CL Gets An Exclusive Interview with Edgy Detroit Designer: Fotoula Lambros

Sprouting from a town outside of Detroit called Ferndale, designer Fotoula Lambros has been a part of the up-and-coming Detroit fashion scene for a few years now. After learning from her first designer line Femilia Cotoure, Fotoula has stepped up to the next level with Fotoula Lambros Design (LMD). Fotoula’s line embodies so much of her own creative and bubbly personality.  The sassy and chic designer always finds ways to incorporate class with modern edge and sophistication. College Lifestyles gets the inside scoop with Fotoula about her undying dedication, education, and her priceless fashion expertise. Check it out!

 

CL: When did you first realize that designing was what you wanted to do? And how did you get started?

F: I was always into art growing up. When I found fashion design in high school, I was hooked. I took a pattern drafting and garment construction course for two years and fell in love. Still am. 

CL: What were key moments (successes/shortcomings) that helped you get where you are today?

F: Well, it has always been about execution, creatively and in the business of it all. I have tried many things, and it is through that that I have failed and succeeded, but I have gained so much from all of it. I feel my ventures into market this year at MAGIC. It changed the game and the plan in moving forward. My most key moments are when I am amongst the industry. Whether it’s recognition in an article, or just the connections and compliments I received when I am there, it is key. 

 

 

 

CL: What advice would you give to girls in college who are aspiring designers today?

F: Keep being a maker. We all are influenced by art, and lifestyle, but the product is most important. Quality, originality make a designer, and impact the fashion world. I would definitely tell aspiring designers to invest their energy into finding their technique and style as a designer. 

 

CL: DId you take any classes at school that pertained to design?

F: All of them. From grade school to design school, I made it a point to always be involved with creative outlets. I am drawn to it. When I was little, I sketched for hours, and the older I got, I wanted to find more ways to be creative and in different mediums.  I am not very outspoken, but feel the designer in me needs to have a voice. 

 

CL: What inspires you and your designs?

F: I am very inspired by culture, whether it is urban to more abstract, indigenous and traditional varieties. Colors, sounds, and movies speak to me.  I have an attraction to vintage silhouettes, but giving them a modern twist. Also, I am inspired by shapes in patterning. A lot of my garments have a geometric reflection when flat. The angle and dimension create the silhouette and details in draping, from there it takes a new life when someone and their shape puts on my design. 

CL: How would you classify Fotoula Lambros Design?

F: Eco-chic, fashion forward label. The philosophy is for a modern woman, with value in the everyday and every occasion. On-the-go, so to say, and runs from day to night with ease and sophistication. The fabrics are natural and lustrous, and work with the designs very well. Ultimately, FLD is a lifestyle brand dedicated to avant garde thinking in design. A lot of the pieces have movable attachments that provide function. I guess my label reflects how I view life…full of possibility.

 

CL: What aspects of running your own design company do you love/dislike?

F: It is very challenging to move forward and push to the next level, but I am very passionate about my design direction. I am very excited to be a new brand in the organic marketplace. People are very appreciative of the fact that I have established my production in Michigan. It is full of ups and downs when taking on such a big endeavor, but I believe in it and believe it all works out the way it should. 

CL: What are your goals, and how do you plan on reaching them, although clearly you have accomplished many already!

F: I want to get international exposure.  Getting every one in the world to know about and wear my designs is the ultimate goal.  I want to continue putting collections out to market at different trade shows around the world. Building my stockist from here forward is very important. I want to surround myself with those that support and are inspired by  I want to get on the runway in New York and Paris, but growing into that designer is very fulfilling and full of learning. I like the level I have gotten to, and only see progress in my career for what is to come.  

For more on Fotoula or her fabulous line, check out her website: www.fo2la.com

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

 

Here’s How to Throw Your First 2012 DIY Glitz Party!

Saying farewell to 2011 may have been difficult for some, but for you classy and optimistic CL readers, one digit change calls for a celebration! If sequins and glitter are some of your favorite things, get ready for a glimmer overload. When you arrive back to campus, round up your friends for a second new year celebration! 2012 is upon us–start the year off right with a few glamorous CL tips.

Decor

1. Balloons – Take a trip to your local Walmart or dollar store and you’re bound to find a pack of gold, silver, or black balloons. If not–and you’re really eager to have these matte-colored party accessories–anything, including balloons, can be ordered from online. Let’s hear it for Amazon.com!

2. Time For Shine - Since glitzy means turning up the notches on vibrancy, why not create a sequined tablecloth? Get a few yards of sequined fabric (or any kind of shimmery fabric for that matter) at a fabric store. It can be any color you’d like, but if you’re sticking with a gold, silver, and black theme, choose your color(s) wisely.  And try your best to not make a mess–this cloth should be saved for future reference!

3. Shimmery Leftovers – Don’t worry about getting a little carried away at the fabric store. The remaining sparkly material from step two can be used all over the rest of your apartment. Tack it up on your walls, cut out some holes and turn it into a shower curtain, or even fold it up horizontally and lay it along the top of your couch.

4. Come Prepared – Let your friends know that they’ll need to bring a champagne glass along with them. A tasty CL-tini can be poured into it later, but first, they’ll use a permanent marker to write any goals that they wish to accomplish this year. Inexpensive champagne glasses are sold at any dollar store, and permanent markers can be found at any store where art supplies are sold. To add some character to the glasses, stock up on some glitter glue and assorted craft materials such as feathers.

Dress Up

Put your most glittery heel forward at this glitzy party! Take a few style cues from the following classy ladies:

Need more DIY help? Read Debra’s article for more glitz party tips!

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

New to the CL Intern Pool: Kelsey

Name: Kelsey Schirm

School: Iowa State University

Major: Journalism & Mass Communication/Art & Design

Year in studies: Junior

I have been with College Lifestyles since: Now!

Organizational Involvement: Iowa State Ed on Campus (Ed2010); AmesEats Flavors Publication; Habitat for Humanity; Iowa State Intramurals; Golden Key International Honour Society

Pets: 1 dog: Lady; 2 Hamsters: Chia and Cho; 1 fish: Daisy

My friends say I am: determined and motivated to get what I want in life.

Astrological sign: Gemini

My personal style is: casual, but classy; I love wearing skinny jeans, boots, and a nice blouse.

Favorite clothing stores: Victoria’s Secret; Heritage; Forever 21; Body Central; The Buckle; Dilliards; Younkers;

Favorite movie: action: The Fast and the Furious movies; chick-flick: The Notebook;

Favorite book/author: book: Time Traveler’s Wife (by Audrey Niffenegger); author: Nicholas Sparks

Favorite quote: “Strength does not come from physical capacity; it comes from an indomitable will.” -Gandhi

My screensaver is: A large collection of photos of my friends and I

On my IPod you will find: A wide variety of music: pop, rap, R&B, country, oldies, etc.

Must have beauty product: Bed Head Headrush; Garnier Fructis anti-humidity hairspray

I have a slight obsession with: running/working out; sequined clothing

I dislike: onions!

Last movie I watched: Fast Five

Last book I read: The Last Song

My definition of a classy co-ed: someone who is genuine to all and true to themselves.

Why I am excited about being an intern with College Lifestyles: I want to explore new topics within the health and fitness world and share those with my readers in a fun and exciting way!

 

Top 5 Things To Do Before Leaving Your Internship

With the semester winding down and finals week in full blast, I wanted to remind you of staying classy during the end– especially at your internship. Im heading to my last day today. Are you ready to leave? Here are my top 5 things to do your last week of your fall internship:

1. Work your butt off. No, really. Last impressions stick with your bosses just like first ones do– they remember if you leave on a really high note. Take the extra step. Don’t get “senioritis,” meaning don’t get lazy because it’s almost over. Just because it’s almost over for you, doesn’t mean it is for the business as they still need your help as much as they did week one.

2. Bring a gift. I hear you, you’re a broke college student just like I am. But bringing in some homemade cookies is a delight for all in the office! Trust me, it will be appreciated. Many are so busy during the holidays that something small like treats can really help brighten the day- and help them remember you!

3. Get contact info. Talk to your boss and be sure to get his or her  contact information for later jobs, reference letters, etc. if you don’t already have them. This is very important, as it will help you in the long run.

4. Hang out with the interns. Plan a night out, a day at coffee, whatever. Connecting with the people you spent the internship with is important, and it allows you to relax and laugh at the mistakes you made the first week, with the gals who know how it feels.

5. Send ‘Thank You’ notes. As simple as it may seem, something as simple as a quick note on how appreciative you are for the experience you got, is very important. Like I previously stated, large companies have hundreds of interns– leaving a Thank You card sets you apart! And if it’s cute , maybe your editor will pin it to their bulletin board!

 

Don’t forget to enjoy the last few days of your internship and really take time to reflect on it. Think to yourself what you learned, how you can apply it to every day life, and how lucky you are to land it. Chances are after the excitement of the holidays wears off, you’ll have a lot of free time at home wondering what to do next. Be sure to edit your resume, make a new goal sheet for the spring semester, and start looking for your next internship!

 

Emily Longeretta is an editorial intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is sad to be ending her other internship at Elle Magazine this semester, but excited to keep going with CL, and head back to finish school! She gets her journalism degree in May!

Five Ways to Unwind (and Sweat!)

This time of the year is crawling with stressful activities. Studying for finals, pinching pennies for holiday shopping, and applying for summer internships will get the best of anyone. An intelligent co-ed can only keep her head in a book, work long hours, and stare at a computer for so long! When stress starts to consume you, remember these tips when you’re craving fun and healthy ways to de-stress.

 

Zumba

Combine high-octane dancing with an upbeat Latin sountrack, and you’ve got a Zumba session! This fitness class, created back in the mid 90′s, has become wildly popular within these last few years, especially on college campuses. If your campus doesn’t offer a Zumba class, the first thing you should do is try to get Zumba on your campus! If that fails, there’s always YouTube, which has tons of recorded Zumba classes that you can dance along with. Or, you can buy the new Zumba video game, called “Zumba Fitness 2″ and “Party Yourself Into Shape” if you own a Wii™. Sweat Level: 10

Sauna

Grab a towel and lay back as the steam clears your pores of any toxins and buildup. Sitting in a hot sauna has multiple benefits, including improving your blood circulation and relaxing your mind, according to pureinsideout.com. For this sweaty activity, head to your local gym, in which a sauna is most likely to be. Sweat Level: 9

Yoga

Yoga hushes the noise of the outside world, allowing you to connect deeply with your mind and spirit. The strength that you will obtain after committing to doing yoga is unlike any other physical activity. “Yoga tones muscles all over your body in balance with each other. Weight training exercises typically isolate and flex one muscle or muscle group at a time,” said Kelly Turner from life.gaim.com. Classy actress Michelle Williams, attributes yoga for making her into the woman she is, stating “Yoga gave me relief like nothing else; it made me a better person and a better mother…,” according to mindbodygreen.com. Sweat Level: It rises with the intensity of the class

Hiking

If you live near a trail, challenge yourself and your family or friends to go hiking if it’s something you’ve never done before. Hiking will teach you a lot about willpower–when you’re halfway up the mountain and reaching the top seems absolutely unreachable, think about the breathtaking view awaiting you at the summit. Let this grueling activity forge a bond with you and those that you’re hiking with. Remember, you’re all in this together! Sweat Level: 10 (if you’re inexperienced on a tough trail)

Dancing

Cap off a stressful week with a night of going out and dancing with your girl friends! Start out by getting ready together–this process allows you to fill each other in on anything new that may have occurred during the week. Chat while curling your hair or while using your eyeliner to finish off that angle on your cat eye. Make a powerful entrance into a party with a killer outfit and your friends by your side, throw your hands above your head, and get to dancing! Sweat Level: 7

Tiana Blue is an intern for College Lifestyles™ and is a print journalism major at Penn State. This sophomore is an avid blogger that loves to write, draw, roam the streets of Manhattan, and channel her inner chef by watching Food Network re-runs.

Surviving Black Friday: A CL Girl’s Guide

So, thinking about approaching the zoo at the local mall at midnight this Friday? Well me too! From a girl who’s shopped it, and worked it, here’s some pointers on what to do, what  not to do, and everything in between!

First, don’t underestimate the crowds. It’s busy, very very busy. Patience is a must. Everyone is tired, cranky, and wants the full Black Friday experience. However, be prepared to stand in line, especially at electronic stores like Best Buy, department stores like Macy’s and Sak’s Fifth Ave., and then of course the stores with the amazing deals like Target and Walmart.

Do some research on what the deals are. Look at the ads, because if you miss out on something you really wanted to buy for your Dad, you’re going to be mad you missed it. At the same time you are looking at ads, make note on what exactly you want and where you want to go. If you go to the mall, just wanting to look around, you’ll never get any deals.

Be fast, efficient, but still polite. You’re going to see lots and lots of rude people who think they are the only ones that really want to shop, and as hard as it may be just be nice, and move along as quick as possible. Don’t be the person that gets to the register and takes twenty minutes to decide on what top you want. Know what you want. And remember, it’s the holidays– keep smiling and be nice to the employees! They’re stuffed full of turkey too, and have to work!

Go early. Do not think that if you get there at 11:45pm and the stores open at 12am that you’ll be able to get the deals, because it won’t happen– not even close. Get there early. Have fun. Bring your family! If you’re shopping for someone else, get them what they want! If you’re shopping for you, grab the good deals– but remember, it is the holidays. So enjoy but save some money– there will be more deals, and these deals will probably keep going even after the madness of the Black Friday is over.

The most important thing to remember is that this is the beginning of the holiday season. As frustrated, annoyed, or angry you may get, keep in mind that we’re all here doing the same thing, and most of us are buying for others. So remember, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. Be happy and thankful for your friends, family, and that you can get to the mall! Just laugh and enjoy the holiday spirit, all season long.

 

Emily Longeretta is an ettiquitte and lifestyle intern with College Lifestyles (TM). Emily used to work retail at NY & Co., and Express. When she’s not catching the Black Friday sales or working at the mall, she enjoys listening to the leaves crunching under her feet in the fall, walking around NYC with her boyfriend, and watching Christmas movies like Elf & I’ll Be Home For Christmas!

CL’s Top 5 Hostess Gifts For The Upcoming Holidays!

Tis the Season! Its that time of year again to be thankful and spend time with friends and family. Each year brings something new, and maybe this year you are going to a friend’s Thanksgiving dinner, or meeting a boyfriend’s family for the first time, or simply traveling to spend the holidays with family that live far away. No matter what the circumstance, it never hurts to bring a little “thank you” gift. CL is here to guide you with a few ideas!

 

Wine: The classic bottle of wine is always a fantastic hostess gift! Don’t worry whether to get red or white, the gift will speak for itself. Liquor stores typically have wine sales around the holidays, so look for discounts and specialty wines just for the season!

Dip: Everyone loves a bowl of chip dip! And if you feel like putting forth the extra effort, which of course your hostess would appreciate, make your own! Try this simple recipe for Calico Cheese Dip:

Ingredients

4 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 can chopped green chilies

1 can sliced ripe olives, drained

4 green onions, sliced

3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced

½ cup minced fresh parsley

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

TortilIla chips

Directions: In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, chilies, olives, onions, tomatoes and parsley. Prepare salad dressing mix according to package directions; pour over cheese mixture and mix well. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Find more recipes at allrecipes.com

Bars: Nothing says “thank you for hosting!” like a pan of homemade bars! The delivery of any kind of bar- pumpkin, brownies, lemon, or some sort of family recipe, is something that any hostess would be thankful for.

Cookie Tins: If you are looking for a last minute hostess gift, a cookie tin is perfect! A variety of cookies suits anyone’s tastes, and will definitely be a hit at the party!

Glasses: There are a variety of unique drinking glasses that would make fabulous hostess gifts. Fancy champagne glasses are always classy, or perhaps a set of drinking flutes. Provided someone else brought the wine, your gift will be a success!

What are your favorite hostess gifts to give or receive?

Chelsea Hay is a junior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Communications. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega, and loves hanging out with friends, reading, laughing, and going to hockey games!

CL goes to the Shopaholic event at Puerto Rico

On November 20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico there was the Shopaholic Black Sunday Edition in the Puerto Rico Convention Center. I bought a ticket, I went, I shopped, and I put together a list a Pros and Cons for this type of events.

Want to know if they are worth it?   Let’s start with the bad news:

Cons

• Patience, patience, patience; and buckets of it.  There are a lot of people in a tight space, you have to be willing to wait your turn, say excuse me many times and maybe be pushed and shoved around.
• Trying on clothes: you have to be prepared to try on clothes behind a curtain in close quarters.
• May lose some money: You pay less than $10 for a ticket for something that you don’t know what to expect. You have to take the risk of going there, not liking anything and losing time and $5-$10.
• No place for guys: At least this year they had no men clothing only some watches and t-shirts but not a lot to choose from.
• Last season: It is also evident that most of the items sold at these events are the ones that are on sale because most of them are their summer inventory that they are trying to get rid of.

Now to what we liked:

Pros

• Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize: It is a good place for buying accessories, because you don’t have to try them on. This was the only thing that I actually bought. Some hand made accessories: a necklace and some bracelets for Christmas gifts. I was able to find a great family owned online shop. http://creacionesmichelle.com/

They were all very sweet and I was able to find cute and simple hand-made accessories. They ship to Puerto Rico and the US.

• Be different: Because they are all boutiques you can find something different that you are not going to find in a department store. They had pretty cocktail dresses good for a holiday party and you don’t have to worry about finding someone else with your same outfit.
• Easy way to compare prices, just walk to the next booth.
• Everything is less than $50
• You can notice some trends: I saw many tribal and Hindu inspired prints and shapes.
• Great way to find cheap vintage clothing.
• Find a new favorite store: a great way to meet boutiques all in one place you wouldn’t have known otherwise.
• Helping others:  a team of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society had a table at the event selling chocolate lollipops, pins, bracelets and more to raise money for blood cancer research. A little boy and his mom were raising money for this amazing cause. If you want to learn more about leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families go to http://www.lls.org/#/ Also, if you want to donate and help this family in their goal of raising $3,100 please visit http://pages.teamintraining.org/sfl/wdw12/nboscio

 

 

Monica Perez is  a senior at the University of Puerto Rico majoring in Communications Public Relations and Advertising. She loves chocolate, animals, traveling, art, books, fashion and her family.

CL Guide: How to Plan a Kentucky Derby Days Party

It may not be time for Derby Days but it never hurts to prepare early, right? Or if you’re really in the mood to be classy, just throw a Derby Days party for the heck of it! CL is here to help you plan the ultimate party, no matter what time of the year!

What To Wear

The most important part of your ensemble is the hat! Derby goers typically wear a large-brimmed hat with lots of frills that draw attention (in a good way, of course), and are tilted to one side. Plan your outfit around the hat.

The dress code for this event is business casual. Women should wear dresses or pant suits, and men should wear collared shirts- jackets are optional.

How To Decorate

If the party is outside use a red and white checkered tablecloth on a picnic table outside. If you can’t wait until its warm to host your party, decorate a table inside and bring the warm weather to you! Garnish the tables with spring flowers or roses (real or fake). If you happen to have any knick-knacks lying around, feel free to use them for a more festive atmosphere!

 

 

What to Serve

Classic Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 3 fresh mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon of mint syrup
• Crushed ice
• 1 ½ tablespoons bourbon (or ice tea for a virgin drink)
• Cocktail straw
• 1 fresh mint sprig

Grind mint leaves into a chilled julep cup. Pack the cup tight with ice and drizzle syrup over it, and then pour the bourbon. Insert the straw, place the mint sprig right next to the straw. Serve with a smile.

Country Ham and Biscuits

Ingredients

• Frozen tea biscuits
• Thin slices of country ham
• Flavored butter and mustard blends

Bake the frozen tea biscuits and fill with country ham that has been browned in a hot skillet 1 or 2 minutes on each side. Guests can dip their biscuits with their choice of flavored butter or mustard blends.

For more recipes check out Southern Living’s Guide to Kentucky Derby Recipes.

What’s your favorite themed party? Are there other dishes you would share at a Derby Days party?

Chelsea Hay is a junior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Communications. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega, and loves hanging out with friends, reading, laughing, and going to hockey games!

CL’s Exclusive Interview with America’s Next Top Model Winner Whitney Thompson!

Whitney Thompson is not only America’s Next Top Model’s Cycle 10 winner but also undoubtedly, a role model for all women. She is the first full-figured winner of the show, and continues to flaunt her beauty wherever she goes. I was honored to have the opportunity to interview her about her fashion and what she has been up to since the show in 2008.

College Lifestyles: How would you describe your fashion style?

Whitney Thompson: My style definitely changes as I grow up. I’m much more laid back than I used to be. When you have to wear crazy clothes and high heels everyday, you begin to appreciate flip-flops and maxi-dresses.

CL: What inspired you to audition for America’s Next Top Model?

WT: I was actually discovered in LAX on spring break, freshman year of college. I was just buying a candy bar and some woman walked up to me and asked if I would want to be on the show. Initially, I didn’t, but I’m glad I changed my mind.

CL: Can you lend any advice for individuals who seek a modeling career?

WT: Have an angle. Anyone can be pretty. What separates you from everyone else? Find that answer and run with it. You must stand out.

CL: What is you most memorable moment on America’s Next Top Model?

WT: Well, winning, obviously. We had to wait for hours back stage while the judges deliberated. It was horrible! We started singing Disney songs to lighten the mood.

CL: How did you balance school and modeling?

WT: I wasn’t modeling in college, just high school and it certainly wasn’t easy. You just have to make a decision and know what your number one priority is. You will have to miss class to shoot and if you make school your priority, you will miss jobs for class. They are not really compatible, so perhaps online classes are the best choice if modeling is your passion. However, it would be unfortunate to miss out on the college experience.

CL: What’s your favorite product that you sell on your website ShopSuperModel.com?

WT: The “Boyfriend’s Shirt” scented candle is probably my favorite. People love the candles because they are massage candles, meaning that when they are lit, the wax melts into a heated massage oil. We have nine different fashion-themed scents, but “Boyfriend’s Shirt” is our best seller. They start at only $9.99 and a dollar from every candle goes to the National Eating Disorders Association.

 

CL: Aside from your website, what other projects have you been working on?

WT: Obviously, I am still an international plus sized model, signed with Wilhelmina Models and I am currently working on developing a new dating website that celebrates curvy girls. I also speak at Universities all over the country on healthy body image and learning how to love your body just the way it is. My message is that Healthy is beautiful. Beautiful is not a size, an age, or a procedure. If you want me to speak at your college, contact Marc Marcuse at www.ReelManagement.com

CL: College Lifestyles is always promoting our Beauty by Confidence campaign and by becoming ANTM’s first plus size model winner, your confidence has truly shined. Do you feel as though you have inspired others?

WT: Certainly. It’s nice because my fan mail isn’t just, “I like you because you’re pretty”. I get letters saying, “I wore a bikini for the first time today because of you”, or “My daughter finally sought help for her eating disorder because of you” and words like that motivate me everyday to continue on in this industry. My fans constantly inspire me.

Whitney is an inspiration to all, so if you feel like you need some inspiration yourself contact her personally on twitter @WhitneyANTM, reach her through ShopSupermodel.com  or message her on facebook!

Chelsea Hay is a junior at the University of North Dakota majoring in Communications. She is a proud sister of Alpha Chi Omega, and loves hanging out with friends, reading, laughing, and going to hockey games!

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