Reasoning Behind the Cut

Has many of you have noticed, I cut a lot of my hair off. And I'm not going to take this post to write about my decision for the change, but to hopefully use it in a broader way. My readers don't care about what I did to my hair, I'm not famous. I do want to share the grand spectrum of what this decision did for me and hope to inspire my audience. Onto the story!

I could give you the "I hated my hair," "new year, new me" excuses, but I think I'll take a cheesier approach by saying I wanted to be myself. Since leaving Syracuse and moving New York, even since I started this new major 15 weeks ago, I've changed. It's extremely obvious. It's my environment, my new friends, old friends and family that choose to accept this about me that allow me to feel comfortable with these changes. My wardrobe to my personality to my career choices have done complete 360's and to be honest I couldn't be happier with who I have become.

Now for the semester. I switched to the communication design one year program here at FIT to start anew. I've been challenged in mediums, projects and choices that I wasn't before. And I can say I made the right decision. I've met amazing and talented people that I will always be close with that have inspired me in unimaginable ways. I thank them for all they have done for me and continue to do. I got a new job as well at H&M. Not that it's a huge change, but it allows me more in house opportunities and freedom I wasn't given before. It's a place with nice people that accept my red hair and my style. They embrace the individual and their skills. I've had internship interviews and met amazing people this semester also. Lastly I now have my first apartment and permanent New York City address. I've made that move that will help me improve my art, my career and my life style. I found myself very stressed out over the pasted few months, but it was worth it.

The haircut was my version of a "finishing touch." Kind of a reward to myself for all I have accomplished in the big city. It's me embracing the person I have become and seeing who sticks by me and supports me through the challenges. I'm an artist, a nerd, a dork, a fashionista, a designer, the list goes on, but each characteristic is important to me. Overall I love it, I feel myself and it solved my top knot addiction.

Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some of my work from the semester, new projects and of course more fashion. I hope you all enjoy it and continue to follow me in my adventures. I blog to record my journey and practice my craft. Enjoy the new stuff coming!

Photography: Megan Madden

- Mik

These Mom Jeans

Recently while work I noticed we had a pair of high rise boyfriend jeans in stock. Now the concept of  high rise boyfriend jeans can be easily simplified to the term mom jeans. There's a difference between regular high rise or natural waist jeans and mom jeans. High/natural rise pants are still tighter, either in the form of skinny or super skinny, while boyfriend jeans are loose and baggy adding high rise to that basically translates to the jeans your mom wore in the 90's. I high recommend these because they are extremely comfortable. They are boyfriend jeans on steroids.
There are so many ways to wear these just like styling other high rise pants. You can wear a cropped shirt, regular length tee, you can layer easily and be super comfy. Boyfriend jeans, especially these, are the key to achieving a loose, edgy, 90s look. The style of the 90s is on trend for fall more then ever and I must say it's a fun and creative style. It's loose, comfy, layered and little dark.
Here I chose to style them simply so you can see the jeans more. I paired it with a cropped sweat from Zara and some Steve Madden booties. Of course it's accessorized with a dark fall lip color.
Try these jeans, mine are from Hollister of course, and get cozy for fall!

P.S I highly suggest not getting your boyfriends opinion on them, he will hate them, I promise.

- Mik
Photography by Megan Madden

Blush Magazine: Abercrombie Revolution

As many of you know, I'm web director for Blush Magazine at FIT. Besides working on the website, I also write for the print edition. Yesterday the Fall Issue was released to the stands on campus. Articles from makeup for glasses, fashion and technology and industry news. My article, entitled "Abercrombie Revolution," gives an overview on the issues and changes going on with the Abercrombie and Fitch company. Luckily I have my employee advantages and have seen a huge transition before my eyes. What is post has that the articles doesn't is three outfits, head to toe Hollister that shows a few new pieces. Enjoy the article and stop in stores to see more!

P.S This Friday @ 1pm on blushmagfit.com is the Blush Online Launch! Check it out and use #blushlaunch2K14 for a chance to win!

Abercrombie Revolution

By Mikayla Madigan | Photography by Megan Madden

“You’ve Changed, So We’ve Changed,” reads the new slogan hanging boldly across Aeropostle stores. Responding to a decrease in profits, Aero is just one of the many familiar fashion companies who are being forced to change their entire approach to reaching their target customers. Despite many stores’ willingness to recreate their image and regain consumer dedication, one company had been holding out on us. Abercrombie and Fitch, which had previously resisted change, has begun a brand evolution as of this year. Their style has gone from “SoCal” to ‘SoTrendy’, with new items that are bringing back the customer’s interest. 

Ten years ago, when many of us were in middle school, it was evident that the iconic moose or seagull was a symbol of status. Abercrombie and Hollister were the most frequented stores of “popular” tweens. Fast-forward to the present, and style preferences have pretty much done a 180. Now, teens and young adults have much more eclectic taste and these symbols no longer hold the key to the “in” crowd. 

So, what did journalists and marketers say Abercrombie had to do to stay relevant? Firstly, become more “on trend.” To determine what trends a company wants to produce, they send representatives across the globe in search of the latest trends. The problem with this method is that the trends Abercrombie had been catering to were already hanging in consumer’s closets. By the time Abercrombie got them on the floor, they were fading out. Secondly, ditch the logo. Customers no longer want a distracting moose stuck on their chest. It disrupts the overall look and is no longer the incentive to buy an item. And, lastly, lower those prices. Many shoppers feel that items like a Hollister or Abercrombie graphic tee are about double the price they would expect to pay. Taking note of these issues, the company is beginning to make changes in order to regain their profits and bring loyal customers back. 

Let’s take this summer at Abercrombie, in particular. Trends like palazzo pants, natural-waisted shorts, and shapely crop tops were introduced by the brand—and much earlier on in the season than in previous years. Black is also now one of the many colors they sell. Neither Hollister of Abercrombie ever sold black, and its inclusion is probably one of the biggest and most effective changes thus far. Abercrombie has also created the “Jean Lounge,” with their new “Best Fit Ever” jeans. They come in tons of styles and customers have the option to pick from washes that are destroyed, light, dark, and again, even black. 

The logo is now only on about 50% of the product. Its been left on certain graphic tees, mostly for men. Price wise, the stores always have a promotion going on, until new prices are decided on. For instance, jeans for $19.00! It’s an unheard of price for the Abercrombie of the past. Other recent changes include securing contracts with both Disney and Lucy Hale. Hollister in particular has Mickey, Minnie, and Star Wars tees and have released a SoCal and Lucy Hale collaboration. 

So, is there some hope for companies like Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister, who were failing to hold consumer interest? It may be too soon to tell, but these huge changes may just be enough to save them. So, save your middle school moose tees—they may just become a vintage collector’s item.

Cropped Carpet Sweat

Black, High Rise Jeans

Cropped, Sleevless Tee

Boho Palazzo Pants

Long Sleeve, Crop Top

Natural Waisted Jeans

Fall Essentials For All Styles

Fall is the beginning of cozy sweaters, boots and those favorite jeans. There's a lot trending this fall: ponchos, wide legged trousers and big coats are just a few. But are they essentials for the season or just a trend? Not everyone can keep up with the latest fashions or even afford it. So I have compiled into one outfits the three things I think everyone, no matter the fashion interest, should have for this fall. Of course I wore it my own bold, edgy and confident way, but these pieces are so basic and versatile that they can accommodate any personal style.
The essentials for this fall are: big flannels, boyfriend jeans, combat boots and a dark lipstick. Two being classic items and one being the staple of the season.
Big flannels are an essential because they are cozy, colorful and easy to style. They can be worn unbuttoned, buttoned, tied around the waist or any creative way you can come up with. Any pattern of plaid is easy to style. Find one that fits your color palette and usual style.
Boyfriend jeans made their way into stores this past spring and faded into the summer. With a surprise come back these baggy, denim pants are everywhere. They are comfortable, loose and stylish in so many ways. You can style boyfriend jeans in literally ANY way. I do suggest being careful when purchasing a pair. Try them on! They are a completely different fit, your normal jean size might not the same in a looser fit. Also if your aren't overly adventurous with your style go for a regular pair as opposed to destroyed ones. Or if you want want options you can purchase both styles. Boyfriend jeans are definitely the hot item for this season.
Combat boots have been on trend for about fives years now, changes and molded into different kinds. They are a shoes we wear constantly and probably have in a few different neutral colors. We go through pairs until they are destroyed and get the next pair to continue the cycle. Combat boots go with anything as well. Jeans, legging, even sweatpants can go with them. The neutral colors allow them to be worn with a variety of colors, patterns and textures. If you don't have combat boots, consider investing in a good pair because they will become a favorite.
A dark lipstick really adds some contrast to your look. It's sultry, a little sexy and bold. A popular one is Train Bleu by Nars. I'm wearing Homegirl by Kat Von D, which is a similar color to Nars, but a couple dollars cheaper. This deep red, maroon color goes with a fall color palette and heads right into winter.
These are my fall 2014 essentials! Try them out and you can share them with me. Here's my look with all the basics.

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Making Mondays Simple

Monday is no one's favorite day of the week. It's the first weekday, you're tired, overwhelmed and overloaded. This Monday, in particular, was my longest (so far). I even changed my outfit four times! I had my outfit all planned, until I spilled all over my pants. I put on a new outfit, went to class and decided I hated this outfit and wanted to cancel shooting with Megan because of it. Since I got out of class early I changed again, but I approached it differently. I said to myself " Mikayla, Monday is already complicated, dress simply today." The fourth time was only because I have to wear certain clothes to work, not as exciting as my accident, hatred and simplicity.
For my simple outfit I went with a Brandy Melville striped crop top, natural waisted Hollister jeans, black flats and a vintage jean jacket purchased at a Brooklyn flee market. Thrift finds are some of the best finds.
No this isn't chic, perfect of particularly eye catching. But it worked for me that day and described how I felt. I think that's a great way to start developing a personal style. Some days I feel more fashionable then others, some times I feel like I have six projects due this week and I'm living in leggings. Whatever it is I feel I try to make it work for me and my style. Sometimes simple is superb.

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Black and Bold

It's been quite hot in NYC, melting faces hot. If you're me, you only brought one pair of shorts to school, the heat can be quite a dilemma. Until I purchased some shorts on sale I went with my second BFF, leggings. This is the first mostly black look I've done in a while and I have to say it feels good to be black (pun intended). To cope with the heat I paired my leggings from H&M with a Forever 21 crop top that was literally $2.80 so it was worth the purchase. The the white button up just added some style to an otherwise active wear look, also from H&M. Let's face it I'm not going for a run. Lastly, some Doc Martens I purchased for $40! That's a steal for Doc's!
This was the "creepy look" outfit for sure. I got so many weird looks from people. I've definitely seen weirder outfits then mine so I'm not sure what the deal was (the city has been a bit extra creepy though). I still walk tall and proud because it's who I am. I made the decision to wear what I wanted so I OWN IT! Always own who you are. There's only one person like you: you, so be yourself no matter what. That's why this outfit is not just black, but bold!

- mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Last days of August, Hello September!

It's now Labor Day and into September. Let me tell you I love fall because layers layers layers! But for my last day of August I had to hit up a trend that's translating from summer to fall, overalls. These 90s-00s classics started to come to the scene with shorts overalls this summer and now stores are selling full overalls for fall. As Barney Stinson would say "They are Over-ALLS." They can be worn over anything!
It's been hot, muggy and darn right humid in NYC so I chose to pair my Target overalls with an H&M Epic Weekend crop top. It's a long weekend of course it's EPIC! Some motorcycle boots from Plato's Closet, a Pacsun Plaid Shirt and an H&M Bedazzled Beanie complete this look.
I kept singing Fancy while shooting with my awesome photographer Megan Madden because I felt ultimately badass in this outfit. I'm convinced she thinks in totally weird. Also while checking out the Urban Outfitters sale with my roomie the greeter said he loved my look!
We shot near a sweet graffiti wall we pass going to school. The artwork changes on it all time. I think of it like style, it changes depending on how you feel and what's out there.
I think it's fun to play with different looks and see how it makes you feel. Like I said I felt bad-ass and awesome wearing this look.
I also felt totally myself! Playing dress up is part of the game it's so much fun. Keep playing around with your style.
Now we are headed into fall and I can't wait to see what looks and trends are going to be out!

- Mik
Photography: Megan Madden

Nerd it up!

Today I went back to my inner nerd. I haven't worn my glasses basically at all this summer and I kind of missed them. The one thing I hated about my glasses is that I felt like I never stood out. Between my outfit and my make up it looked like I was still hiding behind them. Today I went strong with my nerd style! With Tally Weji overalls and a forever21 crop top. It's a new take on suspenders and striped polos of the classic nerd. I also did a really strong at eye to make my eyes stand out behind my glasses, along with a light yet shimmery eye shadow. And don't forget a strong eyebrow! Glasses go with anything so never be afraid to bring out your inner nerd style! 

#tallyweji #forever21 #overalls #croptop #rockthecrop #glasses #nerd #cateye #ootd

- mik