Hello fellow Fashionistas and Fashionistos! I am so incredibly excited to be joining the CollegeFashionista team this semester. My name is Sophie, and I’m a senior at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. I’ll be graduating this spring with a major in Public Relations and Advertising and a minor in Italian Studies.
I first became interested in fashion in my preteens, when I began reading “The Clique” series by Lisi Harrison. In the young adult novels, designers like DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Charlotte Ronson and alice + olivia were mentioned. Having never heard of big names in fashion before, these books offered me an introduction to some of the world’s most notable designers, and my interest in the industry was sparked. Soon, I had a beloved subscription to Teen Vogue, began watching Project Runway religiously and daydreamed about purchasing my first designer item and one day beginning a career in the fashion industry. I carefully leafed through every fashion magazine I could get my hands on, enthralled by the creativity of designers and the fast-paced, ever-changing world of fashion.
Now, at 21 years old, I no longer look to “The Clique” books and Teen Vogue for style inspiration, but instead to fashion blogs like The Blonde Salad and styling done by the greats like Britt Bardo and Rachel Zoe. My career goals have shifted from wanting to become an iconic fashion designer to striving to be a fashion PR professional (after many failed attempts at fashion illustration) and my own personal style has evolved as I’ve entered adulthood. After studying abroad in Rome, Italy for five months last spring, I was totally inspired by Italian style and the Italian concept of sprezzatura – the art of looking good without trying.
Jean Cocteau, a French writer, designer and artist, said that, “Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” I couldn’t agree more. I like to keep my style simple, but also let it speak volumes about who I am and who I want to be – bold and unconventional. My go-to ensemble is a leather jacket, a loose white tee, black skinny jeans and black booties or my super worn-out black Converse. I look to designers like Tom Ford and Saint Laurent for style inspiration. Recently, I’ve been adding some pops of color into my closet, but I’m obsessed with monochromatic looks. (My friends often stop me from buying black pieces when we’re shopping because it seems to be the only color I own!)
This semester, I’ll capture the trends and unique looks that I spot around the Loyola University Maryland campus. On a walk through the Quad at Loyola, you’ll see students with eye-catching outfits, bold accessories and impeccable style. I can’t wait to report my findings back to you and to engage with the CollegeFashionista community!
