New magazine showcases student style

Chloe McConnell Guest Writer

Ever paused to admire a classmate’s unique sense of style? Contrast: The Vassar Style Magazine, the College’s first fashion rag, is taking a step beyond mere admiration and devoting its pages to showcasing student style.

Sophomores Lucy Cantwell, Liza Darwin and Selina Strasburger are the co-editors and founders of Contrast. Planning the bi-annual magazine since last December, they obtained Vassar Student Association certification status in April and will release the inaugural issue on Dec. 5.

The magazine’s mission is to showcase student style and embrace the international fashion industry through articles and photo spreads.

“The great thing about Vassar style is that there is no ‘one’ look; we have a wide variety of styles on campus,” said Strasburger. “We hope that [Contrast] will be able to celebrate Vassar style, spotlight student designers, talk about the greater fashion world and discuss [alumnae/i] and their roles in the fashion industry now.”

The editors wholly believe in the value of fashion as a medium for creative self-expression. “We felt that the pervasiveness of personal style on our campus demanded a little recognition,” said Cantwell.

“Fashion is a mode of expression, a way of forming your identity and choosing what you present to the world,” said Strasburger. “A lot of Vassar students are conscious of this and Contrast is a great way to showcase the different styles on campus.”

The name Contrast exemplifies Vassar style. “On Vassar’s campus you see all kinds of contrasting styles, and in future issues we want to really play with the idea of contrast,” said Strasburger. In the first issue, one of the photo spreads takes place outdoors among warm fall colors; the other, called “Nuclear Fallout,” was shot in a basement.

An assortment of articles penned by students will fill the magazine’s pages, as well. These include a spotlight on Vassar alumnae/i in the fashion industry, a discussion on eco-friendly fashion and tips for thrift store shopping.

“Rather than telling people how to look, Contrast focuses on celebrating the range of styles at Vassar,” said staff writer Jon Roth ’10.

The editors stressed that Contrast won’t be a dictum for what’s hot and what’s not. “Rather, the articles and photos are intended to celebrate students’ innovative personal expressions,” said Darwin. “Vassar has students from various backgrounds all over the world; everyone is different, and this is often reflected in the ways students dress.”

The editors are collaborating with the Vassar Public Art Committee (VPAC) to throw the magazine’s launch party on Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. in the Aula. Strasberger said that students can expect a “classy evening,” with hot chocolate, jazz music, a performance by the Night Owls, a screening by the Vassar Filmmakers and the VPAC. The magazine will be distributed for free at the party, and the remaining copies will be available the next day in the College Center and residence hall entrances.

“All of the student organizations hosting the event have been contributing to a campus-wide effort to increase the presence of the arts at Vassar,” said Joseph Martinez, President of the Class of 2011 and VPAC executive. Martinez is working in conjunction with Contrast to endorse non-academic art clubs on campus. “I hope people will leave the party eager to become more involved in the arts at Vassar.”

If students are interested in contributing to Contrast next semester, e-mail contrast@vassar.edu. “Absolutely anyone can contribute to the magazine—we are constantly looking for writers, layout designers, photographers and anyone who is willing to help,” said Darwin. “It is definitely a collaborative effort.”