Anyone who goes to McGill will reluctantly be forced to admit that we're a rather elitist bunch. I seem to have made matters worse for myself by choosing two majors that are particularly good at attracting people with a "holier then thou" attitude: art history and political science respectively. Focusing on the art history department, if you choose to take an art history class you will inevitably be faced with 5 main types of students, and something to look forward to:
1) The suck up: Every class has one. This person generally aspires to become a professor and is therefore on a first name basis with yours. They’ll start their sentences with things like “As you know professor x, the reading states that...”
In an effort to seem smarter, they’ll often bring in knowledge from other art history classes that they are simultaneously taking. The proff might not be aware of this fact, but every other student in the room is. Nice try bud. We’re onto you.
2) The fashionista: Half of the people in art history are not actually interested in art. Why, you may wonder, do they choose to study it then? These girls/boys are generally the people who are too proud to attend a school that might actually offer the fashion merchandising program they so desire (Ryerson, Concordia, Parsons, you get the idea). Instead they choose to get a degree from the most sought after school in the country, hoping their pedigree will land them an automatic job at Conde Naste upon graduation. The fashionista won’t actually ever speak in class. They’ll just spend four years looking fierce while they anxiously await their diploma.
3) The art snob: This person probably starts their sentences with things like “When I was interning at the Tate Modern in London…..” or “When I was backpacking through Europe following the retrospective of x (insert obscure artist that even your proff has never heard of)…”
When in the presence of this person, never mention the following: Picasso, Monet, Pollock, or anything considered too proletariat for their superior artistic knowledge. More importantly, under no circumstances should you ever admit to liking Andy Warhol. To the Art Snob, this is the equivalent of saying you think Pineapple Express is Oscar worthy. You have just confirmed their lingering suspicion that you have no taste.
4) One hit wonder: This is the person in lecture class who never speaks but will at one point put up his or her hand and say something so profound about Richard Serra/feminist theory/politics of display/whatever, that the whole class (including the proff) will actually stop to contemplate what was just said. The one hit wonder will then subsequently remain silence for the rest of term. You’re not too sure who they are or where they came from. All you know is, you wish they would talk more and the art snob/suck up would talk less.
5) The Bro: this is the heterosexual football playing, former beer pong champion that is in your art history class purely by accident. He originally thought that intro to modern art and art of listening required the same level of academic commitment, or lack thereof.
The bro thinks that talking about art is a subjective practice where there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Essentially, he’s doomed from the start. You won’t actually see this guy in your class until he shows up for your midterm and realizes that “Shit man, this shit is harder then I thought.”
Ranting aside, I’m pretty sure I’ve embodied all of the aforementioned stereotypes, but for what it’s worth, I do kind of like Warhol. Just don’t tell ok?
Givenchy shoes....I DIE I DIE I DIE I DIE.
If I were to play basketball, I'm hoping it would look something like this.
Do you remember a time before swipe passes and electronic pads, when doors - and secrets- were opened with keys? From steamer trunks to hotel rooms, personal diaries to jewelery cases, a metal key was the only way in.
When the weather eventually improves McGill student continue to hibernate. That’s right, final exams are once again upon us. At a time when we should be playing Frisbee on lower field, most students are still stuck inside at coffee shops trying desperately to catch up on weeks of untouched readings, myself included. Having exhausted my desire to study at Presse Café, Second Cup, or god forbid the library, I find myself stationed at Santropol. For those who are unaware, Santropol is the most darling restaurant in Montreal, boasting the best sandwiches in town and sinfully delicious desserts. Complete with wifi access, Santropol is my new study place du Jour. Freshly baked bread and disturbingly strong coffee make this the perfect place to tear through that 400 page course pack. Much better then the stale tuna fish sandwich you will undoubtedly be forced to eat while studying at the Redpath library.
Hunter rain boots have developed a type of cult like following over the last few years. It makes perfect sense in Canada where we spend 70% our year knee deep in icy slush. The hottest new addition to the Hunter family comes complements of Mr. Jimmy Choo. Combining Choo’s trademark crocodile embossing with rubber wellies has yielded some surprisingly fantastic results. These boots are the ultimate in practical luxury. They will debut in June, to be sold exclusively at Jimmy Choo stores, with a select number available online. Don’t expect to get your hands on these beauties unless you register on the waitlist that opens up on May 1st. I for one, will be up earlier then I normally am for course registration. Happy Hunting.
There is something undeniably wonderful about buying vintage clothing. In most cases it’s the thrill of the hunt, and the prospect of finding a Givenchy silk scarf in the 2 for $5 bin. For those who are less inclined to dig, Nasty Girl Vintage is fantastic for when you’re feeling a little lazy. Whether you root through the bins at the Salvation Army or order your handpicked items online, buying vintage clothing guarantees the type of originality that can never be procured shopping at Urban Outfitters.
Topshop has flown under the North American radar for a while, but for those in the know it’s a veritable treasure trove of affordable unconventional fashion. The first North American outlet is good news. Hopefully, a Canadian flagship won’t be too far behind. (I realize it’s just delirious and wishful thinking, but a girl can dream right?) Until then, it gives us Montreal girls yet another excuse to pop down to the City.
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