University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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Fashion Continued You don't knouu uuhat you've got. With a 5-foot, 2-inch frame, a beautiful face and 240 pounds to work with, Billi Priefert found herself at the peak of her modeling ca- reer. She modeled size 16 plus which was considered a big model” and at $150 an hour, she made “big” bucks. Not only did she model for sever- al hairstyle advertisements and posters, fashion shows and large size catalogs, but also for two magazine ads for Wran- gler Jeans, size 16 plus. Billi, now a KSC sophomore from Summerfield, Kan., started her three- year career while in high school with an inquiry into a TV commercial looking for large models. “It started out as kind of a joke,” she said, “but it turned out to be a way to earn extra money for her family.” The fashions Billi modeled were de- signed to conceal figure flaws. “I think it’s great that they’ve created fashions that will help people who are self-con- scious,” she said. Billi pointed out that approximately three-fourths of society Even though her $150 an hour career has ended, the much photographed Priefert obliged Blue and Gold photographer Kim Whittemore and posed for these shots.

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F ASHION THIS PAGE top: Derek McKenzie, Papillion center left: Delwin Wohlgemuth, Holdrege right: Bryceson Watson, Lincoln FAR PAGE left: Kenny Copas, Cozad right: Johnette Toye, Omaha In the name of StuCe by Kim Whittemore Style has always been a confusing subject — especially for those who try to adhere to it. Trying to stay within the lines of what’s “in” and still carry off a unique style is a difficult chore. But the students at Kearney State College have handled this task with ease. By adopting their own style, Lo- pers have not only raised eyebrows but also questions. For example: Why do we pay modern prices for stone-washed jeans that look centuries old? If Swatches are watches, then why can’t we read the time on them? ... And if people can’t read just one (Swatch), do they think wearing two or more will help? Why do women spend hours fixing their hair just to make it look messed up? When we were young we were told to pull our socks up. Now that we’re “mature” is it “cool” to wear them down? Boxer shorts are being worn by all yet do women really need a fly? Why do people with perfect vision need colored contact lenses? If skin-tight stirrup pants are meant to be revealing, then why do women wear knee-length sweaters over them? What is the purpose of washing hair when minutes later we coat it with hair- spray, gel, sculpting lotion, freeze and mousse? Guess Jeans are very popular but what exactly are we supposed to guess? The answers to these questions come in one simple reply: It’s all in the name of STYLE.

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Until you lose it! wears size 13 and up. There are very few stores that cater to them. “People who model in commercials are not the kind of people you see to- day,” she said. “I don’t think people should be afraid to say Tm large.’” Billi’s career came to a close this summer after she had lost close to 100 pounds. She currently weighs about 150 pounds. “When I started losing weight, I started losing jobs,” she said. She stressed that the two sizes of models are those who are smaller than a size 7 and those who are larger than a size 13. In modeling, “size eight is large.” Billi does not plan to continue her modeling career. Instead she wants to do something in the field of telecom-’ munications. As far as her personal attire goes she says she dresses for her moods, m a little on the crazy side,” she said, don’t like to wear things that everyone else is wearing on campus ... I wear what makes a statement about me.” And what a statement she makes! For this interview she wore a long laven- der, silk blouse over a black skirt and low heels. Her hair was spiked high above her head and swooshed in her face and a long blonde tail fell down her back. To top it off she wore lots of silver jewelry including a small ring in her nose. “At KSC they want you to be in a set mold,” she said. Billie Priefert definitely breaks that mold.