STYLE GURU BIO: Bethany Greer

August 31st, 2015 at 2:00am

My obsession with fashion can be traced all the way back to my fifth grade diary. In one particularly memorable yet embarrassing entry, I wrote about my friends who were always preoccupied with boys and how I was “too busy for that because I have to focus on my career.” Granted, I owned a pink suede jacket with the word DIVA bedazzled on the back at the time, so I can’t say I’m proud of every one of my 10-year-old decisions. Luckily, my sense of style has improved since then, and my love of fashion has continued to grow.

Currently, I’m a third-year French and Art History student at Queen’s University in Canada–no, it isn’t always cold here and we don’t ride dogsleds to class. This summer, I’ve been in New York doing fashion design and styling internships. My personal style is ever evolving, but I always love fun twists on classic silhouettes. While I’m constantly up on new trends, I refuse to wear anything that isn’t flattering. Confidence is just as important as the outfit itself!

I’m also a huge supporter of sustainable fashion, clothing that is designed and produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Whether this means sourcing eco-friendly fabrics or localized labor, every little bit helps. The top I made in this picture, for instance, uses fabrics I found at secondhand stores, which I later embellished with beading. For me, fashion means more than clothing; it’s a platform to express who you are and what you stand for. This is why most items I design are created using recycled textiles or thrift shop garments. Discovering a great vintage piece which can be re-worked into a new design, and fulfilling my ethical duty in the process, is incredibly rewarding. My denim skirt is vintage Versace, probably from the ’80s, but it totally works with the current sneaker trend.

Here is bit more about me: I love sports, especially rugby, dogs (probably more than people) and I watch the worst reality TV with zero shame. My style icons include Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly, Jackie Onassis and Stevie Nicks. Some of my favorite designers (that I can’t afford) are Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Rodarte and Valentino. Finally, black is everything. Black is the best.

I’m super excited for the semester and can’t wait to get back on campus so I can report on fall trends!

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