Fashion

Take a Trip Down This Turkish Design Student’s Surreal, Gothic Instagram Page

Instagram is Gizem Erhan’s fantastical playground….

Amid a saturated Instagram explore page, Gizem Erhan is easy to spot: You can typically find her in a combination of animal print, shocking neon, and exaggerated proportions, all finished with winged eyeliner and thickly lined lips. It’s sometimes hard to tell which posts on her page are photos, collages, and illustrations, which is part of what makes her page so alluring. At some times, the 19-year-old Istanbul native resembles a digitally altered avatar, something that is further emphasized by her outfits, which are pumped with the excess of the noughties and goth undertones. She either resembles someone you’d run into at a club, or something you’d see while hallucinating. Erhan describes her style best herself: “A pleasingly disturbing mix of 18th century baroque, a little bit of punk and 2000s sassiness,” she says. “I’m walking chaos.”

If you look closely, you’ll see that Erhan’s photos have become more “chaotic” over the past few months, veering more into a fantastical realm. The inspiration runs deep, amid what feels like a world-wide existential crisis and a never-ending flow of tragedies, Erhan wants to create something true to herself that reflects the world around her—use chaos to reflect chaos. Erhan typically uses an extreme mashup of prints and materials, ranging from animal prints to newspapers to create her aesthetic. “I have the desire to express what is in my head, in the world, in my country, and things that I only know about through an image,” she says. Each creates a dark, grungy atmosphere, but the fashion always shines through. In one case, she poses in full leopard print with a Farah Fawcett blowout in a room filled with animal prints, and in another image, she poses in front of a crudely illustrated background of a house while wearing full red zebra print.

Erhan started editing her images during COVID-19 when she couldn’t attend her fashion school at Yeditepe University, where she is a second-year student. The free time gave Erhan time to think, and she concocted images inspired by cabarets, musicals, cult horror movies, and 18th-century paintings and drawings. But the most fascinating ones are when they are ever-so-slightly changed and make it difficult to tell what is reality or Erhan’s eerie realization of her imagination. In one image Erhan wears a puffed fuchsia top cinched by a vest with an updo, and in another upload, she wears a dress that is completely laden with belts. At first glance, it seems like a typical Erhan get-up, but in reality, she has altered everything, adding on garish accessories and exaggerating pieces, making the image all that more extreme, and yet, still realistic.

Of course, Erhan is not the first to digitally alter her look, or make herself into an avatar-like being. Computerized fashion has been one of the most popular trends during COVID-19, and has become a fun pastime for many. Designer Edwin Mohney used programs to create morphed mannequins wearing pre-programmed clothes that he toyed with. Moschino put on a full show using animated puppets, as did GCDS, which included a Sim-like Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid in the front row. Though the beauty of Erhan’s deliciously bizarre Instagram is that everything seems attainable. “I can make everything look possible,” she says. In fact, Erhan’s high-octane digital designs are becoming a reality and she’s started to make her own clothes. Her newest creation has been a white knit sweater covered in bijoux that she describes in her signature description as: “chaotic.”

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Artist Spotlight

Ice Spice Stuns in Paris Fashion Week Photo Dump, Fans Celebrate Her Iconic Looks and Natural Glow

Ice Spice is showing that she’s not only a rising star in rap but also a true fashion icon. Recently, while in Milan, she brushed aside rumors about her dating football player Sauce Gardner and then took Paris Fashion Week by storm, leaving her fans in awe. In her latest series of Instagram photos, captioned “princess in paris,” she displayed an amazing mix of high-fashion styles, proving that she knows how to set trends. She flaunted various looks, from chic and cool to gracefully glamorous. Whether she was sporting wavy hair in a sheer dress or sleek and stylish in leather with straight hair, Ice Spice radiated confidence and creativity.

Some photos even featured her with fellow artists PinkPantheress and Chappell Roan, showing how well she blends music, culture, and fashion. Fans couldn’t help but shower her with compliments, celebrating her bold changes in style and her undeniable star quality. However, there was some chatter about her body along with the fashion talk. Some fans pointed out that Ice Spice seemed to have gained some weight, which reminded them of her earlier look, playfully nicknamed “Old Spice” by her followers.

While it’s easy for social media to focus on how celebrities change over time, it’s essential to remember that body image is a personal journey. As always, Ice Spice carries herself confidently, promoting self-acceptance and self-expression. No matter what others think, she embraces her individuality, balancing her artistry with a refreshing honesty that keeps fans engaged. Her time at Paris Fashion Week was a strong message. Ice Spice is determined to set her own. Whether she’s front row at the hottest fashion shows or casually sharing snapshots, the world is paying attention, and she’s making the most of every moment.

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Artist Spotlight

Adin Ross Blindsided by Kanye West’s Controversial Gift, A Swastika Shirt With His Name

Adin Ross is a well known streamer in the hip-hop community, famous for showcasing some of the biggest artists in the genre. He has hosted viral interviews and has helped amplify the work of music giants like Drake, earning a reputation as a connector between artists and their fans. However, things took a shocking turn with Kanye West, and the relationship may be irreparable. In the past, Ross has expressed his admiration for West and even tried to collaborate with him on his stream. Recently, West made a bizarre attempt to reach out to Ross by gifting him a custom t-shirt with a Swastika and Ross’s name. This left Ross, who is Jewish, feeling horrified and betrayed.

The awkward moment unfolded during a FaceTime call that Ross recorded and shared with his followers. What started as a friendly chat quickly turned shocking when West unveiled the offensive t-shirt. Ross was visibly stunned, exclaiming, “What the f*ck?!” as he processed what he had just seen. He paused the video and turned to his audience to express his disbelief. “He has a shirt with a Swastika with my name on it,” he said, clearly disappointed and in shock. His viewers reacted with outrage and support for Ross, flooding the chat with their messages.

Throughout the call, Ross tried to keep his cool and handled the situation carefully. He later explained that some fans might have expected him to confront West more aggressively, but he felt the entire situation was just too absurd. “I know y’all are gonna say I didn’t stand up to him,” he noted, emphasizing that his calm reaction didn’t mean he supported West’s actions. This incident is just another episode in Kanye West’s ongoing controversies, but for Adin Ross, it feels like a personal betrayal.

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