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College Tribune | October 14th 2008
FASHION
A cut above the rest With boyish cuts replacing long threads, Jessica Whyte examines this new daring movement Last month Vogue UK announced that the most influential hairstyle of 2008 belonged to that of Miss Agyness Deyn. While it cannot be denied that Agyness Deyn has been making headlines all over the world as a cutting edge model, it might be difficult to come to terms with Vogue’s opinion that her boy short hair would ignite a scissor revolution. After all, since 2005 long luscious locks have dominated the fashion circuit. Three years later, and major changes abound. Forget about this season’s latest garments, almost every collection featured models with short hair. Even Claudia Schiffer had swapped her golden tresses for a dark, sophisticated bob as part an advertisement for the Chanel Autumn/Winter collection. The general opinion of short hair amongst women tends to be that of a love/ hate relationship. On the one hand it is edgy, sexy and daring yet on the other hand it is severe, boyish and lacks versatility. There is also the concern of exposure. When someone cuts their hair short there is less there to cover up, to conceal or to distract. Your facial features are on full display. Yet it is for precisely these reasons that a short hairstyle can be so striking. By drawing out a woman’s features and illuminating the face, you can convey so much with such little effort. Short hair has, without question, more positives attached to it than negatives. The infamous ‘bob’ hairstyle came into being out of necessity during the First World War as women were forced to replace men on the factory benches. Large in-
dustrial machinery and long tresses were not the ideal combination, and this led to the cutting of locks and the s u b s e q u e nt creation of a new, refreshing hairstyle. It was for this reason that the bob became a s s o c i at e d with liberation, equal-
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BAG IT MANOLO WISH-LIST: Manolo blahnik shoes are finally available in Ireland thanks to Brown Thomas! Get em on your Christmas wish list now as there slightly out of a student’s budget…. INNER GOTH: Layers of black lace, studs, cross chains, leather; bring black up-to-date by embracing your inner Goth.
BITS AND BOBS: EVA LONGORIA’S FAUX BOB (TOP) AND AGYNESS DEYN’S DARING CUT (LEFT) ity and power. Since its creation, this cut has appeared and reappeared on catwalks and magazine covers throughout the decades. The golden age of the bob was undoubtedly the 1960’s when it was resurrected by Vidal Sassoon and glorified by Mary Quant, a British designer whose clothes defined the swinging sixties. So how does the bob of 2008 differ from that of decades gone by? The twist in the tale with the look this time around is the invention of the ‘faux-bob’, which has been sighted on almost every catwalk this season. The genius behind its creation is that women do not have to go under the scissors to achieve the look. A
handful of bobby pins are all it takes to position your tresses at the length and style of your choice. Since the year 2000 hair has been totally and utterly abused. It started with good intentions: Jennifer Aniston looked simply adorable with those soft golden streaks through her shoulder length hair. Fastforward a decade and we have a hair epidemic sweeping through the capital. From hair extensions, to peroxide blond to the dreaded ghd’s, women’s hair has gone past the point of split ends. How can people believe that a back-combed, tangled main of dirty blond hair is in any way attractive or fashionable? Short hair in the 1920’s played a pivotal role in the creation of the new woman. Perhaps it’s time for the young women of 2008 to step off the conveyor belt and try something new. In the words of Mademoiselle Chanel, Fashion always changes-only style remains.
Student hair scares
ALEXA CHUNG: This UK ‘E4’ presenter is emerging as one of the coolest trend setters du jour! She is the epitome of quirky British style and rocks the androgynous look. Keep a close eye on her for style tips.
TOP TIP: Rub Bio-oil (available at pharmacies) into skin at night time or just after a shower to even skin tone, reduce scar marks, reduce stretch marks and re-hydrate skin!
BIN IT PEACHES GELDOF: Peaches G is off our cool list for snubbing the Harvey Nic’s party she was due to host and dj at in Dundrum! Diva tantrums are so last year!
Fiona Redmond hits UCD’s halls to ask the students some hairy questions When we open a magazine or flick on the TV we are confronted with a multitude of hair products that claim to be the best for our hair. However without a thorough understanding of our hair type we risk never being able to find the products that emphasise our natural beauty best. CURLY HAIR Elena Hevdonska, second year Politics student: “It’s really important to invest in a good conditioner. My hair is so curly that constant styling can make it a bit weak. The conditioner I have is especially for weak hair and I find that it really makes a difference. Sometimes hairdryers can make curly hair go really frizzy, so it’s better just to let your hair dry naturally. And as addictive as hair straightners can be, you’re really better off just avoiding them.”
Lynn Monaghan, final year Engineering student: “I’ve stopped using a hair straightener because it makes my hair really weak. Unfortunately normal shampoo leaves my hair too dry. To combat this I’d recommend washing your hair only twice a week. Also it’s important to get a quality conditioner and I find that ones you can buy in the hairdressers are most effective.” THIN HAIR Nicky Devaney, MA student: “Having thin hair means there are many styles I can copy and yet it also means that I have to wash my hair every two days with shampoo and conditioner.” MA student Jennifer Keeler: “I’m the same. I also find that its best not to dye my hair too much or it won’t stay in good condition.” Joanne Howell, second year
English student: “Thin hair tends to get greasy easily and a product like 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioners doesn’t allow you to control the amount of conditioner you use. This means that the product just clings to your hair, even when it’s dry.” THICK HAIR Eimear O’ Reilly, second year Arts student: “I use a serum every time I straighten my hair. The one I’m using at the moment is a mist so it goes on lightly. If you use too much of it your hair can look greasy. I try to let my hair dry naturally as much as possible so sometimes I use moose to make it curly. I find Wella moose is really good because it makes your hair curly without the wet look. This way my hair can look great and I know I am not damaging it through over styling.”
HAREM TROUSERS: More like clown trousers! Seriously these don’t flatter any shape or size, if you’ve bought them bin them ASAP before you hear the sirens of the fashion police after you! UGGS: These sheep-esque boots are still frequently spotted around the lecture halls of UCD! Opt for something cooler like converse or customise your own sneakers on NikeID.com! BY RUTH O’NEILL