Tag: fashion

  • 60th Annual Grammy Recap!

    60th Annual Grammy Recap!

    To those who produce music, it is a dream to be nominated for a Grammy. 2017 consisted of amazing new music from artists such as Lana Del Rey, Childish Gambino, Lorde and many more. On January 28th, the 60th Annual Grammys were held at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. The show wrestled with a range of social and political topics including immigration, racial injustice, and the #MeToo movement by many influencers of our time.

    Many remarkable moments happened throughout the show. Kendrick Lamar opened the show with U2 with his song “XXX,” as he raps about poverty and revenge. A #MeToo moment was brought into the spotlight by Kesha and many fellow female artists that attended that night standing behind her in this overwhelming, powerful, emotional movement. For those who aren’t aware, the #MeToo movement brings widespread awareness and prevalence to sexual assault and harassment in the workplace. The women in white performed “Praying,” a ballad off of her first studio album, “Rainbow.” Performances from Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Rihanna, SZA, and Sam Smith took the stage by storm, with hit singles released last year.

    The nominations this year among the musicians, rappers were going head to head in each of the category. For Bruno Mars, it was the highlight of his career thus far. An upbeat master of singalong bops, which also makes you want to groove with the move. Mr. Mars won all six of the awards he was nominated for, including the top prizes of: album, record, and song of the year. The provocative and critically admired rapper from Compton, CA, Kendrick Lamar, was the next most awarded artist whose five wins included awards from the rap categories. For those who didn’t go home with a Grammy in hand, it was an honor to be nominated, which clearly indicates how worthy and impactful their music was and still is in many lives.

  • What High Schoolers Are Really Wearing

    What High Schoolers Are Really Wearing

    Often, the clothing that a typical high schooler chooses to wear is a broader statement of their personality. Being able to personify oneself nonverbally is ideal for the antisocial community of teenagers that overwhelms a school campus. Thrifting has always been an extremely popular way to obtain fashionable clothing for Long Beach Poly kids. Being a student here myself, I can certainly say that about 70% of my closet is thrifted, consignment, or handed down to me. But whether the clothes were $2 or $200, what matters is the person wearing it. Are they comfortable? Do they approve of themselves? Do they care what other people think? Are they dressing that way for someone other than themselves?

    The featured kids above are a few members of the eclectic group of students at Poly high school. On the far left is senior, Clara Donovan, wearing a thrifted floor length floral dress with a black cardigan to cover up from the cold breeze that mocks the 80 degree winter weather we are having.  “Yeah! I look good today!” she exclaimed when I told her she’d be in the newspaper for a fashion article. Clara epitomizes the eclectic, unique teenager that Poly is known for.

    In the center photo, is Scott Volland, a PACE visionary, known for his classic and preppy style he skillfully exhibits everyday. Volland’s Fit of the Day contains a light knit sweater over a button up, collared shirt and beige corduroy pants concluded with some slip on shoes and a modish scarf.

    And finally, on the far right is the girls water polo player, Darby Huff who excitedly said, “Oh! Cool! It’ll be in the newspaper” in regards to my photographing her outfit. Huff is truly a woman of the water, and it’s shown in her notorious Hawaiian shirt, “finest pair of mom jeans you have ever seen,” and faded vans. Huff stated that she actually “got my shirt  in Greece during my month long club water polo trip. I was at a bar with my teammates and there was a band playing and some girl took her shirt off and threw it but it didn’t make it to the stage–only into my hands! I tried to give it back, but I couldn’t find her, so I just kept it!”

    Overall, these kiddos have a keen eye for fashion and know exactly how to style themselves.  In this modern age for recklessness through style, these are a few of the  special ones.

  • Interested in a Fashion Career?

    If you’re interested in pursuing a career in fashion or makeup check out this internship. The internship is called Freedom and Fashion and there are different programs you can join. Freedom and Fashion offers a fashion mentorship program that allows you to create your own fashion line. The program teaches important skills like leadership, self image, and the ability to make different decisions. At the end of the program they host the Freedom and Fashion Annual Fashion Show. the show displays the student’s hard work and achievements.

    They also offer the Freedom and Fashion Beauty Mentorship Program. In the program they don’t just teach beauty skills They teach self value, inner beauty, and the power of self expression. The students in this program leave with knowledge of the beauty industry and the experience needed. At the end of the program they provide students with on set experience with the Freedom and Fashion Pro Studio Day. They partner with professional photographers and a high end studio. Students are able to leave with professional photos to start their portfolio.

    Another program they offer is Freedom and Fashion Stylist Experience. Students have the opportunity to partner with professional stylist that mentor and teach the students new ways to communicate through fashion.

  • A Catwalk Dedicated to the Runway

    From September 26 to October 3, 2017, high end designers and brand names are showcasing their collection for the upcoming seasons. This is the week that has the potential to make or break a designers career. But often, the most critical fashion of the week is streetwear. Fashion photographer Phil Oh is world renowned for his striking street style photos for capturing the effortless lifestyle of a model.

    Off-White’s high-heeled boots covered in clear plastic. A modern day Diana is perfectly captured through Abloh’s chic catwalk design. Photo courtesy of Google Photos.

    Virgil Abloh, French designer of the Off-White Spring/Summer 2018 collection, revealed his inspiration for this season was the iconic Princess of Wales, Diana. Marking her 20 year anniversary of passing, he searched through the archives to surround the whole collection based off the personality of such a resilient woman. Abloh closely examined key moments in her life and captured them through his designs.

    Anthony Vaccarello, French designer behind Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Spring 2018 collection, captivated Saint Laurent’s life from the beginning of his Moroccan garden to his self-named, unique, and individualistic brand. The show had such a large audience, some attendees were forced to stand in observation.

    Many spectators of the YSL show marveled in the glistening sparkles of the Eiffel Tower’s evening lights in the background, as well as the contemporary pieces of fashion featured in front of the monument.

    There were five cliques (or featured collection groups) throughout the YSL show. Opening up, was The Nouveau Bohemians. The Softboys, Victorian Bad Girls, Vixens, and Couture Clients With a Penchant for Clubbing continued thereafter. Closing the show were the Women With Drivers. Each portion represented the growth and surroundings Laurent experienced leading up to his designs that eventually took over the fashion world one thread at a time.

    As the hectic week came to a close, all the French designers had successfully accomplished yet another Fashion Week.