Trends – sometimes they’re good, but most of the time they’re simply exhausted, over-worn and old. Uggs, the little tutu dress that Carrie Bradshaw made famous in “Sex and the City,” and now rompers… I’ve seen them all. I was guilty of following a few myself until I realized something: When I adhered to trends, I was sacrificing my diversity.

Individuality and diversity might quite possibly be two of the last things we have left to preserve on this earth, and I can guarantee you that by clicking the “Add to Cart” button above the picture of those furry boots will not grant you this diversity.

Another misconception? Runway collections. Girls think that logging on to the McQueen website and buying those digitally printed dress and armadillo platforms will establish them in the fashion industry. Well, those girls are wrong. While it might guarantee them a picture on Page Six under the headline, “Another Girl Braves those Armadillo Monsters,” it will not even faze the fashion community we are all so desperate to become a part of. Even Anna Wintour, the ice queen herself, once said, “I’m not interested in the girl who walks into my office in a head-to-toe label look that’s right off the runway. I’m interested in a girl who puts herself together in an original, independent way.” It’s when a girl steps out in McQueen heels, a Forever 21 shirt, a vintage jacket and her mom’s old jewelry that I’m impressed. I already know what McQueen’s collection looked like… and I’m ready to see something different, something unique.

This is what I’m hoping to achieve through my blog, (always)alanna. It’s important that all of us, in one of the most criticized and competitive industries in the world, show who WE are, not mimic what’s already been done. Do the unthinkable – throw on those Michael Kors pumps and wave around that new Chanel bag, but do it wearing Gap, Target and True Religions, and do it PROUDLY. Remember, we’re the future of fashion and it’s our job to set the standards. Besides, who ever said we couldn’t break the rules?

Guest blogger: Alanna ((always)alanna)