As a film and media studies and political science double major, graduating senior David Rivas Discua is the only FMS senior to do a written thesis. When watching films, viewers may be drawn to the visuals or the sound; however, Rivas’ thesis focuses on the importance and meaning of silence in films.
Since the summer of 2024, Tufts senior, writer and director Kelly Kimbis has been working on her narrative short film, “The Hitman’s Laundromat.” While the film is influenced by Kimbis’ love for crime films and the crime genre, the real inspiration for her film came from an unlikely place.
We’ve all been there: Finals begin approaching, you’re drowning in essays and readings and suddenly, a notification pops up for a 20% off sale, or you see a really tempting Instagram ad. Or maybe you’re one of those students who scroll through online shops in the middle of class (I always sit in the back of class and — trust me — there’s always at least three people online shopping). Retail therapy, right? For many college students, shopping provides a momentary escape from the grind of student life, giving us a chance to feel better, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Welcome to the beginning of what will likely be the weirdest, most transformative, emotionally chaotic and occasionally magical four years of your life. You’re probably gearing up for your final summer at home right now — graduation parties, late nights and maybe even a Pinterest board full of ‘dorm aesthetic’ ideas. You’re making lists, buying way too many things from Target and possibly imagining what it’ll feel like to walk onto campus as a brand new Tufts student.
You’ve probably heard it before — innewsletters, ads, Instagram captions — it’s“The Perfect Tee,” “The Only Pair of Jeans You’ll Ever Need”or“We Finally Found the Perfect Pants.” And every time I read something like that, I roll my eyes. Not because I hate a staple — I love a good staple. But because there’s no such thing as a universal “perfect” anything in fashion. Not the perfect tee, not the perfect jeans, not even the perfect white sneaker.
No one likes to admit they’ve fallen for influencer marketing, but let’s be honest — we all have. We see a product pop up on our feeds enough times, hear a celebrity talk about it in just the right way — and suddenly, we’re buying it. While some of these purchases end up being forgettable disappointments, every now and then, something actually delivers. As someone who is shamefully very easily influenced, here are a few things I was “influenced” to buy and thankfully do not regret.
At this year’s Academy Awards, Zoe Saldaña made history as the first Dominican-American to win an Oscar forthe most negatively talked about film of this year’s award cycle, “Emilia Pérez.” Despite much controversy surrounding the film — criticism about its representation of trans people, Mexico and more—Saldaña’s performance has been lauded,evident by her awards season sweep winning the Critic’s Choice, BAFTA, Golden Globe, SAG Award and ultimately the Oscar. Harper’s Bazaar called her “a revelation,” The New York Times called her “El Mal” performance “the film’s highlight” and “so potent”and the Los Angeles Times praised her saying,“it’s easy to believe Saldaña could be the most versatile screen actor around.”
No one’s style is truly original. Whether conscious or subconscious, we as consumers constantly draw inspiration from the world around us, and fashion is no different. As I’ve grown up and worked on developing my style, I’ve realized that personal style isn’t about reinventing the wheel and being 100% original — it’s about finding pieces and influences that reflect who you are or who you want to be. Over the years, I’ve drawn from a variety of sources, from celebrities to designers. Perhaps sharing my inspirations will help you.
As fall 2025 collections make their way down the runway, I’m reminded of one of the most iconic film monologues of all time —Miranda Priestly’s “cerulean monologue” from“The Devil Wears Prada.” If you’re unfamiliar,Miranda, editor-in-chief of Runway Magazine (inspired by Vogue and Anna Wintour), explains to her assistant the trickle-down effect of the fashion industry, emphasizing that no one is “exempt” from its influence.
A Taylor Swift Eras Tour tee. A Loewe ‘I Told Ya’ tee from “Challengers.” Multiple Glossier hoodies. A Sabrina Carpenter hoodie that says “You act like a bitch” — a reference to her song “Feather.” A 1975 tee. An A24 “Babygirl” tee — a recent pickup. All of these are pieces of merch I have collected over the years that are consistently in my outfit rotation.
