The University of Oregon Black Student Union Presidents Godwin Nwando and Olivia Manwarren lead a group of BSU members and students on a candlelight vigil at the EMU amphitheater Wednesday, Jan. 22. (Michael Shaw/Emerald)

The Black Student Union and The Black Women of Achievement held a candlelight vigil in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. this evening at the EMU amphitheater.

Godwin Nwando co-president of BSU spoke briefly about the impacts that past leaders have had on today’s community.

“Leaders past and present have done great work for us to be where we are standing today,” Nwando said.

Nwando also spoke specifically on the increase in African-Americans on college campuses as well as an increase in African-American voters, “Voter turn out for African-Americans and for people of color in general has risen because of the fight we’ve had especially to get the civil right voting act,” he said.

Nwando continued on to mention that although we talk about the many things that have changed we neglect to notice what hasn’t. “Unemployment since Martin Luther King’s death has not changed that much,” he said.

After closing his brief speech students then walked in silence guided by candlelight around the EMU. The service finished at the Mills International Center where a weekly BSU meeting was held. At the meeting, rapper and activist, Jasiri X, spoke about the change he sees coming.

“I am excited about the future of this country. I just believe that this generation vows to do it differently than past generations. We see things differently, and I see a change coming,” he said.

Skinny jeans remain all the rage on campus, the only thing that varies is the wash.

Senior Lauren Wellbaum (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Lauren Wellbaum

Year: Senior

Major: Journalism

Favorite brand of jeans: Paige

Master Student Neena Leggett (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Neena Leggett

Year: Master student

Major: Bioinformatics

Favorite brand of jeans: “That is really hard probably American Eagle, but I am biased, I used to work there but they always fit me well.”

Second year graduate student Adrienne Fainman (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Adrienne Fainman

Year: Second year graduate student

Major: Architecture

Favorite brand of jeans: “Oh gee, I don’t know.”

Freshman Jessica Whitney (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Jessica Whitney

Year: Freshman

Major: Undeclared

Favorite brand of jeans: True Religion

Freshman Jean Ramirez (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Jean Ramirez

Year: Freshman

Major: Economics and Political Science

Favorite brand of jeans: “I really don’t have one, I just see what fits good.”

Sophomore Sam Holton (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Sam Holton

Year: Sophomore

Major: Undeclared

Favorite brand of jeans: 7 For All Mankind

Freshman Jonathan Palmer (Courtney King/Emerald)

Name: Jonathan Palmer

Year: Freshman

Major: Undeclared

Favorite brand of jeans: “Usually just like Lucky Jeans.”

FashionClyp: A personalized fashion storyboard that aims to redefine the way you shop. This app allows you to get instant access to fashion sales around you, as well as to stay updated on the latest trends, your favorite brands and every flash sale around you. This app is perfect for the fashionistas on a budget.

Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway is a website that allows you to rent designer dresses and accessories. The new app allows you to literally rent on the run with the ability to view the entire Rent the Runway collection on your mobile device. This app includes “Dress Match” where you can take a photo of anything (wall color, carpet pattern, friends shirt, etc.) and the app will find you a similar dress. It also allows you to send images of your favorite dresses in a text to a friend to get a second opinion. Free.

Pose: A photo-sharing app that enables people to upload their outfits and get instant feedback. Add hashtags to your photos such as #winter #spring #scarves to better categorize the images. Think of this app as a combination of Instagram and Pinterest. It allows you to follow your favorite brands, styles and friends becoming inspired by their uploaded images. This app is a bit tricky to figure out, but once you get it, there is no going back. You can even shop within the app … That could get dangerous! Free.

Stylebook: Organization can go a long way when it comes to planning your outfits. That was the idea behind the creation of this app. This app allows you to upload images of the things in your closet to then create outfits. Whether you want to plan outfits for a future vacation or just want to develop your personal style and become inspired by others’ looks, this app is a definite must! $3.99. Features include: a closet, looks, a packing list, an inspiration library, a size tracker and more.

Cloth: Similar to the Stylebook app, this app is also used for organizing your closet and planning outfits. This app features a wardrobe section where you can upload photos from your closet categorizing your clothes by everyday, active, event, vacation, work, etc. making it easy to put together outfits. Free.

Fashion Kaleidoscope: Browse images of the latest trends and runway photos for inspiration. You are also given the ability to click on any item you like and it will find where it can be purchased. This app brings a new way to online-shop. Free.

Style.com: This is your go-to source for all the latest news in fashion and beauty. With Eugene Fashion Week coming up in February, this app is perfect for staying up-to-date with show reviews and catwalk images. Also, it’s free.

Two months ago, the mention of Archival Clothing didn’t mean much. But the brand seems to have a growing popularity across campus.

Archival Clothing was founded in 2009 by Eugene natives and long-time friends Tom Bonamici and Lesli Larson. Since its founding, the company has been very successful and is widely recognized on campus.

In late 2009, a friend suggested the two start a company and so it began. They started by selling their designs off a blog that Larson already had. “It just kind of happened,” Bonamici said. ”One of the early designs got a lot of attention and helped us grow very quickly.”

The company’s success is visible on campus. Many acknowledge the fact that Archival Clothing is made and produced in the U.S. University of Oregon film history professor Michael Aronson mentioned Archival Clothing in a recent trend report, speaking highly of the fact that the company’s products are made and produced in the U.S. Aronson has a Twill Field Bag, one of their messenger-style bags.

“We never thought of ourselves as entrepreneurs,” Larson said. “We knew we had an immediate audience but did not expect this large of a response.”

The company’s success is somewhat unexpected and at points somewhat surreal. “Tom and I sometimes pinch ourselves,” Larson said.

Heritage Dry Goods is among the places that carry Archival product. Heritage Dry Goods employee Nicole Desch spoke to the brands success stating that people come in the store and seek out that brand.

“Archival does very well for us,” Desch said.  

The philosophy behind the company is to create durable items made in the U.S. with as many domestically-sourced materials as possible.

“We wanted to create things that didn’t already exist, a sort of wishful shopping,” Larson said.

The team enjoys producing items locally. It has proved to be a great learning experience, one that would not have been possible overseas. “Many go overseas right away,” Bonamici said. “But we have found that through working with these local folks, we have been able to learn so much.”

As the primary designer, Bonamici calls his designing process play. The two then test it out, see if they like it and move on from there.

Creating designs based on personal style allows Bonamici to be the critic of his own designs. “I get feedback about a product from myself right away,” he said.

Bonamici says there are many perks to having your own brand: the ease of working at home, flexibility and no policies saying what can or can’t be kept in stock. “We get to make up the rules as we go,” he said.

As for the future of the brand?

“We’re not completely sure where we will go from here, but we hope to expand,” Bonamici said.

Name: Rachel Lemme

Year: Freshman

Major: Photography

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.

Rachel Lemme creates her own style by combining little bits of everywhere she has lived.

Signature style: “That’s a tough one, I would probably say street style.” Lemme said. She has lived in Dallas, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and now Oregon and considers her style a mix of all three places.

Hobbies: Photography, hiking, exploring, and reading.

Key item in your closet: “I am really in to ankle boots and socks, this sounds weird but I have been trying to pair like weird socks.”

Trends you love right now: Lemme is starting to get in to pairing her boyfriend jeans with ankle boots and is also inspired by Alexa Chung, “Anything that Alexa Chung wears I am really in to. I am really inspired by her.”

Trends you hate right now: I am not a big fan of the “high-low” skirts.

Favorite place to shop: Madewell, thrift shops, Urban Outfitters, and America Apparel.

How would you describe Eugene style: ”It is very Pacific Northwest; warm, green, and casual.”

Gone are the days when cyclists are confined to workout gear on bikes. There are now a wide range of brands that create their clothing, helmets and other biking accessories with cyclists in mind. Safety and style now go hand in hand.

The Student Health Advisory Committee will be partnering with the UO Bike Program to roll out a bike safety campaign, according to Nicolette Dent, co-chair of SHAC. The campaign will lead up to the bike share program that will hopefully commence later in the year.

One of the first projects for the campaign combined safety and style with the creation of a new helmet. UO Biking Program Coordinator Briana Orr went to SHAC with the idea of creating a helmet that was visually appealing and would encourage students to wear a helmet.

The creation of the new “O” helmet was targeted to reach those who wouldn’t normally wear a helmet. “People are worried about their look, which is part of the reason we designed these new helmets,” Dent said. The helmets were designed through collaboration between SHAC, the UO Bike Program, and Nutcase, a popular helmet brand. They are silver with a yellow and green “O” on the side.

“People love repping the ‘O’ so hopefully this will encourage them to wear a helmet,” Dent said.

Some students don’t see the need to wear a helmet, but others have seen the effects of not wearing one.

“I grew up wearing a helmet. No way would I get on a bike without one. When I came to the UO I stopped because it was normal not to wear one. After my brother got into a serious accident on his bike I decided that my brain was more important than my hair,” senior Ali Small said.

Style no longer needs to be compromised when it comes to bike safety.

“Bern and Nutcase are the most popular helmet brands from what I can tell,” graduate student Alex Page said. The helmets are available in a wide range of colors and patters catering to a wide audience.

The new “O” Helmets can be purchased for $75 at Arriving by Bike on Willamette Street and Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life located on Alder Street.

Aside from helmets, there are other stylish ways to stay safe on your bicycle. Levi’s brand has created a line of clothing, ‘Levi’s Commuter Series’ which is designed with the cyclist in mind.

The fabrics used are lightweight with stretch to ensure comfort and ventilation. The commuter series has jeans that are water and odor resistant and have reflective tape on the inside cuff to make sure the rider is seen in the dark. This line of clothing is comprised of pants, jackets and shirts, all designed to be able to ride and live in the same outfit.

Another brand, We-Flashy, has a clothing line of fashion-forward apparel that is also reflective. Clothing includes: T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirt, scarves and more.

There are many ways cyclists can stay safe on their bikes with out sacrificing their style.

Name: Elisabeth Rose Kokesh

Year: Sophomore

Major: Undeclared

Hometown: Sisters, Ore.

When it comes to 1960s and the 1700s fashion, you may not find too many commonalities. However, Elisabeth Kokesh sure does. This UO sophomore draws on the decadence of the 1700s and the groovy floral patterns of the ’60s and combines the two resulting in her own unique style.

Signature style: Kokesh gets a lot of her fashion inspiration from the ’60s and from Sofia Coppola’s film, Marie Antoinette. “I would call my style bohemian rock ‘n’ roll with a feminine twist.” Kokesh tries to balance out her style by adding combat boots or a leather jacket.

Hobbies: Photography, thrift shopping and antiquing, “before Macklemore made it popular.”

Trends you love right now: Knee high socks, kimonos and dark lipstick.

Trends you hate right now: “Uggs and yoga pants … Stop already!”

Favorite place to shop: Free People.

How would you describe Eugene style: “Eugene style is sleepy but sophisticated — comfortable for school but functional and fashionable.”

Lose weight, fall in love, get organized. According to StatisticBrain.com, these are among the top 10 New Year’s resolutions made by millions every year. Sound familiar? Was it accomplished?

Sources say your success rate in accomplishing it was probably not very high.

Forbes noted that only about 8 percent of people who make their resolutions actually maintain them. Those who don’t usually dismiss these resolutions after about a week or so.

New Year’s is a time of the year when many make resolutions that are unattainable or that will be pursued for a week and then never heard of again … until next year. In theory it’s a great idea. We are working to better ourselves. If only these resolutions were actually achieved.

Some of the resolutions made differ from year to year, but the reason they are made is always similar. We are convinced that if these resolutions, goals or commitments are achieved that we will feel more satisfied with ourselves in the upcoming year. The ultimate goal here being to feel satisfied.

The problem is that many people are unrealistic with the resolutions that they set for themselves. “Fall in love” is a common resolution. While many of us wouldn’t mind falling in love in 2014, that can’t just be determined overnight. Instead of creating unrealistic resolutions we need to focus on what we can add to our lives that will still bring us that ultimate goal of self-satisfaction.

Many New Year’s resolutions deal with restrictions and deprivations. Instead of focusing on the deprivations, focus on the things you can add to your life. By focusing on these things, the goal of feeling satisfied will actually be attainable and continued on after the end of January.

Here are a few things that can easily be added to your life in 2014:

1)  Style: Remix your closet with a few new interesting pieces. Try adding pointed-toe flats or bold earrings. Work to see your closet in a new light and wear your clothing in a new way. Embrace a trend you wouldn’t normally, because why not?

2)  Look: Revamp your look. Try a new haircut or a new makeup routine. We often get stuck in a monotonous routine. Do something new. The worst that can happen is that you revert to your original look.

3)  Music: Download new music. Find music from a genre you wouldn’t normally listen to. You might surprise yourself in your findings.

4)  Literature: Read something you wouldn’t typically read (Textbooks don’t count.) By doing so you will broaden your horizons and learn more along the way.

5)  Food: Don’t deprive yourself of carbs or sweets. Instead, focus on eating more vegetables or whatever it is you feel you should eat more of.

By focusing on the positive things you can add to your life, you will become a happier and more interesting person, which is a major resolution in itself. Hey, that might even lead to falling in love.

2013 was a year of expression and bold statements. Take a look back on just a few of the trends that came down the runway this past year.

Oriental styling: Blossom prints on satin dresses and the kimono were among the many oriental inspired pieces. The kimono was popular this past spring and summer and was used as a light jacket.

Patterns: Unique designs were seen everywhere, from exaggerated animal prints to geometric shapes and stripes. Patterned leggings also became all the rage.

Statement sunglasses: Sunglasses came out in endless shapes and sizes. Each pair louder and more wild than the next.

Fringe: This statement was seen on jackets, shorts, bags and boots. You name it, there was fringe on it.

Flats and low heels: At some point in time, low heels were only for grandmas. That changed this year when low heels and flats took the runway by storm.

Leather: Leather skirts, crop tops and of course the leather jacket were seen everywhere. This trend worked well with the ’90s grunge look we also saw.

Grunge: 2013 welcomed back the ’90s grunge era with Dr. Martens, layered button downs and yes, jean overalls.

The military trend: This trend added edge to many wardrobes this past fall. Army green, combat boots and camo were among the many key pieces.

Tartan/plaid: Although this does fall under the pattern trend, tartan was really a trend of its own. This bold pattern will continue to carry us through to 2014. Also, plaid jackets are perfect for the holiday season.

Knit beanies: This trend is one that is actually practical and affordable, imagine that. It also does wonders for un-groomed hair.

What used to be strictly worn by elementary school teachers and your grandmother have become an ever-present part of the holiday season. Yes, I am talking about those comically ornate, oh-so-ugly Christmas sweaters.

What were originally popular in the 1980s (see Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for a reference) have re-emerged as an essential article of clothing during the month of December. “According to the Wall Street Journal the actual mass-market ugly sweater reached its peak popularity sometime in the 1980s,” (Washington post). Bill Cosby is often seen as the so called creator of the ugly Christmas sweater. Cosby often wore gaudy, decadent sweaters such as the ugly Christmas sweater during his 1980s sitcom “The Cosby Show.”

The popularity of the sweaters is undoubtedly related to the growing “ugly Christmas sweater parties.” The first “ugly Christmas sweater party” is said to have been in Vancouver, Canada in the early 2000s, hosted by two men, Chris Boyd and Jordan Birch. The parties have since spread widely across the world. As a result of the growing popularity of the parties, thrift shops often sell out all their ugly sweaters.

Needless to say, the relentlessly tacky sweaters have become somewhat of a trend during the month of December. I mean, who wouldn’t want to wear a sweater with glitter, puffballs and an oversized image of Santa plastered on the front? This so called trend has become a booming business over the past decade, enticing retailers to get involved.

Because these sweaters have become so popular over the past decade, retailers such as Urban Outfitters and H&M have begun recreating and selling ugly Christmas sweaters, but for steeper prices than you will find at the thrift shop.

The re-creation of the ugly Christmas sweater however, takes away from rummaging through the local Goodwill in search of that vintage Christmas sweater that was most likely worn by an overly enthusiastic music teacher in the past.

What is a laughable trend is a trend none-the-less. Whether or not they constitute a fashion faux pas, these ugly Christmas sweaters bring a sense of joy and merriment.  Isn’t that exactly what the holiday season is about?