Ok, here we go people...finally, a different perspective on fashion and lifestyle. Too often there are boring discussions about fashion, lifestyle and everything in-between that has no real benefit to you...it's time to take a completely different look at this thing we call fashion...and what it means to you!
Here is a fact to think about: 80% of all communication is nonverbal. "Before you speak, your suit it spoke" says Kanye. Clearly, we all need to think more about the statement we make to people, before we approach them or when they approach us.

Let's be honest people, each of us wants and needs to attract the right type of people-even if only to enrich our lifestyle. We're all seeking that right person(s) to add to our current lifestyle to make things better. Whether it is for business, friendship, inspiration, relationship or just sexual purposes (Yeah, let's keep it real), we all want to attract that right type of person, right? The question is: How, and with the least amount of effort? After all, none of us have time to waste.

Your image is one of the most important investments you can make in life...Why? Your Image represents who and what you are. Your perceived image is your brand! You are judged by your image the same way products are judged based on what looks more appealing, attractive, clean, or more fun. Every successful brand on the market today has a perceived image, interesting enough to make you want to find out more about it: The same concept applies to your style.

Is it time to start thinking of yourself as a brand? Is your image interesting enough to make others want to find out more about you? Fashion plays a huge role in all of our daily lives.

It's important to improve your image and begin building your brand based on what you want out of life. As a student you are in a very unique position...You are now choosing where you want to go in life and what direction you will take to get there. That's a lot of pressure to try and decide what you are going to do for the rest of your life...but there shouldn't be pressure! You need to take advantage of this opportunity to simply decide where you should start off your life's journey. This is the moment where you can educate yourself about how to springboard into new opportunities now and later in life-to do anything you want to do. Your focus should be on committing to some study to start off your journey. You don't have to do this one thing for the rest of your life, just get focused on something you enjoy and can have fun with, and begin building your brand image around it. Your image should reflect the most interesting thing about who you are and your personality relative to your career objective. As a student, regardless of what field of study you embark upon, you are about to enter the real world. This competitive environment is not going to take you by the hand and walk you through all the ups and down. There is only one thing this competitive world relates to, and that is results. Why should someone or some business invest in you, especially if you have not invested in yourself? Your image will offer you distinction; it will allow you to make a statement without words, and will get you the attention you deserve. You will begin to stand out from the crowd no matter how competitive the marketplace. Your self-confidence will be noticed and respected, and will probably result in some great opportunities.

What statements are you making by the way you look? Are you attractive enough to attract what you want in life? The answer is yes. Everyday, when you wake up and put on a piece of clothing, you're making a statement. Now it's time to learn how to make the right statements. You must build yourself up as a brand, taking advantage of your physique, your color, and your character traits, to express and achieve your objectives in life.

The perception of what people see and think of you at a glance is inevitable; it is going to happen whether you like it or not! Being fashionable is an easy way to make a good impression, and yet one of the hardest tasks the average person faces day to day. But men and women struggle daily to find what works best for them, which look can get them the most success and /or attention, as well as how to stay trendy and not be out of style or season. And face it; many have thrown in the towel...some people just put anything on. There is no way around the image of yourself no matter what you do. Fashion is inevitable. It's time to learn how to take advantage of fashion to get what you want and deserve!

Live with style! Be branded! Learn to be free to express who you are to the world, and when you do... you will begin to find yourself becoming very attractive-in every sense of the word. Here is a tip: being stylish has nothing to do with trends; it has everything to do with personality. Trends come and go, but your personality lasts forever. Every person has their own unique personality, and that personality has the potential to be expressed fashionably.

Style lets the others know you're alive. Once people know you have the confidence, assertiveness, and purpose, you will automatically become interesting. You'll become interesting only because you really are interesting to know as a person (truthfully). Now the perceived image and qualities of you will attract many things to you. Your style is a direct reflection of your personality. Let people know who you are before saying a word.

Let's continue to this new journey through fashion, style, and image and how they really relate to your life, next issue. Stay tuned. It's time to get our LIFE-STYLED!

As National Representative of "PHASHION", a fun Lifestyle brand that shows you how to use Fashion and Style to benefit you, Edwin Muhammad's innovative influence transcends Style in every evolvement of his daily activity. From corporate branding to event development to promoting various fashion and corporate brands through innovative marketing, the distinguished multitasked responsibilities as Creative Director comes as no surprise in a day's work. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Edwin's professional background ranges as a visual artist (fine arts and graphics), photography, visual communications, public relations, marketing, management, brand management as well as and as far reaching as security.

Royal T Clothing ("RTC") is a graphic street-wear company whose founder's inspiration began with Texas Hold 'Em tournaments and cards. Chase Sherman senior at UM, and founder of RTC, recalls wonderful days of playing poker with his friends freshman year. "The poker table was a great place to sit and trash talk with friends, but what I realized after a while was that Hold 'Em became our way of hanging out." The brand's tagline, "The Player's Brand", is meant to jump-start people who sit on the sidelines.