Hi there, fellow Fashionistas! I’m Stephanie Sapienza and I am currently a sophomore in the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. Born and raised in New York, Fordham seemed like the perfect fit. Ever since I was little, I viewed being in the city as an escape. Not to go all cliche on you, but to me, the city was literally a concrete jungle (where dreams are made). I found everything from the skyscrapers to the shiny display windows appealing. Carrie Bradshaw, one of the original Style Gurus of our society once said, “Women come to New York for the two L’s: labels and love.” And boy was she right! My love for fashion started at a young age when I preferred to go shopping at Bloomingdale’s or Lord and Taylor with my grandmother instead of trying out a sport. My grandmother taught me any retail purchase could be easily justified when questioned and should ALWAYS be rewarded with a nice cup of frozen yogurt at Forty Carrots.
As I got older, I became more interested in fashion and the frozen yogurt was no longer an incentive but a mere tradition. Sure, my taste as a young adolescent was questionable; as comfortable as they were, I don’t think any 10-year-old could have made gaucho pants work. Like any normal human being who often make mistakes I’m sure my outfit choices would have me indicted by the Fashion Police many times. Before I got to the age where I was given complete control over my outfits, my mom made sure I was accessorized even if we were only going grocery shopping. She insisted that I wear a clip-on flower, if not a bow, in my hair everyday. I cringed whenever a teacher exclaimed, “Oh look, a plant is growing out of your head!” Every. Day.
Throughout the years, I have dabbled in different styles. My aesthetic is centered on simple outfits that can easily be dressed up. A basic T-shirt and pair of jeans can be transformed with the right accessories. A statement necklace or a bold pair of shoes would do the trick. Although I normally lean toward wearing more neutral tones, I’m all for a pop of color.
Still to this day, fashion is my release and prominent form of expression. Of course, now any failure or heartbreak could be easily cured with retail therapy and the reasoning “I’m building my wardrobe.” Some may say that is the sign of a shopaholic, but I prefer the term fashion enthusiast. I am eager to share the outfits that catch my eye, as well as discover new trends from other Fashionistas. Whether it’s on campus or online, I plan on continuing to explore what fashion has to offer. So, fellow Fashionistas, I ask of you to come on this project with me so you too can build your wardrobe one high heel at a time.
