Fierce+Foreign: Ahoy, sailors!

Fierce+Foreign draws on the fashion experiences of SU students studying abroad.

When Coco Chanel went on vacation to the choppy coast of Brittany (Bretagne in French) with her lover Arthur "Boy" Capel, she was struck by the seafarers' navy and white nautical stripes. 

As depicted in the film Coco Before Chanel (2009), Coco starts wearing the stripes too and the Breton shirt is now famously French worldwide. It's the default garment when conjuring up an image of a stereotypically French person, and it has joined the ranks of other French stereotypes like the beret, croissant and baguette.

Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel in the famous sailor's stripes.

Coco shrugged off any snarky comments of her looking like a boy. She, in fact, looked quite spiffy in a mens' shirt, and it's thanks to her that women today can wear T-shirts and pants as casually men.

Coco famously said: "Fashion changes, but style remains the same." 

Learn that by heart, because French style is not defined by buying the latest brand-name knockoff from Forever 21, but by several classic pieces that you can renew with different clothes and accessories. 

Yours truly visited Brittany this October and investigated the fabric of actual Breton shirts used for sailors, and the material is quite coarse and rough. For those of us who don't work on the seas, here's a rendition of this classic item:

French actress Virginie Ledoyen with a boyfriend blazer and a statement necklace

A good bargain I found online is a B&W Breton shirt with snazzy gold buttons at the shoulder from Topshop for $36. But the best bargain I've found by far is at Old Navy for $19.99 available in all the colors of the rainbow. 

It's a tangent from the classic navy and white, don't feel like you must wear the nautical colors. Learn from Coco, but don't follow blindly: take your style and run with it!

- by Jenny Cheng

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today marks the official start of the holiday break...so we're taking full advantage of the time to relax. But worry not, we'll be back with our posts on Monday. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Craze: Learn to knit (or just buy one)

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style. 

With winter fast approaching, there is one thing on our mind: figuring out how to stay warm on the way to class while still managing to look good. 

It would be easy to roll out of bed and rock your grey ‘Cuse sweatshirt every day, but let’s be honest — some of us want glances from the cuties we’re going to class for in the first place. 

Luckily, we have a great variety of alternatives to bulky sweatshirts or the ever-trusty Northface fleece. You can find knits in the form of wraps, pullovers, dresses, and cardigans in nearly every price range. 

Pink Rose Turtleneck Sweater Dress from Macy’s $28.50

byCORPUS Popcorn Sweater from Urban Outfitters $68 

Tip: The pockets are perfect for keeping your cell nearby and your hands warm. 

The great thing about these knits is that they can also be dressed up or down. For a simpler look, add some leggings and a basic long-sleeved tee or thermal. To turn it up a level, belt it to get a more defined shape or pair it with some flashy accessories, such as shiny bangles or metallic leggings. 

Shaker Stitch Cowl-Neck Sweater from Express $39.50 

So, friends, don’t fall into the sweatshirt pattern this winter season. Invest in some lush knits and heads will surely turn.

- by Carine Umuhumunuza

Cuse Closet: The preps are going PUNK

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there. 

Today's Closet: Maria Sonico

When the weather sucks, like yesterday, my Docs are my saviors. These classic boots once worn by British punks and later co-opted by 90s hipsters are back again. They're comfortable and warm, and they don't clash with my clothes the way bulky rain boots tend to.

Break out those Docs again, preppy-punk is in. Photo: Maria Sonico

I wore the boots with my favorite skinny jeans and topped the look off with a denim button-up and wool cardigan. Denim on denim can work, as long as they're different washes. 

I tucked the shirt in, but rolled up the sleeves to keep it casual. I love the preppy-punk combo, and the crest on my cardigan paired with my Docs creates the perfect balance. 

This is my go-to style for class because it's polished while still being edgy.   

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters  

Shirt: American Eagle 

Jeans: Forever21

Boots: Dr. Martens 

- by Maria Sonico

Rag Report: Vogue Italia turns up the glam

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness. 

In the October 2009 issue of Vogue Italia, Sasha Pivovarova lays on the asphalt while looking elegant and chic. In every photo, shot by Craig McDean and styled by Edward Enningful, she is covered in heavy jewelry and embellished tights: trends that are big right now.

Vogue Italia's styling of this season's heavy embellishment. Photo: The Fashion Spot

Pivovarova, wearing a black wig, lies next to dead leaves and crushed cans. Marvelous. Her body is angled toward the camera giving readers a complete view of what she is wearing. 

The Miu Miu tights are what really catch readers' eyes, though. They're beaded and jeweled to perfection. The outfit she wears does not detract attention away from the tights, which are the main focus. 

However, the shoes should be a topic of discussion on their own - they are fierce with a capital F.

Black reach maximum contrast with embellished tights. Photo: The Fashion Spot

Pivovarova changes to a blonde wig...that’s similar to a bird's nest. We immediately noticed the over-sized jewelry around her neck. The simplicity of her all-black outfit compared to the texture of her tights and jewelry is an effective contrast.

Fashion roadkill never looked so good. Photo: The Fashion Spot

Here again, Pivovarova's body is sprawled out on the road. She wears a fur coat, embellished Miu Miu Fall ’09 tights and killer red heels by Chloé. The dark purple lipstick against her pale skin exudes a regal air that is conveyed through the whole outfit.

Basically, we're in love with the whole embellished, bejeweled spread.

- by Ivie Igbeare

The Craze: Bye bye, boring blazers

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style.

The blazer has been a fashion essential for years. In an instant, it can turn a regular outfit into a chic look. This fall, blazers are back in new ways for anyone bored with the regular look.

 

Steal from your boyfriend: The boyfriend blazer is an over-sized, slouchy jacket that looks best with rolled sleeves. It can be worn with anything from jeans to dresses, but it looks best when matched with something more feminine, such as a skirt and tights.

The boyfriend blazer. Photo: glamour.com

Because these blazers are intentionally over sized, many will fall just below your bottom, creating a flirty appeal.  

The Reinvented Throw-back: Big shoulders are in. This is a trend that’s taken the runway by storm.
 

This fall is all about the shoulders, dahhhhling. Photo: teenvogue.com

The eighties throw-back can be a great way to make your legs and neck look longer or to add some funk to a plain outfit. Off the runway, wear it with a pair of skinny jeans, flats, and tee for an easy and sharp outfit.

Where can you get them? Try any second-hand clothing store to find some great blazers for sometimes only a few dollars. If thrift isn’t your style, try topshop.com or H&M.

The Topshop blazer we're sending your way. Photo: topshop.com

- by Kelly Dishner

Biz Buzz: Zac Posen for the...slightly less rich

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

If you love designer fashion (we sure do) but loathe designer prices, here's a bit of good news: Zac Posen announced Wednesday via WWD that his lower-priced line, Z Spoke, will be launching exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue in the spring.

A look from Zac Posen's new line, Z Spoke. Photo: WWD

Posen's new venture is set to include a 60-piece collection, with prices starting at $78 for a t-shirt and $675 for a knit dress. That may still seem like an outrageous price for us not-so-fortunate college students, but if you’re familiar with Posen's prices for his signature collection, your mouth should be hitting the floor (they usually range from $900 to $12,000, and nearly $20,000 for custom pieces).

Z Spoke will debut in 17 Saks stores, as well as on saks.com, and have an emphasis on separates, such as knits, blazers and khaki shorts — a far cry from the red-carpet pieces Posen is known for.

"It's not Zac-for-less, it’s not the little sister collection at all," says Posen in WWD. "The dresses — that's something I can do with my eyes closed. This is about a new identity."

Although he has found success among Hollywood stars, Posen says the line isn’t a "celebrity brand." Z Spoke is set to capture the street aesthetic for the urban hipster type of girl, he says.

But don’t expect the line to repeat the same "tough" styles currently in the market.

"I treat a T-shirt as a T-shirt should be treated. With a lot of love."

- by Jasmine Thomas

Designer Confidential: Fabulously `50s

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion assest: its student designers. 

Sophomore Emilia Woydylak is a jack of all trades. She's an assistant graphics editor for Zipped magazine, a full-time fashion student and her 1950s final piece will be in the sophomore flat pattern fashion show predicted to be held at jet black in armory square.

"I have too many interests; it’s frustrating sometimes," Emilia said while divulging over ice-cream.  Although she was a graphics major in high school, Emilia's true passion is in magazines, and she hopes to become a creative director.

 Sophomore Emilia Woydylak with her sketches. Photo: Monica Delamater

She's been sketching clothes since she was in 4^th grade and always had a strong interest in art, especially fashion.  After high school she decided to make the transition from graphics to fashion.

"I'm working on a collection inspired by the Victorian era.  I'm trying to combine the delicate intricate patterns of the era with a more modern geometric design," she said.

But that’s not all. Emilia is simultaneously working on her `50s-inspired collection.

"I'm modernizing the classic `50s housewife with color blocking. It's a lot younger and a bit sexier," she said.

Emilia's sketches evoking the `50s with a modern twist. Photo: Monica Delamater 

Although she hasn't begun crafting the pieces yet, Emilia anticipates working on a `50s style dress. It's a bit unconventional with interesting embellishments, such as gathers at the sides to add fullness; but Emilia still feels it's wearable. 

A detail of a sketch. Photo: Monic Delamater

Dream Job:  Creative Director of a magazine 
Favorite Fashion Mag:  Lulu, a British quarterly magazine 
Favorite collections this fall:  Charlotte Ronson and Philip Lim 
Why you should look out for her:  Not only is she an assistant graphics editor for Zipped, she also interned for Danielle Nicole Handbags in NYC, and is hoping to intern for NYLON this summer. 
Designer’s Confidential:  She absolutely hated sewing when she first got to SU. "I was terrible at it," she confided. But with a lot of time and practice, she feels she has improved "and [now] I don’t hate it quite as much," she laughed.

- by Monica Delamater

The Orange Carpet: Plaid, layers, boots...so 2009!

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best of campus style (die, hoodies, die!).

If you looked in our fashion dictionary, you’d see this look under the word Fall.

This outfit is casual chic meets rocker cool, and screams 2009! Riding boots, plaid, and layers, oh my! First-year student Alex Lieb incorporated current trends into one outfit without looking overly accessorized.

First-year student Alex Lieb passing on campus in this year's layered look. Photo: Elan Goss 

The great thing about this outfit is how effortless it looks. Layering an asymmetrical grey sweater from Free People under a longer black sweater lengthens the body while adding some edge. The plaid top adds visual texture to the sweater combo that otherwise could have left this look flat. 

And,friends, what is the most important part of any outfit? The shoes! Nothing looks more sophisticated than a simple pair of riding boots from Anthropologie, but who wants to look prim and proper when you can live on the edge? The zipper detailing and the wrap-around leather straps take these boots to a new level. 

To achieve this casual cool, yet edgy vibe try mixing and matching similar pieces from your wardrobe!

- by Elan Goss

Fierce+Foreign: The jumper dress is feeling French

Fierce+Foreign draws on the fashion experiences of SU students studying abroad.

Mademoiselles, here's a fashion staple worth investing in this winter - the jumper dress. 

I've seen French girls wear it with tall leather boots and a chic knitted beret. My personal favorite is a comfy cowl neck dress that encapsulates the effortless French style that fashionistas in the world yearns for.

Yellow cowl neck dress from Benetton's Winter 2009 collection.

Why is the cowl neck dress so... français? 

Well first, let me give you a quick DL on how our peers dress across the pond. French style doesn't scream for attention; the color scheme usually spans the many shades of black, in other words, just black. 

Even in warmer temperatures, the French don't reveal too much skin, and American girls here are often told that wearing short shorts will immediately expose you as a foreigner. There's no oh-la-la factor, no head-turning pink hair, gaudy jewelry and other eccentricities. French style is like a soft-spoken lady.

Almost every guy wears a pea coat and scarf, which unfortunately is something of an anomaly in the US. The cut is always of prime importance, as it must hug the body where it should. One does not necessarily have to look neat. In fact, one of the most attractive aspects of French style is its effortless, disheveled comfort. I still can't figure out how French mademoiselles make a messy ponytail look so good! 

Banana Republic cowl neck dress for $98.

Yours truly prefers a cowl neck over turtle neck because it's more fluid and doesn't give you that rigid neck brace feeling. It's a sleek look that transitions effortlessly from an outfit for the daily grind to a night out on the town. Cinch your waist with a thin belt in a contrasting color. If you choose a neutral colored dress then pair it with bright colored pantyhose. 

Get inspiration from the chic but pricey dresses from Anthropologie and Banana Republic. I've scowled the web and found the best price to be Uniqlo, a line of sweater dresses of their trademark ROYGBIV colors for $49. 

The key is to choose one that's short and sweet, 'less you want to look like a school teacher.

- by Jenny Cheng 

Rag Report: Sunny, with a chance of wool

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness. 

In the December issue of Elle, seasons collide as model Kate Somers frolics on the beach in winter sweaters, hats, and gloves. Bikini-clad beach goers relax in the sun, while Somers sweats it out in wool under the summer sun.  

This editorial, shot by Horst Diekgerdes, was hit-and-miss for us. Some looks were right on trend, like this outfit featuring a statement chain necklace worn atop a sweater with bold shoulders. The look featured minimal, delicate makeup, which highlights Somers’ gorgeous freckles and red hair.  

Kate Somers in the Dec. 2009 issue of Elle.

Another hit was the oversize Missoni cowl-neck sweater dress and fingerless gloves. The Acne cashmere leggings create a slim leg with the voluminous top.  

Cashmere under the sun is...hot.

But not every photo featured such chic ensembles. The first look in the editorial was a disaster. It presents Somers in a giant Salvatore Ferragamo knit dress with a full wool skirt. Though layering is in style, this much volume overwhelms Somers’ tiny frame, and she gets lost in the clothes. The outfit is paired with a short top hat, and what looks like shredded toilet paper wrapped around her ankle.  

All we have to say is: WHAT?!

We love the combination of winter wools and summer sun. While the shoot may have been uncomfortable for Somers, the juxtaposition overall creates some beautiful images.

- by Allison Mariotti

Cuse Closet: Pointed-toe therapy

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there. 

Today's closet: Elton Wong

The cold air is starting to fill our lungs and fuel my love for fashion. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons for dressing. While we’ve seen a lot of features on how women work fashion on campus, I believe that men can work it too.

Elton Wong hitting campus in his fitted, fabulous ensemble of neutrals.

On gloomy days, my favorite pointed-toe shoes are my mood uplift. They’re very comfortable. If I could wear them everyday, I would, but it would be unfair to my other shoes. I think every man on campus should get a pair of nice shoes, something more than just for casual walking.  

As a lover of the skinny jean, I think these shoes are the skinny’s best friend. The pants I chose today have a slight pattern to them, which gives them more personality than a pair of boring gray pants. The shoes and the pants together are a match made in fashion heaven.

For me, the best kind of shirt to match with any outfit is a classic v-neck tee. Since the ensemble is so simple, I often include a scarf to make the outfit more put together. 

I think everyone needs a circle scarf in his or her wardrobe – it’s pure genius. It can be worn so many different ways and can keep you warm too! I have no accessories, no special colors, but this outfit is wearable for many occasions. 

If the weather isn’t going to be fierce, well I better make sure my outfit is.  

Circle Scarf: American Apparel
Black V-neck Tshirt: American Apparel  
Gray Pattern Skinny Pants: Uniqlo 
Pointed-toe Shoes: Topman

Biz Buzz: Screening of Coco Before Chanel

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

Fashion loves a good rags to riches story. 

Anytime a designer rises from ambiguity to become the next big name in the industry, we cling to the tale of how he or she did it. It's probably why we love Project Runway so much.

Now showing at the Manlius Cinema is the movie version of the ultimate designer's rise to the top: Coco Before Chanel.

Audrey Tautou in Coco Before Chanel.

Tonight is the free screening for SU Fashion Design students. But if even you aren't a design student, this is still the perfect crowd to be amongst for this movie.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and student tickets are $7.50.

- by Phillip Crook

The Orange Carpet: "Mod" gets an upgrade

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best of campus style (die, hoodies, die!). 

Nick Imperial, a 20-year-old SUNY-ESF sophomore, stylishly stood out from the crowd at the Goldstein Student Schine Center this past Wednesday.

Nick Imperial's "neo-mod" stand-out style.

Imperial's oversize glasses immediately caught our attention. 

His outfit consisted of warm colors that embodied the fall look. His H&M wool coat was chic, yet practical. But what really cinched the outfit together was the bright plaid scarf - a gift from Ireland. 

The juxtaposition of the scarf and the coat was genius. Plus, the dark beige pants only further compliment the outfit. Imperial describes his look as “neo-mod.” While SU students prepare for the drab winter, Imperial wants to continue wearing bright colors. 

So, the next time you're walking to class, be on the lookout for some “neo-mod” style.

Designer Confidential: Stop, it's Timmé time

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion assest: its student designers. 

SU junior Timmé (pronounced Tim-MAY) said without his mother's support he might be a farmer in upstate NY. 

"This tooth wouldn't be there," he said, jokingly pointing to his left front tooth. But luckily for us, he's beyond mountains and possibly even beyond words.

SU student designer Timmé at work on his collection. 

This fibers major, who is minoring in fashion design, is already making a name for himself. Pieces he made for a designer as an intern have been photographed in Italian Vogue, and he showcased some of his creations on campus last month. 

As for his inspiration, he said "I'm sort of obsessed with Alexander McQueen right now."  Timmé said the headpieces McQueen uses in his runways shows is an aspect he would like incorporate with his major.

Timmé's look inspired by McQueen from last month's show. Photo: Max Jackson

The show featured a total of 19 pieces centered on reincarnating recycled materials; not bottles or beer cans, but post-consumer garments, scrap materials and even fabrics similar to sheets and curtains.

Timmé said the piece he liked most from his collection was the, "Jaromper: the jacket romper! Hands down favorite piece!"

As for what's next, his winter collection will be based on "the disposability of fashion and the rapidness of time." Timmé hopes to use watch gears instead of sequins.

The Dream Job:  Being a production designer for music videos. (Bad Romance by Lady Gaga is a favorite since it was done by Alexander McQueen.) 
Designer Confidential: While talking, Timmé and Barbie became Facebook Friends. He admits he'd love to design the 2012 Holiday dress. 
Why you should look out for him: He's doing an exhibit THIS Saturday with fellow fibers major Lauren Clarke entitled “Excuse me mister unicorn can you direct me to the vines?” To fully understand the title, make sure to check it out!

- by Rebecca Aydelotte 

Rag Report: The brighter, the better

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

This month's Marie Claire highlights a fashion trend for winter: bright bags.

With colors ranging from bright teal to hot pink, the photography features blindingly bright colors to reverse any sort of seasonal depression you may get from the drab winter scenery.

Marie Claire Nov. 2009

Although the trend is for the coming winter, the pictures are taken in front of blue seas and skies, and the models are wearing dresses, skirts and shorts. We like how the magazine used the contrast to highlight the trend.

We normally expect that winter fashion spreads will feature girls in sweaters, cardigans, jackets and boots, but Marie Claire chose to shoot the opposite.

The photos show the fantasy that the colorful bags are supposed to invoke. Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be able to feel bright and cheery.  Just because it’s dark and dreary doesn’t mean we shouldn’t add our own brightness and sunshine to our outfits.

The season's brightest trend: big, boldly colored bags.  

We love bright colors, all year long, with everything.  It keeps the mood light and happy. The trend of carrying big, bright bags not only has come in time to fight the darkness of winter, but also to lift us up in the not-so-ideal economy.

So, when the only colors around you are white and gray, add a burst of color with a hot magenta bag. We certainly don’t live in the tropics, so we might as well enjoying pretending that we do.

- by Amy Marturana

Cuse Closet: Tights are what's up

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.

Today's Closet: Kelly Dishner

Kelly Dishner sporting fall's essential tights. Photo: Petra Borhani-Bakker

 
Great fashion is seasonal. And while it may not be freezing yet, everyone who lives in Syracuse knows winter is coming soon. 

Walking to class in snowstorms makes sweatpants straight-up irresistible. But a great way to avoid the sin of sweats - especially when all your jeans are dirty - is to wear tights. 

They’re surprisingly warm if you get a thicker thread count and they can make you look classy or cute (maybe even both if you’re skilled) while accentuating the length of your legs. Not a bad deal, if you ask me.

I decided to wear tights with an autumn-like plaid mini dress. I wore a black t-shirt under the dress, which made the look a little more conservative to balance out the short length. I decided to wear heels though, to “rock” the length in a sense. 

And finally to accessorize, I added gold hoops and a funky headband.

Dress: Jack BB Dakota
T-shirt: Forever 21
Headband: H+M
Shoes: Jessica Simpson

The Craze: Visiting the velvet underground

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style. 

You may only remember it from your gymnastics and dance costumes when you were younger but velvet is back — in a big way.

This fall, toss your misconceptions  out the window; velvet is everywhere. Some may think this rich fabric is dated and should only be worn by your grandmother at a Christmas party, but worn the right way, velvet can take any look from dull to divinely luxurious.

 

Even Vogue chose velvet as one of this season’s most exciting emerging trends. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Armani revitalized the material on the runway this fall with deep jewel tones and classic silhouettes.  Here are some of our favorite velvet looks from this season:

Prada Fall 2009

 

Fendi Fall 2009

But no need to be intimidated by these high-priced looks. There’s plenty of velvet to go around for the average college student, like a red velvet blazer from H&M, or these velvet leggings from Forever 21.

So how can you wear it?  Spruce up your day time attire by pairing skinny jeans, and a sheer tee with this black velvet blazer, also from Forever 21. For an even simpler way to bring the trend to your everyday look, try pairing some black velvet leggings with an over-sized tee and some simple flats.

Take the look from day to night with a mini and a pair of sky high heels.  If you’re daring, take your nighttime look to the next level with a velvet dress like this one from DVF at Bergdorf Goodman. Or for a lower price option, this black dress from American Apparel. 

Keep in mind that you ARE wearing velvet so try to keep the rest of your look simple. But, don’t be afraid to accessories with some chain necklaces or a leather belt.

This look is aaaaaaaaall about luxury. 

- by Monica Delamater 

Biz Buzz: Luella Forced Out of Business

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage. 

On Tuesday, Club 21, Luella’s global licensee and distributor for ready-to-wear and accessories, announced that its subsidiary, VSQ Ltd, decided to withdraw from its relationship with the Luella Bartley brand. 

Thus, as the six-year relationship comes to an end, the label is forced to cease trading.

A Spring 2010 look from Luella Bartley. Photo: NY Magazine.

According to the backer’s statement, spring orders for the brand could not be fulfilled after last month’s unexpected closure of Luella’s Italian production company, Carla Carini.

While changes at Luella have reportedly been brewing for the past six months, industry insiders also speculate that the business was not hitting its profit targets, according to WWD. Still, the decision comes as a surprise to some; Luella Bartley, the brand’s British designer, was named Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2008.

“This is a very disappointing situation for everyone involved,” Bartley said Tuesday, as reported in The Independent. “I have had an incredible team around me…and it is upsetting not to be able to protect jobs in this difficult economic climate.”

The brand has been said to be vitally connected to the return of British fashion, with its “punk” pieces and party dresses sported by the likes of Alexa Chung, Lily Allen and the Geldof sisters.

Five people within Bartley’s design studio and 13 in distribution are said to be among those affected in the decision as they face losing their jobs.

- by Jasmine Thomas

Designer Confidential: Not your average shoe

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion assest: its student designers.   

Max Britt has been carrying these shoes around for the past two weeks, embroidering whenever she gets the chance. 

Max Britt's tricked-out Ked.

She added a pop of color to the average Ked shoe for her project titled “Three Week Long Project.” 

Her inspiration: a Mika album cover. The project required Britt to incorporate skills from her Intro to Fibers class to embroider plain white Keds with French Knots. So, she used pencil to create the designs on each side of the shoes with the same color scheme and techniques. 

Britt transformed the bold array of colors featured on the Mika album cover into a wild design. She wanted the shoes to be eye-catching...and they are.

The cover of Mika's album, "Life in Cartoon Motion."

The shoes directly relate to the Mika cover, but Britt said MIA is also a one of her inspirations, not only for this particular project, but also in her life.  

Although she says that she is not going to be wearing these rocked-out Keds, Britt said the shoes have been a “learning tool” for her because the “Three Week Long Project” is just one of the many things Britt has going on in her daily life at SU. She is also one of the leading members in the fashion club.
 

The Dream Job: Working as a head designer for Ralph Lauren.

This Designer’s Confidential: “Currently I’m wearing Nantucket Reds from J.Crew… they’re men’s.” She has an obsession with men’s clothing. 

Why You Should Look Out For Her: After interning for Jill Stuart and Ducky Brown at this past fall’s New York Fashion Week, Britt’s goals are set high and her dreams are big.