Hello all you Fashionistas/os! My name is Emily Vasquez and this is my first semester writing for CollegeFashionista. I’m super excited to share with readers my unique perspective of fashion on campus! I am currently a freshman at the University of South Florida where I am majoring in Mass Communications.
To tell you more about myself my two favorite quotes about fashion are as follows:
“When you get dressed in the morning you are a blank canvas: express yourself through line, silhouette, color and texture. Fashion is magnificent. It is the biggest gateway of self-expression.”
“Fashion… it’s the armor to survive the reality of everyday life”
Both of these quotes were said by the American photographer Bill Cunningham, who I admire greatly. I have always been interested in fashion. I remember as a child always wanting to modify my clothing. My mother would roll her eyes knowing I was up to something whenever I asked where the scissors were. A trip to the mall always meant ignoring the judgmental stares of other customers as I would try on obnoxiously high heels at department stores meant for women twice my age. My mother and I would stay up until the a.m watching all of the fashion shows on TLC (even on school nights). I couldn’t wait to be old enough to immerse myself in the shimmer eyeshadow, the high heeled shoes and whatever exotic prints I could get my hands on.
The one thing that draws me to fashion is that it is universal. I have not observed one culture, since my inhabiting this earth that doesn’t have a unique sense of self-presentation. To me that is what self presentation is—unique. It is your chance to express your mood, personality or even ideas in a direct, right here, right now sort of way. It’s a way to show people who you are without even speaking to them. The constant change of fashion also excites me. Trends are always coming and going. It’s interesting to see what the next big trend will be and what people will do with it.
I believe my own personal style leans more towards street-chic. I love everyday looks that you can be super comfortable in, as well. I love taking trends and interpreting them into different looks. I believe fashion is all about individuality. Although trends are shared across the fashion world, the way each person makes them work in their own way is truly inspiring to me. This is the reason why the street photographer, Bill Cunningham, inspires me. He has a unique perspective that fashion on the street is more interesting than fashion on the runway because it is made raw and exposed by its surroundings. I want to share this perspective with all of you Fashionistas/os this spring semester at USF. I hope you all enjoy reading my posts and cheers to a new year of fashion!
