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Oct
30
2025
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By Lily Chang
Lee Van Cleef - News - IMDb

Decoding the Enduring Appeal of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” as the Ultimate Western

Culture and Entertainment
The Western film genre is defined by wide-open landscapes, solitary antiheroes, tense standoffs, and stark morality. Yet, few films have so thoroughly reshaped and embodied the genre as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). Directed by Sergio Leone and powered by Ennio Morricone's iconic score, this film has not only achieved cult status but redefined the very tenets of Western storytelling for generations worldwide. Examining its narrative architecture, aesthetic techniques, cultural influence, and ongoing legacy reveals why it is often considered the ultimate Western.A Groundbreaking Method for Narrative CreationAt its core, the film's genius lies in Sergio Leone's…
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Oct
23
2025
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By Lily Chang
What legacy did Halston leave in American fashion?

Exploring Halston’s Fashion Legacy

Fashion and Trends
Roy Halston Frowick, recognized simply as Halston, holds a unique position within the annals of American fashion. Initially gaining recognition in the 1960s as a gifted hat designer, Halston achieved widespread fame for crafting the memorable pillbox hat donned by Jacqueline Kennedy during John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration. Nevertheless, his transition into women's apparel truly enabled him to establish the groundwork for what would become an enduring heritage. Halston's designs embodied modernity, fluidity, and subtle elegance—characteristics that reshaped the American style and permanently altered the course of the fashion sector.Minimalism as Innovation: The Language of SimplicityBefore Halston, haute couture ruled…
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Oct
20
2025
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By Lily Chang
How has Riccardo Tisci shaped luxury streetwear?

Riccardo Tisci’s Vision: Shaping Luxury Streetwear

Fashion and Trends
Riccardo Tisci is not merely a designer; he represents a transformative force within the early 21st-century fashion landscape, especially in the development of luxury streetwear. Since his tenure at Givenchy and later at Burberry, Tisci’s influence has fundamentally shifted the perceptions of what defines haute couture and street culture, blending them into a hybrid aesthetic now prevalent on runways and city streets worldwide.Initial Inspirations: Reshaping GivenchyTisci assumed the role of creative director at Givenchy in 2005, at a time when traditional Parisian fashion houses were beginning to face challenges from more urban, youth-driven brands. Leaning into his Italian heritage and…
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Oct
20
2025
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By Lily Chang
Trump’s challenge: Hurting Putin without harming Americans at the gas pump

Putin Sanctions & US Gas Prices: Trump’s Tightrope Walk

Economy
Donald Trump confronts the intricate challenge of confronting Russian aggression while simultaneously protecting American consumers from escalating fuel prices.With ongoing geopolitical tensions impacting energy markets, the former president has highlighted the necessity of a firm response to Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, while avoiding additional economic pressure domestically. The difficulty involves achieving equilibrium between exerting significant pressure on Moscow and preserving internal stability, especially considering the volatility of U.S. gasoline prices and the wider cost-of-living worries for countless Americans.Traversing an intricate energy environmentEnergy markets have become a central battleground in U.S.-Russia relations. Any measures aimed at curbing Russian oil revenues—such…
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