LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
As the Editor-in-Chief of Coulture Magazine, I was tasked with writing a compelling Letter from the Editor that not only excited people about the 16th issue, but excite them about the future trajectory of the magazine. Read below!
How is a lasting legacy created? Is it by creating avant-garde innovations like click-to-buy immersive fashion shows? Is it by pioneering sustainable mushroom leather in the luxury market? At first glance, attempting to create a legacy in a saturated landscape like the fashion industry can seem daunting. Coupled with concerns about artificial intelligence potentially replacing traditional craftsmanship, the barriers to entry into the fashion world can seem insurmountable. However, the fear of losing ingenuity and permanency sparks artistic visionaries like the members of Coulture Magazine to rise to the occasion.
At the beginning of the fall semester, Joey and I held our first general body meeting and told Coulture’s 200+ members that the magazine had no concrete theme. We realized that a more than 100-page magazine could not be confined to a singular word that could potentially limit creativity. We decided if we had a theme, we wanted it to come naturally as a byproduct of our collective brainstorming and the current cultural, artistic and fashion arguments being made both on a local and global scale. As people pitched their ideas ranging from pieces on Miss Gay North Carolina to the modern smoking aesthetic, Joey and I noticed an underlying theme throughout everyone’s pitches: legacy and how it’s constructed.
Coulture Issue 17: Legacy delves into the rich tapestry of fashion's evolution, seamlessly weaving together historical narratives with the promising prospects of Coulture's future. Everything from Sabato De Sarno’s current “step on Gucci” to iconic luxury fashion feuds like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent work together to craft a cohesive narrative about how legacies are formed in such a unique industry. As you flip through each glossy page, we invite you to appreciate the authenticity behind every carefully crafted photo and article, reflecting on the compelling arguments about the cultural legacies of the past, present and future.
This edition touches on pivotal legacies in the fashion industry while simultaneously constructing our legacy as a magazine. We celebrate Coulture’s unwavering commitment to innovation and resourcefulness, leading fearless personal initiatives such as the first integration of AI in photoshoots, a Coulture nail technician, a dog model (shoutout Barry the golden retriever) and new collaborative ventures with other UNC-Chapel Hill magazines and local businesses. In addition to these powerful strides, the magazine exceeded itself through its level of resourcefulness. From using mannequins as table displays to making the Coker Arboretum resemble Marrakech, there were no bounds to our creativity and adaptability. Coulture was not constrained by a shoestring budget; we instead leveraged both existing and newly forged community connections to organize our revolutionary photoshoots.
As I conclude my undergraduate career and tenure as editor-in-chief, I am flooded with nostalgia for the moments spent contemplating my impact on the magazine. From the first article I wrote as a style team member, to the magic I felt at the first photo shoot I went to as an associate style editor, I knew if I influenced even one person, I would be grateful for my time working for this magazine. Amidst the echoes of history and innovation within every publication of Coulture, I realized that legacy is often crafted in the quiet moments, beyond our conscious efforts. As we present you with a beautiful edition to peruse, I urge you to ponder not only Coulture's legacy — but also your own. Standing at the intersection of tradition and the unknown, we confront the looming presence of unfamiliar technology and the heavy weight of the fashion industry. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing the editorial ambitions of UNC students who love fashion, uniquity and beautiful things. I hope the staff of Coulture retains their ambitious and resourceful spirit, as each issue continues to connect our vibrant past with the limitless potential of the future as Coulture shapes the narrative of fashion editorial ahead.