,

STYLE GURU BIO: Rachel Pickus

September 2nd, 2016 at 2:00am

Hi! My name is Rachel, and this is my first semester writing for CollegeFashionista. I’m a Chicago native currently surrounded by the cornfields of the University of Illinois, where I’m majoring in graphic design and minoring in art history.

As you can infer from my fields of study, I’ve always identified as being creative and have gravitated toward outlets that allow me to express myself in that manner. Fashion has been no exception. From an early age I recognized fashion as a way to experiment and discover my individuality.

As a result I’ve always had difficulty labeling my personal style since I find it’s forever evolving. I’m always game for trying something new, yet I simultaneously keep in mind the shapes and colors I know work best for me. In doing so I’ve found I hold greater appreciation for timelessness rather than trendiness.

For this reason, a big portion of my closet has been found at vintage and thrift stores. I really love the thrill of the hunt that results in bringing home a unique piece of clothing. Because of this I often look to past decades for inspiration. For example, currently I’ve been inspired by the late ’70s era that encompassed flared pants, large hoop earrings and bare shoulders (see above).

Anyways, when it comes to life beyond college I hope to work in art direction within the fashion industry. This past summer I had the amazing opportunity to intern at a magazine in New York, which only reaffirmed my future career interests. Because let’s be real, cornfields are nice, but I can’t wait to be back in the hustle and bustle of the cityscape.

Author