Hello to all you other fashion lovers! My name is Isabelle Costandi, and I am about to enter my senior year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. I am majoring in Advertising and Marketing Communications with a minor in French. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, but I have been in New York for the past three years and hope to stay here after I graduate next spring.
From the moment I was old enough to dress myself to the first Audrey Hepburn film I saw, my whole life can be defined by the clothing I have worn or admired. In the simplest terms my style can be described as feminine, but I have come to realize that style is very personal and can be influenced by so many different conditions.
The first style icon that stands out in my mind is definitely Audrey Hepburn, no matter how cliché that may seem. I can vividly remember the first film I saw starring her, and funnily enough it was a complete accident that I saw it at all. This was back when renting movies from Blockbuster was still a thing, and I rented what I thought was Sabrina the Teenage Witch. As fate would have it, the disc had been swapped and instead I ended up putting in Sabrina. The minute she stepped out in the Givenchy embroidered organza evening gown, I was hooked.
That film, as well as Disney princesses and hours playing dress up, have had a heavy influence on my personal style. Hardly wearing pants, I would much rather wear dresses and skirts. I prefer winter for the boots, tights and fantastic coats. I love a clean tartan print and a classic trench, and most of my jewelry has been passed down from family members (at least the pieces I wear the most). I also think fashion should be fun and personal. I don’t know what I would do if I could not use fashion to express myself!
Currently I am finding the weather almost unbearable. The mornings are cold enough that I still need a jacket and a pair of tights, but the minute noon rolls around I am close to suffering a heat stroke. I am thanking the gods for layers! But days like this are getting few and far between as we enter the summer months.
I will be spending my last summer at home in Cincinnati, and I look forward to seeing what Ohio has to offer. Seeing as I am more of a winter person, I can’t wait to find summer inspiration for myself, but above all, for you!
