Alexandra Lewis, a junior Interdisciplinary Studies major, wears high-waisted black jeans with a yellow t-shirt in front of Dwinelle Hall, a great outfit for the chilly first days of spring!
Jordan Silver
BARE Reporter
Cal Street Style :: 3/31/09
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Alexandra Lewis, a junior Interdisciplinary Studies major, wears high-waisted black jeans with a yellow t-shirt in front of Dwinelle Hall, a great outfit for the chilly first days of spring!
BARE magazine is in the New York Times!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Extra, extra!! Read all about it!
BARE magazine is in the New York Times talking all about our experiences with our printer HP's MagCloud and BARE!
Be sure also to click on the slideshow to hear BARE voices on the MagCloud process and the making of BARE!!
BARE magazine is in the New York Times talking all about our experiences with our printer HP's MagCloud and BARE!
Be sure also to click on the slideshow to hear BARE voices on the MagCloud process and the making of BARE!!
San Francisco Soup Company
Sunday, March 29, 2009
As midterm madness began a couple weeks ago, I realized I had little time for preparing homemade dinners every night. So, between classes and study sessions, fellow BARE blogger Seika and I headed out to Bancroft and Telegraph to check out San Francisco Soup Company (next to Jamba Juice). We were surprised to find that the recently opened venue offers a variety of healthy homemade soups—just what we wanted!
After much deliberation, I opted for the soup and half-sandwich combo: Broccoli Cheddar soup and Grilled Chicken Ciabatta. Seika, on the other hand, tried one of the daily specials: Chicken Shitake and Bok Choy soup. Our soups, along with a generous serving of bread, kept us warm and content as we picnicked on Upper Sproul before heading our separate ways.
San Francisco Soup Company's menu includes at least 12 soups (including organic and vegetarian choices as well as five daily “Specialty Soups”) and the icons on the easy-to-read board indicate which soups are low fat, dairy-free, spicy, and gluten-free.
Another notable feature of the soup eatery is its pledge to sustainability: in its array of soups, the venue offers at least three organic soups daily, the salad bar features fresh organic greens, and the containers and cutlery are biodegradable. In addition to the wide-ranging soup selection, San Francisco Soup Company offers a full salad bar, from which you can create a custom salad, as well as ready-made salads and sandwiches.
With its quick, friendly service and selection of delicious soups, San Francisco Soup Company is a perfect lunch place for soup-hungry students on the go!
After much deliberation, I opted for the soup and half-sandwich combo: Broccoli Cheddar soup and Grilled Chicken Ciabatta. Seika, on the other hand, tried one of the daily specials: Chicken Shitake and Bok Choy soup. Our soups, along with a generous serving of bread, kept us warm and content as we picnicked on Upper Sproul before heading our separate ways.
San Francisco Soup Company's menu includes at least 12 soups (including organic and vegetarian choices as well as five daily “Specialty Soups”) and the icons on the easy-to-read board indicate which soups are low fat, dairy-free, spicy, and gluten-free.
Another notable feature of the soup eatery is its pledge to sustainability: in its array of soups, the venue offers at least three organic soups daily, the salad bar features fresh organic greens, and the containers and cutlery are biodegradable. In addition to the wide-ranging soup selection, San Francisco Soup Company offers a full salad bar, from which you can create a custom salad, as well as ready-made salads and sandwiches.
With its quick, friendly service and selection of delicious soups, San Francisco Soup Company is a perfect lunch place for soup-hungry students on the go!
Tiffany Wong
BARE Reporter
Street Style :: Japan Fashion Week
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A JFW staffer at The Dress & Co. by Hideaki Sakaguchi wearing the designer's creation.
Japan Fashion Week :: Updates
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Japan Fashion Week began in Tokyo and it's been pure madness, for me, a reporter who speaks no Japanese (nor reads/writes it) trying to navigate my way around the city in four inch heels with a Marc Jacobs bag full of stuff! But I love it. After confirming that I am indeed with the press and NOT a model I was escorted to the right people and thus it begun.
Miraculously I made it to all of the shows I was invited to, and I was on time. If only I could have gone to Ne-net too. None of the shows started on time--fifteen minutes late give or take, not as bad as NY Fashion Week (Marc Jacobs has been known to hold a show up for a half hour). Japan is pretty punctual. Fashion Week kicked off with Motonari Ono, whose mixed silhouettes and subdued colors were as mellow as the Indie Rock-like audio backdrop to the show.
While many of the designers said that they wanted to bring a dose of creativity to their designs, they bored me with their colors. Of all the shows I saw, Theatre Products and mintdesigns were my favorites, because they pushed the envelope with mixes of colors, shapes and patterns. Using a combination of real people--from an old grandmother type to an elementary schoolgirl--Theatre Products took it back to the future with modernized 60s ensembles.
I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store as I have four shows lined up and perhaps even a fifth. I'm totally missing a party right now because I'm spent, but JFW is worth the swollen feet.
Miraculously I made it to all of the shows I was invited to, and I was on time. If only I could have gone to Ne-net too. None of the shows started on time--fifteen minutes late give or take, not as bad as NY Fashion Week (Marc Jacobs has been known to hold a show up for a half hour). Japan is pretty punctual. Fashion Week kicked off with Motonari Ono, whose mixed silhouettes and subdued colors were as mellow as the Indie Rock-like audio backdrop to the show.
While many of the designers said that they wanted to bring a dose of creativity to their designs, they bored me with their colors. Of all the shows I saw, Theatre Products and mintdesigns were my favorites, because they pushed the envelope with mixes of colors, shapes and patterns. Using a combination of real people--from an old grandmother type to an elementary schoolgirl--Theatre Products took it back to the future with modernized 60s ensembles.
I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store as I have four shows lined up and perhaps even a fifth. I'm totally missing a party right now because I'm spent, but JFW is worth the swollen feet.
Motonari Ono is a well known Japanese designer who opened fashion week on Monday at Harajuku Quest Hall with a line full of very feminine cuts but void of much color. His models wore mullets and so did he:
Motonari Ono at the garcinshinois show at Belle Epoque COllege of Beauty in Tokyo
Motonari Ono and me at the same show
Photo from the garconshinois show....it was a mix of men's wear, women's wear and they even had little kids in the show, wearing cute outfits like the older models. Overall the line was very unimpressive.
Shalwah Evans
BARE Mentor
Street Style :: Harajuku
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
BARE's mentor Shalwah Evans is currently in Tokyo for Fashion Week, here are some street styles she found while walking around Harajuku- a hip area where youngsters like to chill.
"Men carried bags out here, but not bags like we know it. I mean pull on purses! Louis Vuitton speedy bags, canvas bags, over the shoulder carry-alls.. It's wonderful!"- Shalwah
"man bag with no stigma"
I would like that bag for myself- ruffles for men
Gossip girl meets rock star
Spotted at Omotesando- an upscale shopping area near Harajuku
Street Style :: Tokyo Edition
Monday, March 23, 2009
Here are two people Shalwah Evans, BARE's mentor, scouted in a part of Tokyo called Koto. Fashion Week in Japan has begun, stay tuned for some updates from BARE!
Adding a little color to an otherwise all black outfit.
A good example of a smart casual look
Shalwah Evans
BARE Mentor
LA Fashion Week :: more from COA
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Here are some more from COA...
Yes to dark acid wash jeans
Ready for business casual
Perfect pairing of light washed jeans with a plaid shirt and wrap-around sweater
Hot bod!
Photos by Katie Sarna
LA Fashion Week :: A Yeti’s Journey On Heels- Brian Lichtenberg
Brian Lichtenberg’s Fall ’09 collection was a highly anticipated show, crowds of people filed into the fifth floor down town LA’s Liberty Building at a punctual 9:30 p.m. The success of Brian’s geometric patchwork, florescent body suits and unprecedented aesthetic has drawn celebrity clients from Katty Perry and MIA to Sam Sparro and Santogold. As the word of people settled in the light went off, eerie music began playing and a model’s tall silhouette flashed two beams of red light at the audience. A dramatic opening to a theatrical show.
The first outfit, a hooded jacket made of fur patches, with a chocolate cowled minidress and “hairy” sky high heels to match, was the beginning of a space trip to Lichtenberg’s own interpretation of Star Wars and futurism.
The use of patchwork was still very present in this collection, but was executed with a different finesse. Some of the black and white prints showed geometric patches of lines, dots and other shapes that collided on the models in a simple yet innovative way.
All the dark earth tones juxtaposed with the metallic shimmering fabrics told a story of exploration. A search for the primal instinct in Brian’s clothing. On two occasions, models entered the runway wearing two massive horns lined with dangling hair, one sported a matching fur vest, patched leggings and those hairy heels while the other was dressed in a body suit made of soft brown variations.
People did not have to know a Star Wars plot line to know that these models were warriors, dressed by the elements. Earth, wind and a lot of fire. Models wearing simple asymmetric mini dresses in black and brown, eventually made their way down the runway, a balance to the over the top chewbacca (the Star Wars version of Big foot) inspired creations. The simplicity of some of the garments was enjoyable, and a subtle suggestion that Brian’s intentions may lie between wearable art and consumerism.
Lichtenberg’s use of skintight fabrics, and sexy cutouts also made the clothes seem more wearable. A long sleeve, hooded mini dress with exaggerated shoulders glimmered down the runway reminding everyone about the consumer potential of his clothes. Lichtenberg’s aesthetic could be regarded as unconventional or artsy, but its his understanding of sex appeal, sensuality and geometry that make his shows exciting and innovative.
The male models were dressed in more casual skinny jeans, tank and slasher tops, made popular by the Rodarte girls. A pair of black jeans were detailed with a criss-cross of shoe laces running from the knees and meeting a pair of black military boots. The men’s clothes had an 80’s flare, the studded bicker vest included, that exuded their own perspective on feminism.
A couple of other details of the show that stood out were the leather patch worked shin guards attached to a pair of heels accented with reflectors similar to those on a disco ball, a pair of gold harem pants, a necklace with a collection of triangular mirror pieces and of course the crowd favorite Gremlin skirt.
As the exhibition came to a close observers were left with a sense of evolution and progression, a change maybe to Lichtenberg’s own aesthetic.
Hector Marquez
UCLA FAST Reporter
The first outfit, a hooded jacket made of fur patches, with a chocolate cowled minidress and “hairy” sky high heels to match, was the beginning of a space trip to Lichtenberg’s own interpretation of Star Wars and futurism.
The use of patchwork was still very present in this collection, but was executed with a different finesse. Some of the black and white prints showed geometric patches of lines, dots and other shapes that collided on the models in a simple yet innovative way.
All the dark earth tones juxtaposed with the metallic shimmering fabrics told a story of exploration. A search for the primal instinct in Brian’s clothing. On two occasions, models entered the runway wearing two massive horns lined with dangling hair, one sported a matching fur vest, patched leggings and those hairy heels while the other was dressed in a body suit made of soft brown variations.
People did not have to know a Star Wars plot line to know that these models were warriors, dressed by the elements. Earth, wind and a lot of fire. Models wearing simple asymmetric mini dresses in black and brown, eventually made their way down the runway, a balance to the over the top chewbacca (the Star Wars version of Big foot) inspired creations. The simplicity of some of the garments was enjoyable, and a subtle suggestion that Brian’s intentions may lie between wearable art and consumerism.
Lichtenberg’s use of skintight fabrics, and sexy cutouts also made the clothes seem more wearable. A long sleeve, hooded mini dress with exaggerated shoulders glimmered down the runway reminding everyone about the consumer potential of his clothes. Lichtenberg’s aesthetic could be regarded as unconventional or artsy, but its his understanding of sex appeal, sensuality and geometry that make his shows exciting and innovative.
The male models were dressed in more casual skinny jeans, tank and slasher tops, made popular by the Rodarte girls. A pair of black jeans were detailed with a criss-cross of shoe laces running from the knees and meeting a pair of black military boots. The men’s clothes had an 80’s flare, the studded bicker vest included, that exuded their own perspective on feminism.
A couple of other details of the show that stood out were the leather patch worked shin guards attached to a pair of heels accented with reflectors similar to those on a disco ball, a pair of gold harem pants, a necklace with a collection of triangular mirror pieces and of course the crowd favorite Gremlin skirt.
As the exhibition came to a close observers were left with a sense of evolution and progression, a change maybe to Lichtenberg’s own aesthetic.
Friends of the designer- so jealous!
Geometry and dominating headpieces scattered the runway
Rodarte-esk piece we spotted backstage. The shine in the fabric made the garment pop
Hair shoes- front and center!
Close-up of the gremlin pocket that awed everyone
Models pose for the press backstage!
Hector Marquez
UCLA FAST Reporter
LA Fashion Week :: COA
Saturday, March 21, 2009
BARE is pleased to share with you the excitement of LA Fashion Week...
On Friday night, I headed over to the Lady Liberty Building in Downtown LA for B.Son. The reception before the show was the first look of Los Angeles Fashion Week, a William Rast-esque, leather-clad, skinny jean, and PVC-legging loving crowd with a quintessential LA-hipster vibe.
I met up with Katie (a fellow BARE Staffer), got our seats, and were happily surprised with a secret opening show by Los Angeles based, COA. The collection was a marriage of all our favorite trends: acid washed and distressed 5-pocket jeans, patent leather, tailored bomber/motorcycle jackets, tight-fit tuxedo suits, and skinny black ties. COA also had some memorable draped knit pieces and the most comfortable looking hoodies on the most beautiful male models…
After the show, Katie and I caught up with Zack, one half of COA’s design team. Along with learning that he’s born on Valentine’s Day and likes El Torito, Zack discussed how the functionality of the collection was based on the philosophy that every aesthetic needed a purpose and function.
Stay tuned for more pictures to come!
On Friday night, I headed over to the Lady Liberty Building in Downtown LA for B.Son. The reception before the show was the first look of Los Angeles Fashion Week, a William Rast-esque, leather-clad, skinny jean, and PVC-legging loving crowd with a quintessential LA-hipster vibe.
I met up with Katie (a fellow BARE Staffer), got our seats, and were happily surprised with a secret opening show by Los Angeles based, COA. The collection was a marriage of all our favorite trends: acid washed and distressed 5-pocket jeans, patent leather, tailored bomber/motorcycle jackets, tight-fit tuxedo suits, and skinny black ties. COA also had some memorable draped knit pieces and the most comfortable looking hoodies on the most beautiful male models…
After the show, Katie and I caught up with Zack, one half of COA’s design team. Along with learning that he’s born on Valentine’s Day and likes El Torito, Zack discussed how the functionality of the collection was based on the philosophy that every aesthetic needed a purpose and function.
COA focuses on the details and no detail is frivolous. COA successfully amalgamates deliberately practical design with current consumer demands, producing a collection that not only satisfies the desire to look up-to-date, but also amplifies that want with the promise of “cool,” innately woven into their design.
Stay tuned for more pictures to come!Photos by Katie Sarna
Seika Iwao
BARE Reporter
Cal Street Style :: 3/20/09
Friday, March 20, 2009
In front of Wheeler Hall yesterday, we saw Jeremiah Lee, a 3rd year music major, who was indeed very well dressed.
Renee Chen
BARE Reporter
Cal Street Style :: 3/19/09
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Cindy Hwang, a third year political science major, incorporating fall trends into a spring-time look by wearing a summer dress over PVC leggings.
Jordan Silver
BARE Reporter
Sample Sale Alert!
Yoox.com is having a sample sale online! Shop 90 percent off designer brands including Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Paul Smith and more! Still looking for that perfect boyfriend blazer, they have a size 10 theory blazer for 50 percent off! So browse around the site and maybe you'll get something that you were always dying for!Photo courtesy of blacknight blog
Karen Kwok
Blog Editor
BARE @ LA Fashion Week
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Photo from Style.com
As a forewarning, stay tuned for BARE's presence at Los Angeles Fashion Week. We have tickets to hot, emerging designers, a fresh perspective from a UCLA, and live updating. Later this week, we'll be reporting on the hottest LA has to offer for fall/winter!
Some of the shows that we will be going to include TenOverSix, B. Son, Joyrich, Brian Lichtenberg, French Connection, Popomomo, Cynthia Steffe, Who's Next What's Next (upcoming designers), Marc Ecko, and hopefully many more!
We'll keep you updated.
John Kim
BARE Editor
Some of the shows that we will be going to include TenOverSix, B. Son, Joyrich, Brian Lichtenberg, French Connection, Popomomo, Cynthia Steffe, Who's Next What's Next (upcoming designers), Marc Ecko, and hopefully many more!
We'll keep you updated.
John Kim
BARE Editor
Street Style Ad Campaigns
Usually fashion inspiration is drawn from the runways and through the slow trickle down explained by Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada, it is spread to the streets.
Lately, though, this fashion rule has been flipped on its head and it seems that street style is an ever strengthening source of inspiration.
While the likes of Marc, Karl and Diane are technically the ultimate visionaries in fashion, regular Joes (and Janes) ensembles can be equally inspired. It’s normal to covet someone’s style on chictopia or lookbook.nu or to drool over the latest trends captured by Face Hunter or Garance Dore. But beyond the blogosphere, street photographers have begun to go main stream.
Instead of shooting fashionable people on the street, these photographers are shooting ad campaigns. Scott Schuman, “The Sartorialist” recently shot a characteristically natural campaign for DKNY jeans, and Jak & Jil’s Tommy Ton worked his signature angles and shoe close-ups for Lane Crawford’s Spring 09 Ad campaign. American Apparel recently collaborated with some of Chictopia’s chicest members for an ad campaign as well.
The days of brands and price tags determining someone’s fashion cred are over, and the mix of runway with vintage makes for a more signature style.
While the likes of Marc, Karl and Diane are technically the ultimate visionaries in fashion, regular Joes (and Janes) ensembles can be equally inspired. It’s normal to covet someone’s style on chictopia or lookbook.nu or to drool over the latest trends captured by Face Hunter or Garance Dore. But beyond the blogosphere, street photographers have begun to go main stream.
Instead of shooting fashionable people on the street, these photographers are shooting ad campaigns. Scott Schuman, “The Sartorialist” recently shot a characteristically natural campaign for DKNY jeans, and Jak & Jil’s Tommy Ton worked his signature angles and shoe close-ups for Lane Crawford’s Spring 09 Ad campaign. American Apparel recently collaborated with some of Chictopia’s chicest members for an ad campaign as well.
The days of brands and price tags determining someone’s fashion cred are over, and the mix of runway with vintage makes for a more signature style.
With everyday fashionistas finally getting noticed, it’s only a matter of time before someone you know is the inspiration for a Marc Jacobs purse, playing muse to Lagerfeld himself, or at the very least snatching Whitney Port’s job as an intern.
Julia Heidelman
BARE Reporter
Julia Heidelman
BARE Reporter
St. Patrick's Day Street Style
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Faye Cruz, a second year art history and media studies major, does St. Patrick's Day right in front of the Hargrove Music Library. I love the cinched cardigan, the gold accents on the scarf, the woven leather boots, and of course the green!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!Jordan Silver
BARE Reporter
Avant Gaudy :: fashion summer internship
From Left to Right: Art Direction and Marketing Vincent Choi, and co-founders Deborah Umunnabuike and Jessica Umunnabuike [Photo from their feature on Business Week.]AvantGaudy is an online vintage clothing boutique, featuring "one-of-a-kind and authentic vintage clothing that reflect the designers that currently dominate the high-fashion runways"- for both male and female. This is a perfect way to mix and match your wardrobe to build your own personal look. You could get Marc Jacobs, Lanvin and Comme des Garcons looks for a lot less.
As well, if you are in the midst of internship hunting, Avant Gaudy is seeking a few summer interns for a number of positions, ranging from marketing to styling. You can find more information on Callisto and on their website.
Happy Shopping!
Karen Kwok
Blog Editor
CalSERVE releases candidates
Monday, March 16, 2009
CalSERVE, another main political party at UC Berkeley, released its slate for the ASUC elections coming up in a few weeks! As before, voting is always in vogue, so we here at BARE suggest you do April 7-9; we will have links up on the BARE blog for how you can vote when the dates comes around.
We are excited to see a familiar face again! Kifah Shah, who is running for Executive VP, modeled in BARE's fourth issue; she showed off her Little Black Dress in the "Back of the Closet" section!
We're looking forward to bringing BARE readers more about the candidates and parties as the election season continues! But in the meantime, many campaign launch parties are kicking off today; BARE will be at many of them, so keep a look out on the BARE blog for fashions from the festivities and information on candidates' platforms!
Doreen Bloch
BARE magazine, Founding Editor
We are excited to see a familiar face again! Kifah Shah, who is running for Executive VP, modeled in BARE's fourth issue; she showed off her Little Black Dress in the "Back of the Closet" section!
We're looking forward to bringing BARE readers more about the candidates and parties as the election season continues! But in the meantime, many campaign launch parties are kicking off today; BARE will be at many of them, so keep a look out on the BARE blog for fashions from the festivities and information on candidates' platforms!
Doreen Bloch
BARE magazine, Founding Editor
Beauty & Attitude
Amidst the darling little boutiques that line Vine Street in North Berkeley is Beauty & Attitude, a lingerie and bare necessities boutique with attitude (as its name so suggests). Its “attitude” however, takes on that of the gentle, lovely, woman type. Think 1940s pin-up girl. The boutique carries gently laced bras and panties in black, white and pastel colors, silk nightgowns, basic cotton tanks, swimwear and more.
But wait, there’s more! They also carry Spanx! Those amazing tights that create a shapelier and fuller bottom when yours is lacking in those departments – I should know, I happen to be the owner of an inadequate bum.
Be sure to check out their enchanting little shop at 2116 Vine Street in Berkeley (located half a block away from Cheeseboard) for a fine afternoon of delectable bare-necessities-shopping and scrumptious pizza-eating.
Renee Chen
BARE Reporter
Cal Street Style :: 3/15/09
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Cecily Ng, a first year intended architecture major, spotted at GBC following the "Holi Festival of Color" layering a dramatic plaid cape over a sweater with cuffed jeans and grey ankle boots.
Denise Ngai, a fourth year EECS major, wearing a simple but detailed tunic from Hong Kong over black stirrup leggings. Simple, but the subtle details on the dress make this look stand out!
Jordan Silver
BARE Reporter
Coco Avant Chanel
Break out your french dictionaries or your Rosetta Stone because the long anticipated trailer for Coco Avant Chanel has finally been released! The biopic about famed fashion designer Coco Chanel is entirely in French without subtitles (so far...the film does not release in the U.S. until later this year) but from what we can gather, it tells us the story of one woman's rise to fame despite all the odds against her. Coco Chanel changed not only the face of fashion but gave rise to an empowering feminist movement in and out of the fashion world. With costume assistance by Karl Lagerfeld and featuring the beautiful Audrey Toutou as Coco, how could we possibly miss this?
Enjoy the trailer!
Enjoy the trailer!
Gina Harris
BARE Reporter
AXO Runway :: Fashion for Philanthropy
Saturday, March 14, 2009
This past Wednesday night, 145 Dwinelle was transformed into a glamorous venue complete with DJ and colorful decorations as the girls of Alpha Chi Omega took over for their runway charity event. This show – the sorority’s annual big philanthropy event, according to second-year Jennifer Sternberg, Vice President of Fraternity Relations – was originally inspired last year by “Project Runway” as a fun way to support their national cause, domestic violence awareness. Tickets were $6 at the door, and all proceeds are going to benefit A Safe Place, a women’s shelter in Oakland.
The show featured ten Greek teams, four fraternities and six sororities, competing in a style war of high fashion and game day looks. But, like every good “Project Runway” episode, the designer teams had to make it work with a set of eclectic and not always flattering set of fabrics given to them by the AXO organizers (think football prints and white faux fur, just to name a few).
“We were given a variety of fabrics and we just tried to put it together in a stylish way,” Maya Yizhaky, freshman, said of her design for the Alpha Omicron Pi.
The show started with the “game day” looks, as models from each of the houses strutted their stuff and showed off Cal pride. Ranging from cute strapless dresses by the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority to downright disturbing short-shorts from frat Phi Delta Theta, these looks were fun, wacky, and even occasionally wearable.
“It was a good mix of goofiness and creativity,” said AXO first-year Hannah Kopeikin. “Definitely a unique group of costume designs.”
After a brief intermission performance by the female a capella group Golden Overtones, the remaining models stomped – and sometimes danced – out with their “high fashion” styles. Highlights included a well-sewn zebra print strapless romper by Pi Beta Phi that even Nina Garcia wouldn't find faults with, and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Patrick Stelmach crawling around in a zebra costume to the Lion King theme (he later won the crowd vote for favorite model). Most frats’ outfits, though, would have had even Tim Gunn worried – like Sigma Chi's zebra pants and fur suspenders combo.
Elena Radicati
BARE Assistant Editor
The show featured ten Greek teams, four fraternities and six sororities, competing in a style war of high fashion and game day looks. But, like every good “Project Runway” episode, the designer teams had to make it work with a set of eclectic and not always flattering set of fabrics given to them by the AXO organizers (think football prints and white faux fur, just to name a few).
“We were given a variety of fabrics and we just tried to put it together in a stylish way,” Maya Yizhaky, freshman, said of her design for the Alpha Omicron Pi.
The show started with the “game day” looks, as models from each of the houses strutted their stuff and showed off Cal pride. Ranging from cute strapless dresses by the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority to downright disturbing short-shorts from frat Phi Delta Theta, these looks were fun, wacky, and even occasionally wearable.
“It was a good mix of goofiness and creativity,” said AXO first-year Hannah Kopeikin. “Definitely a unique group of costume designs.”
After a brief intermission performance by the female a capella group Golden Overtones, the remaining models stomped – and sometimes danced – out with their “high fashion” styles. Highlights included a well-sewn zebra print strapless romper by Pi Beta Phi that even Nina Garcia wouldn't find faults with, and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Patrick Stelmach crawling around in a zebra costume to the Lion King theme (he later won the crowd vote for favorite model). Most frats’ outfits, though, would have had even Tim Gunn worried – like Sigma Chi's zebra pants and fur suspenders combo.
After a stellar musical performance by the Men's Octet, the judges – one from each competing house and two from AXO – deliberated, and AXO raffled off Bloc Party concert tickets and gift certificates to the audience. In the end, despite the men’s hilarious efforts, true style prevailed as Pi Phi’s one-shouldered brown satin game day dress and high fashion romper won them overall best design for the second year in a row. While the show may not have been up to Michael Kors’ or Heidi Klum’s sartorial standards, it was certainly a fun and entertaining display of creativity that’s sure to be back next year for a third season.
You can see why Pi Beta Phi won for their adorable printed romper
Unique sculptural detailing on Kappa Kappa Gamma' high fashion look
Phi Delta Theta shows off a couture man-skirt
Tri-Delt finished off the high-fashion display
Pi Phi's game day look - making even Oski hats look cute
AOPi's Danesha McCoy looking fierce in a game day gown
The Tri-Delt team's game day look
Denise Rodriguez of AOPi in a high-fashion T-shirt
Photos by Albert Treat
BARE Assistant Editor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)