Ball State Fashion Program

I just want to start out by saying that I have enjoyed my experience at Ball State very much! I speak highly of the school as well as the program that I have been a part of. Be able to study a topic that I am so interested in and be given the opportunity to get involved with it through my class work as well as outside of the class has been a great learning experience. 

The main highlight of my education has been the teachers in the fashion program. They all are so excited to teach about their subjects. At times they might not show it at first but once you get to know them and their learning style you can really tell! When someone is passionate about teaching, it makes the learning process easier.

I would have to say the classes I enjoyed the most and wish there would have been more time to study the information would be textiles and analysis. They are both classes that I think are very useful as fashion students. There is so much important information that is put into the 15 weeks of classes that its almost impossible to remember it all. 

Blog On!

Within the fashion program at Ball State other students take the opportunity to reflect on the fashion world through blogs just as I have. One of those would be Goldie Boots by Lidiya. I really like her blog because she takes a different look on fashion and excepts that not everyone is going to feel the same way. In doing so she makes you look at the fashions she is talking about in a different way.

My favorite blog entry from her entry on October 28, 2010. She took a look at fashion in a movie, Zoolander. Fashion in movies typically is amazing because they have the funds, as well as designers working with the movie to design clothes that will pop but in Zoolander the fashion is on another level. I personally enjoyed the pictures as well as her view of the fashion.

I encourage you  to check out my favorite entry as well as all of her other entries she has done. Goldie Boots

Fun with Fashion

One of my new favorite songs is one by Katy Perry. So while listening to her today I started to think about all her fashion statements and what she could possibly wear for this song. She is so pretty and confident that she can pull off crazy fashions that no one would ever try and look amazing while doing so.

This is one of those looks that a lot of people questioned but I think she wore it well. She was at an MTV event, which isn't a super formal event and is totally the place to have fun.

In the picture to the left the dress looks like a real try at trying to look amazing on the red carpet, no tricks and games. But really her dress would light up with LED lights.

This dress Katy is in on the right is an example of a classic and simple dress. There is really no extras to this except her just looking great!

Her looks maybe crazy but you can't say they aren't fun to look at. Fashion has always been said to be an art and Katy Perry shows that art off. One will never know how she will show up at an event. It may be classy, it may have a twist or it could just be straight up strange. We always know that it will be something to talk about. That is why I love her fashions!

This Is It!

    The day of the show was finally here. We all had been working so hard to put on a show that met the standards of other shows if not surpass them. I was surprised that we got everything done as fast as we did that morning. It made me more anxious for the show to start. Being able to see everything put together in how we envisioned it was an eye opener. Knowing that we, as students could do this, I could only imagine what else could be done professionally. 

   It was so exciting to see everyone dressed in business clothing. We are use to seeing each other in jeans everyday that it was a nice change of pace. It made me wish we would have had more a business fair after so that we were really able to show off all that we had to companies that we would potentially want to work for. 

  With the time getting closer, people started to arrive. The room slowly started to fill. Watching the people look through the packets that we had worked so hard on was exciting. There were things that I personally worried about all that was within the packets. The folders were full of information, small papers, and coupons. With all of them not being held together everything was falling out of the folders. 

   Overall though I thought the show went off with a bang. A few hick-ups but nothing that made the show a disaster. I was proud to say that I was a part of the event!

Taking Care of Business Press Event

The day of the press event started early for me. I had been stressed out a little about getting all our final pieces together to help be a part of a great event for 27 Mannequins. The t-shirts were the biggest deal for the marketing team. We had sent in our t-shirt information a month before we actually needed them and then the week before we were suppose to get them we got an e-mail telling us that our logo's weren't opening on their computers. Since we have been working as a team to get all of our marketing done, different people had different parts of the marketing. Getting the logos changed into the format that they told us to use in a quick turn around was a challenge. I personally felt bad in class when everyone was disappointed about not having the t-shirt the day before the event but it was hard to explain that the company we choose to work with waited till the last minute to check our logos. In the end though I felt that the t-shirts looked great and all of the class wearing them at the event looked great!

I got to the event for the second half. I guess I honestly expected there to be more people besides our class. I don't know if I just missed the press being there. But I thought the point of the event was to get our fashion show out in the Muncie area.

Overall though, I felt that Ashley had the room set up very nice and the food was great. She really had made a welcoming environment for people to learn what our class has worked so hard to bring together. I hope that all the efforts of marketing as well as the press event will get people interested to come to the fashion show that we have worked so hard to put on along with the Career Center.

Business Classy

With our 27 Mannequins and Career Center presents Taking Care of Business fashion show is quickly approaching as well as graduation around the corner, all I've been thinking about is business fashion. I have always loved the classy, polished, put together look but have never had a place to really wear it. Picking out stuff for my mom and dad to wear to work was the only real way I have been able to express my favorite looks until the last few years where I have worked in an environment that allows to express that passion. Here are a few looks I love!

I love layers on men and women. Men wearing layers is something that I feel is becoming more popular in the last few years. With the layers being offered in my lighter fabrics so that wearing layers isn't just to keep warm. The outfit to the left is a look from Banana Republic. The argyle sweater with a woven button up and dress slacks are a good way to dress for work without having to wear a suit.

 Even thought I feel that this skirt is too short for a work environment I think it has a great concept for an outfit if the skirt was a little longer. The boot with knee high socks or tights, a skirt, and a sweater with button up layered under. Practical while still keeping the current style. I feel like many of these piece could be used in different ways as trends and fashions change. This outfit is also from Banana Republic.











This is the traditional suit but in a color that isn't seen that often. I like it because the change in color from black or navy that are seen very often on men. I also feel like this suit could be paired with a lot of different colors as well as dressing it up with just a tie and a button up or dress it down with a sweater.This suit is from J.Crew.

This look is a little dressier. But paired with a black or even tan suit jacket could make it more of a day to night look that would be great for work day that has plans after. I love the color. I feel that it would look good on almost every skin tone. Even adding tights to this look could change it up. It is a very visual piece which I think is a great attention getter. This dress is also from J.Crew.

Fashion Beats

Music icons are some leaders in the fashion because designers are dressing them to make statements.

Beyonce has been in the music industry for a while now. Her mother, Tina Knowles did her fashion's for the girls when she was a part of Destiny's child. Beyonce and Tina work together for their House of Dereon line. It works well having Beyonce as the tie to the company because she has always had great style being in the public eye.
To learn more about the House of Dereon and to see some of the clothing as well as were to buy them check out this link, http://www.houseofdereon.com/

Rihanna is always trying something new and different. Even though the photo to the right isn't something you will see most people wearing on the street it is something new that hasn't been seen in a while. The tulle skirt reminds me of Madonna during the 80's.  Right now a lot of the styles she is wearing seem 80's inspired. Like the outfit on the right the bright solid color jacket and the bold stripes paired together would be something that would have been worn then and seem to coming back strong. Rihanna is for sure rocking this look.
For more Rihanna looks check out People.

One of my favorite show's is Glee! Even though it is television it is based on music of past and present. One of the stars Lea Michele has great personal fashion, even though her look on the show is up tight. She has the classic look to her. In the picture to the left she is wearing black and white. It is a covering outfit but she looks great. The belt at her waste makes her look even smaller then she already is. Even at formal events she looks clean and classic. She always wears outfit to show off her small figure. Her fit of her clothing seems to be done properly as well to which is always important. Her style is beautiful and something I personally admire.

Ball State Fall Fashion

To describe Ball State University's fashion I would say it is comfortable but cute. I found three female students that demonstrate how I see the student population's dresses.

My first student Kayla is a Senior. In this picture she is wearing a zip up sweatshirt, a tie-dyed tank top, jeans and boots. She stated that she love the tank she was wearing because it was cute and colorful but extremely comfortable. 
She said that the way she would describe her fashion would be quick and comfortable but still know that she is presentable if need be. She wouldn't feel uncomfortable standing in front of a group the way she was dressed.
All together I would say that Kayla's boots and jeans are staples in most college students fall wardrobe.

 The next student I bumped into was Chelsea. I have class with her and she is always dressed cute even when she is not trying. Today she said she wasn't trying and did not feel cute.
I really liked her outfit because it shows how important layering is during the cooler weather. She is wearing a hat, a pink scarf, a gray t-shirt, a white zip up fleece, jeans, and sequin tennis shoes.
Even though she said she was not trying she still had fashion pieces that made her trendy but still comfortable. I think this important even when someone doesn't care it still makes them fell pulled together.

Sarah was my last person and she is my example of a more dressy comfortable. She even stated that she was more dressed up today than she normally dresses. 

She was wearing a purple and gold scarf, a red sweeter, a white tank, jeans, and black boots. She also is showing the layering that is worn by many students due to the temperature inside and outside being different. 

Scarfs are a staple in most female wardrobe. Its an accessory as well as functional. 

Fashion Week

What to say about fashion week? It is exciting! I don’t know if I can say more than that. To be able to see what designers are planning on having out for next year as well as seeing some of the “out there” designs that make you think gets me super excited.  

The picture to the left is Lela Rose and one of my favorite pieces I saw while looking through designers lines. There were also layered pieces over it, like sweaters, as well as the necklace she is wearing in the picture. The color is what got my attention right off but how much I feel you can do with the dress also made me continue to keep coming back to it.
The colors in this line by Lela Rose were beautiful. They are pieces I can't wait to be able to own myself.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2011RTW-LROSE
Please take the time to look at all the great fashions that Lela Rose showed this year.





My favorite color right now in fashion is navy blue. Tommy Hilfiger is all about navy as well and always has been. I personally liked that all his navy's are a long the same tone so the line flowed smoothly even though not everything was all navy. Some only had a touch.
After looking through all his pieces it made me want to go shopping as well as take a vacation. To me having clothing take you some where is a great thing! Tommy did that for me.
http://www.wwd.com/fashion-week/spring-ready-to-wear-2011/review/tommy-hilfiger-rtw-spring-2011-3260561?city=new-york#
Have a look at his line on Womens Wear Daily and see if it gives you the same feeling!

After looking at the clothing the other thing that I wanted to talk about was fashions night out.  I had heard about this event before but I feel like this year it was made a bigger deal than other years. It is held on the Friday of fashion week. After working in retail for the last few years I have seen first hand how much the fashion industry needs help. Making a night to look good and go out and shop to help encourage full price shopping is how the Fashions Night Out website explains the event. It is held through out the world at all different stores.

On Tuesday, Septemeber 14 on CBS they are going to have a special on the night. Please visit the website to learn more http://www.fashionsnightout.com/