Kanishtaa Ariyaratne Kanishtaa Ariyaratne

Breaking Brown Beauty Standards 

Four South Asian women reflect on the comments they grew up hearing about their bodies, skin, and appearance, and how they are choosing to break the cycle for the next generation. 

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Poppy Martinez Poppy Martinez

Sazón, Batería, y Reggaetón: How Latinos Find Home Through Music 

From the historic 2026 Super Bowl stage to intimate childhood memories, this article explores how music defines Latino identity. Featuring curated playlists and personal stories from five different countries, we break down the unique sounds of Latin America and show how rhythm creates a sense of belonging for those far from home. 

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Ava Thier Ava Thier

Tactile Revival: The Art of Holding Your Inspiration  

Physical media is making a comeback!! Books, records, and magazines. As Gen Z moves away from technology, they are seeking new forms of inspiration, and the trend is a return to analog culture. The age of mental atrophy is tired! Let the tactile revival open new creative revenues! 

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Olivia Agostino Olivia Agostino

Evolution of Elegance 

Quads and backflips flying through Milan in the 2026 Winter Olympics are redefining figure skating. The Evolution of Grace explores how show-stopping costumes and decade trends evolve with this dazzling sport. 

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Sydney Fuentez Sydney Fuentez

afterPRTY’s Guide to Breaking Out in Music

Discover how DJ afterPRTY is turning nightlife into a career. From producing and DJing to building an alter ego and staying authentic, she shares advice for emerging artists navigating the music industry. 

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Cami Merrigan Cami Merrigan

Then & Now: What Fashion Has Gained & Lost 

A hands-on investigation inside the archive reveals how craftsmanship, material honesty, and visible labor have shifted from structural permanence to symbolic value, and why you can physically see the difference. 

 

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Nyah Khan Nyah Khan

The Taming of Vivienne Westwood: The Lost Art of Fashion Activism

Activist first and designer second, Vivienne Westwood was a pioneer for commanding reform through fashion. Following her death, the Vivienne Westwood brand has become devoid of her punk origins, representing a broader, dangerous phenomenon across modern art and politics.  

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Kaelin DiMaria Kaelin DiMaria

Study Abroad. Why Don’t Ya?

Five cities, five perspectives: through bold infographics, students recount studying abroad in Dublin, Barcelona, Seoul, London, and Berlin—highlighting culture, design, and unforgettable daily life. 

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Leah Caiola Leah Caiola

Not Your Average Joe 

Trader Joe’s has redefined grocery shopping with its quirky products, friendly staff, and almost cult-like fanbase. Discover how this cultural phenomenon blends innovation, community, and fun to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

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Hannah Adele Brong Hannah Adele Brong

Podcast Series Pop & Purpose Episode #5 – Special Edition: The Team 

An extra special welcome back to the Pop & Purpose Podcast, Design & Merchandising Magazine’s newest podcast series! Tune in for episode #5 and hang out with the team behind the magazine and the cameras! Special Edition Episode #5 IS... OUT NOW! This week Hannah returns for her final episode before graduation, alongside a few of the team members, while they claim to give the ‘ultimate course evaluation’. Watch or listen to the episode to hear them pop off about working together, building confidence, their favorite D&M Mag memories, and the explorative, flexible environment they’ve innovated as one. And Molly makes a quick phone call mid-recording?  

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Cristina Avanessian & Hannah Claiborne Cristina Avanessian & Hannah Claiborne

Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle through Reworn: Shop Smart at Drexel 

Looking for fashion that’s affordable and sustainable with students in mind? The Reworn shop at Drexel’s Westphal offers a curated collection of secondhand clothing that brings style and purpose together through student-led creativity. 

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