Superman has nothing on the 80s ballroom scene. These similarly cape-clad and tights-sporting superheroes’ “by-day/by-night” transformation involved a lot more than taking off a pair of dorky glasses. Rather, the late 20th century underground ballroom scene involved a largely black and latinx community of LGBTQ+ people gathering to transform into their billowed, feathered, studded and extravagant true selves. A forced by social convention to walk the city streets as a stereotypically straight-laced masculine man “by day” could indulge in glinting glamor, pearlescent luxury “by night.” Ballrooms spelled a necessary escape, where opulence, grandeur and self-expression could safely congregate. Members received no accolades or attention for their boundary-smashing efforts in self-exploration. On the contrary, prevalent themes in stories of the ballroom circuit are concealment and designated safe spaces for self-expression.
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With his futuristic and sustainable clothes, Offgod is a prodigious example of the next generation of fashion designers. His works are a fearless amalgamation of all his passions, unconcerned with sticking to one medium or aesthetic. They are informed by the environmentally disastrous industry around him, one that his 3D-printed clothing hopes to improve.
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At STITCH, we want to celebrate this Black History Month by highlighting some of the Black creatives and fashion lovers near campus. Between plant shops, bookstores, vintage resale boutiques and more, Chicago’s Black-owned businesses have artistic, unique finds for your closet and home. Use our list for your next shopping trip to support Black-owned stores this month and year-round.
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The weight, inexact and indispensable, haunts me after the holidays. I search for new diets and exercises—new ways to make water taste like Coke and to chisel my abs. Like the 17% of Americans vowing to lose weight in 2023, I’m always hungriest to achieve my idealized body this time of year, prioritizing it over traveling, learning something new or seeing friends and family more. The weight is a pitiful reminder that I haven’t met my resolution since I was 13.
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In honor of Valentine’s Day — and my newfound appreciation for perfume — I wanted to delve into the history of perfume and the science behind the well-known aphrodisiac
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I also faced a frightening sense of newness. Who am I, when I no longer possess the material items that constitute my identity? Is it possible to have a sense of style and a sense of self without my belongings? This caused me to consider the socioeconomic implications of fashion, as well as the freedom of expression that privilege and wealth provide.
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What can Frida Kahlo’s illustrious career contribute to conversations about modern vanity? For one, she often toyed with her identity throughout her life. Her self-portraits were a way to confess, connect and create. These three qualities are the same hallmarks of social media. Its initial draw was the ability for fellowship, networking and keeping up with friends. Now, it has all but become an industrial complex, pervading every corner of our lives and rewarding us for engagement.
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Are you a Bella bot or a Matilda minion? This is the not so age-old question that has been dominating my For You Page recently. It refers to a TikTok trend wherein users classify themselves as Bella Bots (as in the model Bella Hadid) or Matilda minions (in reference to the Swedish influencer Matilda Djerf). These videos typically consist of creators showing off their outfits next to captions like “deciding if I wanna be a Bella bot or Matilda minion for the day,” “serving Matilda minion today,” or “one bestie is a Bella bot & the other is a Matilda minion. … I don’t make the rules.”
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Coastal grandmother is an aesthetic that, like many, gained notoriety and fame on Tik Tok. The term was coined by TikTok user @lexnicoleta, who says that if you enjoy “Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cozy interiors, and more” this aesthetic is the one you’ve been looking for. Most Tik Tok aesthetics have a short life cycle, taking the internet by storm for months only to end up in thrift and resale stores immediately after. Coastal grandmother, however, has a different trajectory, thanks to its roots and connection to upper class life.
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It's the night before traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday with bags to be packed and miles to be crossed. Chaotic beads of sweat drip down your forehead while you yank your carry-on out from under your bed. As it sits empty in the middle of your room, you realize you have bigger fish to fry. Politically incorrect grandparents to drown out, awkward confrontations about your love life and a sudden realization that turkey is eaten to celebrate the forced removal of Native Americans. Yippee! Amongst all this pandemonium, the last thing you need to spend time worrying about is having the right clothing for the holiday. And that's what this is for! An all-purpose, all-inclusive guide on how to pack when giving thanks.
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