It’s obvious that East Lansing isn’t exactly the fashion capital of the world. Clogs, North Faces and ponytails flood campus (myself included). It’s a rarity to see a – real – Marc Jacobs purse on anyone’s shoulder, let alone a $700 MJ frock. However, the fantasy of owning something by the fashion icon is just as addictive.

In Marc’s latest show, he turned his models into frizzy-haired nymphs, with bobbed tresses ornamented by horns, paper airplanes or party hats. The celebrities showed up – including Mischa Barton, Michael Stipe and Courtney Love – to admire his creative clothing, as if it were some fountain of youth in the Andes Mountains.

But it wasn’t a bursting geyser of beauty that the people ogled – instead, it was as if they were gazing at Siamese twins at a 19th century carnival, or the bearded lady. This is what today’s fashion is about, and Marc illustrates it perfectly. The oddity of clothing pieces which simply don’t belong.

The Spring 2008 Fashion Week was unpredictable. Heatherette was docile and charming, like that pristine sorority girl we all secretly want to be friends with. That sorority image is a far cry from Fall 2007’s vicious punk rock chick clad in “Wizard of Oz” tees and plastic aviators.

But are the clothes really reasonable? Will any of us actually have an opportunity or reason to wear a peacock-feathered mini-dress which is shorter than the sleeves of our shirts? Betsey Johnson revealed her Spring 2008 collection of prom-inspired gowns. As usual, Betsey’s designs were better suited for our porcelain dolls than our 20-something selves. But we loved them anyway.

The same thing happened with Antonio Berardi’s designs. A transparent, bright yellow jacket? At first, you’d think it’s a Maid of the Mist poncho, but after a few glances, you notice that it looks remarkably adorable with a tiny white skirt, white heels, and bobby socks. And it’s drier than Niagara Falls.

I wish we embraced the weird more often. I wish East Lansing would allow me to prance around in a purple plastic dress, complete with my clear bubble umbrella – rain or shine.

Unfortunately, until I head off to New York City to pursue my fashion dreams, I’ll just have to live in my East Lansing reality.

But I’ll keep my eye out for a yellow plastic jacket, whether I have a reason to wear it or not.