some more news about the issue:
Photo spread features PSU life
The fashion publication W magazine captures the Penn State atmosphere for an issue to be released in January.
By Elaine Hughes
Collegian Staff Writer
Instead of sousaphones and trumpets, the Blue Band Building stored designer clothing and served as the main studio for an international fashion magazine photo shoot this weekend.
W magazine attempted to capture every aspect of Penn State life by photographing well-known figures such as Penn State President Graham Spanier and football coach Joe Paterno along with students and athletes in locations across campus.
A 30- to 40-page photo essay on the university will appear in the January issue of W magazine, the magazine's creative director, Dennis Freedman, said.
"It's one of our biggest spreads ever," Freedman said. "It's a much different shoot than most others and a very unusual fashion idea."
The idea for the spread formed after seeing the Blue Band perform at the Marc Jacobs fashion show in New York in September. Freedman chose Penn State because he is a 1975 graduate, he said.
Through the photo essay, Freedman wants to give his urban audience a glimpse into life at a public university and revamp the fashion industry's portrayal of beauty, he said.
"Most fashion magazines portray women as clothes hangers and rarely portray them as a complex human being," he said. "We're trying to instill the idea that beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes. It's a good chance to bring in men and women who wouldn't normally be seen in the magazine."
W magazine made several trips to Penn State during the last three weeks to find student models, scout possible locations and get a feeling for the university's atmosphere.
"We tried to present a day-to-day reality and not just a clique version of Penn State," Freedman said.
Freedman and British fashion photographer David Sims also attended the Wisconsin football game Nov. 5.
"David had never been to an American football game and was blown away. He gained so much inspiration from the spirit and enthusiasm," Freedman said.
Doug Fitch, location scout for the shoot, said he found great locations at Penn State, including student apartments, agricultural buildings and fraternity houses.
"This place is so big, and there's a lot to cover," Fitch said. "Normally, we're more focused on what we want because there's not as much diversity."
The location and high ceilings of the Blue Band Building made it ideal for the main studio, said Penn State marketing director Cindy Hall.
"They've been doing more studio shooting than they originally planned, but I can't be sure of what will appear in the magazine," Hall said.
Stacey Cohen (junior-psychology) said that she got involved in the magazine's photo shoot after casting directors approached her while she was walking along College Avenue two weeks ago.
"I'm not typical model material because I'm short. I was surprised I was chosen," Cohen said. "It's been a lot of sitting around, but this has definitely been worth it. I feel like I'm in the episode of
Sex and the City where Carrie gets to model from the Vogue closet."
After posing for photos in her white jersey, Lady Lions basketball player Charity Renfro said she was excited to be in the photo shoot.
"They came and took Polaroids of the entire team, but they only selected four of us," she said. "They're taking both individual pictures and pictures of us together."
Linda Strauss, basketball operations director, said the photo shoot was a positive statement for Penn State and women's athletics.
"There's a lot of stereotypes about women," she said. "This shows women can be strong and athletic but still feminine at the same time."
PHOTO: Daniel Freel
Stacey Cohen (junior-psychology) gets her hair done by renowned hairstylist Yannick d'Is on Saturday afternoon. Cohen was photographed by fashion photographer David Sims for W Magazine. The magazine is publishing a spread on Penn State fashion in its January issue.
that band sure is getting a lot of magazine coverage. first vogue and now w. wtf?!!