BARE blog

Upgrade or Downgrade? A Grammy Awards Fashion Exclusive

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Well, as I’m sure you’re all well aware, the Grammy Awards happened for the 54th time on Sunday, and I think we all know what that means: outrageous fashion choices. This year, I thought it would be interesting to select some of the music industry’s most prominent artists, and determine how much their respective style choices have changed in the last year.

Let’s start with our favorite Barbadian songstress, Rihanna. Now, last year, her dress of choice was… well… like a very intricately trimmed poodle. I give you Exhibit A:

Well, you win some you lose some. (Just Jared)

Not sure why it didn’t translate well for Rihanna from the Jean Paul Gaultier collection that year, but it was not doing her any favors, and I don’t think her crimson hair was helping either. This year, however, Rihanna really cleaned up with a stunning Armani gown.

UPGRADE. Incredibly sexy and chic. Not a fan of the hairstyle, but it seems to be some sort of shout out to the late Whitney Houston, so I’m on board. (Perez Hilton)

The dress itself is all of the mores we could have wanted: more class, more simplicity, more aesthetically pleasing color scheme, etc. I’m not complaining about the plunging neckline either (it suits her way better than that awful green dress J. Lo wore like, a decade ago). Way to go Rihanna. Next year, let’s aim for an accompanying hairstyle too!

So it’s a little confusing with the missing flank and the wing-like object on her shoulder, but somehow, it manages so make cohesive sense in the end. (Just Jared)

Let’s move on to another lady who had a quite successful year (and maybe a little rough too). Last year, Katy Perry had Russell Brand on her arm, and while her choice of dress was a little out there, she looked pretty gorgeous overall. Beautiful, dark hair and an elegant train made it a sort of win.

DOWNGRADE. But yes, this is a step in the right direction. Keep trying, Katy. You’ll get it. You have a lot on your mind. (Perez Hilton)

Well, fresh from her split into a cotton candy machine, Katy Perry seems to be taking a step into a more elegant direction, but she’s taken a few wrong turns. I loved the color of her dress, wasn’t a huge fan of the style. She paired her look with a quite demure up-do (always a plus), but her hair and her roots made it a little distracting. Keep trying though, Katy! I have faith!

One of the best parts is that her hand camouflages with her hip. (Just Jared)

…And now we come to the choice that I’m sure was confusing and fascinating for all of us, the one and only Nicki Minaj. Last year, she came as some sort of leopard diva/ Bride of Frankenstein concoction. Definitely an attention grabber, and animal prints have definitely been a returning trend in recent years, but I’m going to go ahead and say that it didn’t quite hit the mark.

ABOUT THE SAME. Both of these choices were so stylistically out there and different, that it’s hard to tell if Minaj is trending up or down. Our research team will have to gather more data and report back. (Perez Hilton)

Well, this year, I’m still as confused and fascinated as ever. Don’t get me wrong, a Versace cape sounds fierce and amazing (in theory)! But something about this entire look just leaves me scratching my head. Half of me is rooting for her, and half of me is hoping she doesn’t drown. Oh, and did I mention her escort was dressed as a Catholic priest? Either way, I think this is one of a long line of Grammy spectacles (here’s lookin’ at you and your egg, Lady GaGa), and we should all just smile and nod and brace ourselves for what’s coming next. Next stop: the Oscars?

Ryan Roschke is currently a reporter for BARE Blog. An eternal optimist, he is an avid proponent of food, fashion, music, movie, and culture. Special emphasis on food.

Staff Picks: Love is in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Every week, our executive staff will answer our favorites of the moment…whether it be our favorite Berkeley hangouts, our inspirations, to everything in-between! Let us know what you want to know and we'll share!

Q: What's your favorite romantic comedy?

Gabrielle Elias, Editor-in-Chief: Like Katie, rom-coms aren't really my thing. I'll make an exception for The Wedding Singer though!

Samantha Giordano, Editorial Director: 10 Things I Hate About You. Cheesy, witty, Heath Ledger, late 90s… an important piece of film history.

Jonathan Deniol Rodriguez, Co-Creative Director: I was a sucker for 500 Days of Summer. It was well written. It was/is relatable. And in my mind, it made me want Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to be a real item.

Katie Roseff, Co-Creative Director: I'm not a big rom-com fan, but Just Friends with Anna Faris and Ryan Renolds is pretty funny.

Kelsey Bucsko, Co-Marketing Director: Pretty in Pink - no one does a rom-com better than John Hughes.

Carolyn Yoo, Co-Layout Director: Definitely, Maybe! It highlights not one, but three relationships and leaves you guessing who the mother is throughout the movie.

Tanya Sanderson, Events Director: Crazy, Stupid, Love! Such a good cast. A little humor, real life issues, and some definite passion.

Aimee Shimizu, Blog Director: I'm not sure if this technically counts as a romantic comedy, but Legally Blonde is just one of those movies that never fails to put a smile on my face. (Oh my god, the bend and snap! Works every time.)

What are your top picks when it comes to romantic comedies (or any movie that sets the mood, if you catch my drift)? Let us know in the comments!

Join BARE Magazine!

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:06:00 +0000

Interested in becoming a part of BARE Magazine? Well, here's your chance! We are currently accepting applications for the following teams:

Blog
Editorial
Creative
Marketing
Layout
Events

Please follow the links to each team's respective application. If you would like more information on BARE, we will be holding our first general meeting this Wednesday, February 1st, from 8 - 9 p.m. in the Senate Lounge (second floor of Eshelman). We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as give you an inside look at what it's like putting together UC Berkeley's premier fashion and lifestyle magazine!

We are no longer accepting applications at this time.

Staff Picks: Hit the Books

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Q: What's your favorite study spot?

Gabrielle Elias, Editor-in-Chief: This is a bit strange, but Dwinelle. There are little alcoves built into the walls on the upper floors. Perfect spot!

Katie Roseff, Co-Creative Director: I like A'cuppa Tea on College because it's just far enough that it isn't packed with students, and it is really quiet. I have been meaning to check out the Bamscape though at the museum because it looks so cool!

Tanya Sanderson, Events Director: Elmwood on College. I love to get a little something to eat and something sweet. The mocha is divine!

Samantha Giordano, Editorial Director: Aw, I was going to pick Elmwood (best hot chocolate I have ever tasted)! For another suggestion - and one on campus - I recommend the top floor of the East Asian Library. Comfy chairs and huge windows.

Kelsey Bucsko, Co-Marketing Director: Sack's Coffe House on Derby & College, because the music is wonderful and the fruit and yogurt parfaits are even better!

Giana Tansman, Co-Marketing Director: My favorite is Nabolom Bakery in Elmwood, they make the best cookies in the world and have the most comfortable couch. I can spend hours there with a plate of fresh baked "Oat House" cookies and my textbooks.

Aimee Shimizu, Blog Director: I work at the Unit 1 Academic Services Center, and sometimes if I'm really having trouble concentrating, I'll come in to study during our off-hours. Ah, the perks of being an employee!

Where do you go to get your study on? Let us know in the comments!

Advanced Screening of This Means War

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000

All's fair in love and war, and this Valentine's Day we've got a little bit of both. This Means War pits two top CIA operatives (played by Chris Pine and Tom Hardy) against each other as they fight to win the affections of one woman (Reese Witherspoon), and the ensuing chaos is sure to make you glad your significant other doesn't have any access to tranquilizer guns.

The movie won't be released in theaters until February 14th, but BARE readers in the Berkeley area will have a chance to see an advanced screening tomorrow, February 2nd. All you have to do is go to gofobo.com, enter the code GUESTSG1W0 on the right hand side where it says RSVP code, and print your ticket!

The movie begins at 7 p.m., but I suggest you get there early in order to guarantee prime seats. This code is good for only 40 tickets, so be sure to click fast!

This Means War
United Artists Berkeley 7 Theater (2274 Shattuck Avenue)
7:00 p.m.

The Ugly BART-ling

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Coming from Los Angeles, I'm used to spending hours in freeway traffic just so that I can get from my house to the closest department store. While some people may find the notion of driving past billboards covered in graffitti romantic, I am of the belief that being forced to listen to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" five consecutive times on five different radio stations is just too much for one person's sanity. I was therefore extremely relieved to learn that, up here in NorCal, there's a miraculous thing called BART which can whisk you off to every far-flung corner of the Bay. Anticipating an experience similar to ones I've had in Japan (the trains there are so pristine you almost want to take your shoes off upon entering), I was disappointed to learn that riding in BART is kind of what I imagine sitting in a dumpster must feel like - dark, smelly, and very unpleasant. Harsh words, but the facts speak for themselves.

It seems I'm not the only person complaining, however, because plans are underway to give BART a major makeover, and I am brimming with ideas on how to make this a more enjoyable ride for all of us. Of course, coming from a fashion background, I couldn't help but wonder how some of fashion's great institutions might approach this problem, and once the ball got rolling it just wouldn't stop. So here are my top three ideas on how to transform BART from germ incubator to high fashion train of the future:

1.) Make It Chanel

When it comes to staging runway shows, Karl Lagerfeld knows how to pull out all the stops - giant icebergs, an undersea wonderland, and, most recently, the inside of an airplane cockpit. It's useless to try and predict what the Kaiser might have in mind for little old BART, but it sure is fun trying. For starters, I see one train covered entirely in the Chanel monogram, which is really not much of a stretch considering there is already a Chanel bike and Chanel motorcycle in existence. And while repetitive use of those interlocking C's may cause some awful optical seizures, I cannot stress enough how much of fashion requires suffering for your art.

As for the seats, I have only two words: Quilted. Leather. It'll be just like that Chanel bag you asked for (but didn't get) on your birthday, only you can actually sit on this one. I call it the Chanel Derriere Comfort Chair, and I guarantee it will make your buttocks the happiest pair in the Bay Area!

Now who wouldn't want to rest their buns on a cushion like that?

2.) Too Sexy For This Train

Abercrombie & Fitch is probably a store you haven't stepped foot in since middle school, but somewhere deep in the depths of your closet, hidden next to your old 50 Cent CDs and The O.C. Season 2 DVD, there lies a too-small henley with a little moose logo sewn onto the front. No need to worry, your secret is safe with me - I only bring it up because I've shamelessly stolen my next idea from one of Abercrombie & Fitch's more notable attractions.

The new BART Welcome Committee.

Yes, that's right. The models. We've all seen them standing in the entranceway, basking in their ~~awkward~~ beautiful glory, and their presence always seems to lure in at least a few extra curious visitors. So why not apply the same concept to public transportation? The models are sure to be a big hit with the tourists who have just arrived at SFO, and no one can complain about having some extra eye candy to distract you during those tedious commutes. Suddenly BARTing doesn't sound so bad, eh?

3.) V.I.P. Only

Who needs a party bus when you've got a party train?

Alexander Wang's fashion career is still relatively young, yet he already has a reputation for throwing some crazy parties. Last year he created his own version of a frat party, complete with glow sticks, Greek letters, and keg stands. Alas my invitation always seems to get lost in the mail, which is why I think BART should throw their own version of an A. Wang blowout. The best part is that it would cost them next to nothing - all they have to do is keep the grimy trains as they are now, put a DJ booth and bouncer in every car, and then just wait for the cool kids to come rushing in. Who knows, once word about this exclusive mobile party gets out, BART may even have to start turning some people away!

What improvements do you want to see being made to BART? Let me know what suggestions you have in the comments, and I may just Photoshop your ideas into reality!

All images courtesy of Google and composed by the author.

Aimee Shimizu is currently the Editor of BARE Blog. Contrary to what this article may suggest, she is a great believer in public transportation, and thinks BART is pretty great.

James Rowland Spring Internship

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Calling all Berkeley fashion fanatics! The James Rowland Shop, which specializes in selling high end vintage clothing, footwear, and accessories, is on the lookout for spring interns. If being around amazing clothes and working in a creative environment sound like your kind of deal, then check out the details below!

Warehouse/Studio Assistant Internship:

With both a web based and a physical retail presence based in Berkeley, we're growing and looking for interns to assist in the day to day tasks of the warehouse/studio manager. We are seeking individuals with a meticulous attention to detail while also having the ability to solve problems creatively.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Work with studio/warehouse manager in overseeing all aspects of e-commerce sales
Assisting in weekly photoshoots
Shipping and receiving all orders
Preparing merchandise (cleaning, organizing etc.) for shipping
Assisting with product listing using etsy.com marketplace (measuring, product description, posting listings)
Customer care and outreach
Offsite duties include: trips to post office, shoe repair, misc. errands

The JRS warehouse is based in Berkeley. Although all applicants are are encouraged to apply, individuals with their own means of transportation are preferred.

Fashion PR/Marketing Internship

We're growing and looking for a creative, savvy, outgoing, motivated, and hard working intern to assist James Rowland Shop in reaching a wider audience.

This internship will focus on the PR and marketing end of the business. Potential interns must be fully versed in the modern fashion climate. Thorough knowledge of relevant blogs, designers, and retailers a must. Ability to communicate the vision and identity of our brand in all aspects of promotion and marketing is crucial.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Online marketing, blogger/retailer outreach, tweeting, blogging, updating Facebook, and expanding the brand name in all ways possible
Intern will work closely with all members of JRS- owners/designer/employees to integrate and communicate brand point of view into effective advertising

Interns are required to work 15-20 hours per week. If you think you might be a good fit please send resumes/interests/short cover letter/link to jamesrowlandshop@gmail.com. Best of luck!

Interview with AlbertMing

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Last week we introduced you to the Berkeley-based menswear line AlbertMing, and co-founder Albert Shyy was kind enough to answer a few questions about his work.

How did the idea for AlbertMing first come to life?

We actually first came up the concept when Ming came out to visit me in Singapore, where I was working at the time. Wearing nicer clothing for work or play was challenging there because of the weather there: hot, humid, and often rainy. At the same time, we realized that a lot of the slimmer fitted suits that people in Asia and Europe liked to wear were a lot harder to find in the US, and it was personally very frustrating to go to retail and department stores and not find the styles I was looking for, at a price more affordable than than the $2000+ suits from Europe that sometimes had the style I liked. We thought there was a great opportunity to do something a little bit differentiated in tailored apparel and make clothing that would hopefully resonate with young guys who are looking to dress up.

The core concepts behind AlbertMing seem to be tailoring, functionality, and affordability. How do you find that perfect balance, and have you ever been forced to sacrifice one aspect for another?

Fortunately we haven't yet, although we're always trying to improve on each of these aspects. It requires some patience, as we have to look for the right partners who can offer what we're looking for in terms of quality and performance - for example, when we both went to Shanghai looking for tailors last year, we spoke with over a hundred, made samples at around a dozen, and ended up with a couple of tailors that we were happy with, but this process continually evolves and we need to invest a lot into our relationship to ensure that the quality and output remains consistently high. In a sense, we've had to make some sacrifices on speed to market by making sure we have the right product, but I think that's a trade-off I'm more comfortable making.

Could you please give us a rundown of what a typical day as the manager of a fashion start-up looks like?

Given our current size and scale as a very young start-up, it's probably more diverse than ideal but I have my hand in almost every part of the business. Ming and I split up our responsibilities so he would focus on web development and managing our supply chain, while I work on general business administration and marketing & sales, but given how often we talk we've both very up-to-date on the various parts of the business and do a lot of planning together.

Thus, my day-to-day varies a lot but broadly speaking involves significant amounts of communication and coordination with the people on my marketing team, with our various business partners and potential partners, answering inquiries from potential customers, and planning for / executing on the different projects we've got going on to help build our brand and expand our business. We've got some great undergrads from Berkeley who are working for us, mostly in marketing, it's been a fun team to work together with.

Have you always been interested in fashion?

To be honest, I wasn't too big into fashion until I started working in the professional world as a consultant, when I realized it felt pretty good to dress well, while noticing it helped me be taken more seriously in meetings with clients often much older than myself. Of course it was also helpful that I could also afford to dress up a bit more as well!

When Ming and I started our business, however, we did so without a deep understanding of the industry, and so spent our first year really soaking up as much as we could - going to trade shows, talking with lots of people in the industry, and going through dozens of prototypes to find the materials and the style we wanted to make.

Why do you think it's important (or maybe not important) for men to dress well?

Dressing up is obviously a personal choice but I do believe looking nice and wearing nice clothing can affect both the wearer's self-confidence as well as how they're perceived by others (in a sense they go hand-in-hand). If you can present yourself well while looking (and feeling) comfortable, I think it goes a long way towards giving off an aura of being confident in your own skin, which others can really respect.

What are AlbertMing's plans for the future? Any chances of extending into womenswear?

Haha we've actually a lot of requests from women and think there's a great opportunity to make a women's line, but we want to continue building out our men's line first - there's obviously a lot more we can do to expand on our existing product selection, through adding more styles of suits, blazers, shirts, and probably starting to do some accessories later this year. We're doing a bit of initial preparation on the women's side just to understand the market better, but if things continue to go well then we may be expanding sooner rather than later!

Thank you Albert for your time, and best of luck to AlbertMing in all of their future ventures!

All images courtesy of AlbertMing.

Aimee Shimizu is currently the Editor of BARE Blog. Right now she is absolutely obsessed with the BBC show Sherlock, which also happens to be an excellent source of menswear inspiration.

Last Friday Night

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Cal students are notorious for their high stress levels and ~~nonexistent~~ abnormal sleep cycles - after all, we're not called the best public university in the nation for nothing. But as most of you have probably realized, the first couple weeks of each semester are blissfully free of the problem sets and midterms that are sure to plague us in the near future. So the question is, what are we supposed to do with all of this spare time? Lucky for you, I've rounded up the best of what's happening in Berkeley right now:

L@TE: Friday Nights at BAM/PFA - This Friday, January 27, the BAM/PFA (2626 Bancroft Way) will be holding an evening soiree in honor of none other than the incredibly luminous, perfectly curvaceous, and extremely unattainable...moon. Contemplate this cosmic wonder while listening Tana Sprague play songs from her upcoming album Nine Chains to the Moon, as well as the soundtrack to her short film about the moon. Guests will also go home with a free tote bag designed by Dustin Wengreen in commemoration of Land and Sea’s first collaboration with BAM/PFA.

L@TE ADMISSION: $7, free for UC Berkeley students, faculty, staff and BAM/PFA members.

Image courtesy of The Telegraph.

Andy Warhol: Polaroids - Ever been obsessed with Edie Sedgwick, The Factory, or Campbell tomato soup cans? If the answer is yes, then I highly suggest you check out the opening of Andy Warhol: Polaroids at the Berkeley Art Museum (2626 Bancroft Way). Hosted by the BAM/PFA Student Committee , this event is promising to have it all: gallery chat with Director Larry Rinder, and Co-Curators Stephanie Cannizzo and Fabian Leyva- Barraganwho, a screening of Warhol's VINYL, a photobooth, and free Cheeseboard! Just be sure to come dressed in your best Studio 54 attire and get ready to boogie down.

Free admission.

Free Sunday at California Academy of Sciences - So this is neither in Berkeley or on a Friday, but who could pass up an opportunity to go to the California Academy of Sciences...for free?! This wonder emporium houses everything from a tropical rain forest to a planetarium, and no trip would really be complete without a stroll on its living roof. Free Sunday's are only held every quarter of a year, so be sure to catch the next one on February 5th!

Ike's Lair in Oakland - Ike's made a name for itself by making sandwiches with awesome names like Doomsday and Lex Luthor, and almost everyone agrees that their dirty sauce is like liquid crack. While the original Ike's Place is located in San Francisco, these sandwich gods have decided to set up shop in the East Bay - more specifically, right by Berkeley's beloved Bakesale Betty. Deciding what to get for lunch just suddenly got that much harder.

Ike's Lair is located at 2204 Broadway.

Watch a movie - Every semester, SUPERB (Student Union Program, Entertainment, and Recreation Board) puts on a number of great events, and one of my favorites has always been the movie screenings. This Friday, January 27th, they will be showing Drive, a movie that features Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and (apparently) one extremely hot kissing scene in an elevator. Need I say more?

Screening times are at 7 and 9 p.m. in Wheeler Auditorium. $3 with Cal id, $5 general admission.

Aimee Shimizu is currently the Editor of BARE Blog. Her one wish in life is to attend a Chanel show.

The Perfect Men's Blazer

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

"Hugo Boss meets North Face."

Who could ignore a mission statement like that? While my love of North Face has been well-documented, I have to say I had my doubts about the style potential of such a combination. But AlbertMing, the new menswear line founded by Albert Shyy (currently a Haas MBA student) and Ming Chang (a fellow UC Berkeley grad), manages to bring the best of both worlds in a collection that is refreshingly modern. Tailored to create a sharp, James Bond-esque silhoutte, the initial collection of suits and a dress shirt already have a lot going for them in the aesthetic department, but the real kicker is that they're also water and stain repellent. (Good news for those clumsy gentlemen who survive on emergency coffee runs to Peet's!)

Continuing the work they've already done, the duo have now set their sights on something a bit more ambitious: creating the perfect men's blazer. Impossible? I would say yes, but if AlbertMing can make Hugo Boss + North Face work, then anything is possible. The blazer itself will be made from stain-proof nanotech wool, have a fine Bemberg lining (more breathable than your run-of-the-mill polyester), and of course possess a sleek, modern feel. If you would like to contribute to their project, head over to Kickstarter and pledge to be a backer. As Albert himself mentioned, this is a blazer that will look great in every Berkeley wardrobe!

Help AlbertMing make the perfect blazer by clicking here.

For more information on AlbertMing, check out their website here.

Aimee Shimizu
BARE Blog Editor

My Feelings on the Shoo In Shoe

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:30:00 +0000

My sister is an avid online shopper, and from time to time I'll receive a Facebook message from her with a list of links to clothes that she's currently obsessing over. Apparently getting a second opinion is "absolutely necessary", but honestly I think she just asks for my advice so she can do the opposite of whatever I tell her. Still, I dutifully click through ~~all~~ most of the links, and I have to say it's a good way to waste 10 minutes. Especially when you get gems such as these:

No, no, not the shoes. I'm talking about the description next to the shoes. Call me cruel, but this sugar-coated confection of exclamation marks! and super bubbly adjectives is perhaps one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read.

First, there's the issue of the "sassy cutouts". I honestly didn't even know that cutouts could be sassy, but if what this person says is true, then I will personally congratulate him/her on finding the first cutout that can "tell that b**** to back off of my boyfriend" in a friendly yet menacing tone. So fun, right? And if they have sassy cutouts, then maybe we can get shoes with other types of cutouts, too - inexplicable melancholy cutouts, enjoys long walks on the beach cutouts, raging 'til dawn cutouts...the possibilities are endless!

This next gripe is actually just a personal opinion, but the day I see harem pants die will be the happiest of my career as a blogger. These baggy, parachute-esque pants have been the bane of my existence since 2007, during the peak of my obsession with the uber-hipster website Lookbook. A trip to the mall was incomplete unless I tried on a pair at Urban Outfitters, and let me tell you, my shapeless ass was not happy. And now this writer has the nerve to remind me of my total lack of hipster cred, as if not understanding Instagram and disliking Animal Collective were not enough to place me staunchly in the un-cool camp. Well, Shoo In Shoe, you and your awesome harem pants can just [censored material]!

The final straw? "Couture compliments!" According to Wikipedia (the most trusted source on the internet), couture is strictly defined by the French Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris as companies that "design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings, have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time, and present a collection each season (i.e., twice a year) comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear." I am fairly certain that leopard print shoes, even ones with a couple of sassy cutouts, do not quality as "couture", and I am not afraid to call you out on it. In fact, I'll even bet that Juicy Couture has more couture potential than these shoes. Yeah, I went there. I think you're going to need some aloe vera, because you just got burned!

Ok, ok, I'm being pretty harsh. And the shoes are pretty cute. But c'mon, who else thinks we can lay off the sugariness just a teensy-weensy bit? Anybody? Hello??

Aimee Shimizu
Blog Editor

FAST Fall 2011 Fashion Show: Rebirth

noreply@blogger.com (김두이 (Dooee Kim)) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

FAST's handout

FAST's fall fashion show had a theme of Rebirth, trying to recreate silhouettes, hemlines, and colors in fresh and innovative ways.

The Runway

Student designers controlled their whole look, from the selection of their models, to their hair and makeup, down to their shoes and music.

Sarah Mount started off Segment I with a retro vibe referencing the 60s, filled with fall rich colors of orange and maroon. She included frocks that were patterned and pants that were printed--perfect accessories for student day wear.

John Going continued by providing eye catching futuristic body gear over leggings that were highly structural and architectural.

Kristyn Hom's Designs

In Segment III, Kristyn Hom presented her "An Assemblage" set that truly took the theme of Rebirth to heart. She constructed her pieces from eclectic sources such as pieces of cardboard, a page from W magazine, a spool of grey thread, and much more to create her rebirth assemblage. Her designs were structural, beautifully sculpted, and avante garde. In fact, one of her designs had the model's head and body fully covered in a sculptural design with knitting draped all around.

Jaymie Ngov's Design

The last designer, Jaymie Ngov, presented a cohesive set that was filled with organza, beautiful gem-colored metallics, printed fabric, and high waisted designs that made everyone know he was a true FAST veteran designer.

Dooee Kim
Assistant Blog Editor

Flacos: Vegan (and Organic) and Mexican

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Well, it’s the middle of finals week, and that usually means two things for me: lots of time spent on Facebook, and even more time spent binge-eating. That’s why my trip to Flacos this week was even more exhilarating than usual (and yes, I’m that guy who uses the word “exhilarating” when he’s talking about food).

“Feed la Revolución!” Well, they definitely fed my hearty appetite. Image courtesy of Flacos.

Let’s talk a little about Flacos though, shall we? Before we even get to the food. The restaurant has established its little location at the corner of Ashby and Adeline, more or less (it’s kind of a weird intersection), but you get the idea. I’m choosing to believe it was a personal decision on the owner’s part, but the entire restaurant very much so gives off the vibe of a traditional little Los Angeles taco stand. The little plastic chairs and table on the patio in the back, the very quaint size of the indoor dining room, the flashing neon “OPEN” sign. It feels very homey and cozy.

As for the quality of the food, Flacos proudly claims that they have no microwaves, and that all of their food is organic, local, and non-GMO. On their website, they have a list of all the local farmers they support. And, on top of that, you can go to any Farmer’s Market in the Berkeley area, find the Flacos stand, and have your fill!

The Full Plate, complete with sensational taquitos. Image courtesy of Yelp.

And let’s just say, you want to have your fill. The food at Flacos was flavorful, wholesome, and entirely filling. And super cheap. You can order the tacos and taquitos a la carte for two and three dollars each respectively, and the tamales are four dollars each. You can also get a 16 oz. pozole, a savory corn hominy in a chili-based soup. I personally opted for the “Full Plate,” where you can select a main course item to go with your black beans, brown rice, and avocado salsa. I opted for a pair of taquitos. My fellow food companion ordered the “Huarache,” a dish with avocado, pinto beans, rice, cilantro, onions, radish, cabbage and salsa. By the time both plates were almost entry, I’m pretty sure neither of us could breathe (in a good way).

16 oz. worth of awesome Pozole. Get at it. Image courtesy of Yelp.

So, this is the part where you torch your take home final and take a food field trip. Don’t forget to get some Pan Dulce or Polvorones for dessert. Also, if you feel like heading over during the week, you can partake in Taquito Tuesday, Huarache Wednesday, or Soft Taco Thursday.

Until next time! Check out parts 1, 2, and 3 here. And, as always, you can send requests and suggestions to ryanroschke@gmail.com.

Ryan Roschke
BARE Reporter

BARE Magazine Issue 10 Launch Party Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Created with flickr slideshow.

Thanks again to every one who came out to celebrate the launch of BARE Magazine's 10th issue! Relive all the best moments here with this slideshow!

All images courtesy of Rosa Nguyen.

Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch's Danzon

noreply@blogger.com (김두이 (Dooee Kim)) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Production held in Zellerbach Hall

Legendary choreographer Pina Bausch’s Danzon made its only US stop at Zellerbach Hall. Pina Bausch was a famous German choreographer who was associated with German Expressionist dance, called Tanztheater. She had her own unique style of composition, blending movement with speech, song, and visual images that made her both innovative and a leader in her field. Her company, Tanztheataer Wuppertal Pina Bausch, rebirthed her Danzon work after her 2009 death and finally brought it to Berkeley.

Definitely unconventional

Danzon, meaning Cuban dance, is a modern piece that depicts humanity’s journey through life. It includes being in the womb, transitions to adulthood, exploring sexuality, courtship, and death. The movements were fresh, repetitive, ethnic, yet classical in their Cuban form. The production was entirely unconventional, humorous, and made you think outside the box. It gave a whole new perspective on 20th century life through Pina Bausch’s eyes, and made the audience examine their own phases in life.

Beautiful silhouettes were apparent in their costumes

The piece consisted of dancers who sat with the audience, climbed the steps toward the audience, smoked a cigarette on stage, and ran entirely naked behind a see-through screen. Its props consisted of simple, yet prominent objects such as bathtubs, a seesaw, campsite, and haystack that attracted the viewers’ attention. The set was bare minimal to help the props stand out more against the dark floor and mainly used screens to depict environments and moods. The lighting was stripped to bare minimal qualities as well, mostly having spotlights on the various dancers onstage. The piece was very unorthodox, smart, and engaging as a whole. What is more, the costumes were relatable to everyday wear, yet danceable and elegant with their shimmery pastels, loose draping, mostly muted colors, and flowery prints, enhancing the dancers’ silhouettes. They were adaptable to the theme of a life’s journey and reflected different life transitions and events accurately. They were sensuously rich and helped enliven the bold piece.

Dooee Kim
Assistant Blog Editor

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

So this year the Victoria’s Secret fashion show once again didn't disappoint audiences of both sexes (we gals love the lingerie, and hey, so do the guys!). This year featured some very amazing pieces that sparkled with wonder (such as the LOVE PINK sparkle top, so cute) and the 5 million dollar bra (Christmas present?). The angels lit up the stage with their out-of-this world costumes and the entertainment was, of course, entertaining.

Top: Adam Levine gives his "angel" a kiss on the cheek. Middle: Jay-Z and Kanye show us how it's done. Bottom: A model escorts Nicki Minaj down the runway.

Among them was bad boy boyfriend of model Anne V. and headman of Maroon 5, Adam Lavine, whose crooning and playful dance with his gf brought sexy back and showed that even bad boys can settle down, but still keep a relationship hot. Jay-Z and Kanye brought the house down (but watch yourself with those models, Jay, baby momma Beyonce was watching!). And of course Nikki Minaj fit right in with her crazy costumes and antics, like when she had a model twirl her down the runway.

Adriana Lima, making brunettes everywhere proud.

Also, I would like to take this time to comment on angel Adriana Lima. Oh my god. She is SO SASSY! I love her. Her bod is bangin’, and I have yet to see someone rock the runway the way she does. She does a fellow brunette proud.

I think it’s also important to note that these shows weren’t always so fabulous. In fact, I watched about 3 minutes of the first show, and boy was it a snoozefest. If this was a telling of that era, no wonder I didn’t party that much in ’96 (besides the fact that I was 6 years old).

However, if you are like me and spend about 90% of your paycheck on fancy little sexy things that no one really ever sees, you’ll be glad to know that VS is offering a few of their special runway items online, just in time for the holidays. I surely hope some boyfriends (your's and mine) read this blog and get the hint. You’re welcome girls!

Daniella Ciappara
BARE Reporter

Fashion + TECH SF Workshop: Brand Your Business Utilizing Social Media Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

Back in November, San Francisco and Merchants Alliance (SFMA) organized one of their monthly workshops, dedicated this time to the oft debated, yet critical, issue of social media and their impact on branding. Fashion + TechSf serves as an open forum for anyone interested in building and growing a fashion business, throughout these different panels knowledge is shared and of course networks are built.

Many prestigious industry insiders from the Bay Area attended, but there were also many aspiring designers, bloggers and entrepreneurs present to learn from the panel. I have to admit, as a proud member of generation Y and a digital native, I doubted I would have anything to learn about the use of social media, but I was proven very wrong.

Brad Carrick , CEO and founder of Solz Shoes, Sabrina Bruning of Internet Savant, Former model Udual Oduak from Lady Brille Magazine, Willo O’Brien from Willo Toons and Vishal Kalia from RAF9 discussed how social media fitted their business models and helped them to expand.

The panel speakers. Image courtesy of Tumblr.

Of course the eternal triumvirate Facebook/Twitter/Youtube were debated, but also upcoming devices such as Instagram, Foursquare and the fresh Google+ entered the conversation. Overall, most of the speakers agreed on the idea of “building a relationship” as a strong principle in the fashion industry. It used to be done mainly in high-end flagship stores with sales assistants building a comfortable and safe space for their costumers. This is still a strategic feature of any luxury store, but today customers expect to be able to access a brand’s universe online - the brands who embraced new technologies of communication the earliest are now the most successful, both in their presence online (the privilege of an early adopter) as well as through actual sales.

Burberry is the ultimate example of this boldness. Christopher Bailey, the young head of the once very classic, Neo-Victorian brand, along with Angela Ahrendts really pushed the brand's online presence, and now customers can order trench coats online as they're presented during London Fashion Week, check the brand's frequently updated Facebook fan page, or shop the sophisticated online store. Clearly the tactic has paid off, as Burberry is one of the few brands consistently beating its semester forecast.

What trends do this overuse of social media reveal? Customization. Burberry has recently launched a store, Burberry Bespoke, which allows customers to create and reappropriate the classic trench, from color to the shape and material of the fur. The openness that social networks enables can, however, lead to a somewhat tricky situation: who has the control over the brand capital?

One last advice which I and most of you Cal students (finals week is coming, just saying) should respect: social networks do indeed help to expand and foster relationships, given that you don’t spend your whole life on it. All of the panelists agreed on the fact that it should always be considered as a tool to build relationship, but not as the main pattern to work on. The same advice applies for the fashion industry - this digital relationship with the customer should never take precedent over the efforts to deliver the best product.

Thomas Meyer
BARE Reporter

DIY Feather Earrings

noreply@blogger.com (김두이 (Dooee Kim)) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:30:00 +0000

Feather earrings have been a huge trend lately and they've been seen all over Berkeley campus and on celebrities like Blake Lively and Gwenyth Paltrow. One of the downfalls of this trend is that their earrings can be extremely expensive. So why not try and make a pair for yourself and a friend for just a fraction of the cost?

Left: Feather earring on Blake Lively. Right: Statement Feather Earring from Urban Outfitters.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Feathers of your choice (You can purchase a bag of craft feathers at any art supplies store for only a few dollars.)

2. Earring hooks (These can also be purchased in a pack at an art supplies store.)

3. Jewelry wire

4. Pliers

How to do it:

1. Choose the feather or feathers you will be using and trim the stem down so only about 1 cm is left.

2. Next cut a rather long piece of jewelry wire. This will be wrapped around the stem of the feather so cut a generous length. This can always be trimmed at the end.

3. Make a small loop with the jewelry wire and place this on top of the feather stems. Begin wrapping the wire around the stems.

4. Once the stem is completely covered, cut the excess wire.

5. Grab your earring hook and open the loop. Slip your wrapped feather on and voila!

6. Repeat for the second earring.

And there you have it. Celebrity- inspired earrings for a non-celebrity budget!

Heather Hui
BARE Reporter

FAST Meet the Designers Mixer

noreply@blogger.com (김두이 (Dooee Kim)) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:22:00 +0000

FAST Logo Banner

FAST stands for Fashion and Student Trends, which is a UC Berkeley organization that is non-profit and student run, enabling Cal students to express themselves on the runway. Students can partake in this by being a designer and creating at least three different, yet cohesive looks adherent to the general theme. Or if over 5'8, can go through the model training program and model for a student designer. A runway show is held each semester and through this Designers Mixer, anybody can get a chance to meet the student fashion lovers.

The atmosphere in Kroeber Hall

This fall's Mixer was held in the Worth Ryder Gallery of Kroeber Hall for the Rebirth themed show. DJ John Kim was spinning electropop beats that matched well with the student art gallery background. After conversing with both models and designers, I've gathered some inside scoops!

Zoe Kingsbury, a veteran model, says that all she needs is a good amount of sleep and water to be ready for the show. She's also trying a new Lush facial pack to prep this time. Adrienne Chiu, another veteran model, comes prepared on the big day with sunblock and moisturizer.

Christine Fukushima, a veteran designer, got her fabrics in LA during Thanksgiving break for prices as low as $2.50 a bound! She's gathered some fancy snakeskin, fell in love with the velvet and gold which helped her construct her holiday party looks. There are more veteran designers to look forward to tomorrow such as Jaymie Ngov, Kirstyn Hom, as well as new designers!

I won the raffled show ticket!

Be sure to stay tuned for our review of the FAST Runway Show!

Dooee Kim
Assistant Blog Editor

BARE Magazine Issue 10 Launch Party

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! BARE Magazine is launching the release of it's 10th issue, and we want you to come and celebrate with us! The BARE Magazine Issue 10 Launch Party will be this Saturday, December 3, at Beta Lounge (2129 Durant Ave) from 8-11 pm! There will also be special BARE drinks at the party, so put on your best cocktail attire and get ready to dance the night away!

For more information, click through to the Facebook event.

And here's a sneak preview of the i10 cover!

Now how could you say no to a face like that?

Nature’s Express: Vegan Fast Food

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Everyone knows that a good sandwich/salad joint is a great option for lunch. Frankly, it’s hard to mess up a good selection of burgers, wraps, sandwiches, etc. It allows just enough variety in its options, but not so much it’s impossible to choose. And when it’s totally vegan and (relatively) healthy, is there really any downside?

It’s only been open for less than two years, but this restaurant already seems to have found its rhythm. Image courtesy of Vegan Mainstream.

Enter Nature’s Express, a vegan restaurant on Solano Avenue that has been building a mean reputation since it opened in January 2010. For such a young restaurant, it’s already beginning to hold its own in the Berkeley vegan culture, and with good reason. The location itself is very small and quaint. On sunny days, the outdoor seating makes for the perfect supplement to the energizing food.

Inside, you can order your from any of the countless friendly staff members waiting behind the counter. Just behind them, the chef prepares your food in plain sight (which is somehow always more comforting, in my opinion). A shelf on the right features some very well known vegan cookbooks, and on the left are some very green (literally and conceptually) compost bins. Oh, and don’t forget the fruit flavored water, always a welcome treat!

Some of the super stars of the menu include the “Cheezy Mushroom Chik-un Melt,” which includes grilled mushrooms, delicious vegan Daiya cheese, and a fairly convincing “chicken” patty. A small burrito menu features the “Spicy Rizo,” a concoction complete with spicy soy chorizo, black beans, sautéed jalapenos, and brown rice pilaf. And the “Avo-Kale” wrap include seasoned baked tofu and creamy avocado dressing. Feel free to supplement absolutely everything with a side order of baked sweet potato fries.

Nature’s Express features the Avocado Kale wrap. How can you go wrong with avocado, creamy dressing, and leafy greens?

So what’s for dessert? Well, you can opt for the selection of vegan cookies or one of the many smoothies featured on the menu, or you can treat yourself to some vegan soft serve ice cream. Yeah, that’s right. Vegan soft serve. Nature’s Express only features one flavor per day, but let’s just say previous flavors have included green tea, apple pie, pumpkin, and, most recently, eggnog. Don’t leave without at least committing yourself to a taste test.

So what’re you waiting for? Get on over to the north side of campus and treat yourself to healthy vegan food, fast!

In case you missed the first two posts of this series, you can find them here and here. Stay tuned for an update featuring vegan Mexican food in the near future! Also, again, if you have any suggestions or ideas for a vegan restaurant you’ve heard about, email me at ryanroschke@gmail.com!

Ryan Roschke
BARE Reporter

DNA (designers+artists) & Free Gold Watch Present Storefront!

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:30:00 +0000

Who: DNA (designers+artists) a creative collective with an online shop is teaming up with Free Gold Watch, a custom screen-printing store, to throw a Holiday One-Stop Pop-Up Shop, just in time for the present season!

What: Featuring local independent fashion, accessories and jewelry designers as well as vintage vendors and even custom screen-printing for shirts. The festive does not stop there; there will be complimentary beverages and liquor (21+) and for the kid inside all of us, there will be pinball machines to play and great music to be spun.

Where: Free Gold Watch, 1767 Waller Street x Stanyan, San Francisco. Only a BART and MUNI ride away from Berkeley, about a block away from Haight Street.

When: For the next 3 consecutive weekends, the Storefront will be raging on! December 3rd, 10th, 17th from 12-6 p.m., December 4th, 11th, 18th from 12-5 p.m.

Why: FREE ADMISSION! FREE FOOD! GREAT SHOPPING! Need I say more?

This is the Free Gold Watch studio/storefront, so don’t get lost!

Anisa Young
BARE Reporter

Four DIYs for the Winter Season

noreply@blogger.com (김두이 (Dooee Kim)) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +0000

As the semester slowly draws to a close, the allure of winter break is stronger than ever. But once the excitement of sleeping in and not having to worry about problem sets wears off--winter break can get a little dull.

So, get creative and try out some of these seasonally appropriate DIYs to add a little sparkle to your winter break!

Credit to A Beautiful Mess

I love this idea because, let’s face it, we all have an old sweatshirt hanging in our closet that we never wear. And you could go wild trying out different color combinations and patterns.

Credit to Martha Stewart

These rings could be the perfect piece of accent jewelry for your holiday party outfit. Plus, you’ll get to feel a sense of pride when people come up and ask you where you got them.

Credit to the BBB Craft Sisters at Design Sponge

Super simple concepts that manage to add a touch of prettiness and class to your gifts. Customize them for each individual present for a personal touch!

Credit to Miyako Kanamori shown on The Etsy Blog

Coolest solution to losing a glove ever! This would make the perfect gift for any little ones in your life.

Do you guys have anymore cool seasonal DIYs? Share them in the comments!

Alexandra Mateo
BARE Reporter

Rebirth: FAST Runway Show

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Fashion and Student Trends is a student-initiated, student-run, non-profit association designed to bring the world of fashion to Cal. Our organization is dedicated to nurturing the talents and needs of students interested in the fashion industry, including designers, models, artists, photographers, and students seeking corporate fashion experience. Each semester, FAST presents Berkeley's one and only fashion show featuring the original designs of Cal students.

This semester's theme, Rebirth, focuses on each designer's creative interpretation of silhouettes, hemlines, and colors. Come to the show on December 5th, 8 p.m. in Pauley Ballroom, to see designers' new spin on these aesthetic concepts. There will also be a mixer on December 3rd from 3 to 5 p.m. at Worth Ryder Gallery in Kroeber Hall to give guests a chance to meet the designers and get a preview of their collections.

FAST is also proud to be supporting The American Heart Association. A portion of all ticket sales will go to the AHA.

Tabling on Upper Sproul begins Tuesday, November 22nd and ends Friday, December 2nd from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 presale and $8 at the door.

Be sure to RSVP here, and we hope to see you there!

Phil's Sliders in Downtown Berkeley

noreply@blogger.com (Aimee) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Sick of Thanksgiving leftovers? Then check out Phil's Sliders on Shattuck!

I personally find burgers to be a bit overwhelming at times; however, there are those times when I want to enjoy the taste of a burger, but maybe not all of its meaty glorious-ness. Forget McDonald's and say hello to Phil's Sliders, a quaint slider shop that opened a few months ago.

These chairs make me feel tall!

The menu is simple. There are two types of sliders: your typical (but still delicious) ground beef patty cooked to your taste and a special vegetarian option with just a Portobello mushroom as the meat substitute. Now, I know what you're thinking - if you're not a vegetarian, why should you try the Portobello mushroom slider? Believe it or not, it tastes amazing, and it's a must try. I mean who knew a mushroom could taste so good? It's interestingly meat-like, but I'll let you be the judge, so let me know what you think.

Cube-shaped tater tots. Yum!

Portobello Mushroom sliders.

Beef or mushroom, these are topped with cheese and lettuce (you can opt out the cheese), slathered in their special sauce, and wedged between two buns. All images courtesy of author.

Aside from the sliders, there are various homemade drinks, sides, and some baked goods. The store has a cool and relaxed feeling, while with each item at no more than $2.50, the prices suit the college student's budget. Also, as a new special only on Mondays, they are adding bacon on these sliders! I have yet to try those.

Check this restaurant out, located in Downtown Berkeley next to Half-Priced Books. Enjoy!

Rosa Nguyen
BARE Reporter