cow nipples in full bloom

The runway starts the primary introduction of new styles and innovative fashions. Perhaps it also serves as a purpose to make a statement about global issues - or to spark controversy. 

From ecouterre.com, (2011), [digital image]. 
Retrieved on September 29, 2011 from 
http://www.ecouterre.com/rachel-freires-cow-
nipple-dress-sparks-controversy-at-london-fashion-week/. 

Rachel Freire showcased a dress made of... um 3000 cow nipples during London Fashion Week, and many people were outraged by it. Her counterargument was that she was reducing waste, for cow nipples were normally considered as waste products. She also mentioned that it came from the same source as the leather used to make fashion goods anyway. 


Read the full article here.


Although I was taken aback by the use of cow nipples to construct the dress, I did not feel upset about Rachel's unique choice of material. Cows are used for food, and the leather from the cows are used to make various fashion items. As Rachel mentioned, the nipples are just leather that goes to waste because people don't know what to do with it. Therefore, I think it is a creative approach to reduce leather waste, and I admire her attempt to find purposes for things that are considered as "waste products" - as unorthodox as that cow-nipple dress might be. 


What's your stance on Rachel Freire's "controversial" gown?


Featured Student's Blog
Although it's rare to find Clothing and Textiles students in ALES 204, take a look at what Katy is doing with her e-portfolio project. 

plastic surgery has become "fashion" too

With an increased interest and popularity of cosmetic surgery to fix less-than-desirable parts of the human body to create an ideal (and what I would consider as highly unnatural) appearance, I think it's safe to say that plastic surgery is increasingly becoming a part of fashion. Even though it hasn't formally made it under that category yet, it is becoming more widely accepted in society. 


Of course, there are always risks to surgical procedures. I came across this article that commented on some less commonly known risks to such procedures. Yikes. Perhaps my somewhat invalid chest and button nose aren't too appalling. 

From totalbeauty, (2011), [digital image]. 
Retrieved on September 29, 2011 from http://www.
totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/plastic-surgery-risks.

"10 Plastic Surgery Mistakes No Ones Talks About" 


Maybe these points won't scare you as much as it did for me, but perhaps you'll learn something new from it as I have.


Featured Student's Blog
And speaking of fashion, check out Julianna's (another Clothing and Textiles student) ALES 204 blog. 

just to practice uploading images from a url

From hoa_n_ng (2011), Victoria, BC, [digital image]. Retrieved September 28, 2011, from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67836408@N06/6192414104/in/photostream/. 

I'm using Flickr to upload images via url. 


In case you're curious, this is one of my favourite pictures, that I snapped, at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC a few years ago. Gosh, that place is flora heaven!

Facebook page as an e-business card

It's probably important for me to establish myself in the social networking world, as it has become an increasingly popular tool for connecting with family and friends, making new contacts with others, keeping up-to-date with current events and/or research advancements, and to introduce oneself to the job market. Social media has revolutionized how the global community perceives the world as well as how people communicate with each other nowadays. Social media has also changed how companies promote themselves and how employers are searching for prospective employees.

From hoa_n_ng (2011), Edmonton, AB [digital image]. Retrieved September 22, 2011 from Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67836408@N06/617292546/in/photostream/.

Hence why I have just created a Facebook page. It serves as an online resume for prospective employers or as a resource to find general information about me such as my academic studies, work experiences, and volunteer experiences. This Facebook page is another one of many social networking sites that I am using for ALES 204 to introduce my personal brand in an academic and professional manner.

So yes, that is pretty much why I have a Facebook page. I may not be interesting now, but hopefully someone will be interested in getting to who I am. Hopefully, I will also become a more interesting figure in the future. 

Come visit my page on Facebook (not profile, sorry)! 


Featured Student's Blog
Check out my friend, the nutrition-savvy Michelle's, blog here to view her academic endeavor in utilizing social media sites for ALES 204. 

quick intro

Welcome, dear prospective readers, to my blog for ALES 204. My name is Ann, a third year student in the University of Alberta's faculty of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences (ALES), working towards my BSc in Human Ecology. I am majoring in Clothing and Textiles with a minor in Design and Product Development. If I'm lucky, this will be my second last year before I graduate, and if I'm luckier I'll be a designer someday. 


So far, the role of communication (more specifically, communication via social media) for me is to keep in contact with friends and family, and (painstakingly slowly) creating networks with people involved in the fashion industry. However, I am extremely interested in learning how to utilize social media in a more professional manner. I find that establishing my own "e-business card", via social media, may be of use to my future career since social media is increasingly becoming a more popular tool for job-seeking and for hiring purposes.