My dream of being a famous entertainment/fashion journalist started when I was just 13 years old— after, of course, realizing it was too late for me to start a child acting career. I took TV Productions in high school, did my best to fit into the crowd and went through each day with a smile waiting to get out of my small town and pursue my dream.
I found CollegeFashionista in the summer of 2011 when a neighbor who went to JMU asked if she could take a photo of me for the site. This was when CollegeFashionista was Amy’s baby—before all of the categories and collabs you see today. This was straight up college fashion, written by students who wanted a little extra than their day-to-day homework assignments. I went on to decide to apply to George Washington University, a very politically-driven school with a stellar journalism program. I decided I would deal with the politics and make my own fun by interning for fashion companies. CollegeFashionista became my outlet. I would write weekly for the site, sometimes doing exclusive features, beginning my freshman year.
Each semester my writing improved and the site grew. I watched CollegeFashionista take off, doing collaborations with Juicy Couture and American Eagle, to Teen Vogue and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Amy’s baby became a hit fashion site that was a source of trendsetting for college students around the country. It also was my way of including fashion into my education.
Now, four years later, I am in my final run with CollegeFashionista. As I look back on my first post, from August 29, 2012, I reflect on who I was back then and who I am today. Today, I don’t want to be a well-known, famous journalist. I want to be happy. I want to be good at what I do, whatever that may be (Ok, I am a senior and should be freaking out about this). I’m proud to say I still have the outfit I’m wearing in the photo and I still have an ever-evolving style. What is different, however, is that I’ve grown as a writer, editor and person, much due to the wisdom and help of Amy and Melissa Levin. I am ready to go on to wherever I may be headed, in style with all I have learned from my time with CollegeFashionista.
Thank you to everyone who has ever allowed me to awkwardly stop them on the street for a photo, for giving me so much inspiration and light. Thank you for Amy and Melissa for bringing me on semester after semester and giving me this incredible outlet. And thank you to the fashion industry; the passion and creativity that is constantly ebbing and flowing out of New York, L.A., Paris and Milan makes it possible for me to do what I do.
Let’s make this semester the best one yet!
