Posts in zIssue 26
Unmasking The Truth About Single-Use Masks

Face masks are an extremely important item to own today, but their sudden and wide-scale use is having a major impact on our environment. Fortunately, there is a (potentially) fashionable solution that limits the amount of waste generated by surgical masks. By simply switching to reusable masks, we can help stop much, if not all, of the ecological impact of masks. They are good for your wallet and will help keep our frontline workers safe!

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Archer's Amber Nash - Playing a Blonde Bisexual Bombshell

“Holy Shit Snacks!” is the catchphrase of Archer’s Pam Poovey, a blonde bisexual bombshell who is making waves in pop-culture. When we got the chance to sit down with Amber Nash, the voice-over artist responsible for bringing the beloved character to life, we couldn’t help but think “Holy Shit Snacks” ourselves. In our interview with Amber, she tells us about her experience playing Pam throughout Archer’s 11 seasons and her new venture of acting on screen. We also got to speak to her about her role as a board member with Project Chimps, an organization that gives retired lab chimps a forever home on a secluded sanctuary. Bringing her passion to her work and philanthropic efforts, Amber Nash is a voice of wit and passion. Read our exclusive interview with Amber below.

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Mermaid, Beach Babe, Musician, AND Surfer- Gedina

Gedina is making waves for MermaidPop, a genre that is the essence of bubbly, feel good music. As the CEO of 4th Door Records, Inc., Gedina has big dreams for creating new and transformational spaces in music, starting with MermaidPop, of course. In August, Gedina released her new single, “Messy,” which celebrates the beauty found in the no-make-up, messy-bun days that are all the more frequent during shelter in place. Alongside her love for music, she has a passion for surfing. She frequently volunteers with organizations like Best Day Foundation and Ride-A-Wave, which give children with special needs the opportunity to learn to surf. We spoke with Gedina about writing “Messy”, the connection between music and surfing, and the impactful memories of her volunteer work. Dive into our exclusive interview with Gedina below.

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Who Runs the World? Shannon K

Jejune recently sat down with singer/songwriter Shannon K to talk about her latest single, “RUN,” which was released in September. The catchy song and beautiful music video epitomize her personality, passion, and raw talent. Shannon’s music is known throughout the world and she has an extremely loyal fan base. She has collaborated with numerous high-profile songwriters and producers such as Poo Bear (Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, etc.), and Infinity (Rita Ora, Mary J.Blige, Ludacris). What sets the singer apart is her versatility. She has strong musical and acting talents, well-educated and traveled, and has a unique style. When Shannon isn’t recording or performing, she spends her time working with charities such as Love is Louder (supporting mental health), Animal Equality (go vegan), and Boo To Bully (Anti-bullying). She hopes to use her music as a platform to express herself as well as support the causes she cares about most.

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INKAMODA Invites Us To Reconnect With The Nature

Imagine a fashion brand that produces soft, comfortable, and elegant pieces while producing responsibly. As consumers, we want to imagine this but we also must consider how our purchases will affect the environment and workers and this question: "Who makes the clothing we wear every day and in what conditions?”

INKAMODA answers this question with transparency and an empowering vision. The Peruvian brand offers ethical and sustainable pieces that are designed with ancient techniques, reflecting the soul of Inca culture. They use unique Alpaca fiber (which promotes sustainable agriculture in the Andes) for their soft, warm, and breathable pieces. In our interview with Vari Garcia, the brand’s founder and designer, we talk about INKAMODA’s current campaign for empowering Andean communities and women creators, as well as the challenges of sustainability in business. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about INKAMODA.

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Traveling In COVID

Living in the midst of COVID in the US, particularly in NYC, has us terrified and controlled, but there is life outside these walls. I recently traveled to a pole camp in Antalya, Turkey, and it opened my eyes. About two months ago, as I sat locked inside my Brooklyn home, I optimistically signed up for a pole dancing camp in Turkey. I kinda assumed that it wouldn’t happen, since most countries were refusing to let Americans in at the time. But in what I can only assume was an act of god, Turkey opened its doors to us with no quarantine! So off I went…

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Hallmark Movie Star Jessy Schram Is Helping The Homeless Crisis In L.A.

Jessy Schram lives a busy life. You may know her from her starring lead roles in Hallmark films such as A Royal New Year’s Eve, The Birthday Wish, Road to Christmas, and Harvest Moon; or perhaps you have seen her in Season Five of NBC’s Chicago Med, where Jessy plays a complex OB-GYN surgeon, Dr. Hannah Asher. The star has a passion for music that she was able to share with viewers in her most recent Hallmark Channel Movie, Country at Heart. Jessy loves entertaining and storytelling, and we were also able to discuss another thing that is close to her heart: helping those in need. Jessy has a demonstrated history of working with philanthropies like Corazon De Vida and Red Eye to help people of all ages secure basic human needs. Her work with the homeless population in L.A. with Dineoneonone is her most recent way of helping her community, as her team works together to distribute plant-based meals during COVID-19. How does one balance a career with philanthropic work, as well as stay positive during COVID-19? Read our interview below for Jessy’s insights.

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Bianca Bosch Might Be An OMG Girl In The Kissing Booth, But She Is A Sweet Heart In Real Life

At a time when many young people in the film industry don't want to be aware of what they are doing, it is refreshing to seeing some talented and conscious actresses. The 24-years old Netflix star Bianca Bosch, known for her role in The Kissing Booth Trilogy, isn’t just another OMG girl or teen movie star. When she isn't acting she can be found locally feeding the homeless in South Africa, starting her own lighting business, and learning Reiki. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Bianca.

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The Importance Of Having A Healthy Skincare Regimen

COVID-19 has made us spend an unprecedented amount of time in our homes. As a result of having nowhere to go for the past six months, a lot of us have stopped using make-up on a day-to-day basis. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many people’s eyes have been open to the importance of skincare and how it correlates to our overall health. Maintaining an effective skincare regimen can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help your skin look its best. If you are looking to add to your core basic skincare essentials, make sure to have: a cleanser to gently wash your face, a toner to help smooth and calm skin while restoring nutrients, a moisturizer to use after every time you wash your face (even if you have oily skin), sunscreen for sun protection, and an exfoliator that should only be used once or twice a week. If you need inspiration, check out ethical skincare companies such as Alba Botanica, Acure, Derma E, Mukti, and Skyn Iceland. Continue reading to see a couple of best sellers from each brand’s collection.

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Lance Alexander's Start As A Young Comedian

Meet Lance Alexander, a fourteen-year-old comedian who is living his dream by bringing smiles to others as an actor and volunteer. The rising star got his start in comedy when discovered at the age of 12. Moving from West Chester Ohio to Los Angeles as a young teen, Lance’s humorous personality and dedication to his craft helped in land roles on Raven’s Home and Teachers. Now, Lance plays Elvis Maybury, a lovable teen with a big heart on Netflix’s award-winning comedy, Family Reunion — his biggest role yet. When he isn’t preparing for behind-the-camera work, Lance spends time at Best Buddies, the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We speak to Lance about his role on Family Reunion, his work at Best Buddies, and comedy’s place in our current social reality. Read our interview with Lance to learn just how fluent in comedy this teen-wonder really is and where he’s going next.

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Save The Duck Is Raising The Bar For Sustainable Fashion

Save the Duck has a direct mission that you can probably guess from their company name. That’s right: save the duck. Their products are 100% animal free and cruelty free. Turning away from the typical down coat for winter wear, the Italian company provides sustainable and cozy alternatives to help you survive the winter. Their platform is devoted to not only keeping their customers safe from the cold, but to maintaining a respect for the environment and animals throughout every level of garment production. In 2019 Save The Duck was PETA’S ‘Company of the Year’ and were the first Italian fashion brand to obtain B Corp Certification, a certification reserved for the best performers in social and sustainability issues. From its origins until today, Save The Duck has always built bonds and collaborations with successful companies committed to making our planet a better place. In partnership with ACBC, Save The Duck just developed a new eco-friendly sneaker for everyday wear. Like their clothing, the sneakers encourage respect for the space around us and are a reminder of the intentional steps (both figurative and literal) that fashion brands and consumers can take to preserve our environment. We asked Save The Duck to give us an in-depth explanation of their unique approach to sustainable fashion and the technology they are using to create a more sustainable world. Please dive into our full exclusive interview here.

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LYRE Producer Alina Smith Talks Sexism in the Industry and Going Digital

With 1 in every 47 music producers being female, how did Alina Smith go against the odds to become a premier producer in today’s pop scene? Like many artists and creatives, Smith had the vision to make a “room of her own” in the music industry. She and her best friend, Elli Moore, founded an independent digital production business, LYRE, with the goal to carve out a safe-space for women in a male-dominated field. Now, LYRE is an unstoppable force and working with names you may recognize from Top 40 pop music: Gabbie Hanna, Kenzie Ziegler, Nikita Dragun, and Niki and Gabi (to name a few). Alongside her role as a producer, Alina also is a musician, artist, novelist, and podcast host. Her new single, “Girl That Was Perfect,” is the first track she has released of her own voice in the past 10 years and served as an important moment of self-reflection for Alina. In our interview with Alina, she gives us her insights to navigating the barriers of the industry, her return to singing-songwriting, and where her multi-hyphenate creative pursuits will take her next.

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Actor Jacob Hopkins on His Career and Involvement with the Jonathan Foundation

Jejune recently spoke with actor and ambassador Jacob Hopkins about his role as Chad Kremp on the hilariously funny ABC sitcom, The Goldbergs. Jacob has been acting his entire life, appearing in shows like How I Met Your Mother and True Blood. In addition to traditional acting, Jacob has been the voice actor in many fun animated shows. The Dragons: Rescue Riders and The Amazing World of Gumball star talked about his new feature film, Carolina’s Calling, his ongoing involvement in the Jonathan Foundation, and his passion to help kids, with learning disabilities and special needs. Please continue reading to learn more about this extremely talented young actor!

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NYFW Highlighted The Importance And Creativity Of Face Masks

Prior to an untraditional New York Fashion Week, I had one expectation: how much of face masks will we be seeing? On the one hand, including them as part of a collection would mean embracing the new normal. As we’ve gotten used to wearing masks 24/7, we’ve become more comfortable with experimenting with them. They have the potential to become more than a safety requirement - they can become a fashion staple, a creative (and profitable) outlet. If face masks can and have become part of fashion’s visual language, designers can use their creative willpower to make something unique, beautiful and empowering out of a commonplace accessory, wrongly deemed limiting rather than promising, stylish, fun.

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Amy White - Mediumship In The Modern Age

The ability to help others in times of personal crisis or intense grief is a valuable and deeply human skillset, and it’s one that Amy White has turned into her career. As an intuitive medium, Amy uses her innate gifts of interpreting energies and reaching out into the unseen to help others through their lowest points and to find peace in the midst of loss. Her family’s journey with her son’s suicide attempt prompted Amy to write her new book, Closer to Paradise: A Mother's Journey through Crisis and Healing, which sheds light on navigating mental health crises to help others who are going through similar trauma. Amy shares her outlook on how modern mediums can help others not only to survive but to thrive, in times of crisis. Read our interview with Amy to find out more about how she has opened herself up to the Universe on her path to mediumship and how she has used her gifts to help others along the way.

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Ella Greenwood Writing The Script On Mental Health

Ella Greenwood is a UK based actress, writer, producer, and mental health advocate all at the age of 18! She does all the things in her new short film “Faulty Roots,” which discusses teenage mental health and depression. It isn’t uncommon for people to be insensitive to the struggles of mental illness. If you can’t see it, you can’t understand it. Ella beautifully uses “Faulty Roots” to show how mental illness isn’t very different from any other health issue. In addition to creating a impactful film, Ella also has teamed up with stem4, which is a teenage mental health charity. To learn more about Ella, please read our exclusive interview here.

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COVID Musings: For A Happier Life, Declutter Your Life And Count Your Blessings

Wow, 2020 has been a wild ride so far, I feel like that is safe to say. This year has been full of the unknowns, the fear, and uncertainty with the COVID-19 virus. The world came to a stop. We as humans thrive on routine and consistency, but when the foundations of what made our lives normal was pulled out from under us (restrictions and fearful news feeds)... well the anxious energy just surged.

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Important Conversations And Love Letters To NYC At NYFW 2020

In true NYC fashion, the program of NYFW told a story of adaptability, a sense of intentional change fueled by creators and storytellers that is beyond what is “on-trend.” Piece by piece and show by show, NYFW of September 2020 demonstrated the fashion industry’s potential to tell a powerful story through the collective modes of words, visuals, and action. What happened in this year’s digital programming is a reflection of several aspects of the beloved “City of Dreams” and how both individuals and communities are dreaming and enacting a better future through pertinent conversations and inspiring messages.

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Rest In Power - Notorious R.B.G.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to the pursuit of justice. She was a trailblazer who fought vigorously for gender equality as a lawyer. RBG not only changed the law, but she also altered the fabric of society. And during her 27 years on the Court, she became an unlikely pop-culture icon, influencing an Oscar-nominated documentary film, and even her own action figure. Sadly the beloved hero passed on Friday from pancreatic cancer. She was 87 years old.

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Katie Sands Is Giving Back In Style

Katie Sands, aspiring Broadway actor turned successful digital content creator, is a contemporary powerhouse. Katie gave us an inside look at her life as a content creator and the responsibility it holds in times of social injustice. Alongside sharing beauty and fashion tips on her blog, Katie also dedicates her time to supporting causes and organizations that she cares about. She is currently the youngest board member at “Make A Wish Foundation” and is using her platform to raise awareness for mental health, which is close to her since being on her own mental health journey. We talk to Katie about her collaboration with Phat Buddha, an activewear brand, and how she is dedicating all proceeds to support the JED Foundation, a foundation dedicated to mental health awareness. Inspired? We are too. Read our interview here to get the details of Katie’s creative and philanthropic outlook.

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