S S S V w w 7W 7W7 -W w 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 ----------------- - ------------------ 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." - -- - - - - I I I MWR ----------------- Page 2B Fashion issue '06 The Statement L