After watching The Hills on MTV last Tuesday night, a show that I must say is an incredibly guilty pleasure of mine, I realized that although this show focuses on fashion and the independence of young ladies, it certainly does not allow the girls from the show to express any fashion independence.

The initial few seasons of this reality show focused on the lives of fashionistas Lauren Conrad, Hiedi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port.

The premise of this MTV phenomenon, which became one of the highest-rated, reality, television shows, was the entrance into the fashion world by Lauren Conrad and her life as a fashion student while interning at Teen Vogue.

Heidi was also enrolled at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) with Lauren. Whitney was an intern as well at Teen Vogue and they were both able to work closely with the latest styles and hottest designers.

Before you presume I am digressing, let me assure you that this detailed information is all necessary for the point I am about to prove. And it is this ...

Shouldn't something as powerful as a highly-rated, fashion-based show, with stars that consider themselves stylistas and trend setters, also make it clear that it is possible to express your individuality through your dress code?

Just as music and dancing can at times illustrate someone's personality in a non-verbal way, so too can your cute dress.

The colours, the cuts, the lines and the fabric can all be reflective of the person underneath it.

So please, enlighten me.

Why is it that one of the most popular shows among teenage girls is unable to reflect young women with individual tastes and preferences which reflect their diverse, dynamic personalities?

Don't get me wrong. I without a doubt ADORE their clothes and shoes. But in retrospect, after looking at a marathon - from the first season to the current season - they all look the same.

Apparently conformity is key here. And I can't stand it.

And the part that has me a bit on the incensed side, is that this is clearly a scripted show, yet they refuse to script it in a manner that enhances the lives of young women everywhere that idolize the characters in it.

Teenage girls undeniably imitate the fashion trends on shows such as The Hills, but at times this can unfortunately stifle creativity and expression.

Creativity and freedom of expression through the medium of clothes can help mould a person. It enhances their personality and assures them that they are who they WANT to be.

Not what they SHOULD be.

So while all the Mahnolos, Louboutins, Prada, Gucci and Valentinos are pretty awesome to drape and accessorize your body, try to be creative with it. Go with flow, the feeling and not with a concept of "trendy monkey see, trendy monkey do."

Match your clothes to YOUR personality, not Lauren Conrad's or whoever is the fanciest Gossip Girl at the time.  Don't show up in Zen like many university girls do on a Wednesday, sporting the same dress and looking like mirror images of each other.

That is just sheep mentality and instead of standing out and rocking out like a true fashionista, you're just part of the herd.

Let us not forget that the mimicking of similar fashions is tantamount to jealousy and an intense case of who wore it better. That is the kind of war that is definitely not beneficial for a person's self-esteem.

Essentially, from the beginning of our formative years, to the culmination of it all, we are bombarded by images of what we should be and look like.

Needless to say, we listen to it and actively act on it, in the hopes of being as cool as the girls we see on TV.

It would be remiss of me to not mention the fact that there are those who are exposed to this same-style syndrome but refuse to be part of the crowd and choose instead to represent themselves.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with following the trends of the fashion world, I like to think of myself as somewhat trendy. But I am an individualistic, trendy dresser.

I do not intend to set a mould for others to follow. I dress with the premise that if you like something you see on me or anybody else you consider fashionable you would take it and tweak it to suit yourself.

That is the fashion mantra we should all live by.

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