Fashion Show

                The FCSFA 481, Promotions Class, sponsored a fashion gallery on Sunday, April 10^th to support the 2011 Ball State fashion design students. The fashion gallery featured nine designers. As a class, we choose to do a fashion gallery rather then a runaway that was used in previous classes. The event was called All Dolled Up, which featured models who resembled Barbie dolls and a gallery that resembled the inside of a home with different rooms. Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga were our inspirations for the models. The model’s hair consisted of flattening and creating bangs. The model’s make up consisted of a pale foundation, bright pink blush, and bright blue, purple, or green eye-shadow with false eyelashes.

                All Dolled Up consisted of nine designers. Each designer had a different theme for their show room. We allowed them to choose their theme and the class was to build it. Nick’s room featured a white open space. He wanted it to resemble a museum.  Each room was a challenge, but all the rooms looked so good in the end.

                During the show, the models were to be life-still models. The guests were free to roam around from room to room. The show had a DJ that played fun, hip music. Appetizers and drinks were provided for our guests. When guests first walked in they could see if they were a winner in our door prizes our class had collected. The overall show was a huge success!!!

Press Day

On March 23, 2011 I attended a Press Day Event to support the promotions class of spring 2011, FCSFA 481. The event started from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It was held at Ball State University in the Simpson Lounge in the Applied Technology Building.  The hosts of Press Day were the girls who are currently enrolled in FCSFA 481 and four other girls.

The activity was a press day for the fashion show event which is being held on April 10th in Cardinal Hall from 5-7 p.m. Press day consisted of getting the word out and encouraging fellow students to attend the exhibition. Girls in the FCSFA 481 class were to attend the event to inform and socialize with potential people who were interested in attending the exhibition. They were to inform others of the fashion event which is showcasing the 2011 class of fashion design. At the event, there were light refreshments of punch, deserts, and appetizers. People who attended press day were able to enter their name into a drawing to win free tickets to the show. There was a booth set up in the corner where people could buy tickets.  

Academy Awards Show

This year at the Academy Awards show I noticed a lot of the beading, lace, and red. Stars such as Sandra Bullock, Jenifer Lawrence, Jennifer Hudson, and host Anne Hathaway were a few of the celebrities who rocked the red on the red carpet. This was different to see because not many people want to blend in with what they are walking on for an award show. I think going red was a brave choice and worked well for most of the actresses. My best dress nominee for rocking the red on the red carpet was Jennifer Lawrence’s dress by Calvin Klein was phenomenal. The dress fit her to a “T.” Her jewelry, hair, and makeup all fit the dress as well.

The beading on many dresses stood out to me on this year’s red carpet, also. Stars such as Michelle Williams, Penelope Cruz, Halle Barry, Nicole Kidman, and Cate Blanchett all rocked the beading on their dresses. I enjoyed Cate Blanchett’s dress the most out of all the dresses. She wore the dress to make a fashion statement, which shows confidence. I think this dress really works well on her because her fair skin and color of the dress really compliment one another. The geometric structure of the top is well put together with the softness of the bottom. I like the lime color of beading along the neckline it gives the dress a little more character. However, I did not enjoy Penelope Cruz’s dress for the red carpet. I felt the beading on her dress made her look like a tiger. Her boobs were popping out and it looks like she just threw on the dress. Penelope Cruz is such a beautiful lady I really wish she would have stayed away from this fierce dress and slipped in to something more subtle for the Oscars.

Lace was another feature on this years dressed at the Oscars. Celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Melissa Leo, and Florence Welch all had lace on their dresses. This was my favorite category this year. I thought the lace on this year’s dresses were so stunning.

My top nominees all had lace on their dress, which are Mila Kunis ranking number one and Florence Welch coming in second. Mila Kunis just looked breath taking in her Elie Saab gown. The lilac color of the dress with Mila’s skin tone was so dazzling, it made watcher’s jaw’s drop. With her make up and jewelry it was knockout. Florence Walch was another nominee for me because her Valentino gown made her look elegant.  It definitely takes you back to the 1900’s with the tiers. I love vintage clothing so this was a given for a nominee. Also, I love how she used her hair to make a statement but yet it still looks elegant. My worst dress nominee would have to be Nicole Kidman nothing works, that’s all if have to say. 

The music industry is another way for designers to show their looks and styles. Designers are able to put their designs on musicians for the whole world to see. Musicians are then able to show their style and image with the help of designers. There are many different genres of clothing just as there is as music. Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga tend to go for the more risky items and tend to pop out of the crowd a little more with their elaborate clothing. Usher and Justin Bieber have made popular the tight zipped up hoodies, leather jackets, skinny jeans, and tennis shoes. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are both more conservative in their clothing choices.

With their crazy lyrics and clothing Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga have made an eccentric impact in their clothing. Nicki Minaj is known for bringing back the Barbie look. With her stick straight hair, bangs, and blush cheeks she has made people want to see more. She is known for her outrageous hair color changing from blue, pink, and even black hair. She wears crazy prints and vibrant colors. Lady Gaga has her own style with her architectural designs and fabric choices. Her platinum blonde hair has made an impact in fashion. Women are not afraid to go the extreme with their hair. Lady Gaga is the definition of wearable art. Every time she walks out the house she has some new creation. It is like she is a walking sculpture.

Usher and Justin Bieber are every girls dream with their fashion sense and lyrical ability. They are the definition of “im bringing sexy back.” With their street and slim silhouette they have been an icon to men’s fashion. They have made a slender silhouette more popular than the big muscular jock. Men’s fashion has changed from the dirty looking rough guy to the clean cut one. By wearing slimmer blue or black jeans with a pair of tennis shoes, these boys have made men change their dress code. Leather fitting jackets, sweaters, and cardigans are found in their notorious wardrobes.

Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are the girl’s next door. Wearing clean cut clothing and settle colors has made younger women relate more to this fashion style.  They wear trendy clothing that is more typical for women to wear. Average women are able to picture themselves in what these two icons wear from their everyday clothing to their night out wear.  Carrie and Taylor are able to make women die for one of their elegant dresses or a pair of cowboy boots. Taylor Swift has wowed women with her curly blonde hair and smokey eye. 

Man on the Street

For this assignment I went around Ball State night life and took a picture of three people who I thought were fashionably confident. I asked the individuals what fashion means to them, what their style is, what their favorite store is, and who their celebrity icon is.

The first interviewee explained fashion as “wearing risky clothing weather or not people like it or not.” She was wearing a tight fitting tank top with black parachute capris, black heels and a black belt around the waistline. This candidate seemed the most confident in her style. She described her style as being trendy with a soft hard rock theme. Her favorite store is H&M because she can find affordable stylish clothing. Gwen Stefani is her celebrity fashion icon. I think her outfit was well put together for the night because she owned it, but I thought the capris were a little much. 

The second interviewee explained fashion as “her favorite thing in the world.” She explained fashion as being able to express your personality and sense. Shabby hippie chic is the way she described her flowing, earth tone clothing. Her favorite article of fashion was her long blonde hair.  “If someone would to cut off my hair I would kill myself” were her exact words.She had on a colorful print dress with a black leather coat to cover up and some tan boots to complement the color pallet of the dress.  Zara is her favorite retail store even though it is sometimes too pricey. Her celebrity icon is Kate Hudson.

The third interviewee was a boy. He explained fashion as being “approachable and presentable.” His parents had a big impact on his style of clothing because they would always dress him in his best clothing. The first time he ever wore jeans was when he was a sophomore in college. He described his style as being business casual with a tailored, well-groomed look. Banana Republic was his favorite retail store. His celebrity fashion icon is Frank Sinatra because of his classic suits. 

Fashion Philosophy

My fashion philosophy is to “Own What You Wear!" People need to take pride in what they choose to wear. When people take chances in wearing something new, it shows empowerment, courage, guts. It is okay to take risks when it comes to trying a new trend. You never know if you will like something unless you try it. Just because your friends might not like the new trend does not mean you can not sample it out. Taking pride in what you wear shows confidence. I think when a person is confident they express life to the fullest.

Fashion has various meanings. There is no right or wrong definition of “Fashion.” Fashion is a very expressive word. People have gotten to the top by expression their meaning of fashion by taking a chance and creating their own renowned clothing. One is foolish to judge another person’s style. Fashion allows people to express what they may not be able to put into words.