Scott Simmons says he doesn’t dress like a typical teenager. He believes he puts more thought and creativity into his outfits.

“One must combine both designer articles as well as unique vintage pieces with stories behind them,” he said recently while sporting white jeans, a vintage Lacoste cardigan and Christian Dior tie.

“Most (students) wear what smells best on the floor,” the Lawrence High School senior said.

He described what he believed the average high school student wears: tennis shoes, jeans or khaki cargo pants and a T-shirt for guys; tennis shoes or Birkenstocks, American Eagle jeans and a T-shirt or sweatshirt for girls.

Seeking others who cared about fashion, Simmons founded Club Couture in October. The club’s goal: to become aware of the current economical fashions, share ideas and discuss career opportunities.

“I wanted to further my involvement with other students and to further my involvement in the selling/designing scene,” he said.

Shannon Wilson, sewing teacher at LHS, is sponsor of the club, which is composed of students from LHS and Free State High School.

“These kids are clever,” she said of the group. “These kids are not extreme dressers; they’re fashionable. They have a real sense of style.”

During the first semester, she said, the club worked on membership, selecting officers and figuring out its mission and goals.

Katlyn Conroy, club treasurer, said she joined the club because she dressed differently than most students. She said the club gave her a chance to hang out with others who embraced her unique style instead of frowning upon it.

The club’s first fundraiser was selling decorated sugar cookies at school. Members used cookie cutters shaped like gingerbread men and then stretched them to look like models. Then, they dressed them with frosting and sold them as “fashion victims.” Although members said they didn’t turn out as well as hoped, they sold out of them by noon. They also have been selling T-shirts and gym bags.

In addition to having fundraisers, the club is taking its first field trip Thursday. It will be attending a fashion show at Johnson County Community College. Wilson said the group planned to take more field trips, including possible store tours.

Club Couture’s biggest project is organizing and planning a fashion show, which will be May 5 at Lawrence High School and open to the public. Wilson said the members would be going to second-hand stores to purchase clothing items to be re-created into their own designs. The fashion show will feature those creations.

“These students are very artistic and talented,” she said, pointing out that almost half of them have taken sewing, art and/or design classes.

Some of the students take their flair for fashion beyond the classroom.

“We’ve become close friends,” said Jenny Hunt, who is considering a career in fashion. “We’ve had get-togethers to watch ‘Project Runway.’ We also help boost each others’ confidence.

Simmons said they planned to take a shopping trip for prom attire.

“I shop so much,” he said. ” I know which stores carry the best stuff at cheaper prices. I am a bargain shopper, and I’m constantly on the watch for things I love.”

His advice for finding the perfect outfit for prom: “Do not shop at department stores because you are bound to wear the same thing as someone else, which is a huge disaster. Try to shop in smaller, local stores.”

He also doesn’t think it’s cool for “the music-types” to wear the tuxedos they use for performances.

As for other fashion advice, members are quick to dish:

¢ Conroy says to look beyond brand names and learn to appreciate a good bargain.

¢ Kelsey Starks, who would like to pursue a career in fashion merchandising, urges students to buy garments, rearrange and turn them into something unique.

¢ Almost all of the members suggested shopping at vintage and antique stores, where you can find one-of-a-kind garments, jewelry and accessories.

“Vintage looks are nice because you’re not risking being caught with trendy looks,” Emma Burgess-Olson said.

The Seattle SuperSonics will be without forward Nick Collison for four weeks after he partially tore the plantar fascia in his left foot.

Collison was injured in the first half of Sunday night’s victory over Utah. After the game, Collison said he felt a sharp pain as he jumped for a ball. The Kansas University product left the arena wearing a protective boot on the foot, and had an MRI on Monday.

In his second full season, Collison has started 26 games for the Sonics and is averaging 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. He had started the last 11 games for Seattle.

Showcase

¢ What: Lawrence and Free State High School’s Club Couture fashion show

¢ When: May 5

¢ Where: Lawrence High School, 1901 La.

Featuring second-hand clothing items that have been re-created by club members.