Words and Artwork by: Edie Hopgood
As a fashion lover, in my eyes, there is no one more iconic in the fashion industry than the late Dame Vivienne Westwood.
READ MORE
Tag: Youth
Built to Fit Your Body
Words by: Gitika Garg
Fashion remains an industry that touches the lives of all in one way or another. Put simply — everyone wears clothes and everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in them.
READ MORE
Slow Starts
Time Will Tell
The Hare and the Tortoise
Adulting
Words by: Soraya Rezal Art by: Callum Johnson
At 15 years old, all I could think about was how great it would be if I lived alone, because that would mean I was an adult, right? I could sing my lungs out without being judged, leave the house whenever I wanted and eat at whatever time I desired. The thought of having complete independence was enticing, but I didn’t quite think about the responsibilities that came with being an adult. When the day finally came — or more accurately, the days leading up to it — I was terrified, to say the least.
… Adulting
Financial Security: From the Perspective of a Student
Words by: Tess Kent Art by: Carla J. Romana
I’m sitting in my first-year marketing class. The term ‘sitting in’ is a bit of a stretch, given that it’s 2020 and all of my classes have been shifted to this peculiar platform called Zoom. We’re learning about the premise of cost/sacrifice value and I’m half paying attention, thinking about whether or not I need to remember this information for this week’s Moodle quiz. Yet, fast forward to two years later and now every day I live the eternal struggle of evaluating the cost/sacrifice value of my silly little $6.50 almond latte.
… Financial Security: From the Perspective of a Student
Glass Half Empty
Words by: Sarah Arturi Art by: My Tieu Ly
If I were given a dollar for every time I was told to ‘stay positive’ and to ‘keep my chin up’ in all kinds of negative situations growing up, I’d probably be a millionaire by now. I heard it from everyone — teachers, friends, family, Disney movies, and even fictional characters in books. It helped me through some tough times, I’ll admit, but somehow I always managed to find peace in preparing for the worst. I guess you could say I’m a glass-half-empty kind of girl, and whilst some may believe this mindset is to my detriment, I dare all the optimists to practise what they preach: look on the bright side.
… Glass Half Empty
The Happiest Day
Words by: Bryan Hoadley Art by: Adrienne Aw
The taxi fills with sunlight. I’ve never been to this city before, but as I look out the window, I instinctively know I’m in LA. The car pulls up in front of a bright white hotel with large circular pillars and gleaming windows.
“Ms Davis is waiting for you in the foyer,” says a suited employee while ushering me inside. My chest tightens in anticipation. Hollywood, Davis — this can only mean one thing.
… The Happiest Day
Starting Afresh
Words by: Angel Tully Art by: Madeleine Galea
My mother thought she had her whole life ahead of her at 25. She had just married her high-school sweetheart of nearly ten years and was beginning to climb the ranks in the fashion industry while working for Nautica. Moving from a small town in Canada to the big city of Toronto, her life was playing out like a rom-com. But by the time she turned 26, her dream life was crumbling around her.
… Starting Afresh
She Is the Navy Blue
Words by: Caitlin Cefai Art by: Madison Marshall
The sweat. The rush. The crowd. The bounce. The game. It’s full throttle: no protective gear, played in the dead of winter, and known for being a petri dish for vulgarity and violence in its crowd. Aussie Rules is the sport for Australians. It’s as tough as its namesake nation — the soul of a home with over 60,000 years of history. It’s a game for all Australians…
Well, up until only six years ago, it was actually a game just for men.
… She Is the Navy Blue
A Kid’s Dream
Words by: Gabriela Fannia Art by: Emilia Bajer
Innocent wishes and boundless imagination, with a touch of hopefulness — that is what childhood dreams are made of. Funny how we don’t remember most things from the past (let alone last Monday’s dinner), yet a childhood dream will always have its place in a precious storage box, tucked inside the mind.
… A Kid’s Dream
Letters of Hope: For My Own Sake
Words by: Eden Hopgood Art by: Lauren Gallina
Dear future me,
I hope you’re healthy; I hope you’re happy.
I hope you’ve said yes to every opportunity that fulfils you, and learnt to say no to the ones that don’t.
I hope you’re exactly where you need to be at this point in time.
… Letters of Hope: For My Own Sake
Fairytale Standards
Words by: Laeticia Keiko Art by: Naiya Sornratanachai
To all my fellow hopeless romantics, love is full of expectations and disappointments. It can be a dream come true, but just remember that all fairytales come with constant ups and downs and plot twists. Are we really ready to experience realistic love?
… Fairytale Standards
Disappointing the Family
Words by: Jackie Zhou Art by: Mon Ouk
Asian parents.
This pair of words, no matter what background you are from, may have elicited some sort of image or reaction from you; perhaps it’s a ‘helicopter mum’, or a pair of harsh and strict parents who disdain the arts and force their poor second-gen immigrant children to become doctors, lawyers or engineers. Maybe it’s the generational trauma passed down each line on the pedigree chart, a theme we have been seeing a lot in our media, depicting the stories of Asian immigrant families and the dynamic between traumatised parents and cultural freedom-seeking children.
… Disappointing the Family
Letters of Hope: For Our Sake
Words & Photography by: Lauren Gallina
The warmer months are approaching; as we put away our puffer jackets and let our bodies breathe again, I want to present us with some ideas for hope and growth moving forward.
… Letters of Hope: For Our Sake
Through the Looking Glass
Poetry & Artwork by: Madeleine Galea
my breath fogs gently,
steaming up the icy glass,
… Through the Looking Glass
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Words by: Felice Lok Art by: Lauren Gallina
I have two really good friends who I cherish very much. One will FaceTime me for five hours straight as we talk about the minor inconveniences we experienced that day in immaculate detail. The other calls me and we talk about career crises and trips to London over the summer holiday. I try to catch up with them often, but when life gets in the way and we don’t see each other for weeks, it feels like I have a gaping hole in my heart. For me, these two are my biggest soulmates. And this piece is dedicated to all the things I hope will come true for them.
… You’ve Got a Friend in Me
A Case for Spontaneity
Words by: Ilanda Tran Art by: John Paul Macatol
December 2019. I’ve made plans with my friend, Tom, for a very late celebration of my 18th birthday. 18 doesn’t feel all that different from 17 — I am pleased with the prospect of being able to drink, but a little disappointed that I will no longer be able to scream the lyrics to ‘Dancing Queen’ with as much personal conviction.
… A Case for Spontaneity
Letters of Hope: For Your Sake
Words by: Andie Perez Art by: Lauren Gallina
My dear friend,
The last time we saw each other, your feet were perched on the seat as you smoked a cigarette in my car. I tried to hide my grimace as the lights of passing cars played shadows on my face. The tobacco was bold and all-consuming. As I spoke about the turmoil of my schedule, I caught your bored gaze, wandering eyes and pursed lips. You wanted to keep talking about yourself. A heaviness latched inside me as I realised that I was not your friend, but merely a confidant. A sister. A therapist.
… Letters of Hope: For Your Sake
The Start of Something New
Words by: Clara Yew Art by: Lauren Easter
Unfortunately, we can’t all be forced into karaoke at a New Year’s Eve party with a stranger and have that person move to our school when the term starts. Alas, life is not an excellent musical film by Disney Channel, but anything can happen when you take a chance.
… The Start of Something New
Esperanto Magazine 