Only a few short seasons ago, neutrals were generally associated with one word: boring. However, these hues are making waves this winter, not because they’ve changed, but because of how they’re being worn. Instead of the traditional monochromatic usage, we’re mixing several colors into one look. With the necessity for layering during South Carolina’s bi-polar fall and winter seasons, trends like these are exactly what stylish students need for long and busy days!

Here are some examples of how we at USC like to exemplify this trend:

Sunday evening, at 701 Whaley, the Contemporary Trends in Fashion class (RETL 388) put on a fashion show called “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” All of the proceeds of ticket sales went to Clothed in Hope, a non-profit organization created by one of our own students, Amy Woodell. Its mission is to “alleviate poverty and provide hope to widows in the Ng’ombe compound in Lusaka, Zambia through vocational training in sewing.”

Woodell went on a mission trip to Zambia over the summer and was inspired by the women she met along the way. Amy created the restyled clothing line to support Zambian women out of recycled t-shirts sewn by those who enter her 2-month training program. The clothing at the fashion show were from our very own local retailers. The list included Belladea, Bohemian, M Boutique, Pink Sorbet, Just the Thing, VanJean, LaRoque and Kicks.

701 CCA (Center For Contemporary Art) is a little-known piece of art heaven located in the heart of Downtown Columbia…but not for long. For this past All Hallow’s Eve, from 7 pm-12 am, they hosted their first ever signature event that featured a costume bash, which I have to say, was unbelievable. If you weren’t there, you missed an extravagant event. The entire 701 Whaley building was utilized to its fullest extent.

They sold masks at the door if you were not feeling particularly “artsy”, The Nickelodeon Theatre showed “Troll 2” on loop, Jasper Magazine had a Ghost Story Salon where you had the opportunity to swap the spookiest of spooky stories, Sid+Nancy took “Black Carpet” photo portraits (I mean hello, can you say profile pic?) and Greenhaven Preserve had casket photo portraits. 701 CCA had their Biennial Part 1 exhibition on display downstairs, as well, but the main event was The Uncommon Costume Contest.

Anyone can incorporate fashion into Halloween night. Stylists, do you want to be the next Rachel Zoe? Designers, want to be the next Karl Lagerfeld? TGIH (thank goodness it’s Halloween, duh). Here’s my top pick for girls and boys…and don’t worry guys, I kept yours extra simple!

Girls: Rachel Zoe

Rachel Zoe has a more bohemian style than most of her fashion counterparts. If you want to look the part, you’ll need:

It seems like everyone in Hollywood wants–and gets–a clothing line. Even Lady Gaga herself admitted she has plans to launch one. So let’s explore how musicians have fared in the fashion industry…

Most recently was the debut of DW by Kanye West’s spring/summer 2012 womenswear collection at Paris Fashion Week. West set up shop in London, had über-stylist Katie Early fronting the creative team and Giuseppe Zanotti designing shoes for the collection. He even had a slew of fashion legitimates like Ashley Olsen, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Winter and French Vogue’s former editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld on deck. Alas, it seems none of these things can guarantee a successful showing. Style.com writer Tim Banks said his collection looked like he was “trying too hard” and “conquering his new medium is a work in progress.”

Well, hello there fall!

Even though it’s technically autumn here in the lovely city of Columbia, it definitely doesn’t quite feel like it yet. However, there certainly have been a few cool days and nights where fall can be detected after a sudden rush of cold wind attacks your body (and hair). So with the occasional chill in the air, you can slowly start adding key fall pieces into your wardrobe without looking like a crazy person in 80 degree weather.