Big Issue Project
An Assignment about the social politics and realities of refugees produced for my reporting class at the University of Oregon. Hover and scroll through the embed to read the whole article I published on Medium.
Words and Photos by Kimberly Harris
Supreme Plug on Campus
A feature on a student's resell business for Align Magazine.
Words and Photos by Kimberly Harris
Michael Lee didn’t plan to sell his Supreme when he started to buy clothing and accessories in 2016. Every Thursday, at 7:30 a.m., Lee would wake up just in time to buy the Supremes’ drop of new clothing at 8 a.m. Each week the brand updates their online store with clothing, accessories and novelties ranging from $2 to $1,000 or more that can sell out within a few seconds after being released on the site.
“At one point I realized that this is wasting my money. I buy this stuff and don’t ever wear it so I stopped,” Lee said. “It’s cringey to be called a hypebeast.”
But Lee still had a lot of stuff, and he figured out that there was a potential profit within his collection. Lee started to resell through Facebook groups in his home country, Taiwan. He would ship merchandise after being wired money or meet up with customers at the Taipei Metro station to make exchanges. Since moving to the states, Lee uses StockX.com, an online market where people can buy verified merchandise, to resell his collection.
“I think the resale culture gives people the opportunity to start their own business,” said Lee. But he thinks of his reselling business as more of a side hustle to make some money while he’s in school.
Lee’s Supreme collection currently consists of 50 to 100 accessories, 100 to 150 shirts, and 40 to 50 hoodies. His Supreme is unused to lightly worn, and if he’s worn something he has it dry cleaned to maintain the quality. Lee has no problem pulling up his receipts when people ask him to verify his merchandise. He has built a reputation for consistently selling authenticity.
Lee’s style has changed since he started reselling. He strays away from wearing Supreme and focuses on buying products he knows he can profit from.
“Back then I use to wear Supreme everything. I was really insecure and not as confident as I am now,” Lee said. “Now I’m more into how the fit looks and not how expensive it is.”
His current style is low-key with little-to-no branding and dresses to be comfortable. He’s dressed in light brown slacks and an olive green tee with a denim jacket draped around his shoulders. He prefers to lightly flex by paying extra for clothing that has quality.
“If you like it and you feel confident wearing them, just do it, wear what you want. Just make sure you don’t lose yourself in the process of buying that stuff,” Lee said.
FOOD TRUCKS FOR EVERYONE
An article about the variety of food trucks in Eugene, Oregon featured in Duck Living.
Words by Kimberly Harris
“Everyone eats” is a saying that my family uses often because we don’t let anyone sitting at the table go hungry. There’s always something for someone to eat regardless of their dietary preferences or pickiness. Eugene’s population of food carts opens up its table to all types of growling stomachs: vegetarians, carnivores and anyone in-between. Check out this list for a little bit of everything when it comes to food carts.
Sammitch
Sammitch serves hamburgers but as sandwiches. This food cart morphs the two meals into one by putting hamburger fixings onto a toasted sandwich bun. There is a unique variety of $7 sandwiches for vegetarians and meat lovers. The Turkey Gobbler embodies a thanksgiving dinner with a turkey patty, cranberries and vegetable stuffing. The Veggie Greekin’ sandwich has cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion and feta with a raspberry vinaigrette. Sandwiches can be enjoyed with a side of carrot fries or deep-fried mushroom bites.
Weekly locations and hours vary but can be found on www.streetfoodapp.com/eugene/sammitch
Rackhouse BBQ
Rackhouse BBQ offers a compromise of preferences since they serve BBQ'd meats and jackfruit. House smoked meats such as pork ribs, chicken wings, pulled pork and beef brisket are slow-smoked and finished with house-made sauce. Guests with vegetarian preferences can enjoy a jackfruit slow-smoked with their signature rub and vegan BBQ sauce. Individual meals can be enjoyed for less than $15. Their classic BBQ sides like mac & cheese, baked beans, coleslaw and loaded cheese fries make sure that no customer leaves hungry.
Currently located at Oakshire Brewing Public House
207 madison st. Eugene, OR 97402
Open Wednesday through Sunday from noon – 10 P.M.
Subo
There are sushi burritos in Eugene, and this is not a drill. The trendy, culture fused meal is delicious and fresh like sushi but in the serving size of a big burrito. Subo serves sushi burritos and bowls for $8 or customers can build their own for less than $15. One of the best features of Subo is the variety of sauces there are to choose from like spicy mayo, sweet wasabi sauce, Cajun sauce, and sweet chili sauce are just a few options to go with their sushi burrito or bowl.
Address:
3rd and Van Buren
Eugene, Oregon
Hours:
Open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 A.M. – 8 P.M.
Vinnies Smokin BBQ
Meat-lovers should consider checking out this BBQ cart. Vinnies Smokin BBQ combines culinary cuisine and a passion for cooking with a budget-friendly price. Sandwiches are less than $9 for hot links, chicken, pulled pork and beef with sweet or spicy BBQ sauce and coleslaw. Plates and Ribs that include a side can cost less than 13$.
Weekly locations and hours can be found: www.streetfoodapp.com/eugene/vinnies-smokin-bbq
I Scream For Waffles
I Scream For Waffles is for the sweet and savory taste buds. The cart uses waffles to create desserts and dinners that make you forget the breakfast function of warm, crispy waffles. Tuesday through Friday they serve waffle cones with ice cream with various flavors like honey lavender, Nutter Butter and cookie butter inside. On Thursdays and sometimes throughout the weekends, they serve waffle chicken sandwiches, poutine and salads. Their chicken breast sandwiches feature a cheddar chive waffle bun.
Weekly locations and hours can be found: www.streetfoodapp.com/eugene/i-scream-for-waffles
Wrap City
This cart takes different cultural favorites and serves them in a wrap. The simple fusion uses fresh ingredients to offer pad thai, curry, barbeque chicken and crunchy tacos in a wrap form. Wrap City offers katsu, orange chicken or teriyaki options for their rice and noodle bowls. Wraps and noodle bowls can be made gluten-free and for $6 or less.
Weekly locations and hours can be found: www.roaminghunger.com/wrap-city/
The Peaceful Palate
This organic, vegan and gluten-free friendly food cart is nestled in the woods of the Whitaker and is guaranteed to satisfy your hungry but eco-friendly tummy. Offering raw options and a plethora of meal options throughout the day, like smoothies to-go or a basket of sweet potato friends smothered in cashew cheese, this food cart will leave your conscience clean and your stomach full.
Peaceful Palate is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 7pm.