‘Fashion dream girl has a brain’
by Sandra Parada / Staff Reporter

While reading CSUN’s Daily Sundial, I came across an article written by Sandra Parada, entitled ‘Fashion dream girl has a brain’ published on January 28, 2009. The title itself took me off guard right away. It seemed to me such a title supports a very terrible stereotype. Comparing females who have a passion and interest in fashion, with assumptions that they are not intellectually equipped. The title gives off the impression that the writer is surprised that someone with a dream for fashion actually has a brain. Intrigued by the title, I continued with the article.

The first paragraph then came as a more of a shock to me than the title. The article was about our new amazing first lady, Michelle Obama. The introduction, focusing on describing her wardrobe and how it was a ‘historic fashion sin’ and going on further to state that she had lost her chance of being a ‘first lady fashion icon’ was disheartening. It made me feel that the writer was focusing on elements that are completely irrelevant to being a good first lady.

Throughout the article, I came to learn that the author of the article was actually supporting Obama and went on to highlight her strengths. Her job achievements, as well as life accomplishments were both discussed, as well as how confident and smart she is as a women. However, throughout the article, the author revisited the fashion dilemma that Obama has. Bringing up that ideally she would have a great fashion sense like Jackie Kennedy, be outspoken just like Hillary Clinton, and embody gracefulness like Nancy Regan. Do any of those things, except for being outspoken, really play a significant role in being a first lady? Maybe that’s the problem: That we’ve been so focused on looks, poise, and fashion, we forget that the first lady needs to have many characteristics.

Michelle Obama is intelligent, driven, compassionate, and strong. She is a role model, mother, wife, businesswoman, and now our first lady. When writing articles about her that are meant to be focused in a positive way, why must we also bring attention to the petty, insignificant things such as fashion? We should instead be focusing on dismissing our nation’s obsession with materialistic faults.

Gabrielle Bourassa
CSUN student

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