The consumer market overrules the fashion industry, leading designers to make their garments based on their demands. Although hundreds upon thousands of dollars are invested into fashion week annually, new couture and fashion trends are not selling to the mass buyers.

As the recession deepens and new affordable rivals emerge, designers are more willing to sell their ideas and trends directly to customers. College students and other similar demographics are affected positively since they get more affordable options, however it puts a toll on the industry since it has to compete for uniqueness.

In the past, fashion week was an exclusive event that sophisticated moguls, designers and entrepreneurs put together, but in recent years the status has declined. Fashion divas used to have to wait for the new styles to appear in the buyer markets roughly six months after they graced the runways. Today, those same divas are able to buy the garments in days after they were featured.

Petty designers are targeting the mass consumer market so they can make a large profit in a short period of time. In comparison, high-end fashion is not selling nearly as well as it used to, because people would prefer to spend their money on knockoffs of the original designs.

Leslie Nicole, merchandiser at American Apparel said, “It is unfortunate for the designers to have to deal with their ideas being so strongly resembled by other companies, but at the same time it is not wrong for places like H & M to copy the trends, it is just fashion.”

It is a form of plagiarism because designers and editors such as Anna Wintour of Vogue are working endlessly to create new fashions just to have the mock brands reproduce a simplified version of their masterpieces.

Nicole later added, “The six month rule is something I feel that everyone in the business should follow, it is ridiculous to see that production starts as soon as the catwalk is over.” Potential buyers feel no anticipation when there is no grace period between the shows and when the merchandise hits the market.

People have the option to shop wherever they would like, but if this trend continues to steepen, businesses will need to hire new people onto their design teams to put together garments that are going to sell because the big names could potentially downsize. It is perfectly acceptable to put clothing into production that is going to sell to mass consumers who do not have the luxury of buying the clothing seen on runways. While everyone wants to be fashionable and the mass markets make it affordable and accessible to them, designers deserve the credit and should uphold the six-month “waiting” period before their trends make it to consumers.

Aside from losing prospective customers, designers face other issues that threaten their commerce. Knockoff brands typically do not have the most efficient manufacturing, distributing, and selling techniques. Often times the production of their goods is done overseas where keeping up with a large amount of workers’ wages and conditions is complicated.

Vertically integrated business models and others that are similar are more common among the bigger names. These systems allow for increased quality control among employees. They are not mass-producing items as much as their rivals and quality often exceeds quantity. Employees are likely to receive more benefits, higher wages and better care while on the job.

The fashion industry is booming and expanding in many new unforeseen directions. Consumers need to keep in mind that they have been taking the efforts of fashion designers for granted. As an economic group, the masses are very demanding and often overwhelm the fashion industry. Although competitors will continue to emerge in the market, it would be beneficial for the group to be patient and considerate of the work and traditions of the fashion experts.

While reading through the Daily Sundial Web site, I came across an article that got me thinking. “Green Paper or Green Thumbs?” is a piece that proposes a solution for obesity, at least on our campus. What caught my eye, however, were the staggering statistics cited and it led me to do some of my own research.

“Green Paper or Green Thumbs?” begins by introducing students’ issues with weight and diet; it struck me, however, that this is not a problem held solely by college students. Instead, college is generally only the beginning in a series of bad habits that contribute to one-third of the United States’ adult population becoming obese. Two-thirds (66 percent) of our great nation is overweight or obese, and we are, by far, the fattest country in the world. The reasons for this are varied yet simple and have been analyzed over and over. For the purposes of this article let us look at the consequences of obesity.

Currently, our country is in the middle of a great debate on the matter of health care reform. We are searching and searching for this great solution, but perhaps we should be examining the reasons why we need a change to our health care system in the first place. Does obesity not lead to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke? Possibly also cancer, influenza, and nephrosis? Are these not six of the top 10 leading causes of death in America? Our Democrats rave about Canada’s health care system, but it should be taken into account that only 17 percent of Canadian adults are obese; this is half the percentage of obese Americans, and perhaps it has something to do with their “better health care system.”

Now, forgive me for assuming, but is it not possible that when people refuse to take care of themselves, it leads to increased prices for health insurance because it is in higher demand? I am not an economics major, but I’m fairly sure that this is how supply and demand works. It is entirely possible that if our citizens were to take better care of themselves, the prices for health care would go down. More businesses could provide it to their employees, and more people could afford it on their own. Perhaps it is not my place to say, but why are we indulging these people who make themselves sick and eventually angered when health care is not available to them?

“Green Paper or Green Thumbs?” cites that obese people pay nearly double what non-obese people pay in prescription costs, and that obese people account for upward of nearly 10 percent of all medical costs (about $92 billion a year). I have found that this number varies from source to source, but it is never below $92 billion. Around half of these medical costs, or $45 billion, came from Medicare and Medicaid, or, in other words, our tax dollars.

I am not trying to ignore those people who get sick for other reasons. But if we could eliminate a good portion of the hospital bills and beds reserved for patients who, essentially, do it to themselves, perhaps our health care system would not need reforming. Perhaps health care could actually be efficient if medical personnel had the time to focus on people who aren’t killing themselves, but are being killed by something else.

Now, I have several hesitations with Obama’s plan for health care reform as it is, but 300,000 Americans die every year due to illnesses that are so easily prevented, not by a doctor, but by the individual. It just doesn’t seem fair that there are people who take preventative measures against illnesses waiting in line behind those who are virtually inviting them.

Solving the problem of obesity is up to the individual, and everything relies on the choices that are made by that individual. There are so many people who do not have the time nor the money to either cook at home or take their family out for a good meal. When waiting in line at Burger King, however, make the choice to get a salad instead of a hamburger meal, which has all of the fat and calories to fill an entire day’s ration. A meal for four from a fast-food chain generally costs the same as a cheap grocery store meal for those who have the time. In the long run, an expensive but beneficial meal costs much less than the medical bills required to handle the problem of obesity that comes from poor diet choices.

Yes, health insurance is far too expensive. Yes, something should be done. Instead of focusing on the system, however, perhaps we should focus on those people who abuse it by abusing themselves.

Walking across campus on Tuesday, students were crowding around the sorority and fraternity tables. Diligent efforts to raise money and get students to join their organizations were in full swing while people laughed and conversed with a sense of joy. Something was missing. Concern.  To my dismay there wasn’t any concern about what is happening to our education and around the world. I mean do the students of CSUN really care?

Some faculty members and students reacted with anger over an article about blow jobs in the Sept. 10 issue of the Daily Sundial. What shocked me was more people reacted to an article about “blow jobs” than the amazing articles about the Metrolink tragedy.

I was shocked at those who wasted their time and energy on a 600-word column about how blow jobs affect a relationship. From the looks of things here at CSUN, the reaction was the liveliest I’ve seen. That time and energy should be focused on fighting for our education that is hard to come by these days.

Why aren’t we protesting against those who threaten to take our education away? Why aren’t we concerned with issues like job loss, budget cuts, healthcare or more troops going to war? Why aren’t we fighting for causes that are worth fighting for?

Right now our country is in a battle to provide healthcare for those who simply can’t afford to pay for it.  Some people get healthcare through work but it’s not enough for their children.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2008 almost 20 percent of the California population is uninsured.  In an economic crisis like this students should be vocal regarding this important problem.

There are approximately 14.9 million people unemployed in this country. Once again, students should be speaking out about causes such as this.

The increase in job loss affects all of us.  Without jobs, students are unable to afford tuition, books, food, etc.  And how many of those jobless are parents with children in college?  Without a job, are parents unable to provide their children with an education?

Financial aid is not what it used to be.  There are more and more students being forced to get a student loan because they don’t qualify for financial aid.

Faculty members have lost 9.23 percent of their annual salaries this year because of the recent budget cuts.  As we all know students are experiencing furlough days.

Because of the recent budget cuts, classes were cut and the class sizes increased.  We are paying more for education but we are getting less of one.

In America we have the right and freedom to voice our opinion, but we ignore it when it comes to causes that matter most. Did we as a society forget what freedom of speech means?

This year alone tuition went up 10 percent and to add insult to injury that 10 percent turned into a 30 percent increase.  We should be fighting for our rights as students. The idea that we don’t speak out against these educational travesties is an insult to democracy and our freedom.

Many went to the “Vent at the tent” to express their anger about the recent budget cuts, increase in tuition, and not being able to add classes.  But it seems that’s all it was: a day for people to vent. Then what? It’s over? We vent, feel better and skip away merrily?

Many people expressed their opinions and frustrations that week, but what about other days? Where are the protests, rallies and walkouts? We need to continue to fight for our education and future.

I understand that people need to have fun and go out on a Saturday night.  I also understand that students have other concerns such as jobs and trying to graduate on time, but really, how are we going to graduate on time when there are no classes available? What happens after graduation? What about your future? When is it a good time to be concerned about these issues? The time is now.

As students we have a chance to change what is happening to us now, so instead of wasting your energy on an article about blow jobs, voice your opinion on causes that matter because in the end, what we do have is our voice, freedom and democracy.

For Debt Management Counseling call:
Gregorio Alcantar, Financial Aid Counseling
email: gregorio.alcantar@csun.edu
call: 818 677-4085
He is just one of many counselors on campus who can help you with your questions or concerns

Here are a few more tips that will help you reduce your expenses.

1. Stop using your credit card
2. Limit your credit cards to one (1)
3. Reduce cost of utilities, i.e. disconnect your cable TV service
4. Stop spending for things you don’t really need
5. Buy in bulk
6. Don’t shop more than once a week
7. Treat eating out as a luxury
8. Pack a lunch and take it to school with you
9. Carpool with friends
10. Ask about student discounts
11. Avoid membership to any expensive health clubs; take advantage of the school’s health club
12. Avoid or reduce expensive luxury habits
13. Look for sales and specials when you buy food and clothes
14. Get a roommate or live at home, if bearable
15. If you want or think you need something, wait a full 24 hours before you buy it
16. Open a savings account
17. Email or chat online instead of using the telephone
18. Apply for scholarships

Provided by Financial Aid, CSUN

As a college student I know that the money I earn combined with the little money I get back from financial aid is barely enough to support my lifestyle, which by the way is not grand. After a few very bad experiences with over drafting, credit card payments, and loans, I feel that I have learned my lesson. Well… because I am still paying for it.

I agree that often times we are pushed into it because either we cannot afford tuition or because unexpected  emergencies arise. But what about those other times when there is no need?

In a recent survey conducted by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) on 40 universities in 14 state’s tested 1,500 students about their use of credit cards. The survey found that nearly 2 out of 3 students had a credit card. Out of the remaining students paying for their credit cards half of them kept a remaining balance on their card, which we all know accumulates interest.

Of those students who have credit cards the top rating uses for their cards were (students were allowed to select more than one option):

• 55%  for day to day uses
• 55%  buy books
• 40% weekends and pizza
• 40% travel to school
• 39% emergencies
• 24% tuition
• 10% other: gas, food, to avoid overdrafts, no cash

The survey also found that of students who pay for their own credit card:

• Seniors have more than twice the amount of credit card debt than freshmen (the average being $1,322 more in debt)
• Students who have loans also have more credit card dept accumulated
• Students who have previously defaulted also carry higher amounts of debt than students who haven’t.

In response to this survey what worries me is if you cannot pay for the debt, who will? Shouldn’t we as responsible people limit our usage of credit cards when there is no need for it?

During the “Surviving the Economy” panel I attended about a month ago, one of the panelists Gregorio Alcantar, a CSUN financial aid and debt management counselor discussed one incident where one of the students he advised had at one time put his credit card in a cup of water and froze it in the freezer, so when he had an impulse to buy something he would have to go home and thaw the credit card out; which in return gave him time to rethink if he really needed what he was about to buy.

I suppose if it is necessary, but is that what we have come down to as a society?