Supreme Honors The Life of Danial Johnston
Supreme dropped their new Spring/Summer collection honoring Daniel Johnston, a musician and artist who passed away in September 2019.
On Thursday morning, Supreme dropped their new Spring/Summer collection honoring Daniel Johnston, a musician and artist who passed away in September 2019. Daniel Johnston was known for creating both musical and visual art, inspired by his experience with mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Designers did an exceptional job constructing a line while paying respect to Daniel Johnston and people suffering from mental illness. Supreme also announced that they would be contributing a portion of their profits to the Hi, How Are You Project, an organization that drives awareness and education around mental health. Another portion of the profit will be donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), both organizations are nonprofit and support the youth suffering with mental illness.
You can find anything from pants, jackets, t-shirts, and hats that showcase his most favorable piece of work, Jeremiah The Innocent, the frog who appears on the album cover of his album “Hi How Are You”. In addition to their new drop, Supreme released a video highlighting some of Danial Johnston’s best moments honoring the life he lived and his various talents. As the clip plays, an over-voice of Daniel Johnston states “I think art has always been inspired by beauty. I think there have been many artists throughout history who had a major inspiration whether it’s a girl or even just a philosophy. That’s what I like about life and about art. It’s when you write a song it’s just the way you saw it or just the way that”.
Supreme rose awareness and educated many on mental illness, while providing unique clothes for the public. We live in modern times and it’s sad to see that mental illness is still associated with negative stigma. Credit to Supreme for supporting such a cause that many look down upon, bringing sentimental value to the table, and of course honoring the life of Daniel Johnston.
Report: Emily Andrews
Savage X Summer
Savage X Fenty has dropped yet another beautiful collection! This summer-themed collection dropped on May 11th. It dropped along with a fabulous collection of sunglasses called #OffRecord. Hurry now to the #savagexfenty website to get yours!
Who wouldn’t want to spend the summer in style? Savage X Fenty has come out with a new collection for this summer! The owner of the brand, the world-renowned singer Rihanna, also owns a makeup brand called Fenty beauty. Hence the name, Savage X Fenty. Among the summer pieces collection, she included a selection of sunglasses that have been a rage all over social media called Off Record. The Savage X brand is breaking boundaries, all thanks to Riri, along with her all-inclusive makeup brand.
This collection displays more light and playful colors. There are comfort pieces as well as pieces that are sexy and can help boost more confidence amongst all the beautiful ladies in the world! It includes lingerie, a bra and pantie set, and even bathing suits. The bathing suits are what is the center of attention this time around. Usually, many bikinis are uncomfortable, but Savage X Fenty is known to make products that are not only sexy but also are comfortable to wear. You invoke the most beauty and confidence when you’re comfortable, and Rihanna seems to know its importance.
Rihanna has been working tremendously hard to make the beauty and fashion industries inclusive of women of all shapes, sizes, and colors. She has done a phenomenal job by ensuring that all women feel confident when wearing any of her products. Merging her two brands has been the most beneficial decision. We all hope that Riri keeps putting out products because we cannot get enough!
Photo Credits: Pink set: @hausofjazzy
Orange set: @dearra
Lavender set: @badgalriri
#OffRecord: @badgalriri
Report: Soila Douce
Killing Eve Star, Sandra Oh Killing Fashion in her Latest Photo Shoot
The June cover of Elle Canada features Sandra Oh clad in sequined Gucci.
Sandra Oh has been a household name for years, known in the industry for many roles. Most notably, for playing Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy for 10 seasons and now rogue agent, Eve Polastri, on the cat and mouse spy thriller, Killing Eve. Sandra brings a depth of talent, dedication and rawness to each character that makes her captivating to anyone lucky enough to watch her.
Killing Eve is known for its amazing fashion, especially in terms of career assassin, Villanelle, strutting her stuff in Chloé suits and J.W. Anderson jackets. Her outfits boast bright colors, unique textures, and all the latest in fashion. Sandra’s character, however, sticks to more earthy tones, baggy clothing, and turtlenecks. There is a definite clothing discrepancy between Eve and Villanelle, one of intention of course. Sandra joked, “It kills me...I go into wardrobe and see that bitch’s clothing, and I’m just like, ‘Can I get something above Uniqlo? No?” Sandra had a chance to display her own fashion brilliance in a photo shoot for Elle, Canada which will be featured in June’s issue. Sandra graces the cover in sequined Gucci, and inside there is an interview in which Sandra talks about everything from Killing Eve, to social media, and Hollywood representation. Also featured are numerous jaw dropping looks from the Elle photo shoot.
Gucci is definitely a highlight of the shoot, both the cover as well as one of the looks inside boast gorgeous sequined Gucci looks. Another look was made complete with a satin dress from Christopher Kane and heels from Versace. Still another boasts a billowing taffeta dress by Valentino. Possibly my favorite look of all is the silk shirt and leather skirt from Louis Vuitton.
Sandra Oh is an immensely talented actress, she’s genuine, enthusiastic, charismatic, and has classy fashion sense to boot. Read more about it in the Elle Canada June issue, https://www.ellecanada.com/culture/celebrity/sandra-oh-elle-canada-cover-interview-
Report: Rebecca Vanderkool
The Hottest New Trend for Summer? Face Masks.
Since wearing a face mask has been required in more than half of the states in the U.S., more and more people have begun to build it into a fashion statement.
Since wearing a face mask has been required in more than half of the states in the U.S., more and more people have begun to build it into a fashion statement. This accidental trend was quickly picked up by fashion designers around the world who knew that this would be our new way of life.
Many designers used this trend to benefit their communities and healthcare workers through the profits they make. Brands such as Collina Strada, have made masks with tie-dye patterns. Each purchase provides 5 masks to healthcare workers in New York City. Other brands such as Reformation, have created floral masks to match sun dresses.
Powerful women, such as Cindy Crawford, took to Instagram with a post saying “Social distancing but make it fashion,” while wearing a tie-dye mask matching her outfit. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has also been color coordinating her custom-made masks to her outfits.
Designers are not stopping there. With summer on the horizon, many bathing suit designers have even taken matching masks into their own hands, with what they deem a “trikini.” The Italian company Elexia Beachwear went viral for its matching bikini and face mask sets.
Would you match your face mask with your outfits? Its worth a try!
Report: Woo Jong Kim
Frieze New York's Online Debut
Frieze New York 2020 took the form of a virtual art fair.
Frieze New York is an international art fair that balances prestige with the elevation of lesser-known talents. One section of Frieze, Spotlight, showcases non-Western art from obscure artists; Diálogos, on the other hand, is a section that celebrates Latin/Latinx and Latin American artists. Regardless of section, however, each art display is extravagantly presented, with exquisite gallery presentations prefacing more ostentatious exhibitions.
In the year bedeviled by the coronavirus, though, Frieze New York was forced to take a different approach to their signature event. Thus, Frieze New York 2020 took the form of a virtual art fair. The fair’s online presence was initially intended for further communication between art dealers and their clients, and now the event has shifted entirely to a digital format for the very first time. Nonetheless, Frieze New York 2020 remains an impressive collection of more than 200 international galleries housed by multiple online viewing rooms and supervised by the art dealers themselves.
Some truly noteworthy examples shine in an already spectacular assortment of masterpieces. The late Keith Haring’s sleek, majestic brushstrokes are on display in a nameless 1982 piece, which is being sold for $3.2 million. Hauser & Wirth are in possession of one of George Condo’s coveted isolation drawings, this one worth $2 million alone. Ultimately, Aquavella Galleries has the fortune of selling the most expensive work of all, an acrylic and oil stick on canvas by Jean-Michel Basquiat, for $5.5 million.
Since everyone with internet access is invited to partake in Frieze New York 2020, the fair will awe a much wider audience with its lavishness, all while exposing them to a new world of artistic talent.
Photo credit: https://hypebeast.com/2020/5/frieze-new-york-online-basquiat-haring-condo-most-expensive-works
Report: Nia Hunt
Targeted
During a time when you didn’t think it can’t get any worse than the Coronavirus, we are thrown a reminder that racism is still very much alive.
During a time when you didn’t think it can’t get any worse than the Coronavirus, we are thrown a reminder that racism is still very much alive.
It has come to a point that black people can’t do daily hobbies and activities regularly without it costing their life because we fit the description. Once we fit the profile, its nothing but shoot first ask questions later. When will it end?
Ahmaud Arbery and his loved ones are asking the same question. Arbery didn’t think he would end up one of the many names of black people shot and killed for living their lives while fitting the description.
There’s always a depiction of black people that is negative within any community. Usually, it’s that their gangbangers or drug dealers. The ones that become successful have to work twice as hard to prove they aren’t the negative stereotypes that they’ll always be labeled regardless because of where they come from.
Arbery was a young black man unarmed out for a jog when the father-son duo Gregory and Travis Michael noticed Arbery and immediately pursued him as the person responsible for a recent string of burglaries in the neighborhood.
As any right-minded person would, Arbery tried to fight off his assailants with his own self-defense and this resulted in his death.
For so many years the laws in the Southern United States have been against African Americans with a lengthy list of black killings as proof. The laws continue to allow average caucasian citizens to take it upon themselves to decide who is a criminal.
If its not bad enough that the Coronavirus is killing thousands of people daily, black people are still dying just for being black.
From Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, to Michael Brown and so many more and now Ahmaud Arbery.
The real question is when will black lives actually matter?
To be black in America is to be a target in America.
Report: Josephine Coiscou
Summer To-Do List for College Students
The coronavirus has made a huge impact on college students, especially in regards to their summer. Luckily, there are still a few things they are able to do, in quarantine and safe at home.
With the college semester ending and active quarantine restrictions, students have found themselves in a place that refrains from doing the usual summer activities. Nonetheless, there are still things you can do while riding out the coronavirus.
WORK ON YOUR CAREER
-Start a document logging everything you have done in your career so far. From job experience, education, certifications, skills, etc. this will be a crucial tool in creating resumes and future interviews. Pick the right details to craft the perfect document and show future employers you are the right person for the job.
-Acquire new skills. Summer is a great time to learn or brush up on your Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Excel, and so on. Programs like Coursera provide classes for free, and Masterclass gives students the ability to work with professionals such as Anna Wintour, Annie Leibovitz, and Serena Williams.
-Do a (virtual/remote) internship. Although many summer internships have been cancelled, there are still companies providing internship opportunities online. Indeed, Chegg Internship, and Glassdoor are great sources for finding the right internship for you.
-Polish your LinkedIn page, or if you haven’t done so yet, create one. LinkedIn can play a huge part in getting hired for a job. Make it professional and include a clean headshot.
GET THAT LIFE TOGETHER
-Create a (sustainable) budget. Get a head-start for the next semester and start to keep track of spending. Things that can be covered include rent, food, entertainment, transportation, school supplies, etc.
-Let the endorphins flow and exercise. Although gyms and fitness classes are shut down for the moment, you can still workout from home. You can find ways to workout via Youtube, Instagram, and Shape.com with workouts ranging from yoga, to strength training and boxing.
-Brush up on your cooking skills and learn how to make something new. Prominent chefs from the food industry have started to teach online classes on how to make virtually anything. Antoni Porowski, one of the stars of “Queer Eye,” has started a mini cooking series on Instagram to create food that is both enriching and uses household ingredients.
-Clean out your social media accounts. Now, more than ever, is the time to get rid of unwanted negativity on social media. This detox can also extend to cleaning out old files and programs on your laptop, deleting old pictures, and simply emptying out your email inbox.
WHEN EVERYTHING IS TOO MUCH
-Rewatch your favorite TV series all over again.
-Sell unwanted clothes on Depop for extra cash.
-Pamper yourself with a face mask, bubble bath, manicure, etc.
-Virtually visit an art museum or national park (through Google Art & Cultures).
-Experiment and dye your hair. -FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom with long-distance friends.
-TAKE A BREAK. Although it is great to stay busy during the summer, it’s also important to know it’s okay to not be productive. We are all experiencing something life-changing. It’s up to you to know how to take care of yourself.
Photo Credits: Ayana Lage, Hive Life, and Sphere Agency.
Report: Charlene Piccio
Quarantine Playlist
Quarantining and social distancing is definitely starting to get everyone a bit stir crazy. But how do you unwind and really sink into your moods? Music. Here’s a quick playlist to get you through the day and all the different vibes you may be feeling.
Quarantining and social distancing during this pandemic is definitely starting to get everyone a bit stir crazy. Jumping from Zoom calls to another, meeting your boss or talking to your professors about the final or project has got everyone crazy. But how do you unwind and really sink into your moods? Music. Here’s a quick playlist to get you through the day and all the different vibes you may be feeling.
For the quick workout:
Cardio, yoga, and those 15- pounds are all we can do at home since we can’t go to the gym anymore. So we’re going to compensate. Hold that pose a bit longer, run that extra half mile, or just one more rep. Here are some songs to get that heartbeat jumping.
Instructions- Jax Jone (feat. Demi Lovato, Stefflon Don)
Stayin’ Alive- The Bee Gees
Work R3HAB Remix- Rihanna, Drake, R3HAB
Blueberry Faygo- Lil Mosey
Bali- Rich Brian (feat. Guapdad 4000)
Lo-fi Work Zone:
Though we’re social distancing, we still have to work. Some of us have finals, projects, presentations, dissertations, and such to finish up. These are great to listen to when you just need some chill background noise to work to.
Unfaithful- H E R B
We Used to Talk Every Night - Elijah Who
Cruzin’ - Orca Vibe
Bossa- Soulwanderer
Black Coffee - Nicobox
When we just need to cry a bit:
Never bottle up your emotions, and plus we’re home we can let it out. Grab a box of tissues with these heartbreakers. Let it all out, cause that's just how it is sometimes.
Someone You Loved - Lewis Capaldi
When The Party’s Over - Billie Eilish
When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
Fall Apart - Post Malone
Who Hurt You? - Daniel Caesar
Songs that released in 2020:
2020 has definitely been a whirlwind, but also had some hot releases. And there’s more to come for this year. Look out for Lady Gaga’s new album coming May 29, which was delayed due to the current pandemic. The album is rumored to feature Ariana Grande, BLACKPINK, and Elton John.
Intentions - Justin Bieber
Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
Old Me - 5 Seconds of Summer
ON - BTS Stupid
Love - Lady Gaga
Silly Watch - Lil Uzi Vert
Boss B*itch - Doja Cat
Hangout with your friends over Zoom:
Here are some party hits to have with your friends during that weekly Zoom call, FaceTime, whichever you use. Party it up, virtually of course.
The Box- Roddy Ricch
Gimme Love- Joji
Savage Remix - Megan Thee Stallion (feat. Beyonce)
Rockstar - Post Malone (feat. 21 Savage)
SUGAR - BROCKHAMPTON
Album covers from the respective artists.
Report: Katie Mok
A New Supreme Is Here: AHS Is Getting A Spinoff Series
While several TV shows are delaying or halting production because of the pandemic, the TV industry is still planning ahead.
While several TV shows are delaying or halting production because of the pandemic, the TV industry is still planning ahead. Ryan Murphy, creator of popular TV series such as, Glee and Nip-Tuck, recently announced on an Instagram post on Monday, that a spinoff of his show American Horror Story is in the works.
AHS is an anthology horror series that has been airing on FX since 2011. Each season focuses on a different premise and storyline, usually played by a reoccurring cast of actors. This series has promoted actors like Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, and Evan Peters to A-List status, and even megastars like Kathy Bates and Lady Gaga have appeared on the show. AHS has also had another spinoff, American Crime Story, which is a historical drama anthology series, that started in 2016 with a depiction of the OJ Simpson trial.
While Murphy has not released any details about the spinoff's premise or genre, he did say that instead of each season having a storyline, the spinoff will have "one hour contained episodes." Murphy reportedly hosted a Zoom call with AHS' cast and crew, where they reminisced about the fun times on set, and when people could actually meet up in person. During the call, Murphy announced the exciting news of a spinoff. While the call has not been publicly released, fans are hoping that it will appear on YouTube or some other platform. Especially with the recent Zoom reunions of other TV series, like Lizzie McGuire and Jessie.
Report: Anna Bechtel
Kehlani Releases Quarantine Style Music Video for “Open (Passionate)”
Kehlani's creativity shows the direction that music and live streaming is headed with other artists performing concerts on live stream during quarantine.
She just dropped her latest album and new merchandise for her fans. Kehlani clearly isn’t letting quarantine stop her from putting out some of her best content. One of her most recent music videos “Open (Passionate) was edited herself and was shot quarantine style. Steamy, sexy and visually pleasing with trees and a forest green background, the video starts off with Kehlani soaking in a Jacuzzi with a wine bottle and what seems to look like two mimosas sitting on the side of her arm. Then she’s driving down a vacant highway with her dangling gold earrings and sunglasses. There are moments which capture the eye, when she’s wearing a bold orange dress which brings out her natural beauty down to when she’s standing on top of a car dressed with a dark denim coat and brown Louis Vuitton head scarf giving her an edgy look.
Kelahni’s second part of the track “Passionate,” features her in a much more relaxing setting. She can be seen in the driver’s seat of her own car, bundled up in a two toned puffer jacket that’s grey on the outside and orange on the inside. Although things appear more serene, Kehlani’s melodious voice and captivating lyrics speak to the soul. She sings “It’s only your passion how you move by/You fallin’ head over, right outta the sky/Fatal attraction, you lay down and die/Know how you get, I know how you do it.
If you haven’t streamed Kehlani’s new album “It Was Good Until it Wasn’t,” why not go ahead and do that? After all, Kehlani said in her own words on Instagram that she wanted us to. She posted on her Instagram account 2 days ago saying “it would mean the world to me if you go stream the album, i’m already hella grateful for whatever happens but this would be really insane.”
English singer-songwriter James Blake, who is featured in Kehlani’s song “Grieving” on her new album had some words of his own. On his Instagram account he posted their song together saying “So proud to play a small part on her completely fire album.”
While Kehlani blesses us with some of her best music, other artists are taking the time to live stream their concerts for fans to view, all while in the comfort of their own homes. This month artists such as Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Smith, James Taylor, Meghan Trainer and Tina are all set to perform for this year’s Red Nose Day Special. Other artists such as Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel and Sing will also be performing live concerts as well. Who knows how long we’ll be in quarantine but it seems this is the new direction music and live streaming are taking.
Photo Credits:
Picture of Kehlani:YourinfoDaily
Picture of Blake Shelton: nbcumv.com
Report: Juana Norales
Big Pore, Little Pore, then Unclog Pores!
Have you been struggling with acne since your teenage years and it has only gotten worse over the years interfering into adulthood?
Have you been struggling with acne since your teenage years and it has only gotten worse over the years interfering into adulthood? Well just to let you know you are not alone. I been struggling with acne since middle school and it has only gotten worst over the years until I decided to go to the dermatologist. The dermatologist helped me out with getting me the right treatment which was a topical acne cream for my face. I recently been trying to figure out a safe way to unclog my pores by not causing a breakout. Pores are little openings in the skin that discharge sweat and oils. Pores can be really painful and disgusting. Just note that you can never get rid of pores but there are ways to diminish them. I would still go talk to a dermatologist, but this should get you started. If you want clean and unclog pores just check out this product! “Owned by Kao Corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. It’s a chemical and cosmetics company. It was founded by Tomiro Nagase”.He needed to make moderate healthy skin items which he did that by purchasing Biore in the earlies 1880s. Biore Blue Agave Deep Cleansing Pore Strips is the newest and latest skincare product from Biore. This product is guaranteed to remove undesirable pores from your nose in a safe way.
Lastly, always wash your hands first before touching your face. Remember I am no expert, but you can never get rid of pores, but finding a way to diminish them is a great way to start.
Photo Credits: Biore
Report: Tykaia Rose
The Queerness of Little Richard's Fashions
Rock and roll icon Little Richard tragically passed away on May 9, 2020, and his innovation and legacy in his genre cannot be overstated.
Rock and roll icon Little Richard tragically passed away on May 9, 2020, and his innovation and legacy in his genre cannot be overstated. For decades he entranced audiences with his flashy, energized performances—a key component of which was his trendsetting fashion sense. His penchant for shimmering garments not only defined his aesthetic, but also symbolized his queerness. In fact, his unapologetic femininity was a defiance of the heteronormativity of his time.
Little Richard’s queer identity was crucial in shaping his onstage wardrobe. After performing in drag shows under the moniker “Princess LaVonne”, he permanently adopted a more flamboyant style of dress, complete with turbans and capes. When his hit songs “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” launched him into the spotlight, the brilliance of his sequins and spangles shone even on black-and-white television sets of the 1950s. While he was not free from mockery for his feminine attire, Little Richard was overall a phenomenon who garnered a racially integrated fanbase. Thus, he only grew more ostentatious in the following two decades, indulging in even more sequins and flaunting lamé crop tops and brocade tunics.
Little Richard’s toned-down (albeit still lustrous) fashions in his later years were likely attributed to his old age, but they also paralleled his distancing from his own queerness. In recent years he vilified homosexuality, and his diminished brilliance was representative of this retrospective self-hatred. Little Richard’s internalized bigotry is indeed an unfortunate note on which to end a lifetime of rebellious theatricality, but he has nonetheless influenced generations of male musicians to don their own sparkling outfits and embrace their feminine sides.
Photo credit: https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/little-richard-rock-n-roll-fashion-impact
Report: Nia Hunt
Things Aren't so Glamorous for Neiman Marcus
Things for high-end fashion brand Neiman Marcus aren't looking so pretty right now.
Things for high-end fashion brand Neiman Marcus aren't looking so pretty right now. Last Thursday, it was revealed that the company had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, after previous reports were rumored in mid-April. Prior to this, the brand was already four million dollars in debt. CEO Geoffroy Van Raemdonck made a statement to CNBC saying, "Like most businesses today, we are facing unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has placed inexorable pressure on our business."
According to the Financial Post, the paperwork was filed in a Houston courthouse. Neiman Marcus and their creditors agreed to a $675 million dollar financial aid package to help the company restructure. In addition, they also agreed to a second package of $750 million dollars from creditors. This would not only help with their bankruptcy, but also supply extra liquidity for them, when they eventually recover from their struggles. Lastly, this deal completely puts the creditors in charge of the business, and will have them become the majority owners this fall, once the company is likely to recover.
Neiman Marcus is one of many major brands and companies struggling financially during 2020's COVID-19 pandemic. J-Crew also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy recently. However, Neiman Marcus was experiencing some struggles prior to the pandemic, which naturally increased once the pandemic hit. As per Bloomberg, Neiman Marcus had started closing outlet stores in March, and 500 jobs were cut within the operation.
Report: Corine Gauthier
Why Gucci's New Collection Will Brighten up Your Summer
Even in the uninterrupted unsteadiness of today’s social and political climates, the tendency of the Gucci brand to keep us on our toes remains tireless.
Even in the uninterrupted unsteadiness of today’s social and political climates, the tendency of the Gucci brand to keep us on our toes remains tireless. With their unique patterns and edgy couture style, it is no wonder we are constantly swooning, practically begging for more.
The fascination continues when considering their latest collection titled “Towards the Sun” designed for men and women. The reason this line compels us so is the traditional color palette having been magically transformed for the upcoming solstice, while having no effect on the spunkiness and luxuriousness that we’ve come to expect from Gucci.
Pastel based and beaming with an infectious luminosity, the new “Towards the Sun” collection for Women features beautiful yet more simplistic pieces created specifically for the warmer weather that will soon surround us.
The collection takes on classic silhouettes of bags, shoes, and accessories and complements them with new colors, including gentle shades of blue, green and pink, with final products that are somehow no less subtle than the ones we would normally attribute to the iconic brand.
While the color palette might present itself as tame, it is no less exhilarating. Timeless patterns are revived with softer hues while fresh patterns emerge that simultaneously maintain the brand’s originality and uniqueness and add an essence of sunny retro.
Though the male counterpart of this collection does not house the same quantity of pastel-forward inventory, a retro ambiance still radiates from the products, offering a different type of sensation for summertime. Featuring pieces with warm yellows and patterns of pink peonies, the men’s collection is no stranger to taking fashion a little more “towards the sun”.
Gucci could not have graced us with this collection at a more perfect moment in time. With spring in full bloom and the summer season quickly approaching, the bright colors and relaxed prints will no doubt complete your wardrobe by contributing an undeniable glow.
*all photo credit can be attributed to Gucci's direct website.
Report: Alexandra Donnelly
Forget A Smile, You’re Never Fully Dressed AT ALL!
Remember what it felt like to actually get fully dressed? Being that we’re following quarantine and social distancing guidelines, virtual meetings have become our new livelihood
Remember what it felt like to actually get fully dressed? Being that we’re following quarantine and social distancing guidelines, virtual meetings have become our new livelihood. Whether we’re on Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, or FaceTime, it’s no secret that most of us have been getting dressed only from the waist up for our virtual meetings. Even celebrities such as Mindy Kaling and Molly Sims have shared their half-dressed video conference call looks that were strictly business on top and cozy pajamas on the bottom. Still, if you want to give the illusion of high fashion when you really just rolled out of bed here are a few tips. Since we’re relying solely on the top half of our body to make a statement, accessories are going to be our key to success. You can be more playful by adding a colorful statement necklace. Or you could go for a more sophisticated look with stylish glasses. Now is also a great time to test the waters with prints and bold colors that you might have shied away from in the past. By incorporating these concepts you would also be paying homage to the current season, Spring! Spring is all about being open to new ideas and new beginnings. Each of us has had to keep an open mind in regards to the uncertainty of our current situation and maintaining high-spirits can be challenging. Making these small adjustments to our virtual meeting outfits could help make our lives feel a little more normal, increase productivity, and most importantly help us adapt a more positive mindset.
Photo Credits: @mollybsims @isthisfate @evssofficial
Report: Corine Gauthier
Labels, Stigmas, and Hornets in the Time of COVID-19
In the last few months, the global Asian community has been fighting a battle against the rise of racist jokes and Coronavirus related assaults. Labels, stigmatised language, and unfortunately named hornets have led to this recent normalisation of their suffering.
Recently, American beekeepers woke up and found some of their bee colonies beheaded. The perpetrator? Asian giant hornets (also known as “murder hornets”). Originating in Asia, these large bugs have recently made their way over to America. There have been a handful of different sightings, with most of them from concerned bee farmers who worry about the safety of their hives. The hornet’s appearance has also sparked concern en masse though because of their size, sting, and foreignness.
On March 16, President Trump posted a tweet calling the Coronavirus the “Chinese Virus”. This label has been something that has haunted the global Asian community since the WHO named the Coronavirus a global pandemic. The start of 2020 has seen a drastic uptick of race-based attacks. In London, a Chinese young man was publicly assaulted because of his ethnicity and sustained multiple facial injuries. An Asian New York City college student was punched by a passerby who yelled at her about the Coronavirus. Asians can’t walk the streets without getting called slurs. The community fears that there will be an increased surge of racism and violent hate crimes with the President having officially coined the virus as “Chinese”.
The Asian giant hornet’s appearance and name have struck at an inopportune time. Despite first being spotted in 2019, the headlines about them have only surfaced within the last month. Many believe that this timing only works to fan the flames of anti-Asian racism. Sites such as twitter have seen a resurgence of old stereotypes and harmful language surrounding the “murder hornets”.
All of this points to a chilling development in the American conversational sphere– the normalisation of Asian jokes in an everyday setting. People across the country are spouting out jokes about how the continent of Asia is trying to kill Americans with diseases and bugs. They are becoming desensitised to the suffering that Asian bodies go through because of this stigmatised language. While many see it as just another joke, those in the community see it as a callousness that will serve to injure themselves, their families, and friends.
It is greatly important to remember that language has an effect on both people’s emotions and their actions. Refusing to perpetrate and actively calling out stigmatised language helps those who are being unjustly labelled so that they don’t have to fear being assaulted. At a time like this, it is vital to be open-minded, understanding, and kind.
Photo credit 1: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/02/us/asian-giant-hornet-washington.html
Photo credit 2: https://www.newsweek.com/new-york-subway-attack-coronavirus-woman-mask-1485842
Report: Nicolette Schneiderman
Lakeith Stanfield Goes Running for Ahmaud Arbery
Lakeith Stanfield wants to spread awareness, but not with his film work or new music.
Lakeith Stanfield wants to spread awareness, but not with his film work or new music. He wants to shed light to the recent events of Ahmaud Arbery. Videos of Abery’s murder took over the internet and people demanded for justice on social media. In his recent music video, Birds”, he jogs through his neighborhood to raise awareness to Arbery’s tragedy.
He hopes there’s justice that takes place in society. He said, “I'm just hoping that there's some kind of justice that takes place. I'm just hoping that the community and everybody's voices make it aware to the world, I don't stand for this type of situation happening and it just going unseen, unheard. Things like this, there needs to be justice brought upon people whether or not you're intertwined in the justice system or not. Something like this would appear to be pure bigotry, and they need to be accountable for it. So I think everybody should show up, let their voice be heard and show them that this is important. So, I want to just bring more awareness to it. I'm tired of seeing images on the timeline of people getting their head blown off in front of everybody. We got a choice, and we're going to make our voices be heard. Sign that petition, get out there, and let people know you're not going to stand for it.”
Aside from his political undertones in the video, he talked about the themes behind creating the song, “Birds”. He said, “You can hear it throughout the verses it's all critiques of capitalism and the way we consume, and how birds might represent women, they might represent your relationship to women, and privileged nature of some interpersonal relationships, or it could represent money and commerce and the way that we wheel and deal and engage in the exchange of money and what it means and the worth of it all at the end of the day. And the hustle, the hustle and bustle of the American economy now, that's the main thing. It's going there in the next part, like going and pushing off the next thing to get more money”.
Report: Amanda Lou
Erykah Badu Vs. Jill Scott Instagram Live Battle
“Jill & Erykah isn’t even a battle… it's a vibe session. They’re just playing full songs, telling background stories and vibing out”- @theblackreginaG
On May 9, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott graced the world with an amazing Instagram live battle. The battle was hosted by producers, Timbaland and Swizz Beats, and was sponsored by Femme It Forward. The battle attracted some of r&b’s biggest stars and even Michelle Obama. Over the past couple of weeks, Instagram live battles have become very popular and are now being used to bring people together during the pandemic. To no surprise, this battle was highly anticipated as two of neo-soul’s greatest artists would come together to appreciate each other’s artistry.
For many fans that tuned into the Instagram battle last Saturday night, Badu and Scott’s music allowed them to reminisce about a simpler time. With everything that’s going on in the world, the battle offered peace, even if it was only temporary. Being that both artists have been making music for over 20 years, the battle only scratched the surface of each artist’s catalog. Despite that, both women showed how timeless good music is. These Instagram battles definitely have their perks. After the battle, both artists saw an increase in streams. Both Erykah Badu and Jill Scott played a mixture of their hits and deep cuts that some fans were introduced to and others revisited. While the music is what attracted so many people, the virtual concert had a deeper meaning. The message was sisterhood. Aside from the music, one of the most beautiful parts of the Badu vs. Scott battle was the respect that they had for each other as women and as artists. “Jill & Erykah isn’t even a battle… it's a vibe session. They’re just playing full songs, telling background stories and vibing out”, says @theblackreginaG (Twitter), a fan who watched the battle on Saturday. It was clear that both women were genuinely fans of each other’s music, which eliminated the “battle” atmosphere.
Generally, when you hear the word “battle” there is an implication of some sort of opposition. The music industry is notorious for putting artists up against each other, especially among female artists. It was very important to see that two women can have equal success and not feel threatened by each other. For three hours, the battle exuded peace, love, and the beauty of art. This was definitely one for the culture.
Photo Credits: @Verzuz.tv
Report: Brionna Thompson
Pete Davidson Solid Again in "Saturday Night Live at Home" Season Finale
While the three "Saturday Night Live at Home" episodes gave us more tiresome sketches than usual, we did get a few laugh worthy performances. Most notable is Pete Davidson's solid performance throughout all three episodes
After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down production of “Saturday Night Live” it seemed like the show’s 45th season would come to an abrupt end. However, the cast and crew were able to cobble together three “Saturday Night Live at Home” episodes that were filmed remotely from each cast member’s home. The third of these episodes aired on May 9 and served as the show’s season finale.
It is a commendable effort on the part of the entire cast and crew, but the show became something else entirely different as a result of the changes. It is obviously not live, which is such a big part of the show’s functionality. It is also very tough to transition sketch comedy that relies on an audience reaction into a video format. For a show whose sketches are always hit or miss, the remote transition made for plenty of duds. It essentially became a collection of old comedic YouTube videos, something the cast, given their age, does not have a lot of experience putting together.
However, there were a few bright spots. Pete Davidson, whose movie “The King of Staten Island” is set to release next month, put out the most consistent sketches over the three episodes. While there wasn’t much variety in his sketches, each being a hip-hop video of his quarantine life with his mom and sister, they were all very enjoyable and it was good to see him finish the season strong after all the drama that surrounded him throughout the year.
Another highlight from the episode featured Mikey Day’s son pulling a series of pranks on his dad who is trying to manage work, among other things, from home during quarantine. It’s all shown from the perspective of the son, and the innocence of that viewpoint, not to mention the child-like editing, will make you laugh when you’re not yearning to be that young and naïve in the current state of our world.
At the end of the episode host Kristen Wiig concluded by saying “we’ll see you in September.” Whether that will be from the NBC studios or via video again is anyone’s guess, but any from of consistency we can rely on is very welcome during these unprecedented times. Even if it makes for more awkward and dull sketches than usual.
Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Report: Michael Rosen
Jordan Release Date Delays Due to Pandemic
Air Jordan is known for its iconic releases but after closing their physical stores Nike is delaying many of their Spring release, including the much anticipated "Air Dior" collab with Italian luxury brand Dior. Now online retailers are having to question how is this going to impact their business. How will this pandemic affect how we shop in the future?
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
At the rise of Covid-19 many of us first questioned the timeline of fashion week and would we see the regular calendar continue - the question weighed over many of us for months! It was refreshing to see design houses and designers across the globe take advantage of the uncertainty and plow into production mode - thus my interest in Jerri Reid New York - The Black Designer based in Brooklyn New York wow’d instagram with his latest collection paying homage to the Black Is King film which debuted earlier this year in July. I was taken aback at quick of a turn round the young designer produced and released his well crafted designs reflecting some of the films most memorable moments.