Today we’d like to introduce you to Giuliana Vargas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am and have always been extremely passionate about the arts, as it enables the possibility to envision a vision into reality. My name is Giuliana Vargas and my story beings in South America Peru, a country I was born in and left at a young age; as my parents decided to move to the States for security and economic stability. Growing up belonging to both nationalities, but being worlds apart from close relatives, I grew a beautiful curiosity towards my second homeland. I became infatuated with this other land for its colorful prints, ancient Incan patterns, and vibrant history rooted in science and religion. This beautiful curiously did not come at easily as at a young I learned about the racial negative connotations towards the Latinx community. I soon became ashamed not only of my heritage but of my skin color; as I began to understand that I would not only be judged in life based on my academic achievements but rather be perceived just off of my surface-level characteristics. Unfortunately, that is to some extent my reality that while I do not have a negative stigma of my culture and fellow Latinx brothers and sisters, there are others who do. It is important to also note that the oppressor of Latinx and Hispanic demographics do not necessarily have to be someone other of that demographic. Colorism is just as common within South American countries as in America. It is alive and can be seen for example with the use of who the media utilizes as new anchors or who they choose for led roles within movies to idolize. By being able to grow up in America I had the opportunity to have an educational system that had students from all over the world and celebrated it. I had classmates that were from Egypt, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Nigeria, and many more; that all would educate and invite me into their culture. Just as I had become infatuated with curiosity for my own homeland, I did just the same with their homelands. I grew as well an appreciation for their cultures usage of textiles, their art practices that were linked with aspects of religion, and distinct art forms that captured stories. It was until my senior year of high school in an AP 3D class that I was able to bring my appreciation of diversity into a reality. It became my goal with the utilization of art to breakdown the usage of colorism in the media, as well as showcase my own heritages’ vibrant prints. I ended up creating ten outfits that revolved around tropical prints and photographed a diverse range of models that all had different skin tones, genders, and body size. The manor these photographs were taken were in a studio space with a set backdrop correlating to the models’ outfits to communicate to the audience that women of color can be front and center on a magazine cover and be seen as editorial. To my surprise, I later in college with the foundation of a creative began my journey with editorial magazine work.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As one of the many founders of the Over magazine, my position began and still is today as the creative director. I can definitely, after our first year in rotation attest that it is not as glamorous as it may be branded to be. As there has been from my part and my teams many sleepless nights, and endless behind the scenes problem-solving moments during events. That nonetheless, I would never regret experiencing as they have given me character and allowed me to become a leader I have always wanted to be. As I do strongly believe in always being honest with your team and that if you don’t have to have all the answers, because there is nothing wrong with taking your time to think through an issue to come back with an appropriate through-out response. From the being, I was 100% honest with the team that looked at me for direction, especially during our first release that I did not know how to run a magazine. At that moment, they all responded back with that they didn’t care if I knew exactly how to run a magazine, but it matters more to them that I was trying and that they had faith in me. Not only did that motivate me more to create a kickass magazine, but to also go beyond just being a student organization on campus. Over Magazine is a magazine that began with the University of North Texas creatives, but expands to a wider network of creatives that desire to network with other creatives and create resume work. That is what makes me proud of the magazines’ work as the organization goes beyond a social network that allows for collaboration within a variety of artists, but one that publishes young artists, and gives artists a voice in our art/ fashion shows. In addition, if you are in a similar situation to me and are passionate about the art and fashion industry, but have very few women to look up to in the creative directing industry. I cannot express enough that “success is truly on the other side of fear” and that of the initiative that your are trying to create. I suggest taking the time to think about the risk of your initiative and then ask yourself “if you could sleep and night knowing that you didn’t at least try to take that risk”. As that is what propelled me to begin Over Magazine with my creative peers as close friends, and professors thought I was crazy as I barely had time as it was to breathe. Their disbelief only strengthened my belief to excel with this organization of talented artists; as I saw the potential in them and so did they within me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Creative Director of Over Magazine – what should we know?
My work is focused on celebrating Hispanic/ Latinx cultures in an inclusive editorial manner within the fashion realm. I am also currently majoring in User Experience part of the Communication Design program at the University of North Texas. Through this program, I have been able to learn how to scope a problem and utilize creative problem-solving skills to its true potential. With the use of technology solutions to human problems can be tackled with analog or digital design. One of the reasons I decided to go into UX after the recommendation from a professor called Clinton Carlson. To be 100% honest, I had no idea what UX was, but after looking more into it, I realized what couldn’t it be. As companies, more and more even globally, are adding in UX departments as technology has become a staple touchpoint in someone’s everyday life. I believe that is truly powerful, creating art for function and most importantly for a purpose. Creating for art with a purpose, within the art community is what creates memorable pieces, and emotional evoking works. For Over magazine, I am proud of the work I have done as I know it is not perfect, but it’s miles beyond what I could’ve ever imagined it to be. I am also proud of the people on the team that I have gotten the opportunity to meet and grow with. Creatives such as Nate Bishara who is our Editor in Cheif, our Fashion Director Renacio, Illustrator Director Emily Elliott, and Photography Director Victoria Nguyen. It has also been a little more than a year and we have released two magazines, hosted two art shows in the Denton community, had two live magazine release showings, a fashion show in Dallas, and collaborated with our University’s program council, housing and residence life, the division of student affairs with an Instagram Museum that brought together a variety of art forms. Although my work with Over magazine might not seem to the blind to correlate with my major, I see myself in a project majors position. Working as a creative director for Over Magazine has given me the opportunity to create my own opportunities and fight for them. As I believe that the limit for the vision of these ideas, whether it be for an event or magazine, the limit is up to the lengths of your imagination.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The mentors I have secretly nominated in my life would have to be my supervisors in my current employment within the Universities’ financial sector. I truly admire my three supervisors that outlook a variety of financial situations that students can come across while in college. If you can imagine the conversation topic of funding for a college education in America, isn’t typically a favorited one. But these three individuals have gone against all odds to begin a conversation to end the idea that money is a taboo topic and to educate our youth on financial literacy and its importance. They have all also allowed me the opportunity to see my own self worth as a developing young professional woman; while challenging me to not ever be comfortable. As I have gotten to go far beyond my comfort zones perceived extremities. I am grateful and will always be because it truly is a privilege to work with these people who just want to see others succeed around them.
Pricing:
- Our latest copy is available in the link below, purchases help maintain our website.
- Over Magazine #2 “Self” Fall 2019 US $40.99
- https://www.blurb.com/b/9880176-over-magazine-2-self-fall-2019
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.over-magazine.com/
- Email: over.magazine@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/over_magazine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/0verMagazine/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/0ver_Magazine
Image Credit:
Photographer for the headshot (Instagram): @alexandratbarrientos
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