Photo by Ellie Belcheff

Margaux Cornell, Sophomore, Finance, International Business, and Marketing

Wearing: Fuzzi silk dress (via Neiman Marcus), Tory Burch Mules

The Triangle: Who is your style inspiration? Why?

Margaux Cornell: I don’t have one. I used to attempt to follow whatever the hottest supermodel at the time was, or some famous person (real or fictitious) such as Blair Waldorf or Miranda Kerr, but I have forgone that provincial ideology. I have since realized, that I must try to actually express myself, instead of blindly following others.

TT: Name three pieces essential to your closet.

MC: I wear my heeled, black ankle boots all the time. The Kate Spade and Vince ankle boots are really comfortable. My wardrobe is also filled with [little black dresses] that can go into either business casual or a nice dinner depending on the rest of the outfit. My third essential is quality workout apparel to keep myself motivated to work out.

TT: How would you currently describe your style?

MC: I would describe my style as a mix of Parisian and old Hollywood glam. I don’t really think about having a specific style though.

TT: What are your favorite places to shop?

MC: Theory, Vince, Anthropologie, Tory Burch, Trina Turk, Parker, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Blue Mercury, ASOS, Rag & Bone, Alice and Olivia, Lululemon, and like a million more. I am a self-diagnosed shopaholic.

TT: What is your favorite fall trend?

MC: I am in love with capes and wraps. They are just so comfortable, slimming and versatile. You can wear it at the office if it is freezing (I know it is where I co-op) as well as out shopping over a casual outfit.

TT: What is your style mantra?

MC: Only buy what you are in love with. If that means spending more, it is worth it to make you feel good about yourself.

As a self-declared makeup enthusiast, I am always dying to get my hands on the newest and most cult-worthy beauty products.

Huda Kattan is a beauty blogger and entrepreneur. She fell in love with makeup as a girl and started blogging about it during her time at college. Realizing that this was her one and only passion, she left school and decided to pursue a career in the makeup industry. She gained popularity on social media and posting original content on Youtube. Huda now boasts 15.4 million followers on her Instagram profile.

Kattan is a self-made makeup extraordinaire, so her products are expected to be high level. For her company Huda Beauty, her first product were false lashes. They sold out quickly and were kept in demand. The second product she released was the Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Contours. The liquid lip and pencil are sold separately, retailing at $19-$20 and available via the Sephora online store.

Recently, I purchased four of the liquid matte shades after months of anticipation. I purchased Bombshell (a subtle pinkish nude), Icon (a classy peachy pink), Gossip Girl (the everyday cute pink), and Trophy Wife (a rose wood). Sephora’s website describes the product as “a highly comfortable, long wear liquid lipstick that dries matte with intense color pay-off and transfer proof properties.” According to the company it’s formulated with antioxidants and a complex that maintains the lips’ moisture.

I put the product to the test right away to see what this raved-about liquid matte was really worth it. When I began to apply the product, I was greeted by a pleasant vanilla smell, just potent enough to make it enjoyable. Some liquid mattes tend to carry a chemical smell, so this was already a pro. The formula is on the thicker side of the liquid lip spectrum, but is still relatively thin compared to other liquid mattes I have used. The consistency is somewhat creamy, and glides on easily and evenly.

While some people like to apply a coat of chapstick or lip moisturizer before putting on their liquid lip, I would not recommend doing so with the Huda Beauty liquid mattes. They are already formulated to help retain moisture, and therefore an excess of it cancels out the level of pigmentation and its staying power. If you really need to apply some form of moisturization, opt for a quick absorbing oil (like grapeseed).

Overall, if you swear by liquid mattes like I do, this is definitely a good brand to add to your collection. Also be sure to check out Huda’s other products, like her amazing lashes and metallic pressed pigment palette.

Photo Courtest By Kris Atomic

Fashion Week season is among us. Both New York and London Fashion Week have wrapped up, and now it’s Milan’s time to shine. After Milan, we’ll shift our focus to Paris. We’re currently in the midst of Milan Fashion Week, and the designers who’ve presented so far have brought their A-games. Here’s a walk through of some of the collections that really stood out thus far:

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

If there was a collection that was screaming spring 2017, it was Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. The show started off with monochrome pieces and then slowly began incorporating soft yellows, pale pinks and dreamy blues. The light materials used to create heavy layers of ruffles were a perfect contrast to each other just work incredibly well. The collection was very wearable and stayed true to their feminine and flirty vibe.

Emilio Pucci

This collection started us off with simple, single-colored pieces crafted with light and sheer material and took an unexpected turn into wild and bright prints that became more eye catching as the show went on. Pucci played heavily into the bodysuit trend that has been popular among celebrity performers and has trickled down into the mainstream of fashion. Rather than the jeweled and glittered bodysuits celebs like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez have been sporting for some time, the suits were covered in bright patterns and some included wide, dramatic sleeves.

Prada

Prada served us some major futuristic pieces as well as vintage vibes. I know that is so contradicting but just take a look on Vogue Runway, you’ll understand. By mixing patterns and textures (picture plaid and feathers), we were left with a statement that you can make the most unexpected things look chic when styled properly. Patterns were also layered on top of one another, paired carefully to prevent the prints from clashing. This season, Prada ditched the heels for platform sandals and flats with eye catching colors.

Fendi

Karl Lagerfeld served major work (as expected) during this show. Described as “Airy Confections” the looks were sweet and very spring. The accessory of the show were the glittered lips, that models rocked on  the runway with flawless pouts. Pastels, nudes and a plethora of jackets were present, with some ultra femme flowy looks as wells as heavier more serious pieces. Stripes of all directions and sizes made their way down the runway, along with heels and socks. The show wrapped up with elegant goddess-like dresses, accented by gold flower prints.

When Philly heat and humidity strikes, maintaining a solid skincare and beauty routine can be hard. Sure, some say it’s weather like this where we can just leave our moisturizer and foundation behind, but those are the people you should never listen to. Having a routine during this time of year is just as important as any other. For those makeup fanatics that aren’t willing to put down their full-face makeup look, there are ways to combat the heat and slay all day.

The one foolproof method I can offer to make your makeup stay in place and not budge is to set it with a beautyblender and translucent powder. This method is tried and true as well as life changing. What you want to do is dampen your beautyblender and dip it into a loose translucent powder. Like many makeup artists and celebrities, I absolutely swear by Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. Dip the blender into this silky magical powder and press it into the skin. You can apply it to your full face or target the areas prone to smudging like the T-zone and under eye. There should be some powder residue left, and you’ll want to let it sit there for about 10 minutes while it really sets in and works its magic. After those 10 minutes are up, take a fluffy brush and brush off any excess powder, and voila! You can show up anywhere and people will know you came to slay.

As for skincare, even in this heat where our skin tend to get more oily, you must never forget to moisturize. The best way to go about this is to apply a light day cream to a freshly cleansed face when you wake up. Also, make sure whatever moisturizer you choose includes some amount of SPF to help your skin fight off those harmful UV rays the sun is casting down all day. You can find light moisturizers with SPF at any pharmacy or shop selling beauty products.

Humidity also leads to sweating, which can often lead to breakouts. This is why it’s important to give your pores a good scrub a few times a week. Pick up a face wash that contains a form of exfoliant to unclog them and keep any blemishes away. My top choice for a great exfoliating wash is Dark Angels by Lush Cosmetics. It contains black sugar and charcoal to scrub away dirt and absorb excess oil. To kick up your routine another notch, use a face mask two to three times per week. Since charcoal is perfect for fighting off oils that build up on the skin, I suggest using the Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask by Origins. As an added bonus, it contains white china clay, which absorbs environmental toxins we are so heavily exposed to while living in an urban area.

At the end of the day, I cannot stress how imperative it is to wipe your face off. Make sure you’ve gotten all that excess oil, sweat and makeup off before you even think about hitting the pillow. Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, or a similar product, will remove everything in one step (even eye makeup). It’s so gentle and will leave your skin feeling super soft.

Incorporate these steps into your routine and you’ll keep looking fabulous all term, and your skin will be oh, so grateful.

Photo Courtesy UnSplash Kyson_Dana

Dear Freshman,

Welcome to the first year of the rest of your adult life. You made it past high school, you got accepted to a great school and you have so much to look forward to in these next five years. Being in such an urban area, you’ll be exposed to so much art and self expression. All those rules your high school principal doomed you to, like making sure your straps are two finger lengths wide and that your skirt reaches below your fingertips, are long gone. You now have the power to choose whatever makes you feel fabulous.

However, there’s one trend I request you leave inside your dorms: unflattering, baggy sweatpants. Yes, I can agree that sweats are the ultimate comfort option when it comes to pants, but you’re becoming a young professional. Now is the time to present yourself as such. When you just pulled an all-nighter to ace that 8 a.m. exam, you get a pass to wear sweatpants, but otherwise — pull yourself together and dress to impress.

Don’t worry, this isn’t me forbidding you from wearing that atrocious article of clothing ever again in life, but don’t make a habit of wearing them frequently. Take my advice and thank me later. When you look good, you feel good. When you look like a slob, that reflects onto your all-around demeanor. Philadelphia has many great options when it comes to clothing stores, and if you are not yet sure what your style is, now is the perfect time to experiment and find out. Try out new options and forget the days of shopping in your favorite mall chain store. Say goodbye to Charlotte Russe and Hollister and dive into new adventures. Find your favorite boutique in Old City, or rummage through racks at a thrift shop like Buffalo Exchange to find unique pieces that really speak to you.

So go out, be free, get out of the sweatpants mentality, and be the bad biddie you are.

XOXO,

Ellie

As the summer heat turns up, wearing an outfit that ensures you stay cool has become a priority for most. Whether you’re walking around the city or just a few blocks to class, you’ll inevitably be affected by this heat. With so many types of clothing no longer being viable options, if you want to survive the summer (goodbye skinny jeans), we’ve come up with a few heatwave staples that will keep you looking cute and staying cool.

1. Printed cotton shorts

Cotton is an ideal material for summer. Since it doesn’t cling  to your skin, this breathable article will be a major key during these trying summer times.

2. Knotted tank tops

Sleeves are so springtime. Loose and flowy tank tops are a winner for the summer season. Plus, you’ll avoid any awkward tan lines those cap sleeves can leave you with. To up the style ante on a classic tank, tie a knot at the front for a little extra sass.

3. Off the shoulder

So there is a way to (sort of) wear sleeves during this season. Off the shoulder tops are super chic and can be paired easily with shorts or skirts. Flowy tops in this department will be your best bet, making sure you’re able to keep the air circulating.

4. Midi skirt

The wind tunnels in this city and skirts do not always mix well. An easy fix to that is to wear a midi skirt! They’re still playful and fun while letting your legs have room to breathe. Opt for something light like a tulle and lace skirt.

5. Open back dresses

Not many things feel better then having the wind cool down your neck and back when the sun is mercilessly beating down on you. A dress with an open or low back is ideal when it comes to the brutal heat we’re currently experiencing.

Olivia Anton, Student Director

The Triangle: What are your responsibilities as the Student Director?

Olivia Anton: As Student Director of the Drexel Fashion Show, I oversee, coordinate and motivate team members in all aspects of the 200-garment fashion show. I attend all model selections, garment pre-selections, fittings and judging and ensure that all deadlines for mailings, programs, and invitations are met.

TT: Have you completed any internships?

OA: I interned at Alison Brod PR in New York City for six months last year for my Drexel co-op. My responsibilities included: assisting with mailings, managing press clips, maintaining the sample closet, styling and assisting on-site and off-site events for our fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients, as well as working on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week. I had an amazing experience. It was a ton of work but I learned so much but got to work on awesome events and meet interesting people.

TT: Do you have any plans for after graduation?

OA: Currently, through my network of colleagues at Alison Brod PR, I will work this spring for [Christy Meisner Doramus’s company] Crowns by Christy, a start up with innovative, unique, floral crowns for special occasions.

In the past I was also the PR Representative for Rent the Runway on the Drexel campus. This past summer I studied fashion business at The London College of Fashion in London, England. I have written four stories for the Drexel D&M Magazine, which is published once annually in the spring. Along with writing, I used my design, Photoshop and InDesign skills to create the layout and design of the magazine.

After graduation I’m going to move to New York City. I’m currently working part-time at Crowns by Christy. I go to NYC every so often to work and do Christy’s social media from Philadelphia. I’m currently planning to work for her after graduation unless there is a job opening at my past co-op. I’m very excited to move to New York City and take the city by storm.

TT: What have you learned during this process?

OA: Being the Student Director is a ton of work. I’m juggling with a bunch of different tasks and emailing many students and faculty. I have very strong organizational skills. I have a planner and notebook where I note down everything I need to. It helps me stay on track and ahead of the game. I enjoy being busy and all the work makes me very excited for the Fashion Show.

Being the Student Director is very exciting because I get to work with my diligent and passionate classmates and my amazing teacher, Catherine Byers, as well as the other faculty members at Drexel. It’s a team project and I’m enjoying working with everyone and helping coordinate all aspects of the show. I also love how close I’ve gotten with some of the fashion designers. They’re all so talented and work so hard. I’m excited for the show to come together and to see all the hard work pay off.

Gina Knox, Garment Coordinator

The Triangle: Tell me about your role in this years fashion show?

Gina Knox: As this year’s garment coordinator I am in charge of overseeing all 191 looks that are in the show. This started at pre-selection with cataloging all the garments that were submitted for review by the faculty and continues to both the judging event in which students receive awards for excellence in different areas and the show. For both the judging event and the show I work with the designers to make sure all items are delivered and that the volunteers that are backstage at the show have clear directions.

Another big part of my job this year has been to work with the digital media students on the app they have created for judging. In the past we would use Google Forms and Excel to calculate the results, however this year they have created an app that will automatically calculate the results. As with any new technology we have had our share of problems that need to be fixed but we are really excited about the efficiency and accuracy the app will provide.

TT: Where did you work during your co-op?

GK: I worked at Shoshanna, which is a women’s ready-to-wear and swimwear designer enterprise located in Manhattan. The brand is sold through small boutiques across the country as well as Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and other online retailers. The office is small so I would work with everyone from sales to production to PR and online promotion. I loved working there because I got to learn a lot about the business and what I am interested in and they were always helping me grow by giving me additional responsibilities throughout my six months there.

TT: What has been the most exciting part of this experience?

GK: My favorite part of this experience has been getting to work with such a wide variety of people. Just the D&M students or just the fashion design students can’t put on the fashion show alone. It takes a lot of work by individuals from different disciplines to make the show come together. And of course that includes our professors who are always there to support us both in tasks that have been done before and in the new additions to the show we have this year.

TT: As garment director, you would probably pretty familiar with the designs. Tell me about some of collections?

GK: One of the great things about the show this year is that the designers all have such a wide range of styles, yet are all so great at what they do. We have a really sweet children’s wear collection. Finally, we have a lot of fantastic eveningwear pieces. We also have some collections that incorporate androgyny while others reflect the heritage of the designer. As I have gotten to know the designers, I can see all of their personalities reflected in what they made, making for a really diverse, interesting show.  

Emily Engle, PR and Marketing Director

The Triangle: What are your roles and responsibilities in the show?

Emily Engle: My main responsibilities as the PR/Marketing Director include writing press releases, contacting media outlets and running the social media for the show. Along with the Student Director of the show, I’ve also been creating short video interviews with each senior/graduate designer about the inspiration for their collections. I’ve been posting these videos to our YouTube and Facebook pages. They’ve been a great way to create a connection between the audience and the designers, which is something I think will be important for the future of the show due to social media’s growing presence in fashion. People want to feel connected with events, and giving them insight into the creative process of the show is one way to accomplish this.

TT: Where did you do your co-op?

EE: I completed my co-op as a Design Assistant Intern at Nation Design in NYC. It was a very insightful experience. I learned a lot about myself and it opened my eyes to how complicated the design process is. I loved every minute of it.

TT: What are you planning to do after you graduate?

EE: When I graduate this June, I will be moving to NYC to work as the Editorial Assistant at Core77, an industrial design magazine. My experience working for the Fashion Show helped me secure this position. At Core77, I will be working on very similar projects, such as running some social media, writing about events/products and keeping in contact with a million people at once. Core77 was also very interested in the idea of video production, so I was able to bring something new to the table thanks to my experience with the Fashion Show.

TT: Putting on a fashion show is both very exciting and difficult. What have been some of your favorite aspects and challenges during this process?

EE: My favorite part of this experience has been getting to know all of the Fashion Design students that have been working extremely hard to produce their collections. D&M and fashion design are two completely different departments, and we are so busy doing our own things that we really don’t get a chance to mix during our four years at Drexel. The fashion show does a great job of bringing the two departments together at the end of our Drexel careers to create something beautiful.

We have had to face so many challenges during this process, but that’s just the way it is. Fashion shows are very fast paced, and there is never enough time to do everything we wish we could. Whenever you get multiple departments working together, there are going to be mishaps, but everyone has done a wonderful job of keeping it together. It amazes me every day that we’re able to laugh everything off and keep going.

TT: Tell me something you’ve learned from this experience.

EE: By being a part of this fashion show, I have learned that communication is key. This seems so obvious, but this is the first time I’ve helped with something of this scale. With so many people coming together, all with different tasks, it is extremely important to make sure you are communicating with the right people at the right time in order to get things done. It’s a lot of relying on people and trusting them to do tasks for you, which can be nerve-wracking and rewarding at the same time.

The post Meet the team of Fashion ’16 appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy of Leyla.a

I am a firm believer in trying new products. You never know when you are going to discover the next great thing. At times, when I use up a product and am not a 100 percent satisfied, I tend to look for a different brand. Everyone is different when it comes to what they like to use for their beauty routine, but there are a few staples I swear by.

Bioderma Miceller Water

Miceller water is so amazing because it removes makeup, dirt and oil in one easy step. After discovering this product, I swore off makeup remover wipes and facial cleaners. The product cleanses without drying and gets the job done wonderfully.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater

Whether I want to feel refreshed, set my makeup, or blend out my foundation, this facial spray has me covered. Its versatility is great and it also smells amazing.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

The exfoliating pads help you achieve a healthy glowing complexion. It also tones the skin and contains lactic and glycolic acids, which are great to have in your beauty regimen.

Lush Cup O’ Coffee

This body exfoliator works so well and smells so good. The natural caffeine helps boost brightness and can even help with cellulite. After I use this scrub, I feel so refreshed and energized.

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

When choosing an eye cream, it is essential to use a moisturizer specifically formulated for the eye area. Kiehl’s is super moisturizing and helps reduce and prevent fine lines. This product has the perfect amount of moisture for use at either morning or night.

The post 5 Beauty products you need appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo courtesy Peter Duhon

It’s that time of year again! Fashion editors, street style stars, bloggers, stylists and the who’s who of the fashion industry were all in attendance, and they put their best outfits forward for the event. New York Fashion Week is a time like no other. Models and editors rush to make it to their next show, last minute alterations are made backstage and designers finally get the chance to share what they have been creating since the last presentation. Here are some of the trends we saw make a big mark on fashion week and that will most definitely trickle down into a store near you come fall.

Off-the-shoulder

This style has made an appearance yet again on many catwalks, much like it did in the Spring 2016 shows. According to designers, shoulders are the new “it” feature to show off. While showing some skin in a place not typically thought of as sexy, the off-the-shoulder look creates an allure without giving away too much. Designers including Jason Wu and Brandon Maxwell used this trend to bare just the right amount without overdoing it.

Big, long, art inspired sleeves

If you are looking to make a statement while still dressing on a more “normal” spectrum, opt for long statement sleeves. Whether the sleeves are ultra long as seen at Marc Jacob’s or Public School’s presentation, or artsy and whimsical like the lace sleeves from Sophie Theallet’s show, an eye-catching sleeve is one of fashion’s new favorite statements.

Logos, logos everywhere

Whether you saw them cover a model’s breasts at Alexander Wang’s show or at Rihanna’s Fenty x  Puma presentation, logos and branding found their way onto several stages for this season. Of all the shows that used branding and logos in their collection, DKNY’s Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne created possibly the most memorable logo looks of New York Fashion Week. Using DKNY as an acronym for phrases such as “Don’t Know New York” or “Designers Know Nothing Yet” these playful pieces are ultra wearable and will be showing up on your favorite street style star in no time.

Comfort Clothes

Yes, you heard me correctly. Baggy sweatpants and oversized hoodies are all the rage of fall 2016. Of course, when high fashion takes on any idea it twists it and molds it into something more unexpected than your typical pair of Hanes sweats. The “I didn’t try at all” look has been making waves in recent years and it seems as if the fashion world decided to challenge themselves by taking something perceived as sloppy and lazy and turning it into a comfortable but cool look. Arguably the show this trend was found most in was Yeezy Season 3. Though Yeezy has been using this trend for the past two seasons, it seems as if other designers caught on to its success and latched on for the ride.

The post New York Fashion Week trend report appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Gabrielle Belcheff

When Urban Decay announced it was releasing the Naked Smoky palette last summer, beauty lovers and fans of the Naked palettes jumped for joy. Being a longtime Naked 1 user and lover of Urban Decay products, I too was enthusiastic about this new palette’s release. At first, it was quite difficult to get a hold of this elusive palette, so eventually I had given up and had gone on a quest for something better. However, the buzz about this product died off relatively quickly, and soon I had completely forgotten about it. Months later, I received this palette as a gift, and was excited because I remember how hyped up it was. However, when I really took a look at the colors and put them to work, I wasn’t as into it as I thought I would be.

Naked 1 vs. Naked Smoky: Which is best for you?

As a self-proclaimed makeup connoisseur, I know a great palette when I see one. Some of the questions you should ask yourself before you spend $55 on an eyeshadow palette can include: How many wearable colors are in here and how many will I never use? Can I achieve a diverse array of looks using these shades, or will I be limited? Do I already own shadow colors like these? Yes, it’s a makeup palette, not brain surgery, but nonetheless this is an important investment you are making.

If you want easy, flattering and neutral colors that can be worn day to night, the original Naked palette will be your best friend. However if you are going for a night out and want something dark and dramatic, the Naked Smoky will be your go-to.

The original Naked palette contains 12 shades of shimmery beiges and browns, warm gold and bronzy hues, as well as a highlight and two darker shades that can be used for a dramatic look. All the shades, excluding the darker ones, blend wonderfully and can be mixed for different looks. These shades all look good together so this palette is almost a no-brainer. These colors also range in intensity, so if you’re not the best at eye makeup, the lighter colors will allow you to create a look that is light and natural — and you don’t have to worry much about being precise. If you want to roll out of bed and get ready in ten minutes, you can throw on two shades, like Sidecar (beige shimmer with silver micro-glitter) and Smog (deep coppery bronze shimmer), and look like you put more effort into the mornings than you actually did.

Have you ever gotten a palette and looked at it and thought, “Well this is nice, but why are there two shades in here that clearly don’t belong?” To me, the Naked Smoky palette is a place where all those colors get together and try to make something out of themselves. Yes, all those grays and blacks and brown have finally found a home. The 12 shades include browns, gray, darker gray, bluish gray, bluish and purplish black, along with a few highlights. These colors are all pretty, but what would have made this palette so much better was a more noticeable difference between the shades. They blend well together, but almost so well to the point that it is hard to see the difference. Although all of that basically sounded like me telling you why you shouldn’t get this palette, I have seen some really pretty looks made with this palette. I don’t wear dark colors that frequently, but if your go-to look is something darker in color than this palette would be great for you.

Overall, I think the quality of these products are great and can be really worth it. Which one you choose is up to you and your personal style. Both palettes can make amazing looks and they blend well. Also, always remember to blend — it’s really important. I highly encourage you to visit the nearest Sephora and try out these palettes to figure out which one is right for you. In some cases, you may find that neither of these products are your cup of tea. That’s completely okay; you can look around for something you think you would like better and find one you feel happy with. I would recommend the Too Faced Chocolate Bar (which smells like chocolate) and the Naked 2 or 3 as alternates to these palettes if you aren’t feeling either of them.

The post Naked palette review appeared first on The Triangle.