Break out and stop the show

Ah yes, another semester is about to begin, and IU has so much to brag about. Not only did we receive the title of "Hottest Big State School" by Newsweek, but we also received the No. 4 most fashionable school in the Women's Wear Daily Big Ten ranking. \nThis is quite an accomplishment considering the first time IU was featured in the magazine, we received honorable mention. Making the top five sounds good to me, especially when you consider what we were up against. \nOf course, that ranking didn't just happen by itself. There are so many people on this campus that contributed. Fashion has taken a surprising turn on this campus, and now showstoppers can be seen everywhere.\nEach day some girl or guy wakes up and decides, "I am going to turn heads and take numbers." It may come out of nowhere, or this person could be a regular fashionista, but looking good on campus has become a priority. \nNot to say it should come before books and booze, but creating a fashion moment can be quite the self-esteem booster. Last semester, when I waltzed into my sociology class wearing fur boots, tight black pants, a men's IZOD sweater, a huge FUBU coat and Baby Phat earrings, I stopped the show. I failed the test, but I looked damn good doing it. Though sometimes fashion can consume us and drive us to do the most ridiculous of things, it is these moments that keep us coming back for more. \nThis semester I hope to see more of us creating moments. Who can resist the feeling of everyone gasping in delight when you walk into a classroom? Even the most unfashionable of us know what it is like when people can't stop telling us how good we look. Yes, it feels good, and that is why fashion drives us all. From college students to college professors, everyone loves looking fabulous in their favorite pair of jeans or designer shirt.\nFor the start of the school year, I encourage everyone to stop the show at least once. Encourage each other -- shout "Get' em girl" when you see a prize piece strutting on campus or out at the club. Own the feeling of looking fabulous and loving it. Indiana Daily Student photographers will be on the prowl taking pictures of those thoroughbreds stomping to class and hanging out with their friends. When you create a fashion moment, you are also creating a fashion memory. \nSo on occasion when you don't feel quite so stunning, you can look back and say "I owned the catwalk that day." Who knows -- next May we could even have our own fashion magazine and rank ourselves No. 1.