About: The Wai-Kun is MSU’s yearbook staff. The organization is entirely student run, making the Wai-Kun a true student organization. The yearbook has been in publication since 1925, and in 2008 the publication went digital.
As a note: The Juxtapose image within the text compares the first available photo with the last available photo for the organization. For all other images referenced in the text, please refer to the Flickr Album Gallery to the right.
1990: The 1990 Wai-Kun staff was made up of four women (pictured above int he colored Juxtapose image). While their styles vary, similarities are present. All of the women have teased hair, whether it be mild or severe, and everyone’s hair is curly. Seeing as this is the transition point from the 1980s to the 1990s, it’s not surprising to still see the ’80s hair.
Also present are the distressed shoulders and bright colors. While the three standing women have broad shoulders, the women on the left and right stand out with their bright color choices. Prints are still fashionable at this time, seeing as the sitting woman has on a vibrant vest. The last of ’80s fashion was making its stand within the Wai-Kun staff, before casual, toned-down fashion took over.
1994: The next place where the Wai-Kun picks up is in 1994, with rather amusing head-shots. In the Flickr Album Gallery, one sees that hairspray had become a thing of the past. Everyone, men and women, have short, relaxed hair. Everyone also seems to have taken on tee-shirts, instead of the dressed up group shot from 1990. Seeing as Grunge was making its way into popular culture at this time, it’s not strange to see that tee-shirts had become more popular. One man is wearing a plaid vest, though it is accompanied by a rolled up button-down. Everyone is relaxed, working on the yearbook in a casual fashion.
1996: Things are not much different two years later. A group of five is present, showing two women in jeans, one in a tee-shirt and the other in a Polo. The men’s fashion varies: one man is in basketball shorts and a tee-shirt; another in jeans, a tee-shirt, and a loose button down;and another simply in jeans and a button-down. Everyone’s hair is relaxed; one of the women wears bangs and small hoop earrings. Almost everyone seems to be wearing a watch. The style seems casual, functional. No one is overdressing, though no one is necessarily under dressing either. Their style is casual, but work appropriate.
1997: The 1997 Wai-Kun staff’s fashion is again, relaxed. Three women are present in the picture while there is only one male. The man wears a loose button down over a striped tee-shirt. One of the girls wears a high V-neck with relaxed jeans. Another wears a Polo. The girl in the front wears a tee-shirt, jeans, and a long vest. The fashion is again casual, though put together. It does not scream, “hey, look at me!” but neither does it say, “I don’t care about my clothes.” Effort has been put forth, though it’s more for practicality and not for style.
Identity: Wai-Kun, like Amnesty International, is very relaxed. They do not follow any major, standout fashion trends of the time, but they do not deter from the trends either. It seems that they fall into whatever is practical, but do not avidly seek out the trends of the time. Their dress is a college version of “business casual,” which fits with their organization seeing as they are meant to document students and events over the year and showcase their findings at the end. Since they are meant to stay behind the camera and document college life, their fashion choices display this sort of “behind the scenes” style as well.