What do Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and I all have in common? A love for Hello Kitty, of course. The loveable Japanese kitten’s famous face is as internationally recognized by school girls and adult fashion-lovers alike. Just the sight of the big red bow and sugary pink clothes can make a grown woman squeal like a little girl.
When people think of UCI, fashion does not immediately come to mind. After all, why should it? Most students don’t come here with plans to become stylists or designers. However, there are some students who plan to pursue a career in the fashion industry, no matter what major they’ll have on their diploma.
The crowd hummed with anticipation as a remix of La Roux’s “Bulletproof” blasted from the speakers. The familiar music both calmed my fidgeting and made me want to dance in my seat. It was Oct. 14, 2009, and for many of the audience members, this event was yet another stop to make during LA Fashion Week.
It may be 80 degrees outside, but fall has officially arrived. While the heat may prevent us from comfortably taking advantage of all of fall’s trends, elements from the runways can be translated into real life.
“You will not sleep for four weeks. If you love fashion design, it will be the best four weeks of your life,” read an ominous yet exciting email from my Fashion Design Concepts teacher a few days before classes began. This summer, I took two classes in Fashion Design at the Parsons New School of Design.
It’s 3 a.m. and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. I’m sitting in my living room with only “Fight Club” streaming on my laptop to keep me company. As I stitch a thin metal chain onto a shiny black miniskirt, it barely registers that it’s already Wednesday morning. Finally, Wednesday, May 27, the day I’ve been waiting for the entire school year, has arrived.
As much as I love fashion magazines, I often find myself getting frustrated with their content. Photo spreads might as well be pages of a catalog that only sell clothes that a college student can’t afford to dry clean, let alone afford to wear.
Not since the days of Jackie O have Americans been so transfixed on the fashion choices of a First Lady. Just as journalists have scrutinized President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office, fashion writers have chronicled Michelle Obama's 100 days of style.
"This is my generation. This is my sex appeal," a throaty voice sings while images of a model in a snug tan sweater and a tiny skirt fastened from top to bottom with silver buttons flash across my laptop's screen. It's clear within the first few minutes of this video that this isn't promoting your usual clothing brand. This is BCBGeneration, a brand-new line that's the hipper, younger sister to Max Azria's well-known BCBGMAXAZRIA label. BCBG, an acronym for the French slang saying, "bon chic, bon genre," ("good style, good attitude" in English), was founded in 1989 by Max Azria and is currently based in Vernon, CA.
When you think of Goodwill, you might think of shelves of used toasters, racks of obscure T-shirts, old stuffed animals, and maybe even the clothing you donated last week, as I have. Don't let your first impression or the store's notorious aroma deter you from seeking what could be your next favorite item of clothing. Recently, I found a black vintage jumpsuit, denim jacket, faux-fur stole, and several other pieces to use for fabric at the Goodwill store in Costa Mesa. I've learned that if you take the time to sift through the racks, you're often lucky enough to discover a unique item.
Suburban Outfitter: Last May, UC Irvine's Fashion Interest Group held its inaugural fashion show featuring four student designers: Teresa Williams, Melanie Lee, Colleen Mohnkern and myself. This spring, we plan to debut our new collections at the Fashion Interest Group's next show.
SUBURBAN OUTFITTER: If you're anything like me — a shopaholic with a lack of funding — fashion can be fun, but sometimes overwhelming. If you sometimes find yourself debating whether or not to trade a week's worth of dinner for a pair of heels you can't stop thinking about, this week's column is dedicated to you. I love to shop, but my meager college student budget determines what I can actually spend money on versus what I should buy for less. Here are my thoughts on what to splurge on, what to save on, and where to get it.
SUBURBAN OUTFITTER: Back home in the Bay Area, I never thought about shopping for spring and summer clothing until March when, if I were lucky, the temperature would slowly climb to the cool mid-60s. Here in Irvine, however, it's mid-January and a ridiculous 85 degrees. Even though I'm wearing denim cutoffs, I feel like I'm about to pass out as I trudge up a slight slope in Aldrich Park. What does this tell me (besides that I'm ludicrously out of shape)? It's time to shop for the new season.
