Editorial Design:
Creative Themes
Streetwear Influences :
Streetwear continues to dominate the fashion scene, and a/squared embraces this influence by integrating urban aesthetics with a range of styling choices. Oversized silhouettes, graphic tees, and accessories that feel casual yet elevated. Streetwear blurs the lines between luxury and everyday wear, bringing a blend of comfort and style.
Virgil Abloh's Off-White is a major influence, with its ability to fuse graphic-heavy designs and high-fashion tailoring. Off-White's take on streetwear, with the use of industrial elements with bold typography and logos serves as inspiration for how we approach branding.
Nostalgia :
Nostalgia plays a major role in a/squared's creative direction, but with a fresh, reimagined twist. We pull from classic styles and fashion icons, but rather than purely replicating vintage looks, we reinterpret them through the modern lens. This theme blends timeless fashion cues with current trends, allowing us to maintain a vintage vibe without feeling outdated.
Marc Jacobs' grunge revival shows how nostalgia can be edgy and subversive, while brands like Ralph Lauren represent a more classic take, focusing on preppy, Americana influences. a/squared will blend both of these approaches combining polished, classic looks with elements of rebelliousness, whether through styling or photographic execution.
Femininity Reimagined :
This theme centers on redefining femininity beyond traditional tropes, blending girlish charm with unexpected edge. This approach to femininity is about balancing softness and fluidity with unapologetic boldness.
Miu Miu's playful take on girlhood is a major inspiration. They bring a mix of whimsical looks with bold, tailored looks. This allows us to embrace femininity without being limited to soft, stereotypical visuals. Our editorial spreads and digital content may feature frilly, youthful garments styled with a streetwear edge or rugged footwear.
Our Mission
a/squared Magazine embodies the "cool nerd," having a unique blend of intellect and style. This identity stems from the story of being in math class, where you're expected to focus and have high achievement, but it didn't overshadow a deep passion for creativity and fashion. Inspired by the "cool nerd" who drew clothing designs in the corners of their AP Calculus work, a² is about embracing individuality in a world where intellect and creativity coexist, like our campus at the University of Michigan.
Our audience and community is filled with competitive academics interested in fashion, but sometimes only engaging with it when they break away from their engineering work or pre-med classes. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan (also referred to as a²), and rooted in art, fashion, and culture, a/squared magazine serves as a creative outlet for students to express their stories, fashion, and cultural experiences.