The Fashion Report No.2

AUG/SEPT

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what’s inside

4 fresh breath of em 6 study abroad style guide 8 fashion in florence 10 native culture 19 back to school 20 designer profile

trends 5

diamonds

7 wide leg pants

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• • r r o e t t i t d e •l the e m o r •f

Whether you associate yourself with the world of fashion or not; style defines how you live your life. This month, my view on style changed dramatically via the daunting task of moving into a new apartment. (Keep in mind that I find packing up and moving a headache rivaling that of a 7:30 am final). I began to reevaluate and question my personal style as I filled an empty space with everything that is “me”, free of input from roommates.

Faced with this cumbersome, but still engaging task, I found peace in filling my studio like I fill this magazine. With everything that inspires to the point where we just have to share it with the world.

Style is that song you put on as soon as you plug your phone into your car stereo. Style is that one blown-up classic image acquired from the CSU plaza poster fair. You know — the one that has been hanging in the entryway of every single college-housing venue you’ve called home. Style is incendiary. It burns its way down through the layers, all the way down to your soul.

So when you find yourself lost in a sea of seasonal advertisements, changing trends, fluctuating fashion advice and style blogs, look at what you continually go back to for inspiration. A movie quote, an image, a decade, your favorite band. That is your style.

“Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening” – Coco Chanel It’s all happening!

-Kiah Anderson, Editor-in-Chief

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•a f resh brea th o f em •

dress trapped

• em kozi el •

Where does it come from?

At Thanksgiving last year, my little cousin indiscreetly muttered, “Boys don’t wear pink.” He is 10 years old.

Not too long ago, one of my male friends squinted his eyebrows at me while he got ready (as if I had just spoken Arabic), after I had suggested for him something to wear that night, “ I can’t wear that, people will think I’m gay.”

And last, but certainly not least, after I suggested that my Dad wear a bow tie to his company Christmas party, he responded with, “Ew, what are you trying to dress me like?”

I guess I’m going to start out this article by formally and honestly admitting, that I am confused. I am confused at where these reactions even come from? Or how each reaction was almost instant, without thought, and instinctual. Saying something like “they are uncomfortable with themselves” or “they are insecure with themselves for saying that” is a tad ignorant to me to find reason in this discussion, so I shall dig deeper. Bravely.

I once watched a documentary in a class called “Mean World Syndrome,” it talked about how boys are shaped with these gender specific ideals from developmental stages. When they are young, they are placed in certain clothing, taught beliefs, and practice things that fall under this interesting category of “being a man”. And this ladies and gentlemen, is the perfect example of (this is me trying to create a smarty-pants diagnosis for these lads) men being “dress trapped”.

1.Dress trapped (expression): derived from young men placing themselves into known or taught dress expressions meant to show that they are men, and any form of branching out could potentially cause discomfort.

(My Dad still ties his tie the same exact way that his father taught him. And for some reason boys ((in my opinion)) will not break this comfort zone of tradition more so than girls ... I’ll leave that sentence open for debate, though.)

Something having to do with the initial thought that because a man is dressed in a certain way, he is thought of as; (take your pick) gay, metro sexual, a ‘girly-man’, or a ‘weirdo’ keeps men from trying on a pink-colored top, or trying on tighter pants, or a tad bit brighter shoes. I wish I could let them in on a little secret; there are not ‘many’ people who continue to think those things when looking at someone. Chances are, our age group, or even older age groups, tend to focus on how we look more than a stranger passing us in the street.

I’ll blatantly state my point. Don’t be afraid to wear something because you think it makes you look like something you’re not. If you are worried about that, then chances are you are already not dressing according to preference, you are dressing for the way that society tells you to. Stop it! Wear pink, try a bow tie for an event, and try a little bit of unconventional risk! Chances are a girl might see you on the street and notice your unconventional step you took.

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•stu dy a broa d st yle guid e• • em ily smit h •

During the summer of 2012, I was lucky enough to study abroad for five weeks in the fabulous, stylish cities of London and Paris. Although my situation is somewhat unique, because a) I was there for five weeks, not a whole semester and b) I was enrolled in fashion classes so there was more pressure to dress fashionably, there are several universal tips that traveling fashionistas can follow. No need to give up your personal style just because you’re living out of a suitcase!

london

London is a massive city and reminded me a lot of New York City, specifically because pretty much anything goes when it comes to fashion. I saw women on the street rocking everything from jean shorts and Keds to Prada dresses and Louboutins. Read on for a few key items to bring with you: •Summer•

-several sundresses -a blazer in a neutral color -flat sandals (not flip flops!)

-one (yes, one) pair of heels, preferably wedges -a rain jacket and umbrella -dressy shorts and ankle-length pants

•Winter•

-trench coat -scarves, hats and mittens -several pairs of skinny pants -one or two pairs of jeans -a classic pair of boots that you will wear everywhere

paris

The women of Paris are incredibly stylish, yet conservative. I’ll put it this way – the more casually dressed you are, the more you will stand out as a tourist.

And if you wear short-shorts with a tank top, be ready for lascivious stares from men. There are plenty of items you can bring to don cute looks while still being conservative: •Summer•

-maxi dresses and skirts (super cute with plenty of coverage!)

-blazer in a neutral color -cardigans -longer, full skirts -classic pair of flats -lightweight button up blouses -jewelry, scarves, belts and hats to accessorize

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•Winter•

-wool pea coat -dressier pants -boots (again, you’ll wear them everywhere) -plenty of sweaters -wintery dresses you can wear with opaque tights -scarves, hats and mittens

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• • flore t h •of e ital birthp nce:• ian l a fash ce• ion•

• ha nnah mari on •

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We all have certain months throughout the year that we look forward to. For some it may be December since it is “the most wonderful time of the year” with the cheerful holiday spirit.

For others it may be March because that means it is time for Speak Break in Lake Havasu. May could also be your favorite month because this brings summer vacation and college graduation. But if you ask me, I would tell you that my favorite months are February and September.

And why is that you ask? Because that means Fashion Week has arrived. This is a time where new collections are previewed and all of us fashionista’s of the world can admire the creativity and beauty of a designer’s work.

It is a time where new trends are made for the upcoming season that incontrovertibly gives us all an excuse to update our closet with the newest styles. We wait with much anticipation to see what New York, London, Milan, and Paris will bring.

Each of these cities hosts designers whose brands originated in that country. While Milan is the city that holds Fashion week for Italy, it may come as a surprise to know that it has only done so for the past 30 years, whereas Paris, New York, and London have always been the fashion capitals of their country. Up until 1982 it was Florence that was the fashion capital of Italy, but this changed due to the industrialization of Milan, which proved better for the sake of business.

When we follow Fashion Week in Milan we see sensational designers such as Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Versace, and Valentino - just to name a few - however, most of us are unaware of how these Italian designers started their careers in the beautiful city of Florence.

In Italy in the 1940’s there was absolutely no garment industry, other than small tailor and dressmaker shops. Florence was a key destination for tourists and merchants and for this reason the first buying offices were established there.

From 1952 until 1982 spectacular fashion shows were held in La Sala Bianca of the Palazzo Pitti, a place rich with Florentine history.

With this Italian fashion became a worldwide phenomenon in terms of business and image, and the Palazzo Pitti became synonymous with contemporary fashion and culture (Pitti Immagine). To show a collection in La Sala Biana was a sign of total prestige for a designer. Since I am currently living in Florence I have had the opportunity to see the sheer elegance of the Sala Bianca.

This room exhibits opulence at its finest. The room is rather private, and with the door kept mostly closed the most you can do is peak your head in. The moment you see this entirely white ballroom adorned with ornate carvings and a mass of sparkling crystal chandeliers, you breath is taken away. It was a special moment for me, not only because the room was so magnificent, but also because of the history that fashion had in there.

I was in awe knowing that this was the place which gave Italian fashion its beginning, and that this was where renowned Italian fashion designers were able to gain worldwide recognition to start their careers.

Although the fashion capital of Italy has since been moved to Milan, fashion still thrives here in Florence. Fashion is something that is a part of everyday life. From the daytime where everyone can be seen holding shopping bags, to the nighttime where everyone stops to admire the window displays, you can feel the happiness that fashion brings to the people. Italians place a lot of importance on their everyday appearance and for this reason the majority of people you see are impeccably dressed. If you come to Italy and sport a sweatshirt with your Greek letters or wear a baseball cap with your favorite sports team, trust me when I say you will stick out like a sore thumb! Italians have mastered all the things that go into putting together a flawless outfit.

They have mastered the art of layering. They know how to flawlessly mix prints. They accessorize their outfits with all the right pieces. They choose shoes that always finish off a look to perfection. And their hair is always styled as if they just left the salon.

You can learn a lot about fashion and styling just by watching all the people pass by as you are walking around the city! In addition to this, I am taking a fashion photography class that requires me to do street photography. For the sake of my grade, as well as for the enjoyment I get from people watching, I am fairly confident that I am a good source to tell you what fashion trends are currently being seen here in Italy. These include: all types of sweatshirts - crewneck, hooded, oversized, ones that are embellished, and ones that have vintage inspired graphics – you name it, people are wearing them. And what are they wearing them with? You won’t see them being paired with jeans, but instead you would see something like a sweatshirt put over a collared denim shirt and worn with a miniskirt and thigh high socks. Another popular look is wearing a vintage inspired graphic sweatshirt that has been found at the local markets and thrift stores, and then pairing it with a bold pencil skirt or flowing maxi skirt. Next trend: hats.

For all you fashionista’s out there, make sure you have one! No matter the color or the style, wearing a hat during the day or even out at night is super chic. Another trend that is big right now is focused on something you might not expect: socks and tights. Whereas last season we saw tall socks peeking out over knee high boots that were paired with jeans or leggings, we now see short socks that are being worn with skirts as well as with ankle length pants which are paired with short boot or heels. If you like heels get a stylish pair of short socks to wear with them and you will be the ultimate fashionista! As for tights, you will see them being worn with shorts day or night. Instead of staying warm with long bottoms, the trend now shows us that we can wear our favorite summer skirts and shorts so long as they are paired with a fabulous pair of socks or tights!

As we have already established, Italians take a lot of pride in looking good every day, at every single moment during each day. This means that Italians shop - and they do so everyday. A store here in Florence that Italians love to shop at which allows them to stay current on all

the latest trends is Zara. They love it so much that they even have two Zara’s – right across the street from one another. Both stores have the same merchandise assortment for Donna (women), however one store is Donna and Uomo (man), and the other store is Donna and Bambini (children). Even though both stores have the same assortment for women, each store is set up completely different from one another and offers an entirely different shopping experience just based on where the products are placed. For this reason, I actually prefer shopping in one store over the other. Zara is the Mecca for all fashionistas and that is why you constantly see hundreds of women around town carrying a Zara shopping bag. They are always updating their styles and putting out entirely new products. For this reason, the Italians make it a point to go to Zara every day. I myself have likened to this habit and enjoy making a daily visit to Zara.

In my case, I don’t always go to make a purchase, but rather experience Zara from the perspective of someone who wants to pursue a job within the industry. Every day existing products are rearranged, mannequins get dressed in the most current styles, and new merchandise is added.

Since being here I feel as though my entire style has changed.

You really feel the importance people place on image, and when you dress fashionably it makes you feel more accepted and gives you the confidence to feel like you belong here and that you are not just a tourist. The one thing that has really influenced my style is all the “people watching” that I do! By doing this you can see the trends that are starting to form and become inspired to take what you are seeing on the street and apply it to your personal style and wardrobe. Since Florence is a walking city I am constantly “people watching” just by default of me having to walk to get to wherever it is that I am going. From all the “people watching” that I do I have been able to appreciate the impeccable style of Italian men, while also gawking at their beauty. Italian men are gorgeous creatures that get major brownie points for style and thus raise any American girl’s standards for how she wants her man to dress! The most defining styles of an Italian man are a perfectly tailored suit, flawless layering, a scarf, a trendy pair of sunglasses, pants rolled ever so slightly to the ankle, and fantastic leather shoes. One of the things that I will miss most about Italy is all the handsome and stylish men from which I admire from afar, that and gelato of course.

While we all know that Milan is Italy’s fashion capital today, we can all appreciate the rich history that Florence has as the birthplace of Italian fashion. Florence is the place where Italian designers began their career by showing their first collections in the Sala Bianca of Palazzo Pitti. While these designers came from cities all over Italy, Florence will always be home to Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Roberto Cavalli. Fashion is a way of life and you can truly sense the happiness that it brings to the people of Florence.

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Clothing provided by Cira Ltd.

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• s e v a • h l o t o s h u c m s e o e t r h ankle booties k t • r bac tote bags o f • ian • br

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• •yve designe s sa r int profile laur • ent•

• kr isti n ke mpto n •

photo from brusselsdiplomatic.com

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photo from style101magazine.blogspot.com

When I think of YSL, my mind immediately goes to the designer’s signature pantsuit, but I’ve never really fully appreciated what this man has done for women. While Chanel liberated the woman and presented freedom through her clothing, Yves Saint Laurent gave women power and the armor, in a sense to forge onward in their fight against oppression.

His designs embody the shifts throughout history and celebrate the elegance and beauty of the female body while yet still reiterating the power and strength of the woman.

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent was born on August 1, 1936 to a middle class family in Oran, Algeria. By age six he knew he was destined to be a designer. His talent was recognized at an early age of just 15 years old, and by 1955, he began working for Christian Dior as an assistant designer. After the sudden death of Christian Dior, Laurent became the youngest couturier in the world at just 21 years old. His first collection titled the “Trapeze” line scored high reviews among critics as Laurent started pioneering the world of fashion.

After a brief absence of being called to serve for his country, Yves Saint Laurent returned to Paris and left Dior, deciding to open his own house. On December 4th 1961, the House of Saint Laurent officially opened as blouses, cabans (sailor jackets), smocks, and coats followed marking the signature style of YSL. The “Mondrian” Collection of 1965 marked one of Laurent’s first collections under his own house and yet again sparked rave reviews within the industry. A year later the designer enlightened the world of fashion with his iconic smoking suit, opening the woman’s closet up to a whole new world of possibilities for her wardrobe. His designs were a paradox in and of themselves in that he was aware of the female body and transfused the idea of strength and power with the femininity and beauty within the nature of women.

As the House of Saint Laurent continued to grow and forge the frontier of women’s fashion along side the likes of Chanel, Saint Laurent’s unique ability to construct and shape style embarked on the idea of elegance and androgyny in women’s clothing. His label was never about appeasing the standards of fashion for the times, but rather evoking a way of movement through elegance in which he defined as “knowing how to adapt to all of life’s circumstances.” The implacable and acute cuts of his pantsuits never emulated masculinity, but rather reinforced the femininity and seductiveness of the female body all the while affirming the revolution towards uniformity and equality of the sexes. Laurent used his talent of design to transform the idea of femininity as a handicap into the beautiful reality of the woman’s image.

On June 1, 2008, Yves Saint Laurent passed away at the age of 72 year old. He left the fashion the world with a foundation for woman’s wear today. His clothing symbolizes a classic style that remains unaffected by the ever-changing trends of fashion.

Currently the brand is undertaking a complete makeover by the new creative director Hedi Slimane, in which the name is being changed. The font and logo will remain the same, but ultimately the name will drop the Yves and change to Saint Laurent Paris. As the brand moves into a new era, one thing will always remain the same of the iconic brand, that is its ability to present strength and power in the femininity of woman’s dress. Laurent created a style of elegance and androgyny that will forever remain timeless regardless of the fashions at the moment. Every one of Yves Saint Laurent’s collections was a sign, a gesture or rather bow before turning away and saying goodbye. So to leave you with the words of a great artisan, remember this next time you’re deciding what to wear, “over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.”

• s t i d e •cr photoshoot team

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the fashion report

editor in chief: Kiah Anderson Assistant to the Editor: Brian Guiducci layout and design: Verretta Andersen

director: Brian Guiducci assistant director: Magdalena Michel photographer: Austin Simpson hair and make up: Megan Swensen from Tuana Hair Design models: Jazzy Schutt, Kiah Anderson team members: Gabriel Ortiz

contributors

Emily Koziel Kristin Kempton Hannah Marion Emily Smith

special thanks to

Cira Ltd. Tuana Hair Design

ok U o b alCS e n c o i a F rnat

on inte p s u u o r Like com/fashiong . book face

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the fashion report has been made possible by

Fashion Group International

Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, professional organization with 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home.

The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace.

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Colorado State University