Fashionable Literature

As I grow older and my attention span shortens due to Netflix and the quickly changing world we live in, I find it hard to devote time to leisure reading. Although I do enjoy diving into a novel on occasion, I tend to choose other media rather then flipping though the pages of a book. I even can shamelessly say that I have quite a few novels in my ever growing book collection that I have yet to even crack open, but I like to justify this by a quote I read in Austin Kleon’s book Steal Like an Artist (Ironically from a book that I had owned about 6 months before reading.) “Collect books, even if you don't plan on reading them right away. Nothing is more important than an unread library.” I would always stare blankly at the books on my bookshelf without giving any a chance. This was until I came across the book Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk. Palahniuk takes you on an emotional roller coaster and reveals the vanity and extreme importance of beauty that we face being in the fashion world and in the public eye. Palahniuk (The writer of the cult classic Fight Club) outdid himself with this book. The vivid novel focuses particularly on a collection of high end fashion models and a drag queen who are road tripping across the country to find themselves and escape from reality. The novel focuses on the narcissistic fashion world we have come to love and cherish. It shines a cruel light on how one decision can affect the rest of your life. The book creates an amalgam of brutal and graphic descriptions with wit and humor. If you are a fashion major or conceder yourself fashion forward with a hint of cynicism this is the book for you. Palahniuk will have you on the edge of your seat, from envisioning the Chanel dress the antagonist dons in great detail to a murder scene with the killer painted in blood wearing a stunning designer wedding gown that is charred to a crisp. Palahniuk was inspired by fashion magazines and extensively studied the fashion world and it shows in his vibrant descriptions and writing. If you are looking for a book this winter break that fuses the fashion world and suspense look no more and pick up a copy of Invisible Monsters! 

Lights Camera Action: MTV EMA's Best Dressed

This weekend one of the largest music award shows took place. The MTV EMA’s had every A-lister in the pop music industry under one ultra-glamorous roof. Although music stole a great deal of attention, the fashions that were worn on the red carpet were absolutely stunning. From the up and coming star Charli XCX in Mochino to the ever so flawless Jourdan Dunn in a stunning white dress by Mugler. Here is my list of the top 5 best dressed of the EMA’s red carpet (In no particular order.)

Jourdan Dunn

   This girl knows how to dress. She kept her look very simplistic and she ROCKED IT. She paired a Mugler dress from the 2014 runway with a white louboutin heel and some simplistic bangles to tie in the silver accent on the dress. A+ for Mrs.Dunn.

Charli XCX

Charli is known for the wild child looks. She went 90’s for this affair in a Mochino crop, matching skirt, a super retro color pop bag and the most radical shoes on the block. Her outfit was definitely fetch. All of it coming from Jeremy Scott’s super retro Barbie Spring/Summer Mochino runway show (which was a favorite of mine.) And to be even more Barbie like Charli slapped on a hot pink lip stain and some cat eyes.

Tallia Storm

Not many people know who Tallia is here in the states, but she is a HUGE star over the pond. She looks absolutely stunning in her perfectly fit sequin blazer, death defying studded platforms and skin tight lacquered leggings. On top of it all is her gravity-defying hair sticking almost a foot above her head. To top all of the fierceness happening, she adds a nostalgic Paul Frank monkey ring. Props to her rising stylist Tessie Hartmann for putting together this AMAZING look! She stood out and was super confident sporting this highly talked about amalgam of London punk and posh spice style. 

Vicky Pattison

Such a classy look! Vicky looks ready for the Oscars in this form fitting sparkling black gown with sheer panels at just the right places. She went with a couture dress from the up and coming line Miss Francesca Couture. Vicky stole the show when walking down the carpet. The dress sparkled under the hundreds of camera flashes and bight lights. The only critique I have for this look is I wish she would have paired it with some sterling or diamond jewelry rather than the plastic bracelets she chose. But she still looked flawless either way.

Kiesza

Another up and coming artist decided to make a statement and she definitely did. Most of the nights looks were mundane and earthy colors so Kiesza was not hard to spot out in the crowd. She is wearing a custom remake of FENDI’s feathered dress from the spring/summer 2015 runway. Although I do think the dress looked better on the runway, Kiesza took a giant leap and it paid off. She looks stunning and her hair Fohawk was also a standout of the night.

Single Sided

Transferring a runway trend to real life can seem like a daunting task but with little effort you could be strutting around campus rocking the seasons latest craze. One of my favorite looks from this runway season is the single statement earring  It was seen in a great deal of well-established brands like Tory Burch, Céline and Louis Vuitton. A single solitary earring can bring together a look without being too overbearing.

The goal of the look (like every new fashion) is to wear it with confidence. If you don’t, some people might come to the conclusion that you have lost an earring rather than being fashion forward. Make sure when you’re donning one statement earing to keep the other clothing you’re wearing to a minimum, don’t try and be flashy with the rest of your ensemble because you want the earing to steal the show.

Stick to a “normcore” style. Maybe pair a big feather earing with a neutral sweater and jeans. The best part about this trend is when your shopping for earrings you can share the other with a friend!

-- Bradley Parks 

Five Creative Costume Ideas

Some people take weeks and weeks preparing their Halloween costume. I prefer to go the minimalistic route when dressing up for Halloween. Every year I spend the week leading up to Halloween deliberating on a costume idea that is both cheap, quick and original. Nobody wants to walk into the party and see a ton of other people dressed as the same thing. So before you commit to being Miley or a cat like everyone else consider some of these Halloween costume ideas:

1. Rosie the Riveter

This costume is super simple. All you need is a bandana and a denim button down from your closet and if you can throw on your combat boots for that military look. Work on your hair a little to give it that 50s vibe and you have got yourself a costume that feminists all over will be proud of!

2. Malibu Barbie

If you’re not all about the feminist look and want to be plastic go for a Malibu Barbie Costume. Throughout the runway influences of Barbie have been seen this year. All you need is some super bright clothing, platinum blonde hair and a cute neon clutch or bag. Cake on the makeup and pink lipstick and move like a doll all night long if you want to be authentic

       

   3. Cruella de Vil

The most fabulous evil villain, Cruella, is for sure one of the fiercest costumes you can don.  What you will need is a cigarette to tote around, red gloves (can be bought on amazon for under $5.00) and go trifling for a white jacket so that you can sharpie on some fake Dalmatian print. Slap on your little black dress under the jacket and a patent leather heel and you have got yourself a costume. If you want to go an extra step you can buy temporary hair dye (found at Wal-Mart and target) and die half white and the other half black.

4. Circus Performer/Fortune teller

Channel your inner American Horror Story with this costume. Just wear lots and lots of rings and pick up some tattered eveningwear at the thrift store and throw everything together. Maybe wrap a scarf around your head to make a turban and wear lots of flowy gypsy items like a scarf tied around your waist and arms.

5. Piñata

This costume is for the creative mind. All you essentially need is multicolored streamers from the party store and a base dess. Just stream the streamers around your body and add fringe to certain areas to give it that piñata look. Carry around a stick with streamer on it as well so people make the connection. 










--Bradley Parks 

A note on confidence

     How many times have we woken up with the 5^t’h ring of our alarm that said “if you don’t get up now you will be sweeping streets for the rest of your life message on it (definitely happened more than once), we put on whatever was laying on the floor not caring too much what it was and ran to our class or work hoping to make it on time while thinking yeah weren’t we just flawless this morning sigh... But let’s stop there. What if we would have gotten ready a little earlier that morning or prepared a cute outfit for that early 8am class in advance, wouldn’t that make us feel a little bit more excited and ready to go and start off our morning right because well, we look adorable. Confidence and fashion are directly linked. This is seen especially in women because we care a lot more about how we look and let’s admit it, it absolutely boosts our confidence and makes our day when someone compliments our outfit. 

     You also never know who you are going to meet that day, maybe it’s the guy you’ve been crushing on for ages and maybe it’s something less glamorous like a meeting, but the most important part is that you feel confident in how you look and can feel more ready and relaxed. Fashion can also improve your overall body confidence as well, regardless of your body shape, you don’t have to look like a supermodel to feel pretty, and the right kind of garments can transform you into a beauty and show off those beautiful curves that you have. 

     But most importantly to feel that way; you must own up to the outfit that you are wearing, and that is SO important because if you lose your confidence in what you have on it makes you not enjoy fashion and feel exposed and shy, that is why when you pick what you are going to wear you have to know that yes I can pull this off or that maybe this is not my cup of tea and stick to what makes you feel your best. On another hand, don’t be afraid to explore, there are many different styles that are out there to be tried, from edgy to vintage and glam, you don’t have to stick to just one specific type, dressing it up different everyday can make all the difference in the world and expand your range of clothing choices and strengthen who you are. 

     This fashion metamorphosis can be seen in many famous stars like for example, Miley Cyrus who evolved from cute Hannah Montana to a crazy bodysuit and funky outfit kinda gal (hey no judgment) but she created a persona for herself from the clothes that she wore, and that is a great example how a piece of clothing can add just a little bit more spice. I am not saying you should be a twerking bunny for Halloween, just simply stating that fashion can change you. 

     On the final note do not be shy in wearing something different that no one else is wearing, let’s not forget, that’s how all trends start so better be a trend setter not a follower. We are all unique and can bring something different to the fashion table, like the famous Ralph Lauren said “Fashion is not necessarily about labels. It’s not about brands. It’s about something else that comes from within you.” That something from within you is individual style, so don’t be afraid to show it!

- Berta Amelinaite