COVER - Good Trouble

This week marks two months of straight Black Lives Matter protests in New York City, and in many other places across the United States. In the midsts of a pandemic, people from all over the world have come together to support the black community and fight against police brutality. People are waking up and learning about systemic racism and what it actually means to defund the police. But there is always more to be done. Please check out our BLM Resource Book for more information.

This has been a unique time in history because everything has been closed and boarded up and artists are without work. So, the streets of SoHo have had more empty canvases for the incredible and relevant art sprouting up everywhere. Artists are listed last on the list of essential businesses, but as history is happening around us, we are busier than ever. It is the art people will look back on to document the past, and that art is screaming to be heard, for justice, and for change.

Let Them Eat Cake (LTEC) - The Show Must Go On!

Let me tell you about Let Them Eat Cake (LTEC)! LTEC is a super fun aerial/circus/pole/burlesque show, and they were one of the first shows to quickly transport their show to the internet. While the rest of us were still shell shocked, Ina Du and Brenna Bradbury were planning on how they could keep us sane in the midsts of all this. Basically, within two weeks of the NYC lockdown, LTEC had their first online show, Homemade Edition, and they have been having a show every Thursday since (although, we believe they will be moving to every other Thursday now). To learn more, read our exclusive interview here, and tune into their show tonight!

EDITORIAL - The New Norm?

Social distancing — the act of keeping space (six feet) between yourself and other people, and limiting trips to places where you might interact with other people.

Humans all over the world are trying to find creative ways to be close while being apart. Never have we, as a planet, ever been so easily in communication, yet not allowed to connect in a physical way. Even as an introvert, I feel the strain of going months without seeing my family and friends. However, unlike during the 1918 pandemic, we do have the luxury of the internet and video calls. I am still able to workout, have group hangouts, play charades with my mother, and even do photo shoots. We may feel there is a lot to be concerned about, but there is even more to be grateful for.

Editorials, zIssue 24Kira BuccaJuly 20, 2020social distancing, covid-19, fashion, summer fashion, model, female model, Asian, female fashion, stay home, cats, animalsComment

Saying Goodbye During COVID

As I am writing this, the United States has already lost over 124K people to COVID-19, and our numbers are only increasing. The likelihood that you will know someone who passes from COVID 19 is high, but what happens after that, during a pandemic, while socially distancing? Read further to learn about how funerals are far from normal during COVID.

Articles, zIssue 24Kira BuccaJuly 1, 2020covid-19, loss, coronavirus, goodbye, funeral, Shelter-in-place, stay home, stay strong, family, community, JewishComment

Cover - New York City Has Hope

New York City has been in lockdown for 106 days. Yes, things are slowly starting to open up, but most of us are still being as careful as possible as COVID rages through the rest of our country. This editorial was shot during the peak of the New York City shelter in place order. Like many business, fashion was hit very hard. As designers were forced to close shops, they were still able to make masks, leaving masks the only new fashion available.

How NY State Failed Their Elderly During COVID-19

I’m angry. I’m not going to lie. I have hit that point in my grief. But I’m also happy to hear that the murmurs of unrest are starting to rise. People are moving past clutching their rolls of toilet paper as they hang on every word NY Governor Andrew Cuomo tells them. The panic and fear are starting to melt away as the sun is slowly finally starting to shine again on New York City. Yes, we are slowly starting to open up, and we can debate on how much longer that will take, I don’t have the answer to that. There is one thing I do know, there will be a lot less elderly to worry about during any additional waves in New York, thanks to our state government and Andrew Cuomo.

Generosity In The Occult with Sal Santoro & Popi Mavros

Perceptions of the occult are largely met with a of mix skepticism, fear, and curiosity. However, many pagans use their magic for good, such as The Good Witch, Patti Negri, and the fascinating and generous occult specialists Sal Santoro and Popi Mavros, founders of The Crooked Path. In addition to getting all your essential needs in spells, candles, oils, and herbs, Santoro and Mavros are also huge animal lovers. They support a lot of local shelters, like Burbank Animal Shelter, Vice Is Nice, and Frosted Faces. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Sal Santoro (SS) and Popi Mavros (PM).

Feminism and Mental Health: The Diary of Sravya Attaluri

“Today I choose to be happy.” These are very powerful words coming from artist and illustrator Sravya Attaluri. These are words we can all learn to live by a little more. Art is used for many things, but one of my favorites is when it is used to make you happy and to celebrate yourself. Well, I’m also all about it being used to fight the man and bring light to important issues. The beautiful thing about Sravya’s work is that she does all of the above! Born in India, raised in Korea and Hong Kong, Sravya uses her artistic and creative prowess to encourage feminist thought and debunk mental health stigmas. Please look here to read our exclusive interview with Sravya and see some of our favorites.

Botanica Workshop Is Helping To Keep The U.S. Safe

If you tuned in last week on Art & Social Activism’s Instagram Live for their online socially aware art and fashion festival, which Jejune was honored to be apart of, you would have gotten a chance to meet the lovely Misa Miyagawa, designer and owner of sustainable fashion brand Botanica Workshop. I got the pleasure to ask her about how Botanica Workshop is weathering COVID-19, and how she is taking the opportunity to change directions, for a little bit, to focus on making zero waste masks for the population and essential workers.

If you didn’t, you missed out on seeing our beautiful faces, but you are lucky, because Misa was kind enough to answer her questions here as well. Please read further to learn more about Botanica Workshop and how they are making the world a little safer right now.

Anjelika Washington Is A Hero In The Making

CW these days seems to be the place to go for your superhero needs, and their new show Stargirl, premiering May 11th, is no exception! As a superhero fan myself, I know I’m excited to see another show that focuses more on the female superheroes in the DC world. I’m particularly interested in seeing Anjelika Washington’s character, Beth Chapel (aka Doctor Midnight). This super smart crimefighter can see in the dark and kick butt! Even though night-vision isn’t Anjelika’s first choice for a super power, she is a hero in her own right. When she isn’t gracing our screens, she can be found working with sick kids, and their siblings, at the Children's Hospital of LA. To learn more about this quickly rising star, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 22, Most PopularKira BuccaMay 4, 2020super hero, hero, actress, sick kids, hospital, CW, blackgirlmagic, Give back, youthComment

COVER - Uniquely Female

Right now, we might be wearing less make-up than ever before. With shelter in place, humans are putting less and less work into their appearance. We can give our faces and bodies a break, and when we go back to putting on make-up, let’s make better choices. Let’s move this planet towards a kinder more sustainable direction. Your face has been healing. Let’s only put on clean, natural, organic, vegan make-up brands! And if this editorial isn’t convincing that those type of brands are nothing but beautiful, I don’t know what is!

An Inside View Of NYC’s ICU, During The Mounting COVID-19 Crisis

Six weeks ago, my life was changed forever. I got one of those texts that you never want to get: “Kira, I had a heart attack. I’m in the ICU…”. Unfortunately, this couldn’t come at a worse time as the COVID-19 pandemic quickly took over the New York City hospitals. Please read further to learn about one ICU patient’s story in the midst of a crisis.

Traveling Vegan - Nicaragua

Nicaragua, a country of 19 active volcanos, is exotic, but not as dangerous as the US government may want you to believe. On top of that, it is lovely to travel, the locals are delightful, the volcanos are exciting, and vegan food is at your fingertips! Click here to learn more about traveling vegan in Nicaragua.

Annie Tisshaw Is A Firecracker

Are you a woman, or man, who goes to the Women’s Marches? Are you looking for the right music to pump you up for the ever increasing revolution of our time? Wonderful, you need to immediately download all of Annie Tisshaw’s music now. You are welcome! This no nonsense Brit will have you cheering with her tunes in no time. Annie’s feminist nature comes out in her music as she sings about men sexualizing her and her body. Please read here to learn more about this fierce woman, her bad ass music, and her experiences with sexual assault and helping others.

Paxton Booth Is Seriously Woke

Nine year old Paxton Booth can teach everyone of us a little bit about how to be a better and more woke person. Actor, activist, fashionista, and stuntman, Paxton will having you smiling ear to ear as you watch him being rad on his BMX bike, doing stunts on his show Coop & Cami, and being more stylish than most New Yorkers I know. Paxton is an active animal rights advocate and is looking to start his own fashion line for kids, which will help fight bullying and give other youngsters a chance to fully embrace who they are. To learn more about Paxton, who I hope to be as cool as when I grow up, please read our exclusive interview here.

SWAC: Influencer, zIssue 20, Editor's PickKira BuccaFebruary 21, 2020kids, youth, animal rights, animals, fashion, actor, fitness, athlete, FashionComment

COVER - Can't Catch Violett Beane

Violett Beane is best know for her role as Jesse Quick on CW’s The Flash, but she has been more recently starring in a really sweet show called God Friended Me on CBS. In God Friends Me, her friends and her are randomly connected with strangers who need help through a “God” Facebook account. Talk about a feel good show. Clearly, Violett has a knack for the hero roles! In addition to doing good on the screen, she also is a passionate vegan and animal rights advocate. Please click here to see our sustainable cover fashion story and interview with Violett Beane.

Samuel Jack Will Inspire The World For Change

In a time where mass art and music is repetitive and safe, Samuel Jack is a breath of fresh air. Seemingly a kinder spirit, Samuel soulfully sings about the world in a real and honest way, that I can genuinely tell you I have been hunting for for a long time. His song “Refugee” brings tears to my eyes every time I listen to it, and “We Are The Future” inspires me to get out there and do good. It is a good thing that everyone in New York City is a little crazy so they don’t bat an eye while I march down the street cryingly, angrily, dancing to his bluesy rhythm. I’m ready to take on the world, and I know that I will have Samuel Jack right along side me. Please click here to learn more about this amazing artist.

The Freedom That Comes With Age

Woman are a force of nature. We are mothers, leaders, lovers, artists, sensitive, and fierce. We take the world on by storm, and unlike what popular media wants the population to think, we don’t disappear at 40. We are still sexy and powerful, and I would argue we just keep becoming more sexy and powerful! Photographer Angelika Buettner celebrates this in her stunning series I Am, where she photographs and empowers 40+ women in the nude. Please read and look here to learn more about Angelika and her incredible collection.

COVER - Meagan Tandy - Crow Talk / Girl Talk

Meagan Tandy is paving roads and opening doors for others on and off the screen. CW’s Batwoman is not just another superhero show. With one of CW’s most diverse casts, they are also exploring LGBTQ+ rights and sexual fluidity. Yes, it is a big deal that Batwoman is a lesbian, trust me we are all super excited to have a Ruby Rose Batwoman, but Sophie Moore’s character is also a first. Off the screen Meagan is also a hero, with her foundation Girl Talk and Empire Girls, which empowers young women. To learn more, click here!

COVER - Alysia Reiner Is Sustainably Chic

Alysia Reiner is so much more than a warden in Orange Is The New Black, as a typical New Yorker, she does it all: influential actress, activist, producer, eco-momma, sustainable designer, feminist, and so much more! To learn more about her and she our 100% sustainable glamours cover editorial, please click here!