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Eli Weiss
"I thought, 'You know, I should
transfer because I really want to do
this,' " Weiss said. "I didn't even
think about it - I've always loved
fashion, I loved this kind of stuff
and I had my own sketches."
The switch to design and produc-
tion threw her into hours of cos-
tume classes, with paper projects
based on scripts, culling design_
ideas from analysis of characters,
settings and plotlines. In addition,
as they gain more practical experi-
ence, students get the opportunity
to design for University produc-
tions, usually during their senior
year. Recently, Weiss was designer
Christianne Myer's assistant for
the University opera "Jackie 0,"
as well as assistant stage manager
for "The Gold Diggers" earlier this
year. She said she will design for
an upcoming University produc-
tion during her final semester.
Weiss admitted her major is very
time consuming, but spoke anima-
tedly about it and her love of fash-
ion in general.
She admires costume design-
ers Janty Yates ("Gladiator") and
Julie Weiss ("Fear and Loathing
In Las Vegas"), but cites the flirty,
flamboyant clothing designer Bet-
sey Johnson as a personal style
influence.
Johnson is best known for mix-
ing bright colors and bold prints
with classic silhouettes. Hot pink
satin tap pants and leopard print
tunics aren't uncommon.
"I think that (her work) is a
seamless combination of classic
and funky; I really like the combi-
Rachel Arnsdor
the Frieze Building costume shop.
For her specialization. Arnsdorf
also has opportunities to design
for University theater groups.
Most recently, she completed a
dress for the Trueblood modern-
ized production of Sophocles's
"Burial at Thebes."
"Making this dress (for the
character Ismene), I chose to
work as a draper - I had to make
the whole dress last week," Arn-
sdorf said.
For a typical costume, the
designer starts with a mock-up
crafted from cheap fabric, then
makes a pattern for the actual
product after fitting the mock
costume to the actor.
Since starting the dress, Arns-
dorf has had time for little else.
"Every waking moment of my
life is in that costume shop - now
I know why they cry in 'Project
Runway,' " she said, laughing.
Arnsdorf said fans of the Heidi
Klum-led TV program are incred-
ibly excited when they find out
her major, and they encourage her
to apply for the show. But couture
isn't for her - ideally she sees her-
self designing for dance or experi-
menting with sportswear after
graduation.
Continued from page 5
nation of the two. And she executes
it exquisitely - she does some
beautiful stuff in terms of fashion
design," Weiss said.
As for personal style, Weiss is a
combination of classic and funky
herself. At home in New York,
she's fortunate to live close enough
to New York City to indulge in
her love of East Village shopping.
Working in the Frieze Building
on a chill, gray afternoon, Weiss
sported dark blue jeans tucked
into furry black boots, topped by
an argyle vest over a striped pink
button-down shirt. The ever-styl-
ish Prince, circa "Purple Rain,"
surely would have approved of the
button-down's ruffled collar and
cuffs.
"I just like that people can
- at least with costuming, or
even (just everyday) clothing
- a person can express them-
selves through it," Weiss said. "I
just think that's a fabulous thing:
Your individuality comes through
what you wear.'
f Continued from page 5
"What I like is the element of
movement and having to think
about the way (clothing) would
move when (dancers) walk around,
not just some static pose," Arns-
dorf said.
Photographs by Shubra Ohri & Peter B. Schottenfels
inside
Columns
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04
Aymar Jean
Faria Jabbar
Columnists
Aymar Jean finally confronts his own fashion crimes. He comes clean and
admits to the mistakes he's made and the ones he can't seem to remedy. He
also casts the stereotypical roles in the Ann Arbor hit "Three Jeers for the
Yellow and Boo:" the comic relief, villain, cynical sidekick, idealistic sibling,
moral compass and the stars.
Faria Jabbar assists students with a segment of "Ask Faria." Throughout her
time as Statement fashion columnist, her inbox has been filling up with ques-
tions and concerns about clothing and accessories. She finally has the time to
sit down and confront her readers' fashion dilemmas.
Taryn Akemi Look
Page Redford
Sonia Stagg
Models
Peter B. Schottenfels
David Tuman
Photography
Profiles in Fashion
Although it may seem uncommon, Ann Arbor is full of eccentric and intel-
ligent dressers. There are countless students who have a style all their own
and will stop at nothing to be ahead of the game and on top of the latest
fashions - from the most interesting combinations of colors and styles, to the
strangest thrift clothing around.
Sonia Stagg, Taryn Akemi Look and Page Redford are our featured mod-
els. Each one of them has a style that's entirely unique and envelope-pushing.
They try to go beyond the monotony of everyday outer wear and create a style
that is unmatched and completely their own.
Kimberly Chou
Daily Staff Writer
Mike Hulsebus
Shubra Ohri
Photography
Cheap: C'est Chic
Who doesn't love do-it-yourself fashion? Well, those of us who can't reattach a
hem or hand-sew buttons, for one.
Thankfully, Music School students Jessica-Eli Weiss and Rachel Arnsdorf are
more than capable with a needle and thread. Both specializing in costume design,
each used her costuming prowess and personal sense of style to customize simple,
everyday items for this issue. Thanks to Ms. Weiss and Ms. Arnsdorf, Target
brand clothes have never looked this good.
Find out what these designers do, why they create, and just how someone can
make broccoli into a slutty Halloween costume.
O y
Aymar Jean
Daily Staff Writer
Trevor Campbell
Tommaso Gomez
David Tuman
Photography
missMatch
Irony is never out of style; it's always the new black. For this shoot, we
paired cheap clothes from thrift stores with designer glasses, a light spring
dress with chunky boots and used camouflage, stripes and graphic prints
with plain tank tops and solid color skirts.
Not enough irony for you? We shot these models in places where
campus fashion rarely ventures: places of industry, current and for-
gotten. Our models and photographers went to a workshop on North
Campus, a lumberyard close to town and an abandoned train station in
Detroit. Needless to say, right after we shot the photos, we booked it
straight back to Central Campus.
Arnsdorf bases her personal
fashion credo more on comfort
and wearability. She admitted she
doesn't follow specific fashion
trends nor does she look to certain
designers.
"When I buy something, I don't
want it to be completely done. I
want to have fun with it and I feel
like it's the same for most people,"
Arnsdorf said. "They want to buy
something new and make it their
own."
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