Letter From Editors
A Letter from the Editors Dear Readers, We’ve all heard the saying, “the clothes don’t make the man,” and that may be true, but clothes can say a lot about a person. Here at Savoir Faire, we believe that clothes are a perfect way to express oneself in everyday situations, and that everybody should be able to dress and look how they want to. Love Gossip Girl? We’ll help you get that Upper East side prep school style. Admire the skinny jeans and Vans of a skater? We’ll teach you how to put together the perfect skater-chic look. Because they’re your clothes and your style, and they should be exactly how you want them to be. SF
Gina F. loves high style.
Her outfits are sophisticated and femine, with an underlying note of “prep school preppy.” She adores shopping — the sight of a Juicy Couture display has been said to make her mouth water (see her Juicy Couture spring review on page 20!). She likes to put thought into every item of clothing and makes every ensemble symbolic of who she is and how she’s feeling.
Nayeong L.’s goal with clothing is to look good and feel comfortable, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate good fashion. She enjoys fun accessories and shares Mira’s love of shoes, but is more into flip-flops and flats. Her style is laid-back, but she always looks good. Nayeong says she enjoys shopping anywhere, so see her article “Fab vs. Faux,” on page 7, which compares and contrasts different stores.
Mira P.
is a small girl with a big passion for shoes. Namely, shoes that stand out — Vans are her favorite, though. With her diverse style - she would describe herself as “skater, sporty, and preppy” — she loves to wear bright colors. She enjoys dressing up for special occasions and even relishes getting her hair cut. Mira can have a good time anywhere, but her favorite store is PacSun. Look for Mira’s story on punk fashion on page 1.
What’s in Store 2 10
Beauty
Face Friendly
Rae Of Sunshine
4
Which Perfume is Right for You?
How-To’s
8 14
Fab vs. Faux
6
Nerd to Hotshot
The Perfect Prom Dress
Must-Haves for Every Body Type
Clothes
19 24
12
Student Style
1
Then and Now
20
Juicy in the Springtime The Exploition of Fashion
22
High Heels On Killing Spree
Clothes
Student Style
By Mira P.
A tall skinny girl towers over me as she leans against her white locker in tight blue skinny jeans a t-shirt with a purple jacket and Pimp silver, white, and red Osiris shoes all from ZUMIEZ and PacSun. Erin is a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy who loves having her own look that stands out from the rest. “I really don’t know what my style of clothing is, I don’t really go by any certain style at all,” she explains, “I just go by what I wear.” DeConcini is a big fan of music and feels that the reason she dresses with a somewhat skater style is because of the music she listens to. 3 “ Well the way I dress right now I don’t necessar-
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ily feel too confident but I do feel like myself. Whereas if I was to wear a dress I would feel really fake and since my personality is all
The way I dress myself right now I don’t nexessarily feel too confident but I do feel like myself. - Erin DeConcini
about music I guess it fits. The music I listen to the, artist they usually wear tight jeans and different colored shirts but mainly I just like different things definitely not girly stuff.” Chad a great friend of Erin also loves expressing himself through a vibrant area of colors. Chad loves his
1
bright shoes, shirts, sweatshirts and definitely his colorful jeans that just light up the halls. “Well I basicly love bright colors so I mainly shop at PacSun and ZUMIEZ,” says Chad, “I believe my look is mainly skater/ hipster.” Erin agrees, “ I mostly shop at PacSun, ZUMIEZ, and Hot Topic. I mainly dress at ZUMIEZ for my sweet shoes, Hot Topic for shirts cause they have a bunch with a few of my favorite bands and lastly PacSun for my skinny jeans, shirts, belts everything they have really, they have really colorful stuff. I believe that PacSun is your one stop shop.” SF
Beatuy
Face Friendly
By Nayeong L.
T
he ideas of eco-friendliness often fall far from makeup as many products contain petroleum and other funky chemicals. But W3ll People, a store that is located on South Lamar, display a perfect example of ecological makeup. In fact, the whole entire store is built of recycled materials to reflect the meaning of saving the environment. “The insulation is recycled denim, the rail on the walls are all bamboo pulp, the carpet is recycled plastic bags, those boards, that all our shelves are made out of, are called keyray board that is from harvesting, and what is left over from the harvest they can press and make it into that board,” Shirley Pinkson, a professional makeup artist and one of the founders of W3ll People, explained. The chemicals that are put in many makeup lines contain toxic chemicals, but W3ll People’s cosmetic lines focus on natural skin care and environmental safety. This is where a group of superhero professionals decided to step up. “We just wanted to give the clients an alternative that is savvy, eco-friendly, and conscious of what we put on our skin,” Pinkson said. “Our skin absorbs about 60% of what we put on it. When you are putting on lots of harsh chemicals on your skin, eventually it has got to affect it.” Every color of makeup imaginable can be found in this shop. However, this store is not a place where your skin is mistreated: it’s a place where women can trust products to do something for their skin. These are products that “takes skin seriously; it is using nature and science to give the client a build to a benefit,” Pinkson explains. As the brainchild of Pinkson, W3ll People combines makeup artistries and her love for the environment.
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“Our challenge was, between myself and my partners, to come up with makeup with a color line that delivers the potency, pigmentation, brightness, and fun of a conventional makeup line like MAC, NARS, and is good for you and your skin,” Pinkson explains. When she started her business plan for W3ll People, Pinkson had two goals in mind: to figure out what clients wanted and what natural makeup ingredients the skin would absorb.
product,” Pinkson says. “Then she wrote me back saying that we can’t put these together because this will happen, and we just did this for the course of two years.”
Soon she found a chemist to work with in New Mexico who specializes in creating organic ingredients that are put into Pinkson’s makeup.
W3ll People has adjusted to the economy’s state right now, and Pinkson has priced the products similar to mainstream department store makeup.
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The result of the research was organic ingredients taking the place of harsh chemicals in products. After all the processing was done, Finding the mathe prodterials for the ucts products was were difficult. Pinkson ready conducted a lot to be - Shirley Pinkson packof research to deduct the potenaged tial ingredient, and what they would do to the put on shelves of the skin, and how they would be store. But it’s not albeneficial to the skin. Then, ways cheap. everything needs to be evaluated individually and also Organic products are exgrouped with other ingrediceptional, Pinkson says, but ents that can work with that most of the time the prodmaterial. Pinkson may have ucts can be too expensive. had experience in cosmetics, but after beginning the “I hate to say it, but it research process she realized does cost more to look she was still in need of help. natural,” Pinkson says.
I hate to say it, but it does cost more to look natural.
“I sent her samples of all the colors and texture I wanted, then I would tell her the ingredients I want in the
Continued on 26
3
Beatuy In a drab world of chemical-based, pore-clogging cosmetics, she’s like a ...
Rae
of Sunshine
By Gina F.
4
Walking into the flagship store of Rae Cosmetics is stepping from the bright Texas sunshine into a room with a brightness of its own. The walls are a clean, crisp white that shines with a spa-like calmness that relaxes and energizes visitors.
R
ochelle Rae has just finished a pilatés lesson. She is wearing black jazz pants, a black exercise top, and white sneakers that look too bulky for her petite body. Her wavy blonde hair is a little messy, she looks tired, and her thin black hoodie slouches off her shoulder. Altogether, she doesn’t quite fit in with the chic, all-white studio she’s sitting in. But her makeup looks great. Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be so surprising that her makeup looks so good because Rae has been a makeup artist for over eight years, but the fact that her makeup is flawless right after a pilatés lesson says something about the products she uses. Regular makeup might smear and fade after time and when faced with perspiration, but Rae uses her own line of makeup- Rae Cosmetics. The line, she says, was created specifically for “hot, humid climates and for active lifestyles,” after Rae had worked with clients as a makeup artist, and was unsatisfied with the products she found in stores. She notes that it was “hard to get makeup to stay on,” and so she set out to make a better product. Seeing how her makeup
faired through a sweaty session of pilatés, it’s clear that it works. Her mascara is clump-free, her lips are glossy, and I just have to ask how.
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“It’s water-based, and your skin can breathe thought it exactly like it would if you
I’m still painting, just not on the canvas I thought I was going to paint on
- Rochell Rae
weren’t wearing makeup at all,” she says. “So it’s not clogging any of your pores, [and] your skin is still functioning just like it would normally.” Rae’s makeup line seems to be just what she had hoped for, with products packed with antioxidants and vitamins as well as natural ingredients, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which are non-chemical sunscreens. Rae Cosmetics are sold in 20 locations in the nation and the world, from California to the UK. She is success-
5
ful now, but she faced many challenges in the beginning to create her own business. “[I had] problems raising enough money to move to the next step,” she says, “but also having the guts, the belief that it’s going to be a good product and it’s going to work because all that money you’re putting into it – if it doesn’t work then you’re not getting it back.” To women who’d like to start their own companies, Rae says, “it’s a great idea as long as you research and have the knowledge to back it up.” However, even before she established her own company, Rae never worked under anyone else. As a makeup artist, she was her own boss, and as a student she had never intended to work for anyone but herself. Instead, she aspired to be an artist. She studied art in college before breaking into the world of makeup when she started helping her friend, a makeup artist, with some photo shoots. “I’m using my degree,” she says, “because I’m still painting, just not on the canvas Continued on 26
How-to’s
Fab v
By Nay
We all try to be frugal shoppeers, but the truth is it depends on the items that you are buying. For the staples of your wardrobe, like a good cardigan or a dark pair of jeans, which go with anything, it’s worth a splurge. You want good quality since you’re going to be wearing them for a long time. But with come-and-go accessories that depend on seasons, you should spend less and go to a more economically adjusted stores.
$248 Cardigan
$18 Scarf
$26 T-Shirt
$215 Jeans
Total: $507 6
vs
Faux
yeong L.
Verdict Cardigan: GO FAB
$13 Scarf
It will last through all the seasons to make you look fab!
Scarf: GO FAUX It is not always in style but good for warmth in winter.
Jeans: GO FAB Dark jeans that match with any top or accessories. It is a must have
T-Shirt: GO BOTH Both shirts are appropriate and the styles differ so pick the one that matches you the best. SF
$33 Cardigan
$27 Jeans
$15 T-Shirt
Total: $88 7
How-to’s
N E R D
Nerd:
an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person;one slavishly devoted to intellectualor academicpursuits; noun
2
h o t s h o t
By Mira P 8
End Result: “Gangster”
A person who dresses gangster mainly wears loose saggy jeans, polo style shirt or a large shirt usually with another color shirt underneathe that is a different color, leather belt, and sneakers.
“Skater”
Skaters are famous for their skinny jeans. They also wear band t-shirts or a tight t-shirt, big shoes that stand out and a hoodie.
“Preppy”
This style consists of actual polo shirts, jeans or khaki from Abercrombie and Fitch or Hollister, but mainly to dress prep you just have to shop at hollister or abercrombie only and buy expensive brand name bags inclueding coach.
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?
Beauty
Which
Perfume is right for
you
By Gina Faldetta
10
Floral
Fruity
Musky
Sweet
$
$$
$$$
Ann Taylor Possibilties is a light, crisp scent that’s heavily floral. It has all the fragrance of a bouquet, and some citrus notes, too. ($62/3.4 oz) anntaylor.com
Marc Jacobs’ Daisy is a relatively new perfume. It’s fresh, light, and crisp. The scent is clean and upbeat, and its botttle is adorable. ($72/3.2 oz) sephora.com
J’adore by Dior is a classic - a floral scent that gives the wearer subtle sophistication. This perfume smells as graceful as it looks. ($92/3.4 oz) neimanmarcus.com
Bath and Body Works White Citrus is a sweet, light blend of fruits. It’s a fresh scent that won’t break the bank. ($26.50/2.5 oz) bathandbodyworks.com
Red Deliciosu, by DKNY, is the perfect apple scent, with hints of vanilla, raspberry, and violet. It’s perfectly fresh for spring. ($70/3.4 oz) macys.com
Baby Doll, from Yves Saint Laurent, is as fun and sweet as it looks. The scent is a light and tropical, with a delicious, fruity smell. ($85/3.3 oz) sephora.com
Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Heavenly is a heavy scent for a light price. It has a deep musk smell with some sweet floral undertones. ($49/2.5 oz) victoriassecret. com
Viva la Juicy, by Juicy Couture is a youthful scent. It’s fresh and fun, with floral notes, and is very popular among young women. ($85/3.4 oz) sephora.com
Angel by Thierry Mugler is one of the most popular perfumes in the world. It’s exotic and chocolaty, a sophisticated but very strong scent. ($135/3.4 oz) neimanmarcus.com
Sugar Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, from Sugar Cosmetics, has a vanilla scent with hints of florals, making this perfume as versatile as it is sweet. ($14/1.7 oz) sephora.com
Vera Wang Princess has a sweet and youthful scent. It is a bit fruity and very sugary. This perfume is very popular amongst teens and young women. ($72/3.4 oz) sephora.com
Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb is price, but worth it. Although the name suggests otherwise, the main note in this perfume is a light, sugary one. ($150/3.4 oz) neimanmarcus.com
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Clothes
The Perfect Prom Dress By Mira P.
Every girl dreams about finding the perfect prom dress. But finding the right dress can be very diffictult it might be that you are to short making the dresses to long for you or maybe you just can’t find a dress that you like or flatters your body. Below you will find some tips and examples for finding your perfect dress.
Tips 1) Make sure you keep a set budget 2) Check out dresses online and try to find a dress style that you like 3) When checking online make a list of stores with nice dresses and low prices
Do
Don’t
Dress modestly, even if your dress is short
leave the house wearing a dress resembling lingerie
Jump Apparel Strapless Bustle Party Dress Original: $130 SALE: $64.99
Sherri Hill Prom Dress 101 $ 299
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How three students found the dresses of their dreams
Laura Cummins
Age: 17 Dress: Short silver Budget: $400 Cost: $80 Found: in a small shop on First Street and William Canon (Austin, TX) “I feel that every girl can find the perfect dress but the dress shape and type you buy will differ depending on each person.”
Hosanna Aniaton Ruth Age:18 Dress: Custom made long white dress Budget:$200 Cost:$169 Found: Online “Prom is for elegent, but modest, long dresses that also have shape to them.”
Christa Nicholas Age: 18 Dress: Short black dress Budget: $100 Cost: $98 Found: White House Black Market “The main reason i bought a short dress was because i wanted to wear something comfortable and easy to dance in”
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Must-Haves
How-to’s
For Every Body Type By Nayeong L.
Buying clothes can be such a hassle. Don’t know what looks good on you? Nothing seems to fit? The following tips show that fashion can be expressed on different body types and looks equally stylish.
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Pear
Have hips that are wider than the chest and shoulders. The goal to dressing a pear shaped body is to draw attention away from the bottom and up to the chest and face. Jeans: Boot cut jeans are the best because the roominess below the thigh area can make your hips look smaller. Tops: Choose a shirt with a neckline because it will draw the eye upward or tops with fuller sleeves to add balance to the top half. Skirts: Mostly look for skirts with a slight aline cut because they will skim over problem areas and smooth the hip and thigh. Dress: A wrap dress is perfect for the wardrobe. It drapes over the body in a way that the lower portion is hidden, allowing the best curves to show. Accessories: Scarves and chunky necklaces are a great way to decorate your neck area; fashionable earrings and bracelets can complete any outfit. Shoes: High-heels lengthen and slim your legs, creating an elongated silhouette. Right: Mirrored Metallic Top; $19.80; at Forever21.com. True Boot Jean; $29.95; American Eagle Outfitters Below (left to right): Cotton smoked skirt; $69; At Banana Republic Ruffle Trim Wrap Dress; $69; at AnnTayor Seychelles ‘Babydoll’ Pump; $94; Nieman Marcus
15
How-to’s
Petite
A petite body is often women with long torsos, shorter legs, and shorter than 5’4”. The goal for buying clothes is to look taller. Mini Skirt: Petite women should show her legs because this can assist in making you look as tall as possible. Straight leg pants: Covering the legs can cause the legs to look shorter, but these pants help the shape of your legs to be seen , thus elongating the figure. Fitted Tank Dress: A basic fitted sleeveless dress that comes just above the knees is a simple outfit that flatters the body. Showing off the legs makes them seem longer. Shoes: Unquestionably high-heeled shoes help add height to a petite woman. Choose medium sized heels that will keep you comfortable. Tops: Avoid looking for tops that make you look disproportional. Let the tops land where they’re supposed to, preferably at the waist level. Purchase clothes that emphasize your waist. Also halter tops, V-necks or vertically stripped clothes will create an illusion of a slightly taller body. Left: Baby Blue Tank Dress; Splended; $101; at revolveclthing.com Below (left to right): Free People Voile Top; $78; at Nieman Marcus. Tila Mini skirt: Rock and Republic; $198; at revolveclothing.com. Biala Pump; $156; at Nordstrom
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Curvy
Bust and hips are the same size and the waist is 8 to 10 inches smaller. You clothing goal is to select clothes that accentuate and show off the figure. Boot Cut Jeans: You want jeans that fit your hips and thighs and make a straight line down to your feet and a rise that comes just below the waist. Pencil Skirt: It hugs all the right places to show off your figure. Make sure the skirt fall just below or right at the knee. Shoes: Stilettos make your legs look miles long with skirts or shorts. Flats make you short but with jeans it can be covered. Dresses: Wrap dresses that tie around the waist and then gently flow over the hips are the best choice. A-line dresses that clinch at the waist or are belted are another great choice. Tops: Off-the-shoulder or wide scoop neck shirts balance out your shoulders with the body. Wrap tops and surplice tops will also show off your waist and highlight your bust. Right: Generra Wrap Dress; $165; at 6pm.com Below (left to rigt): Peasant Shirt; $34; at shapefx. com Denim Pencil Skirt; $69; at Banana Republic Women’s Leather T-strap Stilettos;$65; at overstock. com
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How-to’s
Slim/Athletic Measurements are pretty equal for the chest, waist and hips so the goal in selecting clothing is to make you look curvier. Jeans: The jeans should hug your hips and either make a straight line down to your feet or flare out slightly (Skinny Jeans). Skirt: The width at the waist of the skirt should be almost the same width as the hem at the bottom (straight line skirt). Dress: Something with a halter top or V-neck will flatter your body. You want a dress with an a-line or a one that flares at the knee. Tops: Shirts with ties will make your breast appear bigger and shirts that cross over and tie at the waist will bring you soft flattering curves. Jackets: You should be looking for one that is structured at the waistline. Clothing like this carves out a waistline and creates instant curves. Shoes: Remember that shoes with pointy toes gives you a proportional figure. Wedges and espadrilles fabulous with any outfit. Left: Chiffon Ruffle Shirt; $71; at GAP Premium Daredevil Skinny; $128; at Guess Bottom (left to right): Petite Gathered Bodice Tank Dress; $59; at Ann Taylor Gold Snap Button Straight Skirt; $68; at nygard.com Piping Tie Waist Jacket; $24.50; at Wet Seal
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Clothes
Then
and By Gina Faldetta
NOW
Times have changed and so have trends, coming and going so fast that it’s hard to keep up, But recently some styles you may remember from past decades are coming back. The basic ideas are the same, but the styles have been modernized and are a little different.
‘50s High Waists
High waisted skirts have gone from a slimming form of conservative elegance to a flirty and fun trend for teends and young women. The hemlines are higher, but the look still elongates the legs.
‘60s Miniskirts
Miniskirts appeared in the sixties, with high cuts, bright colors, and a-lines. Today, miniskirts show just as much leg, but are a bit lower-riding and have cuts that hang closer to the legs. The look is still a cute, trendy way to show off a little leg.
‘70s Fringe A classic hippie staple in the ‘70s, fringe
added a rebellious touch to leather jackets, vests, and shoes. Now fringe is adapted for high fashion, and can be found on elegant dresses or trendy tops.
‘80s Shoulder Pads When women were beginning to appear in
workplaces dominated by men in the ‘80s, these wide, bold shoulders gave them confidance. The look, which many people believed would never come back into style, is indeed back, but with softer sholders and feminine touches in the colors, embellishments, and cuts.
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Clothes
Juicy Couture Spring 2009
T
By Gina F.
he tables have turned in the world of haute couture. Once upon a time, in the land of Juicy Couture, all was pink. Pink, frilly, girly clothes covered boutiques, with sprinkles of soft, bright tracksuits. Sure, it was cute. In fact, it was adorable – beautiful styles with signature girly-ness. But it was time for a change. One day, the snow thawed and it was spring. Spring meant a new collection, but no one in all the land expected such a drastic change in the style of the clothes and the entire look.
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Juicy Couture’s Spring 2009 Collection looks sophisticated, bohemian with a dash of preppy, and is full of bright colors and fun prints. It’s a change that appears vibrant and fresh for the new season.
modest designs. It’s not cool to be flashy anymore, and the understated cuts of dresses and the simple leather wallets that appear in the new line show what has replaced flashiness: simplicity. And with less money in their wallets, shoppers don’t want to spend Some purists say Juicy should not lose its their cash on expensive silks and furs. Jersey basic look – pink and with a royalty motif, and cotton are more practical solutions, and whimsical luxury for young women and girls. they are still stylish. Although the average “Why buy Juicy clothes if they don’t even look Juicy blouse is still around $200, some items like Juicy?” they may wonder. However, Juicy are now more casual and, thus, less expenCouture has not given up its style; it’s simsive. For example, a flirty, flower-print cotton ply updating it while keeping basic elements dress is better for spring than last season’s such as bright colors, detailed and feminine tiered chiffon ruffle dress, as well as a full jewelry, flirty tiers of chiffon, and fun, puffed $100 cheaper. The clothes put a positive spin sleeves. on our difficult situation, turning the economic misfortune Juicy Couture’s new look is comthat has ended an era of unreposed of embroidered tunics, strained spending and extravafloral, beaded, or nature-inspired gance into a way to experiment jewelry, summery jersey dresses, with a fashion statement of and gladiator sandals, as opposed more accessible clothing styles. to the usual frilly tops, shiny gold After all, if anything modernjewelry, velour tracksuits, and day consumers should be comballet flats. The avant-garde look fortable in their clothes even if is casual and stylish, emulating they can’t be comfortable with Sienna Miller’s casual-chic look. their pocketbooks. Now, its consumers are no longer limited to fairy princesses, and the clothes With its spring collection, Juicy Couture has are still stylish and wearable. changed its look, and it’s an unexpected, but well-executed change. The line has kept the We know that spring calls for bright, flowy basic idea of high-fashion clothes that are clothes, and no theme can achieve that betperfect for everyday wear. These clothes are ter than the line’s flower-child style. The not only a clever response to the change of clothes are as perfect for frolicking through our economy – appropriate for the times – fields of lilies as they are for having coffee but they are also whimsical, fashionable, and with a friend. They are wearable and brightly suitable for a wide variety of occasions. colored, with spring prints such as butterflies, flowers, polka-dots, and sweetly simple The change was sudden and surprising, but stripes. They are so breezy and versatile that when they received their spring catalogs in they can easily transition to summer. the mail and entered the stores, all the land rejoiced. Thanks to the new, up-to-date The overall look is very bohemian, which, fashions of Juicy Couture, the trendy girls of as well as being stylish and wearable, seems today’s world lived happily ever after. SF extremely appropriate for the times. With the major economic downturn, shoppers The End realize that the age of decadence is over, and Juicy Couture acknowledges that with more
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The avantgarde look is casual and stylish, emulating Sienna Miller
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Clothes
high heels on killing sprees By Mira P.
22
“
One day I was walkig through the school halls and there I saw a young girl running - more like shuffling - with a blister on every toe peeking out of her strappy, five-inch heels. My eyes widened as I watched in horror as she tripped over her weak ankles and fell to the floor. The next thing I knew I, too, was on the floor passed out cold. I faint when I see blood.” This tragic situation occurs many times each year and is unsafe for the person in the heel as well as the people around them. Some reasons for not wearing heels include: wearing heels is dangerous, terrible for health of one’s body and should not be worn to school everyday because all of your energy will be put to walking in the heels. Some people may find that wearing heals is a fashion statement or that wearing them makes them taller, feel more mature or even a very fashionable person. But is it really sensible to wear something that is harmful for your body? Well the answer may be yes in some cases but I feel that they should be worn for special events only because if you were heels everyday they will lose there purpose of making you feel special and if you do decide to wear shoes one day you feel short, unfashionable, and sore.
At hand there are many reasons why heels should not be worn during school and the number one reason is because heels are dangerous not only for the person wearing them but also people around them. If a person wearing heels trips and falls down the stairs she could supposedly die but if someone is there in front of her to break her fall and they die, the person in the heels could
‘
Wearing heels can cause hammertoes, bunions, and even irreversible damage to leg tendons.
be charged with murder. While wearing heels is unsafe when compared to wearing shoes or flats because it is much harder keep balance. Some effects of wearing heels can lead to broken ankle, leg, concusion, and bruising. Heels can also get you a tardy because they are hard to walk fast in and can leave painful blisters behind. Heels are also horrible for your body. Studies have been shown, “suggesting that up to a third of women have developed permanent problems due to a prolonged wearing of “killer heels”. These health problems include hammertoes, bunions,
23
and even irreversible damage to leg tendons.” (High heels may be harmful for womens health). Heels also are the reason that the position of your spine changes due to the pressure mounting on the nerves of the back. You can also get a lot of pain by wearing heels such as pain and numbness of the feet (sciatica) and Achilles tendon which can be developed as a permanent damage affecting the back of the leg starting from the heel. Lastly heels should never be worn to school. They are fine for parties but during school heels will make your step shorter, which is dreadful because it will take more effort to get to your class, which wastes a lot of energy, and you may be late for class because your heels slowed you down. There are many ways of avoiding the horrible pain that comes with wearing heels including wearing shoes, and wearing heel inserts when wearing heels to help minimize you from getting shin splints and having permanent damage done to some parts of your body. SF
Clothes
High Style
Prices
By Nayeong L.
Neiman Marcus was once a booming center of designer clothes and accessories. Associates were ringing up sales all day. Women fought each other for the size twos and the perfect earrings to match. Prices were sky-high, but what did these ladies care? All they needed was a credit card. 24
N
ow, as the economy declines, with stocks plummeting and the unemployment rate surging at about 0.5% monthly, Neiman Marcus has lost its magic along with $509 million. However, some people do not realize that the stores are not the ones to blame, but the designers who actually price the clothing instead.
have cut their spending money even more. People are looking for the best deals on merchandise, which can lead into competition between low-end departments and high-end designers. Guess who will win? The website, “Independent Business”, explained that since the price of clothing is falling at a significant rate of 7.1 percent, people are able to afford a wardrobe stuffed with the latest trends. High-end designers will lose customers as well as their business if they don’t adjust to the economic state now.
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In short, high-end designers need to take their customers and our economy’s current state in consideration when pricing their clothing.
High end designers would not be able to keep in business.
Some may say that the clothing is expensive because it is made of premium quality material, has fine stitching and brings attention to detail. It is clothing that not only makes you look good, but also feels good. Designer clothes are efforts of artistic skills and visions coming together to create stylish looks that people will want to wear, and these are obviously expensive. However, clothes can be made with similar quality with prices several times cheaper.
America’s personal saving rate was near zero about a year ago, but now it is at the highest level, 4.4%, due to the economic recession. As the increased rate of job losses and layoffs has reduced America’s income, people
The credit crisis is another issue that the designers need to consider when pricing their clothing. The average credit card debt for an American is $8,562, and increasing the number of expensive items in their closets will not make the situation better. According to Reuters, the banks are also suffering to keep a cushion for the customers in this recession. The banks are looking for money constantly due to people demanding more money to pay back debts. High-end designers should consider collaborating with low-end department stores so that they will adjust to the
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economy and better catch the consumers’ attention. Case in point: Isaac Mizarhi set an example by becoming successful working with Target. The website, “Art of the Steal”, stated that Mizarhi’s collections have been a “magnet in driving customer traffic to Target and to lose him would be a loss for us bargain shoppers.” By collaborating beautiful couture creations with cheaper items, high-end designer lines appeal to a broad audience. In 2003, Mizarhi pulled together a New York fashion show combining the high-end and low-end lines. Surprisingly, many of the audience chose the cheaper, Target, merchandise without realizing the difference between the clothes. Karl Lagerfeld, the beloved designer of Chanel, also put a low-end line out at H&M to provide fashion and quality at the best price. The collection is sold in most stores on H&M’s 19 markets in Europe and North America, affirms the company’s website. Clearly, designers don’t have to create expensive lines to retain the status of the brand name. High-end designers need to process that in this falling economy they are the ones who will be most affected, considering the fact that people are scavenging for cheaper merchandise. Continued on 26
Jump Page (Continued from) “Our price floor is about the same as most makeup,” Pinkson says. “Most importantly, we give almost 2% of everything we make to the Global Life Fund, which is an act to preserve the nature in the future. Our makeup comes in aluminum tins so you can recycle them or bring it back to use for a refill, and we refill them for 10% off.” The store contributes to the ideas of eco-friendliness and actually shows the customers what nature can do. “Being organic and natural in your skin and food, has lots of benefits,” she said. “You can get products that are strong and effective, just like products with harsh chemicals, but do so in a natural and healthy way.”
(Continued from 5) I originally thought I was going to paint on – now I’m painting on faces. It is very artistic, still a play with colors, [but] so much more fun.” Rae believes makeup is just as creative as art, but more convenient for women with busy lives. It’s perfect for those who want to express themselves but are active and don’t have the time to make a painting or sculpt a statue. “You can express your personality and artistic views through your makeup very well. If you’re running around trying to make it to class on time, if you have two kids and you’re chasing them around all day, or if you’re an athlete, or just someone who’s going to the gym to work out for 30 minutes, most [women] want to wear a little bit of makeup. [Rae Cosmetics] is great for active women.” It’s a form of self-expression, but for Rae the best policy with makeup is simply “less is more.” “You want people to notice you, not your makeup.”
(Continued from 25) They should consider working with other low-end department stores to attract consumers and spread their name throughout the world. Think about it. Wouldn’t the designers favor fame over bankruptcy any day?
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Credits
P.1
P.3 Pictures: w3llpeople.com P.4 Picture: raecosmetics.com P.6-7 Model: Gina Faldetta Pictures: Nayeong Lee P.9-10 Model: JoModels: Erin DeConcini and Kevin Olson
han Gonzales Clothes: PacSun, American Eagle, and Abercrombie
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Picture: neimanmarcus.com, sephora.com, victoriase-
cret.com, anntaylor.com, bathandbodyworks.com
P.13
Picture:
JCpenny.com and shopstyle.com P.16-19 Picture: Forever21. com, americaneagleoutfitters.com, bananarepublic.com, anntaylor.com, neimanmarcus.com, revolveclothing.com, nordstrom. com, 6pm.com, shapefx.com, overstock.com, gap.com, wetseal. com, and guess.com
Special Thanks To Shirley Pinkson Rochelle Rae Erin D. Kevin O. Chad L. Hosanna A. R. Laura C. Christa N. For sharing their thoughts 27