Wardrobe Wednesday: Ryan’s Sensationally Chic Closet
Wardrobe Wednesday: Ryan’s Sensationally Chic Closet Classics and creativity come together seamlessly in Ryan Benson’s closet, creating a sensational wardrobe for the junior graphic design student. Ryan’s closet would be far from complete without his star collection of vests; the perfectly functional and versatile layering staple. You can regularly see Ryan sporting one of his favorites alongside his Levi’s bootcut jeans, fun platform boots, and the perfect spread of jewelry. His closet is composed of moody basics, stunning knits, and dark statement pieces; the selection inspired by his favorite style icons. From pop king Troye Sivan to instagram star Tyler Omeed Mazaheri, sleek streetwear meets eclectic statement pieces creating Ryans perfect variety of garments. Finding your personal style is all about playing with different pieces to see what you like. With the use of Pinterest for inspiration every morning, Ryan’s style is ever changing. There is no fear of testing different matches of proportion or texture in Benson’s daily looks Ryan shared his personal style growth from preppy cardigans, chelsea boots and tucking everything into his favorite pair of skinny jeans, to his now expansive and creative taste littered with chic staples and playful attire. Fashion and expressing himself has become muscle memory for Ryan. Even for someone whose closet is mostly thrifted and sourced from secondhand retailers, a boy could still dream big! Ryan’s dream fashion purchase is a Loewe embellished long sleeve polo and high waisted jeans as seen on Troye Sivan. Accessorizing is one of the biggest factors in Ryan’s effortless looks; the perfect necklace finishing off most of them. From sunglasses to jewelry to the perfect bag or coat, he’s got the accessories department covered.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Alex’s Ode to Girlhood
Wardrobe Wednesday: Alex’s Ode to Girlhood Walking into Alex Gabitan’s wardrobe brought back all sorts of girlhood nostalgia. This fashion merchandising senior uses garments to call back to her earlier years of playing dress up. Gabitan even recalls one of her first experiences with fashion involved curating outfits for her Bratz dolls in her imaginary store. She further describes her style as feminine and soft as she carries herself in a more playful manner. Her closet reflects her use of color, specifically pastels often paired with a darker staple. Gabitan favors lace, frills and girly patterns to add the perfect feminine touch to any plain outfit. She scavenges second-hand online websites, like Depop, to find her pretty perfect pieces. Gabitan takes pride in her thrifted garments as she gives them a new life in her wardrobe. Looking more into Gabitan’s prized possessions, her mother’s 2009 North Face puffer jacket makes an appearance. The coat, passed down by love, is not only keeping Gabitan warm during the winter months, but on trend during this fashion cycle. Similarly, her Betty Boop leather jacket is a fun callback to a simpler time of Gabitan’s life. It’s safe to say her wardrobe is filled with marvelous memories and on the lookout to make more as she moves on to the next steps of her life. What more could a girl with such an expansive collection want? Gabitan’s dream purchase is a Guizio sequin skirt, which sources have indeed confirmed she added to her wardrobe shortly after the interview. This skirt is not like any other. It’s rather a reflection of Gabitan’s fun and flirty attitude towards fashion, almost like a reminder not to take anything too seriously. It also doesn’t hurt that one of her top artists, Olivia Rodrigo, has been seen rocking a similar style.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Madden’s Marvelous Closet
Wardrobe Wednesday: A Look Into Maddens Marvelous Closet Stepping into senior student Madden Cook’s closet was a high honor. Straight out of an early 2000s film, the space was littered with strategically placed bags, shoes, and impeccably eclectic pieces. It was practically begging to be captured. Her extravagant collection of pieces, mostly thrifted, show a long history of fashion dedication. Cook’s closet has everything you could ever need; fit for the ultimate it-girl. With a wardrobe that thrives off of second hand clothing, and an emphasis on sustainability, Madden often upcycles her thrifted pieces. Not only giving them a new life, but also assurance that she’ll never run out of new outfits. With a multitude of statement pieces, the possibilities are endless for show stopping ensembles. Madden prides herself on an esteemed collection of Dr. Marten shoes, which are showcased beautifully in her magnificent closet. The clothes can’t take all the credit; beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in this case Cook is a fashion mastermind. From dressing up in her moms clothes with her sister, to now having a closet the size of an antique store, Madden has always had an eye for fashion. Madden’s myriad of vintage garments has Sex In The City star Carrie Bradshaw, her main fashion inspiration, written all over it. From fabulous coats, to slinky slip dresses, the 90s called and said Madden is killing it. STAPLES ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND We all have those few pieces we could absolutely not live without. Regardless of her fully stocked wardrobe, Madden has a few staples herself. Leather jackets are never a scarcity in her day to day ensembles, and a fun hat or handbag never hurt anyone. Flirty dresses add a perfect feminine flair to edgy outfits, complete with Cook’s knee high, lace up Dr. Marten boots. And understandably, many plaid skirts have found a home within Madden’s stockpile.
Unmasking the Art of the Masquerade
Unmasking the Art of the Masquerade Since the introduction of the masquerade ball in Medieval France, there has been an air of seduction and allure around these typically high profile events. With the original parties surrounding royals and court goers- prestige and power, rendezvous and intrigue are the core of the masquerade. After all, doesn’t anything go once you put on a mask? Carnival season, the period of heavy indulgence before the onset of Lent, was the birthplace of masked debauchery- the streets filled with disguised individuals hoping to give into their temptations one last time before they must rebuke their sins. During this time, the wealthy and the poor were able to celebrate together due to the anonymity provided by the mask. By the 17th century, the ball had been adopted by nobles involved in high fashion, using the events to premier the newest, most decadent styles to the ever watchful eye of the royals. In an age without the internet and social media, the allure of obscured identity was pure and enticing, leaving guests tantalized by the question: who asked me to dance last night? Today, the ball has been transformed into a scene for TV socialites, like Serena Vanderwoodsen and Katherine Pierce, to let loose- and for the more “common” person, a compelling halloween party theme. While there are still high-society balls that occur in places like Venice, Italy and New Orleans, the new wave of anonymous appreciation is lower maintenance while still preserving the coolness of its history. The layers and layers of ball gowns may be toned down to a figure hugging dress in a luxurious fabric, or chopped above the knee. Gloves are still in this year, but opt for a sheer or lace version. For the men, a classy look is always a winner- but try swapping the suit jacket for a trench or adding a funky belt to the get up. Overall, the idea of the masquerade ball is exploration without inhibition, so experimentation in the name of fashion is highly encouraged. Though fashions have changed, the message of the masquerade ring true today: indulgence is human nature.
Leotards and Lace: Defining Ballet-Core
Leotards and Lace: Defining Ballet-Core By Julia Karns Ballet-core is a highly popular aesthetic which originates from the appreciation of the grace and beauty of ballet. The trend-wave was set in motion when Italian brand, Miu Miu, showcased their famous ballet flats in their Fall/Winter 2022 runway show. While ballet-core has certainly become all the rage in high fashion, it has trickled down into more accessible brands such as Zara and H&M. The aesthetic loving platform, TikTok, served as an instrument for creating wide-spread obsession over the newly coined “ballet-core”. But, balletomania has been seen in fashion before, most notably in the 1930’s and 40’s when women’s dress hem-lines rose and the need for things like stockings became more necessary- and therefore an opportunity for the fashion industry. The influence of ballet on fashion can be seen all throughout history from Coco Chanel’s love for tulle in the ‘30s and ‘40s to John Galliano’s Spring 1996 runway to Ming Ha’s beautiful Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear collection. Whether you start by finding an old bin of dance clothes from your childhood, or by sifting through the lingerie rack at your local thrift, capturing this beautifully feminine look, is absolutely achievable. The key to accomplishing the look is to lean into usage of articles of clothing that might be worn by a ballerina such as tights, leotards, and legwarmers. Choose a starting piece to work from like a wrap top, then add details: lace, bows, your favorite ballet flats. A true ballerina knows the art of layering and you should too. Look to designers like Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha or watch movies like The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Sugar and Spice (2001) for inspiration. For ages, women have been shamed for their silliness or fragility and therefore forced to suppress their femininity. Ballet-core is an appreciation for an art that is so intrinsically feminine- undeniably beautiful, but riddled with pain. The popularity of this girlish aesthetic is a liberating celebration of the beauty of womanhood. Photographer: Josh Brown Creative Director: Carolina Gomez Creative Team: Abbie Rios, Kristina Wise, Maria Canales& Alyssa Carman Modeled by: Nathalie Santis, Lealani Vila, & Meghna Vemuri
This Fall’s Biggest Fashion Trends
This Fall’s Biggest Fashion Trends By Stephania Jugo Everyone’s favorite fashion season is finally upon us. As we have seen in January’s runway shows, the fall season will be expanding on various themes and trends. Silhouettes will look similar to that of the A-line and sheathe looks of the 60s. This fall, pairings will be classic with a pop modern and re-invented accessories. Red has always been a classic staple color for fall. In addition to being a pop of color this year, red will be incorporated into 60s-inspired looks. Red cardigans, coats, and tights are some of the more notable pieces this season. Silver, along with metallics, will continue to trend through the winter season. Metallics will be mostly seen in footwear, such as trending Wales Bonner’s chrome Sambas collaboration, and the juxtaposing ballet flats. The flashy colorway will also be making its way to accessories, such as bags and jewelry. As we have seen on the Gucci and Chanel runways back in January and Tommy Hilfiger’s reinforcement of gold during New York Fashion Week last month, metallics are here to stay. As a part of the ballet-core aesthetic rising, footwear is decreasing its height. Ballet flats, sling-backs and kitten heels will be replacing higher platform shoes. Bows are peaking at an all time high for accessories as a part of this aesthetic trend. Ribbons have been seeked to tie on jeans, purses, sneakers and hair! To keep warm, fur will also be back in season. This wave of fur will be seen in 60s mod hats, vests, and coats, as well on some lining on varying garments. Fur has arguably been a staple for the past couple of fall seasons, especially fur coats. This fall, fur can be dressed up for a special occasion or dressed down for a night out of town. As a part of the ongoing Y2K trend, skinny scarves are back from the previous fall season. While they might not keep you as warm as fur, this knit accessory will be sure to add a funky twist to an outfit. The “quiet luxury” aesthetic has risen as celebrities such as Sofia Richie Grainge and Jennifer Lawerence show off their street style in a moderate way. This aesthetic comes in the form of business casual tops and slacks for an almost effortless look. If paired correctly, the garments create a luxury look and feel. The fall season will be a time for some to experiment with their look through accessories, while keeping it simple and effortless. Creative Director: Carolina Gomez Creative Team: Abbie Rios, Kristina Wise, & Alyssa Carman Modeled by: Nathalie Santis, Lealani Vila, Salma Escoto, & Emerson Groves
NYFW: Trends for Your Spring/Summer Wardrobes
NYFW: Trends for Your Spring/Summer Wardrobe It is that time of the year again, as fashion designers from around the world bring their Spring/Summer 2024 designs to New York Fashion Week. From September 7th to September 13th, models took to the runway to show new designs. This year’s shows focused on mixing authenticity with the maximalism that the audience knows to be luxury fashion, getting back to the root of “everyone can wear this, but still look chic” clothing. Out of all the brilliant designs seen on the runway this year, these five trends are predicted to make a splash in everyone’s spring/summer wardrobes. Ribbons/Bows The childlike accessory has been seen taking social media by storm and isn’t stopping at the runways. Mirror Palais incorporated bows into many designs, embracing the newly popular “ballet core” aesthetics. Some looks included bows in the hair, on the shoes, as neckties and even as print designs on a shirt. Sheer and Lacy The trend of wearing almost transparent clothing out-and-about has already been taken off on social media, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Michael Kors took the lead on this trend with a floral lace twist. The runway featured black and white lace dresses with two pieces that left little to the imagination. Golden Metallics Next summer, designers are encouraging people to shine like the sun itself. Designers, like Ralph Lauren, are showing that gold is quickly replacing the metallic silver that we are used to seeing on the previous runways. 1920s Throwback Like most trends, they cycle from previous years. The 1920s are making their comeback with a drop waist (waistline appearing at the hips rather than the waist) silhouette, seen in Christian Siriano’s collection. Chunky Earrings We have seen chunky earrings gain popularity earlier this month with the Bottega Veneta Drop Earrings, and we are seeing it again on and off the runway at New York Fashion Week. Etro was among many of the shows to bring these statement pieces to life, but the new jewelry trend was also seen on many attendees of the shows as well.