PROSTI-TOTS?

Last Spring my youngest brother headed off to his senior prom. He was dressed in formal wear, which is expected when one is going to a prom. The girls, however did not seem to understand that. One girl in particular was wearing such a short dress that I have never been more grateful that underwear was invented. I cannot help but wonder why; why do teenage girls insist on dressing like sluts?
Let’s face it, it is harder to decipher between a 13 year old and a 22 year old than ever before. So, is fashion to blame? Do designers deliberately market older clothes to young girls? Or, do young girls buy clothes meant for older women? I must say the answer will take more research than I have time for. But, I must admit that some junior sections in certain stores are filled with, well to be honest street-walker clothes.
I remember as a young teen I would sneak off to the clubs wearing some-what revealing clothes, but just enough that most was left to the imagination. Are teen girls today afraid that guys will not bother using their imagination? Clothes speak for us when there is no time to verbally define us. Today’s teens look up to women whose claim to fame is a sex tape. It makes me physically ill that women who have fought (and are still fighting) for equality now have to deal with a generation of girls that look like they belong on a corner with the rest of the prostitutes.
Do not take what I am saying wrong, I am all for self-expression and dressing how one feels. However, I think there is a line that gets crossed when a 12 year old prosti-tot looks like 28 year old whore.
To think of the amount of people that live in America and than to think of the amount that want to be famous is counting a large part of the population. The problem is that no one wants to work for it. It’s easier to be famous for being a whore than for being intelligent or talented. Fame is no longer earned but stumbled into.
It makes me really sad that the society we live in prevents young girls from seeing truly famous women in mainstream society. Those “feminist” that fought for intellectual freedom now have their prodigies put to the side as the males idea of a perfect slut has come into the lime light.
Does anyone else see something wrong with that? What should we do? Have stores card customers when they buy revealing clothes to make sure they are the correct age? That’s a ridiculous option but what else is there? It’s pretty obvious that parents do not seem to care the impression their teens clothing gives to the rest of the world. The parents that do care tend to have inventive teens who wear one thing out of the house and carry their real outfit in their bag. The teen girls that wear them care more about the attention they are getting from guys than the backlash such a reputation will have.
The truth is that sex sells, but I have always considered that selling the sex appeal of a minor will only bring creepers.
~Stephanie~

Questions on Menswear

Will menswear ever be decorative while still looking masculine? Have we seen the extent that men’s clothing can go? T-shirts, gym shorts, jeans, khakis and suits let’s face it menswear is a constant repetition of basics. The formal attire never seems to break any barriers even if the colors are unusual. Usually, when a famous man wears a suit to an awards show (for example) the clothes appear to be duplicates of one another. That is not to say that certain designers do not add their own personal touches, but the structure of any suit or tuxedo is basically the same thing. Those who dare to wear a bolder color other than black, white and the occasional gray will most likely be seen in the what-not-to-wear pages of the next day’s magazines.
All things considered could one dare to say that when it comes to fashion women actually have more freedom? Let’s compare in the department of evening wear. Men, as previously stated, do not have many choices. On the other hand the varieties of dresses that can be seen on the red carpet are numerous to say the least. Women have choices in cut, color, length, what parts of the body get covered and what gets shown. In the world of fashion have women exceeded equality? If so, should we try to help our counterparts reach the same ends?
~Stephanie Mastrangelo~

Eco-friendly Reaching New Levels

Eco-friendly Reaching New Levels Oct. 3, 2008

Fall of 2008 is sure to have an impact on the “Green Movement” because of all the extra attention. Designers, fashion show coordinators and fashion businesses are beginning to be more aware of environmentally beneficial practices. So, how long will it take for the public and big business to fully embrace eco-friendly business methods?
A consumer needs to spend a lot of time doing research to decipher which companies have eco-friendly merchandise. The amount of people willing to put that much effort in before even entering a store remains small. This is why it is up to the companies. Businesses must begin to take more action towards eco-friendly methods to provide better products for the consumer.
Mercedes-Benz is taking steps in New York to bring more attention to the issue at hand. The coordinators have decided to make a point of “the standard in green fashion, sustainable production and eco-friendly design”. October 12 through the 16, fashion week in New York will also welcome eco-friendly designers whose products are made under environmentally sound conditions. The “Green Movement” is sure to be bring more exposure through this event.
One company returning to the runway is Eco-Ganik. The company has based their entire fashion line on “organic, sustainable, recycled and eco-friendly fabrics and yarns” (Mallone). Based out of L.A., the company offers relaxed sportswear for women who want to be environmentally sound without losing their style. Design director, Hoda Mallone believes that if they “can offer a beautiful garment at a comparable price, why not choose eco-friendly” (Mallone). The equivalent prices range from $70 shirts to $200 jackets. To reaffirm their policy the garments are made out of organic cotton, twill, denim, and fleece. Eco-Ganik is through and through an eco-friendly company.
Why not Go Green? Prices can be matched, production cost do not spin out of control and the consumer wants it; so why not? Let’s face it, the world is not in the best condition and awareness levels are beginning to rise. So, why not beat the trend and provide eco-friendly garments before the desire is too big to provide for.

~Stephanie Mastrangelo~


Works Cited

Mallone, Hoda. "A New Chapter: EcoGanik's New Creative Director Hoda Mallone Brings Modern Chich to Organic Fashion." Eco-Ganik. 26 Sept. 2008 www.ecoganik.com.

"Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios Keeping it Green." IMG Press Room. 24 Sept. 2008.26 Sept. 2008 http://www.imgworld.com/press_room/fullstory.sps?itype=13708&inewsid=6619097&icategoryid=12531.

Naughton, Julie, Pete Born, and Andrea Nagel. "Macy's New Universe: Beautiful Planet." Women's Wear Daily. 19 Sept. 2008.22 Sept. 2008 http://wwd.com.

Tucker, Ross. "Retailers, Vendors Talk Green." Women's Wear Daily. 23 Sept. 2008.24 Sept. 2008 http://wwd.com.