Global fashion trend.s

ASHI..EY WEYLER NEWS EDITOR ARw723@CABRINI.EDU

When Kristine Jennings, a junior elementary and special education major, came back from Italy last spring as part of the study abroad program, she felt the effects of America's need to be trendy. ''The big sunglasses and the U gg boots over the straight jeans were both really big over there. All the girls pinned their hair back with bobby pins in the front creating a poof that was really big too," Jennings said.

From small fashion trends to big ones, America's desire to keep up with fashion trends has led European and high-end American designers to showcase their designs in consumer-friendly stores, like Target and H&M.

Stephanie Reynolds, the director of special projects for Cashman & Associates' public relations and special events division, attributes America's trend desires to entertainers in the public eye.

"I think America's desire to stay ahead of trends is a direct and immediate result of the world of the celebrity and their influence on pop culture and youth market,"· she said. Reynolds, who studied at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, currently Philadelphia University, and at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in England, oversees promotional, publicity, merchandising and marketing programs for fashion, beauty and lifestyle brand clients.

Not only is the look of fashion changing, but the market is changing as well. High-end fashion designers are designing in the masses for store chains that reach a different type of audience than before, such as American designer Isaac Mizrahi for Target and French designer Karl Lagerfeld and British designer Stella McCartney for H&M.

Reynolds thinks there are a few factors that contribute to the trend of high-end designers entering the mass market. She said, "Years ago, it wouldn't have been sensible for a high-end designer to go into a Target or H&M because their name was not recognizable to the folks shopping at these chains; however, the modem consumer has become much wiser and fashion savvy as a result of celebrities and media."

By creating designs by the masses and charging less, designers are not losing money, they are thriving. Though some designers are resisting the urge to mass produce, such as Didier Grumbach, president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, the chief French fashion lobby. Globally, many are embracing the concept. Reynolds said, "The most revered designers were the first to take the steps towards mass market and the fashion world admired their ambitions."

Reynolds has always been most fascinated by the fashion industry because pf its constantly evolving global perspective. "The brilliant part is that it is always revamping itself and deriving inspiration from other cultures," she said. "Designers are fueled by world travel. With the demand on them to 'reinvent' every season, they look to other languages, societies and cities for the next 'new idea,"' Reynolds said.

In the future, Reynolds thinks that fashion will always straddle between being an extreme symbol of cultural diversity, while representing a common denominator across the world.

As for the trend of mass market production, Reynolds said, "Today's consumer is more educated; therefore, today's designer needs to be more accessible. If the demand is there, then the designers are teased with the idea of a wider audience."

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The Yeah Yeah Yeahs also addressed "Cheated '---------'---' Hearts," "Mysteries" and "Fancy" in such a fun and aggressive way that it's possible to lose the negative feelings that go along with the real life experiences that obviously inspired the content of such songs in the first place. Lyrics like, "I think I'm bigger than the sound" give feet-tapping fans the type of excitement that begs them to flex their muscles at any culprit trying to play with their feelings. Furthermore, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs turned the cherished lullaby ''Mockingbird" into a chance for them to break the news about love, truth and what lies in between in a rocking melody they dubbed "Dudley."

Overall, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' second album shows promise and screams success, literally. The plights they address are very relatable. Their style is trendy, and the tuning is enjoyable, as long as it's at a moderate volume.

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Married couple make debut on Barsuk label

CHRISTINE ERNEST

A&E EDITOR

CME722@CABRINI.EDU

Husband and wife duo Mates Of State presented their debut on Barsuk Records. Entitled "Bring It Back," this album allows Mates Of State to reach an even tighter blend of love-filled pop, which is the perfect match for a beautiful spring day.

Recently celebrating the birth of their first child, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel formed Mates of State back in 2001, after they quit their day jobs of teacher and cancerresearcher,respectively. The couple got married, and have been devoting their lives to bringing their music to their listeners ever since, following their motto of Standout track ''Fraud In The '80s" has an undeniably catchy hook that will remain in your head for days. The track features a layering of vocals that blend so seamlessly together that they make you think the singing is coming from one person, and not the husband and wife duo.

"Play anywhere, anytime."

Moreover, tracks like "For The Actor" make you wonder how the couple had enough time to fine-tune this album and find the time to be parents. By the second refrain of the couple singing "this is what it's like on a fantasy," you might feel like you are in a fantasy land, but you are in fact witnessing pop music from one of today's finest.

Gardner and Hammel arerr't just creating lullabies for their new daughter on this album; they are creating a timeless piece of work to enchant all ages.

For more information, check out www.matesofstate.com.