On Friday, February 24th, 2012, I, Wendy Wei, participated as a designer in my very first fashion show at Grand Union Station’s Great Hall in downtown Chicago. As part of the University of Chicago’s fashion organization, MODA, my design partner, Harrison, and I were given the opportunity to create our own collection for the annual, high-profile show attended by over 800 people and sponsored by names like Ann Taylor, Rent the Runway, and Bath and Body Works. Obviously, I was jumping around with excitement for days when I received the news.

The lovely venue! modachicago.com

However, fashion design and backstage, while an exhilarating experience, is not the glitz and glamour we see from the polished runway shots after the show. Anyone who thought fashion was docile and easy was seriously misinformed. Pricked fingers from various sewing tools later, frantically running from model to model; the road is drenched in blood, sweat, and tears. However, after hours of sewing and sleepless nights later, our collection was taking shape. From paper to pattern to actuality, our dresses have come a long way from their beginning as an intangible spark of inspiration in our minds. We couldn’t have been more proud. Anyone with an interest to start designing and constructing clothes should try it! It is no doubt a challenge, but to see the final piece finished is better than the feeling of finding the perfect dress in your size on sale at the mall because this piece is yours and yours alone.

My initial design.

Can you spot us? We're the ones crouching over the back of the dress! modachicago.com

We arrived six hours before the actual show was to start and yet every minute was crucial. I was sewing my model into a dress after the zipper decided to quit on us. Poor Helen. She couldn’t use the restroom for six hours. Across the room, Harrison was cutting the train of another dress so our model won’t trip and wipe out on the catwalk. Intermittently running to supervise the hairdresser and makeup artist was a real workout as well, but moments of chaos such as these are what life is about! Adrenaline, dreams realized, and the fruits of hard work shown off to the world.

Wendy Wei and Harrison Yu. modachicago.com

Wendy Wei and Harrison Yu. modachicago.com

Wendy Wei and Harrison Yu. modachicago.com

For more pictures, go to the MODA @ University of Chicago facebook page

Let’s face it. In college, you’re going to spend a good portion of your time in and around the dormitory. Whether it’s a group study sesh or laundry day or just a lazy Sunday morning, I’m definitely not going to feel like putting on my sky high wedges and skinny jeans. Unfortunately, privacy is virtually a thing of the past and with possibly hundreds of your peers milling around, no college girl wants to get caught looking anything short of presentable. I am never a fan of the messy slob look and so I’ve saved a few go-to casual styles perfect for lounging around without compromising your fashionista panache.

1. Tights paired with a loose top. Oversized sweaters or flowy tunic tanks are a staple for college girls. Stretchy and roomy clothes? Yes please!

Fleece Off the Shoulder Tunic, victoriassecret.com, $44.50

2. Every girl should know by now the magic that is the yoga pant.

Yoga Fold Over Legging, victoriassecret.com, $19.99 (sale)

3. I love the classic boxer shorts look! Pair them with a knit cardigan for a stylish juxtaposition.

Diamond Bay Cardigan, gillyhicks.com, $29.50; Sorlie Shorts, gillyhicks.com, $10 (sale)

4. Look comfy chic with dorm footwear. You don’t want to spend an entire day in those leather boots, now do you? Fluffy moccasins and knit booties not only look adorable, they are sure to keep your feet warm during those winter months!

NonSkid Slipper Socks, amazon.com, $15

Women's Chaia Suede Moccasin Slippers, target.com, $16.09

5. Represent your school! School spirit is never unfashionable in college. Stock up on hoodies and sweats from your college bookstore (though it may not be a good idea to pair your boyfriend’s sweatshirt with a pair of baggy shorts).

Burnout Fleece Hoodie, University of Chicago Bookstore, $49.98

One of my favorite places to shop for lounging clothes is Gilly Hicks. They almost always have a sale and you can find amazing deals. Most recently, there was a 10 for $25 undies sale. Check it out sometime!

Clear skin never goes out of style. However, if you’re like me and acne prone, sometimes you wish it would. One angry, red zit is a hard blow at anyone’s confidence level and, trust me, I know it’s rarely just one zit. A surprise breakout can be a straight up devastating situation to have before special events, such as your big interview or the first date with the hot guy in your English seminar, when confidence is a must.

Emergency-Cover-Up missions are not fun and you can even sometimes make your blemishes worse. Certain foundations and oily concealers can aggravate the skin and create more unwanted acne so be careful! Always look for non-pore clogging labels and lean towards mineral powders if you have oily, acne prone skin. In the meantime, here are some no-hassle, no-makeup-necessary tricks you can use to minimize the appearance of those unwanted blemishes in a non-traditional way!

1. Avoid wearing red. The human eye tends to match together things that look alike. Red clothing will draw attention to the redness of your blemishes and what we want to do is divert attention away from them.

2. Work your hairdo. Your hair is your best weapon on fighting break out days. Try a side braid if you broke out on the side of a cheek. If your pimple appears on your forehead, that’s an easy fix!

Adjust your bangs to cover up. If you do not have a front fringe, try this tutorial for temporary bangin’ bangs:

Word of caution: make sure your hair is clean and not oily. This may cause further breakouts! Even when I happen to have that one blatant pimple smack dab on my nose that no amount of hair could cover, I would spend extra time to give my locks the perfect blowout. Nothing like sexy, shiny hair to give you that extra boost of confidence you need! This is one of my favorite tutorials to achieve that Victoria’s Secret model self-assurance:

3.Accessorize reasonably. To complement your hair-cover-up, flashy hair accessories also make a great diversion! Try anything from a fun headband (not red) to a sparkly clip-in to a fedora. Thanks to fashion icons like Lady Gaga and Blair Waldorf, there’s tons of ways to play you’re your hair! Go for Lady G’s signature hair bow:

Scarves are also a popular option, however, I personally find that scarves can get pretty germy and bacteria ridden as many people do not wash them. You do not want any of that near your skin.

My only rule for accessories is to be reasonable. While your adorable bug-eyed sunglasses may cover up that cheek pimple perfectly, it would draw more attention to your blemishes if you’re wearing them during a group date at the indoor bowling alley.

4. Most important thing: Confidence. I promise you that people will barely notice or care for a few blemishes on the face of a girl who’s smiling and enjoying herself. So do what you have to do to be that girl! Wear those fierce stiletto boots. Bust out those sequined pants. Everyday has the potential to be the best day of your life. Don’t let breakouts stand in your way.