Free People taste on a Goodwill budget: that pretty much sums up my style. I’m a sucker for anything vintage, but I also love venturing out in new styles. You can almost always find me spending hours rummaging through racks and racks of clothes at a local thrift shop. I’d like to say that I’ve become an expert at finding the treasures amongst the trash. And if I’m ever at an actual clothing store, I go straight to the clearance section in the back; I almost never buy anything at full price. Why? Because like most other college students, I am (barely) swimming in student loans and debts that require me to give up most luxuries, like that new iPhone, or those coveted Jeffrey Campbell booties or food. Just kidding about the food thing, but really, why does college have to cost so much? (Insert crying emoji here).
Speaking of college, I am entering my junior year studying Fashion Design at Kent State University. I’m originally from a small suburb outside of Chicago, but decided on going all the way to Ohio because Kent State is one of the best schools for fashion (and partly because it was pretty far from home). I’m not sure exactly what I want to do yet, but I know I want to advocate for sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. I can’t imagine myself sitting in a cubicle, contemplating about how miserable my life has become. I always knew I wanted to do something out of the box (pun intended). Something I could express myself with, make a living off of and most importantly, something I would love. Fashion happened to fit in to all those categories.
I have been sewing since I was 10, making my own clothes and jewelry since I was 16 and setting my own fashion trends since I came out of the womb. One of my favorite things to do is upcycling old clothes that I have laying around, or stuff I find from thrifting. I actually have an online store called Vintage & Wanderlust, where I sell handmade clothes and jewelry and some RAD thrifted finds. The kimono I have on used to be an old maxi skirt I found at the thrift store, and these high-waisted shorts used to be high-waisted pants. You could say I believe in the whole “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” saying.
When I’m not doing fashion things, I like to do music things. Discovering new bands, playing covers on my YouTube, writing songs. I’m a big music geek. I also have recently been practicing yoga, and it really has been helping with, well—life.
I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the CollegeFashionista team and to show off my style and Kent State’s!
