Ahh, nothing like forthcoming finals to make you remember that your skin is not invincible. The stress, lack of sleep and crappy food can all add up to a big, ruddy mess on your face. But I’ve devised a face makeup routine that will totally cover those purple bags, dull skin, and any blemishes you may have acquired. All it takes is a little careful coverage.
3. Starting from the middle of your face, use a Beauty Blender sponge to apply the foundation. Use a dabbing motion, and utilize the sponge’s tiny tip to target areas that get ruddy easily: your nostrils, in between your eyebrows and right below your mouth.
4. Use that same tip to apply the foundation under the eyes, making sure to get as close to the lower lash line as possible.
5. Blend the foundation into the neck so that you have even color all over.
6. Use a concealer/brightener duo, like Benefit Boi-ing Eyebright Compact. Start with the concealer, applying it under the eyes in a triangular shape down your face. Make sure to blend well!
7. Dab the brightener part of the duo in the inner and outer corners of your eyes, blending upward into your brow bone. This makes the eyes look lifted and less tired.
In the wake of news that Sarah Jessica Parker has grown an extra bone in her foot from her many years of towering Manolos, sneakers have never looked better. And while, yes, I’m forever grateful for the fashion inspiration that Miss Carrie Bradshaw’s feet have provided, it’s time for me to move on. Thankfully, the fashion world seems to be in agreement. From sneaker wedges to snakeskin sneaks and even straight-up tennis shoes, the Spring and Fall 2014 runways were the stomping grounds of all kinds of comfy kicks. Best of all: you better believe this is one trend you can find at a reasonable price.
Classic High Tops
I spend a lot of time at my college’s art school, which is where I spy all kinds of below-the-radar trends about a month before they hit it big. Lately, it’s been white high top Converse. They’re so fresh and perfect for spring, and go with absolutely everything you own. If you’re feeling like going a little bolder, I’m loving rose gold and studded options. You can even DIY the latter.
(All shoes by Converse)
Vibrant Sneaker Wedges
It’s like the gods wanted us to go out in our favorite pair of gym tennies and still feel sexy, so they popped a comfy wedge heel on there for good measure. This style has been around for a season or two, but designers like Tommy Hilfiger revamped it with bright shades and color block patterns. I dare you to not steal the spotlight in these puppies.
(Shoes by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Puma, and Ash)
Tennies with a Twist
When Cara Delevigne walked the Fall 2014 Chanel catwalk – designed to look like a grocery store – in tweed athletic sneakers, I almost laughed. Ten years ago, designers would have thought it was the frumpiest thing ever. Today, we know that Karl just has our backs. Sport your Nikes, Adidas, or Reeboks with whatever. Just make sure they’re in crazy colors or in a thrilling new material.
(Shoes by Jeremy Scott for Adidas, Kenzo, and Nike)
Flatform Kicks
Alright, we’ve seen the flatform on everything now, especially sandals. But it’s so insanely punk rock on sneakers. You’ll give yourself some height and lengthen your legs, but won’t feel a smidge of aching. Here, take a break from the brights; this look is too cool to wear in anything but black or metallic.
Maddie Zerkel is one member of the duo behind the fashion blog, Athens Street Style, and is also a budding artist studying textile design at The University of Georgia. She’s one of those girls who can channel her inner spirit outfit effortlessly – mixing and matching playfully and adding details that give her outfit special personality. We’ve found she also happens to be a great resource for inspiration, and we’re happy to share some of her favorite things with you! Also, don’t forget to scroll down to hear some of Maddie’s favorite tunes from her playlist, made especially for Vinyl Mag.
How do you approach dress (Is there a method to your madness)?
I look at getting dressed every morning as a way to make myself feel happy. I don’t really care for the current trends or how certain groups of people dress. I choose the clothes that make me feel the most excited and go from there. Generally, I try to throw together as many patterns as I can. I love me a good pattern.
Do you have an article of clothing or jewelry with a special story attached?
I treat all of my articles of clothing like they are my best friends, so naturally, each comes with special stories, memories, and food stains. The necklaces that I am wearing are some of my current favorites. My tiny heart pendant says “balls to the wall,” and I wear it every day as a self-help reminder to work as hard as I can and that I only live once. The other long, landscape-esque necklace is designed by one of my favorite jewelry grads at Lamar Dodd (His name is Cameron Lyden– dude makes some seriously beautiful enamel jewelry).
Who are some of your fashion icons?
Fashion is such a strange beast. I approach fashion as a very personal thing, and I rarely look at others and base my wardrobe off of them. Anybody that I do view as “iconic” is someone who has a very profound sense of self and that looks very comfortable and at one with what he or she wears. It sounds so corny, but I really just love weirdos and eccentrics.
How about other people who inspire you?
The amount of people that inspire me are innumerable. I look up to my friends and peers tremendously, and I learn and gain insight from every person that I interact with on a day to day basis. I have a wall in my apartment where I keep pictures of the people that inspire me the most (I call it my Inspirational People Wall– I highly recommend. Every day, my wall inspires me to be a better person). Kiki Smith, Ai Wei Wei, Sufjan Stevens, Tavi Gevinson, Tina Fey, Scott and Seth Avett, my Dad, Allison Shulnik, Cindy Sherman, Iris Apfel, my professor Junichi, Herb and Dorothy, Bri Emery, Steve Martin, Steve Harvey, Colbert, Peggy from Mad Men, Sonia “The Black Widow” Thomas (the competitive eater), Annie Clark, Jenna Lyons, my cat, etc. etc. I could list off hundreds of people, but these are all I can think of off the top of my head.
Street Style Profile Playlist: Maddie Zerkel
1. Do My Thang – Miley Cyrus
I cannot help it, you guys. I’m hopelessly attracted to the music of Miley Cyrus.
2. Rhythm of Devotion – Sisyphus
I fan girl hard over Sufjan Stevens. Sisyphus is his new very anxious and delightfully strange rap album.
3. Trust In Me – Etta James
Etta James is my go-to sad girl music. It will instantly make me feel better.
4. On and Ever Onward – Dirty Projectors and Bjork
My go-to “i’m feeling weird” music.
5. Anonanimal – Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is my home music. Whenever I hear his voice, I immediately travel to a place of calm and comfort.
6. So Far Away – Carole King
Carole King’s tapestry is my favorite album of all time. My aunt gave it to me for my birthday when I was twelve, and I cannot find any flaws in Carole’s music
7. Sleeping Dogs – Madeline
I attended a Madeline Concert at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens last year. Her voice is magically pure, and her lyrics are beautifully sad. I am very excited because she is coming to the 40 Watt this spring!
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*All photos taken by Emily McBride at the Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, TX at SXSW 2014.
What’s up? We’re Diarrhea Planet, and we just woke up!!
It was the final day of South by Southwest, and the guys from Diarrhea Planet were taking the stage as I was waiting outside the gates of Austin’s Historic Scoot Inn. It was a rainy Saturday with an uncharacteristically long wait time for an early afternoon showcase. The line swelled with anxious concertgoers recovering from the night before as skateboard-wielding kids leaned against the chain link fence eagerly anticipating the impending shredfest. It has become a Vinyl Mag tradition to spend the last day of the festival with Diarrhea Planet. Last year, we literally bumped into them on the street before their final showcase at the Jackalope, which to this day remains one of my top five favorite shows of all time. I honestly can’t think of a better way to close out that epic week of music than to be drenched in sweat at the end of one of their sets.
The dudes were three songs in when I finally entered the yard, so I hustled to the bar, grabbed a Lone Star (you know, nothin’ snooty), and jumped over mud puddles to get closer to the action. I came in midway through “Lite Dream,” the first track off I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, as frontman Jordan knelt perched on the speaker platform at the front of the stage like a gargoyle – tongue out with each note of the solo seemingly pouring down from his open mouth past his fingertips before landing precisely on the fretboard. He was later joined on the platform by guitarists Brent, Evan, and Emmett, where back to back they formed a four-headed monster, aiming their guitars at the sky as if in tribute to the gods before turning them on the audience like AK’s of shred. Simply put, these guys play with impassioned stage presence and waste no time getting after it.
Meanwhile, Mike seems content to lurk in the shadows while chugging out underrated bass lines as drummer Casey powers the band with unrivaled heaviness in his sticks. Evan and Emmett sway back and forth periodically in choreographed fashion, with Evan sarcastically miming wiping sweat off of his forehead – a signature move that displays the band’s sense of humor. Crowd interaction is also a major component of Diarrhea Planet’s now legendary live shows. During their infectiously energizing performance, they awarded the first eight crowd surfers a free t-shirt that read “Diarrhea is the new F**k” – further displaying how seriously these guys take themselves. At one point, Evan had a girl photographer climb on top of his shoulders before parading her through the crowd while effortlessly fulfilling his guitar duties.
They roared through the remainder of their set, playing a nice mix of old and new. Two weeks later, I had the chance to see them again at New Earth Music Hall in Athens, Georgia when they were back to make up for a van-induced cancellation earlier in the year. They took the stage after midnight, sincerely apologizing for missing their previous date, and filled the room with over an hour of the catchy ear-ringing, shred-driven skate punk they do better than anyone.
As they broke down their gear after each one of these shows, it was clear that everyone was impressed with what they had just seen. Too many bands these days look like they’re just phoning it in – dialing up impossible to reproduce melodies and licks from their studio sessions in an effort to earn gas money to get from this city to the next. Diarrhea Planet is a rarity – their live show is actually better than any of their records, which is the highest compliment I can give a band. When they finish their set, you can be absolutely sure of one thing: these guys are having a blast.
After all, live shows are supposed to be a good time, and this seems to be the one thing Diarrhea Planet truly takes seriously. And for that, we should all be grateful.
Summer’s here, and open toe shoes are out on the sidewalks again, which means one thing for me: time to frantically buff all of the winter scales off of my feet and choose my first toenail polish of the season. But there are so many sassy shoe trends on the horizon, and picking a cohesive shade can be tough. I dug through the newest shoe and nail trends to bring you your newest look – from the ankle down, that is.
Earthy Gladiators + Subtle Shimmer
This season’s gladiator is dramatic and to the knee, so don’t let your polish compete. Choose a nude with a teensy bit of shimmer so things don’t get dull down there.
(Via Spiga sandal and Butter London Nail Lacquer in Boho Rock)
Black Mules + Deep Shimmery Blue
Blue polish this spring has hints of green that make the shade entirely dimensional. It’ll kick your mules up a notch, but keep the look entirely moody.
(Maison Martin Margiela mules and Marc Jacobs Nail Lacquer in Sally)
Color Blocked Low Heel Sandals + Latte
Latte is THE nude right now, and the perfect partner for thick-strapped, low heel sandals in a multitude of tones. No foot ache and less noticeable chipping? Count me in.
(Kenzo sandal and OPI Nail Lacquer in Barefoot in Barcelona)
Dark Strappy Sandals + Classic Red
The strappy sandal is currently a little goth, with snakeskin elements and the style of a bootie. Avoid going too Vampira by sticking with a classic cherry red on your tootsies.
(Gucci bootie and Essie Nail Lacquer in Hip-Anema)
Metallic Pumps + Clean White
Ahh, Calvin Klein would be proud. This look is all about clean minimalism – we’re talking everyday pumps in bold silver with oh-so-easy white toenails.
(Oscar de la Renta pump and Ciate Paint Pot in Snow Virgin)
I think it’ll be a long time, if ever, that I forget the day Alexander McQueen died. It was the winter of 2010, and I had only recently had a massive revelation: fashion is art. McQueen was the first designer to prove this to me, with his textural, chaotic, avant-garde creations, and I was excited to see the works he would create in the future. Though his suicide was tragic and cut that excitement short momentarily, it eventually forced me to look further, for other designers that were doing something a bit more creative than ready-to-wear.
Admittedly, my inspiration for this article occurred while I was scouring Pinterest. After typing “avant-garde fashion” into the search bar, I noticed two things. First, that seeing these wearable pieces of art all at once, in collage form, was almost too much for me. My fashion brain and art brain collided with enthusiasm, and my palms began to sweat while my breathing became shallower. Second, an atypical amount of users posting these pictures did so to make fun of the “outfits”, if you could call them that. “Who would ever wear something like this?” the posters would write. Well, I’m responding in defense of avant-garde designers.
Take one look at the fashion shows of some of my favorites, Alexander McQueen, Iris van Herpen, and Hussein Chalayan, and you’ll notice immediately that most of their pieces look quite… well, uncomfortable. All three have dressed Lady Gaga, an artist known for her fearless fashion at all costs, no matter the inconvenience. Watch as Gaga waddles around in sky-high McQueen heels, pokes herself constantly in a metallic van Herpen look, and attempts to remain somewhat clothed in a Chalayan bubble “dress”.
My point here? These looks aren’t intended to be worn by the everyday person. When you see a Commes des Garcons dress that’s quite reminiscent of bondage, refrain from laughing. Instead, eye it like you would a Pollock: it’s unconventional, revolutionary, and absolutely, undeniably, art.
Avant-garde fashion reminds me a lot of the art history courses I’ve taken. During my first class, many things I saw seemed ridiculous, even laughable, especially during modern sections. Today, several courses in, nothing fazes me. I’ve seen artists that paint with their menstrual blood, for God’s sake. The same is true here. The more of these daring fashion shows you watch, the less you’ll laugh. More and more, you’ll appreciate seeing what the human body can carry and the ways in which these designers can almost defy gravity. The aforementioned Iris van Herpen created looks in 2011 that appear as if the models are just a second from being soaked by water. Blink a few times, and you’ll see that van Herpen is truly a sculptor, molding plastic into water believably and flawlessly. At Commes des Garcons one season, several models walked out looking as if they were being groped. Instead, filled gloves were attached to their ensembles to create a stunning illusion.
Fashion isn’t just for Paris Hilton types. It’s for the dreamers, the believers, the artists. Avant-garde pieces make you think like a Jeff Koons or an Ai Weiwei work would, but they challenge the human form to walk, breathe, and live in them, if only for a few minutes on the runway. They’re not something you walk away from seeking to buy and wear; instead, you walk away inspired.
“Likes to watch me in the glass room bathroom, Chateau Marmont
Slippin’ on my red dress, puttin’ on my makeup
Glass film, perfume, cognac, lilac
Fumes, says it feels like heaven to him.”
–“Off To The Races” by Lana Del Rey, Born To Die
Lana Del Rey’s lyrics ooze with old Hollywood glamour, overt sexuality, and a taste for all things that sparkle and shimmer. This week for Style Steal, we channeled our inner goddess and emulated the fashion icon that is Lana Del Rey.
Born Elizabeth Woodridge Grant, Lana Del Rey broke into the world spotlight with her album Born to Die in 2012. With it, she brought a sense of fashion that was both reminiscent and risk-taking. From classic red-carpet-ready gowns to daring statements, Del Rey is a self-described “gangster Nancy Sinatra” and in an interview with Vogue remarked, “Fashion is inspired by youth and nostalgia and draws inspiration from the best of the past.”
This first outfit was inspired by the music video for “Born to Die.” The long white dress we used was a slip that belonged to my grandmother, but one just like it can be found at any lingerie store. The flower crown here was made by Danielle, the model, but instructions for a DIY flower crown can be found at blog.birchbox.com.
In honor of summer being just around the next corner, we used this gorgeous one-piece leopard bathing suit from Victoria’s Secret for our next look. Paired with a black floppy hat and retro shades, both from American Threads, this look channels the fearless fashion of our lady Lana.
This outfit was inspired by the music video for “Ride.” We loved the way Lana canoodled with bikers and rocked the converse/white tee look. We paired an old cut-up Bruce Springsteen tee from Goodwill with high waisted jean shorts from NastyGal.com. The black converse and RayBan Clubmasters polished off the look. But our favorite part of this outfit was definitely the faux leather red fringe jacket I found at a vintage store in Baker City, Oregon. While you probably won’t be able to find this exact one, we found a bunch of awesome ones on eBay and Polyvore.com.
For this last look, Kate Welsh perfected the old Hollywood glamour look with dark eye makeup , but a messy middle part to keep it modern. The shirt is a classic Lana look—a Peter Pan collar button up shirt from a local Athens, Ga., clothing store, Fabrik. Against an American flag backdrop she looks, well, in the words of Lana herself, “never was there ever a girl so pretty.”
Vinyl is not a fad. As much as corporations like Best Buy and Hot Topic would love to stand on the ashes of independent record stores and capitalize on vinyl’s apparent trendiness, the reassuring truth remains that black wax is not just what’s “in.” Over half a century of existence solidifies the LP’s purpose as beyond whimsical. That amount of time sends words like “cool” and “hip” sliding into the drains to describe things like skinny jeans and thick-rimmed glasses. So take heart. Don’t be convinced that records are just 12×12 squares to throw in the corner and point to when the conversation dulls. Vinyl is much more than that.
Vinyl is a perpetual treasure hunt. Our love of looting isn’t contained to gathering stars in Mario or searching treasure chests in Skyrim. It’s thumbing through stacks and stacks and stacks and — sweet Lord — they have this one. You scan your periphery to see if anyone has noticed and might ambush you on the way to the cashier, because, God knows, this is the holy grail of records. And then a new holy grail climbs atop the pedestal. It could be waiting up there for months, or years even. Because vinyl can’t be downloaded or torrented. It’s acquired by searching shops, attics, flea markets, boxes and basements. Not by searching Google.
Vinyl is a commitment. A commitment to part ways with 15 to 30 dollars of that legal tender for which we spend the majority of our day slaving away. There’s not much in the way of music that our generation feels obligated to pay for these days. A subconscious notion exists that our abundant concert ticket purchases, festival attendances and free advertisement on our t-shirts allows us to supplement ourselves with free music. We will buy records though. But vinyl can be like Russian roulette. Sometimes we pull the trigger before we even know if we’ll like the album. Usually we do. Or sometimes our brains get splattered all over the turntable as Make Believe plays from the speakers…
Vinyl is a commitment. A commitment to the idea that a band has siphoned every last drop of their creative energy and watched it solidify into an album. An album. A collection of songs. Not a playlist. The idea is almost lost on us today as we press shuffle on our ipods and drop 99 cents for the only song we actually wanted to hear. Sit down for a few minutes. Follow one single instrument. Interpret the lyrics your own way. Have an actual conversation with someone about the music instead of filling the silent voids with Netflix and Xbox. There’s a reason albums similar to Dark Side of the Moon don’t exist these days. We don’t have the patience for them anymore.
Vinyl is an opportunity for education and enlightenment. The enlightenment is not gained just through purchase or acquisition — only the opportunity. Vinyl is a library in your home. And, as with any library, there’s nothing against recreational use and exploration. Records can be used to stumble and tumble down analog hills into valleys of genres we never knew existed. It can send us back in time and allow us to — gasp — relate to our parents. Or it can send you to the outskirts where the line between music and noise is blurry. And guess what? You get to decide what side of the line to stand on.
There are so many little things that vinyl is. Pulling lent from the needle. Alphabetizing your stack and, as time passes, your shelves. It’s cringing when your friend tosses Zeppelin IV carelessly to the side and drops the needle like an anvil on the next selection. It’s anticipating that spot in the song where you know the record skips. But there’s one thing exceedingly more important than the rest, and it may be the concept we are least aware of.
Vinyl is not a battle between analog and digital. It is a battle between physical and digital. And it’s a battle that has been waged on all aspects of our lives as we cloak ourselves in today’s modern technology. Everything physical is slowly withering and morphing into combinations of ones and zeros. The pages of books. The ones that used to get stuck together when we tried to flip them. Now we flip them with a swipe of our finger. Phone calls where two human voices bounced between satellites have become text. Print media is a novelty. Our money exists only as arbitrary numbers in some account that has no actual location. The trend is evident, and music has not been spared. Compact discs have been deemed dead technology -drowned by MP3 files. Music today is double-clicks on HD screens. No continuity. No concept.
But vinyl is not only durable physically, but metaphorically as well. And I believe we love it for all the reasons stated above; but above all else, we love it because it is tangible. We can hold it. We can watch it spin on the turntable and be hypnotized by it. We can observe the album art, feel the weight of the wax and know that it’s real. It’s a miniscule piece of the collective musical archive in this world, but still a piece. It’s one thing that hasn’t been consumed by technology and the digital age in which we so obliviously thrive. Vinyl gives an artist something real in return for the very real time they have committed to their craft- which must be much more rewarding than being granted 12 digital files on iTunes. Vinyl is dusty. Scratched. F*cking old. But it’s something that can be held in our hands and only works properly when spinning at 33 revolutions per minute. And that’s much more than a fad.
I like to think of my bright lipsticks, dramatic liner and eye-catching shadows as my style accessories. And my Little Black Dress? Flawless skin. Unfortunately, obtaining it is easier said than done, but after nearly a decade of oily, acne-ridden skin and about a million products, I think I may have found the secret recipe. It’s all about a combination of prevention and covering up with products that won’t make the problem worse. And though this regimen won’t work for everyone, I tend to think that if it works for me, it can work for almost anyone.
Step 1: Prevention
1. Wash your face with an oil cleanser twice daily. Yup, oil. It’ll sooth dry skin, of course, but also help prevent acne. This is because when the skin is dry, it overcompensates by producing more oil than necessary. Using an oil wash will bring your skin back to its equilibrium. I’m a fan of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.
2. Apply a salicylic acid cream like Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer. If you have combination skin, just apply to your T-Zone.
3. Morning: finish with an SPF 30+ sunscreen, but make sure it’s oil-free. I’m obsessed with Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion.
Night: It’s never too early to start thinking about anti-aging. I love moisturizing, anti-aging serums like Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector.
Step 2: Covering Up
1. Apply a liquid foundation in your shade, starting from the T-zone and blending outward with a Beauty Blender sponge. Try Revlon PhotoReady Foundation, and find your shade by matching it to your jawline rather than the back of your hand.
2. Pat concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes. Almay Smart Shade CC Concealer and Brightener does double duty.
3. Finish by brushing a sheer layer of bareMinerals Matte Foundation over the T-zone, and spot-pat it onto blemishes to fully cover up.
4. Add blush, bronzer and/or highlighter of your choice to accent your flawless skin. I prefer cream or mousse formulas for a more natural look.
I’m sick of drawing fashion inspiration from movies and TV. It’s just too easy! Watch your favorite show, choose a clothing item you like, look it up, and BAM! It’s in your closet in a few days, and suddenly you’re Hannah Horvath. As is probably obvious, I’m more into the written word and the imagination that accompanies it. So when I’m envisioning the style of some of my favorite characters from novels, I know their sense of fashion has a touch of mine in it as well. Be inspired by my three favorite fictional fashionistas below – trust me, their style definitely thickens the plot.
Lady Brett Ashley, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
“Brett was damned good-looking. She wore a slipover jersey sweater and a tweed skirt, and her hair was brushed back like a boy’s. She started all that. She was built with curves like the hull of a roaring yacht, and you missed none of it with that wool jersey.”
(Missoni skirt, Chanel jacket, Brooks Brothers hat, Accessorize Necklace, and Iro Staccia boots)
Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face… then the glow faded, each light deserting her with lingering regret, like children leaving a pleasant street at dusk.”
(Proenza Schouler skirt, Tibi top, Cocktails in Celebration headband, Paul Andrew shoes)
Sybill Trelawney, Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
“…the doors of the Great Hall opened again. It was Professor Trelawney, gliding towards them as though on wheels. She had put on a green sequined dress in honor of the occasion, making her look more than ever like a glittering, oversize dragonfly.”
(Jean Paul Gaultier skirt, Oscar de la Renta top, Chesca shawl, Betsey Johnson boots, Dolce & Gabbana clutch)
(Maison Martin Margiela mules and Marc Jacobs Nail Lacquer in Sally)
(Kenzo sandal and OPI Nail Lacquer in Barefoot in Barcelona)
(Gucci bootie and Essie Nail Lacquer in Hip-Anema)
(Oscar de la Renta pump and Ciate Paint Pot in Snow Virgin)
2. Apply a salicylic acid cream like Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer. If you have combination skin, just apply to your T-Zone.
