Eartha Kitt: The Woman Who Taught Us It’s Okay to be Evil
Photography: Adriana BrownStory: Adriana Brown “My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think or of my opinion.”– Eartha Kitt As we look back on fashion decades’ past, we tend to revel in the retro styles that our parents and grandparents wore. We love the yellowed pages of family photo albums and the vintage soda pop advertisements that depict glamorous people who are way too dressed-up for a diner scene. When vintage style comes up, the 1950’s and 1960’s are some of the most considered eras. The polka dots, tailored pencils skirts, the shin-length dresses: the women of these decades definitely set a standard of grace and beauty. But one woman decided that this prim and proper style just wasn’t exciting enough, and that was singer, songwriter, actress, author, and advocate Eartha Kitt. Relocating from rural South Carolina to New York as a teenager, Eartha discovered the world of entertainment in which she would thrive greatly. Her passion for performance was nurtured when she joined the Katherine Dunham Company, which gave immense opportunities to African-American entertainers. After this ambitious start, Eartha went on to succeed in the performing arts with her distinctive sultry voice, theatrical acting style, and bold manner of speaking. Aside from achievements such as being a Tony Award nominee and releasing hit songs such as “Santa Baby”, “C’est Si Bon”, and “I Wanna Be Evil”, Eartha accomplished the objective of captivating multiple generations. This breakout star who began her career in the 1940s is also well known to today’s generation as the voice behind Ezma, the eccentric villain from “The Emperor’s New Groove,” and the mystical Madame Zeroni from the 2003 movie “Holes”. With the first outfit, the model wears a pale yellow, cropped, three-quarters-length sleeved sweater with beaded details matched with a brown pencil skirt. Her accessories include a leopard-print beret, gold triangular earrings, cat-eye sunglasses, a mini pocketbook, and strappy heels. We see hints of Eartha’s personal fashion taste in the tight, yet tasteful, fit that accentuates the womanly figure. Small touches such as the sunglasses and low heels are especially reminiscent of the ‘50s and ’60s. For the second outfit, the model is showing off some softer lines that would be perfect for a vintage-inspired weekend look. On top, she is wearing a white vest with beaded accents. This is paired with an ankle-length floral-printed skirt with slits on both sides. We paired this outfit with a faux-fur jacket fit for chilly nights. For accessories, the model is adorned with the gold triangular earrings, a pearl necklace that peeks out from the neckline, a black belt with a gold buckle to accentuate her waist, and the black strappy heels. If we fashion enthusiasts have learned anything from the legendary Eartha Kitt, it’s that nothing is off-limits. Animal prints, sequins, and high slits: Eartha pushed the boundaries with countless looks in an era where women were expected to hide their curves as well as their individuality. This starlet was not only a fashion icon, but also an important voice in the advancement of minority groups in the entertainment industry. With her bold style and even bolder opinions, we remember Eartha as the woman who taught us that it’s okay to be blunt and expressive…maybe even a little evil.
Leaving Skincare Neglect in 2019: Our Beauty Resolutions
WRITTEN BY: SARA ADELIPHOTOGRAPHY BY: MARTA LOCKLEARThe time has come to carefully select our New Year resolutions for the year 2020. I know that there can be so much we all want to accomplish, and it can become all too easy to compile a list of 20+ goals we want to achieve by the end of the year but never actually stick with. More often than not, we are so motivated during the month of January to become the best version of ourselves, and we invest 110% of our energy towards our many goals. Then, the fire behind our ambition fizzles out by the time February rolls around, and we slowly revert to our old ways. New year, same us. Well, not this year! This year we will set smaller, realistic goals for ourselves. Goals that we are able to maintain throughout the entire year and implement for the rest of our lives. Instead of 20 huge goals, try 5 manageable goals. A great way to make the most of this is to dedicate each goal to a different category. For example, one goal can be related to beauty, another to health, another to your career. This year, we asked our members what their beauty goal for the new year is, and we got some amazing responses! “I want to start drinking more water and washing my face for at least one minute day and night! I also want to wear more natural make-up and feel more confident in my blemishes (very Parisian lifestyle haha).” – Marta L., junior “Cut down on caffeine and dehydrating beverages because on top of my skin being acne-prone, it’s also dehydrated so following this habit would help me with both those problems!” – Aayesha P., junior “I want to make it a bigger habit to wash my face after a night out of wearing a lot of makeup- I think that’s something important that I sometimes neglect!” –Sarah M., junior “Achieve a more natural glow by focusing highly on skincare.” –Sydney H., junior “I’m looking forward to trying out new skincare brands and incorporating new products into my daily routine.” -Tahia K., senior My personal beauty goal for the year is to consistently do 2-3 face masks every week to really (hopefully) take my skin to the next level. All of these goals are simple, manageable, and will surely show significant and positive change.
Your Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide: Jewelry Edition
BY: AAYESHA POUDEL RICHMOND, Va– Black Friday: the unofficial holiday synonymous with hyper-consumerism. It is a big day for most retailers and has widened to include eCommerce in the form of “Media Monday.” For some of us unknowingly subscribed to retail email blasts and mail promotions, this holiday happens to start earlier each year. Fast fashion company, Shein, started their Black Friday deals as early as two weeks before the official date. But let’s focus on what this Holiday actually marks: the start of the busiest shopping season of the year. For many people, the holiday season is a time of exchanging meaningful and sentimental gifts with friends and families. Therefore, we loved Small Business Saturday. The underrated shopping day scheduled right in between Black Friday and Media Monday. At RCFU, we want to bring gifts that the most important people in our lives will not only cherish but also gifts that support our community through shopping locally. Richmond is a community strengthened through its climate for local business. While semi-annually retail business is celebrated through Richmond Fashion Week and ShopRVA, it is the constant support from local patrons that strengthens the roots of each store. By supporting local businesses, we help strengthen the local economy and even reduce climate change impacts. Consider both buying locally for friends and family along with ensuring that your holiday wishlist includes small business finds. Here are some of our favorite stores in Richmond This week, we’re going to share our go-to small businesses for our friends. Today, we bring you our favorite stores for the jewelry lover friend! For the Jewelry Lover Sun & Selene: Both handcrafted and holistically inspired, Sun and Selene is our Scott’s Addition destination for quality jewelry. Mod & Soul: Mod & Soul is the Richmond staple retailer for everything in fashion. They offer a well-curated selection of accessories, jewelry, and apparel. Brand Sara: Sara began her company to sell unique and handcrafted polymer clay earrings. Her online store through Instagram showcases a positively branded display of earrings that are both personal and individual.
MamerSass: Streetwear But Make It Sustainable
BY EBONIQUE LITTLE PHOTOGRAPHS BY DOM KHUN;STYLISTS: ANNIE MILLER, KAYLEE AHN AND NABIHA RAIS Based in Chincoteague, Virginia and expanding its reach to Richmond, vintage boutique MamerSass Reinvented Fashions provides the ultimate guide on repurposed streetwear. While daily Americans waste thirteen million pounds of textiles, MamerSass is shifting the fashion industry as owners Jamey Brittingham and Derek Garrett upcycle used fabrics to tell a new story. The fashion industry is the second most polluting industry, and by ditching the practices of fast fashion, MamerSass seeks to be a part of the solution. A solution that they make look easy, one might add. In our shoot, this season’s trend of animal print is pervasive. The utility shirt looks edgy as it is worn atop a zebra-striped top. The star of the outfit may be the fur bucket hat, though. One-third of the ‘80’s fashion starter kit (you know, the bucket hat with the chunky gold chain and coke bottle glasses) gets revamped with its cool black and white spots. Brightly-colored oversized jackets and accessories are paired with boldly-patterned tops, but maintain an effortless vibe with black bottoms and classic boots. The featured patchwork is emblematic of streetwear and its ode to past decades. Another subtle, yet unforgettable detail in our styling can be seen in the layered chains. In a sense, the chains tailor the long, open-button shirt and baggy pant by adding an eye-catching accent to the sporty, relaxed look. The outfit is further pulled together with black mid-calf boots that accentuate the cinched track pants. Clearly, the self-proclaimed “slow fashion retailer” is actually right on the mark with their fast-paced consumer. …And to think these old textiles could have ended up in a landfill… MODELS: AYUSH BAJGAIN, SONIA MALHI, NIMA JAWADIAN, NICKY REARDON, MINDY TRAN and JONATHAN PAVIA
Jewelry Gets Astrological: Sun and Selene
BY AMINA AYOUD AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY SAMANTHA SON; STYLIST: CHRISTINA VEHAMUA & HAIR: CHARLOTTE FINN & ANNA VANCHERI RICHMOND Va- Everybody needs a go-to jewelry piece. A good necklace or ring can spice up a bland outfit in no time. From gold to silver, with so much to choose from, it can be hard to find that perfect piece. Not to fear, Sun and Selene have got you covered. The Richmond brand aims to bring out the “Modern Goddess” in all of us with jewelry ranging from flashy earrings to rings adorned with beautiful stones in a multitude of metals. Starting in January 2017, Sun and Selene seek to inspire those who wear their jewelry. Brittanny Chanel Deraffele, the founder of Sun and Selene, created her collections based around human history, astrology, and ancient mythology. The jewelry is handcrafted by Deraffele in her studio mostly with the use of recycled materials to create pieces that are one of a kind. Deraffele continues to blend a mix of creativity and culture into every piece she creates with fun and inspired designs to match. Our stylist for the shoot Christina Veha, a freshman, styled with a minimalist mindset, stuck with neutral browns and creams. It was all about the jewelry with the clothes as a backdrop. The muted tones played perfectly with the gold jewelry that was pulled, ranging from statement earrings to midi rings centered around mythology and zodiac signs. There was a clear focus on diversity and inclusion in the native Richmond brand. With each piece catering to people from all walks of life, you’ll be sure to find jewelry that fits your personal style. MODELS: RISHIKA GADDAM, RICKAYA SYKES, ANNIE MILLER
Brick & Mortar Launches Fashionable (and Instagrammable) Coffee Hub
BY SYDNEY HECKMAN AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DOM KHUN; STYLIST: DANIELLA OSUNA & CHRISTINA VEHA RICHMOND, VA– RCFU highlights the local company Brick & Mortar in their newest fashion collaboration. The company is centered around sustainable and philanthropic efforts. They describe themselves as ethical and homemade in addition to other things, “…functional design, sustainable style, and unique works…our vintage selection focuses on timeless, casual, and day-to-day essentials to wear season after season” as described by the owner, Mat. Senior fashion director, Daniella Osuna, styled the shot sticking to the classic vintage look. She curated a neutral color palette and pulled earthy colors to incorporate the ethical approaches B&M takes daily into their business practices. In lieu of colder temperatures, she made sure to include layering to inspire us to layer up as well. Dom Khun, the senior creative director, and photographer decided to use natural lighting and simplistic scenery to encompass the values of the company as well. As of August 2019, Brick & Mortar launched an in-store coffee shop that features a specialty menu from around the globe and multi-roaster that keeps up with high demands. The drinks featured in the photoshoot collaboration included the toasted s’mores latte and regular coffee. The space provides a gathering place for the community and spark up conversations about great denim, local causes, and the minimalistic aesthetics in the store. MODELS: VICTORIA SPIEGEL, OMNI HUBBARD, CIARA RASCONA
Who We Are on Halloween
Written by: Aayesha PoudelPhotography by: Adriana BrownModels: Josh Ricketts, Nima Jawadian, Matthew Schettini In our childhood, October 31st marked the night where we could be the ghosts and goblins that both frightened and excited us. It was the night where we were the beasts we were most afraid of, the creatures we were mesmerized by, and the characters that we hoped to be. As we grew older and those fantasies started to slip away, it remained the night where we could let go of the stress and troubles and become someone or something else. Costumes have no boundaries, from juxtapositioning an innocent doll with a terror beast to a lumberjack who counteracted as a serial killer. It became a phenomenon where we didn’t have to be ourselves- as sometimes that can feel like the most terrifying costume of all. We celebrate the holiday that dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The people who celebrate this day believe that Samhain is the day that the barriers between the physical and spiritual world break down. This would allow for interactions between supernatural creatures and humans. Therefore, when we dress in costumes whether to prance around the neighborhood to receive treats or to enjoy a night as someone else, Halloween allows us to connect with more than just ourselves or our peers: it helps us connect with other worlds.