A Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth this year was such a lively celebration amongst the black community. Throughout this time, social distancing was still in effect. Verzuz TV has taken many artists on Instagram Live and made them go head to head in musical battles. On Juneteenth, Alicia Keys and John Legend were chosen to perform.

For this Versus battle, both competitors were in the same room, singing live and playing their own piano accompaniment to their hits on Instagram Live. They also were singing each other’s background vocals, fond memories, and sending happy Juneteenth wishes. Various viewers stated that it really doesn’t get more smooth-piano relaxing than this. The world is still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. People are taking to the streets to protest police brutality against Black people, a heavily emotional battle. Juneteenth, is also the day to commemorate the end of slavery in America. All of these factors made Friday's battle on Instagram more of a call for unity. Each artist played hits from "Diary" to "Ordinary People." They also played new music with Legend premiering "Never Break" and Keys premiering "Perfect Way to Die."

"I think we need a lot of hope right now," Keys said as she played "Empire State of Mind.” John Legend stated, "We're happy to celebrate freedom and the fight for more freedom, I've been so inspired watching people march in this street playing this song ... It means so much that people play this song fighting to be more free.” To be honest, John Legend dancing to his music was the best part of the battle.

Photo Credits: @verzuztv

Report: Soila Douce (@soila.xx)

Kristen Stewart is Set to Play Princess Diana in New Film

The beloved Princess Diana will be back on our screens as Kristen Stewart is casted to play her in the new film, Spencer. The film is set to showcase the time in Diana’s life which led to her decision to leave the crown, as well as her husband. Spencer will begin production in early 2021, but many are not pleased with the casting of Stewart to play the worldwide known Royal. Even though the internet may not have reacted the best to the announcement, I still think we should give her a fair shot…you never know!

Princess Diana was known for more than just her title, she was the ideal woman that females of all ages looked up to. Her elegance was showcased at all times, her desire to be herself from the minute she was introduced to the Royals, the special type of mother she was to her two sons, and her love for every human are just some of the traits she carried.

Just as her overall demeanor was cherished by many, her style was always a statement the public loved to see. I’d say her most famous piece was the “revenge dress”. She wore an off the shoulder, fitted black dress the day her husband, Prince Charles, admitted to the press that he was unfaithful to his wife. What better way to say screw you to your husband then by making one of the most bold statements the fashion world has ever seen.

Of course, her wedding dress was a just as phenomenal as one might imagine. While her wedding was in 1981, and the dress isn’t completely in today’s style, any style connoisseur holds a special appreciation for this gown. It’s the dress little girls dream to be in.

In 1987 her baby blue gown that she wore at the Cannes Film Festival made her look like a real life Cinderella. Her casual sense of style may have shocked the Royal family, but she looked phenomenal in the simplest of outfits.

Princess Diana has been and always will be a fashion icon, as well as everybody’s favorite princess. Kristen Stewart definitely has big shoes to fill for this role, but the costume designers have an even bigger one!

Photo Credits:

https://theblast.com/103163/princess-dianas-revenge-dress-shocked-people-but-theres-a-story-

https://weddedwonderland.com/9-facts-you-didnt-know-about-princess-dianas-wedding-dress/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/g4362/princess-diana-dresses/

https://www.insider.com/photos-of-princess-diana-best-most-shocking-outfits

https://people.com/royals/actresses-who-have-played-princess-diana/

Report: Kaitlin Gallagher

Music’s Influence on Fashion

The relationship between fashion is music is a quite remarkable one. Whether it is a memorable fit that is used in a music video or on stage or a fashion trend that an artist creates, music will always influence fashion.

70s Punk Glam

Rockers Brightly colored hair, large chains, black clothing, all became the new fashion trend when aggressive rock music was very popular. Vivienne Westwood, a British fashion designer was a big part of the punk movement. She was inspired by this idea of punk and so she combined clothing and music to create a new wave of fashion that really skyrocketed her career as a designer. Artists like David Bowie also brought out this idea of glam rock and changed the idea of fashion for many, wearing clothes that were androgynous. Bowie was one of the most notable influencers that inspired many, including Westwood.

80s Goth

Goth music turned into goth fashion with the dark traits of the goth music scene. With the dark black hair, black clothes from head to toe, black lips. Very uh dark? Well originally it started off like that, with very gloomy music. However as time went on, death rock evolved into something more. A love for the darker side of life, whether that was scary movies or loving to wear black. Fashion got spookier and more edgy.

90s Grunge

In the 90s, there was lots of anger toward the world, especially with teenagers. Kurt Cobain, leader of the very famous American rock band, Nirvana expressed that in his music and it definitely resonated with his fans. The 90s grunge look was a very popular fashion look we still see today. Pieces like flannel shirts, oversized tops and ripped jeans. Looks that represent individuality and not caring about what anyone thinks caught on rather quickly.

90s Hip-hop

Hip-hop began to get very popular around the late 80s into 90s, especially in places like New York and LA. Fans started to get into breakdancing and rap battles against one another. But they also began to mimic the way the rappers dressed. Tupac, one of the most significant and influential rappers helped bring out the style of jeans and bandanas.

90s Rave - 2010s EDM

Electronica was very big in the 90s and so were raves. Rave culture made a comeback in the 2000s. Individuals that enjoyed this scene would wear bright glowing colors, UFO pants and also dressed in a lot of skin tight clothing. The style was definitely fun and had all the “rave”.

Fashion is heavily involved with music. Today, rappers like Lil Baby, Future, Cardi B and countless others talk about the luxury brands they wear even in their songs. Popular musicians wear something and next week those same things can go up in sales. The overall style of the music you listen to resonates with one in a lot more ways than you think.

Photo Credits: Pinterest

Report: Melissa Adragna

NHL's Return Would be a Welcome Sight for Sports Fans

The NHL is one of many sports leagues that has put a plan in place to resume a season that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we do not have an exact date as to when games will resume, we do know what the postseason layout will look like and it could lead to some very intriguing matchups.

Back on May 26 the NHL announced its plan to conclude the season with a 24-team playoff format in certain hub cities that have yet to be determined. The unconventional postseason bracket will feature eight best-of-5 series in the first round and a round-robin tournament between the top four teams in each conference to determine seeding for the remainder of the playoffs. After that the playoffs will resume as usual with four rounds of best-of-7 series.

The biggest criticism of this format is the uneven seeding that may emerge after the first round. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the No. 8 seed among the 12 teams in the Eastern Conference. However, if it beats the No. 9 seed Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round, it is scheduled to face the No. 1 seed in the following round. This means you could have a situation where a No. 8 seed is playing a No. 1 seed while a No. 12 seed is playing a No. 4 seed. However, there is also the possibility that the team that finished the regular season with the best record in the conference, the Boston Bruins, could be as low as the No. 4 seed.

But NHL playoffs have always been unpredictable with upsets occurring across the board. Just look at last year when every division winner was eliminated in the first round, including the Tampa Bay Lightning who tied the record for wins in a season before being swept by the Blue Jackets who had never won a playoff series. While the seeding may not be fair it certainly does not kill any team’s chances, and there are plenty of teams that have a good chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.

Last year’s finals participants, the Bruins and eventual-champion St. Louis Blues, finished the season with the most and second-most points in the league, respectively, and could be on a collision course for a finals rematch. The aforementioned Lightning are hoping to redeem its playoff failures from last year with a championship, and the Maple Leafs, who have spent a ton of money in hopes of ending its 67-year cup drought, are looking to win its first playoff series since 2004 after a disappointing regular season. But there are also teams like the Philadelphia Flyers who were red hot just before the season was postponed.

As with every sports league, there is no telling how well teams will play following this delay. But seeing any of the 24 teams lift the cup would be a welcome sight after all we’ve been through this year. Even if it’s lifted in an empty arena.

Photos courtesy of Flickr users Kaz Andrew and Laurie Rivera.

Report: Michael Rosen

Spotify Celebrates Pride Month 2020 With LGBTQIA+ Curated Music and Podcast Playlists

Spotify has announced its Unlike Any Other global campaign for Pride Month 2020, spotlighting LGBTQIA+ creators for fans all around the world.

According to a press release, Unlike Any Other will be launched in 38 countries where Pride is celebrated. The campaign aims to support LGBTQIA+ creators, empowering them to celebrate their uniqueness and connect to a global audience through music and podcasts. It shares Daniel Quasar’s Progress Flag which features five additional stripes to the orthodox Pride rainbow, better including trans and non-binary individuals, marginalized communities of color, the people who have fallen to AIDS and those living with HIV within queer representation.

The campaign features both music and podcast playlists. Spotify teamed up with Pose runway choreographer Twiggy Pucci Garcon for The House of… Ballroom playlists, which include selections from Jason Ozzie, Byrell The Great and more. There’s also the flagship queer playlist Out Now: Unlike Any Other that stresses the energy of both rising and established queer voices in music, along with a number of Pride-themed playlists for a number of genres like Pride Classics, Latin Pride, Alternative Pride, Queer as Folk and Disco Fever. Finally, the campaign’s official podcast playlist features shows from Patrick Hinds (True Crime Obsessed), Em Schulz (And That’s Why We Drink) and Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers (Las Culturistas), followed by the launch of curated podcast playlists by Gigi Gorgeous and Benito Skinner.

Report: Amanda T Lou

"What We Do in the Shadows" Season Finale Ends With a Big Question, But There Are Plenty of Laughs Along the Way

One of the newest and under the radar comedies just wrapped up its second season, and there’s every reason to believe “What We Do in the Shadows” will keep entertaining viewers for years to come. The show is based off a 2014 German film of the same name, and while the characters are different the show carries on the spirit of the film by being a mockumentary about vampires who live together.

The cast of “What We Do in the Shadows” consists of lesser-known actors, most from England, who have never had a more prominent role. The most noteworthy of the bunch is Mark Proksch, who previously had recurring roles on “The Office” and “Better Call Saul.” Proksch plays Colin Robinson, an “energy vampire”, on the show; a socially awkward, almost-human creature who drains humans of their energy whenever they are in uncomfortable situations. Colin Robinson is often the one putting humans in uncomfortable situations, and as a result he usually gets the best lines in the show.

But the season finale revolves around Guillermo De la Cruz, played by Harvey Guillén. Guillermo is a familiar, a human being who assists a vampire in the hopes of one day becoming a vampire themselves, and is constantly treated poorly by the vampires he lives with. As the second season progressed we began to see Guillermo get more and more fed up with the way he was being treated, and we also learn about his previously undiscovered abilities as a vampire hunter.

By the beginning of the season two finale Guillermo has abandoned his duties as a familiar to go live with his mother. Meanwhile the vampires receive an invitation to an incredibly prestigious vampire event called Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires, although they are unaware of the fact that the invitation was sent by the Vampire Council as a trap to execute the vampires for past misdeeds. Luckily Guillermo stops by the vampire residence and sees the invitation, recognizing immediately that it is a trap. He makes his way to the event and intervenes just in time to save the vampire crew, although in doing so he had to slay dozens of vampires and reveal his true skills as a vampire hunter. Although we are not given a lot of time to see how the vampires process this new revelation, the episode ends on a very funny note that demonstrates they may be rather indifferent about it.

How the new revelation is addressed by the vampires and changes Guillermo’s role in the group will be the biggest question heading into the next season. FX announced on May 22 that the series will be renewed for a third season, although it likely will face delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, the first and second seasons of “What We Do In The Shadows” are available for Hulu, YouTube TV and Sling TV subscribers.

Photos courtesy of The Indian Express and Consequence of Sound

Report: Michael Rosen

Five Films to Watch Right Now

Today’s sociopolitical landscape has allowed for the emergence of feelings that have been long suppressed by marginalized groups across multiple sectors. Similar to the misconduct of governmental officials to black people, the fashion industry has also been largely criticized for its lack of black representation on multiple fronts. If you’re interested in learning about how these issues intersect, I highly recommend giving these films a watch.

Trigger Warning with Killer Mike

In this docuseries, rapper Killer Mike embarks on a three-day challenge, in which he only consumes black-owned products. This film highlights the highly intersectional social issues involving race and class in America.

The Gospel According to Andre

One of Vogue’s former contributing editors Andre Leon Talley was one of the only black male editors to reach the level of creative director at a Conde Nast publication, until Edward Enninful. His documentary discusses the successes, challenges, and journeys that Talley navigated as a black fashion professional.

13th

This heavy yet informative documentary provides critical commentary on a multiplicity of issues affecting the black community. It provides a historical analysis of the governmental failings that have and continue to keep black people oppressed.

The September Issue

The September Issue is the single most accurate representation of the recently called out misbehavior of Anna Wintour, EIC at Vogue Magazine. The Devil Wears Prada does it justice, but this documentary allows us to see it firsthand.

Just Mercy

If Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan being the main characters isn’t enough, I’m afraid you’ll have to see it for yourself.

Photo Credits:

ALT: WWD

13th: Vimeo

Just Mercy: Film Affinity Australia

The September Issue: IMBD

Trigger Warning: Vanyaland

Report: Julian Alexander Randall

"Dear Class of 2020" Love, Chloe x Halle

YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020” was an extravaganza of musical performances and celebrity appearances that culminated into an online commencement ceremony for the titular graduating class. While there was never any doubt that superstars like Lizzo and Megan Thee Stallion would deliver spectacular shows, audiences were most captivated by the divine, dulcet melodies of Chloe x Halle.

Proving their worth as Beyonce’s protégés, the sister duo performed an enchanting rendition of their hit song, “Do It”. Further embodying what they called “black girl magic,” they were both draped in bejeweled cage dresses crafted by high-fashion designer Zana Bayne. Even the undergarments they wore were the creations of the distinguished brand Venus Prototype. While not as flamboyant or ornate as their fellow musicians, Chloe x Halle nonetheless awed viewers with their vocal talents alone. The class of 2020 certainly felt honored by the sisters’ harmonious brand of congratulating them, turning their remote, unorthodox graduation from isolating to unforgettable.

Report: Nia Hunt

I'm Black & I'm Proud: Songs to Uplift our Community

The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are only the tip of the iceberg when addressing black lives lost to racism. At a time when blackness is seen as a weapon, it is hard to stay prideful and inspired. It’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We need a reminder of how great blackness is. Music is the soundtrack to life. Music is what has helped the black community through our greatest struggles. That is what motivated me to make the list of song that has helped me stay inspired and prideful this last week.

I’m Black & I’m Proud - James Brown

James Brown could not say it better! The funk song was written in 1968 but still speaks to many of the issues the black community faces currently. Addressing the need for black empowerment. This song is number one because right now black equates to “criminal” or “dangerous”. Instead, black people need a reminder of how amazing we are and take pride in how far we have gotten.

Alright - Kendrick Lamar

Used back in 2015 by young activists when protesting police brutality this song became coined the “unifying soundtrack of the movement”. This song is a message of hope, telling us that we will be okay as long as we are in this together.

Keep Ya Head Up - 2Pac

This track uplifts and defends black women. Written when Tupac was only 21, this song addresses how black women are often stereotyped and taken advantage of in and outside of our community. Instead, Pac used this song to show the strength and the importance black women are to the community.

Freedom - Beyoncé

The title speaks for itself. This song performed by Beyonce is meant to elevate the black people and demands “freedom” for oppressive authorities. The music video also illuminates the beauty, softness, and the strength black women exude, showcasing the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner holding pictures of their sons. Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar touch on the issues black women face as well as the social injustices the black community faces as a group.

Fight The Power - Public Enemy

We have all heard this phrase before. This song is the reminder we all might need to continue to do our part if we want to reform to the police and justice systems. This song is on my list not because of its super uplifting but because it reminded me that we have the power to change our communities and government. So than months from now, our voices are still being heard.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia.com

Report: Lauren Tucker

NBA's Return Brings Many Questions, But A Lot of Excitement

Basketball fans will finally have something other than “The Last Dance” and old, predetermined games to keep them entertained. The league’s board of governors and player’s union agreed to a deal in which 22 teams will resume playing on July 31 at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. There will be an eight-game conclusion for the regular season followed by a possible play-in tournament for the lower seeds before playoffs begin. Any teams within four games of the No. 8 seed by the end of the regular season will have a chance to make the playoffs via the play-in tournament, and playoffs will maintain the regular structure with four rounds of best-of-seven series.

How well teams will get back into the routine of playing is anyone’s guess. This is an unprecedented format and could lead to some huge upsets and playoff matchups we did not think we would see this season. Without question the teams who did well before the season was postponed have the most pressure on them.

The Milwaukee Bucks, who had the best record before the postponement, have superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo under contract for only one more year following the conclusion of this season. Their window might be closing fast and letting an opportunity like this slip away could be devastating.

This might be LeBron James’ final legitimate run at another championship, and another title for the Los Angeles Lakers would be sweet after some uncharacteristically embarrassing moments over the last few years from one of the league’s premier franchises.

Los Angeles’ other team, the Clippers, were just starting to play at full strength and hit its stride once the pandemic hit. The Clippers were only 5.5 games behind the Lakers and looked poised to make a run at the team’s first championship, with a possible all-Staples Center playoff series along the way. This is a golden opportunity for the Clippers to capture the city’s attention and stop playing second fiddle, even if it comes under some extraordinary circumstances.

These extraordinary circumstances will no doubt tarnish the validity of this season’s champion, especially if a team like the Washington Wizards or Sacramento Kings, who did not hold a playoff position at the time of the postponement, scrap out a run to the finals. That’s a shame if a team like the Bucks or Clippers, who have waited forever for a title, not only have to celebrate that title in front of an empty arena but the validity of it is then questioned for years to come.

There are still some kinks to work out, such as possible expanded rosters due to the fact that players can refuse to participate without punishment, and nothing is certain in the COVID-19 era. But there’s reason for NBA fans to be optimistic, and we will likely be able to watch basketball much sooner rather than later.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Report: Michael Rosen

Burberry Sessions

Fashion and music. Two of the most significant and influential industries we enjoy in today’s society become unified in an original project by the traditional and glamorous Burberry. The well renowned, reputable fashion brand has started to involve the element of live music to their social media presence. Titled “Burberry Sessions”, the much-loved brand is using their platform to promote the works of independent, unsigned artists who are up and coming in the music industry.

The newest addition to Burberry’s social media archive is particularly fresh and exciting, especially during these trying times. Young artists from around the globe are now being heard and adored through their intimate virtual performances. This is all made possible through social media, as the artists record themselves performing their songs and Burberry streams the performances, mainly on their Instagram feed, so followers can watch and experience the live renditions, both parties participating from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Rap, R&B, Hip Hop, Electronic, Punk, Rock, and Soul, as well as combinations of these, are the genres of music that the young musicians have presented thus far throughout their sessions. Similar to the differentiating genres, the diversity of the artists themselves is not to be overlooked. Individually, each artist embodies a unique ethnic background while simultaneously representing their local geographic roots. Together, these musicians highlight the inclusivity of the Burberry brand. Like most artists do, these talented entertainers are able to portray their irreplaceable personalities through original musical creations, making it easy for fans to connect with them on a more intimate level.

Burberry has truly expanded their horizons with the Burberry Sessions project by supporting talented, growing musicians who have such spark and potential to become a success in the music industry, as well as providing a comforting distraction during the COVID19 crisis. Fashion and music are vehicles through which strangers can bond with one another, despite any cultural or physical boundaries. Using their platform to offer the gifted individuals a chance to share their passion with the world, when they otherwise may not have had the tools to do so, is what fuels our ongoing, ever-growing respect and admiration for the Burberry brand.

Report: Alexandra Donnelly

A Podcast a Day Keeps the Boredom Away

This summer has proven to unlike any other. With lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, people have realized that have much more time on their hands than they could have ever imagined. What better way to waste some time than listening to podcasts while you sit by the pool with your friends or go on your daily walk? With so many different genres, there is a podcast out there for everyone. If you are into drama, mystery/crime, or science, spotify can find your perfect fit. A few of the top podcasts today are "Call Her Daddy", "Crime Junkie", and "Joe Rogan the Experience".

"Call Her Daddy" is on the top of the charts for Alexandra Cooper and Sofia Franklyn's blunt honesty about sex, dating, and all things embarrassing in life. The two New Yorkers talk about everything from embarrassing hook-ups to techniques in the bedroom. With over 80 episodes of content, you can spend your entire summer catching up on the juice these girls have to spill.

For all those mystery addicts out there, "Crime Junkie" can be your fix. Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat talk about real-life crimes and mysteries in over 100 different episodes. Some of my personal favorites are Episode 8: Bryce Laspisa, Episode 20 Adnan, and Episode 52: Lizzie Borden. Take a nice bath or grab a bag of popcorn and get ready for a whirl-wind of mystery with this podcast.

"The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast offers both audio and video as he interviews some of the most interesting people in the world. From Bob Lazar to Elon Musk, Rogan captures his audience by asking questions everyone wants to know the answer to: like why Musk named his child such a unique name! My favorite podcast was the Bob Lazar episode on alien space-craft and Area 51. With the declassification of files from the government, you can try and make sense of the "alien situation" that may be very real or just extremely convincing.

If you are becoming stir-crazy staying at home all summer, podcasts are a perfect way to pass the time.

Report: Hannah Sierra Zaremba

Spirited Away to a New Realm of Beauty

Now, more than ever, makeup artists and beauty lovers alike are in places where they need to take inspiration from the comfort of their homes. One source of inspiration, streaming services, provides a platform in which artists of all kinds can take away ideas from a wide range of movies and tv shows. Dropped on Netflix and HBO Max in recent times, Studio Ghibli films have become the latest trend in creating beautiful looks that are both awe-inspiring and serve as a reminder of the times currently experienced. A world-renowned movie studio, Studio Ghibli has ultimately one goal: to dive into the human soul and to show audiences the intricacies transcribed through their imaginative stories.

Studio Ghibli was formed in the early 1980’s when Japanese animators Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki decided to create a work that would serve as a film that not only contained animations, but also kept the narration quality. The term Ghibli was coined by Miyazaki, taking inspiration from the World War II aircraft Caproni Ca. 309 Ghibli and hot Sahara desert air, exemplified through the air blown about in the studio’s animations. Once they realized they could be successful, they set up a studio in Tokyo along with publishing company Tokuma Shoten’s help.

Dreamy, detailed worlds and heartwarming stories embody what makes Studio Ghibli the animation company it is today. Their films contain beautiful, colorful visuals that evoke a wide range of emotions and animations that relate to the human psyche. Some of the most famous Studio Ghibli films have inspired many, including the beauty realm, to show the chromatic, introspective world that the studio has created. Studio Ghibli’s "My Neighbor Totoro" provided the unofficial face of the company: Totoro, a tree spirit taking the form of a rabbit. In this film the spirit shows nature and humanity working together, a message that can be taken in real life and presented through art. "Only Yesterday", another well-known work of theirs, explains the life of a young Japanese woman as she comes across the countryside, visualized through idealistic landscapes and yellow flowers adorning the land. "Spirited Away", the Oscar winner and the most acclaimed of all the studio’s repertoire, provides astounding visuals as the main character travels through the spirit world and encounters many fantasies one can only dream of. No matter what the Studio Ghibli film may be, there won’t be trouble in finding one shot that can provide artistic awakening.

Another Studio Ghibli project is currently in the works and is set to be released in 2021. Based on Genzaburo Yoshino’s novel, How Do You Live? will be the next film that will add to the extraordinary range of films created by the company.

Photo Credits: Carla Lopez, Film School Rejects, Aysha Nicole.

Report: Charlene Piccio

Betty's Skater-Inspired Costume Design

HBO’s newest eight-episode miniseries Betty is an exemplar of immersive storytelling through costume design. The show’s wardrobe has indeed resonated with its audience, its chic casualness creating an authentic modern setting while enticing viewers to emulate the obtainably stylish fashions. Costume designer Camille Garmendia’s familiarity with urban skateboarding culture inspired these coveted looks, and her deep analysis of Betty’s characters helped to further bring them to life.

Betty tells the story of a group of women skateboarders living in New York City, the personalities of whom served as the basis for Garmendia’s costume designs. Adding to the genuineness of the clothing was the characters’ actresses incorporating their own style into the outfits. Nina Moran relates to her character Kirt’s eccentricities, and as such she selected bright, colorful clothing that reflects her happy-go-lucky attitude. Ardelia Lovelace’s true admiration for former president Barack Obama led to her character Janay wearing an Obama Supreme shirt, claiming that it represented personal growth. The boldest example of this blend between characterization and real-life personality is the character Honeybear, a visual artist who wears such outlandish adornments as a necklace made of bike chains and pasties instead of a shirt. Most interestingly, her actress Kabrina Adams confirmed that there was very little difference between her own wardrobe and that of Honeybear.

Betty has most accurately brought New York’s indie fashion to television screens, enthralling viewers regardless of their proximity to skater culture.

Photo credits: https://www.nylon.com/fashion/hbo-betty-costumes-spotlight-new-york-city-skater-style

https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/photo-gallery/47505305/image/47505405/Tank-Tops-Shorts

Report: Nia Hunt

"Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" Doesn't Miss a Step in new Quarantine Set Up

Many late night talk shows have made the transition to filming from the host’s home as a result of the coronavirus. While it is a valiant effort on the part of the shows the absence of an audience, which is such a large aspect of talk shows, is hard to ignore. “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” is one such show that has recently resumed airing episodes without an audience. However, Patriot Act has remained consistently good during the pandemic and the timely topics discussed by Minhaj are more important than ever.

Perhaps the show doesn’t miss a step without an audience since it wasn’t filmed live in the first place. Patriot Act premiered in the fall of 2018 on Netflix with episodes also being uploaded to YouTube. The sixth season was set to begin airing on March 29 but had to be pushed back due to the coronavirus.

The most recent episode discusses the legal marijuana industry and how it is disenfranchising people of color, in terms of using marijuana and selling it. The fact that people of color are arrested at a higher rate for drug possession than their white counterparts is not a new issue, but a small group of rich, white businessmen running the majority of the legal marijuana industry is. Legal marijuana is already turning into a monopoly and not giving a fair chance to smaller growers, many of whom are people of color. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic only makes matters worse for these smaller growers; since marijuana is not legalized at the federal level they are unable to qualify for federal loans needed to keep their businesses open.

It is a very serious topic that Minhaj is qualified to talk about. Minhaj is a 34-year-old Muslim whose family originates from India, and the topics he discusses have an undeniable ‘stay woke’ tone to them. He earned a degree in political science from University of California, Davis before beginning his career as a comedian. His comedy consists of a lot of comparisons and references that will be best understood by Millennials close in age to Minhaj, but it also has a bit of edginess that will appeal to younger generations. But Minhaj still keeps things unusually light hearted while tackling serious issues. For example, towards the end of his latest episode he discusses a group of Cincinnati celebrities who have financial stakes in the legal marijuana industry, including former President William Howard Taft’s great great grand nephew Dudley Taft. He comments that Taft “looks like a guy who plays guitar in a band named after himself,” before showing that he does in fact play guitar as a member of the Dudley Taft band.

New episodes of “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” are uploaded to Netflix every Sunday and to YouTube every subsequent Monday.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Report: Michael Rosen

It’s Been 15 Years Since *That* Iconic Grey’s Anatomy Scene

From the very beginning Grey’s Anatomy has been a massive success, drawing in millions of viewers. Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy wasn’t well known when Grey’s first started but has since blossomed into one of the most successful screenwriters in the country, known for putting everyone straight into their ‘feels.’ This past week marked the 15th anniversary of one of the most iconic scenes of Grey’s Anatomy, and quite possibly one of the most iconic scenes in the history of television.

Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo has been the star of the 16 season plus hit drama. At the culmination of its widely successful first season Meredith found out that her boyfriend, Derek Shepherd AKA McDreamy (played by Patrick Dempsey) was married. In the infamous scene Addison Montgomery, played by Kate Walsh traveled to Seattle from New York to come get her wayward husband. She went to the hospital to find him and ended up walking in on Meredith and Derek who were about to leave together on a date. Addison responded with this phenomenal line, “You must be the woman who’s been screwing my husband.” Leaving Meredith and all Grey’s Anatomy fans stunned.

Earlier this week Kate Walsh tweeted about the anniversary of this scene saying, “Unreal that today marks 15 years ago to the day since this little lady walked on to your screen and checked ya for screwing her husband.” Ellen Pompeo quickly responded saying, “Thank god I messed with your hubby!! It worked out well for us both!!! Love you so much and THAT scene...when your character showed up...was such a defining moment for this show. From that point on we had them hooked!!!” As if that wasn’t enough Kate put her own twist on the popular twitter challenge, sharing a meme of what their hopes and plans were and what 2020 has ended up being. She shared a picture of Meredith and Derek, saying “my plans:” and a picture of Addison coming saying, “2020:”

From the very beginning Grey’s Anatomy has been a hit, to this day it’s still going strong. In fact, April 9th was the last episode of the 16th season, a season which was cut short like many other shows due to the COVID 19 pandemic. However, don’t fear, Grey’s Anatomy is set to have a 17th season once things are able to resume for filming. Even though Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, now works for Netflix and even 15 after that scene aired, Shonda still has the power to put fans and her actors right back in their feels. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Report: Rebecca Vanderkooi

Looks from the Cannes Film Festival

In a recent Instagram post by Priyanka Chopra, the actress reflects on last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic this year’s festival has been cancelled. It began in 1939 when the French war drama, La Grande Illusion, was not allowed at the Venice Film Festival. Now considered one of the most premier places for cinema, it is located in the French Riviera and a strict dressing code is enforced.

Although the 2020 Cannes Festival won’t be happening, the years of high-end fashion it has brought us can still be looked backed upon and admired. Here are some iconic looks that celebrities have showcased in the festival’s recent years.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

Priyanka brought simple glamour to the festival in 2019 at the premiere of Les Plus Belles Années D’une Vie. She wore a white tulle-layered gown from Georges Hobeika, a diamond necklace and earrings, and finished off the look with minimal makeup and hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail.

Crowned Miss World in 2000, Priyanka is best known for her roles in the ABC thriller series Quantico and Hollywood comedy blockbuster Baywatch.

FAN BING BING

Fan stunned in pastel elegance at the 2018 opening ceremony. Wearing a mint couture gown from Ali Karoui, she completed the look with De Beers jewelry.

Another high-paying actress in her own right, Fan is also considered to be a global fashion icon. The star of many Chinese award-winning films, she portrayed Blink in the 2014 superhero movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.

LUPITA NYONG’O

Lupita made heads turn with her bright couture gown at the 2015 premiere of La Tete Haute. She wore a Gucci jade green pleated gown adorned with floral embellishments and a deep-cut neckline. The outfit was accessorized with a gold head and Chopard jewelry, and finished off with a magenta lip.

A graduate from the prestigious Yale School of Drama, Lupita’s breakout role was as Patsy in the biographical period drama 12 Years a Slave, earning her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

BELLA HADID

Bella’s daring style was on display during the 2016 premiere of The Unknown Girl. Famously choosing not to wear any underwear underneath, she wore a red silk-wrap gown from Alexandre Vautheir. The look was finished off with teardrop-shaped diamond earrings and jewelry adorning her fingers and wrists.

Alongside sister Gigi Hadid, Bella is a prominent model that has collaborated with the likes of Dior Beauty, Chanel, and Jacquemus.

MARION COTILLARD

One can’t talk about the Cannes Festival if they don’t talk about French actress Marion Cotillard. Appearing at the 2012 premiere of De Rouille et D’os she wore a Christian Dior ball gown that had a black strapless bodice, dark navy skirt, and black patent leather belt. The look was completed with Chopard jewels and an 8k white gold watch set.

The new face of the Chanel No. 5 fragrance, she won an Oscar for her portrayal of French singer Edith Piaf in the biographical musical film La Vie en Rose.

Photo Credits: Harpar's Bazaar, Elle

Report: Charlene Piccio

Grown-ish Return Delayed Until 2021

Grown-ish an American sitcom series that follows after ABC’s Black-ish, is about a girl named Zoey Johnson who enters a new phase in her life: college. Zoey quickly realizes that she is becoming an adult and without the help of her family, she must navigate college life through new friends, love interests, finances, politics, even down to her college courses.

Grown-ish has 3 seasons and was expected to return this summer, but in a recent twitter post it is clear that plans changed.

A tweet was posted from the Grown-ish Twitter page saying, “hey #grown-ish fam, while we had planned to be back this summer, we are now coming back with new episodes in 2021. we know that’s a bummer, it is for us too, but we will be back stronger and grown-er than ever in 2021. lets pretend that 2020 never happened.”

Twitter wasn’t the only one to make this announcement, Yara Shahidi the shows lead actor took to instagram saying:

“GROWNISH IS MOVING. We had planned to be back this summer, but we are NOW coming back with ALL NEW EPISODES in 2021” (that’s right around the corner…right?)

While this can be devastating news for viewers that were desperately waiting for the shows return… there’s always binge watching each season for the mean time. Grownish is available on Freeform and Hulu.. in case you want a head start.

First picture: imdb.com

Second picture: tvseasonspoilers.com

Third picture: pinterest.com

Report: Juana Norales

Examining Professional Athlete Fashion

Professional athletes are not normally known for their fashion choices. They usually have assigned uniforms they have to wear while on the job, but they do get to choose how to look when the camera is still on them before and after the game. While many well-dressed male athletes opt for a simple suit and tie, some have been known to show off much more flamboyant looks. There’s also no shortage of female athletes who know how to dress off the court.

Serena Williams is the perfect example of someone whose athletic ability is complimented by their stylish drip. She recently headlined Sports Illustrated’s fourth annual Fashion 50 list, a ranking of the most fashionable professional athletes put together by a team of sports and fashion experts alike. Williams explained that her ambition to display her chic, empowering style when she isn’t playing goes hand in hand with her mentality as an athlete. “I always try to send the message of just being confident and being fierce,” she said.

There’s no shortage of male athletes who aspire to look confidence and fierce on the field and through their clothes. Many of the athletes from SI’s list play in either the NFL or NBA. Odell Beckham Jr., Russell Westbrook and James Harden are all ranked very high due to their outfits that range from vintage to latest, designer to unconventional, and masculine threads to feminine apparel. There’s also of course Cam Newton, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback and current free agent. He is most known for his headwear, showing up to his press conferences in everything from a Sunday best top hat akin to a traditional churchgoer from the Deep South to bandanas worn in the style of Rosie the Riveter.

While the bigger focus on fashion for athletes has been much more apparent in recent times than in the past, there are still some early trendsetters who loved to wear more than just a suit and tie. Broadway Joe Namath came about as the New York Jets quarterback in the late 1960s and his long hair and cocky attitude represented the cultural changes taking place in the United States at that time. He was also known for wearing fur coats while on the sidelines. Walter "Clyde" Frazier came up around the same time as Namath and appeared in multiple clothing advertisements. He’s still known for his tastes whenever he wears a unique suit during Knicks broadcasts. Then there is Dennis Rodman who frequently changed the color of his hair and even wore the occasional dress.

Still, fashion plays a much larger role for Millennial athletes than previous generations. Nearly everyone on SI’s list was born after 1980. Zoomers, such as Zion Williamson and Lamar Jackson, are just beginning to take over the sports landscape. It’ll be interesting to see how fashion trends change with the new generation and future generations to come.

Photos courtesy of Imgur and Flickr user cliff1066™

Report: Michael Rosen

Insecure Where? These Looks Exude Confidence!

Though titled Insecure, the looks that the ladies on this show have been serving this season are far from that! Costume designer Shiona Turini, who also designed the clothing elements on Queen and Slim for which she was nominated for the Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Costume Design for a Contemporary Film, is the fashion mastermind behind it all. What I admire most about Turini is that she purposefully seeks out Black designers and brands for Insecure. Doing this is not only important because it gives black designers a platform, but it also connects viewers with the characters as informed young individuals who understand the importance of supporting black-owned businesses. Here are just a few of my favorite looks from this season of Insecure.

First are the Cancun Vegan Leather Blazer and Wrap Skirt by Nanushka that Issa wore to the mixer she threw to promote her upcoming block party. I love this look because it gives me boss vibes which is exactly what Issa is radiating throughout this season. She is all about the success of her block party and has proven to be a hard worker.

My next favorite is the Diverge Drape Dress by Dion Lee that Molly was wearing on her date with Asian-bae Andrew. In my opinion, this dress is so fitting for Molly’s character whose high fashion sense matches her high expectations. Another favorite of mine was the cardigan dress Condola wore by Alessandra Rich. This dress looked so elegant especially with the details on the buttons and reminded me of something I’d see on Coco Chanel.

Another Molly look that I loved was the Asymmetric Deconstructed Blazer by Monse that she wore on the Thanksgiving episode. This top is just so bold and unique from anything I have ever seen, and for Molly to wear it on Thanksgiving there’s no doubt that she is the Beyoncé of her family.

Last but certainly not least, is the light blue pleated dress that Tiffany wore to Issa’s mixer, which happens to be from one of my personal favorite brands, Pyer Moss. The way this dress flows and the color really highlighted how beautiful maternity is and looks on Tiffany. I could probably go on forever about the stylish ladies of Insecure and how Shiona Turini never misses but you guys should just see for yourselves! Tune in with me on HBO Sundays at 10 pm EST.

Photo credit: @Insecurehbo

Report: Corine Gauthier