February 2013

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VOLUME 45 | ISSUE 5 | FEBRUARY 2013

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Caroline Nelson Editor-in-Chief Fernanda DeSouza Sarah Dill Deputy Editors

Letter from the Editor

Megan Venere Executive Editor Richard Gilmartin Miriam Lustig Dianna Mazzone Senior Editors

After a month of two of basically sitting on my bottom, eating Christmas cookies and drinking hot chocolate, I find myself at FIT once again, ready to get back in shape, but faced with the temptation of Billy’s Bakery and the A Building vending machines. With a hectic schedule filled with internships, work, club meetings and late night study sessions, it’s easy to lose site of our fitness goals and rely on fast food, a bag of tortilla chips or simply a venti black coffee to tide us over while we work.

Keely-Shea Smith Managing Editor Hermina Sobhraj Treasurer W27Newspaper.com Mollie Yarsike Community Manager

ADVERTISING

We at W27 hope to provide helpful information on health, fitness and body-conscious fashion that keeps us nourished, energized and confident as we move through the Spring semester. Sarah Dill offers some ideas for tasty sicknessbusting meals that can carry you though

Kimberly Ferguson Advertising Promotions Manager

ART Christina Garcia Art Director

what’s left of winter (p. 5), while new writer Jonathan Guzi offers advice on how to stick to your New Year’s fitness resolutions (p. 6).

If you think it’s time for a post-fashion week detox, read about Keely-Shea Smith’s own detox experience in her Master Cleanse Diary on page 22. If NYFW wasn’t enough for you though, check out our intimate apparel and swimwear feature on pages 16 and 17 to learn all about the new Lingerie Fashion Week from two FIT alumns. You can even prep for Spring Break with New York-based swimwear designer Malia Mills.

So no matter what this semester brings, always remember that a sound mind, sound body and self-esteem will carry you through to summer and beyond.

Until next issue,

Freddy Rodriguez Fashion Editor Haley Anna Perry Contributing Stylist Photography by Fernanda DeSouza

Jacquelyn Clifford Jessica Farkas Photographers Maddalena Alecce Raquel Rose Burger Ryan Charchian Chloe Dewberry Georgi Dwiggins Jonathan Guzi Callia Hargrove Dave Morrissey Marissa Mule Ashley Mungo Evelyn Pelczar Desiree Perez Anna Radke Daysha L. Rodriguez Emilie Schwenk Giovanna Spica Madeline Thompson Zachary Rosenbaum Contributors John Simone Editorial Faculty Advisor Albert Romano Advertising Faculty Advisor

A FITSA PUBLICATION

W27 IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PLEASE RECYCLE YOUR COPY AFTER READING.

ON THE COVER: W27 Deputy Editor Fernanda DeSouza and Stylist Haley Perry joined visions to morph a Chelsea Girl into a Harley Davidson babe sporting FIT alums’ designs.

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W27

February 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE BLOCK 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10

Faculty Spotlight: Marta Cammarano Welcome to the Boardroom What the Health?

How to Stick to Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions Kat Lazo Breaks the “Vagina” Taboo and Speaks Out for U by Kotex FIT Student’s Drag Race to the Top Shoe Obsession Reaches New Heights at MFIT Future Mode: Chanel Mehyo FIT Students Win YMA Scholarship 27th Street, Meet Seven-One Blog: By Creators for Creators An Eye for Eyewear

DEAR INDUSTRY 11 12 12 12 13 13

Plukka: The Future of Fine Jewelry Modern Menswear at Pitti Uomo Pitti Filati & Vintage Selection 21 Beauty Buzz #IFBCON 2013 Excuse Me, Your Art is Showing

FEATURE 14 16 17

Daughters of Anarchy Fashion Editorial The Intimate Details Swim Fan: Malia Mills and the Business of Bathing Suits

HAUTE CULTURE 18 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21

Tuning In: Passion Pit Book Review: Archetypes Philanthropy: Look Good… Feel Better, an Attitude Makeover Museum Review: The Art of Scent Dylan Lauren: Confessions of a Candy Queen The Buzz on Super Bowl Commercials Love: We Want It, and We Want It Now Outside Your Borough: Greenpoint A Few Months in Review

FIT SPEAKS 22 22 22 23

The Master Cleanse Diary How to Become a Sleeping Beauty Keepin’ Your Creative The 3000-Mile Workout

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Style on 27

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS: In the December 2012 issue the founding of HerHatten NYC was mistakenly reported as 11 months prior to publication. It was actually founded in September 2012.

The Rayna Cummings’s pull quote, which was printed in the December 2012 issue, was meant to explain the practical details of a stylist’s career and is not directly about Oprah Winfrey.

GET INVOLVED WITH W27: To inquire about editorial, contact w27newspaper@gmail.com. To inquire about design, contact w27art@gmail.com.

To inquire about advertising, contact w27advertising@gmail.com.

ON THE BLOCK

FIT

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:

Photo courtesy of Marta Cammarano

Marta Cammarano

by Dianna Mazzone

You see an eye cream that actually delivers the results it promises, but Professor Marta Cammarano, PhD, sees a scientific success story. This highly educated Italian expERt is more than well qualified to teach Product Development to seniors enrolled in FIT’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing Program. By day, Cammarano works at Intercos, a worldwide leader in the research, development and production of makeup and skincare products—meaning this science-loving beauty expert may have had a hand in creating your favorite moisturizer! W27 spoke with Cammarano about her education, career path and the possibility of welcoming a newly crowned, national icon into her classroom.

Dianna Mazzone: What’s your educational background? Where did you grow up and attend college?

MC: My educational background is scientific. I was born in Rome, Italy, where I grew up and attended college majoring in chemistry and biology.

I moved to the US in 1996 to attend grad school. I have a PhD in molecular biology from Columbia University. In 2010, I received a Masters in Cosmetics Marketing and Finance from FIT. DM: Have you always had an interest in the world of cosmetics? What was your career path like?

MC: Yes I have always been interested in cosmetics. Growing up, I used to think I would go work for L’Oreal, but then I started to be interested in science and decided to study chemistry and biology. While finishing my PhD I was considering an alternative career to academia and I realized that my love for cosmetics and my knowledge of science could be combined in a career in R&D and product development within the beauty industry.

DM: Could you tell us a little bit about your work life outside FIT?

work in the industry and are offered internships at cosmetic brands.

MC: I work for an Italian cosmetic company called Intercos who is a third party manufacturer. We develop cosmetic products (both makeup and skincare) for brands. At Intercos USA I take care of the skincare business, looking for clients and helping them develop the skincare products they are looking for.

DM: What classes do you teach and which do you enjoy most?

DM: What brought you to FIT? Had you always been interested in teaching?

MC: My first experience at FIT was actually as student, but I have been interested in teaching since I was a teaching assistant at Columbia.

DM: From your perspective, what makes the CFM program so unique?

MC: I teach product development to seniors. This is the only class that I teach and I love it.

DM: We heard Mallory Hagan, the new Miss America, is hoping to enroll in CFM—what about the beauty industry do you think is so alluring to young people?

MC: I think that the beauty industry offers a great balance between working and having fun. It also allows students to create things that make customers dream—that is certainly appealing for all generations.

MC: The fact that the students get so much exposure to the beauty industry.

They are taught by people who actively

Welcome to the Boardroom

by Megan Venere

AS WE COME BACK FROM A RELAXING WINTER BREAK, OUR SPRING SEMESTER QUICKLY GETS CRAZY AS OUR SCHEDULES FILL UP WITH CLASSES, INTERNSHIPS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. WHILE WE WERE ALL ENJOYING TIME OFF, FITSA PRESIDENT ANA SWARUP AND THE FITSA BOARD WERE BUSY GETTING READY FOR SPRING SEMESTER BY PREPARING A RAFT OF ACTIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIT STUDENTS. WE SAT DOWN WITH ANA TO SEE WHAT FITSA HAS IN STORE FOR SPRING 2013.

Megan Venere: What will FITSA be preparing and working on for spring semester?

Ana Swarup: Over break we worked on a lot of ways we can streamline what we do in FITSA and make the Board more cohesive. We’ve also been working on some great events for this semester.

MV: What can students look forward to?

AS: Miss FIT is well underway—we have some awesome contestants this year!

Something new we’ve decided to do is partner with a non-profit organization that assists young gay men who have recently come out. We will be taking donations for the organization at the event. We also have great events lined up to celebrate Black History Month with the BSU, including Game Night and the Industry Panel.

Our main goal is to bring together the FIT community and engage the students.

PRSSA Walk the Chalk Event will take place during one of the flea markets, bringing both activities together. We are also hosting a get together for commuters on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. to answer any questions or concerns they may have.

MV: Anything special you have been involved in?

AS: I am a student representative on the Strategic Planning Board, which has

been going really well. These committees are a way for us to have our voices heard and have a say in our education and what we want out of FIT. All the surveys that get emailed out, those answers and responses come back to us—your voices and thoughts are being heard. The new Academic Advisement Center has recently opened in C407, which I am really proud of. This has been a result of students asking for a resource like this for many years, and now it’s finally here.

MV: How are the preparations for elections going?

AS: We’ve been working on that too over break! We’ve developed a new system for how the initial process is going to be run. We’ve created a “position outline” for those who plan on running to help them get an idea of what each different office entails. We have also set up a “Meet and Greet” event for the candidates and the current Board so that the candidates can get information on the positions they are running for and ask the people who currently hold the position firsthand what it will be like. We’ve also created a

training program for the candidates. This will give the Board a chance to bond and become a team while also providing them with the knowledge and information to succeed in their positions. This will let the new Board members to jump right in after elections and get to work right away.

MV: If anyone is interested, when does the application process start?

AS: Applications came out on February 15th and elections will be held in March.

MV: Do you have a message you would like to share with the student body?

AS: I would like the students to know that FITSA is here as a resource for you.

We can all make a difference in our time here, not only in shaping our own academic careers, but in shaping the academic careers of future FIT students.

I also encourage everyone to get involved on campus and be active members in the community; it’s never too late. And don’t forget about elections!

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W27

February 2013

WHAT THE HEALTH?

Cure your Cold with Food: What to Eat to Fight off the Spring Sniffles

by Sarah Dill

Winter break is over and the physical challenges of the spring semester return.

With the return of stress, your body is now susceptible to getting sick from germs found on the subway and in the classroom and, also, from sleep deprivation. Being sick in the city puts you in the subway’s “stay away” zone—sandwiched into an undesirable corner seat between the deranged bum, street performers and annoying teens who think the car is their extended home.

Some of the best medicines to prevent illness aren’t lying in your medicine cabinet or stocking the shelves at Duane Reade.

Instead, they’re in the grocery aisles. To fight off dirty looks and the cold or the flu this season, there are a few foods, beverages and exercises that can keep you in tip-top shape and prepare your body to hit the ground running.

TEA AND HONEY An instant pick-me-up for a sore throat or stuffy nose, this antioxidant-packed drink helps sustain friendly bacteria thanks to the honey. It is also full of polyphenols, which are antiviral and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Opt for this sweetener to boost any drink rather than a calorie-laden sugar packet.

BARLEY OR OATS Make a quick bowl of oats for breakfast or barley for dinner for fiber-filled and

immune-system boosting beta-glucans.

This will help with anything from stomach discomfort to protecting the cells in your body from damage. Add barley to a soup or stew for a healthy dinner fix and kick your cold completely with a bowl of rolled oats in the morning.

MUSHROOMS Grill these toppers for a juicy burger or throw them into a stir fry to strengthen your body’s ability to battle off colds and destroy disease-causing cells. They’re easy to chew on as a snack and provide a perfect addition to any chicken or meat heavy dinner.

CABBAGE Associated with traditional Irish dishes, cabbages are more than just a main ingredient in your St. Paddy’s day dinners. Full of vitamin C, fiber and phytochemicals, cabbage is the perfect veggie to keep you healthy. Added bonus: they help heal ulcers. Swap bread for cabbage in a protein-packed sandwich, or throw cabbage into a soup for a great way to settle your stomach.

carry a lot of fiber and beta-carotene to keep your immune system up and running smoothly.

TOMATO SOUP Although chicken noodle soup is the king of all illness-fighting foods, tomato soup would win a gold medal in an immune boosting battle. Tomatoes are packed with lycopene—an antioxidant that helps white blood cells resist the damaging effects of infections and, in soup form, serve as a soothing slurp.

YOGURT Whether Greek yogurt or plain vanilla, this sweet treat has lots of probiotics, which help keep the gut and intestinal tracts free of disease-causing germs.

Scoop out yogurt in the morning to start your day off right, or cool down at night with it to stay away from winter woes.

Olive or nut oil: Not all fat is bad fat. Add a little olive oil to a salad and this natural dressing can help carotenoids reach the absorptive intestinal cells, thereby improving immunity.

SWEET POTATOES These dense vegetables are the perfect immune-boosting side dish to any meal.

Not only can you cook these in the microwave whole for only five minutes and get a delicious treat, but sweet potatoes also

Dorm Dish Recipe:

Turkey and Bean Chili NOTHING WARMS UP THE BODY AND SOUL MORE THAN A GOOD BOWL OF CHILI. TO GET THROUGH THE BITTER END OF THIS WINTER SEASON TRY THIS HEARTY CHILI RECIPE. YOU CAN ENJOY IT BY THE TV WRAPPED IN A BLANKET OR PACK IT AS A TO-GO LUNCH. MAKE A LARGE HELPING OF THIS PERFECT WINTER MEAL AND SAVE THE LEFTOVERS FOR ANOTHER SNOWY DAY.

Photo courtesy of cookinglight.com

***Recipe from Cookinglight.com***

PREPARATION:

INGREDIENTS:

1. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add first 4 ingredients. Cook for 6 minutes or until turkey is done, stirring frequently to crumble. Stir in chili powder and next 8 ingredients (through broth).

Cook until at a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

1 cup chopped red onion 1/3 cup seeded and chopped poblano pepper (about 1) 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey 1 tablespoon chili powder 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 6 lime wedges

TIP: To save time, chop off the top of a washed cilantro bunch rather than picking individual leaves. The thin stems toward the top are very tender.

ON THE BLOCK

FIT

6

How to Stick to Your New Year’s Fitness Resolutions

by Jonathan Guzi

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to get healthier and fitter this January?

That’s an admirable first step. If you’re still consistently working your butt off in the gym now, well, you’re impressive.

Gyms across the country get a huge wave of new members at the start of every new year eager to shed holiday weight gain, fit into sexy bikinis or get those elusive washboard abs in time for summer. But sadly, just as quickly as they appeared, sweating like they’re wearing leather pants, they give up come February.

How can you ensure that you don’t turn into another February failure? Are you already spending less time on your personal health now that the semester is in full swing?

The main culprit that usually causes fitness resolutions to fail is poor planning.

The first thing to do before deciding to get yourself in shape is to set realistic and attainable goals. If you want to lose 15 pounds within a month, for example, it’s

not going to happen. Not the healthy way, at least. Most experts agree that about one pound per week is the rate of weight loss that you can expect without compromising your health or hitting a plateau.

Be specific with your goals: aim to lift a heavier weight, run faster, jump higher or cycle faster by the end of the month. Keep a log of your progress and make sure that you’re increasing the intensity a little bit every week. I can guarantee that if you’re one of those people who sits on the stationary bike with a magazine and simply count calories, you will most likely fail.

The next thing you have to realize in order to succeed is that fitness is an ongoing lifestyle choice, as cliché as that may sound. If you view fitness as a chore and suffer panic attacks every time you think about sweating, it is time to change your mentality. If you don’t like the gym, take a zumba class, run outside, workout at home, do yoga or play a sport—there are plenty of alternatives. The point is, find something that you genuinely enjoy and

get good at it. You want to avoid cultivating a mental resentment of fitness in your mind because that would inevitably lead to you giving up and turning into another February failure. Once you fall into the habit of getting fit, you’ll be surprised at how addicting it can become.

Lastly, make time for exercise. There are no excuses here. We’re all busy students (I juggle three part-time jobs and a full-time schedule), but there is no such thing as no time, only different priorities. When people ask me how I have time to go to the gym, I usually say that I build my schedule around my workouts and not the other way around. (I’m also a little crazy and have no social life, but you don’t have to be that drastic.) As long as you dedicate at least three hours a week to fitness, you should be making progress. Go out there and make February the month you start kicking butt!

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W27

February 2013

Kat Lazo Breaks the “Vagina” Taboo and Speaks Out for U by Kotex

FIT Student’s Drag Race to the Top

by Sarah Dill

by Chloe Dewberry

Who would have thought that a scary Disney movie villain could encourage an FIT student to pursue a fun new way of life and inspire his drag career?

While some people dress up as the Little Mermaid for Halloween and hope to never have to apply fake eyelashes again, Jacob Grady found his true calling when he dressed as Cruella De Vil for Halloween in 2011. Grady’s Friday nights were never the same after he paired that fur coat with some black heels that life-changing night. “What started as a Halloween costume went a little bit further that night. I dressed as Cruella De Vil while my boyfriend, Adam Bohemond, went as a Dalmatian.” he said. Grady’s makeup and costume experiment inspired him to delve into the life of a drag queen.

VAGINAS AND PERIODS. TWO WORDS THAT MOST WOMEN AVOID SPEAKING (OR THINKING) ABOUT HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF THEIR TABOO UNDERTONES. THESE ARE NOW WORDS TO BE SPOKEN FREELY AND ALOUD THANKS, IN PART, TO ADVERTISING AND MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR KAT LAZO. Kat Lazo has made a name for herself as a women’s rights activist through her video blogs and media and also as a student ambassador in the U by Kotex Campaign running across the U.S. After gaining recognition for her own Theekatsmeoww YouTube channel and vlogs, Lazo was asked to be an ambassador for the tampon brand, which would include appearances in commercial campaigns designed to create awareness and start a movement.

When starting her vlog in June 2012, Kat Lazo wanted to focus on breaking down social norms that restrict women by challenging them through the media. With the help of her friend Sara Weber, a film major at Hunter College, and a canon camera, Kat Lazo started creating videos to empower and educate women about the misrepresentation they face through the media using the tools she learned in FIT’s AMC program. Theekatsmeoww spotlights topics that are usually hush-hush in the media and brings these ideas out in the open, often in a humorous manner.

The video Real Men Hear Vaginas was one of the first videos by Lazo that grabbed the attention of not only the YouTube public, but also Ogilvy and Mather, a large ad agency.

Real Men Hear Vaginas was based on the controversy surrounding Lisa Brown’s speech on abortion in the House of Representatives where she used the word “vagina,” and was subsequently banned from speaking. Lazo hit the streets in order to gather opinions on what others thought of saying vagina publically and why they thought this word had become so taboo. After seeing this, Ogilvy and Mather contacted Lazo asking her to be a new project leader and brand ambassador

for the U by Kotex Generation Know campaign to break the silence for women around the world. “Periods and vaginas have been kept a secret for so many decades, so the campaign is focused on empowering young women to not be ashamed of their body and take ownership back,” said Lazo.

Now that the Generation Know campaign is up and running with commercials nationwide on period-awareness and vaginal health, Lazo is ready to continue making videos that speak out, create awareness and promote a healthy body image.

“I’m fighting to end street harassment [like catcalls]. We could all be better if we weren’t so ashamed of feminism. With the whole project, all women are usually ashamed or don’t want to talk about their vaginas, but the best advice I can give is to really take a lot of time to look at yourself,” said Lazo.

Grady’s drag career saw its early beginnings at Miss FIT competitions where he competed in his earlier drag characters. It wasn’t until he moved in with a makeup artist roommate who had all the necessary tools that he fully mastered his alter ego look and became Scarlet Envy. While most girls complain about how long it takes them to “put their face on” in the morning, Grady is happy he cut his prep time down to 45 minutes. “It used to take me around three hours to get into full body, costume, hair and makeup and become Scarlet Envy,” Grady said, “It helps going to an art school when it comes to doing my own makeup. It is art, it’s just a different canvas.”

Scarlet Envy currently cohosts a drag show with fellow drag queen Jenna Tonic called Size Queens every Friday night at This N’ That bar in Williamsburg. The variety show features two or three different queens each week, including FIT student Adam Bohemond (known as Sicknasty by night). Hosts and queens alike can be seen lip-synching, dancing,

rapping and performing various talents throughout the night.

Drag culture has always had a strong presence in the New York nightlife scene.

Reality shows such as Rupaul’s Drag Race and cult classic films like Party Monster (who could forget Macaulay Culkin’s portrayal of club kid Michael Alig?) have helped pave the way for a new generation of drag performers. “One of the most exciting and memorable moments was when I was invited to attend a GLAAD event by a popular drag queen named Felony Misdemeanor. I felt like a real celebrity with famous drag queens like Lady Bunny also there,” Grady said.

While the life of a drag queen host may seem like strictly glitz and glamour, it still has its hardships. It is not cheap to look that good. “Most of the money I make goes back into drag. It’s expensive so I try to find good deals and get shoes on sale,” Grady said. Finding heels is no easy feat either: “I feel like I’m foot-binding myself when I wear certain heels out,” Grady added.

Looking past all of the makeup and glitzy dresses, drag is truly a profession. “It’s not just a party. It requires professionalism and you have to take yourself seriously in a business sense. Marketing yourself can be helpful in expanding beyond a party persona,” Grady said. But just because Grady becomes Scarlet Envy for a living doesn’t mean that he doesn’t enjoy the fun and games of the lifestyle. “Drag is an art form and it takes practice like any other form of creative expression. Great deals of people are doing it. You just need to have that inner drive and do you.

Make sure to check out Size Queens drag show Friday nights at This N’ That bar.

(108 N 6th Street Brooklyn)

With her love of advertising and strong feminist views, her video blog will continue to create awareness on how women are represented, incorporating a few laughs along the way. Lazo plans to continue making videos, including one entitled “Shit Guys Would Say if They Had Periods,” and go on speaking engagements for U by Kotex. With a huge following on YouTube and with her upcoming graduation in May, Lazo hopes to stay in the media where she can continue to stand up for what she believes in. “Social activism starts with curiosity and curiosity never killed this Kat,” said Lazo.

Join Lazo’s Generation Know Break the Silence project at ubykotex.com/takeaction/break-the-silence and follow her YouTube Channel at youtube.com/user/ TheeKatsMeoww.

Photo courtesy of Jacob Grady

ON THE BLOCK

FIT

8

Shoe Obsession Reaches New Heights at MFIT

by Emilie Schwenk

The latest installment at the Museum at FIT, Shoe Obsession, features more than 150 of the most eccentric and bizarre shoe styles of the last decade. Before the unveiling to the public, FIT held a press preview on February 7, where various newspapers, magazines and radio stations from New York and as far as Japan, Germany and Sweden came out to meet the designers and welcome the opening of FIT’s newest exhibition.

Shoe Obsession touches on a matter of guilty pleasure for most FIT students and fashionistas everywhere. But why are we so obsessed with shoes? Valerie Steele, the director and chief curator of the Museum says, “Shoes have become the main fashion story, replacing the ‘it bag’ as the most desirable accessory. Women’s love of shoes seems to be more closely related to the historical fact that high heels are the prime sartorial symbol of ‘femininity,’ which encompasses far more than female sexuality,” she adds.

Along with the heavy-hitters of the industry, such as Nicolas Kirkwood, Christian Louboutin and Charlotte Olympia, a few of the standouts include relative newcomers and true artists who use outlandish materials, concepts and innovations to set themselves apart from the masses.

Alongside these designers, Masaya

Kushino, Marieka Ratsma,and Gianluca Tamburini are represented.

Fine artist and accessory designer Masaya Kushino is sure to be a favorite of design students. His work is not always wearable, but is always spectacular and worthy of recognition as sculptural art.

After winning the first place title at the JILA Leather Goods Awards in 2007, Kushimo collaborated with Japanese fashion house SOMARTA to create a collection of avant-garde showpieces. Among the materials used in his creations are stingray, lambskin and human hair.

Kushino creates pieces with technical aspects nothing short of ingenious and seemingly defiant of gravity. Kushino gets design inspiration from sources such as religion, fairy tales and music, as well as natural and organic shapes and materials like the elements of nature.

To create these inspired pieces, Kushino works with an architectural technician in Kyoto, Japan where he is based. His roots in Japanese architecture and sculpting techniques come out in the works of art that are his shoes and handbags.

Representative of his Italian heritage, the charming Gianluca Tamburini, of the label Conspiracy, is a true innovator in

the industry. He incorporates his creative edge with the technology and craftsmanship Italian designers are known for.

design at Utrecht School of Arts, her second degree to her previous communication and media schooling.

Tamburini designs a ready-to-wear shoe where the customer has a hand in the design of the final product. On the Conspiracy website (conspiracy.it) each shoe starts out “naked,” a basic single sole, and the customer chooses which design components to add. The site features many avant-garde yet wearable options to choose from.

As a concept artist, she chose to relate her shoe design to that of a bird’s bones— strong yet of delicate construction, which allows them to soar. Her idea for the future is to use less material while maintaining the strength and an idiosyncratic distinctiveness of her progressive designs.

“The customer has the ability to intervene in the creative process,” he says of his vision, which is something not seen in brands in this day and age.

Tamburini describes his pride in his Italian upbringing with this exhibition as a chance to bring a piece of his city all around the world.

Bashful and modest, Marieka Ratsma is a self-proclaimed “rookie” and is perhaps the most relatable designer featured in Shoe Obsession. As an independent designer and recent graduate, Ratsma chooses to show her vision for the future through conceptual design.

While she chooses not to categorize herself using the titles of artist and designer, the future is not set in concrete for Marieka Ratsma. This time around she determined shoes would be the best platform for her concepts while her next venture may incorporate art or jewelry to channel her vision.

The Shoe Obsession exhibit is the perfect way to kick off the new year. All of the designers featured show us ways these accessories can reemerge season after season with a fresh, new life brought out through design.

Shoe Obsession is currently on view and will run through April 13 at the Museum at FIT.

The piece featured is the brainchild of her senior project while studying fashion

{ Future Mode }

Chanel Mehyo

by Marissa Mule

PABLO PICASSO SAID, “INSPIRATION EXISTS, BUT IT HAS TO FIND YOU WORKING.” THIS OBSERVATION RINGS TRUE FOR FINE ARTS MAJOR CHANEL MEHYO. ENERGIZED

BY PURE, RAW TALENT, CHANEL CREATES VIBRANT AND BOLD PIECES OF ARTWORK THAT SHINE.

MM: What is your favorite medium?

Marissa Mule: Who/what are your inspirations?

CM: My dream job is to become an art therapist and help children, anyone with disabilities and struggling families through making art. I want to be formally educated in psychology and sociology because I’m also interested in human nature. On the side, I would also love to be a yoga teacher and maybe have my own private practice at home.

Chanel Mehyo: My inspirations don’t come from any particular artist. Ever since I was younger I have always been impressed by any art I would come across.

MM: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Artwork courtesy of Chanel Mehyo

CM: My main strengths would probably be in working from observation. My weakness would be trying to create something purely abstract. Right now, I’m in the middle of working on something representational.

CM: I have a love for oil paint because it’s a really dynamic medium. Color is actually another one of my strengths, and color, in my opinion, looks best in oil. I also love working with classic charcoal and paper.

MM: What is your dream job?

MM: At what age did you start making art?

CM: I have always been artistic, but I became serious around age 17.

MM: Do you have a specific artistic style?

CM: I don’t really have any specific style.

I feel like I’m still too young to have one and I need to experience a lot more in the artistic field before I could classify my style.

MM: Who are your favorite artists?

CM: Definitely Jenny Saville, Alice Neel and Gideon Bok. MM: What is your favorite thing about FIT? CM: My favorite thing about FIT is being surrounded by people who are also passionate about art. I also love the city.

MM: What is your concentration plan?

CM: For my concentration, I plan to stick with painting.

9

FIT Students Win YMA Scholarship

By Madeline Thompson

MT: Applying for this award sounds like you have an entrepreneurial drive. If correct, how do you plan to utilize your entrepreneurial talent?

Photo courtesy of FIT

THREE FIT STUDENTS HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY HAVE THE DRIVE, MOTIVATION AND DESIRE TO RISK IT ALL IN ORDER TO SEE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE. ZIYAN GONG, A FASHION DESIGN MAJOR, AND DANIEL MENDEZ AND ALEXIS KATSAFANAS, TWO FASHION MERCHANDISING MANAGEMENT MAJORS, EACH RECEIVED A $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP GRANTED

BY THE YMA FASHION SCHOLARSHIP FUND (FSF).

The scholarship rewards young entrepreneurs who are pursuing careers in design, merchandising, retailing and business.

The strenuous application process that each applicant completed includeds a case study project, a personal essay about their goals, jobs, and community service experience and how they plan to utilize their scholarship money. Afterwards they were interviewed by a YMA FSF Ambassador.

Gong, Mendez and Katsafanas are among the 130 recipients of this exceptional award.

DM: I think having an entrepreneurial talent is great because it allows you, through the creation of a business of your interest and expertise, to express what you are about and how you think things can be executed in a better way. It is like being an artist who is able to paint his emotions and thoughts on a canvas.

MT: How has FIT prepared you to achieve your entrepreneurial goals?

DM: I have still one more year before I graduate, but I think FIT has taught me to speak the same language as the one used in the industry. That, of course, is good in order to have a good start in your career. However, I definitely think the real learning comes from internships and working experience.

MT: What is the best advice that you can give to other entrepreneurs?

DM: I think of entrepreneurship as love at first sight: you do not control it, you feel it; you will do whatever you need to make that lover become your life-partner and there is no specific age or time for it.

That being said, I would recommend you not to waste too much time on thinking “how can I be an entrepreneur?” or “is it too late for me to start my own business?”

All of that is crap. You will simply feel it whenever you are ready and once you feel it, your passion will answer the rest of the questions.

MT: How did you use the $5,000 scholarship?

Photo courtesy of Daniel Mendez

DANIEL MENDEZ

Madeline Thompson: The application process required a completed case study.

Which case study did you choose and why did you choose to write about that?

Daniel Mendez: Right, I had to write a 10page paper on how flash-sale companies such as Gilt Groupe or Ivory Trunk could incorporate a tween line into their product assortments [collections]. We first had to pick one of the few companies on a list we were given and then develop a marketing and merchandise strategy for it. It was really fun coming up with the concept idea for the new tween brand, as we had to give it a name, design the logo, sketch the product ideas, create a mood board and then talk about some marketing aspects as well.

DM: Actually, I have not gotten the check yet and I am not sure yet where and when I am going to spend the money. Probably I will spend it on something that will extend my learning experience in life in some way.

MT: Being from Madrid, Spain, do you feel a different entrepreneurial drive in America than from your hometown? Why or why not?

DM: This is a question I could spend long time talking about, but to keep the story short, I have to say yes, there is a big difference in the entrepreneurial drive I have seen back in Spain and the one I have seen here in the U.S. Here [U.S.] people are much more entrepreneurial and are willing to be independent earlier than what we are used to back in Spain. I think this difference relies on three main factors: legal and financial opportunities, education and cultural background. The three of them are crucial in order to create an entrepreneurial way of thinking within a nation.

February 2013 ALEXIS KATSAFANAS Photo courtesy of Alexis Katsafanas

W27

Madeline Thompson: The application process required a completed case study.

Which case study did you choose and why did you choose to write about that?

Alexis Katsafanas: I chose to focus on HauteLook mainly because Nordstrom had acquired the company back in February of 2011 and I wanted to showcase how many possibilities that opens up for them.

Also, after working at Nordstrom for three years in sales and having a wonderful perspective on the company’s customer service and loyalty, I knew that the creation of a tween brand on HauteLook’s website would draw in the Nordstrom customer, which offers a huge advantage over their competition. I created a line sheet, assortment plan, advertising plan, sustainability plan and six-month financial plan for the new line. In addition, I compared HauteLook to its competitors in the field and composed a SWOT analysis as well as a paragraph with my personal comments and advice for the company.

MT: Applying for this award sounds like you have an entrepreneurial drive. If correct, how do you plan to utilize your entrepreneurial talent?

AK: I applied for this award for many reasons. First most likely being that I like to push myself. I’m constantly exploring my capabilities, always asking myself, “What can I come up with next?” This scholarship offered me the opportunity to create something of my own and see how it would match up in the eyes of industry professionals. Secondly, I’m always looking to learn and grow. As a student at FIT studying with the hopes of becoming a menswear buyer, this case study allowed me an additional, real-world application way of studying and learning that mere textbooks couldn’t offer. I plan on graduating in May of 2014 with my Bachelor’s degree and landing a job as an assistant buyer of menswear for a wonderful company in which I feel my strengths and knowledge will benefit.

That is the dream!

MT: How has FIT prepared you to achieve your entrepreneurial goals?

AK: Being immersed in courses relative to my major my very first year helped me gain an understanding on the industry I would be embarking in, and having professors with years of industry experience has been truly priceless.

Often times, I learn the most from their stories and advice. Any time I go on a job interview or I am meeting with a professional, I always notice how well prepared I feel, how comfortable I am with most of the interview questions where many students are not. I will always hold my time here at FIT highly and I recommend that anyone with a dream and a passion and a lot of drive to apply!

ON THE BLOCK

FIT

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27th Street, Meet Seven-One Blog: By Creators for Creators

by Ryan Charchian

Artwork courtesy of seven-one blog

This blog is simply genius. “The purpose is to help designers have complete creative freedom over weekly design assignments, to help break away from client and school work,” reads their “about” section. The students behind this seven-one blog are April Scarduzio, Jaclyn Whalen and Freddie Torberntsson, all seniors studying Graphic Design with promising futures.

W27 sat down with them at campus hotspot, and Torberntsson’s favorite, Moda Café to speak with them about their project.

Seven-one is a unique platform that allows designers to submit work based on a weekly prompt. No ads, no clutter.

The blog is perfectly designed to spotlight the works these designers submit. “Why we mainly chose Tumblr is that it is easy to share images and like them,” stated Scarduzio. Tumblr is a unique micro-blogging platform that it allows you to reblog posts from another blog onto your own.

For example, you post a picture. Others who like that photo can just click “reblog” and that photo now appears on their blog as well, but the site makes sure to credit you as the source of the image. With Tumblr you can also like posts and reference back to these posts in your “liked” section.

How did the name seven-one come to be?

The group explained that it was their seventh semester, during Spring 2012, when they came up with the idea. The other half came from their block number, one. “But there is a second meaning,” said Whalen.

They all nodded in agreement. “It is also

An Eye for Eyewear

by Raquel Rose Burger

Raquel Rose Burger: What semester are you in?

Sun Hyang Ha: I am in the second semester of the one year Jewelry Design program.

Patricia Tovar: I am in the second half of my first year.

RRB: How did you hear about the contest?

Graphic designers don’t contribute all the submissions. “I have friends doing some of the assignments who are not graphic designers. Some of them are photographers that have a photo and [they] put some type,” Torberntsson said. The founders of seven-one want designers to interpret the assignment they way they read it. “You can’t go wrong,” chimed in Whalen.

SHH: Before the official presentation

by Silhouette, Professor Michael Coan, the chair of the department, let us know about the upcoming contest and encouraged us to participate in it.

PT: Professor Steven Parker mentioned this contest in my Tools and Materials

Photography by Ryan Charchian

RRB: Did you have advisement from anyone?

PT: Steven Parker. In the collection I presented to the Silhouette team I had a pair of Essential eyeglasses inspired by his craft as a watchmaker. He made me confident about my designs and the direction I was taking with them.

RRB: How long did they take to make?

PT: Every free moment I had to spare, whether on the subway or at work (when it was quiet). It was a constant tweaking, adding and removing.

RRB: Where did your inspiration come from?

Sun Hyanng Ha’s winning design

class. I remember thinking to myself what a challenge it was going to be for me to design optical eyewear and as hesitant as I was, I figured, why not?

RRB: What were the general rules?

SHH: One could design up to four eyeglasses for two divisions: Silhouette Essentials, which features Silhouette’s signature weightless eyeglasses, and Adidas Original. Designs had to be submitted electronically.

Their network of creators and the amount of submissions is constantly rising. To learn more and get involved visit sevenoneblog. com.

Past assignments include “ampersand.”

The three of them then submitted their interpretation of an ampersand and so did their viewers. A standout submission was by Alex Beekman who transformed an ampersand to look like a panda bear.

Other assignments have ranged from “state logo” to “postcard.” All the assignments are up to the individual designers’ interpretations. So far there are over 60 posts, all are submissions and include ones from Scarduzio, Whalen and Torberntsson.

SHH: Yes. I could not have achieved this without Professor Steven Parker.

During the entire process—from initial sketches to final presentation – he gave me invaluable and helpful advice. I am very happy to have had an opportunity to work with him. I also got a lot of help from Judi Powers, one of my friends in the same program. As an international student, I struggled with writing part of my presentations. She kindly proofread it and gave me helpful suggestions.

Photo courtesy of FIT

Two FIT students were the winners of Silhouette Optical Ltd’s first design contest. Those talented individuals were Patricia Tovar and Sun Hyang Ha. Tovar and Ha took top prizes in the competition by creating winning eyewear for two signature Silhouette brands: Silhouette Essentials and Silhouette & Adidas. The competition’s judges were James Spina and Breanna Benz, editor-in-chief and assistant of eyewear trade publication 20/20 Magazine; Nora Milch, W magazine associate accessories editor; Heinz Pichler, Adidas brand manager and Kristen McLaughlin, marketing director for Silhouette Brand. W27 had the opportunity to interview Patricia Tovar and Sun Hyang Ha about there experience in the competition.

our structure: seven days, one assignment,” Torberntsson clarified.

SHH: For Silhouette Luxury World, I tried to give a touch of unusual material and remembered the Mokume Gane technique that I had learned in Japan. My design for Silhouette Essentials World came from one of my rough sketches playing with geometric forms. Then I found some supporting images from architecture and fine arts.

PT: My inspiration came from a mixture of things: the company’s aesthetic and innovation as well as a reflection of my personal vintage style.

RRB: What celebrity could you picture wearing them?

SHH: Yuna Kim. She is the 2010 Olympic champion in ladies’ singles figure

skating. I actually inserted her images in all of my presentations. Her jumps, light as a feather, remind me of Silhouette’s weightless and seamless beauty.

Patricia Tovar’s winning design

PT: DAPHNE GUINNESS! I saw her pop out her reading glasses at the FIT Fashion Symposium. I’d die happy if she were to ever wear anything I designed. When I met her I thanked her for keeping the Art in Fashion, she gave me some very personal words of advice and that’s when I decided to apply to FIT. I really hope she would wear them!

RRB: What are your goals after graduation?

SHH: If possible, I would like to work for a fine jewelry company, as a designer.

PT: I would hope to continue designing and down the road have my own label, but I will leave it in hands of fate. In the meantime I will continue working hard to achieve all my goals.

RRB: What is your favorite part about being a jewelry design student?

SSH: I cannot believe that I have such amazing professors as my mentors. I finally found my role models here. Also, I was lucky to meet five wonderful friends in the same program, who always inspire me.

PT: Everything! I love the fact that I will be physically able to construct the designs in my head and that is my dream come true in a nutshell.

DEAR INDUSTRY Plukka: The Future of Fine Jewelry

by Maddalena Alecce

In a day and age where, as consumers, we have such a vast variety of choices for any product, service or idea, it is almost impossible not to question how much of what we end up not buying goes to waste.

Perhaps, when we walk into a store like H&M, Forever 21 or any other retail store, we see endless racks of shirts, tops, pants, skirts, jackets and accessories. Every store will have any number of products of different sizes, types and colors. But what happens to those items that aren’t sold?

Even after markdowns? Do they simply go to waste and take up space in the retailer’s inventory?

have excess, and thus isn’t burdened by inventory risks like an ordinary retail store. “We manufacture on demand only and we don’t absorb the risk of return.

This means that [Plukka] doesn’t have to have a higher margin to offset the costs of potential return,” said Ooi. Clearly, by not having an inventory, brick and mortar stores, staff or showrooms, Plukka’s margin is lower than any other fine jewelry designer in the business today. This not only benefits the brand itself, but it ultimately benefits the consumer who can now afford a high end product at a reasonable price.

These are all questions that Plukka, an online-only fine jewelry brand and e-commerce site, does not have to deal with. Joanne Ooi, founder and CEO of the brand, met with W27 to talk about Plukka’s unique business model and the importance of creativity in today’s job market.

In addition, because the brand does not have to worry about up-front inventory, it can take risks that a traditional fine jewelry store would not be able to. In fact, Plukka invests a lot of time and resources into finding the most creative designers to feature on Plukka.com, a venture that would be way too risky for a store that already has its resources tied up in showroom and inventory costs. “In today’s market economy, the way that retail is structured grinds away at creativity. Our business model is an antidote to that. We seek out the world’s most creative designers. They may not yet be known to the public but I have a lot of confidence in my ability to spot and nourish talent. The most exciting thing for me is to discover and promote new talent,” said Ooi.

There are several factors that make Plukka one of the most innovative e-commerce platforms. The first is its unique pricing strategy. Plukka sells jewelry designs before they are produced and as more people purchase the same design, the price decreases, therefore, the brand is able to offer some of the finest jewelry in the market today at the most competitive prices. “You can have a very high level of creativity, and what I call an elite of design, without exclusionary pricing. This is what our model teaches,” said Ooi. Second, because the brand only manufactures what the consumer orders, it doesn’t

Ooi launched the brand in 2011 with the help of Jai Waney, an international businessman who invests in a variety of manufacturing brands. Ever since the

Photography by Jessica Farkas

launch of the website, Plukka has been growing constantly. In 2012 it won the award for “Most Innovative Retailer of 2012” and its distinctive business model has been recognized as the future of fine jewelry retail. Social media, including Twitter and Facebook, also play a big role in the brand’s growth. Ooi explained that because technology became so instrumental in consumer’s lives today, a company simply cannot afford not to be active on social media. “The number of followers you have, count,” she said.

As our time together came to an end, Ooi advised college students and prospective entrepreneurs to always be creative and original. “Never copy,” she said. “You need to follow your own genuine personal inspiration. In today’s world, where there is so much stimuli and noise, you will be drowned out without originality.

I’ve always taken risks. That’s the easiest, most ambitioned way to stand out. That is my core message. ”

DEAR INDUSTRY

Modern Menswear at Pitti Uomo

by Zachary Rosenbaum

Photography by Zachary Rosenbaum

This year marked the 83rd bi-annual Pitti Uomo Menswear Tradeshow. As an FIT student studying abroad in Florence, I was granted permission to attend and feast my eyes upon the beauty that is modern menswear. Ultimately, it left me with feelings of awe, inspiration and manly pride. Shows like this enable international buyers and vendors to meet and do business. This helps new designers and smaller brands get discovered, and allows store owners to obtain unique styles that would otherwise be unobtainable. Alternatively, it is also a time for fashionistos from all over the globe to flaunt their most impressive looks, and be photographed by the press (we’re talking WGSN, Vogue, WWD). Without a doubt, Pitti Uomo is the most prestigious menswear event, and I got an inside look at what’s hot for Fall/ Winter 2013.

The show is regularly held in the Fortezza da Basso, a 16th century military fortress on the outskirts of Florence. Attendees have the option of staying inside the fortress to meander through the small village of exhibitions and art installations, or they can venture off-site for special events like lectures, fashion shows and pop-up shops. This year, Kenzo was invited to be the headline designer. They showed inside the Mercato Centrale of San Lorenzo, a marketplace that represents two very important things in Italian culture: eating and togetherness. The collection was a dreamy journey, beginning with light hues of blue and cloud prints and ending with nylon overcoats in dark tones. Warm water bottles and Kenzo blankets kept the audience happy, as the cold weather had gotten the best of many including singer Florence Welch, who was sitting front row.

Trend-wise, there’s a lot going on in menswear right now. While the silhouettes have remained consistent, we see how the use of textiles has become much more creative. What I saw were unprecedented combinations of fabrics—velvets mixed with tweeds, suede planted right on top of quilted nylon, knits paired with crinkled leather—all on one single garment. In menswear, attention to detail is the most important aspect, and the intermixing of textiles was superbly executed in so many collections (think neoprene with shearling and a touch of leather trim). Casentino, a traditional Tuscan fabric, was ever present with its novelty wooliness, a great material for cold winter weather.

Pitti Filati & Vintage Selection 21

by Anna Radke

Students participating in a study abroad program in Florence have already jumped into many activities after a long, relaxing and adventurous winter break. During the last days of January they were treated to the experience of attending two globally known events – a trade show, Pitti Filati, and a fair, Vintage Selection. These events are a great example of the global fashion industry contributing to the local Italian market.

From January 23–25, Florence was home to the 72nd edition of one of the most exciting trade shows in the knitwear industry– Pitti Filati. Located in Fortezza da Basso, built in 1534 by order of Alessandro de’ Medici, a member of the most influential Florentine family, the trade show hosted professionals from all over the world who were there to find out more about the yarn trends for Spring 2014. FIT in Florence students had a chance to attend the show and dive into the real business-to-business experience. Indeed, it was a paradise for all fashion enthusiasts.

FIT

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Some people might consider textiles boring, but Pitti Filati amazed everyone. The vendors’ booths were located on two floors of a minimalistic interior where grey and white colors dominated. It made the vivid colors of the fibers pop. Participants could go to the lower floor and admire a trend room wherein mannequins with actual garments made of the yarns were on display. Pitti Filati did not disappoint the attendees and was consistent with trends previously seen at Pitti Uomo and Pitti Bimbo. It showcased the finest quality and innovation.

The knitwear trends for Spring 2014 are sophisticated blends of cashmere, silk and cotton as well as technically advanced yarns in vibrant colors, both in bolds and prints. Fashionistas should not hesitate to invest in juicy shades of greens, oranges, pinks and blues this coming season.

However, one of the represented companies, Natural Fantasy, said that silk and cashmere in natural colors are also in demand. The brand does business with

BEAUTY BUZZ

Peach & Lilly Making International Beauty Buying Sweet and Simple

by Ryan Charchian

The Peach and Lily website

Cosmetic junkies can finally rejoice: No more searching eBay for hard-to-find Asian beauty products. Peach and Lily now brings direct access to those seeking Asian beauty products. This smart venture, co-founded by Alicia Yoon and Cindy Kim, is already a hit. What’s fueling this quick success? An active blog that highlights the brands they are going to carry and a simplistic layout on their main site.

There are only five tabs that greet customers: Home, Brands (in which a dropdown menu appears when clicked), Blog, Share With Friends, and Your Cart. Each individual page includes a background on the product you are viewing.

Want to get your hands on these products?

Well, you may have to wait a bit. Diehards have already attacked, leaving would-be

leading American brands such as Eileen Fisher, J. Crew and Polo Ralph Lauren.

But their prices might give you a headache: the finest cashmere is sold for 180 a kilogram, or just over $240 for 2.2 pounds.

Trading with international names is not the only global aspect of Pitti Filati. There were 3700 buyers attending, of which 1500 came from abroad. The majority of the foreign buyers represented Great Britain, the United States, Spain, Turkey and Hong Kong.

In the meantime, from January 23–27, 2013, the 21st edition of Vintage Selection, one of the most prestigious fairs in Europe dedicated to vintage fashion, was held at Stazione Leopolda. Every six months, mostly Italy-based vendors exhibit their goods and cater to large numbers of customers thanks to Pitti Filati’s support. People attending the trade show get a free entrance to the fair.

The event is all about hunting but it is not only for collectors and people looking for unique finds. It’s also a place where designers, product developers and trend watchers from all over the world come to find their inspiration. You can never tire of old school Chanel, Hermes or Louis Vuitton products or unknown, funky designers that make you want to live the

customers with only an option of signing up to be notified via email when a new shipment will arrive. The brands that are flying off Peach and Lily’s virtual shelves include Be The Skin, Sua Young, Tatcha and Caolion.

Why Asian beauty products and why now?

“Asian beauty products have long been buzzed about by experts in the beauty world for [their] innovation, high-efficacy, and use of natural ingredients,” states the site. “This buzz has gone mainstream in the U.S. recently with the explosion of popular products like BB Cream, CC Cream, anti-aging oxidants, gel masks, fiber mascaras, and more. These were all popularized in Asia long before coming to the U.S. And there is a lot more where that all came from.”

past! Likewise, the main theme of Vintage Selection was Missione Futuro: Science Fiction and Retro Futurism, meaning that the person of the 21st century should not forget the style of the 50s and 60s but give it a modern twist.

Vintage Selection pointed out that fashion does not exist without the arts.

TeatroDramma performed several scenes from a cult publication from the 60s, the “Enciclopedia delle Donne,” presenting the female domestic universe full of sarcastic humor. There was also a spectacular lights show.

Surely the over 13,000 visitors of the city were impressed by the synergy of Pitti Filati and Vintage Selection. Older, Pitti Filati uses its name and invites professionals from the industry to the younger Vintage Selection. Both are located in industrial spaces but have different purposes. While a person does business during the trade show, she can attend the entertaining fair to find inspiration for next season and relax. Yet, both proposed the highest quality, the most beautiful designs and the sensibility of modern times without forgetting the glories of the past. All of these factors made the hearts of fashion lovers beat faster.

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W27

February 2013

#IFBCON2013

by Mollie Yarsike

February and September mark important occasions in our calendar, especially for anyone in the fashion industry. Fashion Week allows designers to showcase their latest collections in runway shows, which the media and press attend. Essentially, the designers are telling us what’s in and out for the coming season. But events other than fashion shows are also held throughout the week. One event in particular is the IFB Conference.

Walking into a sea of pretty girls, peplum tops, vibrant colors, topknots, fabulous faces and polished curls is like any day of the week for an FIT student. If you add bloggers to the mix, it’s the IFB Conference, an event is held bi-annually

by IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers).

As described by IFB, this conference “brings together over 400 fashion blogging enthusiasts and peers with aweinspiring industry leaders for motivational talks, panel discussions and hands-on skill-building workshops, as well as sponsored activities from some of the industry’s biggest brands.” This year the conference was held on February 6 and 7 at the Altman Building on 135 West 18th Street. At the IFB Conference, you can learn all you need to know about being a fashion blogger and how to grow your blog in conjunction with the rapidly growing industry.

There were six panels and three speakers including Jeannie Jacob, founder of IFB and The Coveted, her fashion blog.

Each of the panels varied in topic, but all of them gave insight into how current top bloggers are so successful. The first panel of the day was with Hilary Rushford from Dean Street Society, who moderated five other bloggers (Tia Craig of Bag Snob and Amy Levin of CollegeFashionista among them) as they talked about their first year of blogging and how things have changed.

“At the end of the day, you have to love what you’re doing. If you don’t, neither would your reader,” Bag Snob co-founder Tina Craig said passionately during the panel.

Starting a blog can be hard, but after that it’s even harder to maintain. Leading bloggers such as Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller, Dina Fierro of Eye4Style, Kristin Ess of The Beauty Department and Susanna Lau of Style Bubble all shared their stories about their particular blogs and also gave advice to those who had questions or were new to the game.

A few years back, television personality and celebrity stylist Stacey London told Leandra Medine [The Man Repeller], “Never dumb down to your readers, let them rise to your level.” This is a mantra which Medine follows with every post she writes! Taking guy’s point of view, during the social media panel, Bruan Diefo of

Mobile Media Lab explained how to find the “balance between what to post and keeping it real.”

There were three main speakers who were also spread out throughout the jampacked day. Jeannie Jacob, founder of IFB and The Coveted was present throughout the day, introducing each panel and giving wisdom of her company and blog at the beginning and end of the day. Midday Lisa Salzer, founder of Lulu Frost, enriched us on how the label got its start and what being an entrepreneur means.

“I don’t think we should ever stop pushing that entrepreneurial boundary,” she said as she described her drive for success. Lulu Frost is currently in collaboration with J. Crew and will have a second season of J. Crew jewelry coming out in the next few months. The final speaker of the day was Co-Founder and Co-CEO of BirchBox, Katia Beauchamp. Birchbox has grown so quickly that there is now a men’s line, Birchbox Man. Katia and her best friend Haley run the company together and continue to remain true to their rooted traditional ways.

Along with being able to hear some inspirational bloggers’ points of view on certain topics, there were five different booths that were interactive for all attendees. The first booth was Alex and Ani,

Photography by Mollie Yarsike

a jewelry line that displayed a variety of their pieces and allowed you to try them on. The next booth featured a curling station and hair touch ups throughout the day, which were presented by none other than Fekkai. After you passed these booths, the fun really began. The middle booth was Mail Chimp and they featured a DIY project: monkey hats. If you tagged an Instagram picture they would print it for you. As you made your way towards the back of the event space, you could also try out Monster Headphones and even take a picture with Tyson Beckford! Bare Minerals sponsored the last booth where they offered free makeup touch ups as well as your choice of makeup to take home.

All in all, the conference was a great success and definitely benefited bloggers and all press that attended. Visiting bloggers were able to make connections with their peers and interact with some of the sponsors, which would later be most likely posted on their blog. Blogging is a harder field than most would think. You need commitment, perseverance and drive in order to make it to the top. Though it takes a while, by using social media, networking and continuously posting on your blog, you can become a nationally, or even globally, known blogger sitting front row.

Excuse Me, Your Art is Showing: Freedom and Limits of Creative Expression

by Miriam Lustig

Sex...it’s the physical side of romance. It is also very much on people’s minds during February, the month of candied hearts, red roses and commercialized love.

nudity, vulgarity, obscenity and profanity are not necessarily protected under the First Amendment and can therefore be prohibited.

Sex is natural, raunchy, risqué and a wide variety of other delicious and possibly alarming (Fifty Shades, anyone?) adjectives. These qualities make sex an ideal subject for evocative and provocative art.

Think Rubens, Fragonard, Boucher... think every artist who has attempted to explore the human condition through any means of creative expression. Yet for all that, the subject of sex is still usually just a little too taboo for polite society.

“Obscene” expression is colloquially defined as, expression that is “offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.” However, it is important to note that there is no exact legal definition for obscenity. This can be troublesome for creatives because in order to determine whether an artist’s work is protected under the First Amendment, the artist must first prove that their work is not obscene.

Luckily for artists living in these great United States, they have an inalienable right to free expression. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reads, “Congress shall pass no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...”

In the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case Miller v. California, the courts developed a Three Prong Obscenity Test, also known as The Miller Test, which can be used to determine whether or not speech or expression can be labeled obscene.

Caveat though: an artist’s right to free speech can be curtailed by an individual’s or group’s right not to be exposed to lewd, or offensive displays. So, subject matters that include, but are not limited to,

In order for art to be considered obscene it must meet all three stipulations of The Miller Test: 1. “Whether ‘the average person, applying contemporary community standards’

would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.

2. Whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law.

3. Whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.” (Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15, 1973) It is important to note that The Miller Test relies on community standards rather than national ones. What the “average person” in Bountiful, Utah might consider offensive is presumably different than what the “average person” in New York, NY might consider offensive Here at the Fashion Institute of Technology we are community of artists and designers without creative limit. Our creations may not always reside within the boundaries of what is considered socially appropriate. Freedom of expression is useless unless someone tests the boundaries every now and then, and who better to do that than us here at FIT. However, it is

Photo courtesy of neobarbarians.tumblr.com

important to know how you can possibly begin to build a legal case protecting your artwork should it become necessary.

Disclaimer: This article was not intended for any legal purpose beyond basic edification.

Have an art or design related legal question?

Email it to W27newspaper@gmail.com with the word “legal” in the subject line and it may become the topic of a future W27 legal column!

FEATURE

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FIT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FERNANDA DESOUZA STYLED BY HALEY ANNA PERRY MODELED BY KAITLYN DIGIOVANCARLO HAIR & MAKE-UP BY KAITLYN DIGIOVANCARLO

DAUGHTERS

OF ANARCHY IT'S COLD OUT, THAT'S A FACT. WHAT BETTER WAY TO ESCAPE THE COLD THAN BY WATCHING LANA DEL REY'S SULTRY DESERT VIDEO, "RIDE" AND AN EPISODE OF "SONS OF ANARCHY?" SO WE DID JUST THAT, AND LITTLE DID WE KNOW IT WOULD INSPIRE THIS MONTH'S PHOTO SHOOT, FEATURING KAITLYN DIGIOVANCARLO AS OUR VERY OWN BIKERLANA. KAITLYN BRAVED THE ARCTIC COLD FRONT TO SHOWCASE A VARIETY OF SEXY DESIGNS BY FIT'S VERY OWN ALUMS, NEVAEH AND D&E. WITH A LITTLE BLACK LACE AND A HINT OF PATRIOTISM, LINGERIE NEVER LOOKED THIS BADASS. WATCH OUT NYC, THERE'S A NEW DAUGHTER IN TOWN.

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Above: Corset and Panty by Daisy & Elizabeth, Necklace by Lulu Frost.Below: Corset by Daisy & Elizabeth, Panty and Garter by Nevaeh Intimates, Necklace and Bracelet by Lulu Frost, Tights by H&M. Opposite page: Chemise

by Nevaeh Intimates, Jacket by Daisy & Elizabeth, Bracelet by Lulu Frost, Tights by H&M. On the cover: Bra and Tshirt by Daisy & Elizabeth, Panty and Garter by Nevaeh Intimates, Bracelet by Lulu Frost, Tights by H&M

February 2013

FEATURE

FIT

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the intimate details TWO ENTREPRENEURS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS ON HOW TO STAY SUCCESSFUL IN THE LINGERIE INDUSTRY

by Hermina Sobhraj

THE EVER-CHANGING INDUSTRY OF LINGERIE IS MUCH LIKE THE INTIMATE APPAREL ITSELF—UNPREDICTABLE AND EROTIC. IT IS NO WONDER THAT ONLY DEDICATED ENTREPRENEURS CAN STICK IT OUT IN THIS ROLLER-COASTER OF A BUSINESS. ACCORDING TO A GLOBAL MARKET REVIEW BY ONLINE PUBLICATION JUST-STYLE.COM, THE LINGERIE INDUSTRY ENDURES BOOM AND BUST CYCLES YEARLY. HOWEVER, WHILE THE INDUSTRY HAS DECLINED AND RECOVERED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, IT ALSO HAS SEEN A DYNAMIC SURGE OF RECOGNITION THROUGHOUT POP CULTURE, IMPACTING BUSINESS OWNERS WORLDWIDE BOTH NEGATIVELY AND POSITIVELY. AMONG THESE BUSINESS OWNERS ARE LAUREN RICH, CLASS OF 2006, FOUNDER OF RICHPR, AND MELISSA FRANCHI, CLASS OF 2000, CREATOR OF NAVAEH INTIMATES. BOTH PASSIONATE AND DRIVEN, LAUREN AND MELISSA ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THRIVED IN THE LINGERIE BUSINESS AND HAVE MASTERED THE PARTICULARS OF THE INTIMATE APPAREL TRADE.

Model wears a chemise by Nevaeh Intimates,Photography

by Fernanda DeSouza

Special Events class with Professor Volpe.

As a class we did an event for a Project Runway designer, Zulema Griffin. She came into our class and asked us if we would be willing to help with the show. I always sat in the front row and being the opportunist I was, I was like, yes! I would love to.

Later that summer, Belvedere Vodka was sponsoring a Fashion Week event for Zulema Griffin and she asked me to do the show. From there, I landed my first two clients and I would say December ’06–January ’07 is when RICHPR was founded. Before that, I was always interning.

HS: How did you get involved in the lingerie industry?

Melissa Franchi Owner of Nevaeh Intimates Hermina Sobhraj: Describe the process behind designing lingerie.

Melissa Franchi: Our process begins by being inspired, conjuring up feelings whether it’s through the arts, such as movies, dance, traveling, music or our surroundings. This triggers a theme and then we become submerged in it. I like to focus on taking a bit of the past and rolling it up with a modern twist.

HS: Tell me a little bit about your business and what aspects you enjoy most about it.

MF: Nevaeh Intimates is a line of beautifully crafted, luxury lingerie taking cues from Old Hollywood glamour, while mixing in modern day versatility.

It’s for the woman with modern, smart sensibilities who loves all things luxury, quality and timeless in design and style. I most enjoy being able to create and fulfill desires.

HS: Is there a particular type of model you look for in the lingerie industry?

MF: Not only should she fit into our collection’s inspiration, but most importantly is confident and secure within herself. A girl/woman/model... when you look into her eyes radiates the sense of desirable strength no matter what shape or size she may be.

HS: What do you think about Lingerie Fashion week? What do you hope to get out of the experience?

MF: I think Lingerie Fashion Week is a wonderful concept. It’s about time we embraced our underpinnings on the runway in NY. I love the fact that it holds true to an artistic approach through its independent designers mixing with the larger established brands. It’s a way to complement the industry as a whole.

HS: Have there been any strains on the lingerie industry lately?

MF: Strain definitely comes from the economy, we noticed a lot last year that consumers were not buying as free spiritedly as they used to. Also, there is a lot of competition out there—good and bad, fighting for a piece of the market locally as well as globally.

HS: What advice would you give to a young fashion entrepreneur?

MF: Be determined to follow your dreams.

Everyone puts on their panties one leg at a time.

Lauren Rich Founder of RICHPR Hermina Sobhraj: Tell me a little bit about your business.

Lauren Rich: I’ve managed PR for six years. I technically started while I was still in college and it was all thanks to my

LR: I started out doing PR for women’s wear clients but a year in, I started getting a couple of lingerie/loungewear clients.

I began getting a little slow so I started looking on craigslist for a side gig. One of them was for a Lingerie Trade show to hand out magazines and I figured I could hand out my business cards during my break.

Taking that side gig was the best decision I ever made because I became the advertising director for that magazine. From there, I was referred to five clients.

I didn’t come to FIT thinking I wanted to go into lingerie but I noticed that lingerie just kept coming back to me. People Lauren Rich, Photography by Alberto Lama of Blue Door Photography

started referring to me as the go-to girl for lingerie. I thought, ok, I’m just going to move forward with this niche because it’s working for me.

For the past three years, it’s been all panties, all the time!

HS: How do you feel about just being in lingerie?

LR: It’s been great, I love it. I love the industry and the people in it. It’s so fashion, I’ve found this little niche for myself.

HS: What about Lingerie Fashion Week?

I’m sure your clients are involved in that.

LR: I’ve had the idea for a few years. I started out doing fashion shows for some women’s wear clients and I immediately noticed that there was never an equivalent [fashion show] for intimate apparel.

Intimates has so many categories: lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear, hosiery, men’s underwear. I thought, surely, there are enough brands that would qualify for its own fashion week. So, I had this crazy idea to do it myself, and now it’s happening this February.

HS: Are you nervous about the launch of Lingerie Fashion Week?

LR: It’s nerve-wracking but all of the reactions have been nothing but positive. I keep having people tell me that the industry needs this. I just feel

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W27 that intimates has had such a surge of recognition and timing wise, I think this is the time for it.

I think Americans have gotten more open to the idea of lingerie as something more than a just a t-shirt bra. And whether you want to credit that to 50 Shades of Grey, or something else, it’s working. There are so many contemporary lingerie designers who are equivalent to a Jason Wu or Alexander Wang.

I want to give the industry a voice and

bigger platform than it has ever had before. I want to have an exciting platform, to capture the attention of broadcast outlets, and give these brands exposure.

HS: What’s your outlook on the future of the lingerie industry?

LR: I think it’s only going up from here.

I think that Americans have gotten less conservative about lingerie and that it’s okay to wear what used to be thought of as special occasion lingerie on a daily basis. You could put on something lacy

February 2013

and sexy. It’s that whole French mindset.

There are women’s wear designers doing collaborations with lingerie designers, like La Perla, and I think all of these things are definitely helping.

Be proactive—you have to be or you won’t get anywhere in any industry in New York. You have to get out of your comfort zone and network yourself. Make yourself noticed!

HS: What advice can you give to a young fashion entrepreneur?

Lingerie Fashion Week launched February 22, 2013 and continued on February 23, 2013.

It was held in the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, New York City.

LR: Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. It goes back to that special events class. I recognized an opportunity and tried to make something happen with it.

SWIM FAN: MALIA MILLS AND THE BUSINESS OF

Bathing Suits

by Caroline nelson

AS A COMBINATION OF SNOW, RAIN AND HAIL PELTS NEW YORK—THE PRECURSOR TO WINTER STORM NEMO—ORDERS ARE PLACED, PATTERNS ARE CUT AND SEWN, ALL FOR SWIMSUIT SEASON. ON A CRAMPED FLOOR IN THE GARMENT DISTRICT, PIONEERING SWIMWEAR DESIGNER MALIA MILLS AND HER TEAM ARE HARD AT WORK CRAFTING THE SUITS AND ACCESSORIES WE’LL LONG FOR THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS.

Photography by Jacquelyn Clifford

Mills, who founded her eponymous line in 1991, has weathered many storms, from shuttering stores to breast cancer, but her passion for self-love and community has taken her suits everywhere from the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue to the pages of W and onto real women all over the world.

When Mills, a Cornell graduate, started her company, she endeavored to take the stress out of swimsuit shopping and gave women a real say in their beachwear decisions. Available mostly in solid colors and a myriad of styles, from triangle tops to tankinis to full coverage one-pieces, her mainly hardware-free suits feature details like princess seaming, boning and removable ties. Each piece is sold separately and tops are sold by bra size from A to DD/E. This might sound common now, but it was Mills who championed mixing and matching in the swimsuit market.

After a college friend and Sports Illustrated employee suggested she design suits for their most famous issue, Mills observed the state of swim in San Francisco, where she was working as an assistant designer at Jessica McClintock, and found only matching two-pieces in the same fabrics and styles.

“If I want a skimpy top I have to get a skimpy bottom that goes with it, and it was just very clear to me that there was

an opportunity to do something totally different with a swimsuit,” Mills said.

Women of all shapes and sizes model the suits on MaliaMills.com, and the brand fits its styles on a number of women from the office instead of relying on just one fit model. “Fitting on several different gals gives us several different perspectives, it’s sort of that simple. It’s incredibly challenging, it’s incredibly inspiring, it’s incredibly fruitful and it’s a big, big part of what we do. And yes it is very costly no doubt about it,” said Mills.

But these costs don’t matter as much as the community Mills tries to build through her suits. Design inspiration can often be found on the streets of the garment district and evolves through the use of all five senses, a design trait Mills picked up after borrowing American fashion designer Claire McCardell’s book, What Shall I Wear?, from the FIT library. In addition to taking in the sensory elements of her environment, Mills also keeps in touch with other industry players. “You know the community is other designers and other members of the apparel community in New York and everyone working together,” said Mills who welcomes collaboration. Mills recently teamed up with Kate Spade to designer the brand’s first swimwear collection for

Kate Spade’s Year of the Print. The collection combined the styles Malia Mills is known for with the fun, leafy prints of artist Florence Broadhurst.

“It’s very much the zeitgeist to be doing these types of collaborations, which don’t necessarily mean they’re ready to launch any category in a big way, but they’re just really in touch with their consumer and they want to give their consumer some really interesting, fun things every year,” Mills explained. “I’m sure they have… a huge potential in swimwear and I think they’re going to do great when they finally officially go for it; it’s going be awesome,” she continued.

As a company, Malia Mills is also very in touch with its consumer. After selling in such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Barneys New York, the company launched its online store in 1997 and started taking customer feedback during the Internet’s infancy. A year later Malia Mills opened its flagship store on Mulberry Street in New York City and stores in LA and Miami opened in quick succession. Just a few years later in 2002, Mills was forced to close both the LA and Miami stores. “There were three of us running the company and suddenly we had a store in California and a store in Miami but we were based in New

York—very difficult to run a business like that,” she said. But she dusted herself off and continued to expand across New York City and into Connecticut and Chicago.

Once again, however, she shuttered those two shops during the recession in 2008.

Despite these setbacks, Mills has persevered and the brand now has multiple stores on both coasts and is sold in a few small boutiques as well.

No matter what ups and downs she might face, Mills has succeeded in a niche industry by surrounding herself with a supportive team and empowering women through what is usually their most nerveinducing purchase. Just as she thought differently about how a swimsuit should be designed, she encourages all women to think differently about their bodies in swimwear. “It’s not about looking different from the way you are, it’s about putting on a suit that makes you feel fucking incredible and I say that with a lot of passion because so often people are sacrificing fashion fun to pick something that makes them look thinner or taller or bigger boobed or with a smaller butt… there can also be many different kinds of swimsuits. They can all belong in your closet, there’s not just one perfect suit.”

HAUTE CULTURE TUNING IN

PASSION PIT

by Georgi Dwiggins

While most were cozy at home watching the latest crazy storm that underscored our insane weather here in the city, a large group braved the blizzard and packed Madison Square Garden on February 8 to see synthpop band Passion Pit. Though it was a nasty, wintry mess outside, fans packed the arena to dance to electronic beats and uplifting keys. Sometimes you have to go through some obstacles for something you love, a lesson Passion Pit’s frontman Michael Angelakos knows all too well.

Angelakos’s struggle is one unseen, however still very much debilitating— years of struggling with bipolar disorder.

Angelakos brought his mental health issues to light in a well-publicized article

on Pitchfork, describing the interference with daily life and particularly the recording of the band’s newest album Gossamer that his disorder brought. Bipolar disorder, particularly rapid cycling (with which Angelakos is diagnosed), affects daily life and can make everything a fog to work through. “People don’t understand that it’s not just debilitating; it’s all-encompassing. It’s something that you have to work on your entire life,” said Angelakos to Pitchfork associate editor, Larry Fitzmaurice. It isn’t “just” depression, but periods of depression and mania taking turns and causing extreme up and down of emotions and mental stress.

There is a clear link between mental illness and creativity, some of the most

moving music and art comes from those with a brain not quite wired the same as those around them. “I thrive under a chaotic environment, but I also create it. It’s a sadomasochistic thing. Dissatisfaction and creation are inextricably linked, so you cannot be satisfied,” said Angelakos in the article. This constant struggle has been the cause of tour cancellations, hospital stays, and dark moments… but also the source of heartrending lyrics and emotional clarity.The band’s electropop songs cover moments of triumph, medicated life and Angelakos’s own dance back and forth to a near breaking point.

Opening at MSG with the song “I’ll Be Alright” from Gossamer, he admits “Well I’ve made so many messes…” and later in “Constant Conversations,” “I’m just a

mess with a name and a price…” Maybe Angelakos can be a mess, but it’s an inspiring, heartfelt mess.

According to Pitchfork, Angelakos has mentioned wanting to release a Passion Pit EP (this year if all goes well), for which the proceeds would go towards charities researching bipolar disorder. “I don’t think people talk about mental illness a lot, but they need to know it’s OK to talk about how they are feeling…I wish more people would get help when they feel like they need it—not just to look to medicine, but to the support of others.”

PHILANTHROPY:

BOOK REVIEW:

ARCHETYPES

LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER, AN ATTITUDE MAKEOVER

by Daysha L. Rodriguez

by Callia Hargrove

Who are you? Seems like a pretty basic question right? This book begs to differ with your theory of self hood. In Archetypes, Caroline Myss effectively shakes up every perception you ever had of your personality and provides an indepth analysis that is only one degree shy of being as therapeutic as a trip to a shrink.

Praised by the likes of the OscarPrGirl, and Hilary Kerr from the blog WhoWhatWear, Archetypes builds on Carl Jung’s theory of the unconscious to provide you with a complete understanding of the most important person in your life— you. An archetype, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual. Many of these ideas or modes are discussed in the book including The Creative, The Athlete, The Intellectual, The Queen/Executive, The Rebel, The Visionary, and most importantly, The Fashionista. Through a 20-page description, each Archetype is explained in easy-to-decipher breakdown of everything you need to know about your unique Archetype.

Always ahead of her time, Miuccia Prada herself even quipped, “I’m not interested in types. I’m interested in archetypes.”

Even if you think you know a little bit about yourself, this book delves way deeper into who you truly are and makes you start questioning everything. Archetypes goes beyond basic tests like the renowned Meyers-Briggs, and actually explains the background of your archetype along with how life experiences can alter it. Myss stresses the importance of knowing your true archetype and why ignoring it can lead to repeatedly unsuccessful endeavors and even worse, unhappiness.

This book will help you step-by-step to figure out if you’re a Queen/Executive like Anna Wintour, or an Athlete on the road to some Serena Williams style tennis stardom. Each profile comes chock full of success tips, common challenges and ways to get closer to the true you, in order to reach your real potential. If you want to get down to the nitty gritty, head over to Archetypeme.com to find out, down to the percent, what your archetypal makeup is.

Living in an era obsessed with beauty, how do you cope with the overwhelming physical and emotional side effects of cancer? How do you maintain a healthy self-esteem when you no longer recognize your own reflection in the mirror? The people at Look Good...Feel Better are the ones to contact when you want to feel and look like yourself again. They are a service program that helps cancer patients, men, women and teens alike, manage their treatment and recovery process. The program is composed of confidence-boosting techniques, individual and group informational sessions, a free makeup kit, videos, brochures and patient guide— things that will ultimately assist members on having a positive outlook on a not-sopositive situation.

Louanne Roarks, executive director of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, told reporter Karen Goldberg Golf of The Washington Times, “How you look is something you can control and control is a significant issue for many patients.” LGFB enables patients to regain control of some aspect of their lives in a supportive environment.

Look Good...Feel Better was founded and developed in 1989 by the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, a charitable organization established by the Personal Care Products Council, the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry. LGFB is available in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the United States alone, 700,000 women have participated in the program, which now offers 14,500 workshops nationwide. Look Good...Feel Better for Men launched for the first time in January 2009 and Look Good...Feel Better for Teens launched in 1996.

If you’re interested in being part of such an inspiring organization, there are numerous volunteer opportunities offered on their website. Look Good...Feel Better is seeking beauty professionals (hairstylist, makeup artist, nail technicians) as well as general volunteers with an organized, loving and friendly personality to help run the program with ease.

Kenya Davis, a 27-year-old LGFB program alum says, “I looked good and felt so much better during and after the session.

In fact, I felt like a superstar. All of the little tricks to pamper myself and forget about treatments for a little while goes a long way. Best of all, I walked away with a lot of new friends. People who knew exactly what I was going through.”

For more information, or to apply for a volunteer position, visit www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org or call their 24-hour hotline 1-800-395-LOOK.

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W27 MUSEUM REVIEW:

THE ART OF SCENT

February 2013

DYLAN LAUREN: Confessions of a Candy Queen

by Evelyn Pelczar

by Desiree Perez

KNOWN AS THE “CANDY QUEEN,” DYLAN LAUREN HAS TRANSFORMED HER LOVE FOR CANDY INTO A SUCCESSFUL RETAIL EMPIRE WITH LOCATIONS IN LOS ANGELES, MIAMI AND NEW YORK. Dylan is not only the daughter of American designer Ralph Lauren, but the founder of Dylan’s Candy Bar, whose New York location is the largest candy shop in the world at 15,000 square feet.

Prior to launching DCB, Dylan studied art history at Duke University. She then started her own event planning company, but always found herself going back to candy. It was with DCB that she was able to channel art and candy into a shop that would bring people back to a sweeter time in their lives: their childhood.

Evelyn Pelczar: What qualities do you look for in the individuals with whom you surround yourself?

Dylan Lauren: Loyalty, depth,support, kindness, fun.

EP: Who are the people that inspired you to launch your business and how do they continue to influence you?

DL: My dad is a total example of an entrepreneur who built a lifestyle empire from having a clear and creative vision.

For so many years he remains at the top, yet always strives to achieve more success and happiness. He also remains cool and kind to everyone, no matter how important he has become.

Photography by Desiree Perez

The whole room is white with no visuals.

You may think you’ve just stepped into an empty gallery. But as Suzanne, the spokeswoman for the exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design, explained, “ You have to go around sniffing the niches on the walls and read the holographic text to experience The Art of Scent.”

You don’t have to be an olfactory expert to get a whiff of the different featured scents. As long as you’re familiar with perfumes such as Chanel No. 5 and Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana, you’ll be fine. Not only will you be sniffing away, but you’ll also be exposed to the creators behind each different scent. By creators, I don’t mean Thierry Mugler or Prada, I mean the olfactory artists. Some of them are Ernest Beaux for Chanel No. 5, Jacques Cavallier for L’Eau d’Issey, and Olivier Cresp for Angel and Light Blue.

When you finish smelling the various scents, you will enter an enclosed area resembling that of a scientist’s lab.

There’s a glass table that holds the same perfumes that went up your nostrils a couple of seconds ago. This time you can dip a sample sheet into your favorite perfume and take it home, or take it to Lord & Taylor and buy it!

The last experiment is Lancome’s Tresor.

You’ll go through different stages of the perfume creation process to see how many changes it goes through before hitting the cosmetics counter. In the wall are five “Mods” (modifications leading up to the final product) with background information on the back. Sometimes the ingredients in one mod won’t make it into the last mod but in this case they were all equally important to the final scent. So how do you know what the final scent is?

“When everyone in the room smiles,” said Suzanne.

The Art of Scent 1889–2012 will be on view until March 3, 2013 at the Museum of Arts and Design.

EP: What core values has your family instilled in you as you move forward with family and business?

DL: It is important to spend time with your family and closest friends no matter how busy you get. They ground you and love and friendship is more important than anything.

EP: What are three tips you would give to young entrepreneurs starting their own company?

DL: Listen to your gut; surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Don’t worry if you don’t have certain skills—if you find people who have those, you can make a good team and accomplish your dreams.

EP: Five, 10, 50 years down the line when you’ve achieved everything you aspire to do today, where do you see yourself?

DL: I see myself still being as involved with DCB and having stores in different countries, but personally I’d love to be traveling a lot and living between NYC, the Hamptons and California. Also, running an animal camp and shelter on the side.

EP: How do you make time to balance your personal life, such as your recent marriage, while focusing on building your

Photo courtesy of moddesign.com

entrepreneurial endeavors?

DL: Balance is so crucial. It’s hard, but I am lucky as an entrepreneur I can control my schedule. By having a plan book I can see my schedule for the week and ensure I have a bit of time for love, friends, exercise, self and work. I do make sure I first mark times to work out so I ensure I get that in. I do emails while on the stairmill. I make date nights with my husband and friends or I work out with them instead of eating so I kill two birds with one stone.

EP: Keeping up with your schedule is hard enough, but what are your necessities for making every minute count?

DL: Having the skill to multitask. I love the BlackBerry because I can catch up on calls and emails while walking to a meeting or exercising. Candy and coffee are also necessary for energy to keep going.

EP: With your constant and hectic schedule between your entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors, what do you do to relax and unwind?

DL: I watch TV when I can with my husband—The Bachelor, The Soup and Saturday Night Live are fun. Then CNN or Charlie Rose for more news, and I read magazines. I also find a tough workout key to eventually relax and clear my mind.

EP: With the transition from event planning to confectioneries more than a decade ago, what was the biggest lesson you learned about following your dreams?

DL: I still do event planning in a way, because our stores are the place for amazing events and launches. It’s fun to have my own venue and be able to control the look, favors, food, decor, etc. I feel lucky and blessed that I had the conviction to follow my dreams. I love what I do and who I work with. I feel fulfilled and am so happy. Dylan Thomas’s poem “Do Not Go Gently” is somewhat a reminder to me to aspire to be the best you can and follow your dreams.

HAUTE CULTURE

FIT

20

THE BUZZ ON SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS

by Dave Morrissey

Some say the Bar Refaeli / Jesse Heiman make-out was a “sensational Super Bowl victory,” while others are so grossed out that they are literally boycotting GoDaddy. com. Some say that Matthew Terry is an oily gift from the heavens, while others say they felt they were lubed up and violated by Calvin Klein himself. While there were some commercials that lasted no longer than ten seconds in our memory, there are some that people are still talking about.

Coca-Cola’s “choose your ending” style commercial angered fans, particularly because people said the climax didn’t live up to the hype. The premise was that a cowboy, a badlander and a showgirl were racing for a cold bottle of Coca-Cola. In the end, people voted for the showgirl to win, via various social media—Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr. At first, Coca-Cola was praised for using a brilliant social media strategy. Ironically though, it affected viewership of whatever else was going on during the Super Bowl

as it actually lured voters eyeballs away from the game and other commercials to go vote.

GoDaddy.com has always been known for it’s blatantly racy commercials which have nothing to do with the actual site. Their Super Bowl advertisement featured a hot super model making out with a nerdy actor, serving as a metaphor for GoDaddy. com’s two personalities. In response, some people are actually de-registering from the site and boycotting it all together. One user on the GoDaddy forums states, “... I thought Danika was bad, but that slobbery kiss commercial was the last straw – I’m going with another provider...” Even with so much hate, GoDaddy. com, and many others, are still praising the commercial for it’s awkward-but-funny humor.

Klein commercial wherein male model Matthew Terry poses rather forcefully, with in-between shots of various gasoline engines. Yet another student says, “I wish there was a Calvin Klein fashion show to counter the Victoria’s Secret one.” The spot was Calvin Klein’s first time getting involved in Super Bowl advertising. Larry Woodard, CEO and president of Graham Stanley Advertising, said in a comment to ABC News Radio Online that the Calvin Klein ad “was a desperate grab for attention.”

The commercials from this year’s Super Bowl have received extremely mixed reviews from people everywhere. It makes one wonder how much thought was spent on a 30 second spot that now goes for a whopping $3.9 million. It also makes one wonder if advertisers will still believe that “any publicity is good publicity.”

“No matter where I go, it follows me,” a student exclaims. “No joke; I’m afraid to go to a cab because I might see it.” The student is talking about the greasy Calvin

LOVE : WE WANT IT, AND WE WANT IT NOW.

by Richard Gilmartin

They say you can’t hurry love, but in a city where absolutely everything is easily accessible, we just can’t wait any longer.

As a fashion student, one is expected to be a jack of all trades, but can one have it all and still have time to date? Thanks to technology, the answer is yes. Websites such as OkCupid! and DateMySchool, as well as up and coming mobile apps such as Tinder have allowed students to engage in and explore their sexuality during a time where that normally wouldn’t be possible.

“Although, the whole idea of dating has changed from just a decade ago, I think our digital world allows us to meet new people from all different types of backgrounds, social groups and even locations” says Carlisle Kaiser, a sixth semester FMM student. Kaiser started using the online dating site OkCupid! her second semester into college. The website allows people close in proximity to connect and meet up if they so choose.

While the idea of meeting romantic potentials online sounds a bit detached from emotion, an open mind and heart can make all the difference. “I actually

met my current boyfriend, Mickey, indirectly through OkCupid!,” states Kaiser.

“I went out with one guy I had met on the site and eventually ended up meeting some of his friends. A few months after the guy and I had first met through the site, I ended up dating one of his best friends. And now we have been together for a year and a half.”

That is not to say however, that every encounter online is positive, and having an unlimited amount of partners to choose from makes it almost impossible to make every impression a good one.

“Overall, the process of chatting with someone over a dating website and then going on an (almost random) blind date was very stressful and overwhelming to me. I only went on one or two dates because of that. But overall, the experience was great for meeting new people,” Kaiser says.

While some may be looking for their one true love on sites, others use them mainly as a source of entertainment to pass the time. “I wasn’t necessarily looking for some great romance, but I actually made a handful of friends on there, in addition to

a few free dinners. There were a few weird people on there, but I never felt unsafe or anything,” says Danielle Grochowicz, a sixth semester Accessories Design major who started using the website DateMySchool last fall as a sophomore at FIT. “I wound up meeting a few nice guys for dates, so that’s a success I guess.

I actually met one guy on there who was perfect on paper. We texted all the time but when we met...one night over the summer there was no chemistry at all.

That could have been avoided if we had met in person from the start. I actually saw a bunch of my friends from FIT and NYU on datemyschool.com and we always shared a laugh over it.”

First impressions also seem to be key in choosing who students pick to talk to online, and a picture says a thousand words.

While it may sound shallow to choose potential suitors first by looks then by personality, students feel more comfortable using this tactic from the comfort of their own bed while they surf the web. “It’s just more fun to look at the cute ones than sort them by interests. It’s like looking

at clothes online. I don’t look at prices of clothes that aren’t my style. If I don’t like the way they look, then what do I care if it’s on sale? That really sounds awful, but being a young adult in a city like New York, why not think that way?” explains Grochowicz.

The growth of Tinder, a mobile dating app that allows users to select others in the general area based on looks, has only further implemented this state of mind.

According to ABC News, Tinder has grown by over 750% in the last month.

Other dating apps, such as the development of OkCupid!’s new mobile app, Crazy Blind Date, matches users up on blind dates according to location and personality matches. The mobile dating app market is expected to double its revenue within the next year. The jury is still out however, on if the masses are using these apps as a serious dating tool or just another game to pass the time during class.

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OUTSIDE YOUR BOROUGH:

GREENPOINT

by Fernanda DeSouza

This quiet neighborhood situated north of Williamsburg can be summarized two ways: 1. It is close to unattainable because the G train, as I learned, is unreliable, even more so than the L train.

2. It is the crème de la crème of all Hipstervilles, USA and if you have a few thousand dollars to spare, you can pretend you’re living in your very own episode of Girls.

I dragged my roommates (in sub degree weather) into the heart of “Little Poland” to see what the hype was all about.

The neighborhood of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, dates back to the 1630s, playing home to the Keskachauge Indian tribe and later to Dutch colonists of still hardto-pronounce names. The neighborhood began to thrive as it industrially expanded through its shipbuilding and waterborne commerce as well as with pottery, printing and glasswork factories. The bordering East River gives visitors a sprawling and breathtaking view of Manhattan and a $4 ride on the East River Ferry is sure to help satisfy your inner Titanic cravings.

We started our morning at Brooklyn Label, situated in the corner of Franklin and Java Streets. Ignore the “B” rated sign outside—this place deserves an “A+.” A large chalkboard listing of drink options sits above a café counter where the waiters, who looked like they stepped out of a thrift store catalogue, purple hair and Coogi sweaters included, busily run about making espressos and cappuccinos. You’ll be sure to fall in love with the bay-like windows, brick face walls and

not to mention the chunks missing from said walls that expose the inner skeleton of this quaint café. The staff was friendly, our male waiter going as far as to compliment my inner hipster, “You look the most hip out of your friends.” I took it as a compliment and smiled ear to ear. After stacking our phones in the middle of the table (no phones during breakfast, lunch or dinner if you’re with me), we enjoyed a variety of delectable and unexpectedly delicious brunch platters. My Mexican style breakfast quesadilla, bacon and guacamole included, was mouthwatering but my roommate’s “Green Eggs and Ham” beat my choice 100 times over: eggs mixed with spinach, pesto sauce and served on challah bread with bacon on top. You just cannot win playing against good, ol’ Dr. Seuss.

We traveled north on Franklin St. and came across Permanent Records. This wooden floored, cozy, bright space holds a broad selection of all genres of music, especially a rich collection of jazz and funk. You’ll find anything from Belle and Sebastian to Ol’ Dirty Bastard (remember him?), and for some great deals too.

Dig through their bins to discover $2–$5 vinyls consisting of Doo-Wop 50s hits and the worst rap singles you’ve never heard.

Permanent Records also hosts in-store performances of local bands and other such indie-rock groups. Challenge your friends to a game of “who can find the worst vinyl cover” to change things up!

Walking south on Franklin, a plethora of boutiques will be there to satisfy that shopping itch of yours. Although overpriced, as is to be expected, feel the soft sweaters and lacy dresses at Dalaga and play with the fun-framed sunglasses at

Alter. If you’re not looking to hash out all that dough on a shirt, check out Word down the street. This independent bookstore is small, and when I say small, I mean like a postage stamp. No more than two people can fit in an aisle and that’s what gives this place so much charisma.

Word even holds birthday festivities for some of our favorite characters! A throng of children ambled in and out of a backroom with cake in celebration of Amelia Bedelia’s birthday, hip-looking parents right at their heels. Make sure to find the bulletin board on the wall to the right of the front door. Ads you’ll find tacked on there are not so average: “Between the Covers: A matchmaking Service for Book Lovers.” Leave your description, number, and your favorite book and hope to find your very own Mr. Darcy, Brooklyn bred.

But if you’re not willing to buy Infinite Jest just for its mammoth size or risk posting a notice revealing Fifty Shades of Grey as your favorite novel, opt for a box of matches at the counter, all embellished with famous book covers.

Okay, so the Starbucks down the street is housed in an old theater with a large marquee bearing the Starbucks name (how cool!) but a better alternative is to end the day by grabbing a cup of Joe in the hole-in-the-wall Upright Coffee instead.

Skater baristas with not-so-tacky tattoos will serve you smooth medium-roasted coffee steaming with perfection. Ask for a cappuccino to discover hidden artistic talents from the cute Picasso behind the counter—it’ll leave you wanting to drop him a tip—and your phone number.

Photography by Fernanda deSouza

FROM GUNS TO MISS AMERICA:

A FEW MONTHS IN REVIEW

by Ashley Mungo

“Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution,” said President Obama starting off the second inaugural address of his presidency addressing more than one million people gathered on a cold January morning to witness his speech firsthand. Speaking for almost twenty minutes, President Obama addressed the challenges of his second term head-on, focusing on gay rights, immigration reform and climate change. Surprisingly, what was missing in the speech was what he was canvassing for at the time: gun control. Only a few days before the inauguration, President Obama signed three executive orders on gun control and issued multiple executive actions that include requiring background checks for all gun sales, banning assault weapons and limiting ammunition magazines to ten rounds. These actions are mere proposals for the government to follow and it will most likely take a lot of fighting in Congress to implement any one action. But the orders illustrate to the

nation a president who is capable of keeping his promises, promises he kept when just weeks prior his administration worked with Congress to escape the fiscal cliff.

the Obama administration and a blow to House Republicans, but there are still many lengthy battles ahead for both sides to secure the economic future of the country.

Before the inauguration took place, Congress raced against the clock to put together a deal by the New Year. President Obama long advocated for raising taxes on the wealthy when the Bush-era tax cuts expire, and he finally got his chance when Congress reached a tentative deal just as 2013 began. For the first time since 2001, individuals making more than $400,000 a year, and couples making $450,000, will see their tax rates jump to 39.6% from 35%. But in order to keep some provisions that would have expired, like unemployment insurance for three million people and tax credits for low-income families, the deal was reached. What the deal doesn’t address, however, is the complex tax code that most Americans don’t understand and the $110 billion that is scheduled to be slashed from defense and domestic budgets. Overall, the deal was a win for

Outside the world of budget deals, more big news was announced when Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lifted the military’s official ban on women in combat.

While the news is huge and opens up thousands of additional front-line jobs, the reality is that women frequently find themselves in combat situations, regardless of the ban. The new rule overturns the 1994 Pentagon ban that restricted women from combat roles. The next step in the process is for each branch of military to come up with an implementation plan, where if they decide a specific branch shouldn’t be opened to a woman, they will have to ask the Defense Secretary for an exception.

In news outside of the government, winter storm Nemo came barreling down on the Northeast region with heavy

snowfall and strong winds. The storm, while producing almost a foot of snow in New York City, left many with snow days and dangerous driving conditions. A week prior, down south in New Orleans, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in a most interesting Super Bowl. Beyoncé headlined as the halftime performer, with special guests Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland to form a Destiny’s Child reunion. After halftime, the game was delayed for 34 minutes due to a partial power outage at the stadium, at which point many joked that Beyoncé’s fierce performance blew the lights out. Finally, Miss America was crowned during the month of January and she’s from New York! Not only is Mallory Hagan a current resident of Brooklyn, she was an AMC student here! Hagan, originally from Alabama and the first New Yorker in 30 years to win the title, won the crown by tap dancing to James Brown, advocating against child sexual abuse and answering a question about armed guards in schools.

FIT SPEAKS THE MASTER CLEANSE DIARY

by Keely-Shea Smith

HOW TO BECOME A SLEEPING BEAUTY

by Richard Gilmartin

In the real world, aside from the occasional holiday party, winter break is virtually non-existent. For college students, winter break is a month and a half-long binge of couch slumming, raiding our parents’ pantries, and the ever-familiar phrase, “I know, I haven’t been to the gym in, like, two months.”

Which is why, upon returning to FIT, I made a decision to partake in the Master Cleanse—a 10 day liquid diet intended to flush your system of toxins and allow you to seamlessly begin practicing healthier eating habits. In other words, this diet provides a clean slate.

After doing obsessive amounts of research and consulting with many master cleanse veterans, here are some key facts I found: The Master Cleanse is a 10-day diet that consists of an optional three day ease in/out process. The ease in/out process allows you to eat certain foods that are meant to prepare your body for the 10-day liquid diet that your body is about to endure. The liquid you consume for each of the 10 days consists of: Ω 1 cup purified water (hydrate) Ω 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (flush system) Ω 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper (boost metabolism) Ω 2 tablespoons organic Grade B syrup (sugar intake) Ω This recipe must be consumed 6 to 12 times a day depending on dietary needs. (I went with 6 and was extremely full) Ω A laxative tea is consumed at night.

The Master Cleanse site recommends Smooth Move teas, which left me never wanting to encounter black licorice again. Ω A saltwater flush is done in the morning, which is essential for cleansing out the system... if you know what I mean.

And so it began.

DAY 1: EASE IN 9:00 AM: I want waffles. Screw the Master Cleanse.

DAY 1 (AGAIN): EASE IN– ‘FOODS FROM THE LAND’ 12:00 PM: I wake up late and have an apple and massive salad. I attempt to forego dressing and feel like a deprived farm animal, so I use a dollop to ensure the salad goes down (and stays down).

12:30 PM: The cravings are insane. I conclude that in this diet, junk food is the

equivalent of an ex-boyfriend. I don’t need it, it’s bad for me, but I can’t have it and, therefore, I want it.

During my first semester at FIT I was a total train wreck when it came to my 3:00 PM: Still full from the salad so I chug sleeping patterns. I was working a retail water instead. I’m going to my friend’s job in Times Square that required me to apartment for wine and yummy cheeses, all stay there until about 5 a.m. Being young of which I will refrain from eating. and eager to please, I consistently beat up my body trying to make it work. I eventu12:00 AM: Leave another party where I ally left that job after only one semester sipped on water all night from a red Solo with no backup plan, but it was perhaps cup. I am asked if I’m in recovery multiple the smartest thing I could have done times. at the time. It simply wasn’t worth it to constantly be putting my body under so DAY 2: COMBINING DAY 2 AND much stress in what was already a high stress environment.

DAY 3 OF EASE IN PROCESS–

‘BROTHS, FRESH ORANGE JUICE’

9:00 AM: Wake up dizzy and slightly groggy. Tired. Water. Tired. Broth. Orange juice. Sleep.

3:45 PM: Wake up craving food. This time of day seems to be the worst as far as cravings go. Chug water.

Since then, I have been an advocate for getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night, and with good reason: if you have been finding yourself struggling physically, academically or even emotionally, take a step back and look at how you are treating your body. Below are some tips to get you on the right path to a healthy sleeping pattern and a better you.

Avoid All Nighters – I know it sounds obvious, but a lot of college students spend many nights staying awake either studying, socializing, or even just sitting on their computer. The worst thing you can do to yourself when trying to get DAY 3: FIRST DAY OF LIQUID some rest is stare at a computer screen or DIET (AND CLASSES AT FIT) your phone. It will just keep your brain 8:00 AM: Wake up and heart is pounding. I stimulated and makes it harder to fall barely got sleep—hotcoldhotcold all night. asleep. It has also been a proven fact that getting only four hours of sleep a night is the equivalent of your brain being drunk, 12:00 PM: I’m sitting in class and am two recipes down. The laxative tea is kicking in. rendering your efforts to be alert and prepared for your classes useless.

Ten more minutes of class....

9:00 PM: Laxative tea time! Tastes like black licorice mixed with death, but I get through it. I sleep and try to pretend like that cup of horror never occurred.

7:45 PM: The physical pain in my legs is unbearable. I have to lie down in my bed or I may pass out.

8:00 PM: I eat.

CONCLUSION I failed the Master Cleanse. I’m disappointed in myself, but after reading multiple forums, this is common among first timers. This diet takes extreme discipline, which after the first couple days came easily. The diet would be best completed over a break (trying to go through classes without food or nutrients was brutal.) As for the pains in my legs, some forums claim that the pains your body suffers during the cleanse are signs of nutrients your body was lacking. In my case, I may have been lacking potassium.

I would recommend trying the Master Cleanse at some point. I have had friends who made it 12 days and some who also couldn’t handle the physical pains either.

As for me, I’ll stick to a healthy diet and the gratifying pain that comes from an intense workout.

For more information on the Master Cleanse, visit themastercleanse.org

experience, especially when you’re in a city as great as New York. With all the chaos going on around you though, it really is up to you to stay on a consistent sleep schedule. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every night, and getting a minimum of eight hours of sleep. Do not take luxurious afternoon naps; it will only stop you from being able to sleep later that night.

Sleeping Quarters—If you’re living in the dorms, consider getting yourself a comfortable mattress pad. The mattresses here at FIT are stiff and uncomfortable to say the least, but splurging to make them comfortable will most certainly be worth it. I myself have a nice memory foam mattress pad that I look forward to sinking into every night. If you’re sensitive to sounds, buy ear plugs. Having roommates that snore is simply the worst, it will keep you up all night and there’s nothing you can really do about it, but buying ear plugs can help you drown out all those sounds to get a good night’s rest.

Set Boundaries – Socializing during your college years is vital, but if you’re like me it can sometimes be hard to say no to people. That being said, make sure you set boundaries with yourself and others around you so you can stay your happiest and healthiest self. If you’re feeling tired and want to head home, don’t be afraid to do so just because you think you might miss out on something. There will always be other parties and opportunities to hang out with your friends, trust me.

Take Charge—Being away from home for the first time can be an exciting

KEEPIN’ YOUR CREATIVE

by Giovanna Spica

This is my Poem inspired by Dali: For those who drown in these four syllables; caress hidden behind Darkness Only in secret do These Acts come, Alive The Adventure of Scratching at Mountains and Rubbing at Valleys moans and groans strangely dispersed The Purest of All of All That Is cursed I was in high school when I first came across Salvador Dali’s Le Grand Masturbateur. I remember thinking, “this man is a genius.” It made me admire his impressionability. I realized that everything, every strand of discovery should inspire me.

For me masturbation is, by far, the most personal and transparent physical connection you can have with yourself.

Now, keep in mind that I am not on a mission to convert all non-believers. I simply speak to those who are already at the party…why not dance? Close your eyes, dissect it and feel. Such freedom leads to creation. Unlike other forms of sexual contact, this form is most fascinating in that it cannot lead to procreation.

Masturbation goes deeper, it forces you to dig deep inside yourself. But seriously, what I take from this painting, which I express in my poem, is that masturbation is just as galvanizing as sex. They both make for a story. Why not create Art in commemoration of Yourself. Every movement reflects a color, while every sound a line, and the emotion, your position and or shape if you will. You are free to play, guilt-free.

If you don’t like this article’s advice, try me next time. As in, next month. Have fun.

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The 3000-Mile Workout

by Fernanda DeSouza

If you are looking for a workout and a vacation, all wrapped up in one travel deal, book the next flight out of New York to San Francisco. I spent two weeks of winter break in California, my first time more west than West Virginia and little did I know that the five days spent in San Francisco would be such a fitness challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I knew what I had coming for me after watching The Princess Diaries ten times over: there were hills; I just hadn’t realized how steep they would be.

My SF workout started with the numbers: 3,028 miles Over six hours of travel One connecting flight 30-minute drive 40-minute subway ride 3 hours of sleep And then the airport. I brought a large coat fit for 25 degree NYC weather that was now useless for the 50 degrees that we met outside SFO’s doors. And a skateboard, because no matter how bad I am, why wouldn’t you bring that hunk of wood with you to its Motherland? A 50-pound suitcase with all the California essentials including t-shirts and shorts which were never to be used as it was the coldest winter California has ever seen when I visited (which got me thinking we had brought the cold out west with us) and a backpack with Apple electronics and a hefty digital camera. Lugging that around the airport and metro wasn’t the problem— SF metro stations all have escalators (what’s

MTA doing?). No, the problem came when the cab driver dropped us off in our cozy bed and breakfast. How could one forget these old houses lacked elevators (or escalators for that matter)? The arm-toning came as we hauled the overpacked suitcases up four flights of Victorian carpeted stairs. No cute surfer was there to help us.

Excitement, exhaustion and hunger somehow fed my adrenaline rush. I made my poor friends hike up Hayes St. in a quest to find the famous Painted Ladies because I had seen them time and time again on the opening credits of Full House. The map read six blocks from the hotel. No big deal, thought my New York state of mind.

The map did not inform me that the trek would be mountainous. But I sang the Full House theme song in between the asthma attacks all the way to Alamo Park to see these ladies. And what ladies they were!

Decadent remains of Edwardian architectural styles of all colors. The only thing missing was Bob Saget and an innocent Mary-Kate and Ashley, one or the other.

That same night, we ventured across the bay to Oakland, equivalent to that of the Manhattan-Brooklyn distance, for an art festival. More walking to my friends’ dismays but the sleep I got that night was the best in years.

A photography-friendship sparked via Tumblr with a guy in San Francisco who saved us an arduous marathon-like exercise of getting to the Marin Headlands the following day. Or so I thought. A drive

across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin and the twisting roads up to Hawk Hill for a breathtaking view of San Francisco seemed easy enough—we had a car. But two photographers in search of the perfect views that would receive the most likes and reblogs on Tumblr left my thighs and calves burning in pain. We would park and hike to locations the sacred vehicle could not fit. But the views and photographs to come out of my pain were extraordinary. I rewarded myself with a $6 burrito in the Mission District that would put Chipotle to shame any and every day.

By the third day, the flu, or a version of it, decided to visit, leaving the three of us with an even larger dilemma: a weak immune system, loss of appetite, high fevers, coughing, sneezing and a pile of tissues doused in germs. The fever didn’t hit me until I had walked the six miles (refusing to take any public transportation) from the hotel, up and through Chinatown, Little Italy and Nob Hill, to Fisherman’s Wharf. Two bites into my tuna sandwich at the Fisherman’s Grotto restaurant (with it’s striking view of the marina and the Golden Gate Bridge), I slowly succumbed to an aching throat and a sudden rise in body temperature.

I refused to admit I was getting sick.

Instead, I walked to Lombard St. on a hill that lay on what seemed to be an 89.9 degree angle to find the Crookedest Street and say, “Yes, I’ve been there!”

I hit Potrero del Sol skate park in Potrero Hill to snap some shots of the West Coast

Photography by Fernanda DeSouza

skate scene. Once there, I was enthusiastically greeted by a Stacy Peralta clone and a group of other guys who, more likely than not, weren’t used to seeing many girls hanging around their sacred turf. The warm welcome was followed by an intense skate lesson inside a steaming, concrete park that reflected the sunlight right back at our skin. Some sweat, awkward almostfalling instances and a tan later, it proved to be the cherry on top of the grueling workout we had endured.

The one thing I took from San Francisco is that despite the breaking out into constant sweat, losing your breath and pulling a muscle or three in your legs, the hikes you embark on are worth the view. You will find a sprawling city filled with a delicious cuisine, charming architecture, and the kindest people you’ll never find in New York. So if you’re looking to just channel your inner That’s So Raven or tone some leg muscle , just climb Powell St., treat yourself to authentic Chinese food in Chinatown and then walk right back down to burn that sweet and sour chicken off.

It’s hella worth it.

HAUTE CULTURE

Courtney Heyward | 1st year | FMM

FIT

24

Or Gotham | 4th year | Fine Arts

Alysun DiCapua | 2nd Year | Fine arts

STYLE ON 27 Photography by Jessica Farkas

WITH THE ABUNDANCE OF OVERCOATS AND OUTERWEAR THIS SEMESTER, IT’S OVERLY APPARENT THAT STUDENTS HAVE FOUND NEMO. LAYERS UPON LAYERS OF NEUTRALS, BLACKS, MAROONS AND TURQUOISES HAVEN TAKEN OVER. SHORTS, SKIRTS AND BARE ANKLES WERE SHOWCASED BY HOPEFUL STUDENTS PATIENTLY AWAITING SPRINGTIME; ONLY THREE MORE WEEKS AWAY ACCORDING TO GROUNDHOG DAY! Baila Maghen | 1st year | Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design

Vittoria Deltoni | 3rd year | Fashion Design

Derek Nguyen | 4th year | FMM

Jolly Futon | 3rd year | Fashion Design