Abby Mitchell
2016-11-26T21:00:07Z
Days on Campus weekends can often produce horror stories for prospective students—a negligent host, painfully awkward social events, and less-than-ideal sleeping arrangements.
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2016-08-23T09:00:03Z
Popular student website College Fashionista and jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher have one big thing to say on their latest collaboration: Fuck Cancer.
The duo has teamed up with the Fuck Cancer foundation, founded by Yael Cohen, to create a limited-edition cuff which will be available through Feb. 28.
This venture directly targets the readership of College Fashionista, which is written by and for college students.
"Fuck Cancer is all about supporting people in Generation Y, which is really what we do at College Fashionista," Amy Levin, founder and creative director of the website, said.
"When Amy came to me with this idea to collab [sic], it was a no-brainer," Fisher said. "I have been waiting for a pair like Yael and Amy to give a voice to a younger audience about the fight and awareness of this disease."
The bracelet itself is made of brass with raised, Gothic letters reading, "Fuck Cancer."
Many of Fisher's jewelry pieces feature Gothic lettering, using phrases to evoke important moments or emotions in a person's life, but this project truly hits home for the designer. Thirteen years ago she underwent chemotherapy for desmoids tumors in her chest.
"Being able to put Fuck Cancer' on the bracelet was a badass way to represent something that's really important with edge and a bit more style," she said. "It was simple, it was clean, and straight to the point."
Why the crude language? Fuck Cancer, as an organization, justifies its use of profanity simply: because it's what everyone is thinking. Their home page reads, "Using these two words together gives cancer the visceral response it deserves If there's ever a time to use fuck,' it's now."
Both Levin and Fisher think the bracelet design will create an equally powerful reaction from buyers.
"It's a constant reminder that every time you look down at it, whether you've had cancer yourself or if you know someone who has, that the fight is out there," Levin said.
Though a relatively thin cuff at only a quarter-inch wide, Fisher said she is confident that the message is evocative enough to grab attention.
"It's a conversation piece," she said. "People look at it and it's instantly starting a dialogue."
The price is a bit lofty for some students at $225, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to Fuck Cancer. Additionally, Fisher maintains that it's a question of quality—and with this kind of cause, she wanted to create something that would last.
"I want people to feel like they can wear it every day," she said. "Maybe their mother has one of our more high-end pieces, with diamonds in white or yellow gold but this bracelet is very simple to reach a younger audience and bring a different face to awareness."
Awareness is ultimately what this entire collaboration is about. Fuck Cancer, as an organization, doesn't conduct research of its own. Rather, its goal is getting young people involved in the movement of early detection. Its website teases, "We teach them about social media, how to use their Blackberries, and how to balance their diets. So why don't we teach them something that can actually save their lives?"
For Cohen, the greater benefit of the collaboration is that College Fashionista's "extensive reach to college students across the country helps us to further connect with our target Gen Y audience in a new and unique way."
Levin explained that through this project, the website's approximately 700 contributors—who hail from universities across the country, including Columbia—have been receiving an education of their own by supporting the cause through their own social media and from the site's upper management.
"They're the arms and legs of the project," Levin said.
To buy the Fuck Cancer cuff, head to Jennifer Fisher's online store. Ninety percent of cancers are curable in stage one. To learn more about risk factors and simple self exams, check out Fuck Cancer's website.
arts@columbiaspectator.com | @abbymitchell92
... The duo has teamed up with the Fuck Cancer foundation, founded by Yael Cohen, to create a limited-edition cuff which will be available through Feb. 28.
This venture directly targets the readership of College Fashionista, which is written by and for college students.
"Fuck Cancer is all about supporting people in Generation Y, which is really what we do at College Fashionista," Amy Levin, founder and creative director of the website, said.
"When Amy came to me with this idea to collab [sic], it was a no-brainer," Fisher said. "I have been waiting for a pair like Yael and Amy to give a voice to a younger audience about the fight and awareness of this disease."
The bracelet itself is made of brass with raised, Gothic letters reading, "Fuck Cancer."
Many of Fisher's jewelry pieces feature Gothic lettering, using phrases to evoke important moments or emotions in a person's life, but this project truly hits home for the designer. Thirteen years ago she underwent chemotherapy for desmoids tumors in her chest.
"Being able to put Fuck Cancer' on the bracelet was a badass way to represent something that's really important with edge and a bit more style," she said. "It was simple, it was clean, and straight to the point."
Why the crude language? Fuck Cancer, as an organization, justifies its use of profanity simply: because it's what everyone is thinking. Their home page reads, "Using these two words together gives cancer the visceral response it deserves If there's ever a time to use fuck,' it's now."
Both Levin and Fisher think the bracelet design will create an equally powerful reaction from buyers.
"It's a constant reminder that every time you look down at it, whether you've had cancer yourself or if you know someone who has, that the fight is out there," Levin said.
Though a relatively thin cuff at only a quarter-inch wide, Fisher said she is confident that the message is evocative enough to grab attention.
"It's a conversation piece," she said. "People look at it and it's instantly starting a dialogue."
The price is a bit lofty for some students at $225, with 20 percent of the proceeds going to Fuck Cancer. Additionally, Fisher maintains that it's a question of quality—and with this kind of cause, she wanted to create something that would last.
"I want people to feel like they can wear it every day," she said. "Maybe their mother has one of our more high-end pieces, with diamonds in white or yellow gold but this bracelet is very simple to reach a younger audience and bring a different face to awareness."
Awareness is ultimately what this entire collaboration is about. Fuck Cancer, as an organization, doesn't conduct research of its own. Rather, its goal is getting young people involved in the movement of early detection. Its website teases, "We teach them about social media, how to use their Blackberries, and how to balance their diets. So why don't we teach them something that can actually save their lives?"
For Cohen, the greater benefit of the collaboration is that College Fashionista's "extensive reach to college students across the country helps us to further connect with our target Gen Y audience in a new and unique way."
Levin explained that through this project, the website's approximately 700 contributors—who hail from universities across the country, including Columbia—have been receiving an education of their own by supporting the cause through their own social media and from the site's upper management.
"They're the arms and legs of the project," Levin said.
To buy the Fuck Cancer cuff, head to Jennifer Fisher's online store. Ninety percent of cancers are curable in stage one. To learn more about risk factors and simple self exams, check out Fuck Cancer's website.
arts@columbiaspectator.com | @abbymitchell92
2016-07-23T17:00:04Z
In case you missed it, this past month was Women's History Month. Commemorative days, weeks, or months always seem contrived and forced, with the easy argument being, "shouldn't we celebrate the accomplishments of [insert group here] whenever, not just because someone randomly decided [insert month] was theirs?" We should, but we don't, and as artificial as they might be, such events draw attention to groups that are often left out of textbooks and syllabi.
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2015-06-29T21:00:03Z
Fall 2013 proved to be an eventful fashion week—for both expected and unexpected reasons.
In the weeks leading up to the event, some of the biggest names in the industry announced that they wouldn't be showing collections during Fashion Week at all. Such designers—including Chris Benz, Peter Som, Rachel Roy, and Erin Fetherson—instead opted for smaller presentations or private appointments, citing high costs and low returns.
The industry was similarly rocked by the return of former Christian Dior designer John Galliano, who was fired after an anti-Semitic tirade was caught on video in 2011. Less than a month ago, designer Oscar de la Renta invited Galliano to work in his design studio in the weeks leading up to the runway show.
"John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his talent," de la Renta said to Women's Wear Daily. "He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative."
But the biggest shocker of the entire week was Nemo. Marc Jacobs was forced to postpone his show because of the inclement weather, while the glitterati found themselves trekking through the snow—although many still refused to give up their five-inch Manolo Blahnik heels. When attending a show myself, I was worried for everyone's safety—the staff had set out big bins to catch water because the tents were leaking.
But, the show must go on, and New York Fashion Week is about the clo thes, not the backstory. Unfortunately, like most college students, I don't have enough clout to get into the biggest shows. But with new innovations like streaming video on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website and a deluge of comments and photos streaming in on Twitter, you don't have to have a VIP pass.
From the first show at 9 a.m. Wednesday, texture and fabric became a mainstay of the shows. Derek Lam, who is better known for his use of color from last season, instead opted for a muted palate in rich brocades and thick knits. BCBG Max Azria took a more graphic approach to a similar idea, with brocades printed in stark black and white and paired with monochromatic pieces for a more modern aesthetic.
But it wasn't all brocades and shine—many designers presented more masculine or androgynous looks for their womenswear collections this season. Ralph Lauren, which is known for its classic American style, showed tweedy suits, menswear, and blazers that evoked a Spanish flair, which felt conceptual without being costumey. rag & bone, which also dabbled in menswear, spoke to a more '60s mod style, with bright colors and color-blocked ensembles.
A standout collection came from design duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. It was refined and tailored in a beautifully sophisticated way, with a simple palette of black, white, and gray. The seaming and cut of each piece was so simple and elegant that you wanted to grab it off of the runway and wear it home.
Working in a similar color range, the Calvin Klein presentation came out of a very interesting inspiration. Designer Francisco Costa explained to Women's Wear Daily that he was inspired by a '60s Russian film. The show was somewhat stark and military, with slimmer silhouettes than many other of this week's designers.
Overall, it was a very serious fashion week. Shows like Rebecca Minkoff's, with live music and slinky runway walks, gave a much-needed sense of fun and youth to this season. Suffice to say we were far from the frothy, girly looks that ruled the runways last season. But fashion is all about change, and this year, with all its drama, was no different.
abby.mitchell@columbiaspectator.com | @abbymitchell92
... In the weeks leading up to the event, some of the biggest names in the industry announced that they wouldn't be showing collections during Fashion Week at all. Such designers—including Chris Benz, Peter Som, Rachel Roy, and Erin Fetherson—instead opted for smaller presentations or private appointments, citing high costs and low returns.
The industry was similarly rocked by the return of former Christian Dior designer John Galliano, who was fired after an anti-Semitic tirade was caught on video in 2011. Less than a month ago, designer Oscar de la Renta invited Galliano to work in his design studio in the weeks leading up to the runway show.
"John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his talent," de la Renta said to Women's Wear Daily. "He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative."
But the biggest shocker of the entire week was Nemo. Marc Jacobs was forced to postpone his show because of the inclement weather, while the glitterati found themselves trekking through the snow—although many still refused to give up their five-inch Manolo Blahnik heels. When attending a show myself, I was worried for everyone's safety—the staff had set out big bins to catch water because the tents were leaking.
But, the show must go on, and New York Fashion Week is about the clo thes, not the backstory. Unfortunately, like most college students, I don't have enough clout to get into the biggest shows. But with new innovations like streaming video on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website and a deluge of comments and photos streaming in on Twitter, you don't have to have a VIP pass.
From the first show at 9 a.m. Wednesday, texture and fabric became a mainstay of the shows. Derek Lam, who is better known for his use of color from last season, instead opted for a muted palate in rich brocades and thick knits. BCBG Max Azria took a more graphic approach to a similar idea, with brocades printed in stark black and white and paired with monochromatic pieces for a more modern aesthetic.
But it wasn't all brocades and shine—many designers presented more masculine or androgynous looks for their womenswear collections this season. Ralph Lauren, which is known for its classic American style, showed tweedy suits, menswear, and blazers that evoked a Spanish flair, which felt conceptual without being costumey. rag & bone, which also dabbled in menswear, spoke to a more '60s mod style, with bright colors and color-blocked ensembles.
A standout collection came from design duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. It was refined and tailored in a beautifully sophisticated way, with a simple palette of black, white, and gray. The seaming and cut of each piece was so simple and elegant that you wanted to grab it off of the runway and wear it home.
Working in a similar color range, the Calvin Klein presentation came out of a very interesting inspiration. Designer Francisco Costa explained to Women's Wear Daily that he was inspired by a '60s Russian film. The show was somewhat stark and military, with slimmer silhouettes than many other of this week's designers.
Overall, it was a very serious fashion week. Shows like Rebecca Minkoff's, with live music and slinky runway walks, gave a much-needed sense of fun and youth to this season. Suffice to say we were far from the frothy, girly looks that ruled the runways last season. But fashion is all about change, and this year, with all its drama, was no different.
abby.mitchell@columbiaspectator.com | @abbymitchell92
2015-02-13T12:00:03Z
On the second week of classes, I walked into Dodge Fitness Center for the first time ever—as a senior. When I shared this fun fact with a friend, she laughed and replied in jest, "Seriously? Do you actually go here?"
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2015-02-01T00:00:03Z
Like many other non-native New Yorkers, before arriving at Columbia I knew every stereotype about the city like the back of my hand. I'd binge-watched Sex and the City and Seinfeld, and I'd mapped out Fifth Avenue and the Upper West Side from Breakfast at Tiffany's and You've Got Mail, respectively.
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2014-12-22T14:00:03Z
There are very few times when it pays off to be from middle America—and having a Utah driver's license entails a lot of sniggering from bouncers. But when it means standing front row at Olympic qualifying competitions, I'm not one to complain.
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