Mississippi : Not Just Overalls and Daisy Dukes

   

     Many people, especially those who are unfamiliar with the south, have a distorted view of what is fashionable and popular in the deep South. From my knowing, people either assume that our closet consists of Daisy Duke http://www.denimblog.com/2010/06/fashion-flashback-daisy-dukes/daisy_duke/ cut off shorts  or large, intricate ball gowns http://www.lady-faire.com/civwargowns.html suitable for Scarlett O'Hara. The media and popular television are both largely at fault.
   
     While large hair and rhinestones seem to always be a favorite in the South, Mississippi is in no way lacking fashion. It may not be Paris, New York or Milan, but Mississippi does have an entire week devoted to fashion. This year's Mississippi Fashion Week was in February in Meridian, MS. The week featured a Style Party as well as a Versace Party. Events ranged from runway shows, seminars, workshops, and The Glamour Gala - Mississippi's only Fashion Awards Show.
     
     On the Facebook page for the 2013 Mississippi Fashion week https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fashion-Week-Mississippi/249567455102477, they ask for models to please contact them. The post mentions that plus size models are welcome. This is an outstanding step for MS since there is always some controversy over the size of models http://www.styleite.com/media/plus-size-magazine-weight-statistics/#3. The post may only be a small gesture, but it truly shows the acceptance of plus size models and that MS does not have a shallow view of what beauty is.
   

Who I Am

"Crying is for plain women. Pretty women go shopping." - Blanche, The Golden Girls

     As writer of this blog, it is only customary that I first introduce myself to you. My name is Sharley Hamm, and I have no desire to be a plain woman. I am fierce and strong willed. I reach for the stars and do all I can to see my dreams come true. My ambitions usually cause lack of sleep and delusion, but I look forward to achieving all I have my heart set on.
   
     I grew up in Stringer, MS, a small town an hour north of Hattiesburg. I am a Junior at the University of Southern Mississippi http://www.usm.edu/ where I am majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Sociology. On top of classes, I have a busy schedule of extracurricular activities. I am the Public Relations Coordinator and Alumnae Communications Chair for Phi Mu sorority http://usm.phimu.org/, a campus rep for May Designs http://www.maydesigns.com/, on a media team for LTE Entertainment, a PR intern for the College of Arts and Letters at USM, a peer advisor for the International Studies Program at USM, and a PR intern for College Lifestyles Magazine http://collegelifestyles.org/.    
   
     When I find free time, I enjoy playing with my three month old Shorkie (Shih tzu and Yorkie) puppy, Stella. I love to cook and read for relaxation. I especially enjoy shopping and sleeping.
   
     After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school, hopefully out of state. I ideally would love to work in the country music industry and move to Nashville, Tennessee.

SMTTT!