest sources of pollution on planet Earth. Fast fashion is a huge contributor to waste buildup in landfills. With the rise of social media comes the need to shop for more clothes, and to shop more frequently to stay on trend. The metaverse is changing the online fashion narrative and can be a useful tool for creators and fashion lovers alike. Will digital sustainability become the new way influencers can reduce their carbon footprint? The following images were created by Monumental Magazine using DressX software.

DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY

INVOICE

BILLED TO:

Invoice No. 145 March 31st, 2022

Monumental Magazine College Park, MD, 20740

Description

DressX Cost

Cost To The Planet

Vintage y2k Harlequin Club Dress

$40

No fast fashion waste

Vintage y2k Satin Ruched Mini Dress

$35

No fast fashion waste

Please make payments to: DRESSX Account no.4535-8769-23

Digital Sustainability

Total Amount

$75 With no added harm to the planet College Park, MD, 20740

If there is one trend that is rathsurprising, it is the way platform sneakers have strutted into modern fashion in 2022.

This type of shoe is designed with the sneaker having a chunky sole, adding height to whoever is wearing the shoe. A great example of this is the Converse Run Star Hike.

Seeing Higher Heights by Ashley Ankapong

The idea of Platform footwear is not new. Before it first hit American fashion in the 1970s, it was first used in Ancient Greece to bolster the height of shorter people, according to Jessica Bucci in her article “Fashion Archives: A Look At The History Of Platform Shoes.” Platform shoes were used as bathroom shoes (called kabkabs) in the Middle East during the 1300s. Fast forward to the latter part of the 20th century where platform shoes rocked the disco dance floor in the 1970s and 20 years after, the British girl group, the Spice Girls flaunted platform sneakers on stage. As distinctive as platform sneakers look to be, they can be paired with simple outfits. “You can go with tighter pants where the shoe is the main bulk of it and then you could either do an oversized type of shirt or like whatever shirt you’d think it be cute,” said junior film studies major Wayne Hudley, “but like tight pants so you can have the comparison of this is the big and bulky and this is the tight.” Junior public health major Enny Onafuwa agrees in creating contrast with her outfit, but she would also keep the clothing pieces similar. “I gy

would wear bottoms and big

them tees,”

with bagsaid Onafuwa.

With so many possible ways to style platform sneakers, it looks like a fashion staple that is here to stay.

Claw Clip by Caroline Lissy

From headbands to hair ties to bandanas, hair accessories have always been a staple in fashion. Hair accessories take away the struggles of doing your hair in the morning and can even create an easy solution to a bad hair day. The most popular one in Gen- Z fashion right now is arguably the claw clip. Messy buns and ponytails have always been an easy and cute look many are fond of, yet an alternative to the hair tie is claw clips. Prior to clips, Gen- Z tried to solve this by utilizing scrunchies. Specifically, this look became known as “tumblr girl,” and along with big t-shirts and hydroflasks, this tumblr girl aesthetic took over the Internet. With TikTok suddenly beginning to gain popularity and these tumblr girls constantly in the spotlight, the idea of using a scrunchie for a messy bun became basic. Many criticized this messy bun just for the idea of it being so closely linked to the basic tumblr girl stereotype. The convenience and trendy look of a messy bun was still popular, but as a result, people’s hair developed creases and got tangled from the ponytail and scrunchie stereotypes made it difficult to make this look functional. Soon, the world was reintroduced to the claw clip. After a trip to their local CVS, women realized that the claw clip can be substituted for a hair tie and could even cause less breakage in the process.

Five years ago, most teeneagers would look at these hair clips and not think twice about using them. They could picture their moms pulling their hair into these clips before driving them to school in the morning and dropping them off. Teenagers always say, “That was so 2000’s,”and was even referred to as mom clips by some. With the recycling of trends, we’ve seen so many hair accessories come back including butterfly clips, scrunchies, barrettes, and now the claw clip. Yet, the claw clip was always a practical option and used to be a staple hair accessory. According to Terry Nyguyen from Vox Media, the claw clip’s origins can be derived from the hair comb in the twentieth century but the claw clip had popularity in the 1990s when inspiration struck from the 1980’s banana clip. Both hair accessories were seen as a way to casually elevate an outfit by adding a sense of put togetherness. Paris Hilton and Britney Spears highlighted the shift from the banana clip to the claw clip when they flaunted the new accessory. Suddenly any store from beauty supply stores to drug stores were stocked with these clips.

by Zoe Armstrong

We are in an era of fast moving trends.. Which is great if you hate whatever is trending this week, because it will most likely be considered “cheugy” in a matter of days. However, these quickly changing trends, especially in the world of beauty are taking a toll on the planet. Everything from the latest contour stick Tik Tok is raving about, to the 20 step skincare routines that get you looking like a slug, these trends are creating trash and waste our planet can not afford. With such fast moving trends, we use products for a month then they disappear into the depths of our bathroom cabinets, and end up getting thrown out a year down the line when we decide impulsively one day to rip everything out of our drawers and deep clean for a “fresh start” As a college student, keeping up with trends is essential, while also trying to spend as little as possible. Although we don’t like admitting it, we often go for the cheapest option, which tends to be the most damaging to our planet. If you are like me and most of the girls I talked to, we didn't believe “sustainable” products could fit in our budget. But I am here to tell you that as a college student it is still possible to keep up with the trends in a sustainable fashion. First, one thing I have learned to do, not only to save myself from the financial pain of new trends, but also to help reduce some waste, is to sit and watch the trend unfold for a few weeks. If it lasts more than a few viral Tik Toks and it's still a product you want, then buy it. But, more times than not you will forget about it and be glad you saved your money. Now, how do we buy all the products we want for our 20 step skincare routine AND our 20 step makeup routine all while being a broke college student AND trying to help our planet. I am here as your unofficial big sister to give you some recommendations on companies that are working to cut down on waste and some quick swaps that will not break the bank.

Some quick easy swaps, makeup remover instead of makeup wipes; immediately cuts down on single use products. Paint on face masks, instead of sheet masks. Even just adding a recycling bin next to your vanity to ensure you recycle your empties. These are all simple quick fixes that don’t require any extra spending or a 6 figure salary, but make our planet a whole lot happier. So now what brands should you look for. Unfortunately most drug store brands or the makeup like the cheap products we buy at our local CVS are not very sustainable. Most drugstore brands test on animals and don’t work to reduce packaging waste. So we will try our best to stay away from those, even though sometimes in a pinch they are our best friend. But, when purchasing new makeup products look for companies that are cruelty free as a starting point.

Some of the most affordable ones include ELF Cosmetics and Covergirl, each have a range of products with the lowest prices around $4. In terms of skin care Lush Cosmetics, is an affordable brand working with the motto “less is more, and none is even better” when it comes to their skin care packaging. They are striving to become a zero waste company, which is an awesome goal. Some of my other favorite brands working to help the planet are Thrive Cosmetics, with an amazing mascara for only $24. Fat and Moon, Alima Pure, and Elate cosmetics are a few other small business beauty companies working to reduce the overall waste of the beauty industry. I know making the switch to a more sustainable Hot Girl beauty routine seems like a challenge, but I promise it is easier than it seems. Next time you are in need of a new beauty product, or a new trend arises from Tik Tok make sure to check these brands out first!

HALLY HAIR - THE REVOLUTIONARY WAY GEN-Z IS DYEING THEIR HAIR Looking to transform your hair color at home with basically no-mess? DIY beauty transformations have been a Gen-Z craze ever since the pandemic hit. Why go to a salon and spend hundreds of dollars on a new hair color when you can test out a new one every 4-6 weeks? Check out Hally - a new hair company that is changing the way that Gen-Z cares for their hair. “Hally is the modern at home hair color for the next generation. Our breakthrough Cloud Color takes the guess, mess, stress and harsh chemicals out of at home hair dye. Ammonia free, sulfate free, paraben free, PPD free, cruelty free with nourishing color that lasts 4-6 weeks. Because Hally’s secret ingredient is FOAM, it makes it fun to apply and virtually mess free. The same goes for Fluffy G, our foamy, glazey hair gloss that keeps hair looking exactly how you dream it should.” Not only is Hally mess free and actually good for your hair, it is a completely woman-run company that stands for “creativity, transparency, and good vibes only.” This brand is 100% committed to standing by it’s Gen-Z consumers. Since they were founded in the middle of the pandemic in February 2021, they are extremely vocal about mental health initiatives. Hally donates 1% of all of their sales to mental health organizations that provide important resources to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth, something that makes them stand out from other traditional beauty brands. Hally is a brand that recognizes that they can make a difference by supporting these organizations and raising awareness on a more global scale. Currently they are donating to Sad Girls Club, Active Minds and Trans Lifeline. Hally has been featured in huge beauty magazines like Allure, Vogue, InStyle, PopSugar, Cosmo, Glossy, Buzzfeed, E!News, Byrdie, and Fashionista. So if you’re ready to make a change to your hair color, or are even looking to add some gloss or shine with the new launch of their Fluffy G hair gloss, check out Hallyhair.com or Ulta’s website.

MONUMENTAL READERS CAN USE CODE "MONUMENTAL15" FOR 15% OFF HALLY'S WEBSITE!

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