Artwork by Anniella Victoria From the era of colonialism to the era of social media influencers, the West has been profiting off of Eastern culture– or at least part of it. It used to happen through direct economic exploitation, when British colonizers dubbed Indian diets as “unclean” while simultaneously exporting and gaining money from said spices that they so desperately needed. Tea that was once an Indian crop is now a staple in British identity. Now, the exploitation is more diffuse, and...

Photography by Sophie Dunlap The muse is missing. Designers are trying to keep up with the new digital wave while boring us at the same time. The algorithm pushes aesthetics fast enough to not let anyone stand out. Everything is trending. All the time. Until it’s “cheugy” and outdated and is placed right back in the trend cycle after a few years. We scroll through thousands of interchangeable “It-girls” who all own the same chunky resin bangles and lightweight transparent ponchos. Their...