Variant Magazine
behind variant magazine
Who We Are
Formerly known as The Scene, VARIANT is the first mass printed fashion magazine at Ohio University. Striving to be bold, deviant and progressive from the norm, VARIANT is a creative movement that inspires to explore the unexplored and break the stereotypical boundaries of fashion and pop culture.
VARIANT is both a print and online publication that values diversity and represent all types of cultures and identities in our issues. Our team provides students and contributors with hands-on experience in editorial, photography, videography, modeling, styling, set-design and event planning.
Meet the Team
Editor-in-Chief
Emma Friend
Emma is a senior commercial photography major with a minor in anthropology. She is working towards certificates in social media and diversity studies. Emma is from Columbus, OH, loves her dogs and is obsessed with Taylor Swift.
Executive Editor
Joey Earley
Joey is a junior studying commercial photography with a minor in marketing. From Cleveland, OH, her favorite thing about working in Variant is creating a safe space for students, and helping them discover who they are, their hobbies and what they’re passionate about.
Creative Director
Madeline Melragon
Madeline Melragon is a senior majoring in commercial photography. She has participated in VRNT for three years, and has previously been a photographer and photo editor for the magazine. In her free time she enjoys seeing live music, thrifting, and spending time with loved ones.
Associate Editor
Emma Bhatt
Emma Bhatt is a senior double majoring in English and Sociology through the Honors Tutorial College. Before serving as the Associate Editor for VARIANT, she was Copy Chief and wrote articles for the magazine. When she’s not doing VARIANT things, Emma enjoys reading, watching bad television, and bothering her cats.
Head of Publication Design
Abby Lindley
Abby Lindley is a fourth year studying publication design and outdoor recreation and education. She’s from Cincinnati, OH and loves spending time outside and exploring Appalachia.
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Pub Design Associate
Maddie James
Maddie James is a senior double majoring in history and visual communications, publication design. This is MJ’s third year with Variant, and in their free time they enjoy making things, watching too much tv, and visiting their dog, Wrigley.
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Pub Design Associate
Zoe Cranfill
Zoe Cranfill is a Junior studying Visual Communication with a focus in Photojournalism and Publication Design. Zoe is from a small town on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio (Who Dey) She is very passionate about Visual Editing and helping creators tell their story in the best way they can.
Co-Head of Styling
Devon White
Devon White is a senior at Ohio University studying psychology. Originally from Columbus, Ohio she joined Variant in the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year to further pursue her love of fashion. Other than styling she loves to spend her time on drag or watching horror movies.
Head of Fashion Show & Co-Head of Styling
Norah LeFlore
Devon White is a senior at Ohio University studying psychology. Originally from Columbus, Ohio she joined Variant in the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year to further pursue her love of fashion. Other than styling she loves to spend her time on drag or watching horror movies.
Art Director
Jack Wilburn
Jack Wilburn is a junior studying classics He started as a general body member and fell in love with with mag! After modeling, he became the head of makeup and even got the opportunity to host the Variant fashion show as his drag persona Evelyn Everything. He now loves using his creative talents to assist the magazine in every way possible!
Head of Makeup
Sophia Parrillo
Sophia Parrillo is a sophomore studying visual communications and has a social media certificate. Originally hailing from Dayton, Ohio, Sophia's enduring passion for makeup has been an integral part of her life.
Photo Chief
Evie Sears
Evie is currently a senior in the Commercial Photography program in the School of Visual Communications. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio, and has been working for Variant since she was a freshman. This is her third year and the Exec Board. In her free time, she loves to hang out with friends or relax with a good book.
Digital Tech
Kirsten Meyer
Kristen Meyer is a fifth-year super senior who is currently pursuing a degree in commercial photography and a minor in studio arts. When she's not studying, Kristen enjoys tending to her collection of houseplants and painting still life scenes. In her free time, she can often be found socializing with her friends at The Pub Bar and Grill or relaxing at home with her two beloved cats.
Co-Photo Editor
Amalia Feliciano
Amalia Feliciano is a sophomore majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Business. She is from Cleveland, OH and a new member of Variant.
Head of Publication Design
Abby Lindley
Abby Lindley is a fourth year studying publication design and outdoor recreation and education. She’s from Cincinnati, OH and loves spending time outside and exploring Appalachia.
Head of Makeup
Sophia Parrillo
Sophia Parrillo is a sophomore studying visual communications and has a social media certificate. Originally hailing from Dayton, Ohio, Sophia's enduring passion for makeup has been an integral part of her life.
Co-Head of Styling
Devon White
Devon White is a senior at Ohio University studying psychology. Originally from Columbus, Ohio she joined Variant in the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year to further pursue her love of fashion. Other than styling she loves to spend her time on drag or watching horror movies.
Copy Chief
Mads Kinnison
Mads Kinnison is a senior majoring in English. She's from Athens, Ohio. She enjoys writing, horror movies, and fidgeting with the rings on her fingers. This is her first year working for VARIANT.
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PR Director
Riley Brown
Riley Brown is a sophomore studying environmental science & sustainability and communications with a minor in business and a certificate in social media. She’s from Cincinnati, OH and this is their second year in "Variant." When she’s not busy with "Variant" she loves to read, hammock and hang out with her friends.
PR Associate
Kylie Simmons
Kylie Simmons is a junior interior architecture major. She is from Germantown, TN. Kylie has a crippling obsession with coffee and loves Emma Chamberlain.
Head of Videography
Olivia Lutz
Olivia Lutz is a 3rd year media arts production student with a minor in music and a certificate in social media. She is from Zanesville, OH and has been in Variant for three years now. Olivia loves to travel as well as try new vegan food.
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Web Editor
Mimi Calhoun
Mimi Calhoun is a junior journalism major with certificates in East Asian studies and political communications as well as a specialization in creative directing. She is from Columbus, OH and enjoys traveling, writing and photography.
Head of Event Planning
Bre Saunders
Breauna is originally from Logan, OH and is currently a senior here at OU. She is getting her degree in communication studies, marketing, and event planning. A fun fact about Breauna is that she sang on Good Day Columbus with a small group from her high school.
Treasurer
Kenji Smith
Kenji is a 3rd-year media arts production major with a minor in marketing. Kenji pursued his passion for media while also engaging in various extracurricular activities. Kenji Smith was born and raised in Columbus, OH, where he developed a passion for fashion, video games, music, and TV/film. In his free time, he enjoys shopping and activities with his friends. Kenji started his Varient journey in his sophomore year of college, where he modeled for the magazine. In the future, Kenji hopes to work in the media and entertainment industry, where he can use his skills and creativity to make a positive impact.