Hello! My name is Gloria Cook. I am a passionate Fashion Merchandising student at Stevenson University where I’m running for treasurer of the Fashion Apparel & Design Club. My zeal for style began early with dressing my Bratz dolls and making friendship bracelets as a child. In middle school, I was known for my outlandish outfits and bright colored shoes. I then began skateboarding and snowboarding which expanded my style to unique and influential pieces that the average female teenager would not wear.
Before I had advance knowledge about fashion, I was interested in consumer habits, sales and apparel marketing. My fashion awakening began when I discovered the world of kate spade new york. Their fun-loving window displays and peculiarly shaped leather goods like coconuts, toucans and popsicles convey a witty charm. The brand takes monotonous images of life and transforms them into meaningful art. They have the power to transform a simple image in food courts like a chinese carryout box to a facet of life by making one into a handbag. This idea was further exemplified by my favorite high-end designer, Jeremy Scott. In his fall 2014 Moschino collection he remade the most iconic symbol of McDonald’s into high fashion. By discovering blogs such as Cupcakes & Cashmere and Man Repeller and runway shows such as Miu Miu and Kenzo, I have learned to speak and dress the fashion language. My style icon is Leandra Medine of Man Repeller. Her blog has taught the inner skater-girl in me how to dress chic in a comfortable manner.
Last summer I was fortunate enough to complete an internship at celebrity stylist Niki Schwan’s fashion gallery, which gave me an inside perspective of how the fashion industry is conducted. With that knowledge I have molded my dream career of being a buyer. I love to discover new brands and trends which have led to a heavy amount of vintage and window shopping. I also enjoy fashion documentaries such as, Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer, Unzipped and Advanced Style. You never know where you will get your next outfit idea! Next time you want to buy something extraordinary consider a kate spade cross-body, a pair of Perverse sunglasses or colorful sandals.
