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
BLK in Fashion
By: Adriana Brown This past year has brought along many trials and tribulations for us all. As we have been faced with foreign challenges, we have learned to preserve with a newly found ferocity. For VCU fashion merchandising students Nana Opoku-Manu and Taniya Evans, this perseverance came in the form of forming a student organization: Blk in Fashion. When these two students had time to reflect on their careers at VCU as well as their lives during COVID-19, they both realized that they were lacking something integral: a sense of community and belonging. As the Black Lives Matter movement has taught us, it is vital that everyone has a safe space to grow and thrive. For Opoku-Manu and Evans, this space did not exist for them within the fashion program at VCU. So what did they do? They made space. When asked why she founded Blk in Fashion with co-founder Evans, Opoku-Manu said, “the Black Lives Matter movement was happening, and it was really eye-opening to what the world was doing and what everyone was doing,”. Both founders explained that after being a part of the fashion programs for three or so years, neither of them felt a sense of community or belonging within it. Evans expanded on her feeling of being underrepresented by saying, “we come out with these experiences of not feeling valued or feeling unprepared to go into the industry because a Black person’s experience in the fashion industry is not the same as someone who isn’t Black— in terms of looking for jobs, going up in the industry, negotiating a salary,”. While the pandemic has sequestered all of us to our homes and computer screens, Blk in Fashion has taken this limitation and ran with it. In their eight months of existence, the organization has hosted several events via zoom. These events have given fashion students the opportunity to hear the testimonies of people within the fashion industry who they can relate to, some being VCU alumni. The purpose of these talks are to “educate and empower” students, as well as the wider VCU community, on subjects related to diversity in the fashion industry. Blk in Fashion is looking forward to a bright future of inclusivity and representation within the fashion industry. For this organization, it’s all about having the difficult conversations that have otherwise been silenced. It’s about inspiring other students, especially those who are new to the program, to create space for themselves where there otherwise is none. “To younger students,” the two founders said, “don’t feel discouraged if you’re not seeing people like you. We are here now”.
The 5 Best Looks From the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards
Written by: Taya Coates
Self-Care & Mental Health: Covid Edition
By: Sara AdeliThe COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us in too many ways. For a majority of us, it has placed a serious strain on our mental health. It’s nearly nine months in, and I am still trying to find a way to adapt to the new reality of online classes and social distancing. It can be difficult though, especially when your new best friend is Mr. Couch. The hardest part for me has been mustering up the willpower to do all the little things that don’t seem so important. I’ve quickly realized, however, that the little things can make all the difference. Here are a few changes I’ve made to take care of my mental self during quarantine: Embrace Your Style I’m doing online classes and don’t have a job, so I basically never leave my apartment. I am so guilty of flopping out of bed only to stay in my pajamas for the rest of the day. The problem is that it becomes hard for me to actually get anything done. I end up lounging around the apartment and do nothing productive. Changing into a fresh set of clothes when I first wake up encourages my mind to shift gears. Even more than this, fashion is an integral part of my identity. I am at my happiest when I wear gold hoops and pearl clips in my hair. Don’t get me wrong, I value my comfort, but wearing a coffee-stained, oversized t-shirt every day doesn’t exactly foster self-love and confidence. I try to find a balance between comfort and style, so most days I opt for lounge sets and sporty looks. I often really do miss going all out with my outfits. So, I take any excuse to wear my high neck sweater dress and riding boots, even if it is just to Aldi. It makes me feel great, and that is all that matters! Take Advantage of Scenery Winter is fast approaching, and that means no more outdoor activities. During times like these, that can be a devastating realization. My advice? Take advantage of the outdoors while you can. Add some variety into your daily routine by doing homework in Monroe Park with your friends, or attending a zoom class outside a coffee shop. Corona days can feel extremely mundane and redundant, so some crisp air and fresh ambiance can do wonders in lifting your mood. It can also give you the excuse you need to stunt that outfit you’ve been longing to wear. Don’t Get Lazy with Self-Maintenance Remember when I said I flop out of bed? Yeah, this includes skipping skincare. When it comes to bedtime, I use my lack of makeup as justification for not washing my face, again! Every morning my skin would shriek in protest with acne and itchy dry patches. I’ve recently reminded myself that I need to stop getting lazy with my self-maintenance. When I take care of my physical self, I am also taking care of my mental self. Who can really be happy when their skin feels uncomfortably tight and itchy? Not me. The same goes for other things that may be important to you. I make sure to pluck my brows regularly to keep them from becoming unruly, as well as paint my nails every week or so. I really can’t tell you what it is, but there is something about a freshly painted set of nails that tricks me into thinking I have my life together. Clean Space, Clean Mind Having a clean space has always been rewarding, and this is true now more than ever given that most of us are always home. If you are constantly surrounded by mess and clutter, that energy will begin to invade your mind and taint your mood. Trust me. My roommate and I have resurrected our cleaning schedule from last year to help us keep the apartment tidy. We love lighting the fall-scented candle on our coffee table when everything looks so organized. It makes us feel serene and inspires us to be proactive with our other tasks, as well. New Beginnings Life can feel pretty dull these days. If you’ve found that you have too much time on your hands, consider beginning a new venture. For me, this meant searching for a job that can occupy my time and satisfy my social needs. It can also mean finally starting that YouTube channel you’ve always thought about, or reading all those books you were always too busy to read. Never again will we have this much spare time in our entire lives, so we might as well use it to explore things that we love. The essence of all these tips underlie a singular idea: create a realistic routine that will make you happy and stick to it. I really struggle with self-accountability, so whenever I’m tempted to lay on the couch instead of doing work at the park, or skip my skincare for the second day in a row, I remind myself of how great I’ll feel once I get it done. I am learning to prioritize the needs of my future self over what I want in the moment, and that has made all the difference. That being said, please don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you are seriously struggling with your mental health. I hope that these tips bring about small, impactful changes that encourage your happiest and healthiest selves, as they did for me. Stay safe everyone!
Queen of Disco: Donna Summer
Written By: Caitlin ThompsonPhotographed by: Adriana Brown When we look back on the ‘70s most of us think about disco balls, fun outfits, and great music. LaDonna Adrian Gaines, more known by her stage name Donna Summer is considered by many as the “Queen of Disco”. Donna Summer has had a very successful music career, she got big in the late 1970s. In her entire career, she has had a total of 42 singles on US Billboards Hot 100, 14 of which made it to the top ten. She is also a renowned actor, acting in the traveling cast of Hair. Overall, Donner Summer has a powerful presence. Donna Summer has always had a strong fashion presence in her time of fame. Her style was ever-changing, she never stuck to one style for too long. She could wear a flowy simple outfit one day then the next, have a floor-length sequined dress. She never strayed away from trying new looks, many of her fashion risks became bookmarks in major fashion styles of the ‘70s. As her career continued on past the ‘70s she continued to take fashion risks. Many of her styles are praised and continue to be iconic. In the first outfit, the model is wearing a long-sleeve white shirt with light blue ripped jeans with darker blue denim covering where the rips are. The outfit is accessorized by the white flower in her hair and a variety of necklaces. This showcases Donner Summer’s simpler fashion style. The white shirt is reminiscent of Summer’s earlier fashion with its simple shape but a bit of flair with its design. With this outfit, the model is showing Summer’s unique and fun side. The model is wearing a nude color top with a short-haired fur coat and this outfit is accessorized with a beautiful white flower crown and a few simple necklaces. Donna Summer has shown us it is okay to explore our own idea of fashion. Summer’s fierceness and fearlessness to try new styles have influenced many of the fashion styles we see from her time. I cannot say it better than Donna herself, “I don’t really try to predict what can and will happen with things. Sometimes you think something’s gonna be a huge success, and it isn’t. And sometimes you pay no attention to something whatsoever.” Modeled by Rickaya Sykes
The One Who Can Do It All, Stevie Nicks
Photography by: Adriana BrownWritten by: Caitlin ThompsonModel: Annie Miller The ‘70s was a time of free spirits, good music, and political change. Stevie Nicks was a revolutionary presence in many aspects. She was a renowned singer in Fleetwood Mac while also pursuing a successful soloist career, writing her first song at 15 to winning three Grammys. She is also the only woman to have been inducted to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, which she has been inducted into twice now. Nicks has also ventured out into a few acting roles including “American Horror Story”. Her music and presence is still felt today. Back in the early ’70s when Stevie was becoming a household name, her fashion was distinctive and unique to her. She was known for her flowy clothes with organic patterns and a hint of spunk in them. Even as the years changed, Nicks never strayed from her own unique style. She was never afraid of adding ruffles or fringe to any outfit. Many of her styles are bookmarked as the pinnacle point of ‘70s fashion. In the first outfit, the model is wearing a white cropped long sleeve top with light denim jeans. The outfit is accessorized by a light brown belt, yellow moon earrings, and two necklaces. Her outfit encases Stevie Nicks’s fashion style in many aspects. The moon earrings are a subtle tribute to Nicks’ iconic yellow moon necklace which she still wears today. The fluidity of the top is reminiscent of Nicks’s love for flowy clothes. In this outfit, the model is showcasing the darker side of Nicks fashion sense with a long dark patterned skirt and a black strappy tank top. This outfit was also paired with a white cardigan. She accessorized by adding a black short-brimmed hat, two necklaces, and yellow moon earrings. From Stevie Nicks music to her fashion there is a lot we can learn from her. Nicks always had a free flow and uniqueness to her that inspired many. She has shown us being yourself is something important and can be shared through music or fashion. In the wise words of Stevie Nicks herself, “I hope you find a love. Your own designs of love.”