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My parents introduced me to Michael Jackson a really, really long time ago. I've always been a fan. When I was little, maybe 5 years old, I used to push the furniture in our TV room out of the center of the room and dance. Mom would bring the neighbors in and I'd put on a show.
Thriller, though, always used to scare me. I remember one time hiding under a desk in my living room.
Since his death on Thursday, there's been a ton of media coverage. So much, in fact, that I had to turn off CNN because I couldn't stand to hear anyone tell me the same thing one more time: there are moving vans, his in-house doctor has lawyerd up, his family was going to pay for a second, independent autopsy.
But, that said, I still want to commemorate his life as the greatest musician of all time by wearing his name, silhouette or whatever on clothing.
Sydne Summer posted a link on Twitter to her Web site that linked to custom T-shirts that are commemorating the artists life.
I love the silhouette T-shirt, but I'm holding out on purchasing anything -- there will likely be better things in the near future.
Have you seen any other fashion dedications to Michael? What's your favorite? Are you going to/thinking about buy anything?
I love Portland more and more every day. Yesterday I didn't go out much, just exploring the neighborhood around the house. Today, after one of my new roommates, Missy, told me about the Saturday Market, I knew I had to go back downtown for more exploring. So, that is exactly what I did. I planned to spend about six hours there, but my exploration was cut short because my shoes ripped my left heel to hell and gave me blisters on both feet. They're such cute shoes, and I will wear them again, but until I'm healed.
Yup. Pretty gross. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will wear tennis shoes.
To see the rest of my pictures from the last couple of exploration days, check out my Flickr site.
I'm finally in Portland. I feel like I've been in countdown mode for the last six months (when it's really only been about two and a half months). I worked up the nerve to try and conquer the Portland public transportation system today and go downtown by myself. After one screw up (aka getting on the wrong bus and going the opposite direction) I managed to get downtown and back to the apartment without any problems. I'll basically be a pro by the end of the week. (Or at least will go the right direction.)
Instead of just day one stuff, I have en route photos to share, all taken with my phone. (I was kicking myself all day for not having my camera with me when I went downtown.)Flight:
Mom took me shopping for grown up girl clothes. I managed to get a pair of fun tennis shoes out of her too. I think I should go away more often.
On my first flight, from Dayton to Houston, I was on a puddle jumper (or piddle jumper, if you're my mom and trying to make a joke) and sitting next to the bathroom. I was worried someone was going to take a massive dump and I'd have to breathe through a hand towel or something. Luckily, there were no stinky poops. Since I was in the last row, I was sitting right next to one of the engines - it was incredibly loud and I couldn't even listen to my iPod because I couldn't hear a single thing.
This plot of farm land in Houston reminded me of a dinosaur. Awesome!PORTLAND
I've never actually seen the photo enforced traffic lights so I was pretty shocked to see they actually exist.
I was walking around and saw this cute little park so I sat down and did some people watching for a little while. It's kind of split by a road with the nice reindeer statue/fountain.
I'm going back downtown tomorrow for more public transportation/exploring and actually bringing my camera. Now, though, it's 10:36 p.m. in Portland, which means, to my body, it's 1:36 a.m. and way past my bedtime.
I've been shopping with mom for the last two days buying "big girl clothes" that are work appropriate. My flight to Portland leaves Wednesday at 6 p.m. and, like the true procrastinator of unfun tasks that I am, I've decided to put everything off until the almost last minute (today).
I have to pack smart, something I'm not very good at. This might mean, although it pains me, that my cowboy boots might have to stay behind.
And, p.s., I'm pretty irritated that I have to pay $20 per suitcase.
To further procrastinate, I'm going to Target with my sister to look at a few more things and to pick up a laptop bag.
Fashion shows are very serious business with very serious (better, even, serious-looking) people. If you have ever seen one on TV, been in the last row or front row, on the stage or behind the stage, you can see everyone takes themselves very, very seriously.
From the crazed man behind the scenes frantically trying to dress and redress models to the most influential fashion spectator in the front row sitting calmly, waiting to be waited on, it’s a house of mayhem and chaos to showcase some of the most intricate, beautiful and calm garments created by top-notch designers.
Dressed in their best and most fashion-forward garb, students, faculty, staff and members of the general public waited in anticipation for one of the University of Cincinnati’s most glamorous events of the year.
The university’s 58th annual fashion show wowed audience members Friday, June 12 –which was also the final event of DAAP Works, a final culmination of capstone projects by graduating seniors from the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning.
This year, DAAP not only used the show to bid farewell to its parting seniors, but also to recognize one of the fashion design program’s renowned alumnus, David Meister.
“I think it is very cool and I am honored [to be recognized by DAAP],” Meister said. “I had great relationships with all of my professors. My class was only about 35 students; in many ways we became our own little family.”
Living in Cincinnati during his entire pre-college life, Meister, a 1985 DAAP graduate, knew of UC’s fashion program and its acclaim. The only other school Meister entertained was the Parsons The New School for Design in New York.
“It would have been very expensive and, truthfully, I don’t know that, at 18, I was ready to move to New York,” Meister said. “After graduation, I immediately packed my bags and moved there … New York is really the only city where you can start a career in fashion.”
Although his familial roots are in Cincinnati and New York is the home to the beginning of his career, Meister now lives in Beverly Hills, Calif., with his partner, Alan Siegel and their invisible dog, Petey.
“There are very few cities that I could actually live in – possibly only Los Angeles and New York,” he said. “Cincinnati is too slow for me.”
Cincinnati isn’t the fashion capital of the world – not even close. Looking anywhere for something cutting-edge is like looking for a pair of non-designer pumps in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet. The slower-paced city with its limited exposure to high-end or designer fashion didn’t stop Meister, who has had an interest in fashion since he was 3 or 4 years old.
“I was very opinionated about what I wore and also about what others wore. I had very specific outfits, even in kindergarten – my purple bell bottoms, white belt and red and white floral shirt – very groovy – or so I thought at the time,” Meister said. “Then I saw Cher on TV and I was sold.”
Once Meister moved to New York, things started to take off. Approximately 11 years ago, he launched his own company/clothing label, David Meister, which he also touts as the highlight of his career.
His line, which features women’s wear, is modern, sexy and timeless. His dresses and gowns are in bold hues and sassy prints with sophisticated shapes – indicative of a fun-loving, but serious personality.
“Women want ease and simplicity, but still want to look pretty and glamorous,” Meister said. “The first thing you should notice about a woman should not be her dress – it should be her.”
Meister also hopes to expand his line to include, well, any and everything. (This happens to include bridal, swimwear, furs, coats, jewelry, bags and shoes.)
Despite Cincinnati’s slower pace, Meister encourages students on a budget to let fashion into their lives.
“Have a look of your own,” he said. “Buy simple, basic pieces that can’t be identified as inexpensive or designer – black or white T-shirts, simple black pants or pencil skirt. Always spend on shoes and bags – your accessories will always be noticed. Even as a student out of school I had a pair or two of designer shoes … That’s what credit cards are for. This is the fashion business and you need to look together, polished and current.”
Meister has dressed some of Hollywood’s most fabulous women – Diane Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Sharon Stone, Felicity Huffman (who wore a fuchsia, draped jersey gown – Meister’s favorite dress to date) and Tina Fey. His clothes are also sold at high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue.
My laptop bag has seen better days. My mom bought it for me when I got my new laptop - it's a vinyl Betsey Johnson bag. The straps are ripping and the lining has gone to hell. I need a new bag before I go to Portland - which, by the way, is in eight days. I need big. Really, really big.
Any suggestions on where I can get something that's big, classic-looking and not ridiculously expensive?
Wow. Have I been slacking or what?
Let me bring you up to speed. I am now 21 years old. HURRAH. My birthday was this last Tuesday, June 2.
I spent the day at work and then went to Mac's, a Cincinnati bar, for my first "real" bar scene experience. I put "real" in quotations because I don't drink. Never have, don't have any desire to start. My lovely friend, Ali bought me a Shirley Temple and another good friend of mine, Amanda bought me a slice of pizza. It was great. You can read all about it in this weeks column.
That's the cookie cake Len, the director of student media/News Record adviser bought for me. The stud holding the cake? That's Ali, the one who bought me my Shirley Temple. (In the background is Garrett, sports editor and Crocs wearer. Gross.)
Last weekend I went home to visit Richie, the boyfriend.
We went to the Indians game. Boy bought some good tickets - too bad there was an hour and a half rain delay and we were attacked by bugs. Isn't that how the plague started..?
We didn't do a lot else the entire weekend, which was so good. So, so good. We played with Layla, his dad's new puppy. Layla is the cutest thing you've ever seen. (Although it was kind of sad since my parents just put Oreo, my dog since fifth grade, to sleep.)
My room is currently a huge mess. Obviously. Maybe I'll clean it before Richie shows up on Saturday afternoon. Maybe.
I've been working a lot. Being the boss lady is great, just lots of stuff to do all the time. But, that's OK. Bring it on.
PHOTO BY COULTER LOEB
Here I am with Kareem, TNR managing editor, and that's Len, the birthday-cake buying media adviser, in the background. This is from a recent photo session I was in. Coool!
I love the silhouette T-shirt, but I'm holding out on purchasing anything -- there will likely be better things in the near future.
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