First Editor's Note

By: Alexis Shoats

For three months I sat with the idea of the third issue. Oftentimes, there are experiences that help plant a seed. Over time, through various outlets such as music, reading, art, reflections on history, and my daily consumption of the news, it is then I come to my ah-ha moment. So after I stopped stressing over the first fall issue. I just let the seeds plant themselves and allowed them to grow. I like to nurture an idea with more things that relate to it. That’s when I know I'm on the right path. So I listened to Solange, Raye, and finished reading Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley while working on the fall issue. I felt every pain and hopeless feeling related to Sudan, Congo, Palestine, and black and brown violence inflected by inequality, classism, and white supremacy in the United States. I witnessed the ways in which our families try to survive, and I simultaneously found the hope needed to push forward. Hope that is rooted in our unwavering love for our communities as well as our fortitude. The ability to be resourceful and although it is no ideal way to live, our ability to welcome joy in the midst of adversity. 

All of these various experiences and ideas flourished into our magazine’s third issue, titled “A Love Letter”. A love letter to our diverse communities, and to those across the world that we are still fighting for. In this issue, you will find various ways to support Gaza. Book recommendations that center Black and Brown stories that aren’t filled solely with pain and struggle. Articles that center BIPOC and historically marginalized groups in fashion. As well as the ways we continue to play a huge role in creating trends, and how we play with the idea of what fashion is and can be. The ways we center important conversions through various creative outlets. In this issue, we will also center Native American content creators, writers, artists and so many more. We will hold space to honor Indigenous teachings as well as tribes' continued fight for various issues that range from combating hate, environmental protection, hunting and fishing rights, as well as the land back movement. October is also Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we should all actively be fighting for disability rights. 

Like every issue, this one is dedicated to us.

Alexis Shoats, Editor-In-Chief