The Sustainability Issue - February 2011

VOLUME 43 | ISSUE 86 | ­FEBRUARY 2011

OFFICIAL FIT NEWSPAPER

THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE THE FUTURE OF THE GARMENT DISTRICT: SENATOR GILLIBRAND’S INITIATIVE MEET AND GREET WITH KAREN CHIEN: FOUNDER OF OBJECT MYTHOLOGY. THE VERDICT IS IN! THE BOROUGH’S BEST CUPCAKES.

NEW YEAR + NEW LOOK

MASTHEAD Patrick Greene Editor-in-Chief Taisa Veras Deputy Editor Keely-Shea Smith Managing Editor Sarah Dill Treasurer Jaclyn Rubiella Publicity Team Manager Veronica Heras Danielle Pacelli Keely-Shea Smith Kevia Wright Senior Section Editors W27Newspaper.com: Dorelle McPherson Executive Website Manager Venus Wong Content and Social Media Manager

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Letter from the (new) Editor Welcome back readers!

My first of four issues as Editor-inChief, I never thought I’d see the day.

First, I’d like to thank W27’s advisor, John Simone, for urging me to join the newspaper so many moons ago when I was still a freshman. Secondly, a HUGE thank you to my predecessor and mentor, Heather Viggiani, who

women. Naturally (no pun intended)

Advertising: Edgina Desormeau Advertising Promotions Manager

meticulously worked through all my

we’ve got the ins and outs of all things

off-the-wall ideas when I was still a

eco-fashion starting with Taisa Veras’

Kevin Buitrago Olivia Grow Lauren LaDeau

Deputy Editor. I promise not to go too

review of recycled sunshade brand,

crazy with our little baby.

Proof, on page nine. For even more

Art: Zhang Qingyun Kári Emil Helgason Art Directors Kara Zisa William Chung Illustration Directors Jonathan Guzi (Cover) Ruodan Bai William Chung Siva Jack Sernvongsat Larry Torres Venus Wong Illustrators Contributors: Caroline Altenbernd-Charlotten Raquel Rose Burger Patricia Braga Alexander Cavaluzzo Fernanda DeSouza Sarah Dill Georgeanna Dwiggins Ryann Foulke Kristina Gabler Laura Gabrielsen Veronica Heras Armah Jones Phoebe Licata Alexandra Lippy Davita Louie Patrick McGrath Dorelle McPherson Marissa Mule Terrence Phearse Gina Peandro Misty Sidell Samantha Vance Megan Venere Venus Wong Kevia Wright

John Simone Editorial Faculty Advisor Albert Romano Advertising Faculty Advisor

Our annual February issue is dedicated to all things sustainable. Sustainability, for the most part, has the great misconception of pertaining strictly to the environment. While Mother Nature

fashion insight, flip to page eight to find out how to reuse those old shirts that no longer fit with Megan Venere’s inside scoop on the ultra-sustainable company Hello Rewind.

still commands a lot of attention, W27’s

So, since first impressions are the most

focus for 2011 has switched to the

important, I hope my first issue as

sustainable YOU.

Editor-in-Chief is one to remember.

What does a sustainable person consist

All My Best,

of, you might ask? Turn to page ten for Sarah Dill’s peek inside the world of organic personal care items for

We Would Like to Thank Our Advertisers for Their Support To inquire about advertising, please email: W27Advertising@gmail.com

W27 IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURE

HOT THIS MONTH

No Longer a Whisper, but a Statement

by Sarah Dill Flea-ting Chance: Working With What You’ve Got

by Ryann Foulke Made In New York: Senator Gillibrand Visits FIT

by Patrick Greene A Sustainable FIT

by Dorelle McPherson Meal Plan vs. Groceries: What Suits You Best?

by Caroline Altenbernd

Thread Account pg 6-7

HERE ALL THE TIME : Welcome to the Boardroom by Alexandra Lippy 4 Commuter’s Corner by Laura Gabrielsen 4 Faculty Spotlight by Samantha Vance 5 Ellen Jaffee

Book Review by Davita Louie 17 The Imperfectionists

NEW! Contemporary Fitness by Davita Louie 18 NEW! Health and Wellness by Patrick McGrath 18

Future Mode by Marissa Mule 6 Intimate Apparel

Outside Your Borough 19 Best Cupcakes

Industry Profile by Taisa Veras 7 Karen Chien

Month in Review by Alexander Cavaluzzo 20

FITing in the Industry by Terrence Phearse 9 Sasha Karpova A Flea-ting Chance by Ryann Foulke 11 Venue Review by Georgeanna Dwiggins 15 TV/Movie Review by Patricia Braga 16 Music Review by Georgeanna Dwiggins 16 The Indie Girl by Fernanda DeSouza 16 Cool It! Restaurant Review by Phoebe Licata 17

Campus Musings by Venus Wong and Samantha Vance 21 Comic by Siva Jack Sernvongsat 22 WTF 22 Style on 27 by Armah Jones 23

What exactly IS Pre-Fall anyway? by Misty Sidell

Dear Industry pg 8-9 Green Beauty by Gina Peandro Hello Rewind’s New Twist On Old Tees

by Megan Venere Wooden Sunshades? Here’s the Proof!

by Terrence Phearse

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Perfect FIT

Welcome to the Board Room Alexandra Lippy

As corporations and institutions continue to make sustainability a priority, FIT has jumped aboard in updating and moving towards a cleaner, waste-free campus. Celeste Weins, FIT student body president and student representative on the Board of Trustees, recently observed, “In line with President Brown’s commitment to the Clinton’s Global Initiative I am happy to say we do have a sustainability committee.” Weins explains that the Sustainability Council works towards making the campus and school more sustainable in environmental, economic, and social aspects. Over the past year the committee has made recommendations for policies, projects, and programs for FIT and plans to continue promoting awareness on campus.

Sustainability Grants Program of $15,000 annually. The Board of Trustees currently has four open seats on the committee for students interested in assisting FIT in its sustainable efforts.

These students will serve a one to two year term. The secretary’s minutes from each meeting are available online, to the public, after they are approved at the following meeting.

President Joyce Brown elaborated, saying, “The Council’s efforts directly support the college initiative, FIT Goes Green: Infusing Sustainability into our Culture. A conference on sustainability occurs annually after being coordinated by The Council. This council furthers their role in sustainability through overseeing a website for the Sustainability Council and administering a

Finally, for all those clubs on the edge of their seats, the FITSA Executive Board has determined a new policy for trip funding.

According to Weins, this policy will list how the Board will define club roles and responsibility. All new policies will be announced to students during the Student Council meeting on February 8th.

The members of the Board of Trustees are not the only people trying to expand campus-wide sustainability. Students are too.

In an effort to make the Executive Board even better, student leaders met for a retreat on January 21st to the 23rd where constitutional changes and budget guidelines were discussed.

Green Commute Laura Gabrielsen

Commuting by mass transit is one way to contribute to the movement towards sustainability. Walking or biking is even better. But while not everyone can be the ultimate environmentalist and bike to FIT, there are still many ways to contribute to the environment that are often overlooked while on the go.

Some people are extremely conscious of their efforts to be sustainable. Yet many people, commuters and non-commuters alike, have been practicing sustainable living and may not have even realized they are doing so.

Here is a list of three items that are common for any commuter to carry: 1. iPad or a Kindle 2. Reusable mug and/or water bottle 3. Reusable lunch bag Sales of iPad and Amazon’s Kindle has been rapidly increasing. These devices help with sustainability by cutting back on paper waste. They also allow you to read and store thousands of books and periodicals at any given time. And they save precious real estate on your bookshelves.

Carrying a reusable mug and/or water bottle is very convenient, as long as you don’t mind the extra weight in your bag.

As an added perk, Starbucks gives a discount for bringing in a reusable cup for a refill throughout the day. This helps save paper cups and sleeves. Imagine if five out of every ten FIT students had reusable mugs for their hot drinks, that could save a lot of paper waste over the course of a semester.

The final object on the list is a reusable lunch bag. This may be easier for working commuters rather than students, since

Illustrated by Ruodan Bai for W27

the availability of refrigerators is almost non-existent for commuting students.

Although it requires some advance planning, a reusable lunch bag is extremely practical in different ways, you can pack foods that don’t spoil easily such as a banana, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a granola bar.

According to a study on ezinarticles.com, people who brought lunches to work saved $1,560 a year. So although saving $8 dollars might not seem like much, in the long run it’s saving you a lot more money than you think.

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FEBRUARY ‘11

Faculty Spotlight:

Ellen Jaffee Samantha Vance

Samantha Vance: What do you like to do in your free time?

Ellen Jaffee: Look at art or attend a NYC Ballet performance.

Ellen Jaffee is an Adjunct Assistant French Professor in the Foreign Languages Department. She received her BA from SUNY Buffalo, and her MS from Georgetown University. Professor Jaffee is a true Francophile who has studied and taught in France. In the past, she has organized multiple tours for American students going to France. When Professor Jaffee is nearby FIT in the heart of Chelsea, she enjoys going to the La Bergamotte Patisserie (21st St & 9th Ave). Ask any of her former students and they’ll tell you just how passionate and excited Professor Jaffee is in the classroom.

SV: What is your favorite band?

EJ: The Band (has anyone heard of them??)

SV: What is your favorite movie?

EJ: Les Enfants du Paradis SV: What is the most interesting thing you did in college?

EJ: Study abroad program in France

SV: What is your biggest fear?

EJ: Losing a loved one

SV: Do you have any pets?

EJ: A toy poodle named Fifi

SV: What is the strangest thing you’ve seen in NYC? EJ: The second plane enter the North Tower

SV: What is your favorite TV show?

EJ: I don’t watch TV

SV: What is your favorite food?

EJ: Phish food

SV: What is the most interesting place you have visited?

EJ: The Mayan pyramids of Tikal, Guatemala.

SV: What is your favorite store?

EJ: Anthropologie

SV: What is your favorite color?

EJ: Any shade of black

Ellen Jaffee; courtsey photo

SV: What is your favorite book?

EJ: I have two, Jude the Obscure & The Sheltering Sky

SV: What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received?

EJ: My daughter Isabelle

The Writing Studio @ FIT Ideas

Organize

Draft

Revise

Monday-Friday 9am to 9pm by appointment 11am to 7pm walk-in

Saturday

1pm to 4 pm

Sunday

5pm to 9pm

Visit us in C612

Write. Collaborate. Learn. for more info and to make an appointment: www.fitnyc.edu/writingstudio or call (212)- 217-3060

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Dear Industry

Hello Rewind!

Megan Venere

T-shirt, the classic American wardrobe staple. We all have an abundance of t-shirts—our closets and dressers are overflowing with them. However, each season we guiltily toss a few in the trash because of rips, stains, or an unfortunate disaster in the dryer. The question is: What can one do with a drawer full of t-shirts that no longer fit or have seen better days? This was Jess Lin’s dilemma when she approached Todd Smith and Greg Wong, both employees of design firm The Longitude. Their solution was to turn those old t-shirts into laptop sleeves.

Hello Rewind was founded last year in New York City by Smith and Wong after they sorted out the logistics of their brilliant idea. The result? Taking old, unwanted t-shirts and recycling them into laptop sleeves and retailing them for $49. Some may think $49 is too high

Hello Rewind; courtesy photo for a laptop cover,but bear in mind that a portion of the profits go to Restore NYC, an organization that helps sex trafficking victims here in the city. If customers don’t have and old t-shirt to spare but still want to donate, they can purchase a pre-made laptop sleeve for $39. The laptop covers fit four different size laptops; 13 inch, 15 inch, 17 inch, and 9.7 inch sleeve for the iPad. “The rise was meteoric,” said Smith in regards to the quick success of the company, but with every new venture comes hard work and dedication, “we are still perfecting things [at Hello Rewind] to this day and taking the changes as they come,” he added. The laptop covers are made by the sex trafficking victims from Restore NYC. They are involved in all stages of the production, from cutting the shirts to padding the sleeves for protection.

Hello Rewind’s goal is to help these

women victims assimilate into American society by giving them skills to enter the workforce and by teaching them English.

Smith hopes to partner with other organizations in the future but plans to continue working with Restore NYC in the long term. He also hopes to expand the pre-made collection of laptop sleeves, “we’ll be involving more designers and doing more pre-made and special edition sleeves that will be available for immediate sale,” he explained. “A lot of retailers have been asking us for something like this. We tried a small run and now we will be expanding into limited editions.”

To all aspiring social entrepreneurs Smith suggests trying something new and exciting, “but don’t go for something

trendy or gimmicky,” he advised, “if your creations are just kind of ‘earth friendly’, don’t call them ‘earth friendly’ -- find another interesting angle. If you are doing a tote or something like that, make sure it’s innovative in its design.”

Smith feels his brand stands out from other sustainable companies. “A lot of sustainable retailers are making things from ‘scratch’ by using eco-friendly materials. But reclaiming things that are already laying around, or that are unwanted—we then turn them into something wanted. That part feels good.”

For more information about Hello Rewind please visit their web site www.HelloRewind.com or follow them on Twitter at @HelloRewind.

Just How Natural is “All Natural” in the Beauty Industry?

Virginia Peandro Having spent most of my career on the front lines of the beauty industry working directly with clients I’m often confronted with hard-to-answer questions. Over the past few years questions concerning product claims seems to be foremost in everyone’s mind, “What is the difference between natural and organic products and what does is all really mean?” In honor of the this month’s W27 green theme, I decided to present those very questions – and others - to the best selling author and green beauty and wellness expert, Rona Berg.

When asked what “green” really means, Berg responds, “It can be confusing and there is a lot of “green-washing” out there; consumers want natural and organic but green is a gray area.” It’s important to understand in the U.S. a product can be considered natural if it contains at least 1% natural ingredients—talk about having low standards. “Organic is a different story,” says Berg, “a product must contain 70% organic ingredients, ones grown without pesticides, in order to call itself organic.”

Trying to figure out what to use or not can be a challenge with so many marketing claims on products. Berg was kind enough to share of few tips on what to look for and avoid when shopping.

A well-lathered sponge is a good way to get clean and a great way to cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Sulfates, which are found in shampoos, cleansers and just about anything that foams, is one ingredient that should be on your

list to avoid because they are dangerous and highly irritating. Eye and scalp irritations, tangled and broken hair, as well as swelling of the body are caused by sulfates in common hygienic products. For shampoo, Berg suggestions replacing sulfates with ingredients like coco glucoside, decyl glucosied, or lauryl glucoside—derived from coconut oil, sugar, and cornstarch. This will help you achieve slight foam and still leave your hair soft, silky, shiny, and voluminous.

As far as skin care is concerned everyone can benefit from pomegranate extracts, a well know antioxidant that prevents your skin from rapidly aging and is great for skin of all ages. Algae extracts, which have been used for decades, will help to maintain hydration in the skin relieving tight winter skin. For all sun lovers, be on the lookout for products containing algae oil, a powerful antioxidant that helps to repair environmentally damaged skin. And last but not least, argan oil, this magical oil derived from Morocco can be used on everything from dry elbows to flya-ways in your hair, it’s fantastic!

Before you race to pick up the latest spring nail color from your favorite brand be sure to look at a list of ingredients.

Many polishes contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and other harmful chemicals like DBP and toluene. These ingredients are commonly used to increase the longevity of the product, minimize chipping and allow for a smother application but at the risk of being harmful when inhaled. Berg says,“

Rona Berg; courtesy photo

Many companies have phased out the use of harmful chemicals so just be mindful when choosing your color; it’s good to be fashionable but best to be healthy.”

Paraben seems to be another controversial ingredient. One of the most common preservatives, paraben can found in many well known cosmetic products ranging from but not limited to soap, body and face creams as well as makeup, deodorant, hair gel, hairspray, fragrance and sunscreen. Although the jury is still out whether parabens are dangerous for the skin and body, it can cause mild to severe allergic reactions. There are plenty of natural preservatives that can be equally as effective like honey, essential oils, vitamin E and grapefruit seed extract.

I asked Ms. Berg if she thought eventually all cosmetics would be green and/or organic. “The consumer demand is growing,” she said,“ especially as we embrace healthier, more sustainable lifestyles and become more aware of how beauty and personal care products not only can affect our health but the health of the environment as they wash down the drain,” Berg continued, “it’s good to know big companies still have the best interest of the consumer in mind when developing or reworking their existing products. It’s up to us as consumers to stay educated and demand the best for our skin and bodies!”

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Proof:

Eco-Friendly Wooden Eyewear Taisa Veras

What does one do when you win a contest and receive $25K worth of HewlettPackard product as the prize? How about starting your own sustainable line of sunglasses made out of wood and donating a portion of the sales to sight-giving surgeries to the blind in the Developing World? That’s what Brooks Dame, founder of Proof eye wear, decided to do when he won the big prize. “The idea has been knocking around in my head for quite some time,” said Dame who started working on the line last August and recently launched it online. The sunglasses have been selling extremely well for such a young line. Styles such as Bird-Zebrawood and Bird-Ebony have been selling out on the web site. The company is also using social media in order to engage its customers and get feedback on the new line. They already have over 2,500 followers on Twitter alone and will have a booth at the upcoming POOL Trade Show in Las Vegas during MAGIC. The secret to such rapid success? Dame exclaims it was combination of great design and quality. “Good design is where we make a home-run product or strike out. We look at it this way, if we create

great products they will sell themselves.

Then we will be able to support our social initiatives like supporting eye clinics and reforestation in India.” He is also inspired by the works of other sustainable lines such as FEED projects and Tom’s Shoes, “We gotta give a lot of love to Feed and Tom’s.

A lot of companies have tried to do what they’re doing and failed.”

Proof’s line of eye wear has an edge to it. From the design of the glasses - they vary in 4 models, 3 wood types, and 5 lens options- to the charities it supports, the brand appeals to Generation Y’s desire to have a better, healthier lifestyle. According to Dame the company’s mission is as simple as “look good, do good.” As design for a cause and organic products emerge more and more every day, the public is becoming aware of the impact they can have on a person’s life by just purchasing a pair of sunglasses. Fashionistas say plastic sunglasses are so last year, and as Proof’s hashtag on twitter says, “wood is the new black.”

Where can you find Proof? Currently online www.iwantproof.com. Follow them on Twitter @iwantproof and Facebook www.facebook.com/proofeyewear.

Proof; courtesy photo

FIT-ing into the Industry:

Sasha Karpova Terrence Phearse

Sasha Karpova is only 23 years old but she already has earned the coveted position as the US Director of BeautyPress. com, a company based in Germany that functions as an online database for beauty editors and industry professionals.

She graduated from FIT in 2009 with an Advertising and Marketing Communications bachelor’s degree, and while at FIT she kept an internship at a PR firm that helped land her current position.

Sasha Karpova; courtesy photo

Terrence Phearse: How did you get your start at BeautyPress?

Sasha Karpova: I was an intern at Fraiche PR- a boutique PR agency that actually launched BeautyPress back in April 2009.

When I graduated from FIT, BeautyPress was taking off and a position as full-time director opened. Since I worked closely on this account as an intern at Fraiche PR, the CEO of BeautyPress chose me for the

job. The timing was perfect and all the pieces fit.

TP: Tell me a little bit more about BeautyPress and your experience working there so far.

SK: Working at a small company such as BeautyPress is an adventure and a great learning experience, especially for a young professional like myself.

I get to work with sales, marketing, event planning, editing, photography, video production, content management, new client acquisition, client relations, and the list goes on. I can honestly say that I learn something new every day and it’s a great way for me to expand my skills.

Another positive aspect about working for this company is that I truly believe in the business concept. I think that BeautyPress will soon revolutionize the PR industry and I am proud to be a part of making it happen.

TP: Do you find working with beauty editors, hair stylists, make-up artists and other beauty industry professionals to be demanding?

SK: As someone who is passionate about the beauty business, I absolutely love working with editors and industry professionals. It’s exciting to gain their insights and perspective because they are the true influencers who shape trends and the direction in which the beauty industry is headed.

TP: What was a typical day like for you while going to FIT? SK: I was constantly juggling between classes and my internships so I would rarely hang out around campus. I was either running to class from work or vice-versa. Part of the benefit of attending FIT is the ability to get a head start on work experience while still being an undergraduate. I have to say that I was very lucky to have amazing professors.

Some of the most memorable classes I took were Art History with Anna Blume, European Classical Music with Dan Cooper, Business Writing with Dr. Costa and Principles of PR with Roberta Elins.

I worked full-time while being a full-time student so the transition to work life was easy. I don’t have to study now so I have a lot more free time!

Sasha encourages students to start networking while still in school. Also, she is planning to come back for a Master’s in Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management. “If all goes as planned, I will be back at FIT in the Fall!,” she exclaims.

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Thread Account Future Mode: Marissa Mule With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, lingerie is a hot ticket item that most people have on their minds.

This month I was able to meet up and have coffee with not just one, but three fashion designers in the Intimate Apparel concentration at FIT. Even through their lack of sleep, ever increasing supply cost and design competition, these girls know how to handle a challenge and design to impress.

Marissa Mule: Who is your inspiration?

Amy Bittner: My inspiration is change.

I have a different inspiration for each collection. I really like Elle McPherson. I am constantly checking on style updates, and websites like Frufrufashionista.com.

Keon Kwon: I have a very unique style, therefore I do not have one single inspiration. I never sketch first; I always drape first. I try and make everything look sexy.

Danielle Flower: I’m inspired by the company Eres, a french lingerie line. It’s modern and elegant. Lingerie is like art.

MM: What are your strengths and challenges?

AB: My strengths are pattern making and draping. My challenges lean more to the technical side. I’m always starting over from the beginning to perfect the design.

Intimate Apparel It’s also hard to figure out how much time you’ll need for executing.

KK: When I design, I try and make everything perfect; that’s a strength of mine. One challenge I face is time management.

DF: Thanks to Professor Armillas, I have great technical skills. That is my major strength.

MM: What is your dream job?

AB: My dream job is to move to New Zealand and work for the Elle McPherson collection, or own my own company.

KK: I hope to own my own company one day.

DF: I am looking forward to owning my own line one day. I’m not looking for anything big or a huge line, I just want to have my own brand.

MM: Who is your style icon?

AB: I don’t necessarily have one specific style icon. I pull my inspirations from all different places and try and create my own aesthetic. Over the last few years, I have developed my own style and can look at my class and know who designed a certain piece. That is the ultimate reward.

KK: I have several style icons. In particular, I love Chado Ralph Rucci who graduated from FIT. I enjoy the detail work and the perfectly executed designs.

The seam work is absolutely beautiful.

DF: My style icon is someone who has a mix of class and elegance like Audrey Hepburn. I also admire the style of Elsa Peretti who was a jewelry designer in the 1970’s. Those designs are really modern and classic.

MM: What is your favorite thing about FIT? AB: My favorite thing about FIT is how prepared we are when we leave. We are ready to take on jobs in the real world knowing how to do pattern making on the computer and on paper. Being the only school with an intimate apparel concentration, jobs look for us. We understand the industry, know how to fit a bra and know the components. Everything at FIT is a learning experience.

KK: FIT is very practical. Being a student, you can learn every way to create a design through training.

DF: My favorite thing about FIT is the close relationships you create with professors. They are very helpful and get you where you need to go. It’s very beneficial.

MM: Does your personal style reflect your aesthetic?

AB: Not at all. I feel like I tend to design dramatic and over the top. I’m not bold

Pre-Fall Roundup

enough to be my own customer.

KK: My personal style is definitely reflected in my designs. I am very modern and chic, and design that way.

Bow ties and ruffles are not for me. I don’t like cute, I like sexy.

DF: My personal style is reflected in my designs a lot. When I design, I design for myself.

MM: Did you always love fashion?

AB: Yes, I always loved fashion.

KK: No, actually. I grew up in the fashion industry because my dad owns his own shoe company, but I never thought I wanted to design. When I was younger I wanted to be a CEO. I took a class in California then decided to go to FIT. DF: Yes, I was always into fashion and art.

I went to an art high school.

MM: At what age did you start designing?

AB: At the age of two, I started making clothes out of paper and tissues for my barbie dolls. When I was younger, I joined a program called Foreage which is a design program for kids. It was a learning experience. I did this program from about eight to ten years old.

KK: I started designing my first semester.

DF: I began designing in middle school and FIT has helped me pursue that.

Cacharel Pre-Fall ‘11; photo courtsey of style.com

Misty Sidell

Pre-Fall collections have become ubiquitous over the past few years, but what does it mean? They are collections shown in the weeks leading up to the fall collections fashion shows. A strategic move, considering the fact that people are still wearing multiple layers and a few chunky pieces. Fashion industry insiders like editors and buyers will testify that it can be very profitable.

American sportswear designer and Project Runway judge Michael Kors shared his opinion about Pre-Fall with Women’s Wear Daily, “ [Pre-Fall] clothes are for the fashion flock to wear to the shows …I can’t look at people in fur, tweed and boots... you just look ridiculous—like you have no life.”

Pre-Fall pieces remain on full-price racks longer than the more stylized Fall and Spring collections, which gives retail stores an opportunity to have a financially lucrative season. Its sister collection, Resort, which is shown in August–weeks prior to spring fashion week–has also become a coveted collection.

1. Box Pleat Skirts: Although hardly new, they appeared in collections ranging from Nina Ricci to Sarah Burton’s McQueen.

4. Architectural Leather: Originating from its body-conscious Lower East Side incarnation, leather was prominent in tailored pieces seen at Acne and The Row. 5. Sunburnt Orange: Literally seen everywhere from Chloe, to DVF, to Reed Krakoff the hue seems like a perfect transitional shade that will be in-style from August to December.

Top Pre-Fall picks:

2. Slim Ankle Trousers: A new standby for worker bees and club girls alike. The refined silhouette looked its best at Celine and Cacharel.

3. Floral Mash-ups: Ranging from Chinese-esque at Balenciaga to damask prints at Marni. The trick to mixing and matching Pre-Fall freshly picked offerings is to combine unlikely colors and create unexpected contrasts.

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Designer Profile:

Karen Chien of Object Mythology Taisa Veras

As I arrive at the Ace Hotel lobby on a cold Wednesday morning to meet with designer Karen Chien of Object Mythology–a line of scarves, gloves, and throws made from baby alpaca fibers–I realize that she is sitting on a sofa wrapped in one of her baby alpaca scarves that look so warm that one might want to just hug her. She is wearing one of her signature pieces- the Cora Infinity Scarf in grey. The meeting goes smoothly as she shares stories about a recent business trip to San Francisco and she points out that she noticed a lot of new eco-friendly and sustainable products being sold on the West Coast. “It’s amazing, they are so far ahead of New York in that category,” said Chien. The West Coast may be ahead of us in that category but Chien, who own a sustainable line, is actually based in NJ and last month she had a trunk show at Henri Bendel where she sold some of her pieces to a real princess! Read on to find out more about Object Mythology and how Chien got it all started.

Taisa Veras: Object Mythology’s gloves, scarves, hats and throws are made from baby alpaca fibers sourced from Peru, why did you decide to source materials from Peru?

Karen Chien: When I decided to work with the artisans, I looked into sourcing materials locally and I was excited to discover that Baby Alpaca is considered a specialty fiber with properties that makes it far superior than other fibers such as wool or cashmere.

TV: How are baby alpaca fibers better than other fibers such as cotton, wool, and cashmere? How does it feel to wear a baby alpaca piece?

KC: Baby alpaca is considered a natural specialty fiber. It is seven times warmer that wool, and more durable and lighter weight than any other fibers. Soft to the touch, it is also hypoallergenic because it does not contain Lanolin.

TV: If you could source fibers from anywhere else in the world, where would it be from and why?

KC: I would like to work on sourcing silk fibers from Laos and Cambodia. I have a friend who works with silks grown by local silk work farmers and I am keen to start a product line down there with local artisans.

TV: Most of your pieces are organically colored which gives the collection a raw look and feel. Do you plan to continue to shy away from coloring dyes in the future as you expand your collection?

KC: We currently use low impact dyes thereby complying with European Union standards which are stricter than those set in the United States. We are currently working on developing techniques using vegetable-based plant dyes for the future.

TV: How do you get yourself inspired before designing a new collection and how do you try to keep the design fresh, interesting, and at the same time stay true to your original aesthetic?

KC: I love to travel, whether it’s locally, across the country or internationally. I am always on the hunt for new materials, ideas and designs. You never know what you might find and where… I always make sure to stay true to what I am drawn to as a designer whether it’s a vintage textile I saw on my last trip to Turkey or a colorful hat made by an artisan in Peru.

Photo by Samantha Adler, www.samanthaadler.com TV: The fact that you hire women in rural Peru to handcraft your pieces helps give them an opportunity to have a job and keep your company sustainable. What’s the best part about working with the skilled knitters and artisans from Peru?

KC: The artisans are hard working and always appreciative because we are able to provide work while still allowing them to stay at home to take care of their families.

We believe that we should create the least amount of hardship on these women so letting them work from home is key.

TV: On what basis and/or criteria do you employ the women from Peru to work for you?

KC: The women who create our baby alpaca products have been formally trained though a local non-profit program. After completing their training program, they join the cooperative and start knitting our hand knit and hand woven products.

TV: How often do you go back to Peru to check on production?

KC: Trips are made on an as-needed basis but I generally go down 2 to 3 times a year to check on production, work on product development and see what is new in the marketplace.

TV: What’s your favorite piece from the collection and why?

KC: The Cora Infinity Scarf is definitely my favorite – I love the chunky feel while still soft to the touch. It is also super warm for super cold days here in New York.

TV: You used to be an interior designer.

What made you switch over to design?

KC: I still practice Interior Design for my favorite clients and I don’t think I will ever be able to leave it completely. I see this transition into accessories design as an opportunity to use many of the skills I learned as an interior designer and

translate it into fashion.

TV: How was the process of starting your own company and what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

KC: The process was easy since this is the second company I have started since going on my own back in 2004. The biggest challenge I faced was defining Object Mythology’s objective and staying focused.

TV: The fact that your line is seasonal how do you keep business moving throughout the summer months?

KC: Since baby alpaca is so lightweight, we tend to move to hand-woven scarves for the spring through summer months and, believe it or not, our hand-knit baby alpaca shawls are popular for those chilly summer nights.

TV: How would you like to expand your line and still keep it sustainable besides hiring women artisans from Peru?

KC: We are constantly working to develop new products for the future including a jewelry line and accessories for home.

I’ve also started to add vintage pieces to the mix since recycling and re-using is a good way to practice sustainability. We are constantly looking for new materials and techniques in developing our line.

TV: Valentine’s Day is coming up and the I-Heart Gloves are such a great gift give to a loved one! W27 Newspaper is giving away a pair, and we would like to know how you would suggest FIT students wear them if they got a pair?

KC: Object Mythology’s I-Heart glove is the perfect way for young people to express to the world that you can love yourself and stay true to what you believe in on Valentine’s Day, whether you are single or in a relationship. If you have enough love for yourself then you’ll have plenty to share with someone else!

TV: What advice would you give to students that are interested in launching a line of sustainable clothing and/or accessories?

KC: Always remember that everything you do and create has an impact on society. Techniques and technology are always improving so it is important to keep up with what’s ahead.

TV: Why did you decide to call your collection ‘Object Mythology’?

KC: I have always wanted to travel around the world and collaborate with different artisans to create beautiful products that translate a little bit of their history and/or culture through design. It also represents different aspects of various cultures that are reflected through its fine craftsmanship and practicality.

TV: What’s the hardest part about having a business that falls under the category of green and/or sustainable?

KC: The most challenging aspect of being “green” or sustainable is the use of dyes.

I want to use vegetable dyes but we often run into problems with consistency, which is the problem with any handmade product.

Object Mythology; courtsey photo

Tweet “W27 Valentine” for a chance to win a pair of I-Heart gloves.

W27

Feature

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Interviewing Ritz Clinging creator/founder of I love my Muff

“No Longer a Whisper, but a Statement.”

Sarah Dill

‘I love my muff’ was once the name of a line of hand muffs created by Canadian Ritz Clinging. But after realizing that there was a lack of feminine body care products in the market, Clinging decided to strategically shift the same name to her new line of eco-friendly intimate products for women. “I’ve since re-purposed and reused ‘I love my muff’ for our unique brand of personal body care products.

The name has certainly been given a new life. We think it’s a perfect fit,” explains Clinging.

Although these products can be uncomfortable to talk about, Clinging’s mission is to create a pure, clean, soft, and fresh set of products that helps boost women’s confidence. There are two types of kits offered in ‘I love my muff’ products: the eco-friendly green kit and the original blue kit. Both kits come with the following four items inside: on-the-go towelettes, wash, lotion, and spray. The ingredients used in the products include almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, all natural plant preservatives and 100% pure beneficial oils, rather than chemical or petroleum based preservatives; “we understand that our products aren’t for everyone, it’s simply a natural alternative to soaps and other chemically-laden

products currently available,” explains Clinging.

‘I love my muff’ has been expanding and gaining recognition from all over the world. It recently got a mention in the March 2011 issue of British Vogue and Clinging traveled to Australia to promote the line. “We’ve received many amazing responses to our products but my favorite feedback was personal. During our launch at Henri Bendel one of my idols Sara Blakely, creator of Spanx, came into the store. I approached her and told

‘I Love My Muff’ product samples; courtesy of Ritz Clinging

her how much I admired her for being such an inspiring female entrepreneur.

I introduced her to our products and she was really impressed and said she was proud of me. Very cool moment,” gushed Clinging.

For more about Ritz Clinging and I love my muff’ products please visit: www.ilovemymuff.com.

Tweet “I love my muff #W27Muff ” for a chance to win an ‘I Love My Muff ’ kit!

11

FIT

Flea-ting Chance:

Working With What You’ve Got Ryann Foulke

Hand-in-hand with February being W27’s Sustainability Issue, area flea markets, vintage shops and antique stores are promoting recycling too. But instead of recycling someone else’s discarded treasures, using what you already own kicks it up a whole notch. It’s difficult to think about clothing and shopping right now with the cold weather and all of the layers we have to wear to even cross the street. So, why not pretty your place up a bit and re-vamp what you already have available to you inside your home?

Earring holder: I am a big displayer. I have everything from my jewelry and clothing, to little boxes and cards, either hanging or displayed everywhere in my room. I have rings arranged in tiny china dishes, necklaces strewn on the branches of a metal tree, and headbands framing my vanity mirror. Even with all these pieces on display, earrings are the most difficult, especially dangly ones. However, I found a great way to show them off using an old picture frame. Here’s how: find a frame and take out the glass and back. Buy stiff plastic netting with small holes, and super glue it to the back of the frame. Attach it to the wall and you have a really simple way to hang your earrings.

Card display: I am slightly addicted to everything print, so cards and stationary are little obsessions of mine. My family and friends often send adorable cards for my birthday, and I yearned for a way to showcase them. I found some great sturdy ribbon at Anthropologie and used thumb tacks to secure it to the wall. Then, I used clothespins and hung each card one-by-one from the ribbon. Obscenely versatile and easy to do, I think I’ll mimic this project with pictures or scarves. (Not pictured).

Table: I have always had this bizarre infatuation with doors. People really can get quite creative with decorating them, and I’ve always liked the thought of what they can lead into, or who lives behind them. Besides that, they also make really cool and functional tabletops. You can find old doors in most antique stores, flea markets, and sometimes on the sidewalk.

Whether they are thick wooden ones, or glass paned, doors are long, sturdy and quite a chic addition to any apartment.

Trunk: Decoupage, is not only a fascinating art form, it is also a passion of mine. Cutting up magazines and making collages is such a relaxing way to spend the day, why not put it to good use? I received a trunk for college and decided to cover it in pictures that I had been collecting for a while and then put a coat of clear gloss on top of it to seal it in. You can put this to use on any surface though.

For instance, to make a glass door more opaque, a friend once decoupaged the panes with encyclopedia pages.

FEBRUARY ‘11

FEATURE

12

Made In New York

W27

Senator Gillibrand Teams up with FIT’s Joyce Brown to Help Bolster New York’s Fashion Industry Patrick Greene “The future of the [fashion] industry and its growth is very fragile,” proclaimed Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand in a closed-door roundtable with some of the fashion industry’s elite.

Co-hosted by FIT’s own Dr. Joyce Brown on the morning of January 24th, the open forum discussion was an effort to generate ideas for stimulating and revitalizing New York’s once-thriving fashion industry. Gillibrand’s legislative agenda that afternoon included three hot-button topics: reinvigorating New York-based manufacturing, strengthening intellectual property laws and developing simpler ways for designers to access capital. The senator’s proposals are particularly significant for graduating designers. The focus of the exchange was on finding new ways of supporting emerging talent with the resources they need to make it in New York.

Small-scale production is an enormous stumbling block for fashion’s new guard.

“It’s one thing for a designer to make one garment,” a source close to Gillibrand agreed to speak on background, saying “but when you want to sell more than one, twenty units or even a thousand…you need those small factories.” According to the same source, “There’s this obscure belief being passed around that everyone in fashion can work out of China.” Still, up-and-coming designers really rely on small New York-based manufacturing opportunities to get off the ground.

Gillibrand responded by pledging to lobby in support of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program that works alongside small and mid-sized US manufacturers to help turn profit, establish jobs, acquire new customers and conceptualize new products.

After discussing intellectual property rights with the Council of Fashion Designers of America for the past two years, Gillibrand firmly believes that integrating legislation centered on protecting designs from piracy is “one of the most urgent issues that we have to address.” Emphasizing that she’s a strong proponent for the Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act (IDPPA), the discussion danced around the Senator’s concern for intellectual property, but only for a few brief moments. Gillibrand’s foremost concern is that China, where a lot of knockoffs are made, is exempt from the IDPPA guidelines. In fact, the following week Gillibrand was scheduled to meet with the

Kirsten Gillibrand; courtesy photo

Chinese ambassador to discuss direct and indirect piracy issues.

Gillibrand noted that funding is a huge concern across all industries. One of the hardest things for small businesses is acquiring loans, qualifying for affordable interest rates and accessing deal-making credit lines. This past September Congress passed a bill that injected $30 billion into community banks to stimulate lending to small businesses. “[However] there’s a disconnect between what banks are seeing as growing concerns and good investments and what the small business industries actually need,” said, Gillibrand. She hopes to address these concerns with actionable programs within the next six months.

In attendance were designers Rachel Roy, Nanette Lepore, Prabal Gurung, Elie Tahari and Adam Lippes. Executives from Tommy Hilfiger, Vogue and Fordham University also turned out. Curiously, out of the 45 members of fashion’s upper echelon, less than a third had anything to say. Tight-lipped attendees occasionally nodded in agreement, but otherwise brought little to the table. When asked later, Gillibrand admitted that this was “the first of many round table discussions to come.”

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FEBRUARY ‘11

e s in on S u s t a

F I T C lo s s

in a b i l i t y I s s u e

Dorelle McPherson FIT Sustainability Conference As the Spring semester begins, some changes on FIT’s campus will be visible and some will not; yet they will still have a dramatic impact nonetheless.

What is seen is all the green around campus--as Spring blooms the many landscaping projects on campus will be an esthetically pleasing change. But that’s not all, FIT has incorporated many areas of sustainability on and off the campus. Students and faculty alike in all departments, are helping raise awareness of the changes needed globally and on campus.

These harsh treatment chemicals can contaminate the water filtration process and environmentalists are concerned about their harmful effects.

Each department at FIT will be involved in a part of the conference. Students from the art and business schools will find new and innovative ways to incorporate their disciplines into the presentation material.

To learn more about water conservation and the effects of water on our environ-ment go to Water.org and NYC.gov.

Efforts Around Campus

FIT’s sustainability conference, scheduled for April 12th 2011, is fast approaching.

This conference is President Joyce Brown’s campus-wide initiative that incorporates all of the departments at FIT to help educate, create and sustain a better campus living environment. The 5th Annual event held in the Great Hall will focus on the liquid planet and on its water sources. Clean water may be a part of everyday living but we take it for granted. This year’s message is about our water lifestyle; ways to purify water, the impact of design and industry on the systems that manage water globally, and conserving and restoring our water systems.

One prominent topic closely tied to the fashion industry will be the effects of dye labs using eco-friendly chemicals in their fabric dyeing processes. Today, textiles goes through a myriad process of washings and treatments to make them as soft and supple as possible.

As recently as this past September awards totaling $15,000 in grants from the “FIT Goes Green: Infusing Sustainability into our Culture” campaign, established

by President Joyce Brown in 2009, were given out to students and faculty.

The three ideas awarded last year were both creative and educationally diverse.

Building a Sustainable Design Resource, partnering with the next generation of FIT library research guides by MaryAnn Sorensen Allacci; Green Studio Initiative, by if these people are faculty let’s identify them as such Laura Pineda, Brian Weissman and Sarah Abramson; and Teaching Sustainability, a crossdisciplinary outreach by Professors Karen Pearson and Elaine Maldonado. For more details, students and faculty are encouraged to contact Professor Robert Vassalotti or Grazyna Pilatowicz Assistant Professor of Interior Design. Note: now is the time to submit ideas for the upcoming year. The deadline is March 21, 2011.

It’s not just students who are asked to mind their carbon footprint, faculty and staff have instituted paper reduction programs as well. The Unwanted Mail Program, for instance, gives faculty the option to bring their junk mail to the mail room where FIT will contact the sender and request a stop to any further correspondence. In addition, tips on how to conserve paper and reuse supplies are frequently sent out to faculty.

Handouts, for instance, are swiftly being transformed into PowerPoint slide presentations and hosted on FIT’s Angel Learning system.

The outdoor improvement projects on campus will be highly visible after the snow melts. Since the end of last semester the campus has been undergoing a massive landscaping redesign executed under the direction of Sherry Brabham, vice president of finance and administration and George Jefremow, executive director of facilities. Thanks to their hard work we can look forward to a greener campus where the once vacant grey will be filled with blooming flora and lush green foliage.

Another outdoor initiative is the installation of “Cool Roofs” on FIT’s campus. Even though the Cool Roofs cannot be seen, the effects are helping FIT conserve energy. Cool Roofing is the process of painting the black top of a roof white. This treatment reduces the urban heat island effect that drives up air conditioner use and decreases the longevity of roofing materials. Cool Roofs have already been installed atop the Shirley Goodman Resource Center. The David Dubinski Student Center is next.

To find out more about Cool Roofs go to www.nyc.gov/coolroofs.

This year the Council for Sustainability is having elections for new members with openings for both staff and students. The Sustainability Council focuses on raising awareness of the campus’s goals under the direction of President Joyce Brown for the continuance of the Clinton Global Initiative. There is more information available on the new sustainability micro-site on the FIT homepage. Go to www.fitnyc.edu/sustainability for more information.

FEATURE

14

W27

Meal Plan vs. Groceries Caroline Altenbernd

Eating is a simple activity that satisfies us, fulfills our needs and connects us with our families, friends and our souls. To most college students that are living on their own for their very first time, however, eating can seem like just another chore. Not necessarily eating in and of itself, but rather finding food to eat.

Thankfully, FIT students are fortunate to have a fully stocked cafeteria and meal plan options to eliminate that worry. A meal plan is strategically created to provide sustenance to students several times a day while being fast and virtually effortless.

Meal plans are straight to the point: Aramark, which runs the cafeteria, charges a flat fee for a number of meals available. At FIT, you fill out an application and pay up front for the meal plan. If you happen to dorm, Nagler and Co-Ed residence halls require you to have a meal plan. Yet a large group of students speak about the lack of food options in the cafeteria. If you are vegan or vegetarian for instance, the choices are limited. Finding a gluten-free item can be virtually impossible. Also, cafeteria hours can be a hassle at times, especially on weekends. However, many students appreciate that their meals are conveniently prepared and it’s only a swipe away from consumption. It takes about five to ten minutes to grab a meal and start eating. But, there are also some flaws to the meal plan system which some students have discovered. Stephanie Casin, second semester menswear student,observes, “Other colleges such as NYU can use credit on their student meal accounts at places like Whole Foods.” Although it is great that we can use our declining balance at our on campus Starbucks, there could be more freedom to use it at other locations around campus, couldn’t there?

Meal plans can cost anywhere between $1555 to $1995 per semester. This rate does not include the purchase of sushi, bottled beverages, packaged goods and bulk candy. All these extras are subtracted from a separate declining balance account.

The purchase of groceries, if you limit yourself to use $7 to $10 daily, can average out between $1,228 $1,825 per semester.

Rationalize your budget and buy items on sale and distribute them well over the course of the week.Sometimes, the easiest alternative to having a meal plan might not be the best one.

Buying your own groceries might be a bit more time consuming, but often times it turns out to be cheaper, tastier, fresher and healthier. You are capable of controlling the taste, calorie input, and satisfaction of a meal. Plus, if you have special dietary requirements, you will likely do better. The only downside is that cooking can be seen as a challenge for beginners. The average time to prep and cook a single meal can be twenty minutes or more depending on how elaborate the recipe is.

A small percentage of students also opt out to eat at restaurants and cafes on a daily basis. Others choose to buy prepared meals, specifically microwaveable dinners as they’re fast and cheap.

However, there are many hidden dangers like high sodium content, cholesterol levels, calories, fat, preservatives and not many nutritional benefits. Regardless, there are great choices for everyone. Aramark Services, which buys produce from local New York/New Jersey farms, is highly involved with sustainability practices and partners with American Dietetic Association (ADA). If you’re interested in getting started with cooking, it is highly recommended to pick up books on the basics of cooking and ingredients, observe others cooking and experiment with spices in order to make progress in the kitchen.

Illustrated by William Chung for W27

FIT

Haute Culture

GREENHOUSE

Venue Review by Georgi Dwiggins 150 Varick St. (at of Vandam St.) New York, NY 10013 +1 (212) 807-7000 www.greenhouseusa.com Nearest Transit: Spring St stop off the A/C/E line After thinking for a while about this month’s theme of sustainability and how that could relate to a venue in any way, the choice was obvious…

Greenhouse. While this club may not be a concert venue exactly, (you’re going to be hearing a DJ and popular music as opposed to a live band), it was definitely designed with sustainability and eco-friendliness in mind. The man behind this idea of an environmentally friendly nightclub, Jon Bakhshi, set out to make the space obtain the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. This certification, created by the U.S. Green Building Council, “provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable

construction.” The LED lights that illuminate every wall and dangle from the ceiling of the club use one-thirtieth of the energy of regular incandescent bulbs. Behind those bulbs, the walls are sustainable bamboo which you can feel shake when the wind-powered soundsystem kicks in. The waiters, who serve organic Vodka 360 (brewed in a green distillery and contained in a recycled plastic bottle), have a green element as well. All of their uniforms they are made in Africa by Edun, an eco-friendly clothing company owned by Bono of U2. All these elements create a lush night spot, with a very minimal carbon footprint. So head to Greenhouse and feel good about going out!

Photo courtesy of Bluearch Architecture and Interiors

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16

TV & MOVIES Patricia Braga

Okay, it’s official: Natalia Portman can do no wrong. The girl has an Oscar nomination, a rock on her finger, and baby on the way. It looks like Miss Portman has another hit on her hands when she makes us sympathize with The Other Woman. This is a compelling drama about loss and family dynamic between a stepson and stepmother.

Just Go With It: A lie only leads to another lie. Just ask Adam Sandler. In this comedy, he pretends to be married to get lucky with girls. It works like a charm until he meets a woman whom he thinks is the one for him. So he recruits America’s sweetheart Jennifer Aniston to help him complete his ruse by pretending to be his ex-wife. After disastrous film projects from both parties (The Bounty Hunter, anyone?), Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston finally get together to make comedy magic.

Justin Bieber/Never Say Never: Fine, call us suckers for Disney stars and such, but we can’t wait to watch this.

From the first time his fish died to the first time he stepped on stage, this movie concert reports Justin’s most important moments thus far. There’s even a Miley Cyrus cameo. Really, could it get any better? We are “Bieliebers”.

I Am Number Four: Chemistry between on-and-off-screen couple, the (super hot) British actor Alex Pettyfer and Gleeful Diana Agron, is sure to heat up in this action movie. All we know is that this is about an alien who tries to blend in in high school to escape from hunters. But does any of that matter since he’s so hot?

The Roommate: We aren’t too hot for horror movies, but when you mix Leighton Meester, Aly Michalka, and then add up-and-comer Minka Kelly, you may have our full attention in this thriller. Meester plays a college student who gets obsessed with her roommate. Is it going to bomb? Yes. Are we going to watch it? Sure. It’s like Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf on steroids.

The O.C: “The Telenovela”.

Every time we watch this show we wish they hadn’t killed our dear Marissa, but every time we watch this episode we really wish she hadn’t gotten those bangs, ever!

Drama unfolds in Orange County when everyone attends the Annual Valentine’s Day Gala, where Theresa conveniently shows up as a waitress just after Ryan and Marissa break up. As for Seth and Summer, they finally get together and go experience teenage love for the first time.

Oh, the good times!

Glee:“Silly Love Songs”.

We may have not seen this one yet, but with a playlist including Thriller and Firework, this is sure to make TV show history as we watch Kurt and Blaine heat up their romance (finally!), and (fingers crossed) hope that Rachel and Finn get

W27

GIRL TALK & E-603 Music Review

by Georgi Dwiggins

back together. A Gleeful Valentine’s Day Episode can’t be beat.

Full House: “Joey’s Funny Valentine”.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane back when Uncle Jesse was the coolest guy on a Harley, and the Olsen twins were just one person. In this Valentine’s Day episode Joey gets a new girlfriend who the family is not very fond of, but this does not come between such a loving family. Such cuteness.

Friends: “The One With The Proposal” In this two-part episode Chandler’s plans to propose to Monica go downhill when Richard shows up at the same restaurant.

Meanwhile, Rachel takes Phoebe and Joey to an auction and Joey ends up buying a boat with the money he doesn’t have. It all ends with us crying our eyes out watching Monica finally taking the manly step that Chandler never could.

Sex and the City: “I Heart NY”.

We love Sex and the City because it makes us feel like other women go through the same things as we do in New York.

In this episode we find many examples such as Charlotte going out with a freak, Samantha going undercover with a wig, and oh, the “to have sex or not to have sex with your ex” situation. Big dilemma.

Girl Talk’s All Day, Label: Illegal Art Many artists are gaining popularity by creating a “mash up” style of music.

Basically, they “recycle” older songs and sounds from current artists and mix them into new and interesting tracks. Perhaps one of the most well-known artists of this music genre is Girl Talk from Cleveland.

If you haven’t listened to him, definitely give it a chance, there’s bound to be one of your favorites in the blend. His mix up is incredibly eclectic, ranging from established bands, like Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers, to beats from bubble-gum pop songs and other artists like Lil’ Wayne and Three 6 Mafia. He puts on an amazing live show that, once he hits “play” on his premixed tracks, just turns into a huge dance party—glow sticks included. His latest album, All Day, (released Nov. 15) includes samples from Wiz Khalifa, Depeche Mode, The Rolling Stones, and The Grateful Dead.

His closing song of the show, “Every Day” from the new album, began with Gucci Mane and Jay-Z and closed with John Lennon’s “Imagine”, recycling one of the most well known songs of all time.

E-603 by E-603, self-released Another such artist who I was recently introduced to is E-603. This Bostonian mixes samples from popular artists to create his original tracks as well, and has been referred to as the “challenger to Girl Talk’s throne” in the realm of mash ups. After listening, I can definitely validate the moniker. E-603 includes the same diversity of artists in his tracks. A sample list of his album Torn Up includes varying artists like, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Sonic Youth, and Modest Mouse. He peppers rock songs like these with lyrics and beats from Notorious B.I.G. and Lil’ John. All of the various styles of music and artists used by these two men serve to make something fresh and new out of something that might have been a little worn out, which is recycling at its best.

COOL IT

Documentary Review by Fernanda DeSouza

How can we forget Al Gore’s big entrance in cinematography when he graced us with his Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth in 2006. Gore’s film brought attention to the growing effects of global warming, in the attempt to re-energize the environmental movement. Director Davis Guggenheim’s documentary shows Gore speaking to a live crowd with the use of a lengthy Powerpoint and, in a very town hall-esque vibe, the facts presented by Gore bring global warming to a personal level. Whoever thought that the once vice-president would become a channel of communication to the climate change issue?

It’s been over four years since An Inconvenient Truth and now there is another man on the environmental radar screen. Meet Bjørn Lomborg, the Danish statistician and political scientist who has been found bashing Al Gore’s “claims on climate Armageddon.” Lomborg mocks Al Gore’s claims that the end of the world will be an effect of global warming. His film, based on his book Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist’s Guide to Global Warming, almost smacks us in the face with cold hard facts. There is certain “bam” factor as little children’s voices ring out statistics that send chills down your back: “all the ice is going to melt, the trees

will die and fall down, countries will be underwater, and we’re scared it’s going to happen quite soon.”

Bjørn believes that the current approach using fear in the climate debate is discredited. Bjørn argues that listening to the worst- case scenarios will only lead to the pointless spending of money. According to him, changing your light bulb is not doing anything and polar bears are in more danger of hunters than the melting of the ice caps.

His statistics don’t succeed in putting him beyond the mosh pits of academic controversy; Bjørn attracts harsh criticism by professors and environmentalists from around the world.

Bjørn is not necessarily mocking us trying to “fix” global warming by switching our light bulbs and shutting off the faucet when we brush our teeth. His goal is to shift our attention to how the $250 billion that the European Union is spending on carbon offsets could be used in funding things like poverty, education, and disease without completely ignoring climate issues. The film ends with all the alternative ways to offset global warming—geo-engineering, hydrogen fuel, and surprisingly enough, cooling cities by changing the color of the streets.

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FIT

FEBRUARY ‘11

BASTA PASTA

Restaurant Review by Phoebe Licata 37 W 17th St (Btw 5th and 6th Ave) New York, NY 10011 +1 (212) 366-0888

the food. The real curiosity, however, is in the kitchen staff; ironically all of Japanese decent.

www.bastapastanyc.com Nearest Transit: 14th St stop off the F/V/L/1/2/3/PATH trains Rating: 4 out of 5 Price Range: $$$

The food, much like the décor, is not flashy but it is substantial. The menus are set up with antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti, griglia and dolce. The primi piatti, which holds many of Basta Pasta’s pasta dishes, are available in smaller portions, which makes it easier to share and experiment with flavors. I decided on gnocchi di patate and insalata mista as appetizers and spaghetti con prosciutto e parmigiano from the primi piatti menu as my main dish. I would highly recommend the spaghetti con prosciutto e parmigiano entree to anyone who asks.

The server brought a half cheese wheel to the table along with our main course.

Then, proceeded to mix the cheese and my steaming hot pasta together. Right at the table, she put the finishing touches on my meal by taking the spaghetti directly from the cheese wheel and topping it off with prosciutto and fresh basil. Yum.

Finding an authentic Italian restaurant in New York City isn’t always as easy as you’d think. Endless Vincents’, Joeys’ and Angelos’ litter each Avenue.

That’s why, after eating at Basta Pasta, I was impressed by having a refreshing experience with an Italian restaurant which wasn’t afraid to break away from the stereotype.

Basta Pasta’s décor is simple with a modern flair. The white walls are complemented with simple artwork that surrounds an intimate array of 15 or so tables. The artwork changes seasonally, and this winter, six large rectangular canvases hang, each in a different color.

A small bar is located directly inside the front door and while walking back through the elongated restaurant, the smell of food greets your arrival.

The palpable food scent wafting in the air comes right out of the kitchen, which is the first thing you see. Unlike most restaurants in Manhattan, the entire kitchen is set up like a theater and located in the middle of the dining area.

All the pasta is handmade in house which attributes to the authentic taste of

The service was exceptional. Our server was knowledgeable and cheerful and other staff, including the maitre di, also came over to make sure everything was up to par. As a college student, I found it a little pricey. However, as a group outing with friends it’s easy to get a lot of bang for your buck if everyone is willing to share. My recommendation: steer clear from the everyday “Vincent’s Pizzeria” and treat yourself to Basta Pasta.

Photos courtesy of Stuff I Ate Blog

Tom Rachman’s

THE IMPERFECTIONISTS Book Review by Davita Louie It’s hard to be bored reading Tom Rachman’s debut novel The Imperfectionists since it contains numerous short stories all tucked into one miniscule paperback. Rachman’s novel chronicles the lives of journalists, editors and other staff who all work at the same international English-language newspaper based in Rome. Each chapter tracks a different character, giving the reader a glimpse into each person’s life.

However, at the end of each vignette Courtesy of The Dial Press

the reader is yearning to find out more about that character’s fate. Ultimately that’s what makes Rachman’s book so entertaining to begin with.

Overall The Imperfectionists is very character-driven and it’s exciting to see how Rachman is able to string all of the characters together throughout the novel. What really makes this book a must-read is Rachman’s impeccable ability at humanizing each character

revealing their flaws. One can’t help but empathize with each character at one point or another, no matter what their deficiencies may be. The Imperfectionists really made me think about how I view other people and it was a true reminder that we should never judge people before getting to know them. Both amusing and heart-wrenching, The Imperfectionists is well worth a read.

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CONTEMPORARY FITNESS:

AERIAL DANCE Davita Louie

Trapeze School New York (TSNY) 518 W 30th St (Btw 10th and 11th Ave) New York, NY +1 (917) 797-1872 http://newyork.trapezeschool.com/ Nearest Transit: 34th St-Penn Station stop off the A/C/E/1/2/3 lines.

Price: $35.00 per session I must confess that every time I go to the circus I fantasize about what it would be like to be a performer. It always appears so glamorous; the sleek, flawless movements, the glitzy costumes and the thunder of applause. I came a step closer to making my dream a reality when my friend and FIT cohort, Tara Zeman, introduced me to aerial dance.

Who knew that just steps away from FIT resides a school dedicated to the arts of the flying trapeze, silks and rope training,

and the trampoline as well as a number of other daredevil activities. Welcome to the Trapeze School: New York (TSNY).

For those unfamiliar with aerial dance, it is performed using mainly upper body strength coupled with silks, tissue or fabric. TSNY describes the equipment as “two long pieces of soft fabric that hang from a single point,” where “using strength, grace and flexibility, you climb the apparatus and move your body into amazing and beautiful poses and shapes.” Luckily, the class sizes are small and limited to just four people per session. This allows each person more turns on the silks and more one-on-one instruction.

The first, most basic warm-up task consists of “the climb.” This movement resembles climbing a rope, however, silks lack its sturdiness, making it all the more difficult to climb. Aerial dance isn’t necessarily going to be the easiest

Photo courtesy of The 30 Before 30 Project workout for someone with zero upper body strength. My childhood dream of running off to the circus died within those first five minutes. Fortunately, I was able to manage some basic moves and combinations after a while. I was pleasantly surprised when at the end of the course the instructor had me try “the climb” again and I was actually able to move up a few notches. It was amazing

how, with just a little practice, my upper body strength had already improved.

Aerial dance may not seem tough when seen from afar, but I can honestly say it was one of the most physically intense fitness classes I have ever taken. Expect to be sore for the entire week after the first class.

THE HOLIDAY HANGOVER. LITERALLY. Patrick McGrath

The Holidays are over and some of us got an unexpected gift this season, an extra five pounds, a nice muffin-top to go with our pants that used to fit or a little more jiggle in our walk than we used to have.

Now that we’ve gotten back into the swing of a new semester, it’s the perfect time to start that delayed New Year’s resolution to get into a fitness routine.

If you’re new to working out or have strayed away from it because of the break, there are some essential techniques to getting the most from your effort: making the time for yourself, mixing up your workout to stop from becoming bored and not neglecting any parts of your body. FIT has some fantastic wellness resources to take advantage of. The newly renovated gym in the B building opened in January to much fanfare. And the gym in Kaufman Hall’s basement provides a

remote facility for off-campus residents, and there is also an extensive list of great fitness classes offered through FIT’s athletics department.

Often times I find that my girl friends are resistant to doing any weight training whatsoever–mostly because they’re worried they will end up looking like Hulk Hogan. Not the case at all! Weight training is crucial to any successful workout and will enable you to reach your fitness goals much more quickly and efficiently. If you’re really trying to gain muscle, however, the key is to do lower repetitions (reps) using more weight.

If you’re just looking to tone up, do the opposite, higher reps with lower weights.

However, to make your workout effective, make sure there is some resistance in the weight, otherwise it’s a total waste of time. Another time vampire is repeating

the same routine day in and day out. This will have you overusing the same muscle groups while neglecting others.

It’s important to switch up your workout for two reasons: first, if you’re trying to lose weight it will stop you from hitting a plateau. Secondly, it keeps you from getting bored. The easiest way to reinvent your workout is simply by mixing up your cardio routine. For instance, split your time between the treadmill and elliptical (while on the elliptical try doing part of the time pedaling backward to use different muscles,) take advantage of one of the many workout classes offered through FIT, or jog outside as opposed to running on a machine.

As students we are constantly busy with classes, homework, internships and jobs. Finding the time to work out

can sometimes be more difficult than the actual workout itself, which is why you may want to consider working out twice a day. Doing cardio in the morning before class or work will increase your metabolism during the day while reserving weights, floor exercises and abs until the evening, gives your body a second metabolic boost–great if you want to slim down.

So do something good for yourself, increase your self-esteem and look better in the 2011, all by taking the time to take care of yourself.

FIT

Outside the Block This month our staff had the difficult task of finding the best cupcakes in a cupcake-obsessed city. After much deliberation, (or taste-testing rather) the best picks have been decided! Be sure to check out these tried-and-true spots for a quick sugar fix.

BEST CUPCAKES

Brooklyn / Kristina Gabler Cupcakeland

Staten Island / Marissa Mule The Cookie Jar

390 Metropolitan Ave Brooklyn, NY (between N5th and Havemeyer Streets) +1 (718) 388-5260 www.thecupcakeland.com

1226 Forest Ave Staten Island, NY 10310 +1 (718) 448-3500 www.cakechefcookiejar.com

Cupcakeland, a favorite among Brooklyn locals and visitors from Manhattan alike, serves up delectable treats out of their cute storefront on Metropolitan Avenue. The Williamsburg shop was founded by two friends from Poland whose loyal customer base can be attributed to their commitment to using superior ingredients and their delicious cream cheese frosting. Standout cupcakes include the red velvet and the mocha.

The Cookie Jar knows cupcakes. Although the red velvet cupcakes are their specialty, the peanut butter flavor isn’t too far behind. If cupcakes for some reason aren’t your thing, The Cookie Jar sells over 50 different cookies as well.

Believe it or not, everything is ten dollars a pound. Even better? If you buy one of their cookie jars, you get a pound of cookies or cupcakes for free!

Long Island / Raquel Rose Burger Cupcake Gourmet 46-I Gerard Street Huntington, NY 11743 +1 (631) 683-4100 ‎ This cute cafe carries the motto: Peace, Love, & Cupcakes for All. How cute. Cupcake Gourmet has almost 80 varieties of cupcakes from candy-stuffed to waffle-baked. Seriously. Some tasty flavors include: red velvet, chocolate covered pretzel, malted milk ball and Boston crème pie. Owner Amy Brady has made traditional flavors into something unique that you would never think could fit well in a cupcake. Cupcakes come in three sizes: mini, $1.50; regular, $2.50; and jumbo, $3.50. The bakery can sit about 20 people inside its cute eating area, filled with purple and green booths for a great birthday party or get together. Cupcake Gourmet also creates party favors and cupcake bouquets for special occasions. From this bakery you won’t walk out empty handed.

Queens / Veronica Heras Terranova House of Cakes 46-I Gerard Street Huntington, NY 11743 +1 (631) 683-4100 ‎ This cute cafe carries the motto: Peace, Love, & Cupcakes for All. How cute. Cupcake Gourmet has almost 80 varieties of cupcakes from candy-stuffed to waffle-baked. Seriously. Some tasty flavors include: red velvet, chocolate covered pretzel, malted milk ball and Boston crème pie. Owner Amy Brady has made traditional flavors into something unique that you would never think could fit well in a cupcake. Cupcakes come in three sizes: mini, $1.50; regular, $2.50; and jumbo, $3.50. The bakery can sit about 20 people inside its cute eating area, filled with purple and green booths for a great birthday party or get together. Cupcake Gourmet also creates party favors and cupcake bouquets for special occasions. From this bakery you won’t walk out empty handed.

Illustrated by Larry Torres for W27

Manhattan / Kevia Wright Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery 126 Rivington St (Btw Essex and Norfolk St) New York, NY 10002 +1 (212) 995-1960 www.sugarsweetsunshine.com Tucked away between the $3 (PBR) Pabst Blue Ribbon hipster bars and the trendy lounges of Lower East Side is Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery. This small bakery covered in psychedelic wallpaper really is a taste of sweet sunshine. The entire array of cupcakes all have different names and personalities, such as the “Ooey Gooey,” chocolate cake with chocolate almond buttercream; “Sexy Red Velvet,” red velvet cake with the famous “Moose” icing; or the simple “Sunshine,” yellow cake with vanilla buttercream. Unlike some other overhyped bakeries, here you get a cupcake guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth without emptying your wallet (only $1.75 each).

In 2002, Peg and Deb bonded over their love for theater and baked goods . They decided to take a leap of faith, however, there was one problem – they didn’t know how to bake. Lucky for us with the help of a Betty Crocker cookbook and a lot of experimentation we can now enjoy Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery’s delicious cupcakes.

OUTSIDE THE BLOCK

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Month in Review: State of Disunion Alexander Cavaluzzo

one another. The situation could ask for no better summation than President Obama’s response, “If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should...let’s make sure it’s not on the usual plane of politics and point-scoring and pettiness that drifts away with the next news cycle.”

As for the shooter, Jared Loughner, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, creepy smirk firmly in place, according to reports.

within the government, like social activist Slim Amamou, but there are also many of Ben Ali’s allies who remain in the new regime. On the heels of the Tunisian Revolution, similar events have ignited in Yemen and, most notably, Egypt, where citizens have taken to the streets to rebel against Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for nearly 30 years. Promising change is starting to evidence itself from both revolutions, but it remains to be seen how much progress will be made in the end. The coverage of events by the US

for the future of his term and the future of the country. He wants to freeze government spending for the next three years; by 2035 he wants over 80% of America’s energy to come from renewable and sustainable sources; he wants to continue efforts to increase job creation; and he proposes that the troops will come home from Iraq and Afghanistan by July 2011, among many other plans for the near and far future. But in the midst of our “Sputnik Moment” when there’s a lot of hopeful (really, border-idealist)

media suggests it was a novel example of how social networking sites aided the efforts of the masses, but in reality, sources like Twitter were minor aids in the assemblage of the Tunisian people.

Actually, social networking sites played more of a role in providing people all over the world coverage of the uprisings when many mainstream news outlets refused to do so.

rhetoric floating around, we have seen an incredible amount of progress in just the past month. During the interim when the old congress steps aside to make way for those who will be replacing them soon, our senators and representatives managed to pass very encouraging bills before their terms were up.

Attempted Assassination of Gabrielle Giffords In what was otherwise a typical Saturday morning on January 3rd in Tucson, Arizona, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head. While hosting a public event at a supermarket, 22-year old Jared Loughner shot her at close range, and injured many others, also killing Judge John Roll and nine-year-old Christina Taylor-Green. After surgery and recovery in the hospital, doctors are very optimistic about Giffords’s condition.

As with most catastrophic tragedies that affect the nation, the shooting in Tucson has sparked debate on national topics ranging from gun control to the incendiary rhetoric evident in our country’s hyper-partisan politics and media. Within minutes of the shooting, social networking sites exploded, with fingers pointing to conservative pundits as culprits: America’s most prominent Alaskan, Sarah Palin had posted a map on her Facebook page some months back, depicting cross-hairs over the districts of representatives who voted for President Obama’s health care reform last year.

Among them, naturally, was Gabrielle Giffords, who in an eerily prescient quote gave her take on the image: “We’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list. But the thing is, the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district.

People do that, they’ve got to realize there’s consequences to that action.”

But in light of recent events, it’s not entirely fair to target people who are essentially media celebrities as responsible for the tragic event; reports have indicated that Loughner, who suffered from severe mental problems, had had previous encounters with Giffords. Sarah Palin had nothing to do with it. Members of the American Left in the media should feel equally guilty for hijacking the tragedy as a means to chastise radical outspoken conservatives.

The issue that is of utmost importance in events such as these–gun control–has barely been touched upon; instead this seems to be yet another opportunity for news celebrities to combat and defend

Revolution in Tunisia For over fifty years since Tunisia liberated itself from France, the North African country has been ruled by the iron fist of dictators. That is, until now.

Over the past year, Tunisian citizens have held demonstrations and protests, many violent, which culminated in an incredibly revolutionary triumph on January 14th.

For years Tunisians have suffered through an oppressive society with a faltering economy, censored media (including the Internet) and vast political corruption.

Official unemployment rates are reported as 13%, though realistically they could be much higher than 20%, and the former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali (henceforth known as Ben Ali) had “won” every election for the past 23 years. And among the foul acts of the old regime, the one that struck a blow to citizens, was the laundering of the country’s money and assets directly to Ben Ali and his circle, adding to the gross unemployment and destitute conditions of many.

The first major reaction against the dictatorship was the self-immolation of 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi. Like the Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thích Quang –Duc, Bouazizi’s drastic act set in motion an uprising and a great change to the regime, sparking a raft of protests and demonstrations that proved to be enough of a populist assertion to force Ben Ali to abdicate. In the days following Ben Ali’s flight from Tunisia, a provisional government was set up which holds both promise and cause for apprehension.

There are some revolutionaries now

Similar attempts at “Twittolutions” as some call such events, took place after the Iranian Elections in 2008, but proved to be ineffectual at removing Ahmadinejad from power. In spite of the Western media treating the situation lightly, the revolution in Tunisia is more than a spectacle of how 21st Century communication has revolutionized the world; it shows that the continued efforts and sacrifice of the masses is the only way to achieve change.

The repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was approved by both the House and the Senate, finally ending the 18-year “compromise” and allowing gay and lesbian people to serve openly in the military. A landmark overhaul of food safety was also passed, the most extensive in 75 years, protecting consumers’ best interest even though this places a burden on both congress and food corporations.

New Start, a comprehensive arms treaty with Russia, was passed with a twothirds majority. The DREAM Act, an immigration reform bill that will allow undocumented people in the country easier access to a college education, managed to get through, as well as a bill that will cover medical care for rescue workers and other people whose health was adversely affected by the fumes and dust from the 9/11 terror attacks.

We’ll see if Obama’s goals continue to be met successfully in the future, but for now, our union seems to be in a good state.

Lame Duck Congress Takes Flight President Obama gave his State of the Union Address on January 25th, and among addressing the concerns of the past year, he set incredibly lofty goals

Photo courtsey of Giffords.com Photo courtsey of Boingboing.com Photo courtsey of OpposingViews.com

FIT

FIT Speaks

A Convenient Truth

Illustration by Venus Wong for W27

Venus Wong

Readers, I am morally compelled to tell you the truth: Writing about the environment or methods of preserving the ecosystem is not my forte. In fact, you might even dare to label me as an “ignoramus” in this regard. I used to be the girl who often found herself dazed and confused in the middle of a discussion about the ozone layer, or the girl who automatically tuned out whenever an environmental issue was brought up on the news.

Needless to say, I have always considered myself to be one of the millions of people, who never really try hard enough to save Mother Earth.

You see, my relationship with the word “sustainability” has been a bit scarred from the beginning. My dear mother is a devoted saver. She cherishes the value of every single object found in her household, and is especially fond of recycling old newspapers in creative ways you could have never imagined. She demanded that I wrap all of my textbooks and school supplies with pages torn from newspapers, and therefore, eliminated the cost for book wraps and stationery cases. Looking back, I reckon that it was certainly a smart and environmentally-friendly idea to save more money.

As a self-conscious 7 year-old, however, all I felt was inferiority when my classmates debuted their shiny new Sailor Moon stationery cases as I unwrapped my pens from old newspaper. For a while, I was thought of as “the poor newspaper girl, who probably couldn’t afford a real pencil case.” When I told my friends that all the paper-wrapping was just my mother’s attempt to save the planet (and her wallet), they found it laughable and rather unnecessary. “Why would you want to do that?” One of my friends asked, “Isn’t recycling just for the people who can’t afford to buy new things?”

That was then, and this is now. More than ten years have passed since recycling was relatively new, and considered merely an option for the less fortunate. Thanks to enlightening films like An Inconvenient Truth and The Day after Tomorrow, Earth awareness is now stronger than ever. Even someone like me, with a total lack of understanding in Geography and Science, knows a thing or two about the greenhouse effect and how it contributes to global warming. Giving your effort to achieve sustainability has become more immediate and pertinent now then ever before.

So, let’s make a vow together, and act like the sophisticated and modern New Yorkers we claim to be. Promise to be friendly to the environment, and always RECYCLE. The next time the lady at the checkout counter tries to stuff your latest issue of Vogue into a plastic bag, tell her, “No, thank you, I don’t do plastic bags.” The next time you are thirsty for that white button-down Oxford shirt at Saks, think, “Vintage thrift shops!”

This will do wonders for your wallet, too. According to the Daily Finance, clothing stores are planning to raise their prices in 2011 anyway to cope with the skyrocketing cost of cotton. Trust me- it is more convenient than you think!

Yours truly,

Going Green Without Spending Yours

Venus (nicknamed Fishball)

Samantha Vance

It may be difficult to get in on the going green movement when so many of the eco-friendly options aren’t so wallet friendly and sometimes they’re even downright strange! Purchasing Energy Star-rated appliances and organic Seventh Generation cleaning products, and using organic hand towels and bamboo cutlery are just a few examples. There are some schools that have even banned airconditioning from dorm buildings.

I don’t know about you, but it would be very difficult for me to hop on that bandwagon. Sometimes we can’t do this whole green movement perfectly, but there are some simple and inexpensive changes you can make to your daily life that won’t make you or your wallet shrivel.

One of the simplest ways to start going green is to reduce your paper waste. We all know it’s better to use hand towels instead of paper towels, but don’t stop there. If you don’t already use online banking, start now. It’s offered by all of the major banks, and it’s much faster and easier than having all your bills and statements mailed to you. Some other suggestions include: buying a set of dishes instead of using paper goods, asking your professor if you can submit assignments via E-mail or Angel dropboxes, and setting your computer to double-sided printing.

Saving energy is another important part of sustainability. It may seem like

common sense, but turning off appliances and lights when you’re not using them goes a long way when you’re trying to reduce energy use. This includes your computer! Believe it or not, computers don’t need to “sleep” for eight hours at night. They actually save more energy by being shut off completely. Also, if you don’t already, start using the compact spiral design fluorescent light bulbs. They last ten times longer than standard light bulbs and use 75% less electricity. Another one we tend to forget is unplugging chargers and phones.

Chargers and plugs use energy even when not being used. Stay conscious of your appliances, and curtail energy use wherever and whenever possible.

All of these suggestions are easy and inexpensive ways to jump-start your new green way of life. Most students on our campus are already carrying reusable cloth bags and coffee mugs. You can purchase great totes and coffee mugs right in our bookstore! So don’t stress yourself out, being green is easier than you thought. Just a few tiny adjustments here and there, and you’ll be feeling more like a friend to the environment in no time.

FIT SPEAKS

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“Whoever mounts them on must have struggled to quite smoking.”

“Found in the stairway. Thanks for taking time to actually point this out.”

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FEBRUARY ‘11

STYLE ON

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Winter blues? Not at FIT! Snow storm alerts and black ice has not stopped these fashionable students from wearing the coolest outfits. Stacia McCarthy’s bright green coat and Sarah Bassett’s orange skirt definitely bring a pop of color to the greyest winter. In terms of shoes we can’t help but notice Woosung Jang’s snow boots and Nick Zipagan’s leather wedges. Way to brave the snow in style!

Jonathan Bauder, Freshman | Fashion Merchandising Management Describe your closet in one word: Structured.

One fashion item you can not live without: Leather Jacket.

Magazines or blogs you read? Garbage Dress, V Man Do you have your own blog? N/A

Isabel Monroe, Freshman | Fashion Illustration Describe your closet in one word: Vintage.

One fashion item you can not live without: Stockings Magazines or blogs you read? N/A Do you have your own blog? N/A

Janice Lee, Junior | Fashion Design Describe your closet in one word: Eclectic.

One fashion item you can not live without: Temperley Dress.

Magazines or blogs you read? Sartorialist, W, Collezioni Do you have your own blog? Thimblesandreform.tumblr.com

Stacia McCarthy, Junior | Advertising and Marketing Communications Describe your closet in one word: Vintage.

One fashion item you can not live without: Black Patent Leather Magazines or blogs you read? Vogue, W, InStyle Do you have your own blog? N/A

Nick Zipagan, Sophomore | Fashion Design Describe your closet in one word: Dark.

One fashion item you can not live without: Wedges.

Magazines or blogs you read? Jack and Jill Do you have your own blog? N/A

Sarah Bassett, Senior | Advertising and Marketing Communications Describe your closet in one word: Dress-ups.

One fashion item you can not live without: Harmony Ball Necklace Magazines or blogs you read? V, DazedDigital.com Do you have your own blog? www.Sarah-Bassett.com

Woosung Jang, Junior | Fashion Merchandising Management Describe your closet in one word: Italian Classics.

One fashion item you can not live without: 3 piece suits.

Magazines or blogs you read? Sartorialist, GQ, Leon Do you have your own blog? www.ostentatious-dresser.blogspot.com

Brandi Lacertosa, Freshman | Fashion Design Describe your closet in one word: Mixed.

One fashion item you can not live without: Heels.

Magazines or blogs you read? SU Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Do you have your own blog? N/A