This article explores how Athfest brings the city together and cements the Athens music culture to our identity as a city. The article is interesting and relevant because Athfest is still a major festival each year, though the bands change. Music is a huge part of Athens lifestyle and entirely important to this beat.

This article is from the AJC and centers around a specific fashion boutique in Atlanta that dares to usurp the standard fashion motifs of the early 2000s. Though the article is about a specific store in a different city than Athens, it remains relevant as fashion and lifestyle is all about coming up with the new and daring and opposing the norm.

This somewhat comically written article from the AJC in 2005 is hitting on a then unknown trend of marking up common articles of clothing. A $100 tee shirt was unheard of when the article was put out, but is now common-place, if not still laughable, in today’s culture. With every celebrity starting their own fashion line and putting out exorbitantly priced basics, this article is a touchstone to the beginning of a major trend.

Fashion and Lifestyle Organizations

Athens Fashion Collective
Southern Bon Vivant (formerly known as Make it Work Molly)
My_Athens and My Athens Style
Atlanta Magazine
Various tattoo parlors (considering a piece on tattoos and tattoo art): Labyrinth , Pain and Wonder, Walk the Line, Chico Lou’s, Midnight Iguana
Muslim Student Association (for potential burkini ban story)
UGA Dept. of Fashion Merchandising
Fashion Design Student Association at UGA
Student Merchandising Association at UGA

Old Stories

For my first story on this beat, I am interested in pursuing the idea of religiously-inspired fashion choices. The controversy over the burkini ban in France makes this topic timely, but old stories I researched demonstrate that tension in the world of Islamic fashion has existed for years.

Islamic fashion industry copes with growing pains; Supporters try to provide design choices; detractors call it exploitative. By Shaheen Pasha, Reuters. Published March 5, 2011. Located via LexisNexis.

This article opens with a scene from a Dubai fashion show featuring Islamic fashion. This lede serves as a segue to discussing the world of Islamic high fashion, which was estimated in 2011 to be worth $96 billion globally. Pasha writes that that this world is highly divided between those who would prefer that Islamic fashion feature only traditional clothing such as abayas, while others expand the category to include modest shirts, skirts, etc. decorated with traditional symbols. As different sects of Islam promote various requirements for clothing and modesty, this is not a controversy that is likely to disappear, and is as such highly relevant to my beat.

Forced to be secular (letter to the editor). By Naftalie Lavie to The Globe and Mail (Canada). Published December 20, 2003. Located via LexisNexis.

This letter to the editor demonstrates the outrage of many Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide concerning France’s ban on religious symbols (passed 2004). Lavie illustrated the feelings of many by writing “if the state tries to suppress individual fashion statements, it is not ‘protecting secular principles,’ but engaging in oppression.” As this ban is the root of the “burkini ban” controversy today, this article is useful in demonstrating how long public debate has raged over this topic.

Here’s News for Cowboys: Bandanna Can Be Religious. By Elaine Sciolino for the New York Times. January 21, 2004. Located via LexisNexis.

This article, written at the passing of France’s anti-religious symbols law, illustrates the vaugeness and (arguably) inequity inherent in the ban. “Islamic head scarves, Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses” will be banned, as will any other “ostensibly religious” outward symbol (including, potentially, a bandanna or beard). The turban of the Sikhs, on the other hand, would be permitted if it were to remain “discreet.” This article is useful for understanding the particular’s of France’s law, a law which is still in the news today.

Old Stories

While reading through the articles found on Newsbank, there seemed to be a common theme. Athens is mentioned as “the perfect place” for many different types of retailers. In the first article I read, journalist Don Nelson explains the concept of the what was then new store Community. In the article, written in 2010, Community’s concept and signature fashion line are explained and introduced. The passion and interest in vintage and artistic clothing items still fills the streets of downtown Athens, and students and townies alike have only fallen more in love with Community since its opening. Since the article was published, Community has moved locations and grown it’s presence in Athens.

The second article that I read was about the opening of another Downtown Athens retailer, Fab’rik, in 2012. The article mentioned that Fab’rik is not just about making sales, but also about serving and giving back to the Athens’ community. The retailer participates in many philanthropic programs, and although the price range is slightly higher then Community’s, the two retailers have some of the same overall goals. Fab’rik has multiple locations throughout the South, but the article recognized that the Athens’ location focused on making the community around them better any way they can. These values still remain true today, as Fab’rik continues to partner with philanthropic causes on campus and throughout the city.

The third article that I read was written in 2011 and focused on consignment. Consignment and thrift stores still seem to have a large presence throughout Athens, and this article provides a list of locations as well as an explanation of how the consignment process works. Athens has always been a town full of vintage vibes, and many consignment and thrift stores have opened and closed even in the short amount of time that I have lived here. This article, although many of the stores listed are no longer open, still reigns true for the average Athens consumer. Students still flood thrift and consignment stores to find unique pieces and residents shop there to find interesting items with a little spunk.

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

First Interview- Fashion & Lifestyle Beat

Adrienne Nettles is a makeup artist and hairstylist in Atlanta who I conducted my first interview with. She’s styled models in some Atlanta fashion shows and photoshoots. She does freelance work; works at the Red Carpet Salon and Spa, and is in her last year at the Aveda Institute in Atlanta.

Me: [So first, tell me your first and last name, where you’re from, and where you live now]
Adrienne: I’m Adrienne Nettles .I’m from McDonaugh, GA. I’m 25 years old. I live in Atlanta.
Me: [What school are you enrolled in?]
Adrienne: The Aveda Institute of Atlanta
Me: Have you worked as a stylist before this? What made you want to enroll in Aveda to get your certificate?
Adrienne: Actually I started doing makeup when I was in highschool, after working for Sephora, I decided to go to school to get my certificate in hair because they go hand in hand. I thought it would just help my business.
Me: I believe you said previously you were able to work on fashion shoots or been involved in the fashion scene in Atlanta?
Adrienne: The director [of her most recent fashion show] came looking for stylists from Aveda. I had to style the models in the way the director specifically wanted — the natural look. A lot of people want that look these days. You know the big bright eyed and natural face and lots of glow. I did two shoots. One was very casual, there was one that was high fashion. The high fashion one involved a lot of crazy makeup, that was really fun.
Me: [Do you have a preference of which of the two you’d prefer? Like what’s your style? Do you have a very different fashion sense in the day-to-day then what you like working on? Or are those two things similar?]
Adrienne: I actually like to do dramatic makeup. More than I like natural — I mean that does bring out your inner beauty. But the more dramatic makeup brings out more of your personality and people can see, “Oh wow, she must be really fun to wear all that makeup, ya know?” It makes people smile. It’s more fun to do.
Me: Speaking of wild makeup, you were at the Imagine Festival in Atlanta this past weekend, right?
Adrienne: Mhm. Yes
Me: What was some of the craziest or stand out trends this year? What did you like? What did you not like?
Adrienne: The craziest things were the pasties. People wear something on top of them but you know, very see through, crop tops, aliens, holographic pictures…it’s really out there. I’d say the worst would be — the guys in choo choos. That would be the worst. It’s really funny to look at though.
Me: [It’s weird how- I think you’re more familiar with this scene but — it’s weird how raves have their own little subculture, isn’t it?]
Adrienne: I think for the EDM culture- it’s mainly neon colors, very accessorized. But mostly people dress in colors– just at this very moment, people are very go with the flow. EDM in general, has so many subcultures, that you can pick any genre. They have country influences and hip hop influences.
Me: It seems that the fashion and the music are very intertwined in those ways, don’t you think?
Adrienne: Mhm, definitely.
Me: Changing the subject a little, I know you’ve traveled a bit, from like Atlanta to NYC — how do you think the fashion scene — including makeup and hair — how do you think the scene is different, Atlanta’s scene is different versus NYC?
Adrienne: I think Atlanta is more open to more body types. I think in NYC you see more slender people. I think in Atlanta, they wear what they’d like to. I think in NYC, larger people dress more for what makes [other peoples eyes] comfortable. But women in Atlanta, they’re very carefree. Crazy hair in Atlanta. You’ll see piles and piles of extensions in Atlanta. And it’s not just African-Americans, it’s all kinds of people. That you see rocking these crazy hairstyles. I’d say, we’re the national hair capital of the world.
Me: So [Atlanta’s] a much more diverse fashion scene? It’s not like New York, where it’s like monochrome skinny models?
Adrienne: Yeah.
Me: What are your goals? Do you want to stay in Atlanta for your career or go someplace else?
Adrienne: I want to stay in Atlanta. Everyone’s moving here. Why would I want to leave Atlanta when everyone’s coming to this place that could be as incredible as NYC.

First Interview

Interview with Liz Best, Fashion Blogger and Stylist

Me: Hey Liz! Thanks for making time to talk with me. I really appreciate your help.

Liz: No worries! I remember how hard it is to nail down interviews; I’m glad to help.

Me: So what have you been up to since you left Grady?

Liz: Well, you remember I left when I started getting styling jobs for Atlanta Magazine and whatnot. I had felt like I needed a master’s to sort of prove myself, but when I started getting jobs it seemed smarter to walk away. Sometimes you have to just jump at an opportunity. But since then I’m still styling. I try to update my blog at least every other week or so, and I’ve had images of my styling (sometimes on me, sometimes not) on the New York Times site, The Huffington Post, and Refinery29.

Me: It seems like it’s really working out for you!

Liz: So far so good, yeah.

Me: Well, I always enjoy seeing your posts on Facebook and whatnot. I have what you might call kind of a casual interest in fashion. I know what I like and what I think looks good on myself or friends, and I always click through the fashion albums posted during the Oscars and stuff. I know the September issue of Vogue is always a big one. I know some things, but I’m by no means an expert. So when I was assigned this beat on fashion and lifestyle, I immediately thought of contacting you as a first step.

Liz (laughs): Totally! So what did you want to know, specifically?

Me: I guess I’d like to know where to start. What do you, as a fashion blogger and stylist, see as big trends or topics in the fashion world right now? What should I be reading? Are there stories that you think should be covered but aren’t really getting covered? Do you have any ideas on how to localize stories on what’s happening in bigger cities? Any words of wisdom appreciated.

Liz: Ok, that’s a lot—

Me: I know, sorry—

Liz: No, it’s cool. I’ll do my best. First I’d recommend you look more at Vogue, because that’s going to be different than a magazine like Cosmo or something. You know, more actual writing, less clickbait on paper. You’ll see stories about what’s coming for fall, new designers and all that, and maybe some of those could be localized somehow. Like, do you see trends for fall reflected in what girls are wearing in Athens. Still on the whole what to read thing, I’d also recommend Atlanta Magazine, because that’s more local and has a good fashion section. You might get ideas about upcoming events you could write about or something, and then that could maybe be a place you could pitch or publish a story. I’ve worked with them a few times now, I’ll have to send you some contact information later.

Me: That would be great!

Liz: No problem! As far as story ideas go, I think the whole “sorority girls in workout clothes and what is appropriate on campus” has probably been done too much, but I could be wrong. But I do like stories about fashion that really show how much what we wear matters in our lives, in how people perceive us or how we perceive ourselves. I think maybe you could do something interesting relating to the whole burkini ban thing, have you heard about that?

Me: In France? Yes.

Liz: Yeah, exactly. There’s definitely a Muslim population at UGA, I wonder if you could do a piece relating to religiously-inspired fashion choices. Like, that would be timely with the burkini ban being in the news right now.

Me: That’s a really great idea.

Liz: Glad you like it! And then the last thing I can really think of at the moment would be that it could be cool to do a photo series of fashion in Athens. I feel like when you’re sitting outside a café or something you see a lot of people in workout clothes or whatever, but also some people who have made these really interesting and creative styles work for them. I think a cool photo series could be made just of people you see downtown in an afternoon, get a statement about what they’re wearing means to them. I don’t know if that would work for your assignment. I just want someone to do it.

Me (laughs): Downtown really is its own little fashion parade. I don’t know if I’d be able to do that as an assignment, but even if that didn’t work out for class purposes maybe that’s something I could do just for my own portfolio.

Liz: Yeah, I saw you’ve kept working on your site!

Me: I’m trying! I think this class is really going to help with that, actually. I’ve done more in the last week or so with it than I have in a while, which is good. Anyway. I don’t want to take up too much of your time, but I do want to thank you for all of your insight, and one last thing I always ask people is “Is there anything else you’d like to say that I didn’t give you space to say? Anything I should have asked you?”

Liz: Hm. I guess I would say, and it’s just something I think about sometimes, is that it’s really hard to make fashion both art and like…relatable? You know? Like, you have all these ritzy articles by Vogue and stuff talking about how so-and-so’s Fall collection is reminiscent of so-and-so other designer back in whatever time, and there’s an audience for that, just like there’s an audience for the NYT book review. It’s art critique. But there’s also an audience who still cares about clothing and how they look, and they have their own look, but they’re not interested in the jargon. They like what they like just because they like it. And that’s cool too. But I wish you could write for people who aren’t looking to hear the jargon without it turning into “people of this body size should wear this silhouette” or “this style skirt makes your butt look good.” I would like to see more depth in fashion coverage without it alienating people.

Me: Wow. That’s pretty deep right there.

(both laugh)

Liz: I’m not trying to be, I guess. It’s just something I’ve thought about personally.

Me: No, I like it! That definitely gives me something to think about, and it touches on something I was thinking about myself. I know I don’t have the resources to do “high fashion” coverage, you know, but I didn’t want to do just another piece on whether leggings are pants, either. I didn’t describe that as eloquently as you did, but I think I’m maybe describing that quest for middle ground that you were referencing.

Liz: Yeah, I think we’re kinda touching on the same idea. I’d love to see what you’re able to do with it.

Me: Well, I really appreciate your confidence in me! And your time. I really appreciate your time.

Liz: No problem! It was great to chat with you again. Hit me up if you think of anything else you’d like to ask. I’ll do my best to answer.

Me: I may just take you up on that! I’ll let you go for today, though. Thank you again!

~Awkward “ok, bye! Yeah thanks! Ok bye!” at end of recording~

Interview with Rachel Barnes

Background: Rachel Barnes, coordinator of the Clueless Fashion Show at Cine (8/27), manager and “finder” of merchandise at Dynamite Clothing.

Me: “So I was told at Community that you were actually the one that started the idea of the fashion show. Is this the first year of it?”

Rachel: “Yeah, well, it’s probably not going to be a recurrent [sic] thing, necessarily. I am on the events committee at Cine. So for the last year and a half now– almost two years, I guess, I’ve been helping with different events. They get a fun movie in and I try and come up with awesome stuff to do with it… But my dream– what I’ve always wanted to do at Cine– was to get Clueless, the movie there for everyone to see and then have the fashion show to tie in with it. And some gift from the god[s] the last movie of the summer series this year is Clueless and I’m getting to do this!”

Me: “That’s great. So how long have you been wanting this?”

Rachel: “Well, probably from the first fashion show I ever did, which was like, 2007 maybe? Almost ten years ago. I had it in my head. I either wanted to do a photo shoot or a fashion show. It was my favorite film. It was probably the most influential film in my life, as far as fashion goes. So it was a no-brainer. And then to be able to tie it into a movie theater where they can actually play it– it was too perfect.”

Me: “What’s your role here at Dynamite?”

Rachel: “I am a manager and I sometimes help ‘find’ with the merchandise… and overall awesome employee. We all run the instagrams and social media.”

Me: “How do you come up with the looks for the fashion show?”

Rachel: “So I really wanted to include the community on this because the more people involved with Cine, the better. Cine is just such an awesome non-profit movie theater that Athens is so lucky to have. So I wanted more of the community to be involved, so in that sense, I decided to have multiple clothing stores or boutiques involved. Dynamite Clothing, Agora Vintage, Athens Atomic, Community, and Entourage are the five stores that we’re featuring. I’ve got five different local stylists in town that are just awesome fashionable people that are paired with the store and they are picking out the looks based on the characters’ outfits in the film. I’ve got models that look just like the characters, then we’re going to project the image of the character from the movie up on the wall while the models are walking down and there will be a panel of fashionistas, three local, fashionable ladies that grew up in a time when Clueless was an influential movie– they’re going to be talking about the comparisons of the outfits… I just wanted to do something a little more interactive. I’ve been doing fashion shows for so long now, I thought it’d be fun to have one where people are talking about what’s being worn as opposed to everyone just watching the models go down the runway.”

Category: Fashion and lifestyle

Fashion and Lifestyle Organizations

Old Stories– K. Cline

Fashion and Lifestyle Organizations

Old Stories

Old Stories

First Interview- Fashion & Lifestyle Beat

First Interview

Interview with Rachel Barnes