Fashion trends reflect merging cultures

Fashion has always reflected much more than clothes.

It's affected by politics, geographic and weather conditions, economic status, religion and education.

The economic downturn has had an effect on the industry, but students at two middle eastern colleges say their fashion choices are largely effected by TV, and trends in the US and Europe.

Thanks to increased access to international chain magazines fashion trends are merging around the world.

The styles chosen by students at Bethlehem University differ little from those worn at campuses in Europe and in the United States.

Jeans, and in particular, skinny jeans are still firm favourites here - as are ballerina shoes and branded trainers.

Christina Hani is wearing blue skinny jeans, an oversize belt and matching bag.

"I watch TV a lot and I just look at everything, so if I find something that interests me, I ask for it and I look if there is something suitable for me," she says.

Many Palestinian students say they look to Fashion TV as inspiration for their style.

"What affects my style is television, especially Fashion TV, I like to look beautiful as it gives me confidence," says Watan Salameh.

And it's not just the girls who are fashion conscious.

"I take a lot of care of my clothes because that reflects my personality. What I wear reflects what I am on the inside," says Nasim abu Eisheh.

Designer labels will always be sought after. But students on the Bethlehem campus say the recession has restricted their shopping habits.

"The economic crisis affected everyone, it affected the workers also, and it affected my parents, and I still depend on them, so indirectly it affected me," says Fida Lahham

"The recession affected all of us, especially the situation that we are living in is not that good, so I shop less now than I used to shop before," says Rasha Mukarker.

Despite this, students here admit they go shopping about once a week and spend about 600 shekels (US$150).

Over at Herzliyah College in Israel sunglasses are a constant must-have.

And just like the Bethlehem campus, students here say their fashion choices are largely affected by trends in the U.S. and Europe.

"Companies like Crombie or H & M you can see students here that are wearing the last things from there," says Tom Barnea.

But Tom doesn't believe the recession has affected her or her peers' spending habits.

"I don't think that the recession has anything to do with the purchasing of clothes. We don't see it here at campus anyway. I don't know if the internet has something to do with it, but I think that the stuff that we see in magazines, even international magazines has something to do with how we dress here."

"I don't think that there was any influence about the recession in the world, I think people continue to buy the same clothes, maybe a bit less but in the same shops," says Roni.

The style at this campus is very relaxed - something that Mai Arbel believes is common with Israeli women all over the region and of all ages.

"Israel is a very laid back country it has a great night life and the beach and it's sunny, so that really affects the fact that's it's a laid back style."

APTN