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(01/27/05 5:00am)
There are many ways to keep warm during the winter months, but the question on any college girl's mind is, "What can be worn out that will keep me warm but also give me sex appeal?" This season there are plenty of options with turtlenecks, wide-legged pants and everything that sparkles. \nA look that is in this season is the empire waist dresses worn as shirts with jeans. These work well at the bars, because it's in fashion, it's warm and feminine all at the same time. One such dress in the window of Urban Outfitters has proven to be a must-have this season for girls in Bloomington. \n"We have had a lot of girls looking at the empire waist purple dress," Jeffrey Hunsinger, a manager at Urban Outfitters said. "We only have a few a left."\nIf it is a really chilly night, experts suggest wearing a turtleneck underneath the empire waist dress. A brown turtleneck under a purple or pink dress works well, especially if the dress has sequins, says sophomore Laura Steichen, an apparel merchandising major and sales associate at Guess in Chicago. \n"I have seen brown paired with a lot of pastel colors for fall," Steichen said. "When we were getting our fall stuff in at Guess we got a lot of pink and purple paired with brown. Lilac and pale pink are in. I feel like purple is coming back." \nA-line skirts and denim skirts are in this season, too, and pairing them with tights or leggings can work well together. Hunsinger says the tights put a trendy spin on a more traditional collegiate look. \nHe also advises girls to wear leggings or tights for a warm, but fashionable look. Hunsinger says leather boots can be dressed up by putting leggings on the outside of the boots and wearing them over the knees and pairing that with a denim skirt. For something a little more fashionable, denim skirts paired with turtlenecks and sleeveless sweaters are a nice combination. Wear tights underneath with knee-high boots and the look is collegiate yet stylish enough for a night out. Try pairing denim miniskirts with Uggs, Steve Maddens or any pair of furry boots. The boots are more comfortable than stiletto heels and provide warmth for a night out in the winter season.\n"Take time to put a twist on your classics. The vintage jacket and denim skirt with gray tights and brown riding boots aren't an obvious match," designer Cynthia Vincent said in the October issue of Glamour. \nSteichen said girls are also wearing gaucho pants or cuffed capris with knee-high leather stiletto boots to combat the cold while staying in fashion. \nSteichen also said when it comes to partying in the cold, women should definitely have something that covers their arms when they go out. She has suggestions that may work: layering longer shirts are in now, and can be paired with a shorter shirt for a colorful layer.\n"Wearing longer tops to cover your waist and layering it over something with longer sleeves and a longer waist is good," Steichen said. "You can accentuate the front by pairing a light-colored top with a longer waist shirt and long sleeves with a shrug that ties in the front," Steichen said. \nHunsinger said denim is also a must for layering and denim jackets are always on a to-buy list for college girls. Of course not everyone is a fan of covering up from head to toe, so coats are necessary during the winter months. To avoid walking to bars bare-armed and goose-bumped, invest in a stylish yet warm coat. Try a knee-length satin jacket or a faux fur coat. Knee-length coats are good for going out to the bars during winter because you can pair them with a short skirt and it will not look too revealing. \n"Wear only one overtly sexy item at a time," said designer Nanette Lepore in the October issue of Glamour. \nIf you want to adopt a style for bar-hopping without looking layered try wearing a deep V-neck sweater with a pair of leggings and furry boots. Wearing the V-neck sweater backwards with a denim skirt, embroidered belt and furry boots is also a hot look. \nFor any girl, accessories are a must and adding big hoop earrings or chandelier earrings can add sparkle and glamour to any outfit. \n"Big watches, costume jewelry and anything that sparkles is in," Steichen said. "People are getting away with wearing four carats that aren't real. Broaches are also in, I wear a broach with everything." \nInvest in a pair of gloves with a fur trim or a fur hat. If you end up going out after work or class, Steichen suggests adding a pashmina-like scarf to your outfit. \n"People are wearing pashminas," Steichen said. "Definitely take one with you to the bars. Cashmere scarves with tight sweaters are good and warm. I know a lot of people wear only pashminas to the bars." \nTie a pashmina around your neck and let it hang to the front, Steichen says. The great thing about these scarves is that they come in so many different colors, so you can add a splash of color to any outfit.\nSo, no matter where you are going, experts suggest remembering the basics. Classics, leggings, a coat and sparkling jewelry will make you stand out in a crowd and look starlit against the snow.
(01/26/05 5:10am)
There are many ways to keep warm during the winter months, but the question on any college girl's mind is, "What can be worn out that will keep me warm but also give me sex appeal?" This season there are plenty of options with turtlenecks, wide-legged pants and everything that sparkles. \nA look that is in this season is the empire waist dresses worn as shirts with jeans. These work well at the bars, because it's in fashion, it's warm and feminine all at the same time. One such dress in the window of Urban Outfitters has proven to be a must-have this season for girls in Bloomington. \n"We have had a lot of girls looking at the empire waist purple dress," Jeffrey Hunsinger, a manager at Urban Outfitters said. "We only have a few a left."\nIf it is a really chilly night, experts suggest wearing a turtleneck underneath the empire waist dress. A brown turtleneck under a purple or pink dress works well, especially if the dress has sequins, says sophomore Laura Steichen, an apparel merchandising major and sales associate at Guess in Chicago. \n"I have seen brown paired with a lot of pastel colors for fall," Steichen said. "When we were getting our fall stuff in at Guess we got a lot of pink and purple paired with brown. Lilac and pale pink are in. I feel like purple is coming back." \nA-line skirts and denim skirts are in this season, too, and pairing them with tights or leggings can work well together. Hunsinger says the tights put a trendy spin on a more traditional collegiate look. \nHe also advises girls to wear leggings or tights for a warm, but fashionable look. Hunsinger says leather boots can be dressed up by putting leggings on the outside of the boots and wearing them over the knees and pairing that with a denim skirt. For something a little more fashionable, denim skirts paired with turtlenecks and sleeveless sweaters are a nice combination. Wear tights underneath with knee-high boots and the look is collegiate yet stylish enough for a night out. Try pairing denim miniskirts with Uggs, Steve Maddens or any pair of furry boots. The boots are more comfortable than stiletto heels and provide warmth for a night out in the winter season.\n"Take time to put a twist on your classics. The vintage jacket and denim skirt with gray tights and brown riding boots aren't an obvious match," designer Cynthia Vincent said in the October issue of Glamour. \nSteichen said girls are also wearing gaucho pants or cuffed capris with knee-high leather stiletto boots to combat the cold while staying in fashion. \nSteichen also said when it comes to partying in the cold, women should definitely have something that covers their arms when they go out. She has suggestions that may work: layering longer shirts are in now, and can be paired with a shorter shirt for a colorful layer.\n"Wearing longer tops to cover your waist and layering it over something with longer sleeves and a longer waist is good," Steichen said. "You can accentuate the front by pairing a light-colored top with a longer waist shirt and long sleeves with a shrug that ties in the front," Steichen said. \nHunsinger said denim is also a must for layering and denim jackets are always on a to-buy list for college girls. Of course not everyone is a fan of covering up from head to toe, so coats are necessary during the winter months. To avoid walking to bars bare-armed and goose-bumped, invest in a stylish yet warm coat. Try a knee-length satin jacket or a faux fur coat. Knee-length coats are good for going out to the bars during winter because you can pair them with a short skirt and it will not look too revealing. \n"Wear only one overtly sexy item at a time," said designer Nanette Lepore in the October issue of Glamour. \nIf you want to adopt a style for bar-hopping without looking layered try wearing a deep V-neck sweater with a pair of leggings and furry boots. Wearing the V-neck sweater backwards with a denim skirt, embroidered belt and furry boots is also a hot look. \nFor any girl, accessories are a must and adding big hoop earrings or chandelier earrings can add sparkle and glamour to any outfit. \n"Big watches, costume jewelry and anything that sparkles is in," Steichen said. "People are getting away with wearing four carats that aren't real. Broaches are also in, I wear a broach with everything." \nInvest in a pair of gloves with a fur trim or a fur hat. If you end up going out after work or class, Steichen suggests adding a pashmina-like scarf to your outfit. \n"People are wearing pashminas," Steichen said. "Definitely take one with you to the bars. Cashmere scarves with tight sweaters are good and warm. I know a lot of people wear only pashminas to the bars." \nTie a pashmina around your neck and let it hang to the front, Steichen says. The great thing about these scarves is that they come in so many different colors, so you can add a splash of color to any outfit.\nSo, no matter where you are going, experts suggest remembering the basics. Classics, leggings, a coat and sparkling jewelry will make you stand out in a crowd and look starlit against the snow.
(01/24/05 5:35am)
Johnny Carson, the comedian known for paving the way for stand-up comics such as Garry Shandling and Jerry Seinfield, died Sunday morning at 79. His death was a result of emphysema, a respiratory disease that can be attributed to smoking. \n To many of his local fans, Carson's death comes as a shock as they let go of someone who greatly inspired them. \n"It's a really devastating loss," said Jeff Clawson, a stand-up comic at Indianapolis Comedy Sportz and former member of IU's Boy in The Bubble comedy group. "He did for stand-up what Ed Sullivan did for The Beatles. He gave stand-up comedians a platform to be seen and get noticed; a lot of comedians owe their careers to Johnny." \nCarson was known for being generous to young up-and-coming comedians and giving them a chance to showcase their talents on his show. \n"All the old comedians talk about going on his show and it being a high time in their career," Clawson said. "I was watching a documentary about Jerry Seinfield and he talks about appearing on the show and how much of a big deal it was." \nCarson made his debut as the "Tonight Show" host in October of 1962. He spent 30 years playing host to the "Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and became known for his ability to improvise and adapt to all of the surprises on the show. The show included everyone from animal trainers to comedic successes such as Bill Cosby and Joan Rivers. \n"He was really good at 'off the cuff,' or 'ad libbing.' It's a skill to be honed and admired," Clawson said. \nOther area comedians like Jeff Bodart, a stand-up comedian at Crackers Comedy Club in Broad Ripple said his ability to improvise was unsurpassed. \n"Anything could happen on his show and he could handle it," said Bodart. "He was one of the most skilled (people) at interviewing anybody. I don't think there will be anyone like him. To me, the comic world has suffered a great loss." \nThough Carson was skilled at his jokes and interviews, Matt Holt, another stand-up comedian at Crackers said he had a signature trademark. \n"It was 'The Look.' It wasn't about the joke, it was about 'The Look,'" Holt said. "'The Look' was harder than any punchline. A lot of comedians add that to their stand-up. It's a skill." \nAlong with "The Look," Carson was also known for being a classy stand-up comic. Holt, who looks to Carson as his idol and mainstay growing up, said he liked watching Carson's monologues and that his comedy taught him invaluable lessons. \n"He was willing to let someone else be funny," Holt said. "The inspiration he gave me is the way I conduct myself in business. He taught me it was about more than comedy, but it was about integrity, class and humility. It was about the way he carried himself." \nCarson also helped open doors and inspire comedians from the Midwest. A native of Nebraska, Carson's fame inspired local and regional talent to try and take their place in the spotlight. \n"He was absolutely an inspiration, especially for comics from the Midwest," Holt said. "He was from Nebraska. It gave comics the idea that they could try and make it." \nMany of the younger comedians on IU's campus were too young to remember Carson in his "hey day," but they do understand the contributions he made to the stand-up comedy community. \n"He obviously broke the barriers for what we see today. Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno would not be here and have the type of show they have with all the crazy stuff (without him)," said Joseph Rogan, a member of the Boy in The Bubble comedy group. "He paved the way. There wouldn't be late night talk shows if it wasn't for him."\n-- Contact Asst. Arts Editor Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.
(01/20/05 5:47am)
You get to class early, and there's nothing to do except read the paper, but that gets boring. Your mind begins to wander. In walks a random girl, and you look her up and down to see what she is wearing. Then the diva sits down, begins to flip her hair and apply make-up. Then more people start to walk in and you begin to look at what they are wearing until it becomes some kind of mental fashion show. It becomes a real life version of "Clueless." I often feel classes are more of a fashion show than a time to learn. Women and men make sure they are decked out when they come to class, stylin' and profilin' in the halls of Ballantine, carrying their Hermes bags and wearing Burberry scarves. \nI am all for this behavior, but isn't it ironic that when we think about going to class, the reading assignment that is due is the last thing on our minds. As soon as we step in front of the mirror, thoughts of that really sexy guy in class looking at you in that tight cashmere sweater begin to fill your head. Think about it. Class is much more than a lecture -- it is a place to meet possible romantic companions. Of course, when you look good, you feel good, which means you are more receptive to learning. But where do you draw the line? \nI was in my theatre appreciation class Wednesday when the teacher, Nicole Bertrand, began to explain how people in the 18th and 19th century went to the theater not to see the production, but to see what other people were wearing. They would get all dressed up in gowns and suits and sit by the stage and look at each other. They went to the theater to see and be seen, \nIt made me think about how many times I have been in a situation where I was supposed to be paying attention to one thing, and I was paying more attention to clothes. Church is a big one, but then I thought about going to Catholic school and how we used to roll up our skirts to make them look shorter. It made me realize that I, along with many others, take part in this ritual more often than not. \nWhile reading the latest issue of Suede, I came across an article titled "Finding My Religion: Are the Grown and Sexy Really Down with The King?" The article explored the recent change in social venue from clubs to churches among elitists in the New York fashion scene. It described how many of these so-called churchgoers are no more than opportunists trying to close business deals, make contacts and see and be seen. \n"Instead, this crowd is rocking every name from BCBG to Gucci," according to the article. \nMany of the elitists attend Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn and the famed Abyssinian Baptist Church where Vogue's fashion icon Andre Leon Talley goes to worship. But they are not worshipping in the traditional sense. Instead, they are worshipping Versace. As I read the article, I imagined the Oukast video "So Fresh, So Clean" where church resembles a fashion show more than a place to praise God. If we are going to church to show off our new skirts then why not just build a runway in front of the altar? That way the bishop can show off his big hat, and the preacher can show off his new suit. After service everyone can take a turn strutting down the runway. \nWouldn't it be funny if people were just blatant about their narcissism? Wouldn't it be great if every time a well-dressed girl walked into the room, we had a photographer waiting, and all the other students would clap? I got it, we can lay out a red carpet on the first floor of Ballantine, play "I'm Too Sexy" and go from there. \nI will be the first one to admit I pretend my leg itches so I can pull up my pants and show off my new boots. I love getting dressed up and receiving the attention, be it in class or at a bar. Besides, like my grandma always says, "You never know you who are going to meet"
(01/18/05 5:50pm)
A desire to learn about different people and cultures and an open mind were the only requirements for the Bloomington Playwrights Project's third annual Diversity Festival. The BPP honored the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Monday through its noon-to-midnight festival. \n"The BPP has a mission to bring diversity to the stage, so it makes sense for the BPP to have a diversity festival," said Rachael Himsel, BPP public relations director.\nChildren and adults gathered at the BPP for a full day of free events including belly dancing and the IU Korean percussion. Children enjoyed face painting, a puppet show and stories from Pakistan, the Amazon rainforest and Iraq. \n"Because of IU you have so many kinds of people," said Breshaun Joyner, education director at the BPP. "There are people of different race, religion and color. So it's important for children to see people of different cultures but also to learn more about them." \nThe day started off with face painting. Then the children were brought to a stage where they saw a show put on by puppets from around the world. Terri Klingelhoefer, puppet designer and constructor, brought paper into the audience and distributed a different color to each row. The rows represented a rainbow that also represented the children in the audience.\n"You are all a rainbow," Klingelhoefer said to the children. \nThe rainbow was then torn into different colors every time the children saw someone who looked different. Afterward they threw the pieces in the air to make a kaleidoscope. \n"It's a lot more interesting when the colors get together," Klingelhoefer said.\nAfter this exercise, children watched a puppet show titled "Rainbow Kaleidoscope." Klingelhoefer said the show was a presentation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of diversity. The show included colorful puppets from Turkey and a belly dancing marionette from the Soviet Union. Then the puppeteers brought the children back to America with a puppet of Howdy Doody's grandson dancing to "Music" by Madonna. \n"Theater is one art form that can bring people together," Himsel said. "It's like an explosion of the arts bringing people together and learning about culture."\nRichard Perez, BPP artistic director, said the group puts on the Diversity Festival because it sends an important message to the community, especially the children. \n"As a person of color, to celebrate the life of a great man through the arts is something I want to bring to the community," Perez said. "The message should never stop. We want to perpetuate the message of diversity." \nThe staff at the BPP tries to make the events as diverse as possible, which motivated them to invite the IU Korean Percussion Ensemble to perform at the festival also. \n"We try to change it up every year, but it's nice to have folks that keep coming," Perez said. "It is set up for people of all ages because the message of diversity doesn't stop with the kids. Sometimes the older people need to be reminded more than the children."\n-- Contact Asst. Arts \nEditor Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.
(01/13/05 6:05am)
A $300 supply list with a countless amount of items is what IU art students face this semester as they buy material for their Fine Arts classes. Many students find the list to be long and intimidating; for others just the thought of picking up a new hobby such as decorating their homes, painting, drawing or testing their creativity with an arts and crafts project can prove overwhelming. Art supply stores like Pygmalion's, Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics try to lighten the load, while helping students prepare for classes. \nFreshman Laura Decamp was one of many IU students at Pygmalion's Art Supply Inc., 108 N. Grant St., buying arts supplies for a Fundamentals of Art class. \n"I was a little bit intimidated because it was a lot of supplies," she said. "But I know when there are a lot of supplies you are going to learn more techniques." \nTom Zeta, Pygmalion's co-owner and manager, said students come in with supply lists without knowing how to use many of the items. \n"The beginning students don't know when they come in and they are feeling intimidated so we try to go through it with them." Zeta said. "We tell them what each item is and how to use it." \nZeta said he feels most students are unsure of what they need as far as supplies and where to find them. \n"That's why we hire artists. So if a customer comes in with questions we can have a person with a good working knowledge of the materials on staff," Zeta said.\nFreshman Juliana Dumas, who is majoring in studio art, said she was overwhelmed at first, but now it is easier. \n"First semester I was intimidated because it was a lot, and it was very expensive," Dumas said.\nAn art supply list can range from $150 to $300. The most expensive course is F102 Color-Design.
(01/13/05 5:35am)
When Meenal Mistry Fashion editor from Women's Wear Daily, came to visit IU in 2003, she told me she could see there was an aesthetic sense among the students on campus. She said she thought the students on campus had their own sense of style and they were not as cookie cutter as other fashion school's students. I thought to myself, "'cookie cutter,' that's a good phrase." Actually it is a phrase that could describe what I have been seeing on campus lately. It's funny how a year changes things.\n"Cookie Cutter" is a way to describe someone who does not have a personal sense of style, those people who look like they walked right out of an Old Navy commercial and blend in with everyone else on campus. Of course, I am not bashing these people, but I will bash the "cookie cutter" ideal. Looking down on others because they don't dress like you and because you don't understand fashion is a no-no. There is nothing wrong with having your own sense of style, it is okay. I remember when I saw Meenal she had on a scarf, jumper pants, and a shirt and jacket that did not match but she pulled it off. It was her own quirky style and it looked good. \nThis year I plan to embrace my own quirky style a little more. It is weird being on a campus where almost everyone wears a Northface jacket and carries a Kate Spade bag. The college uniform of choice has become yoga pants, a head band and New Balance sneakers. There is nothing wrong with that, because comfort is essential, but it shouldn't be the only accepted style of dress. One should not feel a necessity to look like a cut-out from a magazine either. I love blazers and tuxedo pants, but when too many people start wearing them, when is the line between drone and unique crossed? On a college campus of 36,000 people might feel they have to dress a certain way to be accepted, but I disagree. It's better not to care about what other people think. \nI have been a victim of caring about what others think as far as my way of dress. There was a time when I only felt comfortable at home, but that is no longer true. I have realized I have a penchant for green, so now I embrace both it and my love for black, because it makes my butt look smaller. When I woke up Tuesday, one of the first things I reached for was my New Balances, but I just couldn't do it. I remembered Stephanie Bay, my Trends and Concepts in Fashion professor, who said too many stores and people are suffering from the "sameness disease." \nThis disease is spreading to too many clothing stores, where everything looks the same and you can't tell the difference. That did it for me! I went for my black and white checkered Vans that I got backstage at the Luella Bartley show. For some reason they looked so good with my black pants and green shirt -- I just had to wear them. As I walked around campus I felt proud because I had embraced my personal style; there are more things in my closet that are as quirky as the Vans and I want to wear to wear them. \nI used to get upset when people would gibe at my style, but now I don't care. As I take a look around I realize they all look alike. They might have adopted the latest fashion, but they don't have any style. Style is personal, it is something only you alone can figure out for yourself. One of my favorite dashionistas, Dena Downham, once said, "Don't you hate that you can't wear certain kinds of clothes on this campus?" I remember saying yes, but now I say "skip it." I will wear my leopord-print fur coat and she will wear her big fur coat and we will be examples of the anti-"cookie cutter" fashion, because it is like being on a bad acid trip when you see an army of cookies walking to class.
(12/09/04 5:34am)
College kids are among the most depressed people in the nation. I have heard this repeated in many of my classes this semester, and I must say I am now a believer. When it comes to being young and fashionable, many people become blinded and begin to think that what is on the outside counts. Well in my opinion, they couldn't be more wrong. \nThough I do love clothes and I love to go shopping, I am much deeper than all of that. Because I have started writing about fashion, I have learned a great deal about life and what matters most. Have you ever looked around and realized the environment you're in is a reflection of all the personalities in it? Well, I recently took a look around and I realized a lot of college students act like they're depressed. I know some people that would blow your mind. I know some sad stories about some really brilliant fashionable people.\nThere's this guy I know who was a musical child prodigy. When he performed, your heart would melt. He went to college, and, because he spent his entire life playing, he did not want to do it anymore. So one day he buckled under the pressure of his parents and outside standards and slammed his finger in a door, fracturing it. What's worse is when his parents found out they were so caught up in superficial things like money, clothes and big houses, they blew it off. \nAnother girl I know is really into her major. She is really pretty and good at what she does. She is fairly wealthy, wears designer clothes and has everything anyone could ever want, but she is not happy. I know this because I see her almost every day rolling her eyes, sitting in judgment about everything and saying very mean things about people who have done absolutely nothing to her. She tries really hard to be the best, and thinks her meanness makes her look cute. I know Karen on "Will and Grace" is funny, but it is TV, and if you are that unhappy and bored with life, changing the attitude could improve your own life.\nAnother girl I know pretends to know everything, but doesn't. She is insecure about her looks, and though many people call her ugly, it doesn't stop her from acting ugly. Her voice is like a crow's call and when she talks, everyone knows it is her, because she is so loud and it is almost always negative. She is really good at her job, but has a tendency to make people miserable. If she is happy, she could have fooled me. On the other hand, her negativity about others makes her look really put together.\nSo I guess what I am saying is, clothes can't hide everything. You can have everything, put down anyone and the only thing that really shows is your unhappiness and pain. We all have a tendency to sit in judgment of others, but it becomes a different story when your personal unhappiness and insecurities begin to stain your environment. What I have come to realize is that misery loves company. People will try and make others as miserable as they are. Instead of judging these people we should feel sorry for them. Because if they push kindness away, they don't have much else but clothes. And when they fall on their own swords, the only thing they will have given to anyone is the clothes that get donated when they are gone.\nSo if you are depressed, seek help. If you are unhappy, go talk to someone. I am not being funny, just honest. In my opinion the most unfashionable way to be remembered is making others around you miserable, because people will wear your expensive clothes and dance on your grave.
(12/02/04 6:02am)
The best part of the holiday season, other than all the gifts, is the holiday sale. The holiday sale is the green flag that gives every woman far and wide permission to go completely crazy while men are at home watching sports. \nThe holiday sale is not only a chance to save money on that herringbone blazer you've been dying to buy, but it is also a bonding experience for women. I mean, really, once you go shopping for Victoria's Secret underwear on sale together, a long, lasting relationship is solidified. \nI have learned there are a few secrets to shopping. The sale is one of them. If you want to save money on clothes during the holidays, the best thing to do is find out what is in style for the season and have a good idea of what it is you want to buy. Going shopping can be very overwhelming, especially during the holidays. One thing I do is try to stay away from malls, stores, boutiques etc., until after the holidays to avoid spending money you never intended to. I know it is hard, but everything goes on sale, including the stuff you usually pay an arm and a leg for. \nUpon stepping in the door, go directly to the sale items, that way you won't be tempted to pay full price for anything. Paying full price is my pet peeve, and believe me, I am one of those women who will try to get the price lowered on anything. One should not be embarrassed for buying things on sale. I was in a class one day and the teacher was talking about how women will see each other in a nice outfit and say something catty like, "Hmm, she got the dress on sale." Of course she did, and she saved money and looked good. There is nothing wrong with a sale. Even CEOs and executives shop on sale. Shopping on sale is a part of being thrifty. \nAccording to the article "Hot Commodity" in Vogue's May 2004 issue, Mellody Hobson, the president of Ariel Capital Management, Inc. in Chicago, who has made a name for herself by being a black woman in business who looks fierce in designer clothes, also waits for the sales. \n"It helps," Hobson said. "... You can always get those clothes at the end of the season."\nHobson not only uses fashion as "mind candy," but it also helps her meet her goals, which is why shopping on sale is so important. Hobson buys Gucci suits, but they serve a purpose.\n"I understand that the standards are a lot higher for me, and I am not going to play around with that," she said.\nWomen have to look good, there is no doubt about it. We are judged on looks and clothes, so looking good and shopping have become more like a sport. You have to know how to navigate your way around stores. You have to know what you need, what you want and how to beat that woman who is going for the last cashmere sweater in ocean blue. Fights have actually broken out on sale days. Believe me, women go nuts.\nOne rule is to always buy staples like turtle necks, cashmere socks, scarves, hats and shoes on sale. Shoes always go on sale, and waiting will help discourage impulse shopping. I am not saying buy clothes simply because they are on sale -- we all know some things go on sale for a reason. So look closely at the item: is it ugly? (Don't get blinded by the sale.) Is it made funny? If nothing is wrong with it, then make a purchase. Like my boss Jane Charney always says, "You're not rich enough to buy cheap things." Another way to find good sales is to go online. I love J. Crew and Polo sales, and www.overstock.com is my online shopping best friend. \nThe only thing about sales online is that they don't last long. I am so sad because a pair of shoes that were on sale at Polo a few days ago are no longer available. The same thing happened at J. Crew. There was a wool pencil skirt on sale for $29.99; I went to buy it a few days later, and it was gone. Now I live with regret. So the rule is to know what you want. If you find something online you like or need that's on sale, buy it as soon as possible. Buying it on sale means you have that much money left in your account because we all know that if it is too tempting, full price doesn't look so bad.
(11/18/04 5:07am)
OK, the fashion columnist is having some personal life crises, and it is affecting her wardrobe. I don't know if it is having to wake up when it is still dark or being hopelessly love sick, but the glamour is gone. I was talking to my friend Mallory about my current dilemma, and she said, "Look around. It is happening to everyone." \nAs I looked around, I realized glamour-loss has become an epidemic. I must say I have been seeing a lot of pajama pants lately, along with slippers. The hair isn't done, strange smells are creeping up when people leave the room, and everyone is late to class or just not coming. \nNormally I would say, "Oh, dress a little better," but for the love of God, it's getting to me too. I hate going to class; I hate getting up; and, as far as dressing is concerned, all I want to do is go home, take off my clothes and crawl into bed. I have never wanted to wear a hoodie so bad in my life. Yesterday I decided I would fight the feeling and wore black pants and a pink second skin shirt underneath a shear long sleeve shirt.\nWhen I walked out of the house, I thought, "This looks OK," but my opinion totally changed when I stepped onto campus. I was convinced I looked like an eighth-grader on picture day, not to mention I had my hair done in two braids. I don't know what it is about the beginning of winter that brings so much bad fashion, but it has to stop. This will not stand. We must rise up against the fashion grinch, because if we don't have our looks, well ... there ain't much left. \nSo I have decided I will do laundry tonight while studying for my classes. Having clean clothes helps when you are trying to look good. Since winter tends to bring the blues, buying lot of black clothes is fitting, especially for those extra pounds put on by winter hibernation. If the winter white, wide-leg pants don't fit, then buy a pair of black pants and some black sweaters. It will make you look 10 pounds smaller and more sophisticated. Black is a staple among fashion people, and if there is one thing we will do, it is wear black like it's going out of style. \nIf you are going for the more comfortable look, invest in a jogging suit from Steve and Barry's or any of the local stores. You will always fit in wearing "Indiana" across your chest and a pair of furry boots or tennis shoes. Believe me, nothing is worse than feeling drab and looking drab at the same time. If getting up in the morning is hard for you, then pick out your clothes the night before. It makes things much easier. When you're tired, the winter blues can often times get the best of you, but you have to combat it. When you don't have any control over your life, looking good is the one thing you can control. Remember: Christmas is just around the corner.
(11/16/04 4:20am)
The Bra!vado Breast in Show design competition came to an end Friday evening with a one-time chance to view the pieces submitted. Designers showcased their unique artistic designs centered around breasts and female sexuality. \n"The idea for the Bra!vado design contest came about when we were working together on 'The Allure of Clothing: Function, Fantasy, Fetish, Fashion' exhibit," said Abbie Anderson, curator of education at the Mathers Museum. "Kate Rowold from the Elizabeth Sage collection, who has many design students, was telling us about the flair and creativity a lot of them have and how much fun it would be for them to design something." \nThe first prize for "Breast in Show" went to a design team named Saffron, Magenta and Indiglo for "BYOB" or "Bring Your Own Boobage." \n"The Boobages were so ingenious and the packaging was so complete," Anderson said. "They had a whole concept. Each one of the Boobages came in a special gift bag. The whole presentation was so thorough it won a lot of us over." \nThe trio of bras were comical. One piece was designed with clown faces to cover the breasts, another had red lights on the front, and a third was decorated with gift bows and orange fringes. \n"Boobs are really funny. They really are. Men think boobs are a party. The whole idea was to have fun," said the artist known as Magenta, who asked that her real name not be used.\nThe pieces were judged in four main categories: functional underwear, functional outerwear, wearable art and other art objects. \n"I was impressed by the range, the diversity and the variety," Rowold said. "I thought the most fascinating part was some of things were so whimsical, they just really tickle your fancy." \nLandscapes pasties, designed by graduate student Jake Urbanksi, won second "Breast in Show" in the competition. The pasties were made out of photographs of the Indiana landscape and presented in wood boxes as a collection. Though the judges received different types of breast wear, they were hoping for a more common garment. \n"It was so much fun watching them (arrive)," Anderson said. "We were hoping we would get a corset, and we did."\nThe corset that Anderson received was made by C. Dixon Reynolds, the costume designer for the IU production of "The Cherry Orchard." He won the ethnographic award for his red corset with gold trim.\nNot all the pieces were as conservative as the corset. Some of designers were extreme in their sexual expression. \n"The most outrageous piece was the 'FunderWear' because it doesn't actually cover anything," Anderson said. \n"FunderWear," a black and white polka dot piece of lingerie, resembled a two-piece bathing suit from the 1980s. As viewers got closer, they realized the triangles of fabric were underneath the breast and attached to a ring with a triangle for the vagina. The piece revealed the breast, playing off the "Breast in Show" phrase. \n"The rings may symbolize the vagina or the anus," said Karen Franks, the designer of "FunderWear." "The show is about 'Breast in Show'. The triangle representing the pubus with the breast hanging is really about something sexual." \nOther designs were not as sexual in their expression but tackled social issues. Katie Pouch won the award for conceptual inspiration with her trio of bras. One titled "Butterfly Effect" was shaped like a butterfly knitted together with purple, yellow and pink ribbon, along with yellow ribbon straps. "Mystical Flowers" looked like two flowers covering up the breast, but it was "Questionable Social Status Structure" that caught most of the attention. The bra knitted out of measuring tape posed the question: Does the size of a woman's breast represent her place in the world or her social status? \n"The measuring tape had the energy to question the size of a woman's breast and her being," Pouch said. \n"It is quite a serious little concept. It is an interesting thing that something that can look so whimsical can really be based in so much serious, thoughtful contemplation about society and women's issues," Rowold said. \nRowold said she hopes to be able to do other competitions based on "The Allure of Clothing: Function, Fantasy, Fetish, Fashion" exhibit. She said the competition showcased each individual and his or her interpretation of what "Breast in show" actually means. \n"So everybody reading the same advertisement, the same announcement for the competition really came up with some very different types of entries," Rowold said. "Some of the entries are really aesthetic expressions and some of them have a good deal of political, philosophical background concept inspiring them." \n-- Contact arts editor Patrice \nWorthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.
(11/11/04 5:30am)
When it comes to a man's style of dress, nothing can be more sexy or intriguing. Men have the ability to look like a million bucks without even trying. They can pimp out a pink button-down or an argyle sweater and look street as well as classy. This season, the gangsta has become a gentleman, and the preppy style dominates more than the Harvard scene. The rise of Kanye West brought back jeans worn with a button down and blazer, while Jay-Z made the striped Tommy Hilfiger shirt a must have. \nRecently, I was in Louisville at 4th Street Live, and I noticed all the guys wearing black or navy blazers with solid color button downs underneath. Of course the look was made casual with the first two buttons undone, but the look was hot. \nAccording to The New York Times Style Magazine, fashion has taken on a Mr. Roger's feel. Designers like Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan for DKNY have incorporated the button-up cardigan into their fall 2004 collections. The conservative look might have been foreshadowing this year's presidential election, but like always, fashion is directly affected by politics and the state of the Union. Even male rock stars such as Bryan Ferry, the former lead singer of Roxy Music, are being applauded for their conservatism. Designers are finding inspiration in the form of funky conservatism, "the idea of an English rock star who lives in the country but still gets dressed up with velvet and razor sharp tailoring," wrote New York Times reporter Glenn O'Brien in "Very Ferry." \nMen like Outkast's Andre 3000, Sean Combs's assistant Fonzworth Bentley and Fiat Group's Head of Marketing Lapo Elkann are being recognized for their timeless yet stylish way of dress. In an article titled "A Gentleman Caller," designer Tommy Hilfiger describes Bentley and his influence on style. \n"Fonzworth is the future of what we call crossover," Hilfiger said. "He will be leading young people to a more sophisticated level of fashion." \nBentley, who is known for turning hip-hop gangstas into gentlemen, pushes for a more old-fashioned kind of dress, and who can blame him? In a world where looking like a thug is cool, a lady wants someone who can go out to a nice restaurant. Nothing is sexier than a well-dressed man with lapels to pull on. \nSo, if men out there want to be a part of the gentlemen movement, then there are a few tips to keep it mind. This season, a tweed blazer with an argyle sweater and button down is a look that is definitely in. Suits are in this season, but skinny suits with skinny ties of the 1950s also appeared on runways for fall 2004. \nThe "Jivey Ivy" look of the late 1950s, with a four-button jacket and snug fitting trousers, is in, but if you have really big feet get a wider leg. Skinny ties are also in this season and they are available in jewel-tone colors like ruby red, amethyst purple, sapphire blue, emerald green and gold. Who can resist a versatile tie that sparks the female imagination on so many different levels? \nWhile dressing to impress, don't forget to buy a shirt by Geoffrey Beene or Ike Bhar, they may be expensive, but for men clothes should be an investment. Don't forget the wingtip shoes that go well with the blazered preppy look. The look of the season may seem like layers on top of layers, but, keep in mind, just as much as men like to undress women ... we like to undress you.
(11/11/04 5:27am)
The new European-inspired wine cafe, Tutto Bene, is original to the city of Bloomington. Located at 213 S. Rogers St., Tutto Bene offers more than 200 wines from around the globe, with gourmet appetizers and desserts, and is the epitome of a night on the town. Owned by Jason Widen, Marci Widen, Craig Widen and Heather McDougall, the restaurant provides all the comforts of family and friends. The restaurant is decorated with purple and green furniture, Persian rugs, hardwood floors and coppertop tables. \nCraig Widen, who was a military pilot and has lived in places like Italy and Britain, said the restaurant reflects his travels.\n"If we were in Europe, we would probably live on top of our cafe," he said. "A lot of what you see would probably be furniture that started out in our home and made it into the business." \nMarci Widen designed the U-shaped bar that greets the eye upon entering the establishment.\n"It's a fun place to come and sit with your friends, and have a nice time together," Marci Widen said. \nGeneral manager Alec Widen said the cafe is also a place where people can learn more about wine and where it is from. They are planning to incorporate a wine compendium, where people can come in and research the wines offered and the wines they want. Currently, the cafe does not have wines before the year of 1995, but Marci Widen said it is for a reason. \n"I think we've been concentrating on trying some new wines from some new wineries that aren't the biggest. So it's fun to try smaller things," Marci Widen said. "Part of it is we want to have some reasonable priced wines, quite of bit of it is price." \nTutto Bene, offers a variety of wines by the bottle that range from $9 to $150. They also offer wine by the glass and tasters for $2. Customers are encouraged to find something they like before they buy an entire bottle. \n"What we would like to do and one of our goals is to encourage people and find customers that don't know a lot about wine and are experimenting," Craig Widen said. "We want them to allow us to help them experiment with reasonably-priced wines. We can teach the rules and all you want to know about the vineyards." \nThe wine list has five ports which include Oliver Maximum Port Bloomington Indiana 2002, Kracher Beerenauslese, Neudsiedlersee, Austria 2002 and 14 different champagnes. Tutto Bene has wines from such diverse places across the world as South Africa, New Zealand, Spain, France, Germany, Lebanon and Chile. \nWine tasting isn't all that attracts customers. Food is also an essential part of the Tutto Bene experience. \n"We are more into the tapa style of eating where you can get a couple of appetizers and enjoy it amongst friends, kind of a sharing type of eating," Alec Widen said. "In a normal restaurant you get the food and you pair it with the wine. Our focus is more on you get wine and you pair it with the food." \nKitchen manager Shelly Critchfield said she creates the food with simplicity in mind. She also uses fresh herbs grown locally and if she can't get local food, she tries to go organic. \n"I think the simplicity of the food is best suited to the wine. This isn't a restaurant about the food. It's about the wine." Critchfield said. \nCritchfield likes colorful palettes and every sandwich is served with fruit. The food is served on all white plates so the color pops out. She said it looks really good at night when the candles are lit.\nMarsha Minton, a regular customer of Tutto Bene, said she likes the environment of the wine bar. There are lots of things that draw her to the cafe. \n"I like good food, casual environment, relaxing and comfortable chairs. They tell me everything is for sale so I think that's an interesting idea," Minton said.\nMarci Widen said people come in requesting to buy the wine glasses and the water glasses, along with many other items in the store. Many of the coppertop tables have been sold as well, \n"We wanted to put that out there, that we're not just a cafe, just something different," Alec Widen said. "Have you ever gone into a place where you can purchase the couch you are sitting on?" \n-- Contact arts editor Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.
(11/11/04 4:41am)
Bringing the city to Bloomington is no small feat, but someone has to do it. Branden and Naomi Johnson have found their niche with the new men's wear store, MetroWear. Located at 234 N. Morton Street, below the Mercury at Regester Apartments, it has been described as exactly what Bloomington has been missing. \n"There are lots of places for men to buy suits, but there was no place for a man who wanted a more urban look for going out to a club," said Naomi Johnson. \nThe store carries Anthony Logistics, a popular men's care line that people have to buy online or travel to Saks Fifth Avenue in Indianapolis to buy. \n"People come here and say that they are happy they don't have to buy it online anymore. Now it is cheaper because (they) don't have to pay for shipping," Branden Johnson said.\nThe store also carries shaving cream as well as old school style shaving kits with a brush and razor by e Shave. The kits cost anywhere from $55 to $70, depending on if they are nickel plated or plated with 14-karat gold. \nThe store carries Kenneth Cole, Paper Denim, French Connection United kingdom, Buffalo Jeans, 4You, Report Collection, NY BASED, BB London and A Kurtz. \nThe brands are usually found on the coasts or in bigger cities, but now they can be found in MetroWear at cheaper prices. Buffalo Jeans, which is the store's most popular brand of jeans, go for about $85 a pair in New York and sell for $75 at MetroWear. \n"You can find brands that are usually found in New York City or Miami," said senior Ryan Alovis. "I like Paper Denim and French Connection, and the prices are reasonable. It's something that this city hasn't seen and I think it will do a lot of people justice."\nNot only are the clothes urban, but the interior of the store is also very much in the same tone. A flat screen television greets customers at the entrance. Customers can sit on micro-fiber furniture or look through steel clothing racks. Huge windows in the front of the building add sunlight, while the red walls give a contemporary feeling. \n"I like the whole mood of the place. The ambiance is great," Alovis said. \nBranden Johnson said many people come in and say the store looks like something they would find in Soho or Chicago. When they were first thinking of opening the store, they wanted to have it closer to campus on Kirkwood Avenue, but the rent was very high, the Johnsons said. They chose a cheaper space on Morton Street, but said the location has worked out great because now they are in the middle of a developing area full of kids from New Jersey, New York and Chicago. \n"We get a lot of kids from the city because they live around here, but now we are trying to reach out to the kids in the Commons," Naomi Johnson said. \nMetroWear has been open for only five weeks and the store owners said they are experiencing what everyone goes through when they open a new store. \n"The first two weeks we relied on walk buys. Now we advertise in papers, and starting yesterday, we are on the sides of city buses," Naomi Johnson said. \nThe advertisements have helped, but the store is still in the beginning stages. Profit isn't steady as of yet, but Branden Johnson said that is typical during the first months. \nWhen opening up the store, the couple already had a list of brands they definitely wanted to carry, but since opening they have also added other lines. \n"We had lines that we knew we were carrying, but people kept coming in and requesting Paper Denim," Branden Johnson said. "We got in touch with them and started carrying Paper Denim in the first week." \nListening to their customers is a part of the way the couple does business. Now they are thinking about getting shoes by Kenneth Cole and Cole Haan because they have received so many requests for these designers.\nAlthough they do listen to customers' requests, there are certain brands they will not carry. \n"We don't carry Diesel because you can find it at Urban Outfitters, or Blu Marlin," Branden Johnson said. "We won't carry Lucky because they sell it at The Buckle."\nThe Johnsons want to make sure they don't compete with other stores and keep a reputation for being fresh. \n"We won't order more than six of anything," Naomi Johnson said. "If you buy something here, you know you are one of the only people in Bloomington that has it. Sometimes we only order one style of something like that black leather jacket with red stripes." \nThough opening the store has been fulfilling for the couple, they said they have learned a lot about the fashion industry and dealing with buyers.\n"It was an eye-opening experience," Branden Johnson said. "I couldn't believe how unreliable and incompetent some of the business people are. You really have to stay on top of them and make sure your order is right, they ship it to the right place and you are paying the correct price." \nRight now the couple is having trouble adding another line to their inventory. \n"We are trying to add Juicy (Couture) for men, but the rep won't even call us back," Branden Johnson said. "You can only get a hold of them by e-mail. They sell it at Pitaya, so I know it is not the town." \nDespite some setbacks, the duo has plans to go to the Magic Show In Las Vegas to look at more collections and buy more clothes. \n"We are keeping a wall blank, just in case we get shoes," Naomi Johnson said. "We definitely want to add more accessories like men's belts and men's jewelry." \nWhen asked if they will expand into women's wear, Naomi Johnson said it is possible, but first they have to see how well their current collections sell. \n-- Contact arts editor Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu.
(11/04/04 5:55am)
Patrice, look at my feet," said Maggie, a typical foot-obsessed Pisces and co-worker of mine. She was wearing black pointy-toe heels that had obviously been giving her trouble, because when she came into the office her stride resembled a hobble, more than a walk. As she pulled her foot out of her shoe, a swelled pink foot was revealed, adorned with Band-Aids. She wore those shoes all day around campus, because she had a presentation to give. The first thing I said was, "You should have taken an extra pair of shoes."\nLadies, we must admit shoes have given us trouble since day one. From the bound "lily foot" of the Chinese girl to the stilettos of today, shoes have never really been our friend. Shoes are like the really good-looking friend who uses you, but we keep her around because she attracts all the guys. They hurt you, make you walk funny, but one compliment about how cute our shoes are and how sexy we look in them, and the pain is immediately erased from our minds. At first, I thought only women had problems with shoes, but then my boyfriend went out and bought a pair of Kenneth Cole shoes. At first they were comfortable, but then he began to walk funny and complained that his feet hurt.\nThen, I realized we both share the problem of having wide feet. So, I started to think is it my wide feet that make my strappy Aerosols hurt so bad, or are shoes more for fashion than function? I started doing a little bit of research and I found that shoes were created to serve both purposes, but there are some shoes that serve one purpose better than others.\nAs I read "History of Shoe Fashion," I found that ever since man has concerned himself with fashion, he has also concerned himself with adding height to his stature. I found the Greeks gave added height to the chief actors in drama to give them more importance on stage, and emperors in China emphasized their power with shoes that had deeply layered soles. It still didn't give any indication of why Maggie was wearing heels all over campus, so I kept reading.\nThen I saw it: "These were indeed a status symbol since the tottering walk they created was impossible without the support of servants, and this by itself indicated that they were worn by the upper and wealthy classes." Then I read that the chopine, the extravagant Venetian shoe with extremely high heels described above, was the forerunner to the heel or high heel.\nAfter reading this, I began to think about Mallory Zalkin and myself at Fashion Week.\nWe both carried two pair of shoes as we waited to get into the shows. I had my Aerosols as a fashion shoe and a pair of Ralph Lauren Nolita slides to get around in. Mallory had a pair of moccasins and a really cute pair of heels she bought on vacation in some exotic place. Walking to the tents we were regular girls, but once we arrived we were royalty with the heels to match. \nThough the shoes cut into our feet like switch blades, we suffered through the pain, because that is what is expected at Fashion Week. But is it really expected on a college campus? \nI will be the first one to admit, I wear New Balances all the time, not only because they fit wide feet better, but also because gym shoes are comfortable. When one of the judges on "America's Next Top Model" told a model she needed to learn how to do everything in heels, I was appalled. I thought, "unless her bed is a runway, no she doesn't and no woman should have to." \nI realize the pressure to look good is very intense, but don't be a fool. Shoes help get us from point A to point B. If you have a presentation and you need an "A" in the class, wear heels to get you that "A," but do not wear heels to get to the classroom. Also, if a shoe feels uncomfortable when you try it on, do not buy it. There is a 100 percent chance the feeling is going to get worse the more you wear them. I found this out the hard way with a pair of Franco Sartos I just couldn't resist buying. Never get into the habit of consistently wearing uncomfortable shoes for vanity, because it will ruin your feet. While pain is a small price to pay for looking good, never being able to wear heels creates an even bigger fashion dilemma.
(11/02/04 4:15am)
Celebrations with dancing, praying and the decorating of graves are taking place all over Mexico and Central America today in honor of el Dia de Los Muertos. Originally an Aztec holiday, the Day of the Dead is celebrated Nov. 2 each year to remember and honor deceased family members and friends. Gamma Phi Omega and Latinos Unidos will hold a Day of the Dead ritual from 4 to 6 p.m. tonight at the Latino Cultural Center, La Casa . The event is open to anyone wanting to remember their lost relatives or learn more about the cultural holiday. \n"It is a celebration of life and memories left behind; it's not morbid. It's nothing close to Halloween," said Juliana Hallows, administrative assistant of La Casa. "I think it's very important. It reminds people that we're human and we do pass on." \nDuring the celebration, families gather at the graves of the dead and decorate them with marigolds. Later they eat while they tell stories about loved ones who have passed. \nAntonio de la Cova, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Latino Studies, said when the Spaniards, or conquistadors, took over Mexico, they tried to abolish many of the Aztec culture rituals, including the Day of the Dead. The holiday was reinstated by Bishop Landa to coincide with the All Saints Day in the Catholic Church, which takes place Nov. 1. The most elaborate Dia de Los Muertos celebrations take place in Mexico, but celebrations can be found in regions of Central America and the United States. \n"In Latin America, All Saints Day and Dia de Los Muertos are days of remembrance. Different countries have different practices on how to do it. The strongest tradition is still carried on in Mexico," de la Cova said.\nDe la Cova, who will also be giving a presentation at 7 p.m. at La Casa on the history and cultural significance of Dia de Los Muertos, said the holiday is rooted in the unanswered human question about what happens to us when we die.\n"The ancient Mesoamerican civilizations -- the Aztecs -- they had a belief that the souls continue to exist after death and they went to a resting place after death called Mictlan, the land of the dead. They felt that once a year the souls of the dead would come back to visit their families," de la Cova said.\nLatinos celebrating the day make traditional crafts, such as calaveras or skeletons resembling lost relatives. The skeleton is dressed up in clothing that reflects the relative's hobby or occupation. People celebrating also eat pan de muerto, a rich coffee cake decorated with bones, tamales, skull-shaped candies and marzipan bread death figures. \n"It begins by creating an altar at home to remember dead relatives and friends. Then the altars are decorated with photographs of the deceased and a lot of marigold flowers. This is very significant. They also display food and drink," de la Cova said. "It is really a time of remembrance transforming grief into acceptance. They light a candle for each of the dead family members, and they always light an extra one so no one is left out." \nLa Casa will also have arts and crafts, pan de muerto and an altar. Sophomore Elizabeth Trevino, La Casa secretary, encouraged people to bring photos, candles, letters and poems to honor their deceased friends and family. There will be an informational video on Dia de Los Muertos that will help educate non-Latinos about the holiday. \n"A lot of people think it is supposed to be scary," Trevino said. "We want them to know it's a day where we remember our loved ones who have passed." \nHallows said it is important for Latinos in college to participate in the ritual because it is a part of their culture and heritage. De la Cova thinks that since Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S., understanding and celebrating the holiday on a college campus is very important.\n"To Latinos, it is a cultural tradition. It's a tradition that their parents and family members still celebrate, and for Americans, they need to be aware of this Latino traditional belief that extends back centuries so they won't misinterpret this," de La Cova said. "They need to be aware of this tradition that is steeped in (Latinos') religious belief and very strong family values." \nTrevino agreed and said the holiday is very important for the Latino community at IU because they are so far away from home. \n"It reminds us of our families and what they do back home," she said. "It is a great way to keep the tradition going."\n-- Contact arts editor Patrice Worthy at pworthy@indiana.edu .
(10/21/04 5:00am)
Apparently, ponchos are a fashion crime. In a www.msn.com article, "Is That a Real Poncho? The hideous new trend afflicting America," writer Amanda Fortini complained that ponchos are not comfortable and cannot be worn with everything. \nAfter reading her negative review of the poncho, I almost went home and burned mine. I thought to myself, "Oh my God, do they really look that bad?" I agree they cannot be worn with everything, but saying they are not comfortable is fashion blasphemy. Fortini must not have been following the rules for wearing a poncho.\nPonchos are nothing new to me. As a kid, I had two, and now that they are in style, I can say I am adding to my collection. I think ponchos are actually quite beautiful. The right fabric and color can turn a very plain outfit into a very dramatic yet glamorous ensemble. Keep in mind: I said the right fabric and color. \nOne thing I have noticed about any new fashion trend is that the merchandisers go crazy trying to make money off of the item and sell anything in every color and fabric they can find. Think about the Ugg-style boots; brown was okay, but pink and baby blue? Can we say "ship them back?" I totally disagree with the practice of having one item available in every color and fabric, but to each their own.\nI have seen a lot of ponchos lately, and I must say when choosing a poncho, one must be discriminating. A style to stay away from is a poncho that looks like your grandma could be wearing it. If you are 5-foot-5, do not wear a poncho that is made out of thick wool and resembles an afghan. The afghan-style poncho should definitely be avoided unless you can really stunt in it and make it look good. I saw a girl today wearing a very thick wool poncho, but it had no shape and looked quite bland. Ponchos should not look bland, and you should not look like you are wrapped in an old blanket. In my opinion, the big wool ponchos should not be embraced until snow is on the ground, and it should only be worn with suede or furry boots. Think: "I am hiking up the mountains of Chile." \nAnother rule for wearing a poncho is to try it on first and know how it drapes before you actually walk out of the house. Wearing a poncho takes practice. They look different on every body. If the poncho drapes off the shoulder, try it on first. Literally look in the mirror and see how far you should wear it off the shoulder or which shoulder looks better. Another thing to keep in mind is where you are going when you are wearing a poncho. If you are going out to dinner DO NOT WEAR a poncho or REMEMBER to take it off before you start eating your food. Ponchos tend to get in the way and drag across your plate, which can be embarrassing if you are on a date. \nMake sure the fabric fits your body type. A lightweight fabric is going to cling to the clothes you have on underneath, So if you have a Buddha stomach, like me, avoid looking pregnant by wearing a heavier fabric. Try a plain wool poncho or a suede ponchos with fringe. Also, when wearing a poncho, cut down on accessories. Ponchos create more than enough drama and glam. One bracelet, a pair of earrings and/or a nice watch will look sophisticated and neat. Bulky bags are a fashion no-no when wearing a poncho. To get a clean look, carry a clutch purse. Anything over the shoulder tends to look cluttered and can ruin the look. \nIf you are not into ponchos but like the draped effect, buy a colorful, oversized scarf, fold it in half and drape it around your shoulders. Keep in mind to try it on in the mirror, and once you find the drape you are looking for, pin it into place. I have a scarf with a Picasso painting on it that I use to get the same effect. This look is refreshing and provides a nice draping effect without the length of the poncho. \nSo yes, you can wear a poncho; yes it can look good, but beware because they can be hazardous if not worn properly.
(10/14/04 6:06am)
"You dress like a white girl" was a phrase my friends and I grew up hearing again and again. It was nerve-wracking to grow up feeling so isolated from the Latinas and the Bonanas (black girls) in my home town because of the way I talk and the way I look. Growing up, my black and Latin friends were from private and boarding schools. We all came from really conservative families with parents that were doctors, lawyers, superintendents and businessmen. So our style of dress was a lot different from what many people see blacks and Latina women wearing in videos and on TV. \nFor many of us, dressing conservatively was not a choice. My brothers were never allowed to walk out of the house wearing pants that hung off their butts. My sisters and I were not allowed to wear make-up or revealing clothes. I was taught to dress like a lady, and my brothers were taught to dress like gentlemen. Everyone in our social circle dressed that way whether you were white, black, Asian or Latina. \nSo imagine my surprise when a co-worker came into the newsroom and asked "Why do all black guys wear white shirts down to their knees with pants that hang off their butts?" Immediately, I said "not all black guys dress that way," To which he said, "All the black guys where I come from look like that." I thought to myself, "Are you sure that is all you see? Are you sure you're not just seeing what you want to see?"\nI don't know any black guys who dress that way. I don't hang out with black guys who dress that way, but I can understand where he was coming from. On television and on videos, blacks and Latinos seem to always be wearing some form of hip-hop gear. If a black woman is considered to be a fashionista, she either looks like 'Lil Kim or she is a singer who is pictured wearing something similar to what a Vegas show girl would wear. The sight is disheartening. \nWhen Recently Suede, a new black fashion magazine, hit the stands, I was reluctant to pick it up. I figured it would be like all the other black fashion magazines -- full of black women wearing red and purple suits with absolutely little to no flair. Even worse, it would be like the fashion pages inside of Ebony magazine (don't even get me started on the fashion in Ebony). \nA couple of nights ago, I opened up the pages of Suede and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, a magazine that didn't pigeonhole black women into the diva or the bland, purple suit-wearing business woman. \nAs I talked with my friends about it, I found they felt the same way. As we flipped through the pages, we came across Alicia Keys, who is normally pictured wearing some kind of ghetto gear. She was pictured wearing several ballgowns. Then we flipped a little further, and there was an article titled "To be Young, Gifted and Paige." It featured Paige Johnson, the daughter of the co--founders of Black Entertainment Television, whose fortunes put her ahead of the Hilton sisters and the Olsen twins. More importantly, she is a champion equestrian rider and a fashionista. She was featured in the magazine wearing brown-toned equestrian gear, girlish sweaters and long, romantic skirts. It was nice to finally see a magazine that represented the portion of black women who are not slaves to Baby Phat's hoochie gear or the ghetto princess look. \nFinally it was okay to dress the way we wanted to dress, not how we were "supposed to dress." The pages were full of black, Asian and Latin women wearing clothes with flair and being themselves. There was also a profile on Montgomery Harris, a fashion designer out of Harlem who designs stylish clothes that appeal to anyone. Hopefully this is the start of a new trend. Like my friend Erica asked as we ordered clothes from Anthropologie, "Why do we have to want to be white to dress a certain way? Why do we have to be reduced to wearing colorful suits?" So no longer are we offended by the "You dress like a white girl" comment because, for the record, we don't. We dress like women who want to be successful and stylish without being featured in a hip hop video.
(10/07/04 5:36am)
Among all of the sinful things I did this past weekend, Sunday morning I was awoken by a phone call reminding me that I promised to go to church. Going to church has never bothered me; in fact, I like church, a lot. I grew up Catholic and was in Catholic school for most of my life. I pretty much attended church every day. \nThough I grew up in church, this particular church outing was a bit different. My friend Michelle is Mormon, and most Mormons dress up when they go to church. As a Catholic, I'm used to going to church wearing whatever I want. It's great that you can go in a pair of jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt and call it a day. When they say "come as you are," they really mean it. So when I began to get dressed for my outing, I was baffled about what to wear. When I got my wake-up call from Michelle to go to church, the first thing I asked was, "What do I wear?" I told her I was thinking of wearing a dress, and she said "Great, a dress is really good." \nSo after about an hour of tugging on my panty hose and complaining about people dressing up to praise God, I began to wonder if dressing up is contradictory to the point of church. I finally put on a black dress and pair of black patent leather slingbacks. My boyfriend also looked quite handsome in a blue blazer over a button down with a pair of flat front khakis. We were ready to go to church.\nI knew it was going to be an interesting experience when my boyfriend and I got into the car, turned it on and Mobb Deep was blaring from the stereo. I thought to myself: "I am on my way to church listening to Mobb Deep; great! I can't even take the narrow path to church. A big hole is going to swallow me up as soon as I get there."\nWhen we arrived, Michelle was waiting for us. I was so happy to see her, and couldn't wait to see her new baby. I should have known something was wrong when she told me how good I looked. As we waited for the opening prayer to end (I arrived late, of course), I stood there wondering what was in store. Finally the opening prayer was over and we walked into the sanctuary. The phrase "wear a dress" took on a whole new meaning. When I had pinned the top of my dress together because it showed a little too much cleavage, it should of been a signal for me to change, but I thought the pin was sufficient. Well, it wasn't. \nI walked in thinking I was the epitome of modesty, but compared to everyone else, I looked like a high-priced whore. I felt so bad. All the women were wearing very modest, long dresses with flowers on them and not one bit of skin showing. "I am going to hell," I thought. "That's it, it's over for me."\nThe Catholic guilt began to take over, and I started to wonder if I had been away from church for too long. Last time I was at home, I went into St. Bart's to pray. I was wearing a black camisole top with white lace trim. When I walked in, one of the old ladies looked at me like I was crazy. When I realized what it was because of my revealing top, I quickly put on the cardigan I was carrying with me. I had blown the incident off, attributing it to my spontaneous need for prayer. Now I had to face it, I was among a group of people feeling like the strange woman men are warned to stay away from in the book of Proverbs.\nBy the time church was over, I had forgotten about my fashion mishap. As I was leaving the church, I began to think about the sermon on choices and taking responsibility for the choices we make. It made sense and actually changed me a little. As I got into the car, I thought to myself that next time I will choose to dress more modestly and wear something that covers my breasts.
(09/30/04 4:45am)
"It smells like school spirit, and Patrice is the only one without B.O." is what went through my head as I attended my first ever IU football game.\nIt all started when my good friend Josh called and talked me into going to an IU football game, an event as foreign to me as dreidel-spinning. Of course, I objected, whined and resisted, but ultimately I was dragged to Memorial Stadium. \nFirst of all, I am deathly afraid of football stadiums. Drunk people walking down steep stairs without a railing doesn't sit very well with me, but it gets worse when I am the one walking down steep stairs without a railing. I thoroughly enjoy football, but I enjoy it the most in the comfort of my own home or a sports bar watching the New England Patriots or the Indianapolis Colts. \nAs I walked up the steps to a seat, I noticed something. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was the only in the entire stadium not wearing cream and crimson. As I sat there watching our team whoop their opponents, I began to get into the game. I started to loosen up and have fun, but I couldn't help feeling like something was missing ... \nOh yes, it was my Indiana T-shirt. \nAs I sat there clad in a lavender shirt and black pants, I was embarrassed by my fashion faux pas. Then I began to think about it, I realized I don't even own an article of clothing with the word Indiana or Hoosier on it. It was a travesty; I couldn't believe it. Even if I did want to go tailgating, I wouldn't have anything to wear. And for someone like me, that is an absolute nightmare. Something had to be done. \nI came up with a few ideas to show some fashionable school spirit. The first idea is an oldie but goodie and it is always a lot of fun. While you usually see half-naked guys wearing body paint at IU games, I thought to myself that a girl who doesn't want to go half-naked can always paint her clothes. Painting your clothes allows limitless possibilities. You can paint Indiana down the leg of a pair of jeans, sweatpants or on the rear end of a pair of pants. You can also buy shirts and paint those. Decorate them with the name and number of your favorite football player, and cheer like a madwoman. \nOr you can take a more complicated, but more fashionable, approach:\n1. Take an extra-large T-shirt and bring the neckline down over you chest. It might take a little bit of stretching, but it works, \n2. Tie the sleeves into a knot in the back. \n3. Cut a half- or inch-wide strip off the bottom of the shirt. It should tear off once you make the first snip. Then cut the strip in half. \n4. Cut two small holes in the neckline of the shirt, one on each side. Bring one of the strips cut off the shirt through one of the holes and knot it, leaving enough string to tie around your neck. Repeat knotting the string on the other side, and you have a halter top with the word Indiana on the front. \nThe shirt should mimic an empire waist. \nAnother variation of the same shirt is more like the Tarzan shirt.\n1. Stretch out the neckline enough to get it to fit under one arm. The other side should be around your neck. \n2. Cut off a half-inch to inch-wide strip from around the bottom of the T-Shirt. It should tear off easily.\n3. Cut off the sleeve that isn't on your arm and cut down the side seam. The shirt should be open on that side. \n4. Cut about five very small holes down each side of the slit. It should look like shoelace holes. \n5. Take the strip from step 2 and tie the shirt on the side like a corset.\n6. Cut the remaining sleeve so the pieces hang off your shoulder like decorative slashing.\nPaint each shirt with decorative IU signs and numbers, and you should be ready for the game. Wear with a cardigan if it is a little chilly outside. \nThere you have it: Patrice's fashionable football game attire.
