One of our favorite things about CollegeFashionista is how it brings together Style Gurus from around the country who would have otherwise never met. They form true friendships, unique bonds and connect on a level that can only be described as inspiring.
In this installment of Style Gurus Chat we have two super #RAD Style Gurus—Alexa Mendoza from Cerritos College and Gabi Concepcion from Eastern Florida State College. Once upon a time, meeting someone on the internet meant you were probably being cat-fished, and naturally you protected your identity with your life. Now in some ways we are our online identities, and this is how most people connect with others who might have similar interests. Much like many of you, after meeting on Tumblr Gabi and Alexa are now best friends. In this conversation they recall meeting for the first time, and most importantly, discuss their love for fashion and One Direction.
Alexa Mendoza: GABI. What are you up to?!
Gabi Concepcion: ALEXA HI. I’m trying to navigate this new iMessage and it’s not going well. I keep accidentally sending those kiss drawings to everyone, it’s the worst!
AM: There’s a new iMessage?! I had no clue. Hey I was just talking to my aunt about you! She asked if I still talked to you and I said, “Only every day lol.”
GC: YES! I miss her! My dad does that all the time. He’s like, “Tell Alexa and her father I say ‘hello!’”
AM: Aw hi Gabi’s dad! I miss everyone! Remember when you came to LA, AKA the first time we actually met in person?
GC: That was honestly one of the best trips ever. I remember my mom making Kali take me to your house to meet you because having internet friends was such a new thing back then. When was that, like 2013?
AM: Yeah girl almost four years already!
GC: That’s so crazy! I feel like now especially the idea of internet friends isn’t so “out there” as it was back then, you know what I mean? There was still that stigma of like RED ALERT NOBODY IS REAL DO NOT TRUST ANYONE, but Tumblr became like our own little community of people who were into fashion and One Direction. Somehow those two went together perfectly.
AM: Yeah we all became like a little family! Girl I miss it, those were good times.
GC: Right?! It was one of the highlights of my high school years because I found people who were into fashion and 1D as much as I was. Like when we all had that meet-up at The Grove in LA, it was amazing to finally meet everyone we had been talking to for forever but never got to truly meet; it’s one of my favorite memories.
AM: OH MAN YES that was so exciting! Honestly if I could thank the person who created Tumblr I would. I would probably also buy them a ton of food to show how grateful I am for that website haha, I made so many great friends because of it. Especially you! Bit of a sentimental moment here lol.
GC: NO FOR REAL! It’s so funny how we were mainly there for One Direction and then it really started when I first messaged you about your outfit. That led to texting about shoes, trends, the latest Harry Styles pictures and whatnot. I still have the Polyvore sets from the Disneyland trip and the concerts we went to!
AM: Can I just say I’m also so thankful that you messaged me; look where we are now! Couldn’t live without you girl. And Disneyland! It’s funny how every time there was a possibility of us meeting up, we would always end up there.
GC: Disneyland is the place to be!
AM: True! We definitely have to meet up again, it’s been way too long! Enough texting, it’s time for some shopping and Disney trips together!
GC: Definitely, once tickets are cheap I will make my way over ASAP. For now we continue our internet friendship on here, I promise to read all of your articles!
AM: WOOHOO you know i’ll always read yours! I’ll be waiting for you friend. Love you!
GC: Love you too, talk to you soon!
