BY BRANDY MONK-PAYTON

In print | Published November 11, 2004

A sense of style makes or breaks an artist’s chances in the entertainment industry. (Otherwise, there would never be the forum known as “the red carpet” for people like Joan Rivers to annoy us with their analyses of celebrity attire.) It’s therefore understandable that many stars have taken the hint and formed alliances with retail companies to create their own lines of products. From rappers to rockers, these business ventures have taken over Hollywood. This craze grows as more artists try to reap the rewards of imbuing the common man with their personal styles.

Last month I found myself shelling out $50 for Curious, the new perfume by Britney Spears. Now, normally I’m a levelheaded person and would never spend money on a celebrity’s silly side-project product. But the perfume seemed to be calling to me, with its crystal blue bottle and Britney’s steamy ad, and before I knew it, I was out of cash that could have financed a Target shopping spree.

Reflecting on that experience, I wonder if I had purchased the perfume because I was simply a fan of the pop princess or because I actually enjoyed its scent. Either way, it is clear that, even though we tout ourselves as intelligent Swatties, celebrities do know how to sell themselves. And sometimes even we become pawns in their rousing marketing schemes.

Ask yourself a serious question: Were you one of the people who started wearing Air Force Ones because Nelly rapped about them? Did you don a trucker hat because you subconsciously found yourself imitating Pharell and Ashton?

Don’t fret if these situations apply to you. Existing in the Swarthmore bubble encourages eccentricity and individuality; we earn praise when our unique qualities shine in everything we do. But maybe it’s time for a break from the bandwagon of being different. Once in a while, Swatties should enjoy some good, old superficial conformity. And conforming to the fashion of a celebrity can be, with its awesome shallowness, a truly liberating action.

So ladies, if you ever get tired of working on your unique Swat image, take a day off and channel your inner Gwen Stefani, complete with L.A.M.B. (or wannabe) purse. Be brave and don those Chloe-esque sunglasses to remind you of the days when “Charlie’s Angels” was the best chick flick on screen. Even if you can’t afford a pair of Manolo Blahniks à la Sarah Jessica Parker, that doesn’t mean you can’t strut around campus with your own high-heeled shoes.

And guys — it’s okay to rummage through your closet and pull out the Air Jordans you’ve been hiding. Rock out with a red cap, like Fred Durst, or go bashfully preppie like John Mayer (unwashed hair, faded T-shirt and jeans). Take a chance and walk into Sharples wearing your Sean John like there’s no tomorrow. You can even pull out those old concert T-shirts you’ve always wanted to incorporate into an outfit (Spice Girls, New Kids on the Block and Hanson included) and reconnect with your obsessions of the past. The options are endless.

Just remember, there is a line you can cross on the fan meter from Cool Fan to Downright Scary. For example, don’t let Urban Outfitters trick you into thinking those “I Did Justin Three Times” shirts and other assorted “Mrs. (insert last name of cute celeb)” are at all acceptable, under any circumstances — because they aren’t. Just because you may borrow a celebrity’s name for the sake of fashion, that doesn’t mean you get to have the celebrity himself.

_Brandy is a sophomore. You can reach her at bmonkpa1@swarthmore.edu. _

« RETURN TO LIVING & ARTS

« PREV ARTICLE | NEXT ARTICLE »