College students empower creativity with fashion magazine

In college, many students find their niche within student organizations. With over 800 student organizations at Iowa State University, students can become overwhelmed trying to find where they belong. For TREND Magazine, they offer a space for all types of creatives to showcase their talents and inspiration.

Natalie Rock and Rishima Varma are editors-in-chief for the 33rd issue of the student-run magazine. Rock is a senior in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design and Varma is a senior in Graphic Design. Both have been involved with TREND since their freshman year and have explored various leadership roles within the magazine.

Varma and Rock. Photo Courtesy of Natalie Rock and Rishima Varma

At TREND, there are 143 dues-paying members who serve on various committees. These committees include editorial, fashion, advertising, public relations, events, photography and more. Every committee is open to all majors and plays an integral role in making TREND a real product.

“TREND is a space where creativity knows no bounds,” Varma explained. “There is not something you have to specifically study, it's a fire you have inside of you. We are here to help you get in touch with that.”

Photo Courtesy of Natalie Rock and Rishima Varma

Being a student-run organization means that TREND finances all of its endeavors. Printing the magazine alone costs $8,000. In order to gather the money for printing and equipment, the club hosts fundraising events, collects dues and accepts donations.

Each issue has a central theme that inspires its visuals and stories. As editors-in-chief, they conceptualized the issue’s theme ANACHRONISM. Rock first came across the idea while working at another magazine during the summer and was further inspired by a semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Varma helped build on the idea and they eventually came to ANACHRONISM.

“I was really infatuated with the idea of playing around with chronological inconsistencies and taking inspiration from the past and not recreating but incorporating those elements into the work we see today,” said Rock.

Photo Courtesy of Natalie Rock and Rishima Varma

Varma and Rock have helped each other balance time between being students and editors-in-chief. They’ve learned how to face challenges in stride and overcome it together. Both hope to continue working in the fashion publishing industry and see the value in what they are learning.

But besides having each other to lean on, the biggest motivator for them is their raw passion. They are committed to fostering an environment where anyone and everyone is welcome to express their ideas. While this is their last year at TREND magazine and Iowa State University, they are putting in the work to make it stronger for the next wave of students.

An official release party for TREND is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6-9 pm at the Tea Room on the Iowa State Campus in Ames, IA. The event is open to the community and all are welcome.