The term “basic,” often in tandem with another word that begins with the letter B, has evolved from previous understandings of wardrobe essentials, pH scale references and fundamental principles into a pejorative descriptor for those who enjoy mainstream products or music. This expanding new usage has come to represent a culture of material consumption with no regard to long term value and meaning.

“Basic” is the antonym of all that hipsters stand for in their desperate race to avoid accusations of gentrification, the Billboard Top 40 and anything resembling a label — two simultaneous movements that represent a polarizing shift in young adult interests. This emerging group of younger trend followers carries the stigma of lacking sophistication, intelligence or any defining characteristics and, despite recent efforts from within the mainly Caucasian subgroup to retake and redefine the word, carries decidedly negative connotations.

While this particular usage of the word can be seen as early as 1985, by the all-girl R&B group Klymaxx, the term didn’t gain much traction until 2013. The use of “basic” in terms of wardrobe selection, however, emerged during the mid 2000s while collections of pieces themselves and the idea of wardrobe staples had already been decades in the making.

This definition carries connotations of the classic and the timeless, bringing to mind the historically esoteric and desperately sought after Little Black Dress, a perfectly fitted, crisp white button-down and a Breton-striped shirt Coco Chanel herself would wear. The woman whose closet revolves around these key, style basics carries a fundamental understanding of timeless fashion and commands the respect and attention of her peers.

To obtain a sufficient grasp on the term as a whole and its relevance within fashion, a distinction between the two meanings must be established. Wardrobe basics represent monetary efficiency and the blood, sweat and tears of older generations who spent countless seasons testing wardrobe staple contenders before settling on the chosen few. Conversely, this emerging slang variation brings to mind trendy pieces that quickly dissolve into irrelevancy, a near opposite of the original definition.

A quick google search of basic picks up thousands of hits, everything from “Wardrobe Staples – Everyday Basics Your Closet Needs” to “How to Avoid Dressing Like a Basic Bitch.” With such an obvious contradiction between the two, it can be hard to pinpoint the connection that led to their shared linguistic derivative. Perhaps this link can be traced to the association of both with items that saturate the market. Yet even then, in the case of basic in the slang sense, this saturation exists in the short term while wardrobe essentials are consistently prevalent, mainstays in any closet.

Accepting and understanding these two meanings, as well as obtaining the ability to differentiate between them, is the first step toward reclaiming “basic” within the fashion industry. By their own definition, these staples will far outlive the slang term whose significance will soon fade into the annals of pop culture along with buggin, home skillet and fugly, all abandoned by the flitting attention span that characterizes young adults. In the meantime, hold on tight to those white sneakers and flattering, light-wash jeans while this colloquialism, and the flashy trends associated with it, runs its course.

Email Grace Dixon at [email protected].

As the saying goes, “if you see something, say something.” It is impossible to overlook the fact that models on runways and faces in ad campaigns all look the same. We have all seen the lack of diversity in the fashion industry for far too long, and it is time to say something.

Following the Spring/Summer 2016 runway season, The Fashion Spot compiled data from 373 fashion shows and 9,926 model appearances from New York, London, Paris and Milan. They found that 77.6 percent of the runway models were white. The same study also showed that, after examining 460 print ads, 84.7 percent of the models cast were white.

The fashion industry is one of the leading driving forces behind what the public perceives as beautiful. When the diversity on the runway and within magazine pages is limited to a handful of faces, that perception of a normative beauty standard narrows even more.

“We are drawn to people who look like us,” Robin Givhan of The Washington Post said to Business of Fashion. “Unless they’re making a conscious decision to deviate from the standard, then the standard is what they go for. And [their] standard is blonde and blue eyed.”

It seems to be a never-ending cycle, but the first step towards a solution is recognizing that there is a problem and then talking about it. Publications including the Man Repeller have also made an effort to discuss the lack of diversity, saying, “Conversation is part of the solution.”

Former model and activist Bethann Hardison is one of the key proponents in the fashion diversity conversation as well. Hardison founded Diversity Coalition/Balance Diversity to encourage the industry to keep racial diversity in mind when casting models.

“Our objective is to make a shift on how the model of color is viewed so it becomes natural to see them participating each season in a greater number than seasons past,” reads the Balance Diversity website.

Another step toward more active inclusion from the inside out is increasing the industry’s diversity. If the designers, stylists, agencies and editors don’t diversify their employees, then there’s a greater chance that that low level of diversity will translate to what the public sees. Fashion editor Shiona Turini spoke with the Man Repeller on the importance of this performative solution.

“Don’t just look at the runway,” Turini said. “Look around at who is sitting next to you at fashion week.”

The New York Times found that of the 470 designers in the Council of Fashion Designers of America, only 12 are African-American designers. Designer Tracy Reese told Business of Fashion, “More often, [I’m] the only person of color in the room.”

Perhaps the best step to be taken is celebrating the diversity that does happen in the industry. If the public doesn’t know about it, the public won’t talk about it. While identifying where problems persist is of the utmost importance, pointing out who has solutions to offer should not go unnoticed either. Aurora James of Brother Vellies was the first black woman to receive the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Amy Astley chose to spotlight models of color Aya Jones, Lineisy Montero and Imaan Hammam as “fashion’s new faces” in the August issue.

We can celebrate diversity in an even more inclusive sense as well. Madeline Stuart, an 18-year-old model with Down syndrome, opened the Hendrik Vermeulen NYFW Spring/Summer 2016 runway show. Ashley Nell Tipton, Project Runway’s latest winner, made the show’s history as the first designer of plus-sized fashion. Transgender designer Gogo Graham created a runway show in New York that featured only trans models.

These are the names that should be making more headlines in celebration. Praise and positive reinforcement keep the call for change going. We should never stop addressing what is wrong, but we certainly cannot be afraid to point out what is right either.

Email Natalia Barr at [email protected].

The fashion industry is growing, but it remains difficult to break into. With New York City as a student’s backdrop, the fashion capital of the world teaches fashionistas to be assertive and determined. One such graduate of NYU was able to become part of this intimidating, sartorial realm of the city.

Jackie Kim, class of 2015, studied the Business of Fashion and French Language in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study and is now following her dreams, which, coupled with hard work and dedication, landed her a position as the Fashion Merchandising Assistant to the Fashion Office at Barneys New York. During her time at NYU, Kim was able to intern with Annie Leibovitz, at Vanity Fair, Refinery 29, Chanel and Barneys New York. In fact, Kim interned at Barneys in the summer of 2013 and worked three separate terms until she was hired in May of 2015.

“I feel a fierce loyalty to Barneys for the mentorship I’ve received throughout my pre-professional and professional career,” Kim said.

As a Fashion Merchandising Assistant today to Barneys’ Senior Fashion Director, Tomoko Ogura, Kim has been busy working on various projects. Her favorites include styling for Barneys’ luxury editorial site, The Window, meeting new vendors and collaborating with designers to develop exclusive styles.

As a student at NYU, Kim always had an affinity for fashion, beginning her passion with an interest in photography. However, as she frequented photo shoots during her internships, she found herself drawn to the stylists and the clothes. “After my photo internship ended, I told myself to try a fashion internship to see how I liked it,” Kim said. “Once I made the decision to try a fashion centric role, I never looked back.”

In looking at the huge role NYU played in securing her a position at Barneys, Kim reflected on all aspects of her time as a student.

“My classmates and professors were perhaps my greatest advantages, as they challenged my state of mind,” Kim said.

“Being surrounded by overachievers who were dedicated to multiple projects allowed me to find a state of normalcy when I felt overextended.”

Given the dog-eat-dog world that is New York City, Kim has only valuable and noteworthy words of wisdom for students who wish to follow in similar footsteps.

“My advice to NYU students who are looking for jobs after graduation is to look at companies that you expect to grow,” Kim said.

In addition to looking at companies who are in the midst of rising, Kim also suggests establishing relationships with admirable people that could propel one forward. She herself was fortunate to have worked closely with Tomoko as an intern. Once connections are made, Kim notes that it is important to always reach out.

“A student’s schedule is very rare, so take advantage of that free hour from 2-3 p.m. and schedule a time to meet with someone you admire. Be respectful of their time, prepare your questions and always send a thank you card,” Kim says.

In terms of being ready for an interview, the former student has specific advice.

“Remember that an interview is more a conversation than it is an interrogation,” Kim said. “Dress for the part — hair and nails matter too — and make sure to support your experiences with specific examples.”

As for her return to basics, Kim has her own essentials that she believes should be in every wardrobe. Her must-haves include a mid-length gray coat, flattering denim (her preferred brand is Rag and Bone) and a solid pair of Celine shoes.

Email Mikaella Evaristo at [email protected].