FASHION March 23, 2021
Cover photo by Brittany Morrison
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CONTENTS
LEADERSHIP Emma Spainhoward Creative director
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Thinking outside the binary box
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The artists behind the ink
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Threading a path from classes to careers
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Back to the basics
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The closet upgrade plan
Rylee McKee Writing editor Brittany Morrison Photo editor Ashlyn Crawford Design editor Eric Vazquez Video coordinator Sam Oldenburg Adviser Brian Kehne Advertising manager Will Hoagland Advertising adviser
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WRITING Hannah Crisp Marshall Dees Olivia Harden Téa Jones Josie Keeley Abbey Norvell
MULTIMEDIA Cristina Betz Allie Cornwell Keilen Frazier Emra Mehmedović
DESIGN Katie Ulrich Kayla Worden
Dear reader,
EDITOR’S
LETTER
Fashion is deeply ingrained in our culture, media and everyday experiences. Ultimately, the way we dress impacts who we are, how we feel and who we want to be. Fashion is more than just the clothes someone wears – it can be a vital element of self-expression (pg 4), an arduous and permanent art form (pg 8) or a cutting-edge career path in an exploding industry (pg 10).
Fashion is about forging an identity, and that’s something Cherry Creative is still doing in our third year. Our staff is excited to deliver our first-ever fashion guide, a special section dedicated to helping you forge your identity. Thanks for reading, Emma Spainhoward Cherry Creative director
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BINARY BOX Story by Abbey Norvell | Photos by Allie Cornwell
Clothing is expressive. Every day, people make conscious decisions about what to put on their bodies.In doing so, they decide how to present themselves to the world. These WKU students tailor their style to fit their expression while challenging stereotypes and expectations. Nicholasville sophomore Dylan Winter, who identifies as nonbinary, chooses their daily outfits depending on how they feel about their gender that day. “I like looking ambiguous, so people can’t guess my gender,” Winter said. “You can’t really assume. If I’m not feeling particularly masculine or feminine that day, it’s just a way to express myself in a way that makes me feel comfortable. For me, it’s not always about challenging gender norms. Since I’m nonbinary, it’s a way for me to express my gender so that people know that I don’t always have to present one way.” Winter said there are limited fashion options that match how they want to present themself. They feel they only have the option between “obviously feminine” clothes or oversized men’s clothes. After their experiences, they wish society’s perspective would shift in terms of fashion and clothing. “For me personally, I wish that there weren’t fashion gender norms. I wish they weren’t like, ‘If you wear feminine clothes, that means you’re a girl. If you wear masculine clothes, that means you’re a guy,’” Winter said. “That’s another reason I really like gender neutral clothing — I don’t have to conform to one or the other. I can just kinda exist.” Lexington sophomore Alex Smith identifies as female and dresses to avoid sexualization and being uncomfortable. “I can’t be sexualized if you can’t see what kind of body I have, so that’s a big reason for me that I wear baggier clothes and men’s clothing,” Smith said. “I do like to challenge social norms. I don’t wear your typical ‘frat boy’ outfit. But, I like the button-ups and the baggier shirts. I really like Billie Eilish’s style — not that extreme, but that kind of vibe.
Nicholasville sophomore Dylan Winter pairs a black button-up with gray plaid pants. “I wouldn’t say I have a particular style. I kind of just wear whatever I want,” Winter said. “Being nonbinary, dressing gender-neutral often helps with my gender dysphoria, as well as helping me express my identity.” Winter is a sociology major with an English minor.
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Lexington sophomore Alex Smith has a relaxed vibe with her oversized, long-sleeved button-up and corduroy pants. “I have many different aesthetics I like to dress in, but for the most part, I wear men’s tops,” Smith said. Smith is a psychology major with a gender and women’s studies minor.
When Smith considers her presentation in fashion, she doesn’t choose clothing solely as a gender identifier. “I identify as female, but my expression can be androgynous at times, and I like that,” Smith said. “It doesn’t affect my gender identity, but I like presenting myself that way.” Smith notices the influence that society has on fashion in terms of genders. She noted that all genders are penalized for dressing outside of what’s expected of them, whether that be dressing like the opposite sex or in a revealing manner. Similar to Winter, Smith hopes that one day, fashion won’t be seen as binary. “I don’t think that there should be a gender put on clothing,” Smith said. “That’s mainly my view on it, and I wish other people thought that way as well.”
That’s another reason I “really like gender neutral
clothing — I don’t have to conform to one or the other. I can just kinda exist.
-Dylan Winter, Nicholasville sophomore
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Sara Strange
Growing up, Sara Strange thought tattoos were “stupid,” but that changed when she met some tattoo artists through friends. The “chill vibes” of the tattoo shop environment appealed to her. As a natural people person, Strange found it easy to converse with clients and artists alike. Eventually, one of the artists she’d met offered her an apprenticeship, and she now works at Age of Reason. “It’s the only job I want to do,” she said. “I want to do it ‘til I can’t anymore.” Strange uses words like cartoony, bold lines and colorful to describe her personal style. Although she likes realistic art, her specialty tends to be more whimsical. In addition to tattooing, Strange works with both traditional and digital mediums to further develop her artistic skill set. “Not every drawing can be a tattoo, so working with my tablet, I’m able to make something into a tattoo design a lot easier,” she said. Artistic integrity is important to Strange; she strives to make each tattoo original. “Why would you come to me specifically for something someone else has done?” she said. “If you’re getting a tattoo from me, it’s between you and me. Who wouldn’t want something unique for them?” The best way to get a tattoo you’re happy with is to choose your artist carefully. Each tattoo artist has their own style and specialty, and each one wants to create a piece that will make you happy. Take the time to explore their work, collaborate on your tattoo and trust in their skills. This will allow them to create a lasting work of art that you’ll love.
THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE INK
Garrett Morrell, the owner of 31 Ink Tattoo Parlor, has been giving Chelsea Culver tattoos for roughly four years. “I came in four years ago and I never walked out,” Culver said. Each client usually receives four to six sessions because Morrell rarely does small and minor tattoos. Frank Armstrong has always loved art and tattoos, but he did not begin tattooing until his roommate showed his art to a local tattoo artist. He is now a co-owner of Tattoo Heartland.
Story by Josie Keeley | Photos by Cristina Betz
A lot of hard work goes into creating a good tattoo; inspiration and natural talent are only part of the equation. Tattoo artists spend years apprenticing before working professionally, and their mastery of skills only continues after that. They work in a variety of mediums from painting to digital art, and constantly explore new ways to create something beautiful. These tattoo artists of Bowling Green pride themselves on crafting art that their clients will carry with them for a lifetime.
Garrett Morrell
Garrett Morrell always wanted to be a tattoo artist, but didn’t know it was an actual job until he joined the Marine Corps. He was offered an apprenticeship when he left the service. After working at a few different shops across the country, he opened his own shop — 31 Ink Tattoo Parlor. Morrell sees tattoos as art. Almost everything he creates is a custom piece created for a client. He occasionally does Bible quotes or infinity symbols, but he still tries to give each tattoo some personal flair. “The fun part of tattooing is the ability to make yourself unique,” Morrell said. “The whole point of tattooing is to customize your body to the way you want it to look.” Morrell’s personal style is drawn to the dark and abstract. He credits Picasso, Dali and the surrealists as artistic inspiration. Rather than just reproducing images, he chooses to give each tattoo a dose of originality while incorporating his customers’ perspectives. “‘Memento Mori’ is a phrase I’ve always gone by — remember your death,” he said. “The more that you realize everything is temporary, the more you enjoy it. I like to throw a little darkness in every tattoo.”
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Ben Butts
Ben Butts originally went to college for art education but decided school wasn’t for him. Through his art background, he was able to gain a tattooing apprenticeship. Later in his career, he met and traveled with Frank Armstrong around the country exploring different tattooing styles. Eventually, they settled in Bowling Green where they opened Tattoo Heartland together. Both Butts and Armstrong are fans of American traditional style. “It looks good. It ages the best, and it’s a little more graphic, stylized,” Butts said “It doesn’t look like someone just spilled ink on you.” Butts has turned people away before when the design they requested was not something he felt he could create or would look good long-term. It’s important to him to create something that is aesthetically cohesive with his and Armstrong’s styles, but also fulfills the customer’s wishes. “I want someone to leave with value,” he said. “I try to design a tattoo in a way that someone doesn’t waste their time or their money. We work hard for your money because you work hard for your money.”
Frank Armstrong
Frank Armstrong has liked tattoos since he was a kid, and his creative interest grew after seeing people with them. “I always saw people on the lake with tattoos, and it was very obvious that they did their own thing,” he said. “They played by their own rules.” Armstrong compares a good tattoo to building a house — in the same way a strong foundation is important to a house, he believes strong lines are essential for a tattoo. “I just like when stuff is built the best it can be,” he said. Armstrong and Butts both believe tattoos are collaborative, and they will advise customers on what will look the best and last the longest. They want to create art the customer will be happy with, even if it means tweaking the original idea. Armstrong works five days a week at Tattoo Heartland, spending hours at a time researching, looking at pictures and sketching. This allows him to be confident in his ability to create quality work. “We’re image makers,” he said. “To me, that’s the job. You wanna give people what they want, but sometimes you have to dig into your experience and say, “You know what, man, it’s not going to look the way you think it will.” Armstrong is dedicated to his craft. Having traveled extensively, his style is influenced by what is popular nationally. He and Butts want to offer world class tattoos that you don’t have to leave town to find.
Sara Strange, a tattoo artist at Age of Reason, tattoos a dolphin on Savannah Keown. Although tattoos originally did not appeal to Strange, her passion for art and creativity changed her mind. She absolutely loves tattooing, and her outgoing personality helps her bond with each client.
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THREADING A PATH FROM CLASSES TO CAREERS Story by Olivia Harden | Illustrations by Kayla Worden
Priceless history and daring innovation exist harmoniously on the
students to become leaders in industry,”
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the same semester I took a marketing
the and you're ready to go into any job
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“ By the time you
graduate ... you're ready to go into any job in the fashion industry. -Maddie Sennett, Louisville senior
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Watching slides “and talking about it is informative. Touching history is transformative.
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-Carrie Cox, fashion merchandising assistant professor
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BACK TO THE BASICS Story by Hannah Crisp | Illustrations by Katie Ulrich
The phrase “capsule closet” has been trending in the fashion world over the past few years. What is it, you might ask? At its core, a capsule closet is a small collection of wardrobe basics that can be mixed and matched to create simple outfits or to pair with pieces that reflect your personal style. The beauty of capsule basics is that they fit into every wardrobe seamlessly. Here are five clothing pieces that every well-rounded closet needs.
BASIC TEES
BUTTON-DOWN SHIRTS
Every closet needs short and long-sleeve T-shirts in black, white and gray. They go with nearly every pair of pants and make great layers under jackets and cardigans, and they can be found at stores like Target, Gap and Old Navy. It’s important to look for high quality shirts in slim cut, relaxed fit or whichever style you feel most comfortable wearing.
Everyone needs a trusty button-down shirt! You can half-tuck it into jeans for a casual outfit, or you can pair it with slacks or a skirt for a more polished look. This is an especially handy piece to have in your closet for job interviews. White button-downs are best when keeping things classic, or you can spice up your ensemble with patterns to make things interesting.
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DENIM JACKETS
S
Denim jackets are so versatile! You can pair one with a dressier outfit to give it a more casual feel, or throw it on with a tee and jeans for an instantly put-together look. Levi’s men’s denim jackets are great, and Old Navy has some nice distressed options if that’s more your style. Plus, if you want more flexibility within your wardrobe, you can keep both light and dark wash jackets on hand.
JEANS A go-to pair of quality, well-fitting jeans can be among the most functional items in your closet. The right pair of jeans can be dressed up with heels and a blouse or dressed down with a tee and sneakers. The possibilities are endless! You can do some research with your favorite brands and find a fit that flatters you specifically.
BLACK PANTS Another uber-versatile piece! Black slacks are especially handy for business casual events or job interviews. Throw on that button-down and a blazer (a knit blazer is another good basic), and you’re all set.
There’s a wealth of information about different kinds of capsule closets out there. Some people like to have one full of basics that can be worn year-round. Some have a capsule for each season along with timeless pieces they love that are made to last for years. However you design your closet, all that matters is that it reflects your unique personality and style! Have fun! FASHION |
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THE CLOSET UPGRADE PLAN Story by Téa Jones | Photos by Cristina Betz
We’ve all been in the situation where we rifle through our drawers and nothing seems exciting. You might even get fed up, want to get rid of everything and start over. But why get rid of clothing when you can enhance it? It’s easy to take the items that are already in your possession and make them look entirely different. Here are five ways you can customize your clothing and update your wardrobe.
TIE-DYE & BLEACHING
PATCHES
It’s safe to say that most college students enjoy their fair share of loungewear. An easy way to spice up your wardrobe while maintaining that comfy look is to give your old sweats some new color. Here’s what you’ll need: gloves to protect your hands, the color of dye you desire (or all-fabric bleach if that’s more your style) and rubber bands. Start by dampening the fabric and scrunching it into the design of your choosing. Then, use the rubber bands to secure it in place. Next, prepare the dye and apply it to each of your rubber-banded sections. After you’ve used an appropriate amount of dye on one side, flip the fabric over and repeat the process on the other side. After the color has been applied, secure the sweats in a plastic bag and let them sit for 6-8 hours. If you’d rather bleach than dye your clothing, mix equal parts bleach and water in a squirt bottle and apply depending on where you want the bleach spots to be. Bleached clothing will only need to sit for 5-10 minutes before the next step. Once the time is up, take the clothing out of the bag and rinse with lukewarm water to wash away excess dye. Then, remove the rubber bands and pop the clothes into the washer (separate from your other laundry). Be sure to also dry them separately in case there’s any leftover dye from washing. Ta-da! Your old sweats have transformed into a fun and trendy look.
Iron-on patches are the perfect way to upgrade an old jean jacket that has found its way to the back of your closet; plus they’re quick, easy and cheap. Pay a visit to your nearest craft store such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby or even Walmart to pick out your favorites. For this project, you’ll need patches, an iron and a towel or cloth. First, set your iron to its highest temperature and iron out the places on the jacket where you want to attach your patches. Then, place the patch in its desired location and lay the cloth over it — this protects your patch from burning or melting. Keep pressure on the iron and move it over the patch three or four times to ensure that the adhesive sticks to the jacket. Repeat this step with each patch and let the jacket cool. Once finished, you have an updated and stylish new piece!
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DISTRESSING
Adding a couple rips to a pair of jeans is sure to put an entirely new spin on your outfit. To distress your own jeans, you’ll need a pair of scissors and some tweezers. To make your first rip, pinch the jean leg together around the knee area and make a 2 inch long horizontal cut with the scissors. Make another cut about a half an inch below the first one. Jeans are composed of blue threads that run vertically and white threads that run horizontally, but you’ll only want the white threads to
show. So, once you’ve made your two cuts, take the pair of tweezers and start plucking out the vertical blue threads. Repeat this process until all of the blue threads in your allotted area are gone. Continue until you’ve reached the level of distressing that your heart desires!
CROPPING With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s time to put away the winter coats and reintroduce crop tops. This one is simple — the only supplies you need are the top you’re cutting, a pair of scissors, a straight edge and something to write with such as chalk or a marker. Start by trying on the shirt and marking where to cut depending on how cropped you want it to be. Because the hem will roll itself up a couple centimeters after cutting, make sure the mark is a little lower than you want the shirt to hit on your torso. After making the initial line, lay your shirt down on a flat surface. You’ll want to draw a straight line around the shirt to ensure that your cut will be even. Flip the shirt over and trace the line on the back side as well. Then, cut evenly along the line. After making the cut, you’re ready to throw on your transformed top.
EMBROIDERY
This one might seem a little daunting, but it’s just another simple customization you can make to take your piece to the next level. For this one, you’ll need embroidery thread, a needle, scissors, tracing paper, straight pins and the design of your choice, which can be found through a quick Google search. To start, trace your design on the tracing paper and cut around it. Then, place your design on top of your chosen piece of clothing and pin it in place. Next, thread the needle and double knot the end of the long piece of floss. Beginning underneath the clothing item, pull your needle through to the top. Repeat this motion of going down into the fabric and then pulling back up, leaving a tiny space in between the holes. Once you’ve traced your entire design, double knot the floss on the inside of the clothing and cut the excess string. Finally, you can remove the leftover tracing paper from the design and voila! You now look and feel like an artist.
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