Hey Fashionistas/os! My name is Dana Cai, and I’m a sophomore studying Finance and Mathematics at Rutgers University.
I’m inspired by women leaders, from comedians like Mindy Kaling to politicians like Elizabeth Warren. Almost all of my favorite quotes are Nicki Minaj lyrics. My hobbies include taking BuzzFeed quizzes, showing people pictures of blobfish (my favorite animal), treating myself and acting as a personal stylist and makeup artist to my friends.
While I’ve always enjoyed shopping, my love for fashion really grew after watching Gossip Girl as a preteen. I was mesmerized by the New York City prep school look, and to this day, I still consider Blair Waldorf my fashion icon. Although now my Gossip Girl obsessed self has faded and my personal style has changed, I’m still very much that girl. I dream of brunch at the Plaza, afternoons in Bergdorf’s and stacks of Ladurée macarons. I know I’ve made it when I’m invited to the Met Gala and Valentino Garvavani has created a gown specifically for me.
I believe fashion is about evolution and experimentation, and my personal style greatly reflects that. I don’t have one distinct look. Some days I’ll channel my inner Blair Waldorf or Mindy Lahiri and pair a mini skirt with a ruffled blouse. Other days, I’ll dress more Alexander Wang, opting to wear all black, looser clothing. I love playing with patterns and textures. One of the best feelings is the sense of satisfaction I feel after successfully matching two conflicting prints. Although I change outfits frequently, you’ll always find me in black heeled ankle boots and gold accessories.
I’m so excited to have the opportunity to write for CollegeFashionista this fall. There’s an abundance of Fashionistas/os on campus, and I can’t wait to learn about their personal style and be exposed to new trends. College is a time of self discovery. I love that fashion is a direct expression of who you are. You aren’t who you were your freshmen year, and your freshmen year style may not be your senior year style. Through seeing other Fashionistas/os looks, I hope to inspire you to develop your personal brand, and I hope to encourage you to try new things both inside and outside of fashion.
