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(06/07/13 8:35pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When it comes to fitness, we pretty much have it made right here on campus. But what about those of us who hate the idea of running on the treadmill for an hour? We get it — so we found five unusual workouts that will get you moving. Sometimes all it takes is a new approach, a few friends, and a little bit of a challenge.HOT YOGAat Vibe Yoga Studio1705 N. College Avenue$15 per class, $49 for unlimited one month membershipHave you ever read celebrity interviews in which the stars reveal — gasp — that they hate working out? They’re lying. Really. In fact, many of them can credit their hard bodies to years of trendy hot yoga sessions.We know what you’re thinking: Doesn’t everyone get hot when they do yoga? Maybe, but “hot yoga” is different. Instead of going through tricky poses in a regular studio, you stretch, tone, and sweat for 90 minutes in a room that’s set to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity. It’s like exercising in a sauna.Any form of yoga is good for the mind — it forces you to meditate and breathe deeply — and many of the poses, like the plank, sculpt muscles all over your body. But hot yoga takes it to a whole new level. A warm body burns more fat, so you can shed anywhere from 500 to 1000 calories in a single hot session. This leads to weight loss and eventually a faster metabolism, lower blood pressure, and reduced anxiety.“I think hot yoga is so popular because it’s challenging,” Vibe studio manager Erin Thomas says. “I think that’s the biggest draw. The sweat detoxes the body and helps you get into the postures throughout the class. You’re kind of releasing all the day’s work and all the stuff we take into our bodies.”CROSSFITat CrossFit Bloomington3903 S. Walnut StreetStudent price: $75 for one monthThere’s a reason army rangers, marines, and martial artists are all in such great shape: They do CrossFit.CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that, unlike a regular gym routine, emphasizes constantly changing activities that are performed at high levels of intensity. It’s the opposite philosophy of running three miles on a treadmill every single day. Each CrossFit training session is different from the last to target every part of the body and keep your muscles active. CrossFit also stresses that exercise should not be a solo endeavor. Working out with friends or like-minded individuals is both motivating and competitive.Some of the moves you can expect from a CrossFit class include sprinting, flipping tires, rowing, climbing rope, pull-ups, and box jumps — it really is like boot camp.And if a busy schedule is what’s keeping you out of the gym, CrossFit may be the answer. Sessions are typically very short (we’re talking 30 minutes), but they require you to give it everything you’ve got.“There’s the group support, and the movements are about the entire body,” owner and manager of CrossFit Bloomington Geoff Pitluck says. “It’s not routine. If people are having a hard day at work, they show up and start working out with the group, and the music is up, and they’re having a blast.”BOULDERINGat Eigenmann Hall1900 E. 10th Street$5 per day, $55 annual membershipSince the IU Outdoor Adventures program moved to Eigenmann, students can use the residence hall’s rock walls for recreational purposes, including bouldering. Bouldering is a style of rock climbing that emphasizes strength building, problem solving, and dynamics. Climbers do not use a rope and generally focus on short sequences to maximize power.At the IUOA rock-climbing wall, students can sign up to become bouldering “route setters” and create the paths others follow during a typical session.“It’s more self motivated,” IUOA trip leader Sam Wright says. “You’re challenging yourself to do harder and harder things and to get stronger and think more creatively.” OBSTACLE RUNSIf you’re wondering why that ridiculously in-shape Facebook friend of yours is caked in mud in his profile picture, he probably just competed in a Tough Mudder event. Tough Mudder, designed by British Special Forces, is just one of the many types of endurance runs that focus on getting down and dirty.Though there are currently no Tough Mudder runs scheduled around the Bloomington area, a similar race, called the MudMan Indiana 4, is coming to Muncie Oct. 5. It’s a five kilometer course full of mud and obstacles and will have you going through a S.W.A.T. Team training course and other obstacles testing your physical and mental toughness. Registration costs $45.POLE DANCINGat Indy Pole Fitness324 W. Main Street No. 201, Greenwood, Ind., 46142$20 per class, $70 for four class packagePole dancing may bring to mind images of cheap lingerie and neon lights, but the popular exercise technique is much more than plastic heels and nightclubs.Contrary to the “stripper” stigma, pole dancing studios emphasize the beauty and strength of pole dancing. It’s an aesthetic dance as well as a body-sculpting exercise.Pole dancing is high intensity during the climbs, spins, and floor maneuvers, but after those bursts of energy, your heart rate decreases as you rest.This kind of interval training burns more fat and calories than standard cardiovascular activities like running, and tones the muscles in the thighs, butt, arms, back, and shoulders. Pole dancing has mental benefits as well: Women report feeling sexier each time they learn a new move, like the “Fireman Spin.” “It helps a woman get into her inner diva and her self-confidence,” Joni Whiteis, owner of Indy Pole Fitness, said. “It soars. It’s a physical transformation as well as an emotional transformation.”SOURCE Inside magazine’s “The Sweat Issue” Spring 2013
(04/25/13 3:35am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“Fashion passes. Style remains.” This is a quote I try to live by, even if I only really succeed half of the time. What does it mean? Essentially, good taste and an established personal style will always trump the “it” trends and runway shows. Adhering strictly to what you’re “supposed” to wear is a surefire way to look like a walking advertisement. Being stylish is innate, something that embodies your point of view and looks fresh year after year. You could call it being “classic,” though that tends to conjure up images of cable-knit sweaters and preppy plaids. It could be quirky colors or a masculine vibe. Having a distinct look and sticking with it — that’s style. The statement above was coined by none other than Coco Chanel, the purveyor of all things stylish. What’s more classic than a black tweed Chanel jacket? Or the Little Black Dress, which Chanel designed in the 1920s? The LBD changed women’s closets everywhere.It wasn’t the dress itself that was revolutionary — it was the attitude behind it. Even though we first spotted the LBD on Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Chanel insisted it was appropriate for any occasion. The LBD is a staple that can solve any wardrobe crisis from a lunch meeting to a formal gala.Ralph Lauren seemed to agree with Chanel’s philosophy when he said, “Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.” In other words, personal style will always trump a closet full of the season’s predictable designer duds. You maintain and adjust your personal style over a lifetime, whereas fads and trends fade within a year or so.Truth be told, few people truly understand the distinction between “fashion” and “style”—they’re certainly linked, but the biannual shows at Fashion Week aren’t really concerned with everyday wear. The clothes on the runways tend to be more aligned with art than the mass market. Many of those pieces won’t make it to all the major stores.Consider any Alexander McQueen runway show, albeit McQueen is an extreme example. His shows were all about shock value, splendor and art. Kate Middleton wears tons of Alexander McQueen, but it’s not straight off the runway. It’s tweaked and adapted for her everyday life.Similarly, many of the big trends at Fall 2013 should be taken with a grain of salt. One can’t simply dress in head-to-toe Fendi and still feel like themselves. The shows focused on several major trends, including colorful fur jackets, a goth-punk revival and a romantic, feminine 40s vibe.Designers across the spectrum tested out ’40s silhouettes in the hopes of finding something, anything, that felt new and fresh. With some exceptions, fashion is a constant cycle of reinventing the past. Remember spring’s mod ’60s shift dresses? What about the Baroque embellishments at Fall 2012? Talk about a fashion flashback. Those designers were thinking about 17th-century Europe.It’s always hard to predict how these time-period trends will translate to real life. Every time a designer references the ’70s, it just seems costume-like. The girls at music festivals wearing huge flared jeans and peace sign earrings? A bit contrived. It’s hard to make that feel truly modern.We were all in love with the checkerboard patterns, spare shapes and graphic stripes at the Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs spring shows, but that ’60s charm was brief. Rewind a few decades. After seeing the dramatic ’40s-inspired looks at Celine, Prada, Christian Dior and countless others, we’re all swooning for swishy skirts, corseted jackets and mink stoles. But will it last? Is it chic or more like a costume? Personally, I don’t really understand the ’40s fascination. In fact, the spring ’60s moment, if not necessarily “now,” really spoke to me, and I think I’ll try it out this summer with a shift dress and pointy flats. The takeaway here is that no matter what happens to be “on trend,” you know in your gut what will work for you. I won’t be buying a mid-calf fluted skirt anytime soon, but I’ll always be a fan of ballet flats, stripes and sharp blazers. Some things are too good to fade out.
(04/08/13 7:30pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When it comes to fitness, we pretty much have it made right here on campus. But what about those of us who hate the idea of running on the treadmill for an hour? We get it — so we found five unusual workouts that will get you moving. Sometimes all it takes is a new approach, a few friends, and a little bit of a challenge.HOT YOGA at Vibe Yoga Studio 1705 N. College Avenue$15 per class, $49 for unlimited one month membershipHave you ever read celebrity interviews in which the stars reveal — gasp — that they hate working out? They’re lying. Really. In fact, many of them can credit their hard bodies to years of trendy hot yoga sessions.We know what you’re thinking: Doesn’t everyone get hot when they do yoga? Maybe, but “hot yoga” is different. Instead of going through tricky poses in a regular studio, you stretch, tone, and sweat for 90 minutes in a room that’s set to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity. It’s like exercising in a sauna.Any form of yoga is good for the mind — it forces you to meditate and breathe deeply — and many of the poses, like the plank, sculpt muscles all over your body. But hot yoga takes it to a whole new level. A warm body burns more fat, so you can shed anywhere from 500 to 1000 calories in a single hot session. This leads to weight loss and eventually a faster metabolism, lower blood pressure, and reduced anxiety. “I think hot yoga is so popular because it’s challenging,” Vibe studio manager Erin Thomas says. “I think that’s the biggest draw. The sweat detoxes the body and helps you get into the postures throughout the class. You’re kind of releasing all the day’s work and all the stuff we take into our bodies.” CROSSFIT at CrossFit Bloomington 3903 S. Walnut StreetStudent price: $75 for one month There’s a reason army rangers, marines, and martial artists are all in such great shape: They do CrossFit.CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that, unlike a regular gym routine, emphasizes constantly changing activities that are performed at high levels of intensity. It’s the opposite philosophy of running three miles on a treadmill every single day. Each CrossFit training session is different from the last to target every part of the body and keep your muscles active. CrossFit also stresses that exercise should not be a solo endeavor. Working out with friends or like-minded individuals is both motivating and competitive. Some of the moves you can expect from a CrossFit class include sprinting, flipping tires, rowing, climbing rope, pull-ups, and box jumps — so it really is like boot camp. And if a busy schedule is what’s keeping you out of the gym, CrossFit may be the answer. Sessions are typically very short (we’re talking 30 minutes), but they require you to give it everything you’ve got. “There’s the group support, and the movements are about the entire body,” owner and manager of CrossFit Bloomington Geoff Pitluck says. “It’s not routine. If people are having a hard day at work, they show up and start working out with the group, and the music is up, and they’re having a blast.” BOULDERING at Eigenmann Hall 1900 E. 10th Street$5 per day, $55 annual membership Since the IU Outdoor Adventures program moved to Eigenmann, students can use the residence hall’s rock walls for recreational purposes, including bouldering, the latest challenge in climbing. Bouldering is a style of rock climbing that emphasizes strength building, problem solving, and dynamics. Climbers do not use a rope and generally focus on short sequences to maximize power.At the IUOA rock-climbing wall, students can sign up to become bouldering “route setters” and create the paths others follow during a typical session.“It’s more self motivated,” IUOA trip leader Sam Wright says. “You’re challenging yourself to do harder and harder things and to get stronger and think more creatively.” OBSTACLE RUNSIf you’re wondering why that ridiculously in-shape Facebook friend of yours is caked in mud in his profile picture, he probably just competed in a Tough Mudder event. Tough Mudder, designed by British Special Forces, is just one of the many types of endurance runs that focus on getting down and dirty.Though there are currently no Tough Mudder runs scheduled around the Bloomington area, a similar race, called the Dirty Girl Run, is coming to Indianapolis May 18. It’s a five kilometer, unlimited obstacle course that costs $75 and includes mud pits, climbing, and army crawling. The run has 12 stages of obstacles with names like “Stairway to Heaven,” “PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff),” and “Funky Monkey.” Here’s the catch: The race is only open to ladies. However, it welcomes women of all ages and athletic abilities. If you can’t complete an obstacle, you can take one of the “adventure race detours.” Just make sure to wear something you can get a little dirty in.POLE DANCINGat Indy Pole Fitness324 W. Main Street No. 201, Greenwood, Ind., 46142$20 per class, $70 for four class packagePole dancing may bring to mind images of cheap lingerie and neon lights, but the popular exercise technique is much more than plastic heels and nightclubs.Contrary to the “stripper” stigma, pole dancing studios emphasize the beauty and strength of pole dancing. It’s an aesthetic dance as well as a body-sculpting exercise.Pole dancing is high intensity during the climbs, spins, and floor maneuvers, but after those bursts of energy, your heart rate decreases as you rest. This kind of interval training burns more fat and calories than standard cardiovascular activities like running, and tones the muscles in the thighs, butt, arms, back, and shoulders. Pole dancing has mental benefits as well: Women report feeling sexier each time they learn a new move, like the “Fireman Spin.” “It helps a woman get into her inner diva and her self-confidence,” Joni Whiteis , owner of Indy Pole Fitness , says. “It soars. It’s a physical transformation as well as an emotional transformation.”
(04/08/13 7:06pm)
We’ve all experienced this scenario: It’s finals week at Herman B Wells Library. You’ve finally snagged a computer and spent the day writing, citing, and editing when Microsoft Word quits unexpectedly. The biggest paper of your semester is due in 10 minutes.
Luckily, you can thank one of the University Information Technology Services staff members who have the solution. All it takes is a few clicks of the mouse and bam — that analysis of Kerouac’s “On the Road” is gleaming back at you like a beacon of white light.
Julie Byers, junior UITS staffer and computer science major, shares what it’s like to be the perpetual problem-solver when that spinning rainbow wheel just won’t go away.
What are some of the most common problems students have?
There are a lot of simple Microsoft Word issues, printing PDFs, and students in the business school who need help with Microsoft Access. And I’ve actually had a lot of people break the hard drives in their computers before. They’ll stick a flash drive in and break it, so pieces of it will still be in there.
I had a guy come up to me with his flash drive and tell me it wasn’t fitting in the computer, and there was a bunch of lint in there. He said, “Can you clean it out?” which was weird. So I cleaned laundry lint out of his flash drive.
Do students come to you and expect you to perform miracles?
There have been times when people’s computers have just completely restarted on them and they come to me like, “Well, can you fix this?” People expect you to know everything about computers, which we really don’t. For example, I’m really good with Photoshop but not so great with Access. I just try my best.
Does it ever get annoying dealing with students’ issues?
Well there aren’t many women in this field, and I’ve had guys come up to me who say, “Oh, can you get a guy to help me since they know it better?” And I tell them I know it just as well, but they don’t care. It surprises me because, you know, we live in the 21st century, and they still act like that.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve encountered on the job? Any meltdowns?
There will always be the ridiculous stories. But sharing specific details would break UITS confidentiality. I think if I talked about one, the person would read it and know it was about them.
Be the geek squad
Solve your own laptop mishaps like the pros.
Mac users: If the rainbow wheel has popped up and won’t stop spinning, it means your computer is trying to run application but failed. Right-click the application icon (i.e. Safari, Word, PowerPoint) and select “Force Quit.”
Everyone: If you spill water, unplug the machine and take out all removable parts, like the hard drive, CD drive, battery, and keyboard. Tilt the laptop on its side to drain out the water, then use a can of compressed air to blow-dry the inside. Let it sit next to a vent overnight.
PC users: If your laptop is operating slowly, the data in your computer may be “fragmented,” or scattered haphazardly. You can fix this by accessing the “defragmenter” tool in your settings.
(03/28/13 1:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>A majority of my Twitter feed is heavily fashion-focused. I follow all of the major magazines, fashion bloggers, shopping websites, models and editors, often spending more time than I’d like to admit catching up on the latest fashion news. Some days, it’s a special sale at J.Crew or Shopbop. Other days, it’s a review of the Givenchy show in Paris. The other day, it was a jaw-dropping tweet from Cosmopolitan with the teaser, “Just your average $91,500 T-shirt.”The linked article revealed that this was no joke — there really is a T-shirt that costs upwards of 90 grand, and it isn’t your typical cotton Hanes. French luxury brand Hermès — known for its $10,000-plus Birkin bags — is selling a crocodile and chiffon T-shirt at their New York City Madison Avenue store that rings in around $99,500, including NYC sales tax.There have been similar fashion controversies, like Francesca Eastwood setting a $100,000 Hermès Birkin bag on fire or the Olsen twins designing a $50,000 backpack for The Row. Usually people just get upset: “You could feed a third-world country with that kind of money!” But this time around, I thought long and hard about the crocodile T-shirt and what it could mean for college students like me.The singular message I gleaned from this story: invest in basics. I’m not talking about dropping a few hundred dollars on a pair of jeans. But when it comes to the items you rely on multiple times a week, it makes sense to find something high-quality that will look great for multiple seasons.Last summer, I bought all of my basic white T-shirts for just a few dollars. As expected, I wore them to death. The fibers got stretched, holes formed at the seams and they just didn’t hold their shape. For something I needed for nearly every outfit — from denim cut-offs and sandals during the day to printed skirts and heels at night — I realized I had to make more of an investment. I headed to J.Crew and Bloomingdales to find tees that had a little bit of stretch, thicker fabric, the right neckline, a slightly loose fit and sleeves that weren’t too short, and guess what? After an eventful summer in New York and almost a full year at IU, they still look amazing. The same kind of careful consideration should be paid to all of your classics, like great-fitting jeans, a sturdy leather bag and perfect ballet flats. While these have always been considered wardrobe necessities, the shift toward minimalism this spring and summer means the easiest way to look chic is to choose one standout piece — maybe a tribal clutch or statement necklace — and pair it with those tried-and-true basics. The Hermès T-shirt is an extreme example, but it demonstrates the direction fashion is taking towards unfussy, clean style. After clicking through hundreds of street style photos from Fashion Week last month, the most stylish women in the world were all pushing that same message: They wore their tees with jeans, vibrant heels, sharp blazers and everything in between. It will certainly make getting dressed easier this summer, which is always a good thing.— emfarra@indiana.edu
(03/21/13 3:14am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The other day I had a conversation with a male friend that was both funny and thought provoking. Like most guys, he was perplexed by the whole concept of makeup. “Some girls just look so different without it,” he said. He said he saw a friend without makeup and thought her skin was an entirely different color.Of course, she didn’t look bad. In fact, she probably looked better than the version of herself with caked off-color foundation, kohl-rimmed eyes and spidery lashes.It reminded me of a paragraph I read in Jean Godfrey-June’s memoir, “Free Gift with Purchase: My Improbable Career in Magazines and Makeup.” Jean is the fashion and beauty director of Lucky Magazine, and her interesting take on beauty made me rethink everything I knew about makeup. In the beginning of her book, Jean wrote about how her main goal when applying makeup is to look as if she isn’t wearing any at all. Even though she applies around 11 products every morning — including gel eyeliner, tinted moisturizer, blush and under-eye concealer — she never looks made up. She looks naturally pretty, understated and unassuming but still completely glamorous. “The idea is you but better,” she wrote. “Your eyes, but a little bigger, a little more entrancing. Your skin, but with fewer blemishes/wrinkles/blotches. Your lips, but just a tint-y bit more colorful, shiny and appealing.”Jean’s approach seems easy enough — none of us actually want the world to know we’re covering a blemish with concealer — but it also feels kind of revolutionary. Before reading her book, I’d never really heard someone write about makeup this way. Jean fully advocates trying big beauty trends like burgundy lips and retro liquid liner, but on a day-to-day basis, she’s typically more in favor of a subtle, delicate application. Less is more.Luckily, fashion has fully embraced this minimal take on beauty. At Fall 2013 Fashion Week, the “no makeup” beauty look was spotted at countless shows: Céline, Christopher Kane, Proenza Schouler and The Row and Rochas, among many others. The models looked practically bare-faced. Of course, we know they were wearing concealer, foundation, a touch of eyeliner and mascara and maybe a lip stain — but the emphasis on natural beauty was paramount. It communicated a sense of easy confidence, like they weren’t intentionally ditching the smoky liner, but maybe they wanted to put the focus on something else — like the clothes. It was refreshing and looked a million times better than any sooty eye shadow or liquid cat-eye. The look has to be tweaked individually, of course. I could never sacrifice a bright lipstick from time to time — in fact, I own around 10. But as I’ve matured in the past few years and prepare to graduate, I’ve come to realize the precise role makeup plays and how to use it to the best of my abilities. Not only do I appreciate using less products and feeling like my makeup is invisible, but I understand just how important it is to simply look like an improved version of yourself — not anyone else. Take any girl with heavily lined eyes or caked foundation and apply it all with a light hand, and I guarantee she will look significantly prettier. I’ve found that the trick is to get nearly perfect skin — due in part to the right skin regimen, good concealer and a sheer tinted moisturizer or BB cream — and the rest just kind of falls into place. A little eyeliner, a few swipes of mascara and you’re the fresher, more radiant version of ... you.
(03/07/13 4:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Nothing compares to Paris.I got my first taste of Paris from my high school idol, Carrie Bradshaw. In the final two episodes of “Sex and the City,” Carrie moves to Paris with her artsy boyfriend Aleksandr Petrovsky, fully expecting to live in a French fairy tale complete with Chanel, croissants and red wine. We all know this doesn’t quite pan out. “Mr. Big” follows Carrie to Paris to sweep her off her feet, taking her back to New York and telling her, “You’re the one, Carrie.” Despite the classic story, I was partially distracted by the surreal fashion Carrie encountered during her brief stay in The City of Light. She quickly adjusted her style to look more French — full-skirted ballerina gowns, felt berets, sky-high heels and vintage accessories — and as a naïve pre-teen, I was certain all French girls dressed this way. How could Carrie lead me astray?Of course, not everyone in Paris has Carrie’s bank account, nor do they wear brand-new white pumps on a stroll through the grimy city streets. But the French vibe I still feel each time I watch the series finale is more than accurate. Paris really is the most chic place in the world, and Paris fashion week is, in turn, the best part of each season.When it comes to “French” designers, there are always going to be the household names — Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino — but one of the most highly anticipated PFW shows each season is Céline. Ever since Phoebe Philo took over as creative director in 2008, Céline has been at the top of everyone’s list of fashion week favorites. The clothes are genius, but quietly so; inventive, yet wearable; effortless, yet statement-making.Explaining why Céline is so consistently on-point is another issue entirely. How has Philo managed to design minimal, no-frills clothes that also feel so refreshing and brand-new? Designers around the world are surely scratching their heads wondering, “Why didn’t I think of those boots/floppy clutches/cocoon coats/insert Céline-ism here?” While the fall 2012 and spring 2013 collections were show stopping -- we’re still craving striped fur coats and floaty silks -- the latest Céline show was even more impressive. It’s hard to really analyze a show without being there in person, but looking at close-up detail shots makes it a little easier to understand what Philo was going for. Fabrics were tactile, cushy and soft, frequently in the form of shaved fur or bouclé. The color palette ranged from pale neutrals to bold checks, and dresses and coats appeared to have their sleeves yanked forward and tied into knots. Shirts were topped off with large, unfinished bands of fabric, like ultra-chic straitjackets. Sweater and coat sleeves drooped over models’ hands. Handbags were large rectangles, folded up and clutched in the coolest way possible. The trend book sitting on every seat at the Céline show reportedly displayed Philo’s inspiration for the collection: clouds, yarn, 15th-century Flemish paintings and portraits. We may not have access to these images, but after viewing the collection, it’s easy to use our imaginations. I may not be able to afford Céline anytime soon, but by channeling the collection’s cool, easy attitude — and throwing in some Carrie Bradshaw for good measure — maybe I’ll feel a little more Parisian. — emfarra@indiana.edu
(03/01/13 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Oscars may have been Sunday, but the fashion world is still buzzing. It’s as if each spectacular dress was charged with energy, a battery that refuses to die out until next year’s Academy Awards roll around. Everyone is still convinced of their favorites, namely Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron and Jennifer Aniston. Each actress wore a relatively simple, custom-made dress. Chastain wore a nude embellished Giorgio Armani, Theron chose a sleek white peplum by Dior while Aniston went out on a limb — for her, at least — in a poppy red Valentino Haute Couture gown.Aniston’s look can sum up all of the night’s best looks. Straying from her usual black columns, she embraced a trendy color and let smaller details — like a matching clutch — maintain her subtly chic look. Simplicity was key, and stars who embraced it ended up, ironically, standing out the most. For an awards show usually associated with all-out glamour and over-the-top embellishment, this was refreshing.One of the main goals of minimalism is to appear effortless, as if getting dressed is a natural, painless process. Chastain, Theron and Aniston certainly seemed to fit this mold, though we all know they had several arduous fittings — it’s the final result that counts. Uncomplicated hairstyles and accessories topped off their unfussy looks, especially Theron’s super-short pixie cut. She not only looked chic and graceful, but undeniably cool, too. The night’s worst looks had the opposite effect. Maybe Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway and Kristen Stewart didn’t get the “minimalism” memo, or they got dressed in front of funhouse mirrors. Their stylists misinterpreted the season’s trends and pushed excessive embellishments, odd jewelry and mismatched metallics.Bullock was like a Van Gogh painting gone terribly wrong. From far away, she looked decent — granted, nothing all that special — but upon getting closer, she skyrocketed to the top of my Worst Dressed List. Her beaded Elie Saab Haute Couture dress was OK, but if she stood anywhere near, say, Rose Byrne’s crisp Lanvin column, she would look embarrassingly overdone. An oddly-placed diamond hair clip didn’t do anything for her boring straight locks, and the worst part of the look was a seemingly-unnoticeable tiny clutch. Who knew something so small could ruin an entire outfit? The bag’s chain hung down in a sloppy, careless way, and — wait for it — the beaded creation was a awful shade of yellow gold. Yellow gold against a shimmering gunmetal dress. The clashing was almost too much to bear.Hathaway, on the other hand, lost points when it came to her necklace. Hathaway earned mostly good reviews for her petal pink Prada dress, which fell squarely in the “minimalist” camp. The only issues were the weirdly placed darts, a messy bow in the back and her jewelry. Hathaway topped off the square-necked dress with a large jeweled necklace, which just felt strange against the high neckline. What’s worse is that the necklace drooped down the back of her neck, bumping into the X-straps of her dress and looking very, very wrong. She would have fared better choosing large earrings or a statement-making bag — or maybe just wearing one of the other two dresses she changed into that evening.But compared to Kristen Stewart, Hathaway really didn’t look so bad. Stewart was a limping train wreck, attempting to walk the red carpet on crutches. We all know Stewart likes to generate this carefree, anti-glamour spirit — but crutches? Everyone was confused.On top of her awkward entrance, Stewart’s frothy, ill-fitting Reem Acra dress was seconds away from sliding off — and it looked terrible. The lace and tulle gown was nothing like Stewart’s usual red carpet picks, and while it would probably look okay on someone more feminine, like Kerry Washington, Stewart just couldn’t pull it off. Her perpetually messy, unkempt hair wasn’t doing her any favors, either. We can all take a lesson from the Oscars. No matter the occasion, sometimes less really is more. Consider Jennifer Lawrence’s unfortunate blunder — tripping on her Dior ball gown as she went to claim her golden statue. She could have avoided all that embarrassment with something sleeker and easier to walk in. You know what they say — hindsight is 20/20. Especially when it comes to fashion. — emfarra@indiana.edu
(02/21/13 4:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fashion month is on its second leg, the spotlight now shifted to London. New York Fashion Week was a whirlwind and the fast-paced, survival-of-the-fittest mentality at the shows could be easily attributed to the city itself. Leandra Medine said it best on her world-famous blog, The Man Repeller: “The energy of New York is inimitable, irreplaceable and indigenous only to a city where the fashion week orchestrators can schedule upward of three shows per hour, every hour, and not even so much as flinch at the thought that perhaps it’s somewhat overwhelming.”This I can attest to. I spent last summer in New York City interning for a fashion publication, and while it was definitely nothing like “The Devil Wears Prada,” the relentless, inexhaustible energy Medine refers to was palpable. I felt it in the office and on the streets — shopping in the West Village and sitting in a subway car. It was everywhere. That New York attitude isn’t the crushing, overwhelming force people make it out to be — it doesn’t shrink you down to size. Instead, I find it inspiring. It’s a confidence boost, especially if you manage to find your way.Now that she’s in London for London Fashion Week, Medine expertly compared the old city to New York in an similarly spot-on manner: “Like a true testament to British culture ... The chaos is elegantly and rather deeply organized. In New York, we’re headless chickens trying to conceal the absence of mind by way of beguiling headgear.” It may sound generalized, especially considering the snapshots of “British life” we get here in America, i.e. Kate Middleton, Kate Middleton’s skirt suits, old fashioned black cabs and that regal accent. But after interning in London for two months in summer 2011, I have to admit that British brand of “elegance” is absolutely accurate, save for everyone being a member of the royal family. It was evident in the way Londoners spoke, the way they dressed and the way they carried themselves. Trying to adopt the British attitude and style is no easy feat.The shows we’ve seen so far at LFW certainly provide at least a taste of what it’s really like to be so posh and “British.” At Mulberry, the vibe was clean and feminine, with a touch of whimsy in the form of blown-up check patterns, full sleeves, oversized knits and quirky skirt-over-pants ensembles. It all feels immediately, quintessentially London, especially with a darker color palette of black, burgundy and charcoal. It kind of hints at the somewhat gloomy, grey atmosphere London is while maintaining the city’s ladylike and “sophisticated” attitude.It turns out London’s weather isn’t as much of a downer as we think (I experienced a particularly warm, sun-dappled summer), but the fashion really is endlessly chic. I’m looking forward to checking in on some of my favorite British designers — Christopher Kane, Peter Pilotto and Tom Ford — who always maintain a healthy dose of London spirit that only the best designers understand.— emfarra@indiana.edu
(02/19/13 12:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If your adolescence wasn’t marked by the smell of Abercrombie & Fitch “Fierce” locked into the fibers of your clothes, frankly, we’re a little surprised. As hip as we felt in our A&F ensembles — baby-size T-shirts, flippy plaid skirts, and that ubiquitous moose monogram — those days of fashion missteps instantly call to mind the nauseating smell of “Fierce” as well. It’s like a bad psychology experiment.The rumor has always been that A&F employees spray “Fierce” directly into the air conditioning system, but current employee and IU junior Kayla Woodruff quickly separates fact from fiction. “It wasn’t exactly the air conditioning. There are little machines placed in every room in the store that automatically spray it every 30 to 45 minutes. There’s a little fan in them to blow it out, too,” Woodruff says. “And employees at the bigger stores have to spray directly onto the clothes with the actual bottle. It’s super annoying, and I can sometimes taste it. And I mean, it doesn’t wash out. If I’m working four to five hours a day every day, it doesn’t come out at all.”So why is A&F so obsessive about their fragrance? “I think it’s just a branding tactic,” Woodruff says. “I mean, people already know what it smells like. But I think it’s more to keep the smell out there so that people immediately think of A&F.”Considering how many people seem to dislike the overwhelming scent, you’d think A&F would back off. “When I work the front room, I see people’s reactions to it. It’s awful. When parents come in, they’re like, ‘Can we make this quick?’” she says. “The old A&F in College Mall still smells like it. I think it's a toy store now.” Just like any fragrance, “Fierce” is meant to create a specific experience for the A&F demographic. “It’s supposed to smell ‘all natural,’” Woodruff says. “A&F as a whole is supposed to be an all-natural look and feel, which is why they make us wear very neutral colors — usually gray, white, or navy shirts and dark denim.”Nothing about A&F has ever seemed very “natural” to us, but maybe it was just the airbrushed posters of half-naked men on the walls and the hyper-noticeable perfume floating through the air.
(02/19/13 12:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Anyone who’s had a whiff of her grandmother’s Chanel No. 5 would agree that nothing brings back a memory like smell. It can instantly transport you to another time.As the only perfumer to blend, bottle, and sell fragrances in the United States, Renee Gabet of Annie Oakley Perfumery has loved fragrances since she was a little girl. “My mom and grandmother would look at lingerie, and I’d go to the perfume department, where my passion was to smell all of the scents,” she says. “I learned about all the wonderful, beautiful, natural smells.”While most fragrances are synthetic, Annie Oakley uses natural scents, including some sourced from India, and some perfumes take up to three years to complete.Gabet has a mastery of every natural scent and mixes the different notes — base notes, middle notes, and top notes — to create complexity that appeals to specific markets. For custom scents, however, Annie Oakley offers tours of the perfumery for those who want their perfect personal fragrance. “For signature scents, we go through a process of profiling. It’s not just what you like to smell, but also your hobbies, your environment,” Gabet says. For those who can’t make it up to northeast Indiana for their own tour, try making a homemade perfume. We tried making our own using a recipe from the blog designsponge.com. The process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to make. Gabet recommends focusing on quality. “We use the best lavender in the entire world, and you can really notice a difference,” she says. “Try to find something of good quality in your price range.” WHAT YOU NEED2 Tablespoons carrier oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond, or grapeseed oil6 Tablespoons high-quality vodka2½ Tablespoons distilled or spring waterCoffee filterFunnel Essential oils for blending. We used 7 drops orange oil, 14 drops lavender oil, and 9 drops lemon oil.Two dark-colored glass bottles — one for curing, one for storingDecorative perfume bottles for storage (optional) WHAT TO DO1. Begin by washing the bottles.2. Place the bottles on a rimmed baking pan in an oven set to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove bottles from the oven once they are completely dry. Put a lid on the bottle you’ll use for the finished product and set it aside.3. Place the carrier oil into one of the bottles.4. Add the essential oils in the following order: the base notes, the middle notes, and the top notes (lavender + orange + lemon). 5. Add the vodka. Place the lid on the bottle and shake vigorously for several minutes.6. Allow the bottle to sit for 48 hours to six weeks. The scent will change over time, becoming strongest at around six weeks.7. Check it regularly, and once you’re happy with it, add two Tablespoons of spring water to the blend.8. Give the bottle a good shake for one minute. Place a coffee filter into a funnel and transfer the contents from the curing bottle to the other bottle. Label your blend.9. Your perfume is ready to wear. Remember, the best place for storing your creation is in a dark-colored bottle.
(02/15/13 4:49am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>New York Fashion Week is in full swing and it seems even more insane and fast-paced than ever — or maybe it’s just the abundance of tweeting, Instagram-ing, Vine-ing and blogging happening at every show. I personally can’t keep up with my respective feeds. I follow everyone from blogger Elin Kling to Russian fashion editor Miroslava Duma, and expertly filtered photos keep coming by the second.In addition to the amazing looks on the runways of Narciso Rodriguez, Rodarte and Derek Lam, the street style scene at fashion week is an event to watch in and of itself. Photographers like Tommy Ton and Tamu McPherson capture the fantastic, fashion-forward outfits styled by editors, models and fashion plates from all around the world. It’s fashion overload for sure, but also endlessly inspiring. Some girls pile on the patterns and embellishments while others keep it clean and simple in black and white. There’s something for everyone.I love seeing who braves the elements by wearing life-threateningly high heels, modified ski masks or head-to-toe fur to combat the Nemo blizzard. These women don’t mess around. But what I enjoy even more is discovering street style trends I can actually wear here on campus. Despite the unparalleled fabulousness of Lucite heeled booties, practicality takes priority in most of our lives. Trend 1: The beanie. Not only was every look at BCBG Max Azria topped off with a slouchy black beanie for an effortless touch, the style was also spotted on scores of girls trudging through ice between shows. While black is always a chic option, popular colors included hot pink, cobalt and bright red. Natalie Joos wore a baby pink beanie with an embroidered “J,” making a strong case for preppy monograms. A bright beanie is the perfect topper to any cold weather ensemble, adding punch to an all-black look or playing against other colors and patterns.Trend 2: Mirrored sunglasses. Leave it to the season’s trendsetters to take something tacky and make it undoubtedly cool. From classic aviators to retro Wayfarer styles, mirrored sunglasses add an unexpected and graphic edge to ripped jeans, rugged boots and silk dresses alike. Even model Hanne Gaby Odiele’s purple mirrored ski goggles felt appropriate. Bonus tip: While I’m currently wishing for a pair of perfect red-orange mirrored Ray-Ban sunglasses, I spotted similar lenses at Target just yesterday for a fraction of the price. Trend 3: Bold outerwear. Swap your black puffy coat for a fresh winter update, like a bright wool pea coat, faux fur jacket or graphic pattern. Hanneli Mustaparta let her neon green Acne coat take center stage by pairing it with an otherwise-neutral ensemble. Alessandra Codinha’s ultra-fluffy gray lamb’s fur jacket was the perfect mix of timeless and quirky, and more than a few editors donned the covetable striped wool coat from Celine’s Fall 2012 collection. Whatever you do, make sure your coat has a simple shape and clean lines to avoid costume territory. That’s best left to Anna Dello Russo.
(02/07/13 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If you’re like me, you can precisely recall when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen really hit it big. I’m not talking about “Full House” or even “Passport to Paris.” I mean when they became legitimate fashion icons, creating a brand new sense of style and eventually designing the celebrated women’s wear line The Row. It was way back in high school when the twins coined their “homeless chic” look: blanket-like tees and sweaters, messy hair, oversized sunglasses and, of course, a huge Balenciaga Lariat bag. The moment I fell in love with the Olsens’ sense of style was also the first time I’d heard of Balenciaga. I’ve always been obsessed with fashion, but at the age of 15 I didn’t quite understand it the way I do now. I came home from school and read my favorite magazines cover to cover, but I only really knew the most famous labels, such as Chanel, Prada, and Valentino. Balenciaga certainly belongs in that high power category, but it was the Olsens who introduced it to me.Not only have I remained a huge Balenciaga fan since that discovery, but Nicolas Ghesquière has become even more incredible with each collection. In his spring/summer 2013 collection, Ghesquière showed his mastery of proportion by pairing voluminous ruffled skirts with box-like cropped T-shirts. He styled high-waisted trousers with a molded strappy bra top, a look that was eventually worn by Balenciaga poster girl Kristen Stewart. Fashion critics raved about these simple clothes exploding with movement, the genius proportions and expert mix of feminine and edgy. But what the fashion world didn’t know was that this was Ghesquière’s final runway show. After almost 15 years with Balenciaga, he announced he was branching out on his own.We still aren’t sure what Ghesquière’s next step will be, but after his November departure, speculation as to who would fill his shoes sparked like wildfire. A few designers in particular were up for consideration: Joseph Altuzarra, Mary Katrantzou, Bouchra Jarrar, Pedro Laurenço and Christopher Kane, to name a few. All were passed over for, drum roll, please ... designer Alexander Wang. I was pleasantly surprised not only because Wang is American and Balenciaga is a quintessentially French house, but also because he is so well known in multiple demographics. Fashion editors obsess over the shoes and bags in his eponymous collections, while young women like me frequently shop his lower-priced second line, T by Alexander Wang. Now Balenciaga will be more familiar than ever, and with Wang at the helm, it’s safe to say die-hard Ghesquière fans will have high expectations come Paris Fashion Week. I personally can’t wait to stream Wang’s first Balenciaga show live on my computer at the end of the month. If I can’t be there in person, at least I can catch a quick glimpse of his debut. — emfarra@indiana.edu
(02/01/13 2:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I’m a self-proclaimed magazine hoarder — I subscribe to a dozen titles and rarely throw any out. Not only do I spend an inordinate amount of time educating myself about fashion, but I actively avoid a slew of popular titles, including celebrity magazines. I’d rather read about a fashion taste-maker such as Miroslava Duma, Stephanie LaCava or Cara Delevigne than a bonafide “celebrity” any day.This all changes as the next “awards season” kicks into high gear. Not only do I sit on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Marion Cotillard is wearing, but I take in each juicy red carpet interview like my life depends on it. Despite the well-deserved awards and inspiring speeches, the fashion is always the best part. However, at the Golden Globes, few of the dresses were particularly memorable. There was Amanda Seyfried’s ethereal lace Givenchy Haute Couture confection, which only she could inject with the subtlest sex appeal. There was Marion Cotillard’s fiery, asymmetrical Dior dress with orange shoes to match. There was Jessica Alba’s gorgeous, if somewhat predictable, clementine Oscar de la Renta gown. There was also my personal favorite, Sienna Miller’s two-piece embellished Erdem column, which she expertly styled with a low bun and multiple earrings on one side.While these looks were show-stopping, the abundance of predictable and disappointing outfits somewhat dulled their impact. Lena Dunham’s deep aubergine Zac Posen gown looked stiff and conventional, two things Dunham is not. Her inability to walk in sky-high Christian Louboutin heels only exacerbated the situation. Jessica Chastain looked stunning, but her mint green Calvin Klein gown had a perplexing droopiness to it that distracted from what could have been perfection.The red carpet at the SAG Awards was a vast improvement. Not only were the gowns much less predictable than those of the Globes, but my recurring favorites — Seyfried, Lawrence, Kidman — continued to impress me. On the other end of the spectrum, Claire Danes embraced the 1990s goth revival with a black one-shouldered custom Givenchy dress and matte burgundy lips. Kerry Washington, one of my personal red-carpet favorites, maintained her characteristic edge with a white bustier-style Rodarte gown, and Sigourney Weaver’s decision to wear her Lanvin gown backwards was a pleasant surprise.What does all this mean? Seeing as how the Academy Awards are a mere 24 days away, these fashion moments — and missteps — will probably be long forgotten once the lenses turn toward the awards show to end all awards shows. I know I’ll be tuning in.— emfarra@indiana.edu
(01/24/13 4:21am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Despite how superficial it sounds, there’s simply nothing better than getting something new. I think it’s a desire, or weakness, that everyone shares. For boys, it’s new sneakers. My mom loves buying new purses, and I, like many other girls, love getting a new outfit. Even something as basic as a new white T-shirt makes me feel refreshed. My sister is the same way when she buys a new bracelet, of which she has plenty. But let’s face it. As college students, can we really afford to get brand-new clothing every day of our lives?Obviously, no. But since some of us require sartorial pick-me-ups every so often, it becomes more and more tempting to peruse jcrew.com and snag a hot pink enamel bangle. My closet is bursting at the seams, yet I constantly say those five obnoxious words, “I have nothing to wear.”The answer to this crisis? A practice fashion editors call “shopping your closet,” which has always been very appealing to me. As the name suggests, it simply means going through your closet to rediscover old clothes you’ve long forgotten but which feel brand-new after years of neglect. I’ve dug deep enough to unearth my high school wardrobe, including the Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts from freshman year. Don’t worry – I donated those. During my time at IU, I’ve really come to grasp just how creative I can get by doing this and how important it is to hold onto everything. Forget yard sales, eBay and Amazon. I keep almost everything. The one time I tried to sell a heaping bag of clothes to Plato’s Closet, I barely made it out of my driveway before three cars piled up in an icy collision outside my house. Needless to say, I took it as a sign that I should just become a hoarder.Perhaps the best example of “shopping my closet” happened last summer when I uncovered a nameless dress I bought in Paris in 2009. At the time, my sister and I thought it was the greatest dress in the world: navy linen with a boxy cut, short sleeves and white embroidery around the neckline. It was the perfect mix of classic and bohemian and so French. It was all we wanted in a dress. Upon arriving back in the States and wearing the summery frock, we realized it was almost completely sheer. Suddenly, it felt more like a swimsuit cover-up than the wear-it-anywhere-with-anything dream dress we thought it was. It found a cozy home in the back of my closet.Four years later, I just happen to own the most perfect little nude slip and — voila — my French dress is suddenly, undeniably wearable. Since buying it in 2009, I’ve tweaked my style quite a bit so the dress seems even better than before. Instead of wearing it with ballet flats or sandals like I originally intended, I pair it with suede desert boots and a stack of bangles or raffia wedges and oversized sunglasses. It feels like I bought the dress yesterday and I’m sure it will feel just as new when I rediscover it in another five years. As your style continues to change and improve, you’ll find new ways to interpret every piece in your closet, making it that much more fun to “go shopping” without spending a dime. My advice is to hold on to everything you once loved — no matter how overstuffed your closet becomes — and soon enough, you’ll find a way to work it back into the present.— emfarra@indiana.edu
(01/17/13 2:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I just finished reading Andrea Linett’s new book, “I Want to Be Her — How Friends & Strangers Helped Shape My Style,” and it’s safe to say I’ll be reading it again very soon. You should get a copy, too.Linett is currently the vice president and global creative director for Michael Kors, and I’ve been a fan of hers since middle school when I first discovered her work in Lucky magazine. Linett co-founded Lucky, “the magazine about shopping,” and served as its creative director for more than a decade. She essentially made the magazine everything it is today, which is a fashion bible devoted to everyday glamour and distinctive personal style. Linett has never been one to promote or follow the big trends. “Don’t be afraid to take chances just because no one else is wearing something,” she wrote in her book. “If you like it, go for it.”While I’d like to say this has always been my mantra, dressing fearlessly is easier said than done. When I was wriggling in an obnoxious school uniform in grade school, I embraced fashion with abandon. Patent-leather burgundy Doc Martens, cheetah-print sweaters and rainbow-striped jeans were part of my after-school repertoire. When you’re a kid who loves clothes, it doesn’t cross your mind to consider what other people might think. I probably got a lot of snickers for those burgundy boots, but they’re one of my fond memories. Some years later, I’m starting to wish I had retained all of that courage.Linett’s book has gotten me on the right track. She encourages women to step outside their comfort zones and wear what truly speaks to them. The book is a lighthearted memoir with quirky illustrations that depict the women who influenced Linett’s style during the years. Some of the drawings are simply called “Stranger in a Fur Coat,” while others allude to current fashion icons such as “Chlöe” (Sevigny) and “Kate M” (Moss). All, however, are endlessly inspirational. None of the women in Linett’s book look the same — some of them wear floor-length thrift store dresses, some have a rock ‘n’ roll biker look and others, like the fearless older lady Linett saw splashing around on a topless beach in St. Bart’s, wear hardly anything at all. However, their clothes aren’t what make their styles remarkable. It’s the confidence with which they wear them, the fearlessness that comes with pairing a cotton Indian dress with lace tights and patent-leather Mary Janes. Linett finds inspiration in anyone with a self-assured point of view. If they’re making it work, Linett takes notice. Linett never seeks the “perfect” look, nor does she particularly care what is happening on the runways. She loves the freedom, creativity and beauty she sees in everyday women like you and me.With a limited budget and the nagging insecurities that accompany our 20-something-year existence, it can be difficult to fully embrace Linett’sphilosophy.I'll admit that, while I have plenty of off-kilter fashion tendencies, I don't often indulge them because practicality trumps everything when walking through campus.Finding your own edge is key. Even though mine is still in its preliminary stages -- namely oversized jewelry, colorful bags and mixed prints -- I look forward to taking it to the next level in my post-college life.
(01/09/13 4:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As many times as we’ve heard the words “Fashion Week” proclaimed on television shows, movies and magazines, anyone who claims to be knowledgeable about fashion is well aware that the schedule looks more like “Fashion Month.” Editors, buyers and fashion plates around the globe gather in New York, London, Paris and Milan for approximately four weeks of little sleep and what sometimes veers toward fashion overload. This February, American designers will kick off the spring 2013 season
in New York City. With hundreds of shows, it’s difficult to make sense
of it all.Because you can’t be in New York, London, Paris or Milan, I did the research to satisfy all of your fashion-month cravings. First and most importantly, what designers are the “ones to watch” this season?There are, of course, those rotating favorites who always surprise us when it comes to their new collections, one of them being my personal favorite: the Phoebe Philo-piloted Céline. Last season, Céline was all about ease. Silhouettes were loose and shoes were flat. While this “effortless” vibe was par for the course for nearly every spring 2013 collection, the look at Céline was different. Abbreviated trousers, fur-lined sandals and a stark black and white palette made the clothes on-trend, but much more memorable than the rest. Céline’s previous collection in fall 2012 was desirable in different ways, not least for its multi-colored fur coats and chunky white pumps. Yes, white shoes are acceptable now. While Philo continues to maintain Céline’s unique style, her collections are rarely predictable. All we can know for sure about her upcoming Paris presentation is that it will be judged by fashion royalty — the most trusted voices around. I’m expecting one of Céline’s best seasons yet.I’m also excited about Balmain, headed by new designer Olivier Rousteing. As one of many young designers to take over a heritage house — others include Raf Simons at Christian Dior, Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent (née Yves Saint Laurent) and, most recently, Alexander Wang at Balenciaga — Rousteing has expertly applied his personal aesthetic to Balmain’s long-celebrated point of view.Rousteing’s most recent collection, spring 2013, channeled the early-1990s Miami with high-waist trousers and sharp shouldered jackets, a departure from his fall 2012 collection, which was routinely described as “baroque-inspired.” Both collections relied on couture-level embellishment. In contrast, Rousteing’s predecessor, Christian Decarnin, was well-known for bleached jeans, skin-tight mini dresses and pieced-together leather jackets. Decarnin’s Balmain woman had a very offhand, punkish attitude, favoring stretchy pieces over tailoring.After taking over for Decarnin, Rousteing created a seamless transition from that slinky, sexed-up (yet insanely popular) nightwalker. Rousteing maintained some of Decarnin’s most celebrated details, like leather jackets, body-skimming dresses and a thrown-together sensibility.By adding his own spin, Rousteing’s clothes are quintessentially Balmain, but fresher. They’re better suited for the fashion-loving street style maven, not the grungy-chic French club girl.Rousteing’s penchant for mixing textures, patterns and shapes has been paramount to his success. That high-low sensibility is what I love most about Balmain, and I can’t wait to see what Rousteing has in store for us this February. — emfarra@indiana.edu
(11/27/12 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Death is one of the only certain things in this world. Yet, it is a nearly impossible concept for us to grasp. Even modern scientists can’t fully explain death. Is it instantaneous? Does life continue after we die? Do we go to heaven or hell? Do we come back in a different life altogether? While religion gives us the framework for dealing with death, what happens afterward is ultimately a deeply personal belief. Inside spoke with members of three different religious backgrounds to see what they believe about life after death.BuddhismBuddhism is a religion based on the traditions, beliefs, and practices attributed to Siddhartha Guatama, commonly known as Buddha. The core beliefs of Buddhism include samsara, karma and rebirth.For Jie Shao, Vice President of the Buddhist Study Association, and freshman Sarabeth Couch, life and death is a continuous journey. “We believe that life continues. There must be something after death,” Shao says. “We believe this life is a cyclic existence.” Buddhists also believe in reincarnation and karma, Couch says. “Negative emotions are going to negatively affect your next life. They affect what you will become or what your body manifests itself as. There isn’t necessarily an ‘afterlife’ so much as life just keeps going.” Along those lines, being a compassionate, generous person ensures that you come back as a higher creature in the next life, like a human or a god. “If you’re really greedy and you care about money too much, then you might manifest yourself as a lower creature, like a dog or an insect,” Couch says. “Do good stuff so you don’t become a lesser creature. Not having attachments or addictions to anything, living a pure life, you do this until you reach Nirvana.” Before Couch studied Buddhism, she says she used to cringe at death. If a pet died, she blamed herself even if the animal might have been old or sick. “I think that Buddhism has really shown me how natural death is, and it has taught me that death is not something that I should be repelled by or something to be terrified of,” Couch says. “Buddhism has made me consider the cycle of nature and compare it to human life and realize that death isn’t unnatural. It is inevitable, and it is everywhere. “People will live and then they will die, just as everything does. Buddhism teaches us not to be ignorant of death, but instead to embrace it as natural.”Baha’iBaha'i was founded by Baha'u'llah. The Baha'i faith states that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification as one global society. There are around 8 Baha'i students at IU, says Bantz.For senior Natalie Bantz, the afterlife is less concrete. “There is no way to really describe the afterlife,” she says. “Our life continues through different worlds. It’s a spiritual journey.” “The afterlife is not set in stages, but the spirit continues,” Bantz says. “What we do in this life affects what comes next. It’s comparable to birth. Our physical life starts in the womb, and when we are born, we begin the journey to become closer to God.” The soul develops in the physical world, just like the physical body develops in the womb. “We don’t believe in heaven or hell, but the closer you get to God is like ‘heaven,’ and the farther away you get is like ‘hell,’” Bantz says. When one of her friends from high school passed away last year, Bantz grappled for support from her Baha’i community. But Bantz’s faith helped her realize that because of her friend’s lifestyle, she was better prepared for the afterlife. “I take a lot of comfort knowing that my friend’s stellar personality and depth of thinking will have well prepared her for her amazing adventure into new Worlds of God,” Bantz says.AtheismThe term "atheism" comes from the Greek word "atheos," which literally means "without gods." There are about 60 atheists in the Secular Association at IU, says Quaderer.For Allen Quaderer, masters student of geology, life isn’t about believing. It isn’t about a higher power or spiritual journey. It’s about the facts. “I associate with what is known as ‘empirical rationalism.’ I live my life essentially by what is demonstrable. I live my life by what can be tested, by evidence, by rational, realistic thought,” Quaderer says. He has studied the age of the earth, the nature of our existence, and what the future may hold. “I’ve found myself realizing that we are just another kind of step in the timeline of the planet Earth,” he says. “When I die, I’m gone. I have no reason to believe that after humans die, we go anywhere else. I have no reason to believe that we’re not just one speck of consciousness between two eternities of darkness.” It sounds blunt, but Quaderer isn’t antireligious. He’s read the Bible cover to cover, but he simply doesn’t believe. Quaderer says many are quick to challenge him. What’s the point of living? What motivates you to be good? With no promise of heaven or another realm after death, is life worthless? “On the contrary,” Quaderer says. “It makes this life, the only life I know I’m going to have, of far greater value. Why am I nice? I’m nice because I was raised by nice people. I want this life, which I believe is the only one we get, to be as comfortable for as many people as I can. I do it because I want to.”
(11/27/12 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Death is one of the only certain things in this world. Yet, it is a nearly impossible concept for us to grasp. Even modern scientists can’t fully explain death. Is it instantaneous? Does life continue after we die? Do we go to heaven or hell? Do we come back in a different life altogether? While religion gives us the framework for dealing with death, what happens afterward is ultimately a deeply personal belief. Inside spoke with members of three different religious backgrounds to see what they believe about life after death.BuddhismBuddhism is a religion based on the traditions, beliefs, and practices attributed to Siddhartha Guatama, commonly known as Buddha. The core beliefs of Buddhism include samsara, karma and rebirth.For Jie Shao, Vice President of the Buddhist Study Association, and freshman Sarabeth Couch, life and death is a continuous journey. “We believe that life continues. There must be something after death,” Shao says. “We believe this life is a cyclic existence.” Buddhists also believe in reincarnation and karma, Couch says. “Negative emotions are going to negatively affect your next life. They affect what you will become or what your body manifests itself as. There isn’t necessarily an ‘afterlife’ so much as life just keeps going.” Along those lines, being a compassionate, generous person ensures that you come back as a higher creature in the next life, like a human or a god. “If you’re really greedy and you care about money too much, then you might manifest yourself as a lower creature, like a dog or an insect,” Couch says. “Do good stuff so you don’t become a lesser creature. Not having attachments or addictions to anything, living a pure life, you do this until you reach Nirvana.” Before Couch studied Buddhism, she says she used to cringe at death. If a pet died, she blamed herself even if the animal might have been old or sick. “I think that Buddhism has really shown me how natural death is, and it has taught me that death is not something that I should be repelled by or something to be terrified of,” Couch says. “Buddhism has made me consider the cycle of nature and compare it to human life and realize that death isn’t unnatural. It is inevitable, and it is everywhere. “People will live and then they will die, just as everything does. Buddhism teaches us not to be ignorant of death, but instead to embrace it as natural.”Baha’iBaha'i was founded by Baha'u'llah. The Baha'i faith states that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification as one global society. There are around 8 Baha'i students at IU, says Bantz.For senior Natalie Bantz, the afterlife is less concrete. “There is no way to really describe the afterlife,” she says. “Our life continues through different worlds. It’s a spiritual journey.” “The afterlife is not set in stages, but the spirit continues,” Bantz says. “What we do in this life affects what comes next. It’s comparable to birth. Our physical life starts in the womb, and when we are born, we begin the journey to become closer to God.” The soul develops in the physical world, just like the physical body develops in the womb. “We don’t believe in heaven or hell, but the closer you get to God is like ‘heaven,’ and the farther away you get is like ‘hell,’” Bantz says. When one of her friends from high school passed away last year, Bantz grappled for support from her Baha’i community. But Bantz’s faith helped her realize that because of her friend’s lifestyle, she was better prepared for the afterlife. “I take a lot of comfort knowing that my friend’s stellar personality and depth of thinking will have well prepared her for her amazing adventure into new Worlds of God,” Bantz says.AtheismThe term "atheism" comes from the Greek word "atheos," which literally means "without gods." There are about 60 atheists in the Secular Association at IU, says Quaderer.For Allen Quaderer, masters student of geology, life isn’t about believing. It isn’t about a higher power or spiritual journey. It’s about the facts. “I associate with what is known as ‘empirical rationalism.’ I live my life essentially by what is demonstrable. I live my life by what can be tested, by evidence, by rational, realistic thought,” Quaderer says. He has studied the age of the earth, the nature of our existence, and what the future may hold. “I’ve found myself realizing that we are just another kind of step in the timeline of the planet Earth,” he says. “When I die, I’m gone. I have no reason to believe that after humans die, we go anywhere else. I have no reason to believe that we’re not just one speck of consciousness between two eternities of darkness.” It sounds blunt, but Quaderer isn’t antireligious. He’s read the Bible cover to cover, but he simply doesn’t believe. Quaderer says many are quick to challenge him. What’s the point of living? What motivates you to be good? With no promise of heaven or another realm after death, is life worthless? “On the contrary,” Quaderer says. “It makes this life, the only life I know I’m going to have, of far greater value. Why am I nice? I’m nice because I was raised by nice people. I want this life, which I believe is the only one we get, to be as comfortable for as many people as I can. I do it because I want to.”
(10/16/12 6:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>We’ve all been there: It’s 2 a.m., you’re back from Kilroy’s and all you want is a Beach Club from Jimmy John’s. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to deliver late-night cravings as a job? We caught up with full-time driver Lan Cartwright, 31. Drunk passengers and accidental $17 tips — Cartwright shares it all. Four years at the Kirkwood Avenue Jimmy John’s and a part-time gig at Pizza X have made Cartwright a bit of an expert on late-night deliveries. He began working at Jimmy John’s in early 2008 when he was still studying at IU. After graduating with a degree in informatics, he continued working. Over the years, people have tried to call his cell phone to personally order food from him. Or after ordering, they’ve changed locations several times, which Cartwright says is the most annoying. Some have come to the door wearing nothing but a towel, while others have invited him inside for drinks. “They say, ‘Come on in, Jimmy!’ There’s nothing worse than being called Jimmy,” he says.Drunk customers are often the ones calling Cartwright for late-night deliveries. On a recent delivery, Cartwright made it to the door in less than 10 minutes only to find the customer drunkenly passed out on the couch. He knocked loudly and peered through the front window to see that the customer wasn’t hearing him. “I called the number on the sandwich bag and could hear his phone ringing, but that didn’t work. My last attempt was to call him and knock at the same time, which finally worked. He came to the door and said he thought I was someone else. As we’re making the cash-grub exchange, a girl shows up behind me and he thanked me a second time — I kind of saved his night. I showed up before this girl and woke him up so he’d be conscious to greet her.”We’re just assuming this kind of behavior is expected during Little 500. “You just try to survive Little Five...” Cartwright says. “One night, I probably hadn’t slept in close to two days, and I was delivering to the Villas when some girl came behind my car and told me to stop.” A guy then came to his window and complained he couldn’t break his hundred dollar bills anywhere. “And my wallet was fat to the point where it was difficult to put in my pockets, so I’m thinking I’m doing myself a favor by giving him twenties...and it turned out his money was counterfeit. That was the worst thing that’s ever happened on delivery.”Sometimes the opposite happens — people will give Cartwright too much (real) money.For example, while delivering a $23 order to some “wasted” customers on Grant Street, Cartwright walked away with a $17 tip. Initially, the caller wasn’t going to tip him at all, but his friend advised Cartwright to keep the change and leave. “The other kid was so drunk he didn’t even know what was going on, so that was a nice little turn in my favor.”Although he occasionally gets home as late as 6:30 a.m., Cartwright says driving for Jimmy John’s has been a positive social experience. “I’d say it’s socialized me more than high school or college all together. And being sober around drunk people really puts things in perspective.”