Nicole Pigott preparing her model, Stephanie Certrulo, for the Montclair Fashion Night Out video promo.
Photo courtesy of Chris Veith
Montclair State University’s emerging fashion magazine, 1908, will launch its fall issue, “American Pioneer,” this Thursday Oct. 22 with a Gatsby-themed party and a red carpet to show off attendees’ glamorous looks.
There will be a DJ, food, mocktails, free make-up, raffles and a meet-the-team panel in the Student Center Ballrooms A and B from 7 to 9 p.m. Also, the print edition of the fall issue will be on sale for only $1.
The magazine has a growing on-campus following as well as social media reach that extends beyond the university. Followers range from the Montclair area to California and even other countries. Their social media handle @1908mag appears on a number of platforms and has acquired 505 likes on Facebook, 134 Twitter followers and 875 followers in Instagram.
The cover of 1908, on sale on Oct. 22.
Photo courtesy of 1908 Magazine
“This launch party will definitely be bigger, classier and a lot more fun than last year’s,” said Allyssa Jade Acevedo, the magazine’s editor-in-chief. “1908 has improved so much from last year and we are really proud of our work. That is why this party is going to be much better and a complete celebration of our work. It’s time to celebrate in style.”
1908 magazine was founded by Deanna Massa in the fall of 2014. 1908, which was named for the year the school opened, provides an outlet for artistic students to express their talents and strives to showcase the skills of the editorial, fashion, beauty, photography and creative writing communities on campus.
A fashion spread in 1908 featured on the publication’s Instagram.
Photo courtesy of 1908 magazine
Their meetings are on campus, but their studio is located in Montclair. The magazine publishes in print and online bi-yearly in the fall and spring.
Now that Massa has graduated, there is a new team in place. Apart from Acevedo, other members on the team include Stephanie Cetrulo and Danielle Pransky as Video Production Directors, Erna Nalic as Fashion Director, Kendall Picone as Art Director, Sadiq Trusty as Beauty Director, Kevin Brice as Creative Director and Nicole Pigott as a make-up artist.
Acevedo started her fashion career at a young age, waiting for her monthly subscription to Teen Vogue to come in the mail. “I would read every issue from cover to cover and I discovered my passion,” she said. She runs the magazine by handling all the creative decisions and overseeing what is happening.
There are about 34 members of 1908 and 10 to 15 people at photo shoots including models. “Every shoot is so unique and so special,” said Acevedo.
Accevedo is the Editor-in-Chief of 1908.
Photo Credit: Angela Romano
Shoots are either in the studio or on a location. A shoot idea begins with all of the creative directors meeting to create mood boards and come up with concepts. From there, they chose models they feel would fit the concepts.
On Sept. 26, several members of 1908 were part of Montclair Fashion Night Out at Bobbi Brown Studio in Montclair. There were people helping in make-up, film, photography, modeling, assisting with wardrobes and managing the event.
“It was such a great experience and a good way for 1908 to make ourselves know in the community,” said Acevedo.
When asked what she would like to see from 1908 in the future, beauty representative and make up artist Nicole Pigott said, “I hope to see it progressing the way it is. I feel like we’re getting incredible offers lately and I’d love to see them continue coming in.”
Acevedo hopes that the magazine not only spreads across New Jersey, but across the country and around the world. “We currently have representatives in California, Italy, Australia and London and we hope to gain even more worldwide in the future,” she said.
The Staff of 1908 at Montclair Fashion Night Out.
From left to right: Melissa Aydin, Tanya Eligur, Ilana Freeman, Erna Nalic, Allyssa Acevedo, Danielle Pranksy, Stephanie Certrulo, Lauren Wisnewski, Sadiq Trusty
Photo Credit: Nicole Pisicotti
She believes the magazines’ social platforms are really benefiting their growth and success. “Social media has been amazing because it gave us a way to easily reach the Montclair State community,” she said. “Once people started to follow us and see what we were about, then their friends would see and hear about us and then they would share it too and so on.“
1908‘s spring 2015 issue was printed and available online.
Acevedo recalled a shoot they did on location on a farm in Chester, New Jersey for the spring 2015 issue. The models were near a mill, playing with horses and in a rustic café. “While we were in the middle of shooting on the farm, snow started falling and completely made the shoot,” she said. “It was perfect.”
1908 have already begun shooting every Friday afternoon for their spring 2016 issue. While the fall issue has a more frontier vibe to it, the spring, Acevedo explained, will be risky, fun, innovative and artsy.
Anyone interested in being part of 1908 Magazine can visit their website at www.msu1908mag.com and click on the apply tab to find out what positions are available and how to apply. 1908 magazine can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @1908mag.
