Lauren Zurcher

The art of the outdoor runway

Photo by Arnold Jerocki

(Written for Edward Joiner)

Would you rather sit through a fashion show in a dark, cold room with fluorescent lights or be outside in fresh air and natural lighting? Outdoor fashion shows have gained popularity in recent years, and we are big fans of it. Hosting shows in the outdoors allows for a scenery that could otherwise not be achieved or recreated. In this article, we share our favorite outdoor fashion shows from the past few years.

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The most sustainable country for fashion

Pont d’Avignon
Photo by Lauren Zurcher

Child labor. Environmental pollutants. Exploitation. Greed. Words associated with the fashion industry? You better believe it. Fashion houses hurt our world more than you can imagine, but now, some nations are fighting back. This article looks at which country leads the way in sustainable fashion.

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6 ways to be a more environmentally conscious fashion consumer

Photo by Lauren Zurcher

We are all guilty of having consumed fast fashion items at some point in our lives, however, many of us are starting to realize the inhumane practices within the industry and understand how much of a negative impact fast fashion has on our planet and people. So, now what? This article presents six specific ways you can become a more environmentally conscious fashion consumer.

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Don’t let greenwashing fool you

Photo from H&M website

More and more people are becoming aware of fast fashion and its negative impact on the world. There are innumerable fast fashion brands, some of which claim to be more environmentally friendly than we may think. Regardless of how they try to portray themselves, it is no secret they all contribute in some way to large amounts of waste and pollution, exploitative labor practices, and public health hazards. This article dives into the notion of “greenwashing” and how not to be fooled as a conscientious consumer.

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Kobe Bryant’s past – a tweet too soon?

WHAT: On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, a former professional basketball player, died at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in the Los Angeles area along with nine other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. They were on their way from Orange County to Thousand Oaks to participate in a tournament basketball game at Mamba Sports Academy. 

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An intimate look into the challenges of interfaith marriage

(Names have been changed to protect the families’ privacy.)

Religious holidays, wedding planning, and raising kids can all be uncomfortable situations for couples who observe different religious traditions. Intercultural marriage has become increasingly popular throughout the United States, and although many secular Americans welcome this rise in interreligious unions, several of these marriages encounter unique challenges and complications. 

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Plan(e)t-based eating

“Chips n’ Guac” from Peace Pies, a vegan restaurant in San Diego
Photo by Lauren Zurcher

It is no secret that there is an epidemic in the U.S. relating directly to diet, specifically to consuming animal products. However, not only do these dietary habits lead to poor health and pre-mature deaths, they also have a negative effect on the environment. Animal agriculture is killing both the planet and its people. 

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Recent elections in India

Results from India’s general elections held from April 11 to May 19 were released a few days ago providing a triumphant victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and his right-leaning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This marks one of the largest re-elections India has experienced in several years. The country — home to over 1.3 billion people — makes up the world’s largest democracy, with approximately 900 million eligible voters. Elections occurred across seven federally administered territories and 29 states.

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Understanding ISIS through a media and communications lens with Kareem El Damanhoury

Graphic by Lauren Zurcher

ISIS has recently reappeared in breaking news headlines following the April 21, 2019 Sri Lanka attacks, which killed approximately 257 people. Kareem El Damanhoury, PhD, from Georgia State University, visited the University of Denver to give a talk about conceptualizing the ISIS phenomenon and analyzing its relation to media.

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Jeanette Vizguerra: Immigration activist and national leader

Jeanette Vizguerra is an immigration activist currently living in sanctuary at the First Unitarian Society of Denver. Although she has been living in the U.S. for 23 years, she faces a constant battle against deportation since February 2009 when she was caught driving without a driver’s license. The first thing she was asked when pulled over was whether she was in the country illegally; she was arrested on site for being a Mexican immigrant. A mother, she now lives an isolated life away from her children. 

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BlacKkKlansman screenwriter Kevin Willmott makes an appearance at DU

Theatrical release poster

Kevin Willmott, one of the screenwriters for the award-winning movie BlacKkKlansmanvisited the University of Denver last week for a Q&A following a showing of the film. Willmott shared his perspective on his experience with the movie, as well as personal input on issues it raises.

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College students, let’s talk about food

In the United States alone, unhealthy eating habits account for more than 650,000 deaths per year, as a consequence of heart disease and other nutrition related illnesses. People overlook one of the most important, if not the most important, aspects of life. This inclination holds especially true with college students.

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Creating sustainable lives for refugees with the University of Denver’s Ready for American Hospitality (RAH) program

The Ready for American Hospitality program, also known as RAH, is a collaboration between the African Community Center, a refugee resettlement agency in Denver, and the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver. The program began in 2012 with the mission of creating sustainable lives for refugees and enabling effective learning experiences for responsible leadership. Since its establishment, the program has accommodated over 300 refugee students, asylum seekers, and immigrants.

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The changing nature of the University of Denver

What’s going on?

This week I — along with two other classmates — set out to capture the work in progress of a construction site at the University of Denver. The campus has been undergoing various renovations, including new parking lots, new housing, new sidewalks, and new buildings. 

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Is the University of Denver missing out on the “American college football experience”?

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Photo by Lauren Zurcher

College sports play a significant role in the United States. A survey conducted by Harris Interactive reports that around 47 percent of Americans follow college sports. Many people view college football as the most important sports activity in America. According to research led by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the most popular sport amongst spectators is men’s college football. In every state across the nation, the greatest teams play in stadiums that can hold well over 100,000.

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Tricia Boone shares insights on an art agent’s life

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Tricia Boone

Centennial, CO — Tricia Boone is the co-founder and co-owner of 73 Art Agency. Based in Colorado, the agency was started in 2015 to pursue the desire to “bring beautiful art to the general public and to help emerging artists with visibility,” as described on their website. This global and multi-faceted creative agency specializes in visual arts. 73 Art Agency’s mission is “to keep original art alive and celebrated in every home”.

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