Hello friends and Fashionistas! I’m Bianca, a sophomore at UGA double majoring in art history and women’s studies with a double minor in fashion merchandising and anthropology. I have a lot of academic interests, and I’m never going to live the life of a well-slept, free-weekend-having undergrad, but being able to further my knowledge and opportunities about things I love makes the sacrifices worth it.
One of my biggest inspirations in fashion and art is Frida Kahlo. I love her vibrant, eccentric style and her pride in her culture’s traditional Mexican clothing. Frida made fashion a part of her identity and brazenly defied conventional beauty and behavior standards set for women. I also admire the aggressive honesty in Frida’s Surrealist-like art and that she was unafraid in openly confronting the pain in her life through painting. I’m not an artist myself, but I find it incredibly cathartic and empowering to express my creativity through what I wear. Lately I’ve been spending some time researching the globalization of clothing production, including the positive or negative effects manufacturers can have on laborers and the environment. I love fashion, but I want to be more socially conscious of my actions and defy the greed-driven mindset that values consumerism over the dignity and rights of human beings.
As for my personal style, my comfort zone lies in utilizing and combining elements from past decades, whereas I have more difficulty staying up to date with modern trends. At times my wardrobe reflects my inner goth queen, but I also have a strong natural inclination towards a whimsical romantic visual. My pastel polka-dot dress and pink coat here are an accurate reflection of that romantic feel! I wore a vintage black velvet pillbox hat with a netted veil and a simple black choker to subdue the delicacy of my outfit. Overall, I’m definitely a strong advocate for vintage clothing, not just for the aesthetic or good quality, but also because I would rather support the recycling component of buying vintage over the throwaway culture and poor quality of clothing inherent in fast fashion. Even though I gravitate more toward old-school style, I believe it is equally important to maintain an open-minded perspective and try other styles, as long as one’s authentic self is not abandoned in order to keep up with perpetually changing trends. It can definitely be difficult to live this principle prudently, especially when we let trends—an integral part of fashion—restrict us rather than simply inspire us. I do often spend time however, drawing inspiration from the eclectic blend of styles around campus. I can’t wait to share the creativity I’ll see at UGA for you guys!
