Last week, we discussed romance and relationships among Cambodian teenagers  today. If you missed it, please check it out on our website: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/LIFT/.

This week, we focus on teenage style and fashion.  Clothing styles play an important part in many people’s pursuit of beauty and attractiveness.  Centuries ago, Cambodia had a culture all its own that rivalled the most glorious in the world.  People wore traditional Khmer clothing and, frankly, looked good.  But due to social development, media penetrat-ion, and the influx of modern technology and foreign culture, Cambodian teens are adopting new fashions at a rapid rate.

And it’s not only teenagers who are dressing modern. Young female students are increasingly dressing to impress, looking fancy and sexy, and, some argue, having negat-ive affects on education and society (pages 4 and 10).

LIFT spoke with everyone, including teachers, men, women and members of the government, who expressed their own opinions on female fashion today (5).

With the influx of more styles of clothing and fabrics from abroad, some young people, especially male stud-ents, are building their own fashions by buying cloth and having it made into shirts and trousers, rather than buying ready-made clothes from a store (6 and 7).

This week, we’ve also found a talented young designer making Asian- and European- inspired clothing.  On top  of that, she owns a shop and is    a modelling instructor!  (8)

We also spoke with a modeling director and instructor from an agency in Phnom Penh who teaches young people how to strut down the runway at a variety of events (9).

If you’re interested in any of this, come enjoy with us!  We welcome further comments via [email protected]. Thank you!