VCU Becoming: Fashion Show Review
If there’s one thing VCU has in abundance, its beautiful and talented students. This fact was best on display at this week’s Homecoming fashion show, “Becoming”. Helmed by VCU organization Heels Inc, this show was a vibrant display of fashion and culture in the VCU and greater Richmond communities.
Last Minute Valentine’s Day Outfits For Any Occasion
Last Minute Valentine’s Day Outfits For Any Occasion By: Caitlin Thompson Love is in the air this Valentine’s! Whether you are staying in or going out this Valentine’s day, it’s the perfect excuse to dress up. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we have curated cupid-approved last-minute Valentine’s day looks. Kate is making a statement in her lipstick kissed white blouse. She paired the blouse with fuchsia pants and light pink pumps. Sticking with minimal makeup and a pink lipstick completes this adorable look. This Valentine’s Madelyn wants to be bold. She is styled in an oversized white shirt with an equally oversized red leather jacket. To keep a romantic feel she added white lace tights and red heels. We all love to hear drama that isn’t our own and Dyanna is definitely receiving interesting info this Galentine’s. In her pursuit to be in the know Dyanna is styled in a mouth graphic tee and a cardigan with the collar and cuffs in a fluffy fur. The bright red pumps with ruffle socks and black mini skirt tie the look together. Keeping it classy Kate is styled in a minimalistic black dress with pink piping at the top. Paired with pink pumps and big pearl bracelet. Choosing the cutesy route, Madelyn is styled in an adorable pink bear sweater with ribbon bows along the sleeves. Paired with a white skirt, lace tights, and leg warmers gives her an angelic feeling. Spending Valentine’s at home by yourself can be so freeing. Indulge yourself in all of your favorite things like chocolate or even Sex in the City. Having a fun night in with friends is always a good option for Valentine’s. Wear your cutest and softest pajamas and maybe even have a heart pillow fight. Photographer: Carolina Gomez Stylist: Sydney Robinson Models: Madelyn Carter, Dyanna Gamarro, & Kate Gaudio Editor in Chief: Caitlin Thompson Creative Director: Carolina Gomez Fashion Director: Madden Cook
Sustainability Spotlight: Kotn – For Lasting Ways of Life
Kotn has comfort and practical use in mind when creating all of their designs. They want to create clothes that let customers buy less and enjoy more. Kotn has a variety of products including womenswear, menswear, accessories, and home styles; all of which can transform any wardrobe and home into a sustainable, minimalist one. Kotn’s promise of sustainably made and sourced clothing does not mean they compromise on quality. Kotn sources their cotton from Portugal and Egypt from family-run farms to get the best quality fibres. Kotn also works directly with the family-run farms to ensure the workers are receiving above fair pay and constant safe working conditions. When looking for sustainably made stylish and quality clothing look no further than Kotn.
Top 5 Looks From the 94th Oscars Academy Awards
Jada Pinkett Smith: Jada Pinkett Smith showed up and showed out in this gorgeous emerald green haute couture gown by Jean Paul Gaultier and stunning Jimmy Choo pumps. This particular dress was made by Belgian designer Glenn Martens for the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2022 collection. The look features a ruched zip-up bodice, fitted to Smith perfectly, leading into a deep sea of green ruffles that engulfed the skirt. The vibrant green platforms compliment the gown perfectly, along with the simple jewelry and makeup to add touches of femininity to the bold energy of the dress. This gown definitely left a powerful statement, complimenting her Oscar award-winning husband’s charcoal black suit. Lily James: Channeling the bombshell energy from her role as Pamela Anderson, the Pam & Tommy actress Lily James graced the Oscars red carpet in this seductive yet elegant pink Atelier Versace dress from their Autumn/Winter 2021 couture collection. The cotton candy-colored dress was adorned with embroidery and lace and featured a high-thigh slit that led into a frothy fairytale skirt. James is known to draw style inspiration from her roles; this look is no exception as she utilizes the oozing glamor and sexiness of the Versace brand to pay homage to the alluring Pamela Anderson. Demi Singleton: Demi Singleton arrived at her first Oscars in this youthful yet classic lavender gown from Miu Miu. The King Richards actress, who is only fifteen years old, wanted this look to symbolize a new beginning for her as an actress. The strapless, elegant dress is simple and age-appropriate in its silhouette, while also fun and fashionable with its jewel appliques and soothing color. Through this look and her role as the iconic Serena Williams in King Richard, Singleton wanted to inspire all little girls who look like her to follow their dreams. Kodi Smit-McPhee: Aiming for a look that was formal, beautiful, and daring, The Power of the Dog actor Kodi Smit-McPhee sported a monochromatic baby blue Bottega Veneta suit with matching blue booties at the 2022 academy award show. Smit-McPhee wanted to reference the Oscar-nominated movie he was in by telling a story through his outfit. He opted to steer away from the stagnant black and white suit to solidify his spot as one of the up-and-coming menswear style icons. This intricate look was amplified with the addition of the luxurious Cartier diamond watch he sported on his wrist. Renate Reinsve: Renate Reinsve, the breakout star from the critically acclaimed film The Worst Person in the World, walked the 2022 Oscars red carpet in this unique and daring Louis Vuitton Spring 2022 black and nude dress. The classic gown utilized various design elements to portray a very modern and edgy vibe, definitely casting Reinsve as someone to look out for in the fashion world. This effortless look was complete with the addition of a Louis Vuitton necklace and a bold red lip. Written by: Bria Roberts
Richmond’s 11th Annual Fashion Week Brings more Inclusivity to the Runway
Story By Aliviah Jones Photos By Stanley Tran When people think of Fashion Week they often think of big cities like New York and Milan but Richmond has a very unique way of showing that exquisite style can be found right here in Virginia’s capital. The 11th annual Day to Night fashion show presented the top designers and models in Richmond and surrounding areas, hosted by NBC 12’s morning news anchors Candice Smith and Anthony Antoine. The collections being shown represented a wide variety of people that the fashion industry tends to not shed light on. The Day to Night runway show took place at Stony Point Fashion Park which sponsors #RVAFW. Each collection was unique in it’s own way but there was a common theme that we don’t often get to see on other runways, Inclusivity. There were so many women and men in different age groups, heights and not to mention the diversity of race. In this day and age, inclusivity in fashion has become a hot topic being that in the past the fashion industry only catered to the size 0 demographic but some brands have come to realize that the average size for a woman in the United States is a size 18 and designers need to put that into consideration. The collections being show definitely proved you can look fabulous whether you are a size 2 or a size 16 or if you are 6”0 or 5”5. Many of the collections shown drew a lot of their inspiration from African-inspired prints with bright colors and designs. The show started with House of Klyde’s ready to wear collection that presented ready to wear day dresses as well as mens wear. There were a lot pieces that had earth-tone colors and bold contrast colors along with silk dresses. The collection by Klyde Wright also had a lot of classic pieces like the LBD, side-cinched tunic, and flared pants. The ToFREEYOURStyle collection by Charisa George proved that you can incorporate bold African prints into everyday wear all the while being sophisticated. The collection incorporated the use of color block with electric blue and yellow garment pieces and black and yellow and red and black.There were a lot of two-piece cropped sets as well that are perfect for a summer night on the town. The Abena Aforo collection also used the boldest colors I think the eye could ever see. Some of the pieces also had a very retro- 1970s vibe with wide-leg jumpsuits, colorful pantsuits. There was also maxi dresses with beautiful prints and frills. This collection is truly for the women who want to make a sophisticated statement when walking into a room. The Wala Afour collection which translates to “All we need is life” in the Ghanaian language by Bernie Adjei proved that there is a place in fashion for everyone. The collection had a lot of garments that were so rich in color, texture and patterns. Many of the pieces by Adjei had a lot of marble-esque patterns contrasted with teal blue, mustard yellow, and electric blue. The collection made you feel like you had just been transported back to the motherland. The Stitch by Chanel collection by Chanel Green was truly a 1970s time capsule. There were a lot of garments with bold colors like coral, and a very beautiful purple one shoulder dress. There was a lot of colorful jumpsuits and who can’t go wrong with a nice jumpsuit for the summer right? There was also some belted pant and top pieces that can really take you from work to drinks with the girls. The High Maintenance collection used a lot of Asian-inspired prints with a bold red and blue jacquard pattern. There were also very rich silk garments from two-piece pants, fuzzy tops and mini silk skirts. This collection sent a message about people often feeling marginalized within the fashion industry. Designer Michaela Bradley was inspired to start High Maintenance because she never felt properly recognized as a woman of color in fashion. These collections showed that fashion is and always will be for everyone no matter of what race, class or gender one may be. A lot of these collections also made it a point to not limit yourself and be bold with what you wear.
The Grace to our Frankie: Jane Fonda
It’s never too late – never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.-Jane Fonda Story by: Aayesha PoudelPhotography by: Anna Debald As we grow older, we often question if we are still able to accomplish the goals that we want to do, or if we should just stick with our current path because it may be too late to change your life. And this stems from the problem of thinking we all have a conventional path that we must follow. Jane Fonda uses her career to prove that we have a long life to live, and can do as much as we want to do with it. Because, it is never too late to do what makes you happier. Along with being an Academy Award winning actress, Jane Fonda is an inspiration for modern women because of her devotion to political activism. She showed her support in the Civil Rights Movement and showed her opposition for the Vietnam War. She was also an activist for causes such as Native American rights and women’s rights. Even recently, Fonda has protested issues such as the creation of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Standing Rock. When it comes to the Dakota Access Pipeline, Fonda said, “It has been 45 years since the Occupation of Alcatraz. At Standing Rock we are witnessing the flowering of the seeds that were planted there and, again, it is the youth who seem to be leading the way.” Fonda has always used her fame as an actress to make light on real-world issues that are really important to her. And this is something that she continues to do because she knows that it is never too late to fight for what you believe in. To channel her elegantly chic style, we first created an outfit that mixed the 60s polka dot in a modern twist. We paired a red polka dot peplum skirt with a black halter top. Then, added in a metallic bag with white heels. For the second look, we went for a chic dress, pairing a rose pink baby doll dress with a purple bandana that matched the funky purple heels. It was a mix of innocence with the heels adding a pop of excitement. For the last look, we went for a more casual outfit. In this look, we paired a pink top with pearl details with a pair of straight leg jeans and purple heels. This look symbolizes Fonda laid-back and relatable personality traits. She doesn’t ever come off too stiff or unapproachable, but instead someone you can treat like a friend. Fonda has spent her career as an actress, an influencer and an activist. She has stood out in the public eye because of her devotion to causes that are important to her, and for being an inspiration for all women. She teaches us to fight for what we believe in, and to never use age as an excuse. Stylist: Anna DebaldModel: Celeste Chaves
A Galentine's Day to Remember at Mod & Soul
Story by Estelle Avbuere Maybe you know Mod & Soul as a stylish, upscale Richmond-based and online boutique. Or, maybe you know the store for its trendy, boho-influenced pieces and contemporary, delicate jewelry. What you might not know is that Mod & Soul can also throw gorgeous events! They proved it when they threw their first annual Galentine’s Day event last Thursday night. This event was complete with colorful decorations, delicious deserts, a photo station, fun giveaways, and lovely (not to mention stylish!) women. One of the best parts was the opportunity to be styled by co-hosts, fashion bloggers and stylists, Zumreta of of Bloom with Zum Bloom with Zum and Shanna of Me and Minnie Me and Minnie check out the post right here . The event kicked off at 6:30 pm – the perfect time for a stylish soiree if you ask us. Upon entering, one could see the fabulous, fashion-filled event was already underway. Pink lights were strung from the ceiling, red and pink balloons floated about, and the clothes, clothes, well they looked as beautiful as ever. Sparkly gold fabric hung on the far wall as a background for “gals” and their friends to get their pictures taken. The set-up included fun props, like X and O balloons, while photographer, Juliet Bryant , clad in the cutest denim overall dress snapped away. The center table was decorated with flowers, candles, sparkly hearts on sticks, and delightful treats (including PINK popcorn!). Both the co-hosts and the Mod & Soul sales associates were quick to give you a smile, ask how you were doing, and style you in the perfect look for the night. Women in all sorts of chic outfits were scattered around, sipping their drinks and chatting brightly. Some eagerly searched for the perfect blouses or dresses, excitedly waiting to try them on, while others conversed with new friends. The whole place was abuzz with the energy of these lovely ladies. It was clearly going to be a memorable Galentine’s event! Zumreta , writer of the blog Bloom with Zum Bloom with Zum , looked lovely in her statement red wrap dress and velvet (obviously from Mod & Sou l) , blush heels. While Shanna writer of Me and Minnie Me and Minnie , wore a ruffle-detailed fuchsia blouse tucked into cropped, distressed jeans and gold heels – chic as ever. Both ladies were the perfect co-hosts, as they went around smiling, laughing, greeting people, styling outfits, encouraging every woman, and, like any good blogger, updating their Instagram stories. By the end of the night, we left with new friends, pretty purchases, style inspiration and a love for who we are: strong, empowered women who are free to encourage each other. Overall, the evening was absolutely beautiful. This is not only because of the amazing clothes, shoes, and jewelry, the talented stylists, or the adorable place that is Mod & Soul, but also because it was a celebration of women and our friendships with each other. During this event, Mod & Soul provided a space where girls could come together, meet other women, share stories, and inspire each other’s looks. In fact, this was an opportunity for women to simply inspire each other. And they used fashion to do it. We’re here for that. We are so grateful to Mod & Soul, Shanna, and Zumreta for being here for that as well!