MODA Lookbook Episode 12: Grad Bag

Welcome to Episode 12 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more Lookbooks coming soon~!

It’s been a long four years.

I used to joke about how difficult I imagined university to be as a high schooler, but I suppose I underestimated how intense the past four years would be, granted that almost half of that time was spent within the confines of a global pandemic. And yet, sitting her writing the lead-up to this shoot, I can’t help but reflect on these past years beyond the immense struggle of our lost year.

I started on the blog at the end of my first year, though admittedly, I didn’t post until the beginning of my second. I wasn’t sure exactly where my place was within this system and though I talked myself up all through the application process, I couldn’t hit save on any of the drafts I put together. Jessica (our featured model for this shoot) was one of my biggest inspirations to keep up with the blog, having featured her in my very first quad style (remember when those were a thing???). Her constant efforts to be collaborative, creative and of course, full of spirit to this day stands as an early blueprint to what has become MODA Blog’s Lookbook series.

So when the blog was approached to showcase five new season Coach bags, I knew exactly who I wanted to work with.

As a graduating senior, something that’s been on my mind is our personal transition into a a new set of expectations, alongside a kind of letting go to our previous selves. I think in the early stages of planning for this shoot, I had proposed the idea of a kind of quad style throwback, but that quickly evolved into more of a speculative retrospective. Thanks to Coach, this shoot quickly became a chance for Jessica and I to try on five new personas through the American Brand’s spring offerings before the clock strikes midnight on our senior spring.

So thank you for sticking with us for this long, the shoot really does summarize my time with the blog quite well and I hope you all enjoy!

Click on pictures to enlarge and head on over to Coach using our affiliate link

Hyde Pack: For an on-the-go style, Coach’s Track Pack is a great option. Large enough to fit essentials, but compact enough for ease of travel, and in a wide range of colors and styles for all students’ preferences.

Money Mooves: Style your track pack with monochromatic staples and more eccentric accessories to capture the bags minimalist shape and vibrant pops of yellow.

Hare-Raising Beauty: For a playful feminine look, we’ve styled Coach’s Georgie Shoulder Bag in confetti pink with a varsity inspired fit.

Tote-al star. A great carry-all for daytime occasions, Coach’s Horse and Carriage Tote is perfect for any student with a lot on their plate.

Cart’s out of the bag: For a vintage touch to a more eclectic look, the Georgie Bag in denim done in Coach’s iconic monogram is a wonderful companion for any daytime shopping adventure.

Baguettes and Butter: The compact size also makes the Georgie a great night bag, even if that means a late night snack.

Black and Yellow: For a pop of color on a monochromatic look, the Saddle Bag in Yellow works great day or nigh.

Screen Queen: Complement the bag’s vibrant hue with gold, heavy jewelry for a tougher take on this classic bag.

Cast and Crew:

Director and Photographer: Andrew Chang

Model: Jessica Choe

Stylists: Andrew Chang, Jessica Choe

Bags provided by Coach

MODA Lookbook Episode 11: It's a Fine, Fine Line

 

Welcome to Episode 11 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more Lookbooks coming soon~!

I love Makeup.

In a very unexpected turn of events, makeup was what I turned to as a form of solace during the pandemic. There was something about completely changing my appearance that gave me permission to become an entirely new persona, which I suppose in many ways, aligns with my ethos on fashion.

I enjoy being who I am, and I enjoy giving myself the freedom to expand my understanding of myself through my self presentation. Fashion, makeup, all of that good stuff is my preferred form of self discovery I suppose. Furthermore, MODA blog has always been a kind of playground to me, a kind of space where the limitations of normative society are kind of lifted momentarily, where I can exist in a world with novel rules and expectations, in many ways it’s like putting on a persona like in a Video game or a play, and I think after spending so much time in such a high-intensity academic institution, the opportunity for play became all the more exciting.

For the 11th(!) Lookbook, I wanted to take advantage of the blog’s playground-like nature to engage with my new hobby in a more profound way. I set out to explore the kind of contemporary discourse on makeup as it relates to male-identified individuals, more so with the intention of exploring what stopped me from wearing makeup for so many years. In a lot of ways, I think that knowing that nobody would see me for a while liberated me from the expectation of appearing palatable to a wider audience, spurring my love for makeup, and while I enjoy the freedom, I can’t help but wonder why that limit existed in my mind in the first place.

What got in the way of my wearing makeup?

Though I’m generally comfortable in resisting any dated notions of masculinity, I can’t help but think that my fear to adorn my face with lines and colors was a byproduct of being looked down upon. Like many young men, I was told that makeup was solely worn by women, and while I admired the artistry of the makeup-adorned women in my life, when I made the effort, it was suddenly some kind of indicator that I was at best silly and at worst, a “sissy*” (*redacted buy i’m sure. you can guess what was truly said here).

In what seems to be a combination of aesthetic deep dive and visually appealing act of resistance, this Lookbook presents six tableaus of men in makeup, more than anything with the aim to confidently add to a once quiet, and now burgeoning space. At the end of the day, I’ve always said that makeup is designed to be removable, and it doesn’t have to be something that everyone engages with, and yet at the same time, I’m a great advocate for seeing its short lived nature as a sign that its an object of play, and therefore should not be perceived as any kind of indicator of something ulterior.

Makeup is Makeup.

and I Love Makeup.

Note that this shoot was conducted outdoors and all cast and crew were properly tested prior to shoot. The team kept masks on during the entirety of the session. Models masks were only removed for final photographs.

Eye of the Tiger: In a modified cat eye with extended Inner corner, model JR mixes a contemporary eye look with roots in punk and rock icons. JR wears Nyx Matte Liquid Liner Vegan Long Lasting Black Eyeliner.

 

Eye do: Model Jesse Santana’s extended outer corner updates the classic cat-eye. Jesse wears Nyx Matte Liquid Liner Vegan Long Lasting Black Eyeliner.

New Rules: JR shines bright in a highlight-intensive look. On eyes: Juvia’s Place The Nubian 2 Palette. On face, Juvia’s Place The Nubian Highlighter in Nefertiti.

Wave Finder: Brilliant Blue liner frames Jesse’s eyes as an alternative to traditional black liner. On eyes: Nyx Epic Wear Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner in Sapphire. On Face, Milani Rose Powder Blush in Tea Rose.

Read Between the Lines:: In a more abstract look. Jesse channels minimalistic one-line portraits popularized by Picasso with Nyx Matte Liquid Liner Vegan Long Lasting Black Eyeliner.

 

Hook, Line and Sinker: Expanding past the eyes, JR adopts a more artistic approach to eyeliner, courtesy of guest makeup artist David Naples. On face Nyx Epic Wear Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner in White.

Gone Offline: Illustration and featured animation by Andrew Chang

Bee Line: some fun bonus content for you guys for making it this far.

 

Cast and Crew:

Director + Photographer: Andrew Chang

Models: JR Ansera, Jesse Santana

Makeup + styling: Andrew Chang, David Naples

 

MODA Lookbook Episode 10: Glow-up Doll

Welcome to Episode 10 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

“If you are a muse, you just know somebody loves you, and they want you to be around because things start happening for them.

You wake them up, and you say, ‘Come on, look at this’.

…And they look at it…

…and they suddenly know what to do.”

These were the words of one legendary Muse - iconic American Model, Pat Cleveland, who famously inspired artists in the ranks of Halston, Andy Warhol, and Antonio Lopez. Just as the classicists may tell you, a muse is a near mythic being who somehow breathes life into the inanimate, who draws one’s eyes towards something and makes it special. This figure of the muse is one which has never faded from our cultural lexicon; they are constantly reborn, sustaining lifelong magical relationships with artists of all kinds.

I’ve been lucky enough to find myself face to face with muses across my time at University, many of whom you can find on this very blog. I can attest to their ability to change the train of my creative process, or influence the planning of something new. There is something there, in their esprit, in their love for what they do, that resonates with me and I’m sure with countless creatives out there. Muses capture an creative’s artistic point of view, but manipulates it to be something far more powerful than what it had originally been.

Though in this era of social distancing, and quarantine, it’s been trickier to come face to face with the muses in my life, and truthfully, I began to worry I would lose out on that kind of creative shot of adrenaline moving forward…until I met Brad.

Brad Maple is truly a one-of-a-kind bona fide star. An international model, having worked across the United States and Asia, with plans to move towards Europe after college, Maple has the kind of muse-appeal that you can find in those very special kinds of beauties. With piercing blue eyes and naturally yellow-toned lips, Brad absolutely stunned me with his unique look, and he was kind of enough to let me capture him through my own lens.

So for the 10th instalment of our Lookbook series, I bring to you Brad (The model) captured by Andrew (the photographer), in an exclusive photo-story and interview for MODA. Experience the shoot to find out all of Brad’s thoughts on fashion, modelling and how his career blew up! We hope you enjoy MODA Lookbook episode 10.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Gold Star: Brad Dazzles in vintage Yukata (Editor’s Own) and Chains from Vitaly, McQ and H&M,

Brad, can you tell our viewers a little bit about yourself? What do you do at the University? And maybe how you got started with modeling?

Hi, I’m Brad Maple. I’m a second year Public Policy major here at the University, I haven’t really joined any clubs yet, but I’ve always looked at MODA and thought, that might be fun to do. If I’m being honest, I’m not super interested in fashion, which I know my agents and all the people I work with are gonna hate me for saying, but I really do enjoy this whole modeling thing.

I was discovered in a Spencer’s in Philadelphia in the summer before my Junior year in high school. I was just leaning against a wall next to some Marvel tees, when this lady approached me and asked me if I had ever considered modeling. I told her ‘no’ and she asked me if I would ever consider it. She slipped me her card and when I showed my friends, they told me that it would probably just be a summer thing. It was totally not just a summer thing. I worked for the rest of high school, flying between New York, Philly and across Asia. My agency told me that when I hit 18, they could send me to do the fashion week cycle, but truthfully, I’m not too sure I could stand on my own two feet in that chaos, I’m getting lightheaded just thinking of it.

Plastic Fantastic: “I feel like people often see me as a kind of plaything or a doll, constantly subject so some game of dress up.” says Maple in H&M White button down and swimming trunks. (On left -Both Model’s own)

How do you find this whole double-life then?

Haha, it’s the best and the worst of both worlds I guess. No 16 year old could imagine being on camera for so long. I don’t even really have an instagram…I mean I have one, but I decided to keep it on private, and I only let close friends follow me. It’s weird sometimes when people come up to me and ask to take pics. I’m just a regular guy, I put my pants on one leg at a time and I float when I jump into a swimming pool, but these people sometimes treat me like I’m some kind of inhuman creature.

American Boy: Swimming in this 12-foot Pyer Moss for Reebok Scarf and beanie, Brad captures the spirit of today’s American Fashion scene.

Being as popular as you are, how do you find managing your fanbase? What are those interactions like?

When I see them in real life, they all say the same things- “I love you” or “you’re so hot”. Recently I’ve been getting a lot of “You’re shorter in real life” and like I think anyone would feel kind of weird hearing that, but like when a fan says it to you in tears, you kind of take it as a compliment. Sometimes I even get “re-scouted” by those shady Fake Agents who are looking to make a buck , and sometimes I play along, but other times I let ‘em know who I am. Fans can get kind of wild, but I always knew it would be part of the job I guess, and I think I wouldn’t have blown up had it not been for my fans.

Have you made it to TikTok yet?

I can hardly stand, man. Do you think I’d be much of a dancer?

Inflatable Influencer: “A lot of the time it’s just hype. Fashion, models, sometimes it all feels like we’re here one day and then gone another.” Muses Brad in H&M Button down and Jeans (Model’s own), SUPREME crewneck Sweater, Black Taak Beret and Air Jordan 1 ‘Shadow’ (Editor’s own)

“Fashion operates as a kind of masquerade. Nobody is who they are; everyone is someone else. I’m never who I say I am, every day I get to become someone new.”

Wrapped Up:

 

Have you had to do anything wild on set yet? What are some of the strangest things?

I’ve done some crazy shit. This one time, I did a shoot, and there was this other model, right, and they were dressed up as a carrot. The director gave me a pair of rabbit ears and made me chase the carrot around for the shot. Another time, I was doing like a catalogue, and the photographer just pulls out this maid’s uniform, and was like “why don’t you put this on?” Needless to say, the pictures didn’t make it to the catalogue, but they made for a pretty fun instagram post.

It’s weird sometimes. I feel like people often see me as a kind of plaything or a doll, constantly subject so some game of dress up. Today I’ll be a biker and tomorrow they’ll put me in a suit and make me act like James Bond, and on another set, I’m a rabbit, chasing around a carrot. All these people live inside of me that sometimes I forget who ‘Brad’ is. I used to like it, but now I think I’m ready to find that old Brad again. Fashion operates as a kind of masquerade. Nobody is who they are; everyone is someone else. I'm never who I say I am, every day I get to become someone new.

In the Limelight: “My own personal style is a mix of kind of streetwear and pretty basic staples. It’s nice when editors lean into that”. Brad wears RIPNDIP Hoodie and H&M Jeans (Model’s own) along with olive Bomber Coat from Gilda’s Designer Thrift Boutique (Editor’s own)

This shoot is all about you being a special kind of Muse, how would you say social media has changed the kind of ‘Musehood’ experienced by models today?

Thanks man, that means a lot. I don’t really like to think of myself as someone else’s muse, I just want to be Brad. Like, I enjoyed shooting with you just because we got to wear our own clothes, but you really did me dirty putting me in that wedding dress. Only for MODA I guess.

Right. With social media, it seems like the idea of a muse has become a lot more ubiquitous. There was this idea that a muse was a really lucky, kind of rare encounter. They would just fall into your lap at a casting or walking down the street, or I guess at a Spencer’s…but nowadays those encounters can totally happen digitally. And it’s super easy now, you don’t even have to leave your bed! Plus I heard brands hire people just to scout instagram looking for their next muse, that shit’s kind of crazy, but like it makes sense I guess. I don’t think it diminishes the “Musehood” of any person to now be able to access each other’s images at your fingertips, on that level, it makes sense to me. The weird part is that we have access to everyone’s pictures, or worse, that people’s next paycheque depends on what they post. That’s kind of fucked, but it might just be something that I’m afraid of.

Brad to Be: Celebrating a walk to remember, MODA Blog EIC Andrew Chang captures Brad as he’s never been seen before. On Brad: Custom Wedding gown. On Andrew: Soul of London sport coat and trousers, Converse Run Star Hike sneakers, Vitaly Chains and rings.

What advice would you give to anyone trying to pursue both their career and school at the same time?

I can only really speak for myself and different things work for different people. But something that I think can apply to a lot of people is to just know yourself. If you feel like you’re deflating, don’t be ashamed to take it easy. For a lot of us, capitalism is so deeply imbedded into our psychologies that we think that when we take a break, we’re being unproductive or we’re not valuable, and it really helped me to realize that my self-worth is not determined by how much money I make for someone else. It’s great if you enjoy your work and feel empowered from doing it, but you don’t have to feel great at work if that’s not what you define as success. If you feel like a boss when you come home and cook or when you log into League of Legends, that’s totally valid. Our lives don’t have to be defined by our contributions to an economy eh?

Cast and Crew:

Director + Photographer: Andrew Chang

Model: Brad Maple

Makeup + styling: Andrew Chang

MODA Lookbook Episode 9: Scream Queens

Welcome to Episode 9 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community.

TW: (Fake) blood, sharp objects

What’s your favorite scary movie?

The trope of the scream queen is a tale old as time, one we’ve all seen before during our horror movie binges. Bowl of popcorn clutched in hand, blankets draped over our bodies, we watch in spectral darkness as the female heroine lets out an ear-piercing scream. She runs to two places—outside, flailing her arms hoping that 

Somebody! Anybody!

Can hear her.

Or, she makes a mad dash to the bathroom-bedroom-attic-basement, locks herself inside, and hides. Maybe, in an act of quick thinking, she finds a weapon—she slices her finger on a razor-needle-scrapglass, she clutches a knife in her grip. 

Thump, thump, thump

Go the steps of the killer.

Though she might seem like a damsel in distress, most of the time she comes out on top by hitting her assailant right where it hurts, just enough to be able to drop her weapon and fall to the ground in exhaustion. Sometimes, she doesn’t. 

There’s something strange about her, though, that sets her apart from her peers. She’s just “pretty enough” to adhere to the so-called standards of beauty. Maybe she’s a little boring (at first) in comparison to her friends, timid and modest to their rowdy and  sexually liberated. Although directors in the likes of Wes Craven and John Carpenter broke through those stereotypes just a bit in their respective films, they still missed the mark in so many ways. Sure, these girls fight back. They’re badasses. Usually. But… 

Oh, did I mention she’s white? Straight? Cis?

How many slasher films can you think of starring people of color—BIPOC, at that—pre-21st century, and even now? What about the directors? What about without that sense of tokenism, without those tiresome and maddening tropes? First to die. Mythical. The best friend. The villain. The supporting character. What about queer people of color? 

In what regard are these scream queens memorable, aside from the occasional pop culture reference? 

And so, I challenged three models to take the tropes of the scream queen and not only subvert them, but make them unforgettable. Stylish. Modern. Better.

This shoot was completely self-styled by models Miles Franklin, Anna Kinlock, and Jo Blankson, from clothes, to hair, to makeup. It was captured and edited by my wonderful photographer,  co-director, and roommate Alex Jovel, a 3rd year FLI student from Alabama.

We hope you enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 9: Scream Queens!

Click photos to enlarge

For mobile, turn your phone to the side

Miles Franklin is a third year English major at the College, as well as an arts & culture writer and fashion collector. Here, they pay homage to Drew Barrymore’s character in the first Scream (1996) movie, Casey Becker.

White dress: Zara

Just Like The Movies: Miles pays homage to Drew Barrymore’s character in the first Scream movie, Casey Becker

Pink sweater: Vintage / Jeans: Levi

Hello? Who’s There?

Time to make an escape. Where’s Ghostface?

Nowhere to Run: Top & skirt from Pilsen Vintage

Anna Kinlock is a second year CRES and English major with a concentration in Germanic languages. In their free time they’re a board representative for ACSA, organizes with UCU, and can be found working as a wench in the stacks of the Reg. Here, you can find them fading in and out of dreams in the likes of Nancy Thompson from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

Drag Me Under: Anna’s look is a nod to the infamous bath tub scene in the slasher by Wes Craven

Slip: Vintage Victoria’s Secret / Robe: Thrifted / Tights: Beauty Supply / Jewelry: Oil diffuser necklace from Etsy

Razor Hands

Childhood Clutch: Earrings from Beauty Supply / Headband from @shimmeryds, a black-owned business in Hyde Park

Fighting Back: Rings thrifted

Jo Blanskon is a 3rd year Fundamentals major in the college with the question, “What is sexy?” Her dream job pre-COVID was to be a Harper barista; even then, she does improv with Off-Off Campus and stand up, along with NSP and her job as a research assistant. Here, she channels and subverts the innocent and studious Laurie Strode of Halloween (1978).

Jo honors the late 70’s girl next door Laurie Strode in a thrifted blue button down and Levi 501’s

Study Date For One, Or Two?

You Are Not Alone

Found Footage

It’s all in the details.

Okay, but seriously. What’s your favorite scary movie?

Miles: A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Anna: Jennifer’s Body.

Jo: Halloweentown & Ex Machina.

Alex: The Saw Franchise.

Nadaya: Scream. The first one, specifically.

Cast and Crew

Co-directors: Alex Jovel, Nadaya Davis

Models: Miles Franklin, Anna Kinlock, Jo Blankson

Makeup, Hair, & Styling: Miles Franklin, Anna Kinlock, Jo Blankson

Photography & Editing: Alex Jovel

A special thank you to Alex Jovel, my fellow co-director! Get to know Alex and check out his portfolio here

Note: This shoot was constructed carefully and thoughtfully, as it is partially indoors. Directors kept masks on at all times, and models when necessary, along with adhering to distance as much as possible. Participants are signed up for weekly COVID testing at the University.

MODA Lookbook Episode 8: Man at Sea

Welcome to Episode 8 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

Autumn seems to have come out of nowhere, and I’m sure many of you are feeling the same way that I’m currently feeling - this is certainly not a fall quarter we ever expected. Especially relative to Lookbooks, I think I never would have expected at this point last year that we’d be forced to limit the number of bodies on set, or keep our distance as models move in and out of looks. And yet, despite all the confusion, and all the chaos, we’ve arrived here, at Lookbook Episode 8, almost a full year after our first ever Lookbook, and my how the world has changed.

Like many of my shoots, the idea for this one came while I was on a run along Lake Michigan, where we shot the story. Sailors were floating across my mind seeing that endless expanse across the horizon, and I guess I kept thinking that while imaginary ships sailed their course, I was relegated to watching it all happen from the shore.

I don’t doubt that these recurring runs along the lake became my opportunity to refashion my isolation into something more romantic, but I’m also a firm believer that the isolation made me yearn for the creative outlet that only MODA Blog could offer me. The runs along the lake, the flights of fancy, the swashbuckling stories unfolding across Lake Michigan, amidst everything going on, it was a way for me to cope with my personal anxieties regarding isolation. I wanted some way to escape the pressure of facing hardship after hardship.

In several essays on Fashion, including excerpts from his penultimate fashion text: The Fashion System, Roland Barthes describes how fashion enables us to create a false existence, to don a persona that doesn’t have to align consistently with who we may be otherwise, and how that persona arises as a projection of our own anxieties regarding the state of our world. He characterizes clothing as a prime catalyst for personal transformation, citing that it is personality that gives clothing its meaning, yet inversely, it is clothing that can build and develop a personality.

In this era of social distancing, self-isolation, political turmoil, mental health crises and the ever present pressure to contribute positively to a more and more demanding world, I find that many of us may be turning to this kind of fashion-persona-escapism to cope with our own personal fears. And I think in some way, putting together this shoot was my way to realize my anxieties and to reign them back under my control.

Putting it all together and seeing JR take on new personas with each look reminded me how powerful fashion and dress can be as a form of escapism. This story is very much a personal essay on isolation, but ultimately concludes that perhaps that isolation can also be something worth celebrating as well.

I’m proud to say that this whole shoot was accomplished with just the two of us, with me making use of the styling, makeup and photography skills I picked up from collaborating with the best on all our previous Lookbooks. We shopped our own wardrobes and tried our bests to remain safe and respectful of our circumstance. Both of us wore masks (I also wore a screen for hair and makeup), and shot outdoors, while maintaining social distancing.

So I extend a gracious thank you to my wonderful model JR Ansera who let me put him in all my clothes and makeup with the most trust that the final product would turn out well. I hope you enjoy our efforts and as always, let us know what you think on our Facebook and Instagram. Welcome back, and I hope you enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 8.

Click on photos to enlarge

 
 

Sailor Man: Third Year JR Ansera serves us his best take on a classic American archetype, subverted through contemporary streetwear elements and vestiges of the Queer Community.

 
 

Sleep-ery when Wet: Top from Uniqlo, jeans are model’s own, Shoes are Converse Run Star Hike, Jacket is Editor’s own, Ship wheel brooch from Gilda’s Designer Thrift Shop, Corset from HOEREV on Amazon, Rings from Vitaly.

 
 

Captain’s Log: Mixing Sartorial foundational garments with whimsical accessories, JR transforms into the Captain.

 
 

Maid of Metal: Shirt from Tommy Hilfiger, Coat from Uniqlo, Jeans are Model’s own. Rings are Editor’s own, Brooches from VIEEL House on Amazon.

Sail Against the Wind:

 
 

From Left Field: Contemporary staples like the motorcycle jacket pictured connote a more rugged and tough appeal. Jacket from Forever21, shirt from H&M, Bracelet from Vitaly, Necklace from McQ, Rings from Vitaly.

 
 

Marooned: Transitioning from more tailored looks to a diaphanous extra long dress shirt introduces lightness into the look.

 
 

That Distant Shore: Shirt from Bjôrn on YesStyle.

 
 

Set Sail:

 

Cast and Crew:

Director + Photographer: Andrew Chang

Model: JR Ansera

Makeup + styling: Andrew Chang

MODA Lookbook Episode 7: The Great Illustration Exchange

Welcome to Episode 7 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

 

Curating these Lookbooks always feels like I’m putting together a mini exhibition, and as we find ourselves at Lookbook Episode 7(!) I think I really wanted to dive deep into that kind of curation. Many of you might know that my first engagements with fashion were through fashion illustration, and my love for fashion grew out of this love for recreating and often reinventing what I saw walking down runways in Paris. For me, fashion illustration has always been an interesting intermediary of fashion, where the elements of a collection or show become the ingredients to something completely different. And so I’ve wanted to do some kind of project that had to do with fashion illustration for a while now, and given the circumstance we’re in, I figured now would be as good a time as ever to try and pull it off.

So Welcome to Lookbook Episode 7: The Great Illustration Exchange.

For this project, I wanted to explore the conversation between fashion and art. It’s apparent that many designers in the industry take art as their inspiration for their collections, from Jeremy Scott’s Picasso Extravaganza at Moschino to Lee McQueen’s flemish painting print suitjackets at McQueen, yet I wanted to probe at how this conversation is not necessarily one sided. We’ve seen Vogue Italia take on this type of editorial for their January Sustainability Issue, and while this process was certainly more zero-waste, I also want to emphasize the artistry of fashion illustration as a form of legitimate fashion media. Rather than looking at fashion inspired by art, I wanted to produce a Lookbook that was all about art inspired by fashion.

So in this two-part project, I called a handful of stylists to go wild with the biggest “pull” MODA has ever experienced. Whereas the last Lookbook was all about making whatever we had work for us, this fashion exchange was all about narrowing down an unlimited pool of resources. Our stylists roamed the web for items that stood out to them and that they thought could stand as both fashion and art. And many did not hold back.

Once compiled, these lists of garments were distributed to my amazing team of illustrators, and they were left to interpret these lists as the elements for their next great works.

For the longest time, I wanted to feature talent on this blog that traditionally hasn’t had the opportunity to shine in the same way that other fashion media has; all the artists featured in this Lookbook are not only incredible examples of this kind of talent, but they’re also very good friends of mine, and truly, it was their work that inspired this project. I always want to engage with every detail on a shoot, so I tried my hand at both styling and illustrating, and on both fronts I was blown away by my peers. I think I actually learned quite a bit about both styling and illustrating from watching my team work their magic, and in fact, many of the works I put together were influenced by the first submissions that began to filter in.

I think if there are takeaways from such a project, it’s that circumstance does not have to define or limit creativity - I watched works of art arise from nothing and that is truly the essence of the creative process. Not only was this something that excited me as an illustrator, but it was a project that reaffirmed what I thought MODA was about: it’s really just a community of individuals who love fashion, who engage with it critically (in true UChicago style), and whose commitment, imagination and spirit merge together to create an amazing end product. At the end of the day, it’s still Fashion, it’s just not really how we’ve seen it before on the Blog.

We extend a gracious thank you to our four wonderful stylists whose imaginative styles captured both the extremity and individuality of fashion; and likewise, we extend a huge thank you to the amazing illustrators who brought their incomparable skills to the table for the first ever illustrated Lookbook. I hope you all enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 7!

Click on pictures to enlarge

 
 
 
“With the idea of creating an outfit that would be transformed into a different form of art, I tried to curate clothing that would exude a certain energy or vibe that could be translated in an unexpected way through the artist’s interpretation ”

Drawn Together: On left model: Custom Gucci Jeans, Gucci Ace Floral Embroidered Sneakers, Custom t-shirt, Louis Vuitton Headscarf and AREA Studded Suit Jacket. Dreamland Evil Eye Ring, Lupsona Double layered Choker and ASOS Safety Pin Earring. Styled by Arjun Kilaru. On Right Model: Vetements Leopard Print Cropped Turtleneck Sweater, Lanvin Blue Belted Jeans, Acne Studios Leather Biker, Dr Martens 8053 Platform Shoes, Dalmata Hoops, Ambush Chain Clasp Bracelet, HANGER X CC-STEDING CLIPPER CASE & CHAIN Necklace. Saint Laurent Schoolbag. Styled by Matthew Sumera, Illustrated by Andrew Chang.

 
 
“With illustrations, I could include whatever I possibly wanted, so I knew I had to go big”
 
 

MODA-Cycle: Gucci embroidered Jacket and jeans, Gucci ace Floral Embroidered Sneakers, Louis Vuitton Headscarves, Calvin Klein CKONE Boxers, Black customized tee. Cartier Ring, YAMAHA Motorcycle YZ450F. Illustrated by Andrew Chang, Styled by Arjun Kilaru,

 
 
“I guess maybe with illustrations we can begin to blur the borders of reality and involve non-human or even abstract agents as the models. ”
 
 

Handmade Tale: Central figure in Alexander Mcqueen Floral Dress, Leather Corset Belt and Stone Pendant Necklace, with Maison Margiela Logo Pearl Necklace, wielding Sacai x LD Waffle Sneakers in ‘Pine Green’. Models at bottom wearing Richard Quinn Floral Printed Turtlenecks and Leggings. On left hand: Rodarte Antique Silver Rings . On Right: Alexander McQueen Twin Skull Rings and Spider Double Ring. Styled by Andrew Chang, Illustrated by Jad Dahshan.

 
 
“I had to invent this whole character based on how the pieces spoke to me.”
 
 

Coming Up Smiling: Charles Jeffrey Loverboy Black Logo Beret, Sweater: Raf Owens Yellow and Beige Oversized Collage Sweater, Chopova Lowena Pleated Tartan Check Wool Miniskirt, Gucci Spike Suspenders, Fendi Tulle Socks, CommeDesGarçons x Doc Martens Brogues . Junya Watanabe Gold flake Edition Pearl Stud Choker, Yohji Yamamoto Vampire Ring, Maison Margiela Screw Ring, Gucci Ghost Ring, Fendi Gunmetal Bag Bugs Ring. Illustrated by Vivian Li, Styled by Andrew Chang

 
 
“That look was sort of a disavowment of questions of taste or how things should be worn in favor of an all out celebration of color which the wearer of the outfit would certainly enhance,”
 

Fly and Low: Balmain Flared Jumpsuit, Iris Van Herpen Sensory Seas Shoes, Fendi Leather, Fur and Shearling Baguette, Roxanne Assoulin “This and That” bracelet stack, Roxane Assoulin “Rainbow Brite” chokers, Bulgari Serpenti Spiga watch, Roxanne Assoulin Technicolour earrings. Illustrated by Andrew Chang, Styled by Miles Harrison.

Puffer Pastry: Prada Glasses, Dior Sweater, Jacquemus Floral Boxers, Gucci Socks, Dior B23 Sneakers, Gucci Zumi Strawberry Bag, Moncler Genius 01 Richard Quinn Striped Puffer Jacket. Rings: Davidor Enamel Rings stacked in ‘Flamant’ ‘Riviera’ ‘Davidor Bordeaux’ and ‘Aubergine’, and Tiffany Blue Topaz Ring. Earrings are David Yurman Stax in Topaz and Diamonds. Illustrated by Andrew Chang, Styled by Miles Harrison.

 
 
“When you’re illustrating, you can make certain styling choices that is not limited by any monetary resource, just your imagination, its pretty neat. ”
 
 

Deep Fried Fashion: On left model: Gucci Bodysuit, Chanel Choker and Necklace, Gucci Crystal Double G Ring, Bvlgari Ring, Bag, Versace Hair Pin, Rolex Watch. On Right model: Dress by Christopher Kane, Hat by Chanel, Shoes: KFC x Crocs Illustrated by Wendy Xiao. Styled by Andrew Chang

 
 
 
 

Cast and Crew:

Directed by Andrew Chang

Styling: Andrew Chang, Arjun Kilaru, Matthew Sumera, Miles Harrison

Illustrators: Andrew Chang, Jad Dahshan, Vivian Li, Wendy Xiao.

MODA Lookbook Episode 6: A Zoom of Your Own

Welcome to Episode 6 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

Spring Quarter has always been MODA’s most experimental quarter - which, I guess, is the understatement of the year given the circumstance we’re in. While social distancing, it seems like many of us across MODA have been reflecting on the history of our RSO and what led up to this era of self-isolation and remote communication. In my meditations, I came across a string of emails between my former EIC and myself that traced a very touching timeline with MODA Blog that all started in Spring Quarter. Two years ago, I joined the blog as a freshman in my first spring quarter, anxiously writing (and deleting) draft after draft; one year ago this quarter, after mustering up enough confidence to publish content at last, I was appointed Editor-in-Chief and I certainly did not expect my Junior anniversary with the blog to be celebrated quite like this, yet in many ways, I’m happier than ever that this is how I got to celebrate these past years with MODA Blog. Between writing articles about Peppa Pig and Balaclavas, I dreamed about launching a project that would respond to the blog’s demand and encouragement for creativity, individuality and resourcefulness: that project became the Lookbook Series. Keeping up with the spring trend of experimenting with innovation, this spring’s Lookbooks will challenge our creativity in ways we could never imagine. Adhering to social distancing and self-isolation is our number one priority, and perhaps even our impetus for inventiveness.

For our sixth Lookbook, I wanted to explore the challenge of shooting editorial content while remaining socially distant. I was curious about the content that some of our bloggers had published about remote fashion photography, while also equally curious by the rise in digital consumption during this time. Within weeks, many of us migrated to incredibly tech-heavy lifestyles both in our free and school time, and my mind fought against the idea that this was our new normal. Right when the mass migration of students took place, I was on a call with a friend (and yes, it was a zoom call), who relayed to me his own experiences navigating remote learning. I distinctly remembered a discussion on how Zoom and this type of digital communication could potentially become a site for escapism, and in some ways a new form of surrealist art worth exploring creatively - my interest was immediately piqued. I wouldn’t say this shoot leaned towards a super specific theme: though my pdf brief did read something along the lines of “Y2K-apocalyptic-Zoom-AliceInWonderland-digital-fantasy(3)”, so take that as you will.

I owe much (if not all) of this shoot/art project/photo dump to my amazing team who conducted their individual shoots completely on their own, with camera timers, makeshift tripods, and of course completely self-styled, and self done hair and makeup. I think it was probably the most nerve wracking thing to put so much trust in my team, and also the biggest relief (and cry of excitement) in seeing those first photos drop into our drive, and I really couldn’t be prouder of the wonderful women who helped me put together this project. In a time where we’ve began to rely on technology and creatives to lift our spirits and take us to new places, I hope that my team and I can transport you to somewhere new, even if for only a moment.

Thank you and Happy Spring Quarter.

MODA Blog EIC, Andrew Chang.

Click on photos to enlarge

Light saver: Model and Blogger Elizabeth Winkler finds her light in the Chicago sun (wearing Chicago-sourced vintage and Forever21).

Starry Knight: Model, Blogger, Photographer Livia Miller brings Glam to Goth in Urban Decay’s Moonshine Palette on eyes and Urban Decay’s Vice Lipstick in ‘Venom’

Fear No Colors: Blog EIC Andrew Chang spends Self-Isolation reflecting on years past. NOFEAR Top by Andrew Chang from his first MODA Collection. Jeans are H&M, Belt Thrifted, rings from Vitaly, Chain from Sannyra.

Stroke of Jean-ius: Model/Blogger Laura Sandino sits pretty at home in Miami, wearing Vintage Harley Davidson T-shirt from Depop, UNIF jeans, and socks from Art Institute.

No Filter: Blog EIC Andrew Chang will fix this glitch.

Trial and Error: Blogger/Model/Photographer Livia Miller glitches and glides n H&M Mesh top, Beats by Dre Headphones, Adidas Track shorts and Candi Girl Roller Skates

Digital Life Cycle:

New Horizons: MODA Blog EIC has taken up a very popular new digital hobby in Toronto. Top is Uniqlo, Trousers from Tommy Hilfiger, Belt is Champion, Hat is Puma.

Lightning in a Bottle: Model and Blogger Elizabeth Winkler has been exploring Hyde Park’s many gardens…and bringing pieces of them back to quarantine with her. (Take a peek at our previous lookbooks to find out where this Coke bottle came from.)

Flying Colors: Model/Blogger Elizabeth Winkler shines bright in Forever21 mesh turtleneck, Victoria’s Secret bra, and thrifted earrings, shorts, and tie (as a belt) out of frame. For additional pop try using the same eyeshadow color for both eyes and lips (this one is from a random Amazon palette…low price, high pigment, highly recommend).

UltraViolet: Model/Blogger Sophia Carino channels a Pastel Purple Y2K Atmosphere from X. Wearing pink lace crop from Forever21, belt from Topshop, pants from GAP,,, pink camo case has a pink Nintendo DS lite in it, panda earrings from claire's

A Bright Future: Pink scrunchie from Forever 21 and Blue scrunchie is from Papa Pique et Maman Coud. On eyes: Glamlite taco palette, on lips: glossier holographic lipgloss

Logging Off: In featured photo at top of page, Laura wears Adika sweater and UNIF Jeans

Cast and Crew:

Director: Andrew Chang

Models: Elizabeth Winkler, Livia Miller, Andrew Chang, Laura Sandino, Sophia Carino,

Makeup: Elizabeth Winkler, Livia Miller, Andrew Chang, Laura Sandino, Sophia Carino,

Styling: Elizabeth Winkler, Livia Miller, Andrew Chang, Laura Sandino, Sophia Carino,

MODA Lookbook Episode 5: Coffee Crew

Welcome to Episode 5 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

Someone once referred to these Lookbooks as a Quad Style on Steroids and in some ways, episode 5 is very much that: a nod to one of my favourite Quad Styles ever. I’ll never forget the first time I saw it: shot by Natalia Rodriguez in the basement of Cobb, the shoot embodied the idea of finding something beautiful and stylized in a very personal, eclectic space and I knew that when I began to plan this episode, I wanted to include Natalia’s photos in my own mood board.

This shoot builds on the atmosphere that Natalia and Felipe had brought to their set, but told through the lens of my incredible Co-director, Angela Fung: warm, comforting, but equally mysterious and a little ominous (perhaps like a very peculiar cup of coffee). For this shoot, we had our four models embody our takes on the personalities, styles and energies of four UChicago Café’s. While we chose the four that we did, there is definitely room to re-do this shoot with other completely distinct café’s, and hopefully one day, we can provide a sort of sequel to this shoot. As one shoot builds on another so do personalities stack to form systems of support despite difference, and such is the essence of the Coffee Crew, distilled to one finely brewed shoot.

We extend a gracious thank you to our four wonderful models who followed through with the shoot as well as our wonderful Creative Director, Angela Fung, who beautifully captured this story. I hope you all enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 5!

Click on photos to enlarge

Labor of Love: Second Year Joelle Blankson blooms in Floral dress and beige sweater from Encore Resale Shop. Scarf is Encore. Earrings are model’s own.

Neon Dream:

Red Rebel:

Plein and Simple. Joseph Wiltzer channels the artistry of one of UChicago’s freshest café’s: Plein Air. Scarf from Encore Resale Shop.

The Cat’s Pyjamas: First Year Laura Sandino Channels the Brutalist architecture of the Reg as Ex Lib in Cordoroy Equestrian pants, and Customized Denim Jacket from Encore Resale Store. On feet: Fenty Puma Creepers, hat is editor’s own.

Clear the Air:

Sleepy Hallow:

State of the Art: Second year Kaan Tarhan plays both model and artist, adding artistic flair to his Hallowed Grounds Persona. Cross necklace and Leather Jacket from Encore Resale shop, hat, and t-shirt are editor’s own.

Poker Face:

Chair-i-tea:

Cards on the Table

Cast and Crew:

Co-directors: Angela Fung, Andrew Chang

Models: Joelle Blankson, Laura Sandino, Kaan Tarhan, Joseph Wiltzer

Makeup: Andrew Chang

Special Thanks to Encore Resale Shop for graciously letting us borrow items for this shoot!

MODA Lookbook Episode 3: Club Crawlers

Welcome to Episode 3 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

I’ve been obsessed with Club Kids for such a long time and wanted to do a shoot that paid tribute to the legends of the community. Channeling icons like Leigh Bowery and Walt Cassidy, and newer carriers of the legacy like Sasha Velour, we wanted to emulate the freedom of expression of these heroes of the clubs. For our shoot, we realized a fictitious club where there was only one rule to enter: No Humans Allowed, with that in mind, we completely transformed our four models through makeup and styling to represent four archetypes of the Club Scene. Through inflating, exaggerating and intensifying gender codes, we wanted to confuse and complicate the expression of gender. Enjoy the efforts of our team, and welcome to the Club.

We extend a gracious thank you to our four wonderful models who followed through with the shoot as well as our wonderful Creative Director, Grace Pegeuse, who beautifully captured this story. I hope you all enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 3!

Click on photos to enlarge.

Off With Her Red: Channeling Leigh Bowery, third year Annagh Devitt dazzles and haunts. On eyes: Tarteist PRO Amazonian Clay Palette, KIKO Ultimate pen eyeliner in ‘black’. On lips: Mac Retro Matte Lipstick in ‘Ruby Woo’.

Dirty Joke: Merging the playfulness of a classical Pierrot with the contemporary edge of Sasha Velour, fourth year Charles Stater has the last laugh. On lips: Maybelline Color Sensational Shine Compulsion Lipstick in ‘Pink Fetish’. In hair: VOLLUCK Blue Colored Hair Wax Pomade in ‘Customized Blue’.

Tickled Punk: First Year Izze Mendoza brings punk energy to this Lookbook. On eyes: KIKO Ultimate Pen Eyeliner in ‘black’, Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara. On face: Narsissist Wanted Cheek Palette I. On Lips: L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature in 422: “I Don’t”.

Full Spectrum Beauty: Second Year Miles Franklin serves transparency and vibrance, channeling our vision for the future of club kids. On eyes: Juvia’s Place The Zulu palette and Juvia’s Place The Tribe Highlighter and NYX Vivid Brights Liner in ‘Petal’ and NYX Vivid Brights Creme Color in ‘Endless Skies’

Cast and Crew:

Creative Directors: Andrew Chang + Grace Pegeuse

Models: Annagh Devitt, Charles Stater, Izze Mendoza, Miles Franklin

Hair and Makeup: Karina Holbrook, Yvonne Yu, Nadaya Davis, Andrew Chang

Photographed by Grace Pegeuse, to see more of her work, check out her portfolio here.

MODA Lookbook Episode 2: Patch Test

Welcome to Episode 2 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

For this Lookbook, we explored a huge array of Korean Skincare and beauty products that had one thing in common: they were applicable and removable. We were fascinated by how flamboyant and theatrical some of these products were despite being worn only in the comfort of one’s own home. We thought to take these products only used in private and expand them to be used as looks for this series, and four brave models sat in Logan 014 with us and let us stick patches and masks all over their faces.

We extend a gracious thank you to our four wonderful models who followed through with our absurd concept as well as our wonderful Creative Director, Jaire Byers, who fantastically captured this story. I hope you all enjoy MODA Lookbook Episode 2!

Click on photos to enlarge.

Masked Lady: Model Feven Jembere wears Rouse Natural Eye Masks for Dark Circles as a masquerade mask. On her lips she wears L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature in 422: “I Don’t” ($12). To prep skin for makeup application, we recommend applying Benton’s Aloe BHA Skin Toner ($19) for maximum hydration and light exfoliation.

Heart Eyes: Model Ting Ting Shi wears Secret Key Pink Racoony Hydro Gel Eye and Cheek Patches across her face and décolletage. On her lips she wears Maybelline New York Color Sensational Shine Compulsion Lipstick in 085 Pink Fetish ($9).

Clean Hearted: Bonus tip for glowing skin is to cleanse with an oil cleanser, pictured here is Hanskin’s PHA Pore Cleansing Oil ($20), and to stay hydrated with plenty of water.

Whiteout: Model Tinyan Dada wears NYX Professional Makeup White Liquid Liner ($7) on her eyes and brows and Covergirl Melting Pout Vinyl Vow in 250 ‘Hustle’ ($8) and assorted Eyelid Tapes on cheek and collarbones.

Snailed it: For extra hydration, prime skin with CosRx Advanced 96 Mucin Power Essence, loaded with 96% Snail Mucin Extract ($21) to repair damaged skin and promote elasticity and hydration.

Sticks and Stones: Model Daniel Sharkey loads up his face with assorted stickers by Meafeng. Emulating CosRx’s best selling holy grail product: Acne Pimple Master Patches ($5).

Wipeout: All models wipe down their faces with Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes ($7)

Cast and Crew:

Creative Directors: Andrew Chang + Jaire Byers

Models: Feven Jembere, Ting Ting Shi, Tinyan Dada, Daniel Sharkey

Hair and Makeup: Karina Holbrook, Yvonne Yu, Nadaya Davis

Staff: Matthew Sumera, Karina Holbrook, Yvonne Yu, Nadaya Davis

Photographed by Jaire Byers, to see more of his work, check out his portfolio here.

MODA Lookbook Episode 1: The Outsiders.

Welcome to Episode 1 of MODA Blog’s Lookbook series! We wanted to offer our wonderful team the opportunity to create and direct more editorial content for your viewing pleasure. Completely student styled, modelled and produced, the MODA Lookbook hopes to inspire, empower and challenge the talent of our community. Keep your eye out for more lookbooks coming soon~!

For our first Lookbook, we drew inspiration from S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, and its film adaptation by Francis Coppola. MODA Blog brought six models to 63rd Street Beach to bring our vision to life: one of solidarity, togetherness and vitality. Channeling the Americana trend we’ve seen on the runways this past season, we hope to transport you all into our story of playful kinship.

We also extend a gracious thank you to our six wonderful models who bared the near freezing temperatures by the lake as well as our wonderful Creative Director, Natalia Rodriguez, who beautifully captured the nostalgia and cinematic flair of The Outsiders despite the not-so-scenic conditions.

Click on photos to enlarge.

One for the Money: Model JR Ansera shows off his moves in a Mickey Stands by Uniqlo T-Shirt, Calvin Klein shirt, Old Navy denim jacket and Champion Belt. Pants and shoes are model’s own.

““They grew up on the outside of society. They weren’t looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.””

Cherry Girls: Models Malaika Mathias, Havilland Firoz, Katherina Mashka Hitchock playfully explore the beach in the season’s best denim and leather.

Beach Spreading: Sturdy boots and Denim and leather outerwear are fall staples in the windy city. From Left to Right: Havilland Firoz, Shourya Mukherjee, Malaika Mathias.

““You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want.””

Stick with us: Model Havilland Firoz takes on the elements in a beanie from H&M, Leather Biker from Forever 21, Shirt and Gloves are Stylist’s own.

Dilly Dally: Shourya Mukherjee channels Dallas in a Kooples Leather Jacket, H&M Flannel, WF Black tee, Rings by Vitaly and Pendant from H&M.

Catcher in the Rye: Model David Naples channels Ponyboy in an H&M Leather biker, flannel is Editor’s. White T-shirt is model’s own.

““Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold””

Summer Days, Drifting Away: Models David Naples, JR Ansera and Katherine Mashka Hitchock hit the books next to the beach.

Beanie Baby: Malaika Mathias wears Tommy Hilfiger Sweater, Old Navy Denim Jacket, and E Specialties beanie. Flannel is editor’s.

Windy Woman: Katherine Mashka Hitchcock challenges the wind in Uniqlo Button down shirt, and Thrifted patchwork Denim Jacket. T-shirt is model’s own.

““Stay Gold.””

Outfield: Shourya and David prove that Leather bikers dressed up or down are all anyone needs for the season. For that greaser look, prepare hair with Jojoba or Tea-tree oil before applying Pomade generously.

Cast and Crew:

Codirectors: Natalia Rodriguez, Andrew Chang

Styling: Elizabeth Winkler, Yvonne Yu, Andrew Chang

Hair and Makeup: Jennie Liu, Yvonne Yu, Elizabeth Winkler

Models: David Naples, Havilland Firoz, JR Ansera, Katherine Mashka Hitchcock, Malaika Mathias, Shourya Mukherjee.

Photographed by Natalia Rodriguez, see more of her work here.