VCstyleU: Josh Roth ft BNL
Story and Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez Story and Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez J osh Roth i His passion for intense colors, and pristine designs and line work, are seen on everything from his asymmetrical site here Brands in the Beyond Night Life thrifted collection include Northface, Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo and other sporty-casual house names. As fall continues creeping slowly and steadily upon us, grabbing a flexy or flirty retro piece from Josh may be in all of our best interests. When it comes to selecting for BNL, or even selecting what to wear for himself, Josh’s philosophy is not to worry too much about what people think. Whether it’s something new or secondhand, Mr. Roth says, “If you can rock it, you definitely should.” The uninhibited go-getter credits much of his confidence in clothing to his years in a private school uniform. Once he left the private school system and was free to express himself however he so pleased, there was no turning back. No one would ever assume running a business and an academic career would be easy and when asked, Josh said it’s definitely not. Always on his hustle, Josh manages to hit Richmond flea markets every Saturday and Sunday morning, searching for worthwhile additions to the collection. When pressed to share some of his secrets about his hot finds he laughed and said, “I can’t disclose the names because then y’all will go and take all my good stuff,” I’m laughing now too, “but just know there’s two great flea markets in Richmond. I hit ‘em every single weekend. Party at night, and wake up in the morning at 8:00 am every Saturday and Sunday.” However, Josh said the toughest part above all is, “staying consistent. Over the summer I would go out every day and check the flea markets, but now I don’t have that much time during the week because I got class and I gotta do some homework, hit the gym. Now I’m really just staying focused on hitting on the weekends, not going and staying out too too late so I can wake up early in the morning.” BNL “You just gotta stay consistent with it and always post about it.” When nudged about how to find the happy medium between oversharing business info and not making your presence known he sighed and said, “I don’t really think there is one. I think the people that rock with you aren’t gonna find it annoying, and if they find it annoying, then you know maybe they’re just not meant to look at it and they can unfollow. But it’ll be annoying to pay my rent.” The man means business, that much is clear. For Josh and the rest of the Beyond Night Life collective, grinding is a lifestyle. Then again, so is their brand. While he has no specific client base and it is true that people from every age group buy off of him, there is a particular connection between retro/throwback 90s chic fashion and college students. We understand that fashion is cyclical, and that some things just never go out of style, but what we love about Josh and Beyond Night Life is that wearing his pieces elicits a bit of nostalgia for us, for a time some of us 90s babies were only in diapers. The prints, the cuts and the colors keep us reaching for the irresistible appeal of the vibrantly carefree aesthetic of the past. Big thanks to 804 Tobacco Shop and Convenience Mart for letting us turn their stores into studios.
Dress Decoding: Business Casual
Story by Briana Thornton Photos by Monica Escamilla So you’re starting a new job and you need a new wardrobe! For some of you, that may bring joy, getting to shop for all new attire, but for others “business casual” are two words you dread hearing side by side. There’s somewhat of a lack of consensus as to what business casual really entails, but as every professor’s favorite search engine, Wikipedia, says “business casual is a kind of middle ground between formal business wear and streetwear.” That means you don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe; you can mix pieces already in your closet with new pieces to create the proper work dress code. But hold on. Before you go and try to pair your sweats with a white collared button down, there is a delicate balance you have to reach for a look to suit a business casual work environment. This attire suits many different workplaces on a varying degree; some may swing closer to business professional while others may allow for more casual dress. Look at what your coworkers and superiors are wearing and dress accordingly. There are endless options for business casual wear but here are some basic tips you can pretty much always count on: Story by Briana Thornton Photos by Monica Escamilla But hold on. Before you go and try to pair your sweats with a white collared button down, there is a delicate balance you have to reach for a look to suit a business casual work environment. This attire suits many different workplaces on a varying degree; some may swing closer to business professional while others may allow for more casual dress. Look at what your coworkers and superiors are wearing and dress accordingly. There are endless options for business casual wear but here are some basic tips you can pretty much always count on: Avoid denim. Instead, opt for silks, chiffons, cottons and blends. Never EVER wear anything shiny or neon. This isn’t a rave, it’s work. Everything you wear should be clean, pressed and wrinkle-free. Yes, it may mean you have to go against everything you believe in and actually use an iron, but it’ll make you look 100% less sloppy. This should also go without saying, anything ripped should never be considered an option when you’re dressing for work. If you wear it to parties (or the club, whatever your scene is), it’s not acceptable for the office. Period. It may be dressy, but it’s probably not modest. Closed toe shoes are typically the most acceptable option. Dressy sandals can be worn during the warmer months but for the most part, you should lean towards flats, loafers, booties, etc. Avoid denim. Instead, opt for silks, chiffons, cottons and blends. Avoid denim. Instead, opt for silks, chiffons, cottons and blends. Never EVER wear anything shiny or neon. This isn’t a rave, it’s work. Never EVER wear anything shiny or neon. This isn’t a rave, it’s work. Everything you wear should be clean, pressed and wrinkle-free. Yes, it may mean you have to go against everything you believe in and actually use an iron, but it’ll make you look 100% less sloppy. This should also go without saying, anything ripped should never be considered an option when you’re dressing for work. Everything you wear should be clean, pressed and wrinkle-free. mean you have to go against everything you believe in and actually use an iron, but it’ll make you look 100% less sloppy. This should also go without saying, anything ripped should never be considered an option when you’re dressing for work. If you wear it to parties (or the club, whatever your scene is), it’s not acceptable for the office. Period. It may be dressy, but it’s probably not modest. If you wear it to parties (or the club, whatever your scene is), it’s not acceptable for the office. Period. It may be dressy, but it’s probably not modest. Closed toe shoes are typically the most acceptable option. Dressy sandals can be worn during the warmer months but for the most part, you should lean towards flats, loafers, booties, etc. Closed toe shoes are typically the most acceptable option. Dressy sandals can be worn during the warmer months but for the most part, you should lean towards flats, loafers, booties, etc. Building a work wardrobe from scratch isn’t easy and it most certainly isn’t cheap. However, if you do a little bit of hunting and make several outfits out of every piece, you can have a closet full of work attire without breaking the bank. Some of my favorite places to buy business casual attire are Marshall’s/TJ Maxx/Ross, H&M, Forever 21, Old Navy, Gap, J. Crew and Loft. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Loft? Gap? J. CREW?! Those certainly don’t cater to a college student’s budget! And normally, you’d be right. BUT these stores offer a college student discount and great clearance styles. Trust me, I don’t think I’ve ever bought anything full price from any of these stores. But I have scored some great finds. Keep scrolling to see some looks I styled featuring some great pieces from these stores and more. A blazer is an absolute essential to any work wardrobe because it can be worn over any top and instantly it looks more professional (within reason). Turtlenecks are also a great piece because of their conservative neckline, and suede skirts have been a huge trend this fall; here’s the perfect way to style what you may already have in your wardrobe. Culottes are a hard trend to pull off, truth be told. They are a not a style for the fashionably faint-of-heart. The super-flared style looks best when paired with a slimmer-cut style on top and heels to play off the volume on the bottom. Dresses are often a good option for the office. However, stick to styles that hit your knees, or slightly above, and aren’t skin tight. Play with color-blocking to stand out from the sea of gray, navy and
Halloween Hacks
Story by Julia Bratu Photos by Dom Khun It’s officially Halloween season! Unfortunately, most of us are more worried about how to meet those end-of-October deadlines for work and school than going out and spending money on the hottest costume(s) for the weekend. On a time crunch, it can be easy to give up on the dress-up festivities and feel like the odd one out during one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. That’s why our stylists Daniela Osuna and Solleyha Mathurin have taken the liberty of putting together a few DIY looks that will transform you from regular to prepared and party-ready. All it takes is a painless trip to your closet (or at least, your nearest thrift store). All of our DIY looks cost under $20, take under two hours to create, and are guaranteed to give you that festive edge you’ve been looking for this Halloween. Story by Julia Bratu get more info Photos by Dom Khun It’s officially Halloween season! Unfortunately, most of us are more worried about how to meet those end-of-October deadlines for work and school than going out and spending money on the hottest costume(s) for the weekend. On a time crunch, it can be easy to give up on the dress-up festivities and feel like the odd one out during one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. That’s why our stylists Daniela Osuna and Solleyha Mathurin have taken the liberty of putting together a few DIY looks that will transform you from regular to prepared and party-ready. All it takes is a painless trip to your closet (or at least, your nearest thrift store). All of our DIY looks cost under $20, take under two hours to create, and are guaranteed to give you that festive edge you’ve been looking for this Halloween. Modern Marilyn: Modern Marilyn: Stylist, Solleyha Mathurin Model, Caity Roos For this look, all you need to do is find the most flowy dress you can dig out out of your closet. Pearls and chunky costume jewelry are always a plus, and easily work with just about any classy look inspired by a timeless beauty. For the makeup, take white paint to cover the face, and black paint to accent facial features and your neck to make that iconic black and white “flying skirt” photo that we all know too well come to life. Feel free to use black eyeshadow to blend further. If needed, there are plenty Marilyn-esque wigs available at local grocery stores and pop-up Halloween stores around this time of year. If not, you can always achieve the hair with a set of curlers and a ton of hairspray! For this look, all you need to do is find the most flowy dress you can dig out out of your closet. Pearls and chunky costume jewelry are always a plus, and easily work with just about any classy look inspired by a timeless beauty. For the makeup, take white paint to cover the face, and black paint to accent facial features and your neck to make that iconic black and white “flying skirt” photo that we all know too well come to life. Feel free to use black eyeshadow to blend further. Glowing Goddess: Glowing Goddess: Stylist, Solleyha Mathurin Model, Caity Roos The simplest part of this look is almost everyone has a long, flowy dress from past seasons’ fashions, or at least a bedsheet and a belt. A pair of strappy sandals, or gladiators from deep in your closet will do for shoes. For a headpiece, a few leaves from outside, spray painted and glued to a headband will work just as well as a golden hairclip or a repurposed flower crown. Once your outfit is set up, the most you’ll have to do is highlight, highlight, highlight! In order to create that glowing, ethereal look, take a pearlescent highlighter and a ton of glitter and highlight on the cheekbones and underneath the brow bone to give the appearance of having just fallen from heaven (pun intended). The simplest part of this look is almost everyone has a long, flowy dress from past seasons’ fashions, or at least a bedsheet and a belt. A pair of strappy sandals, or gladiators from deep in your closet will do for shoes. For a headpiece, a few leaves from outside, spray painted and glued to a headband will work just as well as a golden hairclip or a repurposed flower crown. Once your outfit is set up, the most you’ll have to do is highlight, highlight, highlight! In order to create that glowing, ethereal look, take a pearlescent highlighter and a ton of glitter and highlight on the cheekbones and underneath the brow bone to give the appearance of having just fallen from heaven (pun intended). Fortune Teller: Fortune Teller: Stylist, Daniela Osuna Model, Tamarah Clayton A flowy bohemian-style dress with an interesting or colorful pattern is perfect to mimic the look of a fortune teller. A head wrap was used for the headpiece, with dangly accents purchased from Jo Ann Fabrics that can be tucked under the head piece, or glued or sewn on for security. Spice up your look with rustic and crystal motifs layered over top each other to create a free-spirited aesthetic. For a dainty and almost witchy jewelry piece, a necklace can be wrapped around the wrist a few times and be repurposed into an easily adjustable bracelet. For makeup and added body effects, a waterproof gel eyeliner can be added using a stencil or free handed on the body to create fun, temporary tattoos that won’t smudge overnight. For makeup, a dramatic smokey eye, defined eyebrows, and dark sensual colors for the lips will tie everything together nicely. Carry around a pack of playing cards and not only will you turn heads, you might be able to make some people at that party wonder if you really can tell their future. A flowy bohemian-style dress with
RCFU visits one little world
Story by Maddy Murrow Photos by Kevin Keane RCFU stopped in to celebrate Fair Trade Month this October with one little world! What is fair trade you ask? The practice of fair trade is the practice of ensuring fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries for their merchandise. Fair trade promotes safe and healthy working conditions, protects the environment, and enables companies to be transparent. Although at times prices for these products may range higher than that of similar products in the market, when buying fair trade one can know their goods were made ethically. Today, fair trade-certified products can be found in more than 50,000 retail locations. Recently, one little world formally became a member of the Fair Trade Federation. Support them and other fair trade businesses around RVA during Fair Trade Month! “one little world directly partners with skilled artisans in Ecuador, Nepal and Kenya, using local and sustainably harvested materials to create uniquely gorgeous designs that truly stand out! jewelry materials include: acai and huayruro seeds, tagua nuts and coconut, all gathered from the amazonia region of Ecuador. in addition our products are made from llama, alpaca and sheep wool, hemp, tree branches and bark. materials have been colored through a natural dye process. no animals or trees have been harmed in the collection of these materials and local producers of each area are provided the opportunity to support their families and communities through this simple model of fair-trade.” — Jodie Vieira ~ handmade, fair-trade, earth-kind products from around our world ~ Story by Maddy Murrow Photos by Kevin Keane RCFU stopped in to celebrate Fair Trade Month this October with one little world! ~ handmade, fair-trade, earth-kind products from around our world ~ address
RVA Fall Fashion Weekend: Runway Show
Story by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez Photos by Byron Koranteng RVA’s Fall Fashion Weekend concluded last Saturday night downtown at the City Hall Observation Deck. As guests began to arrive, there were boots galore. Ankle booties, over the knee, stacked-and-stiletto-heeled, and leather. Although there was a killer breeze up there, the looks of the guests and designers were enough to keep it hot on the Deck. As the orange and red lights rose and the sun went down, the show began with Haus of PLV. The collection consisted of several color-blocked pieces that effortlessly mixed textures, prints and hues to make bold statement looks. Some pieces included rich fall colors like deep red, forest green paired with black, and tan-striped, color-blocked shirts with leather-like sleeves. Most models wore some variation of the signature graphic tee with a series of roses printed across the chest. These t-shirts could be paired with an asymmetrical pencil skirt, neutral-colored skinny jeans, or even corduroys. Next up was Sweetest Stitch; the pieces from this collection were highlighted by several simplistic details like softly ribbed tops and dresses, strategic and elegant cut-outs on the backs of select pieces, scalloped trims and delicately cinched waistlines. Wild Wild Woman brought cohesion through their cheeky graphic tees sporting the slogan, “Richmond Made Me Do It”. These tees were paired with pieces such as a tweed-like pencil skirt and a show stopping glittery rose gold maxi skirt. However, heads turned the minute the first Stitch89 model made her way down the runway. Looks consisted of a mesh form-fitting piece with cleverly placed pleather to cover the breasts and a matching pleather skirt. The sexy-yet-sophisticated look was paired with a fitted bomber of red, green, and highlights of gold. Other looks included a camel-colored, suede-like crop top and pencil skirt, and a cadet blue distressed dress complemented by its immaculate cut-out neckline. A favorite in the collection was a stunning asymmetrical emerald green tube top and matching long and luxurious cardigan coupled with a pleather mini skirt. There were tons of textures and finishes in this collection that begged to be worn on and off the runway. Another stunner collection emerged right after as Tough Cookie models took to the runway. The brand donned several eclectic pieces rich in quality and texture, from an ever-edgy ‘biker chic’ statement leather jacket with mesmerizing fringe (tres fall) to a comfortably oversized, dusty pink, cowl-neck sweatshirt, yet another fall must have. However, the most unique piece was a vivid blue, rabbit fur, cropped jacket paired with an iconic evil eye graphic sweatshirt. In terms of menswear, guests went berserk over the ultra-violet, velvet drop crotch pants. Several gowns in this collection left guests in total awe, but the true standout was the ‘Silver Surfer’ sequined cutout dress that clearly looked like it was worth millions. Other gorgeous formal pieces included the Mayven gown glittered in all its sheer gothic glory, and the rich velvet emerald green wrap dress classically cinched at the waist with a broach. Tangee’s Closet collection was a complete show stopper, impressing the guests with her ingenuity and innovation evident in her playful pieces. Highly saturated hues took these surreal designs to another level. Specifically, The Custom V Neck Romper and matching sun hat, and the asymmetrical neckline mermaid cut dress with a graciously open back, left many guests with heart eyes. The multi colored plush hooded coat had everyone begging for one of their own as the wind picked up in the Observation Deck. Trunk Up Boutique’s collection completely represented the feeling of fall. The classic plaid poncho worked well dressed up or down, as did their adorable printed baby doll dress. Statement pieces included a gorgeous ruby colored goddess cut gown, and a hot pink a-line dress with a neat and chic bow in the back. Tailor’s classic refined looks graced the runway next in various fall tones and hues. The grey Bradford coat, nearly metallic, is a major key to fall fashion success. Other collections had menswear pieces, but 707, a fine men’s clothing store nestled in the Jackson Ward, showed out for all the guys. Various pops of color found in the stitchwork of blazers and floral lapel pins were a pleasant surprise in this dapper menswear collection. Cohesive tie and dress shirt combos complemented each model respectively. From the classic tuxedo to more wildcard looks, from business casual to formal, 707 dished out look after polished look. The final collection on the runway was Angelia’s Couture, these high fashion pieces captured attention with their intense cuts and shapes and the use of feathers. One standout piece was a navy blue strapless gown, the neckline trimmed with navy and ivory feathers with an elegant tail made of the same. While it was a relief to make my way into the huddle of warm bodies in the lobby once the show had finished, I pined for some of the exquisitely crafted and brilliant executed looks. Story by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez Photos by Byron Koranteng RVA’s Fall Fashion Weekend concluded last Saturday night downtown at the City Hall Observation Deck. As guests began to arrive, there were boots galore. Ankle booties, over the knee, stacked-and-stiletto-heeled, and leather. Although there was a killer breeze up there, the looks of the guests and designers were enough to keep it hot on the Deck. As the orange and red lights rose and the sun went down, the show began with Haus of PLV. The collection consisted of several color-blocked pieces that effortlessly mixed textures, prints and hues to make bold statement looks. Some pieces included rich fall colors like deep red, forest green paired with black, and tan-striped, color-blocked shirts with leather-like sleeves. Most models wore some variation of the signature graphic tee with a series of roses printed across the chest. These t-shirts could be paired with an asymmetrical pencil skirt, neutral-colored skinny jeans, or even corduroys. Next up was Sweetest Stitch; the pieces from this collection were highlighted by several simplistic details like softly ribbed tops and dresses, strategic
RVA Fall Fashion Weekend: Trunk Show
Story by Maddy Murrow Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez If you weren’t there you missed out on a night of art, fashion and fun. Check out more about the brands by clicking on the links in this article. browse around here
VCstyleU: Dalvida Palmer
Story and Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez Sitting at an umbrella-ed table outside of Urban Farmhouse on Broad Street, Dalvida is wearing unapologetic black lipstick which she says is the usual for her. She’s got a wild mane of curls loosely bound atop her head and as she speaks I notice there are tiny red flowers placed almost effortlessly in the dark sea of her hair. The rest of her look is a dark punky mix with her graphic tee, black denim mini skirt and signature chunky heeled combat boots. Make no mistake, Dalvida is a frontierswoman in terms of looks, saying of her personal style, “It’s really funny, I think my fashion sense kind of reflects my personality in the sense that, I don’t really have…limits in who I am.” This explanation makes perfect sense to me since when I first spotted the chameleon on campus she was wearing a starkly polished and professional look featuring a white blouse and a corduroy overall mini dress. People sometimes look at others wistfully and wish for the confidence to be bold in what they choose to wear and to those people, our girl Dalvida has your back. “My mindset is, if you like, put it on your body and that’s it!” A limitless lady, Dalvida Palmer is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and African American Studies. When asked about the politics of what we throw on, Dalvida said, “Fashion is such a good tool for making statements—and political statements. There’s so many ways that fashion allows you to make statements that you aren’t necessarily comfortable expressing verbally, you know what I mean? The rise in Dashiki, my friends and I were just talking about this, is a huge political statement because it’s saying people are now embracing African roots, embracing black culture.” Dalvida is all about women who are able to make statements in clothing that is considered “non-traditional”, like menswear. She told me she never went to a prom but if she had, she would have totally rocked out a slick pantsuit. And that is just the type of girl Dalvida is, a powerhouse woman who believes what we wear and what we feel go hand in hand, and that the key to that is confidence. She believes her time attending a high school , also a boarding school, helped shaped her fashion sense. In a school of about 170 girls, there were no uniforms, only the general dress code which Dalvida believes was more lax than some public schools. Her senior year, ambitious Ms. Palmer became the student body president and says she got little hints that she was now held to a somewhat higher standard as she represented the face of her school. “Because I was always meeting parents and the Board of Trustees and what not, I definitely stepped up my style. I think it’s where I really got the sense of, I like looking powerful, you know? And that started at my school because I never knew when I would be representing the school.” She rattled off a few stores she frequents when she’s got the funds but says majority of her closet is filled with thrifted pieces, which she likes for economic and individual reasons. She loves Rumors on Broad, and several small shops in Carytown. “Fashion isn’t the type thing you own by saying you know, ‘That’s my article of clothing’ but just by wearing it better than anyone else.” There it is, a lesson in confidence, in power and individuality from dynamo Dalvida Palmer who stands at a mere 5’2 and packs a major punch. Story and Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez Story and Photos by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez S itting at an umbrella-ed table outside of Urban Farmhouse on Broad Street, Dalvida is wearing unapologetic black lipstick which she says is the usual for her. She’s got a wild mane of curls loosely bound atop her head and as she speaks I notice there are tiny red flowers placed almost effortlessly in the dark sea of her hair. The rest of her look is a dark punky mix with her graphic tee, black denim mini skirt and signature chunky heeled combat boots. Make no mistake, Dalvida is a frontierswoman in terms of looks, saying of her personal style, “It’s really funny, I think my fashion sense kind of reflects my personality in the sense that, I don’t really have…limits in who I am.” This explanation makes perfect sense to me since when I first spotted the chameleon on campus she was wearing a starkly polished and professional look featuring a white blouse and a corduroy overall mini dress. People sometimes look at others wistfully and wish for the confidence to be bold in what they choose to wear and to those people, our girl Dalvida has your back. “My mindset is, if you like, put it on your body and that’s it!” A limitless lady, Dalvida Palmer is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and African American Studies. When asked about the politics of what we throw on, Dalvida said, “Fashion is such a good tool for making statements—and political statements. There’s so many ways that fashion allows you to make statements that you aren’t necessarily comfortable expressing verbally, you know what I mean? The rise in Dashiki, my friends and I were just talking about this, is a huge political statement because it’s saying people are now embracing African roots, embracing black culture.” Dalvida is all about women who are able to make statements in clothing that is considered “non-traditional”, like menswear. She told me she never went to a prom but if she had, she would have totally rocked out a slick pantsuit. And that is just the type of girl Dalvida is, a powerhouse woman who believes what we wear and what we feel go hand in hand, and that the key to that is confidence. She believes her time attending a high school , also a