| Spotlight
 Nazia Ahmed
Fashion a word that is often used to theorize a society's most talked about generation. Forgotten are the days of socialist revolutionary heat pumping through the veins of the young and the restless or the poetic drive of Rabindranath that used to define this generation. Kids nowadays are more into the whole cell phone/straight-hair poodle styles. Even if it was pretty hard to imagine just a decade ago what this generation has turned into its fun now when we track it back to the times when cable TV waltzed into the city. And now each group has its own style in the varsity campus. Starting from of course, what brand of cell phones they use, what type of hair spikes they prefer, what brand of watch they show off and the pair of jeans they wear.
And girls going out of their ways to match their flipflops with their blouse, bag, the pouch inside their bag, earrings, cell phones, contact lens…and the infinite list goes on!
Extremities aside, the campus fashion nowadays swings both ways for men and women craving for that urban look while holding their own roots. They go for the raw trend that shops like Jatra, Deshal, or Piran subsists to set.
 For women the obsession for straight hair still persists with full force. Short kurtas worn with embroidered jeans became fairly popular in the last few years. Metal bangles and clay ornaments from Shadakalo, Aarong, and other designer boutiques compliments such attire. Interestingly enough, the most popular stilettos that used to be the in thing just a few years ago has been drastically replaced by the almost flat sandal/strap on shoes similar to those of the ancient Greek mythical characters used to wear. Silver toe rings seems to go nicely with these strappy sandals while nose rings and other accessories harmonizes with the raw beauty that the girls go after.
Guys on the other hand are becoming more metro these days. Headgears are what comprises most of what they call fashion. Bandana is most common among the men in the campus that would obviously go with the “hot bike owner” look (even if the bike is missing from the picture). But in a typical day with scheduled classes back to back, guys are mostly seen to wear quarter sleeved t-shirts with a contrasting shirt on top. Body piercing nowadays took a steep turn towards metro urban looks the guys go after. Even though tattoos are considered taboo, one can still take a little peak at the most unimaginable part of the body and find one!
Incidentally, the campus trend says more than just what people wear or carry these days. The name they go by says a lot about their fashion sense as well. For instance, a few days ago I heard someone yell out “Kasper!” whose real name turned out to be Kashem uddin. Go figure!
Call them annoying, or superficial, or simply “beyadopp”, they are the new generation who brings most of the colors, diversity and sometimes a breath of fresh air with them and their diverse fashion.
Cover Photos
Photos by: Ishtiaque Bin Quashem
Participants: Shovon, Tumpa, Numan, Rain, Tanjima, Nafisa, Sabrina, Nafis, Miran, Muntasir, Dithi, Srutee, Radia, Tomal & Tuni
Location: BRAC University
Fashion Management 101
Shayera Moula
Flip your hair 45 degrees and click the tips of your heels through that campus door to score that perfect 'A' for some gawking fashion statement inside your university campus. Whoever said university was all about education? I say getting your outfit set to last ten hours without any bent, slit or stain on it is far more important in life. In fact, let me tell you exactly how each and every fashion tip for campus goers is directly proportional to their success in life.
Straightening the hair
It's not just about the act; it's the preparation, patience and determination that go on behind it. Oh and yes, the money too. It's no joke maintaining straight hair and that too the entire day, every day, everywhere. Even when digging into greasy chicken fry in the canteen with your bare hands, having that ideal shiny hair always directs back to a hint of class and sophistication. Letting those hair mimic fearless hay straws, which are able to keep still even on a drastic windy day, naturally shows that nothing can stop you from keeping your head straight.
Maintaining posture in heels
High heels have always been part of the fashion world but somehow they were restricted to parties or other fancy gatherings. Nowadays, they are a must in your average university classroom. And, why not? Being able to maintain yourself on two chopsticks is not an easy trick, especially if you happen to be paying a good chunk of your tuition fees over them. Basically, learning this form of art teaches you the most important philosophy of life: Balance is everything. Amen.
Seriously, there will be bumps on the road, there will be people coming in your way, trying to overthrow you from your destination and, yes, there will be the ups and downs in life but nothing, absolutely NOTHING will get you to fall down!
And, of course, with shoes that come in pointed-front that expose the tip of your nails, have the toenail color matching your eye-shadow for an extra bonus on your great coordination skills.
Squeezing the world in your tiny purse
Big bags are there too but for those of you who can manage to punch in all the required accessories for the day into a 30 by 30 centimetre silky-sack, know that you are the pioneers of the phrase "organizational behaviour". That's right, getting a
· Brush
· Moneybag
· Eye-shadow
· Compact
· More money
· Lipstick
· Lip-gloss
· Nail filer
· Eyeliner
in that tiny space requires raw talent and raw dedication to daily campus fashion. Trust me, there is just no better way to express management skills!
Wearing evergreen makeup
Now comes the part about making sure that the makeup glimmers all day long. This could take hours if you count the checking yourself in the mirror after every class for 20 minutes.
But the most important factor in the end of the day is 'time'. Here is the thing, they may walk in class late but there is no way you can assault them for their lack in time management. Really, those who serve themselves to the fashion world are able to come into class everyday, no matter what the occasion - whether there happens to be a quiz, a midterm, and a presentation or just another day - in a full-fledged Bollywood look.
And they can manage it even when there is a class at 8 in the morning! Now that's what I call talent at its best. Like I said, you can't accuse them for failing in time management expertise. They have it and they are very devoted and fanatical towards it - that's what life and careers is all about right?
Making your presence felt
And why not? Did we not learn that it is important to make yourself noticed and remembered whenever going for an interview? Well, the best way to magnify your appearance is of course by adding some noise. That's right, those bracelets, anklets and hairpins with heavy tinkling bells attached are just the thing to make sure that everyone can stop whatever they were doing, i.e. working hard and minding their own business, and turn around to take a good look at the noise maker. If that doesn't grab their attention, nothing will.
Committed and repetitive self-absorbed behaviour
Nothing says commitment more than being able to run your hands through the hair 20 times every hour, not to mention the constant re-glossing those pumped up lips. Added to mean smirks whenever passing those who know nothing about trend, you are more than ready to take charge of your own life. This characteristics and tip is particularly important for those who are aiming to attack the selfish world of materialism.
So there you have it, fashion prepares you for the bigger and greater battles in life. Without wearing the right clothes, shoes, bags and make up, you are nothing but a mere normal human being. So take out your dad's savings and go wild with these tips.
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