Fashion Highlight: Sabrina Carpenter from Disney Channel to “Nonsense”

Fashion Highlight: Sabrina Carpenter from Disney Channel to “Nonsense”

by | Sep 21, 2023 | Hailey Roose

“Lookin’ at you got me thinkin’ nonsense,” may be the way fans feel when looking at Sabrina Carpenter’s recent wardrobe choices. 

The “Nonsense” singer has recently taken the world by storm, following her fifth studio album, “Emails I Can’t Send,” ultimately landing her a spot opening for Taylor Swift’s infamous Eras Tour. 

However, Carpenter may be more well known to the older half of gen-z for playing Maya Hart in Disney Channel’s hit show “Girl Meets World” or for her appearance in the Netflix film “Tall Girl.” 

Carpenter made her musical debut with her EP, “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying,” in 2014, and faced instant support from many Disney Channel watchers. 

Many people mention the “Disney curse” when referencing many of the child actors who tried to break free from Disney’s pressing boundaries on their youth. It is very evident in Carpenter’s fashion choices when she was beginning to distinguish boundaries between her acting career and her personality. 

Many of Carpenter’s early red carpet looks showcase more of a business style, all of which fit the intended image for the artist at the time. Her looks were timeless and captivated many on the red carpet.

Many of these early looks from the star matched what she was portraying within her music as well. She had been making more light-hearted songs, with happier concepts. 

It was in 2016 that Carpenter began to step outside of this comfort zone, releasing the album “EVOLution,” which included songs “On Purpose” and “Thumbs” which had much deeper concepts, questioning love and the way of the world. This is when we began to see her push the envelope a bit more in her red carpet looks. 

Not only has Carpenter begun to experiment a bit more than what one might expect, but she seems to be experimenting with colors and patterns in a brand new way. 

In consecutive years, Carpenter released two albums. The first was “Singular Act I” in 2018, followed by “Singular Act II” in 2019. It is here that the pop star stunned long-time fans with the release of “Sue Me,” with a music video based on the hit movie “Legally Blonde.” The music video features Carpenter rocking a pink suit, talking about having an ex “sue her” for moving on from them. 

“Sue Me” quickly became an internet hit and many fans loved to see this new side of the Disney star. It seemed as though she was truthfully coming into her own, and beginning to test her fashion boundaries. 

The singer still had songs talking about similar themes as she referenced before, as fans also adored the fellow release from the album, “Exhale.” The song speaks about her troubles adapting to the world, and wanting to “exhale for a minute,” an emotion many fans could relate to. 

As she continued to act, making an appearance in Disney’s film, “Clouds,” released in 2020, she showcased how to separate herself from the Disney image, while also still associating herself with the corporation.

In 2021, she made her debut on the Billboard Top 100 chart with the song “Skin,” following the immense internet hate she was receiving about her rumored relationship with Joshua Bassett. 

Carpenter at the time of the hate train had been working on her fifth studio album. It was in the release of “Emails I Can’t Send”  that fans began to see the new era of Sabrina Carpenter. 

She released the song “because i liked a boy,” the music video featuring her in a completely bedazzled outfit speaking about the hate she received all because she liked a boy. 

She goes as far as to say, “Dating boys with exes, no I wouldn’t recommend it.” In this album, Carpenter was taking a stand on prominent issues pressed on women within the industry while also taking leaps in her outfit choices to prove she was fully in her own skin. 

Another song from the album, “Nonsense” became an infamous TikTok song, as the singer speaks about a love interest captivating her so much they have her speaking nonsense. 

The song was her second to make it into the Billboard Top 100 chart, and she recently performed a montage of “Feather” and “Nonsense” at the 2023 VMA’s, not only stunning the audience with her vocals, but also with her silver sequined outfit. 

The dress she wore before the performance also captivated fans with the combination of the sequins she has been stunting recently, but also the flow within the skirt.

As Carpenter continues to create innovative looks, calling upon recent trends, she continues to showcase herself evolving. Fashion for each individual is a process of discovering what makes you feel the best in your own skin. 

Carpenter recently spoke with Vogue about her wardrobe transformation and went as far as to reference sleek skirt sets having the duality for a classy event, while also wearing it for errands. 

“Honestly, I’d wear this to Whole Foods… I feel like I’d make a friend in this in the produce aisle,” stated Carpenter. 

Carpenter is the true embodiment of being unequivocally yourself, and not reprimanding yourself for taking time to do so. Carpenter pushes her fans to love the idea of experimentation, no matter the outcome. She truthfully is a fashion icon and fans can not wait to see what is in store for the pop star next.

Y2K Fashion Icons

Y2K Fashion Icons

by | Sep 19, 2023 | Hailey Roose

“I come back stronger than a 90s trend,” might have been one of the iconic lines from Taylor Swift’s 2020 song “Willow,” but she really might be on to something ringing true in the closets of many. There is no denying that fashion trends come and go, and eventually make their way back as time continues to pass, making you question why you threw out those boots last year. 
One of the most iconic trends making its way back has been the infamous Y2K aesthetic. Originally making its debut in the mid-90s, and closing out in the late 2000s, it remains one of the most iconic trends.
Fashion in the 90s and early 2000s was heavily influenced by the pop culture of the time. Some of which range from the rise of rap and pop music legends to the Bratz dolls in everyone’s playroom to film movies such as “Clueless” and “Mean Girls.” The Y2K aesthetic is a moment in time representing the culture of art and society, giving us a look into what we all enjoyed through fashion. 
With the start of the internet boom with the release of Windows 95, came a new medium for influencing from celebrities and athletes at the time. While celebrity clothing used to seem out of reach, the Y2K aesthetic focused on clothing that was more attainable for the general public, making it even easier to keep up with the trend itself. 
This aesthetic is rooted in bright colors and baggy jeans to chunky metals, and often took inspiration from the iconic internet influences at the time and the continued rise of the flip phone and newer cellular models. 
Janet Jackson and Destiny’s Child are some of the artists who capitalized on this fashion trend at the time. Destiny’s Child was often seen in bright-colored tops, with flare jeans; to which these jeans were accustomed with various metals and sometimes jeweled belts. While Jackson can be seen in music videos wearing shoulder pads and metallics. 
Paris Hilton was also an iconic celebrity of the early 2000s, often seen sporting jeweled tops and bags, along with chunky sunglasses to complete her looks. The original, major influences of Y2K’s first boom within the late 90s to mid 2000s, set the stage for iconic fashion that was truly a product of its time; and just like every trend that dies out, it eventually makes its way back to the current time, revamped, and ready for a new era. 
As Y2K made its way back in the trend during 2020, one of the leaders of this trend was musician Olivia Rodrigo. As Rodrigo released her first album “Sour” in 2020, it became a huge hit with all 11 songs reaching the top 30 of Billboard’s ranking. Making Rodrigo one of the most-watched celebrities at the time. 
Where does Rodrigo become connected with Y2K you may ask? Olivia’s debut album had been surprisingly littered with Y2K influences. The album’s photoshoot included chunky jewels, and references to the early 2000s, practically sealing Y2K’s comeback. Much of the personal and professional styling for Rodrigo also featured many iconic Y2K pieces. Rodrigo can be seen in this bright fur coat, along with neon clips in her hair, on her Instagram. This is one of the many outfits with Y2K ridden in the threads worn by Rodrigo.
The Y2K influences don’t stop here, as fellow hit singer, Dua Lipa, has also been styling herself with Y2K pieces. The singer can be seen on her Instagram wearing full fur outfits in bright neon colors and baggy jeans with neon tops. She matches many of these outfits with chunky tennis shoes or statement boots in matching colors. 
Dua Lipa put herself at the forefront of the Y2K resurgence with her album “Future Nostalgia” being space-themed and focusing on futuristic fashion. The “Levitating” singer has many looks in her personal wardrobe, as well as within her album and music video shoots that represent the Y2K aesthetic at its core, while also pushing it to new lengths.
In closing out our look at the Y2K originators to the current Y2K trendsetters, there is no denying this final girl group. In the “Rise of K-Pop,”  it was noted that the group NewJeans continues to have a focus on taking Y2K to a new level.
These girls made their appearance at Lollapalooza this past summer, raking in a crowd of over 70,000 people at the festival, and are beginning to become one of the largest girl groups in the world. The group’s first appearance in the world of music was only about a year ago, but fans immediately fell in love with their music and the way in which they presented themselves. 
These girls have branded themselves specifically in Y2K, not only in the outfits that they wear on and off the stage but also in the media they use to communicate with their fans. Wearing bright colors, fairy wings, and even bunny ears on stage, along with creating their own app, Phoning, to communicate with fans. The app’s theme is highly rooted in Y2K, using icons influenced by Windows and pixelated art. 
There is no denying that trends will come and go, as fashion is truthfully timeless. As we saw the resurgence of Y2K in the past couple of years, who knows what will be the next trend to make its way back in a boom? All that we can say for certain is that Y2K is truthfully a nod back to the pop culture influences of the world.
The Rise of Kpop

The Rise of Kpop

by | Apr 17, 2023 | Hailey Roose

If you were attending Lollapalooza in 2022, there was no escaping the excitement for BTS’s Jhope and Tomorrow by Together’s performances; making them the first South Korean acts in the festival’s history. Korean pop artists continue to headline these major festivals as Blackpink “will be in your area” at Coachella for that infamous time in April. There is no denying the uprise of these artists as they continue to push boundaries and expand around the globe. Reminding us of BTS’s two time Grammy nomination and striking performances on the Grammy stage; making them one of the most memorable acts in Grammy history. To the moment when Blackpink debuted No.55 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Ddu-Du Ddu-Du” and the Billboard 200 at No.40 with their EP Square Up; making them the highest charting album by an all-female K-pop group. These are just a few of the achievements from the two high profile groups of K-pop globally. 

 

 

Many people have wondered where this success began, where others have stated it was inevitable. What pushes these groups to be global powerhouses is their marketability in different counties, along with their drive to be forward thinking when it comes to trends. When looking at groups such as Seventeen and Blackpink, Seventeen has two members from the United States and two members from China, while Blackpink has one member from Australia. Vernon Chwe and Joshua Hong, members of Seventeen, have released two songs as a subunit (one in English and one in Korean) and solo songs in English; while Wen Junhui and Xu Minghao have released solo songs and a duo song in Chinese. Blackpink’s Rose stunned fans by releasing a solo album solely in English. In creating songs in multiple different languages they allow themselves to be reached to a farther audience on a different, emotional level.

 Additionally, I can assure you that you have heard about “being in the stars tonight” or maybe how you are going to “light it up like dynamite.” BTS took over the Summer, landing themselves the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart globally and exclusively in the United States. The song is now booking them a deal with LEGO in creating a mock set of the music video. TWICE in this past year released “Moonlight Sunrise”, a full English track, performing on multiple shows such as The Kelly Clarkson Show. K-pop artists are pushing themselves in releasing songs in multiple different languages allowing for a complete global takeover. 

When it comes to fashion trends, monster rookies NewJeans are responsible for the uprise in Y2K aesthetic. These girls have managed to bring back this aesthetic most notably in their recent release titled “OMG” featuring the girls wearing bunny-ear caps, oversized jeans, and bunny themed backpacks.

 

 

 

K-pop artists continue to revamp previous aesthetics, such as Y2K, but are also making their debuts with brands. Seventeen’s Joshua Hong recently became an ambassador for NBA Style Korea, and Seventeen’s Yoon Jeonghan was an ambassador and representee at Paris Fashion Week for Saint Laurent. Blackpink’s Jisoo recently collabed with Dior, and NewJeans Hanni with Gucci. Where the takeover is not only in their craft, but in their presence in fashion as well. 

If you are not an avid listener of K-pop you may think that its presence is not there, but do not be fooled by its more silent fans around you. Taking a look at The Ohio State University’s campus, K-pop has made its mark already. With multiple dance groups on the campus, one of the most notable J2K has multiple workshops for those interested in learning the dances from their favorite groups to participate in.

 

Though, taking it steps farther in putting on full performances for local cultural shows, to even collaborating with the schools fraternities and sororities for a cash prize. These dance groups show their love for the music, fashion from each group’s established comeback or release, and talent each time they hit the stage. They also foster community in bringing fans together for something they all enjoy during their workshops. If you have not been convinced yet of the rise of K-pop globally, just simply take a look around you and you will begin to see its takeover like a melody in the silence…or maybe you could say its takeover is “smooth like butter, pulling you in like no other.”