When Fashion Meets Seasons

By Constance Allen

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

Smyrna-- My focus is women trendy seasonal fashion. We are now in the spring season of 2018, and I’m here to inform you of what’s hot, and what’s not!

         Fashion sense is something that everyone is born with. You know what you like to wear and what you do not at a very young age. I took a special interest into clothes at a very young age and have kept up with trends through the years.

        I noticed this season that there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum. A mix of brights, pale pastels, and nature-like neutrals take center stage for colors in this season. The season brings my all time favorite rebirthed trends! Spring brings many throwback favorites, colors and patterns to have fun with. The throwbacks of retro colors, folkloric and floral art, and the magical islands of tropical landscapes restore a mindset of well-being as we head into the spicy months!

         I often feel compelled to be connected to fashion around the clock because I am afraid I will miss something important. Keeping up with trends can be time consuming because things are constantly in, then they are not.

        We all try to follow the latest trends in seasonal fashion. There is a growing movement in the designer world to step out and create ‘quiet zones’ to disconnect from technology world we live in and unwind. This movement gives us time to stop and be still from the world we live in.

        Color choices follow the same minimalistic theme movement. Designers are taking ideas from nature rather than being reinvented or mechanically manipulated by our technology-driven influences. Designers are letting nature choose the colors this spring for their upcoming shows and deigns.

        I love this movement because natures neutrals bring out my favorite colors to rock! Soft, cool colors blend with eye-catching warm tones to create a relaxing escape from the everyday hustle in the work world. These soft, cool colors blending with warm tones are the colors that will be in for spring ’18 fashion!

        I have combed through the spring 2018 collections to bring you the top fashion and accessory trends of the season. Here, I will break down each runway and street style trend, completing it with spring fashion shopping roundups, outfit ideas, and styling that I find hot this spring. A

        The leading color for this spring is “Pantone 14-4313” (that’s the designer name).  Pantone 14-4313 is also known as Aquamarine. Aquamarine is a shade with a wet and watery feel that hints to the aqua in the name. I feel like this shade of blue is so soft it acts as a stress reducer.

        Aquamarine is being used by designers in numerous outfit ideas. An essential outfit I would rock with this color is aquamarine blouse, easy denim, and a straw bag. 

        Aside from aquamarine, spring florals are always in every spring season. Florals have to be my favorite print of the season. Floral prints add a great pop to any outfit in my opinion. Spring florals and oversized denim are a classic combo I love. Another classic spring combo I will suggest is going all white with a nice blazer and a bright purse. Another designer idea favorite you can do is mixing prints. I like mixing prints like '70s florals with a funky vintage shirt. For more mix print looks check out the link below.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/maitlandquitmeyer/ways-to-mix-match-and-clash-prints-like-a-pro?utm_term=.pbDW1P30kx#.ksbzDaNkW1

        Stepping away from clashing prints, if you want a work approach like a suit, you might as well do it in a spring all-time favorite buttercup yellow. This spring, stirrups are in, especially when worn over your heels.  I like to make outfits casual with metallic Birkenstocks. If skinny statement frames intimidate you like they do me, test them out with a monochromatic outfit. In style brings lots of spring favorites as well, to check them out click the link below.
http://www.instyle.com/fashion/spring

        A white dress is a spring wardrobe you must have, but a leather bustier worn on top spices things up. A simple white tank paired with baggy pants and stilettos is a sexy take on a touch of menswear.

        Last but not least, the final spring fashion trend I will suggest is the classic clashing neons like a pro with fluorescent pink and highlighter yellow for a great pop! For even more classic spring duos the link below gives additional options.
http://stylecaster.com/spring-outfit-ideas/

        This spring fashion is all about creating "quiet zones" to disconnect from technology and unwind. This movement gives us time to stop and be still and explore our creative side along with natures. Designers are letting nature choose the colors this spring season, and so should we to keep up with the latest trends. Soft cool hues with a blend of subtle warm tones are in. Next time you go shopping, look for those trendy color choices to put in your shopping cart.

Rey: The Next Jedi Generation

By Austin Clark

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            SMYRNA, Tenn. - A new, official trailer was recently released for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and it has certainly left “Star Wars” fans with many questions. The trailer is two minutes and 34 seconds long, but it hardly scratches the surface of what’s to come for the “Star Wars” franchise. Many speculations have surfaced, but the number one question that has stirred up many theories is, “Who is Rey?"

            When we are first introduced to Rey, the audience hastily learns that she is a scavenger on the planet of Jakku. Before she crosses paths with BB-8, her life was merely collecting scavenged parts in exchange for food. The audience knows nothing but the fact that someone had left her on Jakku and will hopefully return for her one day. Little did we know, Rey would soon be caught in the crossfire of the First Order.

            While on Jakku, Rey comes across a rogue Stormtrooper who goes by the name Finn. Shortly after they meet, they both find themselves escaping the First Order in the one and only Millennium Falcon. Throughout the “Star Wars” franchise, the audience learns that Han Solo is one of the only individuals that know how to handle the “fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy” to make it run to its full potential. Why is it that Rey seamlessly handles the “bucket of bolts” flawlessly?

            Rey is the daughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa, as well as Kylo Ren’s sister. For this theory to be accurate, Han and Leia would have had to hide her in such a way that they are convinced that she is gone forever. It has already been stated that Kylo Ren was a part of Luke Skywalker’s next generation of Jedi before turning to the darkside of the force. It would only make sense that during Kylo Ren’s reign of terror, Solo and Organa would have had to hide their daughter away to keep her safe from being a target. This seems like a far stretch, but it further explains the reasoning why Solo’s Millennium Falcon was left on the planet Jakku in the first place.

            This theory would also explain Rey’s “natural” ability to pilot a starship. John Hart, a Motlow State Community College professor, said that Rey handles the Millennium Falcon just like Solo does (banging it/ ripping out controls) to get it to work. Hart added that in the “Star Wars”- related novels that his wife is reading, Han and Leia had twins -- a boy and a girl. The boy found himself on the path to the darkside (ahem, Kylo though his name was something else in the books), and the girl was said to be an amazing pilot with no force capability.

Although the series has been debunked and will not affect the movie universe, it does raise some suspicion throughout the “Star Wars” community.

This is just one of many theories that has made its presence known regarding the new “Star Wars” movie. Other theories include that Rey is the reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker; born purely by the manipulation of midichlorians. None of the ideas and opinions that have been discussed are factual.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is set to release Dec. 15 and until then, all evidence is not genuinely correct.

Ben Crittenden, a long-term “Star Wars” fan adds, “All of these ideas that have emerged don’t really matter. All of our questions will be answered soon, and my money is on the theory that Han Solo and Leia Organa have some secrets of their own.”

If you would like to come up with your own ideas within the “Star Wars” franchise, watch the trailer by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CbN8sfihY

(About the writer: Austin Clark is a Mass Communications major currently enrolled at Motlow State Community College.)

Motlow Buzz Launches E-News Version for Email

   SMYRNA, Tenn. -- The Motlow Buzz e-newspaper has launched an e-news version for email to provide breaking news that impacts students, faculty, administrators and staff.

   The Buzz's e-news will be distributed via email every two weeks with a major emphasis on happenings at the Smyrna campus. The publication will feature highlights from its blog site at http://www.MotlowBuzz.Blogspot.com.

   "We're thrilled to expand The Motlow Buzz to include an email platform," said Charles Whiting, an instructor of Mass Communications who launched the online publication as a experiential blog for students several years ago. "It will provide more career-building opportunities for students, while providing a way to share timely news on an ongoing basis."

   Whiting added that members of the Motlow family are encouraged to participate as news gatherers and reporters. The Buzz will include breaking news, timely features, photos, student spotlights, student club news, a calendar of events, and more. Readers will be able to read longer stories and see more photos at the blog e-newspaper site.

   "Eventually, we hope to expand The Buzz to include happenings columnists on all four campuses," Whiting noted.

   To sign up for The Motlow Buzz, visit http://eepurl.com/cTLVTb. Individuals are encouraged to use their official MSCC email address when they sign up.

   Follow The Buzz at http://www.Twitter.com/MotlowBuzz and http://www.Facebook.com/MotlowBuzz.

   For more information or to submit story ideas, write us at cwhiting@mscc.edu or rshelton@mscc.edu.