Last Sunday, my friends and I were lazy enough to watch a 10-hour marathon of Gossip Girl.   Pathetic? Yes.  A huge waste of time?  Most definitely.  A fashion inspiration?  Absolutely.

As my envy grew scene after scene due to each phenomenal outfit, I started wondering why I was so obsessed with the style on this show.  I normally don’t even like that whole Park Avenue preppy look.

After about the fifth episode, a light went off in my head.  It wasn’t that Serena’s plaid skirt was to die for or that Chuck’s orange jacket down made him look like a million bucks. It wasn’t one individual component that made each look so phenomenal; rather, it was the sum of the parts.  Blair’s blouse was adorable, but add the buckle headband, the multistrand pearl bracelet, the scarf and the handbag and suddenly she’s a fashion genius.

Show stopping accessories have come back in a big way on this season’s runways as well. Chanel, Christian Lacroix and Lanvin are just a couple examples of designers who presented heavily accessorized looks for their spring shows.

Photo: Maggie Conner; Model: Katie Rebmann; Necklace from Express

Suddenly inspired, I decided to test out the accessorizing thing on a couple of my friends.  Katie started out wearing a simple off the shoulder top, tweed shorts and a pair of brown flats, an outfit that she might wear to the bars.  But after I added a pair of nude fishnet tights, a fur cropped jacket, a mixed metal necklace and snakeskin embossed pumps to the mix, her look went from average to instant glamour girl.

Photo: Maggie Conner; Model: Rashelle Ludolph; Hat, Forever 21. Necklace, Express. Vest, bebe.

A braided gunmetal necklace, a boyish gray vest, ankle boots and a mauve knit hat gave Rashelle’s casual outfit a shot of much needed rock chick sass.

The lesson in all of this?  More is more.  And less is, well, less.

So next time you throw on an outfit, try adding an accessory or two before you run out the door.  It will take you all of five minutes and will give you an instant pick me up.

And remember: Just because you live in the IU bubble doesn’t give you an excuse to be a don’t!

This past Tuesday, Katie Murphey (see post below), and other students in Professor Winge’s draping class presented their designs.  

To tell you the truth, I was completely impressed with all of the student work.  My personal favorite came from Jackie Daniel, a senior majoring in Apparel Merchandising and earning the Fashion Design Certificate.

Here are some pictures of Daniel prepping her asymmetrical dress below.

Daniel’s said her inspiration for this dress was the sunrise when it is barely peaking over the horizon.  She explained how the dress goes from a purple color to pink- just like the sky.

To incorporate the horizon idea further, she used a shinier fabric which also included a star pattern.

This dress was not only my favorite because of the interesting incorporation of her inspiration, but because it is very “in style” and definitely something I can see myself wearing. 

If she were selling, I would be first in line.

Just over a week ago, I was in the lab talking to Katie Murphey, a junior in the Individualized Major Program for fashion design.  She told me about an upcoming project for her draping class where students had to sketch, construct and present their designs.  Although every student had to focus on manipulating a stripe, the project was completely open to letting each student’s creativity shine.  

Below are some pictures of Murphey’s dress, which was “in progress” at the time.

Murphey said she likes to work with texture, solid colors and line.  “I don’t usually do stripes, but I think the interweaving adds visual texture,” she said.

Don’t ask me how I know this, but I have a feeling this is going to be a great week.

Actually do ask, because then I can spill the beans about the 25^th Annual ArtsWeek. Do you want to know more? Sure, you do.

This year ‘s theme is “Politics and the Arts,” and it features dozens of exhibitions, performances and lectures in all forms of creative expression.  Some of the “must-sees” are Dr. Cornel West tonight at the IU Auditorium, sneak peek of “The People Speak” with director Anthony Arnove and actor Michael Ealy and the final event, an evening with the talented Maya Angleou.

So with so many fantastic events, how could I pick just one? I don’t know, and I didn’t try.  This week is all about creative expression and that should be a launching pad for your wardrobe.

Take it from someone who can barely draw a stick figure, you don’t have to be Van Gogh, to pull of the artsy look.

Visit the galleries looking like you should be a part of a canvas with this Wet Seal flutter sleeve top with paint stripe details for $19.50  with a pair of skinny jeans.

For lectures or performances, dazzle them in this shimmer Twill dress from Target for $19.99. You can enhance this dress with a long gold necklace, black opaque pantyhose and a black cardigan to keep it classy when it’s a little chilly.

These are just a few suggestions.  If you have a favorite pair of earrings or a pair of jeans that fit you just right, then go with it. Self-expression never goes out of style.

Today’s receipt:

Artsy top                                      $19.50

Twill dress                                      $19.99

Enjoying the arts, and

expressing yourself……………priceless

I’m going to express myself all over the mall. Enjoy the events!

Keiara 

My closet is full of all types of clothing, but there is one shirt in particular that is my favorite.  It is a rosy pink, polyester blouse with a cherry blossom flower pattern.  Although it is sleeveless, it has a high neckline with a cutout loop on the chest.  The waistband is thick and stiff, which causes the shirt to gather at the bottom a bit. 

I love it.

But before this shirt was being sold at the Limited, it was just an image on a designer’s sketchpad.  And before that, it was just a thought in his or her mind.

So how do designers decide what to make and how to make it?  Why is my favorite shirt polyester? Why is it pink?

Nicole Album, a senior earning an individualized major in fashion design, helped to explain her design process to me.

First, she has to be inspired. 

“If you have an apple, you take into account the shape, texture, taste and color,” Album said. 

She said sometimes there might be interesting elements such as a wormhole or a leaf, and this can affect the garment’s shape or the type of fabric used.

Once she has an idea, the next step is research.

“Any good design has to have the appropriate amount of research,” Album said.

If a particular item inspires her, then she might research its origin.  This can then lead to her digging up information about particular cities, etc. 

After doing her research, she starts sketching. 

“Designing is a constant process of problem solving,” Album said,

So, sometimes before going further with a sketch, she goes fabric shopping.  This may help to correct problems or motivate new ideas.

All of this leads to her drafting a pattern, and the patterns help to transition to the ultimate construction of the garment.

The process may seem basic, but it is actually extremely time consuming and complex.  Perhaps because, nothing is ever constant. 

“The basis of design is accepting that everything is going to change,” Album said.

Below are designs created and constructed by Nicole Album.  The first few are of a vest that is “in progress.” It is black with a gray, hand-knit back.  The second is a finished dress.

If you want to see more designs by Nicole Album, she is hosting a fashion show on Sunday, March 8 from 3-4p.m. at the John Waldron Arts Center. (122 South Walnut, Bloomington, IN).

Every season, a new trend emerges that disguises or alters the body in some way.  In 1947, Christian Dior enhanced the hourglass shape with his “New Look” collection.  In the 1980s, Giorgio Armani popularized the strong shoulder. Everyone from up and coming designer Alexander Wang to famed fashion house Chloe put out M.C. Hammer-inspired harem pants on this spring’s runways.

An altering silhouette can give the illusion of a Marilyn Monroe figure, a slimmed down shape or an unfortunately awkward profile.  At IU, The most recent trend in the awkward profile category is this week’s Don’t – the bottom banded dress.  This particular style is a favorite outfit choice for party girls at the slew of bars and fraternity parties on campus.

And I really don’t get the appeal.

Bottom banded dresses billow around the wearer’s stomach and tightly hug the bottom half of the derriere so that anyone who wears these hideous crimes against fashion ends up looking like a pregnant girl on her last hurrah to party it up before the baby bump is too obvious.  They’re sold in an array of God-awful fabrics and once alcohol gets factored in, the results are usually pornographic due to the short, tight nature of the dress.

I always thought women were trying to achieve the perfect hourglass shape, not look like bloated strippers, but this trend has proven me wrong. I suppose bottom banded dresses are still popular because they showcase legs and they’re party friendly, but there are many other flattering options that accomplish these same objectives without suggesting a bun in the oven.

Above: Kristen Larsen wears a bandage style skirt from Pitaya

Take bandage style dressing, for instance.  Seen all over the spring runways at Hervé Léger, Thakoon, Celine, Narciso Rodriguez and Rock & Republic, this look is sexy, trendy and it hugs the body in all the right places.  Luckily for those who don’t have an overflow of cash, bandage dresses and skirts are available at inexpensive boutiques on campus like Pitaya and Cha Cha. Pair the look with tough girl accessories and loads of attitude.  The trick is to look sexy, not stripperlicious, so try to stay away from five inch heels, hot pink accents and tricked out fake nails.

And remember: Just because you live in the IU bubble doesn’t give you an excuse to be a Don’t!

Hello. My name is Keiara Carr, and I am “Twilight” addict.

Yes, I own the entire saga, which I have now read three times. Yes, I have a huge Twilight poster in my room. Yes, I am one of those girls who adds any sort of Facebook flair or bumper sticker that implies that I will soon be the future Mrs. Edward Cullen or Mrs. Rob Pattinson. And yes, I was the girl behind you in the movie that gasped when Bella and Edward shared their first kiss. 

Let the recovery begin.

The reason I bring this up?  I fear I may have  a Twilight relapse.

From Feb. 19 to 21, the Indiana Memorial Union’s “Flicks in the Whitt” will be showing the blockbuster “Twilight,” with 8 and 11 p.m. showings each day – all for free.

 For the four of you who haven’t seen this movie, you’re probably asking, “Does it matter what I wear?” Really, it doesn’t.  But if you’re like me, any occasion that excites you to the core, is worth the sprucing up.

What does the future Mrs. Pattinson think you should wear?

When I go see a movie that I have been anticipating forever, I wear something that goes with the theme. For the “Sex and the City” movie, I wore a t-shirt that had Carrie strutting down the street. For Twilight I recommend finding a tee that goes with theme. One of my favorites was the “I heart Edward” tee for $14.50.

Of course, if you want to fulfill all of your vampire needs, then I highly suggest you go to Hot Topic. The shirts are a bit pricier ranging from $22-$24, but accessories like bracelets and pins are quite cheap ranging from $1.99 – $8.00.

 Finish your look with a pair of black or dark denim jeans and blood red nails.  Just have fun with your look and be a little movie geek for one night.

If it makes you feel better, I’ll be right behind you, gasping no doubt.

Today receipt:

Twilight Shirt                          $14.50- $24.00

Twilight Accessories              $1.99 – $8.00

Total…………………………………$16.49- $32.00

Do you think they’ll let me sleep in the Whitt for the weekend?

Keiara

Sweatshop.  When most people hear this word, they think of shady factories, unhealthy and dangerous working conditions or underdeveloped countries. 

Either way you slice it, sweatshops have a negative connotation.

Perhaps that’s why IU fashion students often think of their studio in association with the word sweatshop.

As I become more familiar with life as a design student, I am beginning to learn secrets and the inside scoop to spending time in Memorial Hall 020E—the fashion design studio.

The students agreed upon nicknaming their studio “the sweatshop,” because there is limited space to work and it is always hot no matter what the weather is like.

“It’s in the basement of an old dorm. Memorial used to be a residence hall, and when we’re there sometimes until 8 a.m., it’s really scary,” said Dana Brej.

Some of the students even developed a buddy system and make sure never to go to the bathroom alone.

An alternative nickname the students have is “the sweatshop” is actually “the dungeon.”

With spending several nights myself in the studio the past few weeks, I can see where this feeling of fright often comes about.

After all, the studio hours usually go until 10 or 11:30 p.m., so the darkness, stress, and lack of sleep can really get to a person’s mind.  And let’s not forget there are dress forms (manikins used for fitting) lining the room.

Can someone say creepy? 

Ah, love.  It can make you feel like you’re gliding on air. Or if you’re into more solid elements, how about ice?

`            If so, the Sweetheart Skate at Frank Southern Ice Arena is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. From 7 to 9 p.m. you and your sweetheart (or any other incredibly sickeningly sweet nickname that you have each other) can skate, cuddle by the fireplace and Eskimo kiss the night away for $12.

            For a chilly yet romantic night on the ice, your outfit should be romantic, but realistic. Unless, you’re going for the gold in the Olympics, tights of any color or length are not allowed on the ice. A sweater with soft, muted colors, a knit beret and nice pair of jeans is romantic, and you show your date that you realize tights – no matter how “comfy” they may be – are not a substitute for actual pants.

            Personally, I love cardigans because they are simply easier to take on and off than a sweater, and if you’re going between skating and a blazing fire, it’s a must. Luckily this winter season, cardigans were everywhere, and now that spring is rolling in, they’re cheaper.

             A cardigan sweater with the tie-waist is a winner for me. It has a feminine shape and gives you the option of buttons for modesty, or wear just the tie waist with a romantic trapeze cami underneath. The Vanity Argyle “grandpa” cardigan also won me over for $11.99. The soft color with Argyle print gives the feel of romance with a hint of chic. Also, the deep cut of the neckline allows for a possible ruffle chiffon cami.

            For accessories, I would venture to Target for a nice knit cap, or try a scarf if you’re not a fan of hat hair. My pick was the Xhilaration Marled Knit for $9.99; it ties in the knit theme and gives another punch of chic to your outfit. 

           Finish it up with a pair of skinny jeans. The “skinny” is completely optional, but there are benefits. For one, they’ll make your legs look fantastic no matter how much they may wobble on those blades. Secondly, you won’t have to worry about your pant legs getting in the way. Believe me, a neck brace is never a sexy way to impress a date.

 Today’s receipt:

 Cardigan:            $9.99-$-$11.99

Knit beret             9.99

Have fun with your sweetie this Saturday. I’ll be the bitter one waiting for the singles skate.

Keiara

If there is only one styling tip I could give, it is to always dress to flatter your unique figure.  Always.  Living by this personal mantra has forced me to forego a slew of cute trends that other girls can carry off with chutzpah.  Ankle boots (they make my short legs look even shorter), drop waist flapper dresses (I’m too hippy), and the sack silhouette of yesteryear (I look like a frumpy troll) are just a few examples of trends that never worked for me.

But sometimes it’s easier for people to be sheep than shepherds, however unflattering the newest craze may be.  When low-rise jeans were in style, the ample sea of unsightly butt cleavage exhausted my gag reflex.  When tight, short tops were trendy, the amount of rolls and muffin tops on display could have kept all the bakeries in the world stocked for ages.

While I’m over the moon that tight tops and low-rise jeans are long extinct, there is another unflattering Don’t that is lurking in our midst: printed and light colored leggings and tights.

Before you go off on a tangent insisting that every Gossip Girl character and her mother wears them on TV, think for a second: Do they actually make anyone’s legs look good?  Crazy patterns and light pastels will DEFINITELY make your legs look chunkier.  Trust me.  White tights even gave Leighton Meester cankles, and she has a great pair of gams.

This doesn’t mean you have to limit your leg wear options.  Au contraire, there are a bountiful array of shades from which to choose.  Brown, jade, eggplant, or any other dark or jewel tone will slenderize your legs and fashionably spice up any outfit.

Do choose items that will flatter your figure the best.  Don’t just opt for the trendiest thing that waltzes off the runway.

And remember: Just because you live in the IU bubble doesn’t give you an excuse to be a Don’t!

Photos: Maggie Conner; Model, bottom post: Katie Rebmann