Jordan Release Date Delays Due to Pandemic

Since I was a little girl, I always remembered the significance of Air Jordan sneaker releases. I grew up in an era where dedicated customers would skip school/work to wait in lines for hours just for the newest release. This era was made up of raffles and hypebeasts. During this time, we also saw the growth of the online/ecomm niche that surrounded these huge releases. These drops are still highly anticipated, leaving people counting down the days until they can get the freshest pair of Jays. Unfortunately for many sneakerheads, Air Jordan has decided to delay many of their Spring releases until they can have a more impactful drop.

According to Complex, sources have speculated that these delays are due to Coronavirus- related obstacles. As a way to combat the spread of COVID-19, many Nike stores were forced to close their doors. And although Nike still has an online storefront, nothing beats coming into a physical store on the day of a big release. These delays include one of the most anticipated drops the company has ever had.

For their Fall 2020 show in Miami, Italian luxury brand Dior and it’s Artistic Director, Kim Jones, revealed their collaboration w/ the famous Air Jordan 1’s OG.

The collab called “Air Dior” includes low-top and high-top OG 1’s, as well as RTW (ready to wear) apparel and accessories curated by both brands. The hightop sneakers were said to be one of the most expensive Air Jordan releases, retailing at staggering $2,000 dollars. This release was limited to only 8,500 pairs, each pair individually numbered.

The decrease in big releases has impacted sneaker retailers and resellers worldwide. Without big drops during Spring, retailers are having a difficult time attracting consumers to their online shops. In turn, there is bound to be a decrease in activity via online markets like StockX or FlightClub. There has also been a decrease in prices of many of these limited edition sneakers.

Experts believe that this pandemic will change the retail platform as a whole. There will be more emphasis and utilization of online platforms while people get comfortable with the idea of going outside again. This will result in people flooding to sites for their sneaker needs. It is also predicted that many people will not want to spend big bucks for big releases, leading to a decrease in sneaker prices as a whole. It all depends on the demand for the release. For now, brands like Nike are in a waiting game with the rest of the world.

Photo creds: @sneakernews and dior.com

Report: Lauren Tucker

"Savage"

Beyoncé and Meg the Stallion astonished the world with their shake to the music industry. The remix to the rapper's viral hit "Savage" on Thursday, April 29th, had the beehive (fans) emphatically freaking out over their unique collab on several media platforms.

"And this is why she's queen," one listener wrote on the popular social media of Twitter, along with Queen Bey's verse in which she name drops Onlyfans, TickTock, And her beautiful mother Tina Knowles-Lawson, in which she claims to get her “savagness” from. This sparked a lot of different interests in people to step into their own “savage”power.

For instance, Kerry Washington declared “Savage" the song could not get any better which was a tweet written for Beyoncè where she pays homage towards the queen. I think it’s safe to say many fans can agree, her adding a touch of her magical voice on the song helped to drive the song to number one!

Report: Stacey Rattray

Sometimes, Messier Can Be Better!

Bad Hair Day? No Problem!

Everyone has those days where their hair just is not listening to them when it comes to styling. Whether it is the copious amounts of hairspray being used or simply just sleeping on it wrong, sometimes, your hair just does not want to cooperate. But did you ever think to consider embracing that messiness and that lack of cooperation?

Combating a bad hair day is simple. Let it loose and go the messy route. Messy hairstyles aren’t necessarily “messy”. They just give the impression of simplicity. There are so many different ways to style your hair, but the easiest ones to try out are the low, messy bun, the half-up-half-down bun, and the high bun. You can choose these styles to go to the beach, to a bar, or just at home. These three hairstyles can also be paired with a comfy or a casual outfit. They are also extremely simple to do. The key is to not try so hard to make it look perfect, the messier, the better!

When it comes to styling your hair, sometimes not doing anything to it at all can turn out nicer than expected. Embrace the messiness. Embrace the simplicity. Embrace a relaxed, comfortable, you!

Photo credits: likesmag.com (first picture featured on pinterest); pelo1.egirlguide.com (second picture featured on pinterest); foto.elisigunlugu.com (third picture featured on pinterest)

Report: Hannah Zaremba

Want to Keep Your Followers Interested? Here's How:

As everyone is spending more and more time on social media it’s important to keep your followers engaged and communicating. Here are a few tips on how to improve your social media presence by connecting with your followers.

Live Streams

Something that people have really loved through their time in quarantine is Instagram lives or live streams on other social media: Twitter, TikTok, Facebook etc. These live streams give followers the opportunity to interact virtually with celebrities and companies, making them more personable and interesting. In these lives you can talk about anything or offer up questions to your viewers, to make it as if you are having a face to face conversation. Miley Cyrus used her platform to host her own kind of talk show named Bright Minded. Each day on Instagram she would go live with a schedule of various other celebrities and interesting people to talk and provide entertainment for hours. Mike Stud and Post Malone hosted a celebrity beer pong tournament via instagram live, with thousands tuning in each day. Founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, has capitalized on the livestream movement, hosting various lives each night just on him opening up strange packages that get sent to him. Even the most mundane things can be interesting to any given demographic- try out different ideas and gauge the reaction!

Polls and Q&A’s

Sometimes live streaming can be more challenging as it necessitates an on camera personality to keep your audience interested. Another way to utilize Instagram or Twitter to engage your audience is by asking for their input! Quick polls or more in depth questions allow your followers to have a direct view into how your account operates. You can try the questions featured in a different way by allowing a Q&A with your account, where your followers can ask you anything! This is a great way to see what questions people might have about your product or company, as well as acknowledge areas that are performing greatly and some that may be underperforming.

Contests and Giveaways

There are so many ways to get your followers involved through a giveaway or contest. Consider a design contest, this is an awesome way to get new ideas for your brand and simultaneously head hunt for potential great hires! These giveaways can also serve as a fantastic way to get involved philanthropically. Donations to a certain cause (coronavirus relief for example), can get a follower entered in a chance to win a certain product or discount code. Celebrities, influencers, and athletes have all teamed up on the All-In Challenge to entice the public with various experiences in exchange for donations to organizations that provide coronavirus relief. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars so far. In an effort to provide follower engagement, definitely consider any kind of interactive giveaway.

Photo Credits: Ariana Grande / All In Challenge, Miley Cyrus for @wsjmag

Report: Jordyn Kelley

How TikTok Has Changed Music's Path To Success

In the first quarter of 2020 alone, the massive social media app TikTok had 315 million downloads. In total, the platform has upwards of 2 billion downloads. Needless to say, this short-form video app is experiencing impressive growth. And it only seems to be improving as more people are staying home amidst the pandemic and have nothing better to do than scroll through the app and learn the latest dance craze.

A large part of the entertainment on TikTok is its music discovery. TikTok provides a kind of music-listening demo to its audience with its 15-60 second videos, and when a particular sound goes viral, it’s great news for the song’s artist. This is because virality on TikTok leads to a boost in streams on other platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music. Take Arizona Zervas, with a jaw-dropping 2472% increase in Spotify monthly listeners since his breakout hit on TikTok, “Roxanne,” or Doja Cat, with the use of songs like “Say So” and “Cyber Sex” on the platform launching her into stardom. Roddy Rich’s “The Box,” another viral dance song, beat out Justin Bieber’s “Yummy” for the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, despite Bieber’s widely ridiculed instructions to fans on how to boost streams. These are only a few examples of huge success stories as a result of TikTok’s influence.

TikTok's "anybody can get famous, fast" narrative only fuels its trends as millions of people will learn the choreography to a catchy dance or lip sync to an upbeat song in the hopes of getting thousands of views. Many artists have noted this path of success and attempted to curate their songs specifically for TikTok virality. For example, Megan Thee Stallion started the “Captain Hook Challenge” herself by posting a choreographed dance to her page and encouraging others to learn it, while Drake’s “Toosie Slide” features explicit dance instructions within its lyrics and the support of already-famous influencer Toosie, making it an instant TikTok recipe for success.

It is clear that TikTok has had a huge impact on the music industry and the process of reaching fame. It almost seems that for a song to even compete with other current hits, TikTok virality is a crucial component. The answer to what song awaits TikTok fame next lies in the hands of its millions of users, and the creativity or whomever wishes to launch the next viral trend.

Report: Grace Carlos

Milano Fashion Week Digital to Stream Mid July

Fashion week, or otherwise known as the biggest events the fashion industry has to offer, are essential for designers, models, and anyone trying to get their name known in this business. But, how do these events take place while the world is experiencing a global pandemic? Can they even happen?

The answer is yes, and Milan is taking the initial steps in throwing their first ever virtual fashion week. Camera Nazionale della Mode Italiana is the organization to thank for creating and developing a plan to distribute a flawless Milan Fashion week mens.

As Milan showcases their Italian designers from July 14-17, the world will get to experience the magic that is fashion week. With the fashion capital of the world allowing its most creative and brilliant designers to explore new opportunities through a digital format, the market growth only expands. Of course, the events are made to allow creativity and self expression to flourish first and foremost, but these digital fashion shows have the potential to broaden markets for designers. Shanghai and Helsinki’s virtual fashion weeks proved to be of huge successes with millions of viewers attending the livestream. Milano Fashion Week Digital, the official name of the event, should have the same appeal.

Milano Fashion Week Digital will display designers newest collections for men’s 2021 spring/summer and men’s/women’s pre-collections for spring, as well as host panels and let viewers take a (virtual) look inside their showrooms. There will even be live performances, so this is a perfect spot for everyone. The designers will have free range for creativity, and anywhere up to 15 minutes designated for their lines.

While it may not be the future of fashion, it’s a great addition to the business. London is said to be premiering their version in the beginning of June.

As of right now, the women’s fashion week in Milan is still set to premiere in late September, and hopefully in an “in person” format.

Report: Kaitlin Gallagher

Get An Inside Look At the "Insecure" Season 4 Soundtrack

Season four of the HBO comedy series, Insecure premiered on April 12, and they’re back with a new soundtrack of bangers and slow jams. Issa Rae and Insecure's music supervisor, Kier Lehman have created the perfect blend of well-known hits and undiscovered tracks for a flawless soundtrack. Here are a list of songs featured in the series:

1. “A Boy Is A Gun” by Tyler the Creator

2. "Sandstorm" by Mereba Feat. JID

3. “Cool Enough” by TeaMarr

4. “Self Motivated” by Tamar Bubble

5. “Numb Numb Juice” by ScHoolboy Q

6. “Feelin It” by Blimes and Gab

7. “Wiggle” by Binki

8. “Big Boss” by Tamara Bubble

9. “Waste My Time” by Zaia

10. “Sky Mind” by Radient Children

11. “Lil Mama” by Lo Village

12. “HopScotch” by Michael Sneed

13. “Feng Shui” by Jidenna

14. “Boy Bye” by Brockhampton

15. “Uno” by Ambjaay

16. “Look At Me” by Poe Leos feat. Kay Dinero

17. “Temperature” by TeaMarrr

18. "Petrol Bliss" by Choker

19. "Ready Set" by Kash Doll feat. Big Sean

20. "Hottest In The City" by Ty Dolla $ign

21. "Attention" by Bosco

22. "Shade" by Sonyaé

23. "You Can't Save Me" by SiR

24. "FUN!" by Vince Staples

25. "Apache" by Incredible Bongo Band

26. "Road to You" by Alex Isley

27. "Mood" by SiR feat. Zacari

28. "Whatever Whenever" by Kamaiyah

29. "Technicolor" by Sunni Colon

30. "Only If" by Steve Lacy

Report: Amanda T Lou

Classy, Bougie...You Know the Rest!

Houston, we have a problem! Once again, Beyonce (better known as Queen B), has stopped the world once again. We all know that all our hotties have been anxiously waiting for this moment. Megan Thee Stallion has always stated that her dream collaboration would have to be with Beyonce. Her wish indeed came true and dominated social media and the charts.

The original song speaks about women empowerment and how women can be a combination of a lot of characteristics, all wrapped in one. Musically, the Texan rapper uses her go-get-it attitude, along with her ridiculous flow to convey her message perfectly over a beat that is reminiscent of nostalgic hip-hop music videos. The original song topped charts, and it has the app Tik Tok to include on its success. Tik Tok has been an app being used heavily throughout this period of social distancing and quarantine. The remix is making listeners reminisce over how a remix is supposed to sound. Many listeners gravitated towards the remix because of Beyonce, and because the song sounds like a different song. A better one at that! It is the absolute best combination of Beyonce's vocals and Megan Thee Stallion's bars. Let's not forget that although Beyonce is a world-renowned singer, we could hand her a Grammy for Rapper of the Year!

These two black women have topped all of the fans' expectations and have made an anthem that will not be going away any time soon. It has made women all across the globe realize that "If you don't jump to put jeans on, Baby, you don't feel my pain." Megan Thee Stallion's Savage has been one of the top challenges on Tik Tok, but the remix with Queen B might top it. This Houston collaboration is one for the books!

Cartoon picture: @maateusforte Mateus Forte

Black and White picture: Wonderland Magazine

Report: Soila Douce

Mariah Carey Will Always Be My Fashionista

24 years ago, this week, “Always be my Baby” by Mariah Carey hit #1 on the Billboard Charts. Carey’s legendary vocals and blonde hair weren't the only things she's known for, especially in the 90’s. She was super trendy on and off the stage. A lot of these trend nods can be found in today's Fashion. Let's take a walk down Mariah's memory lane of style to highlight some of her simple yet sleek looks. Let's start with the “Always be my Baby” video. MC wears a dark denim matching set. Her top is a collared button up denim shirt, knotted in the front. The look is complete w/ a matching wash, denim cuffed pant and minimal jewelry/belly chain. I think we can all agree that the Denim craze that the 90's birthed will never go out of style.

Mariah Carey was pictured at a Calvin Klein runway show wearing a simple yet chic outfit. Her white crop top, cropped black cardigan, plaid mini skirt and black tights, with silky straight hair was a popular look in the 90’s, especially after the movie “Clueless” made its debut in 1995. But this photo was taken in 1994, before “Clueless” came out. MC became a trendsetter with this sexy play on a school girl outfit. 1997 MTV Video Music Awards , Mariah Carey stepped out in this black two piece that could drop any jaw. This bantu top with spaghetti straps, with a waist high slit skirt, and black sandals is one of MC’s sexiest looks and arguably one of the best looks in the 90’s. She showed off her amazing figure but still kept it sexy and classic. This look became revolutionary as we still see celebrities like Normani and Kim Kardasian today wearing outfits that mirror this look.

These were just a few of Mariah’s best 90's Fashion moments, but there are so many more to choose from. I encourage you all to get into her Style archives when you have some down time! xx

Report: Alycia Williams

Midnight Sun, The Return of the Twilight Phenomenon

To be released later in the year on August 4th, Midnight Sun marks the return of Stephenie Meyer, author of the infamous Twilight series. Originally shut down in 2008 due to being leaked illegally, Meyer’s latest work is a culmination of 12 years in the making. The book brings readers back to Bella and Edward’s original love story, only this time from Edward’s perspective. A countdown for the announcement of Midnight Sun was on Meyer’s website, but viewer intake caused the site to crash, showing the tremendous impact of her work and the fanbase it has created. With over 100 million copies sold and a movie franchise that garnered a cult following, Stephenie Meyer created a universe in which the supernatural was brought to the forefront and underlying issues of the past came to light.

Originally conceived as an independent film, no one knew how much of an impact it would have on literature and pop culture. The cultural phenomenon of Twilight evoked discovery of sexuality, rebellion, and increased interest in the supernatural. In return, a new kind of fan base was created and was the first of its kind to be noticeable on social media. Fans flocked to Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube to create accounts dedicated to Twilight. The well-known #TeamJacob vs. #TeamEdward debate was one of the most highlighted aspects of the culture. Coined as “Twihards,” hardcore fans were often subjected to harsh treatment by the media and others alike. Misogynistic ideals were pinpointed onto them, of which were mainly teenage girls. The popularity created a limelight that some took advantage of, and even though harassment against fans of the series was prominent, the fans themselves began to realize the flaws embedded into the words they read.

A major critique of the Twilight series dealt with the portrayal of Bella and her relationship with Edward. The books described Bella as not being able to live without a man’s love. This trope is harmful in itself, especially to the teenage girls that primarily made up their fanbase. Edward’s behavior throughout the series is also criticized, revealing his so-called romantic instincts to actually be abusive and controlling. This behavior on occasion has even scared Bella, which is not the right way to portray a relationship to young generations that grew up with Twilight. Another highlighted criticism dealt with the portrayal of the Quileute people, transforming them into angry animals that were not well-received by the very tribe it sought to bring attention to. The prominence of the series turned their homes into tourist destinations and disrupted their daily life.

The Twilight series has been and will be around for a long time. It is entertaining to engage in, but it is also important to realize the effects it has made on culture and society. With what is going on today in the world it helps to bring back the days of nostalgia where one can fantasize about otherworldly possibilities.

Photo Credits: Goodreads, The Chimes, and MTV

Report: Charlene Piccio

University Graduation Ceremonies Are Going Virtual During the Pandemic

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of graduates were left without prom. To support students, YouTube video hosting decided to hold the online graduation under the name of Dear Class of 2020, which will be held June 6 live. The cancellation of an actual event will be offset by the stellar host cast. Former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama will be leading the ceremony. Mrs. Obama has been doing quite a lot to spotlight student life since leaving the White House. and has particularly taken advantage of streaming and social media platforms. She teamed up with media company called ATTN: for the series, which follows four college freshmen during their first year at college. The series aims to 'inspire every student in the U.S. to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.'

And that is not all! Singer Lady Gaga, former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai will come to support the alumni and deliver a solemn speech. The organizers of the event did not forget about the after-party as well. Students will spectate the performances by Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Chloe X Halle, Dude Perfect, The Try Guys and other celebrities. The entrance is free, everyone can join this virtual party. “Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of content for YouTube.

Report: Olha Dzharyha

Met Gala 2020: The Met Gala That Everyone Was Invited To

The 2020 Met Gala was the first of its kind to take place entirely on social media, and it was a shining example of solidarity during such an unprecedented and turbulent time. Reputed for its exalted status and exclusivity, this year's Met Gala’s transition to digital platforms resultantly transformed it into an event in which participation was no longer limited to the rich and famous.

Online fashion enthusiasts, nicknamed “High Fashion Twitter,” invited people from all reaches of the internet to showcase their finest fashions for the big night with the hashtag #HFTMetGala2020. Surely enough, Twitter and Instagram were awash with a myriad of images, collages, illustrations, and mood boards of the outfits people would have worn to the Met Gala in person. The #HFTMetGala2020 was invented by the aerospace engineering student Aria Olson, who also implored participants to donate to the International Medical Corps.

Further bridging the gap between celebrities and everyday fashionistas, the Metropolitan Museum of Art launched the viral #MetGalaChallenge, prompting everyone to recreate their favorite iconic looks from previous Met Gala. While someone of skating star Adam Rippon’s standing would expectedly have the means to wear Rihanna’s yellow Guo Pei cape dress from the 2015 Met Gala, it is rather impressive for the aforementioned creator of the #HFTMetGala2020 to flaunt a look from Thom Browne’s F/W collection. Even Rebeca, an assistant organizer of the online Met Gala, paid homage to modeling legend Twiggy with her display. One standout spectacle was the homemade recreation of Lady Gaga’s 2019 Met Gala gown made from pink bedsheets. Throughout the past decade social media has made the fashion industry’s elite more accessible to wider audiences, and now those very same online platforms are revealing the boundless creativity of those who likely have a future in the fashion industry themselves.

Photo credit: https://time.com/5831987/met-gala-2020/

Report: Nia Hunt

Living Your Truth at Any Age

Growing up we’re told not to do certain things or we’d get into trouble. We’re told not to smoke, drink, do drugs, etc. Then at a certain age, we’re supposed to have the sex talk with our parents and for most parents, this talk has always been supported by a man and a woman because that’s what they knew and for some, it can’t change.

Since most parents grew up in a time when same-sex couples were taboo, that’s what they instill in their children. Now that same-sex and multiple gender identities are more common and accepted now it can be a troubling topic for some, especially with younger children who ask questions. A lot of parents can be thrown off or displeased when these issues occur in their own home to an older child.

Over the years many parents have become displeased to learn their own child identify with a different gender than what they’re born with or have romantic attractions for the same sex.

Television actress Gabrielle Union recently spoke about how she and her husband NBA star Dwayne Wade navigate having a ten-year-old son Zion who now identifies as a girl and goes by Zaya. Union recently went on The View and encouraged parents who have similar stages within their families to love, listen, and accept their child.

“Reject the notion that they’re disposable if they’re not a mini version of you,” said Union.

She then goes on to express what every parent preaches to children of just being a good person and guiding them as best you can.

Every parent wants their children to be better than they were and they think that being gay or transgender means that they have failed their child in that mission.

“Creating more of you in every kind of way isn’t the solution. Allowing them to be who they are and guiding them to be loving, passionate, and open-minded.”

Many people live their lives hidden from who they really are to please others and it doesn’t come out until after they’re gone leaving a family with regret that they didn’t fully accept it.

Every person no matter what age should be allowed to be who they are no matter what sexuality or gender identity and let it lead them to be a good person and doing more good.

Be the parent you needed at your child’s age, embrace them for who they are when they open up to you. Have open dialogue and build a stronger bond.

Report: Josephine Coiscou

How The Modeling Industry Takes on Social Distancing

People around the world experienced job losses and closed businesses during quarantine, although it’s not the most positive event, people are working hard to figure out how to get around it. Being in quarantine pushes businesses to get creative while working so they can continue to keep the business open and running. One of the most prominent examples is the modeling industry, that is now doing shoots with just the click of a button. The modeling industry has taken a turn for the best, getting very creative and switching their in person shoots to “facetime shoots”. Instead of panicking, photographers such as Tatiana Atkova and Tim Dunk decided to experiment with the idea.

If you think that facetime photo shoots are easier than in person shoots, you're wrong. Models are to get ready by themselves when they're used to having stylists and makeup artists, which could be challenging for some. Unfortunately, stylists and makeup artists can’t do much while practicing social distancing, but they can still put their input in over the phone. Another hardship that comes with these shoots is making sure the clarity and lighting is just right, if not this could result in poor quality pictures. Below, Tatiana Atkova, a photographer in New York City, displayed some portraits on her social media all taken over facetime, crazy right?

While change may be difficult, photographers seem to be having fun creating new content. Tim Dunk stated in an interview that “Props were pulled from shelves and cupboards, or cat beds and cribs. I’ve shot people living within shouting distance and stayed up way past my bedtime shooting people on the other side of the world. The shoots were fast and fun, locked into a short time frame and a similar visual language.” Now, many photographers around the world are engaging in facetime photoshoots making it a trend within the industry. The facetime trend has flourished and is now recognized by people across the world, whether it be for work or fun.

Report: Emily Andrews

White Women, We Need to Talk. Yes, Again...

If you’ve been following any beauty influencer on social media in the last few weeks, you’ve probably seen the fox eye trend. It’s a technique where you use eyeliner to elongate the eye both on the outer and inner corners, often accompanied by a shaved then redrawn eyebrow tail to further emphasize the slanted eye look. Cute, right? Totally not racist, right? Wrong.

Now, before I go wagging a finger at beauty gurus, I want to establish that yes, I am a white woman and I recognize that I am speaking from a place of privilege, but I believe in using that privilege to speak up against unjust situations.

Back to the issue at hand. The fox eye trend is meant to emulate an over exaggerated version of an eye shape deemed to be an “Asian feature.” An eye shape that Asian people have been constantly mocked and bullied for. The eyeliner is typically coupled with a pose with fingers at the edge of the eye, which looks like you’re pulling at your eye to make it appear slanted. But, since it’s (mostly) white influencers wearing the look, it’s suddenly trendy and cute.

This is an issue for several reasons. For one, it directly takes a pose typically used to mock Asian people for their heritage and makes it vogue. This isn’t cute; it’s Asian-face (like blackface. The trend exaggerates features to emulate Asian people’s faces. Features that are so often imitated to spew hatred. And finally, it also assumes that the look is only attractive on white women, and that only furthers the notion of a white-centric beauty standard. For years, white women have been appropriating looks, like boxer braids and dreadlocks, and making what other cultures have been mocked and harassed for into an Instagram trend. What was once considered ugly becomes fashionable because it’s on a white woman.

To top it all off, the trend was popularized by supermodel Bella Hadid, whose sister Gigi came under fire a few years back for making a racist gesture against Asian people on video. At the time, Chloe Bennet of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” fame came out against Gigi’s supposed “joke” on Instagram. Her letter explains why Gigi’s actions were so hurtful to herself and the Asian community.

So, white women, please stop this trend. It doesn’t make you look cute; it makes you look racist.

Photo credits: Twitter user @sprogn

Report: Erica Kay

Dark Lane Demo Tapes Review

No one was expecting Drake to release a mixtape. Dark Lane Demo Tapes released on May 1. Dark Lane Demo Tapes is a combination of “some leaks and some old joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes”, says Drake. On top of this out of the blue release, Drake also announced that he plans to release his 6th studio album in the summer of 2020. Drake announcing the mixtape and the album together implies that Dark Lane Demo Tapes is supposed to hold fans over until the summer and keep his name in the media.

Somewhere along the way Drake’s music has changed. His old music gave off the idea that he had something to prove, it showed his hunger to be at the top of hip-hop. On the other hand, the new music sounds like he has absolutely nothing to prove. After listening to the mixtape, it was clear that the intention was to highlight the diversity of Drake’s sound. The mixtape did a good job of showcasing the best of both worlds, as far as Drake before and after he went mainstream. The further down the tracklist you go, the more mainstream the music becomes. Depending on what type of Drake fan you are, you will either love the project or hate it.

Drake fans stand behind him regardless of what he puts out. For some fans, it has become harder to enjoy his music because of how mainstream it has become. Personally, Dark Lane Demo Tapes was mediocre. Every artist is not meant to go mainstream. A common misconception is the idea that you have to go mainstream in order to be at the top. Throughout his career, Drake has reshaped the mold of what hip-hop music sounds like, which is what made people fall in love with his music. But lately his music has not reflected his artistic ability which Dark Lane Demo Tapes proves. This project was disappointing, however there is still hope that the “old Drake” will make an appearance on the new album come summer 2020.

Photo credits: @champagnepapi

Report: Brionna Thompson

Selena Gomez's Makeup Brand is Hiring A 'Director of Social Impact' for Rare Beauty

Selena Gomez's makeup brand Rare Beauty is looking to hire a director of social impact. The position is about celebrating uniqueness on the company's social media and encouraging everyone to love themselves as they are.

Gomez has been candid and open about her own mental health struggles in the past. Rare Beauty's CEO Scott Friedman said, "When we first began discussing this project, she immediately focused on the ways she could use this brand to help people who are struggling.”

Friedman said the new position will help shape conversations around many of Gomez' aspirations and passions: beauty, self-acceptance, and mental health. He said, "The director of social impact will help us go beyond words and really take action to support mental health awareness. We can only do this if a leader is solely focused on this responsibility. This position is a vital part of holding our brand accountable, both internally and externally." Gomez said, "We had always planned on having someone lead this mission, but we felt that it was imperative to hire the best person for the job now.” More people than ever are discussing how their mental health is being affected during the coronavirus pandemic.

Friedman added there's still a stigma around mental health, which the company want to help tackle. He said, "Many people are hesitant to openly talk about their struggles because it's seen as a weakness or flaw. In the beauty industry specifically, there's an expectation to look a certain way all the time and to alter your appearance in order to mirror celebrities, models, or influencers." The goal is for people to see their differences not as flaws, but rather as what makes people unique, special, and rare.

Gomez will be very involved in the hiring process. He said, "She has always placed the social purpose of this brand at the same level of priority as the products we are developing, so our new director of social impact will work closely with her to help bring these goals to life. As we gear up for our product launch later this year, I look forward to seeing the team rally around and execute on Selena's creativity and vision," he said. “It’s hard not to be inspired by her passion for helping others and we’ll continue to weave that into the DNA of Rare Beauty.”

Report: Amanda T. Lou

Anastasia Beverly Hills Drops Fourth Norvina Pro Palette

Makeup fanatics, take your creativity to the next level with the new Anastasia Beverly Hills release! The company just announced the launch of the limited-edition Norvina Pro Pigment Palette Volume 4. In a Tweet, curator Norvina called the palette “a girly moment” that was her version of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ iconic Soft Glam. The shadows are perfect for casual everyday or a nighttime glam—whichever you prefer. The possibilities are endless with such a wide range of colors and textures.

The pink-toned Norvina Volume 4 has 25 spring-inspired shades ranging from muted mauves to pigmented neutrals to pops of yellow and fuschia. It features mattes, metallics, duochromes, and pressed pigments. The palette comes in a light pink plastic case with an extra-large mirror on the inside. For animal lovers, these eyeshadows are cruelty-free and vegan. They are dermatologist-tested and formulated without gluten and parabens.

This palette is the newest and final 2020 addition to Norvina’s series of professional-grade artistry palettes, each of which centers around a different color story (purple, blue, orange, and now, pink). Designed for professional artists and makeup lovers, their quality shadows are highly pigmented. You can find Norvina Volume 4 on the ABH and Sephora websites starting May 11. It retails for $60.

Photo Credit: Anastasia Beverly Hills

Report: Rachel Attar

The Fashion Concepts of Imitation and Differentiation

Trending fashion is an element of life that will never cease to turn heads; duplicating brands that they love or celebrities they admire. Consumers have a tendency to imitate what they know works. As creatives develop new silhouettes, patterns and styles, the masses flock to these looks yet, people still desire to be considered trendsetters. While following fashion’s guidelines, people still want to deviate from the norms of fashion, aiming to make them truly fit them, finding ways to be individual while being accepted by society. This duality lives within everyone from designers like Tom Ford being inspired by Halston; everyone gets inspiration from others then finds ways to elevate it.

One can recognize this cycle of trends throughout fashion history, as people resurrect and reimagine old fads and subcultures diverge from popular trends but mimic one another. These concepts in fashion dualism are the brainchild of German sociologist Georg Simmel; his interest in the ways people think and relate to society led him to question how people come together through fashion. Simmel recognized that fashion is not simply black and white with consumers falling into two categories of imitate or differentiate. but that humans can do both simultaneously. 

If we looked at the revolving door of fashion trends, from the 90’s skater skirts to Y2K’s midriff obsession, the styles and pieces that are worn on the runway and on the streets are in homage to some part of fashion history. As people unknowing parade the fashions of the past, they also add a twist to the style to make it more current; therefore, imitating the past while looking to the future of fashion. Evaluate skinny jeans which are considered a closet staple. These tight fitting pants were inspired by the rockstar tight leather pants that performers like Aerosmith would wear through the 70’s and the 80’s era. These silhouettes of these skin tight pants are nothing new to consumers but the fabric choice designers have decided to use is what makes the imitation diverge from its leather origins. Skinny jeans are more wearer-friendly than leather, giving people an accessible option to looking like their favorite celebrities. This exemplifies the ability to both imitate and differentiate in society, and spurs some of the most popular fashion trends.

 Overall, it can be stated that there is this dualism within everyone. People have the ability to develop and create new looks while being inspired by the things around them. The need to separate from society is also what creates unique subcultures that enrich our history and push fashion forward. From the 60’s hippies and beatniks to the 90’s punk crowd, these groups with “radical” mindsets used fashion to differentiate themselves from society. Yet, as they banded together, they began to imitate each other's styles and their fashion was a signature of their community. Through this dualism of fashion, these sub-groups were able to differentiate and unify.

Report: Taylor Beth McKenzie

Amy Poehler at the Center of "Parks and Recreation" Special

When stay-at-home orders were just beginning to be enforced a tweet began circulating that said, “Leslie Knope would have a binder for this.” Unfortunately, the champion-of-the-people character from “Parks and Recreation” isn’t around to help in these trying times, but fans were treated to the next best thing.

The cast reunited to film a special episode from their separate homes in which the characters check in on each other via Gryzzl, a fictional internet company from the show that serves the same function as Zoom, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Knope, played by Amy Poehler, has a daily chain in which she checks in on one of her friends using Gryzzl, in this case Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman, who then checks in on another character. A simple premise, but it gives the viewer a chance to see how each character from the show is coping during the pandemic. One of the show’s greatest strengths was the chemistry between some of its characters, such as that of Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle who are played by Aziz Ansari and Retta, respectively, and the one-on-one interactions that take place over Gryzzl show that the chemistry is still there despite this being the show’s first episode in more than five years. That feat is made all the more impressive given the fact that each cast member recorded their lines without interacting with each other.

Unsurprisingly, Knope has the most screen time of all the characters. Just like she did throughout the series, Knope embodies the warm, fuzzy, goofy spirit of the show which, despite a much different production method, is felt throughout the episode and is a much-needed respite from the real-life consequences of the pandemic.

The highlight of the episode is the entire cast coming together for a rendition of “5,000 Candles in the Wind,” an ode to Li’l Sebastian who is the famous miniature horse from the show’s fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Longtime fans understand the significance of the song and hearing it again during our current real-life circumstances is enough to bring those fans to tears.

The show was also made with the intention of benefiting Feeding America’s COVID-19 response. In total, the episode raised approximately $2.8 million for the organization. The episode is currently streaming on Hulu and NBC’s website.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Flickr user BagoGames

Report: Michael Rosen