Life of Mayhem: My Life as a Fashion Student

As a fashion student your life is hectic all the time because one must constantly multi-task. The experiences that you gain through higher learning is amazing because it will be beneficial later in life. The Art Institute of Charlotte has it's ups & downs but it's what you make it. My major focuses on marketing and management and the classes will kick your butt if your not focused. I love a challenge so that's why I chose the AiCH for the good, bad, and the ugly side of the fashion industry. The good part of this school is that the professors have awesome connections, so when internship comes around I will have nothing but the best experience and a possible job afterward. The bad part of being a fashion student is that everyone automatically assumes that you want to design, which is such a stereotype. The ugly part is what makes being a fashion student so beautiful, because we transform ugliness into an artistic concept.

Michelle Obama: Political Influence in Fashion

Michelle Obama is the most fashion-foward potential First Lady that America has witnessed in half a century. Her fashion flare is flawless everytime she graces the television it's never a dull moment. As a budding icon she exudes major confidence and plays her role as a supporting lady so well. Jackie-O would be pleased to see how well Michelle Obama lives up to America's expectation of a true First Lady. The world is ready for a change and the Obama family is a great example of the All American family.

Press Releases

SIGVARIS Sheer Fashion Support Hose Appeals to
Diverse Women With Two New Skin-Tone Colors

Sigvaris is the world’s leading manufacturer of compression therapy garments. They specialize in sheer fashion hosiery, the two new colors being introduced are Café and Terracotta. Cafe and Terracotta will be sold in Knee-hi (Closed Toe only), Thigh-hi and Pantyhose Sheer Fashion hosiery comes in 10 colors to match diverse lifestyles. This product is being introduced to the market for women who experience swollen ankles and varicose veins. Now Sigvaris will offer a wider range of colors to choose from and while women are wearing this product they also receive the preventative health benefits of compression therapy. The sheer fashion hosiery line is ready for
purchasing but the pricing for the product is not listed yet.




The Body Shop Announces a New Digital
Look and Introduces New Products

The Body Shop plans to reveal a new online look mirroring the company’s values. The company believes the only way to beautiful in Nature’s Way. Nature’s Way is inspired by naturally inspired beauty and cosmetics, so The Body Shop will reestablish their ethical background by promoting a new marketing campaign introducing two new products. The two new products being introduced to the website are Wellbeing and Nature’s Mineral. The wellbeing product offers four new regimes: Total Energy, Pure Detox, Divine Calm and Deep Sleep treatments. All products are produced with natural ingredients which are based on traditional herbal remedies to help alleviate any lifestyle worries. Nature’s Way is derived from pure mineral powders to deliver a natural finish that looks as if it’s barely there. It’s clinically proven to be suitable for sensitive skin because it’s preservative free and fragrance free. The items are now available on the Body Shop website.

Every women’s wardrobe selection is composed of garments that she feels are must haves. Well Vaiya Channelle’s must haves will most likely appeal to anyone who is not afraid of fashion. From the five garment selected your wardrobe can adapt to any atmosphere from a typical day at work to a night out on with the girls.

Big business minus the business suit is speaking in reference to the year of the woman. Women don’t have to wear a suit to be stylish and professional at work. It’s all about wearing what is appropriate for your work atmosphere, yet still having a comfortable aura that exudes confidence with the workplace. Don’t be afraid to spice up the work room with your outstanding colors.

Your evening ensemble should represent your true confident style. You want that sass in your outfit to extract every eye to be on you. First and foremost it’s best to keep it simple and add pieces that enhance the overall look that your trying to capture. A simple pair of color skinny jeans with a floral blouse that has fluidity will work just fine. The shoes should bring out one of the bold colors in the shirt, the earrings should match the shoes, and the handbag should be cohesive with another color in the shirt to bring the entire look together.

The weekend is all about being relaxed and hanging out with friends, so the ensemble should represent your relaxed side. The weekend side could represent somewhat of a alter ego that throws clothes together accidentally and it comes out looking like a trend setter. Skinny jeans are so in this year so go grab a bright pair, don’t forget to snatch a funky graphic t-shirt, and a patterned vest to throw everyone off. Ankle boot flats are only for the cool people so you definitely want to own a pair. Accessories could be any color that is in your outfit, but earrings and handbag should be black because that is your dominant accessory color.

Once you figure out how switch up your wardrobe from workday to night, you are finally grasping your true style senses. Remember to always look in the mirror before you work the runway in your life and also remember it’s ok to dance to your own beat! Be yourself and try color on for a change!

Spice It Up: Color Trend for Autumn/Winter '08/'09

One of the color trends for autumn/winter 2008/2009 are warm expressive colors that can breathe life into your old wardrobe. Enhancing last years browns and mustards with fresh pecan browns, rusty peach and walnut colors will recreate a brilliant nature aura. The golden shades in your closet can be combined with a rich plum wedge pump or try a camel beige ankle boot with a mahogany top that has fluidity to exude the ultimate autumn sensation. One of the prime factors of flipping your wardrobe is being cognizant of what items need a tune up in your closet. For example if the favorite sweater in the closet happens to be walnut then spice it up with a taupe scarf. Colors change with season so try to develop a variety of richness with different color ranges that will revive your closet. Fall is coming so don’t get left behind!

Sagging vs.America: Stereotypes

The Confederate Flag, racism. Middle-Eastern man with a turban, terrorist. These are all sterotypes that have shaped our nation into thinking negatively towards other ethnicities that have made the U.S. such a unigue country.

Just recently another formed image or opinion has been made about “sagging pants.”

Sagging pants as we know was popularized in the early 1990’s, which can be attributed to the hip hop culture and its artist. This saggin style is worn by blacks as well as a few white males. Ever since then the African Amercian man has been plagued by this stereotype. Thug, criminal, convict, and ignorant are just a few words that are associated with the stereostype of saggin pants.

“I was at work and someone that I work with came up to me and tried to act as if I was ignorant and had no college education because my gym shorts were saggin,” stated Renondo Wilson, a student at The Art Institute of Charlotte. Since it is mostly African American males that choose to wear saggin pants, some feel that it is racial profiling when some cities put a ban on saggin pants. Some councilmen and other government authority (mostly oldheads) feel that it is offensive to see young men saggin. Because this is primarliy worn by black males some feel like it is targeting black males as if “we” (black people) are not targeted enough. Of course we all know the orgin of saggin pants started in the jail system when they would take the immates belts away so they would hang themselves. It has since then carried over into the hip hop culture. Many rappers we see also sag, but is it really indescent exposure if you can not see the buttocks or the underwear? Is it really necessary to associate jail time and a fine with saggin pants? Studies show that when some of these same African American men go to college there is a lack of saggin, because these men mature and realize that they wanted to be apart of the fad. In essence sagging pants are just a fad same as bell bottoms and hot pants. In the words of King David “This too shall pass.”
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Innovation leads to beautiful Creations

Charlotte North Carolina will have its first premier fashion event of the year: Charlotte Fashion Week taking place September 18-20. This 3 day event will take place at Charlotte’s Blake Hotel. The audience will get to experience exceptional networking opportunities, industry workshops, and highly anticipated runway show. The significance of this event will bring huge exposure to Charlotte designers. The students of the Art Institute of Charlotte have been presented with the wonderful opportunity to have exclusive access to the event. This is a huge opportunity for students that could open many networking doors that could be beneficial to their future careers. Some of the designers reside right here in Charlotte, like 26 year old Tenisha Campbell of T-Simone Designs. Tenisha started her innovative creations by creating t-shirts in high school and carried it a step further college. She began to become more intrigued with fashion and in 2006she founded her own business known as T-Simone Designs. Her designs are inspiring and original works of art, and she motivates her clients to be smart and fashionable. She believes that “It’s a good look to be educated”, because looks get you nowhere it’s all about who and what you know. Tenisha will be showcasing her collection at Charlotte Fashion Week and you won’t want to miss out on the exclusive runway show!

The Royal Court: Graphics in Fashion

In the world of fashion, 2008 was truly the year where designers based their collections around graphics and geometric shapes for the spring and fall seasons.

These graphics and geometric shapes bring about a new look in any collection. On the high-end level of haute couture, designers such as Emilio Pucci, Anna Sui, and Balenciaga stepped out the box and took creativity and color to another level. They are the royal court of “who’s who” in graphics in fashion.

The Prince of Prints

The “prince of prints”. Fur, ice and crystals. Couture designer Emilio Pucci best describes graphics in fashion. His inspiration came from the natural landscapes of the Mediterranean and the exotic culture. He created an external logo with his signature graphics, abstracts and kaleidoscope of color prints.

Each and every one of Pucci’s collections, dating all the way back to the 1950s featured his signature geometric and abstract prints, so his Fall 2008 Collection was no different. The inspiration was drawn from the mountain and the cold. The prints have a recurring mountain theme and the accessories capture what the snowy season is all about. Featured in this wintery wonderland collection were icicle necklaces, silvery sequins, crystal beading and bags that mimicked shards of ice. They collection began with dresses, leggings, and winter coats that ranged from dark grey and yellow to white and black. The collection ended with icy sapphires, corals, various shades of emerald and aqua blues, even Jamaican water would envy. Pucci definitely didn’t let his fans down with this collection.

The Queen of Eccentric

Just from looking at Ms. Sui’s Fall 2008 Collection it is safe to say that she is a multi-cultural and talented person. Born in America, Anna Sui has always had an eye out for fashion. At a young age she began making her own clothes. “I was completely obsessed. I don’t know how my parents put up with me,” Sui stated. Since then she has evolved into one of America’s top designers with her eccentric style and bold colorful patterns.

The Fall 2008 Collection is the most colorful of them all. Every tunic, pants, and shirt has some style of a geometric pattern, almost tribal-like. The aesthetic movement, Tiffany vases, fortuny pleats, Gustav Klimt, and American Indians are the inspiration for this season. It is evident that Anna Sui has many inspirations (the prince of prints, Emilio Pucci being one of them), and she makes good use of her surroundings.

The King of Pansies

This year Balenciaga has outdone himself by using some astonishing graphics in his Spring 2008 Collection. The color scheme consists of a plethora of vibrant colors, such as snorkel blues, tangerine oranges, kelp greens, soft pinks, and bumble-bee yellow—just to name a few.

Nicolas Ghesquiere, the head designer for Balenciaga says he was exploring new territory because he had done prints before, but never thought of using flowers to enhance the collection. Bringing nature to the runway, Balenciaga is in full bloom this spring using pansies, peonies, daffodils, and hyper- gorgeous hydrangeas to his advantage, with this revolutionary technique.

Balenciaga wanted to create ensembles on the catwalk with standout shoulder lines, wide-bell shaped hips, and knee-high, woven, leather gladiator boots. Nicolas Ghesquiere has an eye for architect design and he is a sculptor of shape, with innovative graphics he is promised longevity in fashion industry.

This is only the beginning for graphics in fashion. 

Charisma Infusion

Arriving at the Art Institute of Charlotte was not an easy landing for 20 year old Tanisha Matthews: Born and raised in Washington, DC, she found that leaving her comfort zone could only inspire more innovation and creativity for her eager ambition. Majoring in Fashion Marketing and Management, this trendsetter plans to take the life by the horns and provide the fashion community with her political yet abstract graphic t-shirt line. Tanisha says “When I think of fashion I don't think of the latest trends or the season's chosen color, I think of individuality and style. “ This DC native ‘s personal style is inspired by her mood and feeling of the moment, her hometown has a major influence on her originality as well as artist/innovators like Andre 3000, M.I.A., and Erykah Badu. She absolutely loves the retro movement of the 80’s, short sleeve blouses, acid wash, and her most prized possession is her Grapesicle Victoria’s Secret lip gloss. When asked what she loved about fashion she says “Lets just say that I adore the shoes, clothes and accessories...so much can be done. However many colors, accessories, or garments you want to wear are totally acceptable....it’s up to the creator, which is you. Who has time for the "fashion" critics? (laughing)”

2008 Trend: Short Haircuts

As the spring season rolled over into summer it looks as if the haircuts got shorter and trendier. So the trend for this season is stylish short haircuts, in which credit should be given to Rihanna for influencing women everywhere to chop their tresses. When Rihanna arrived back on the scene with her chart topping hit umbrella she blew the world away with her uneven bob haircut. The uneven bob haircut looks great on women with heart shaped faces. Her next move was her best move as she steeped out on the scene with her fabulous Pixie haircut. This too inspired women across the globe to try something drastically different with their hair. This short hair transformation is the new trend for the ladies who are not afraid to make changes that will enhance their personal style.

Brand New

Hello world my name is Vaiya Channelle and I am currently a fashion student at the Art Institute of Charlotte. I love anything and everything about fashion and expanding my knowledge in this area will be beneficial for my future in the industry. I hope the world is ready for me....