Hey Fashionista/os! My name is Kili Bell and I am beyond excited to tear up the summer one step–of the high-top Converse—at a time. I am currently an incoming junior at Ithaca College as a Journalism major with a minor in dance. This is my second semester as a Style Guru and I can’t wait to continue my journey with the inspiring people here at CollegeFashionista.
I was born into a bubble of creativity. My mom is an actress, my aunt is an artist, my grandma is a seamstress, there are two other musicians in the family and I dance. Between having a grandma who sewed and essentially a one family Broadway show, almost my entire life was a DIY project. We could always do it better ourselves and fashion was no exception. In kindergarten it was hair clips, second grade we attached lace trim to the end of my bell bottoms, middle school I was queen of the patch work and high school was T-shirt cutting. There was always something to be created and I was always encouraged to do so.
That same something is what kept me, as I like to say, with one foot outside of the box. Something attaching me to what society completely accepted or “the norm.” Though on the other hand, one half still did what my creative mind wanted to do.
I would describe my style as classically-edgy. Which yes, may seem like quite the oxymoron, although somehow it still manages to describe me. I like denim, leather, sneakers and boots. It’s something I like to consider as an eternal street style, however I like to mix those pieces with crisp accessories, lacy material and tailored jackets. Like here I am wearing a a jean jacket, lace halter, a playful cross-body and Converse.
I know how cliché this is going to sound but my main inspirations are people. I’ve looked at fashion magazines since I was a little girl and although I and dreamed and drooled over the amazing garments featured in them, it’s the people in my reality that truly inspire me the most. It’s one of those things where if you see it, you can do it. When I see real, everyday people walking down the street as if they actually bought an off white, Virgil Abloh jacket and Fausto Puglisi boots I’m in awe. I want to be like them, they are my real life Kate Young, they are the people that help style me.
In the future I hope to live in a city atmosphere, where I’m able so see so many people take risks, dare to be different, be themselves and freaking KILL IT. Ultimately I hope to work for a magazine where I can help style the next inspiration, and it’s this internship that I believe can help put my one foot outside of the box, through that first door.
