Hey y’all! Welcome to my adventure with CollegeFashionista! My name is Mary Kate Donahue, and I am a sophomore at the University of Georgia, where I am studying fashion merchandising and pursuing an Entrepreneurship Certificate. Originally, I am from the Washington, DC area, as I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and attended high school in Georgetown. Having made the move from mid-Atlantic to the south for college, I have the opportunity to experience fashion among people with varying demographics, cultures, backgrounds and lifestyles.
Friday nights have always been my favorite. At the age of 19 on a college campus, you might imagine why I love Friday nights, but I also enjoyed them during my childhood. As the youngest of four girls, I especially looked forward to Friday nights because my mom allowed me to stay up past my bedtime in order to watch my favorite show—What Not to Wear. Even at the age of six, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Stacy London and Clinton Kelly help women ditch their tired wardrobes for clothes that empower them to feel more confident and highlight their unique and individual attributes.
Now at age 19, I refuse to settle for simply watching the experts inspire women; I have the urge to influence others myself. I believe a woman can look beautiful in any silhouette, color, size or brand she prefers, as long as she lets her own personal style shine. During my time with CollegeFashionista, I hope to both showcase the women’s personal style in Athens and empower her to be herself in her garments.
As for my personal style, it can be difficult to fully describe. Per my familial upbringing and the culture of Washington, DC, I will always have a more traditional, preppy side. Since honing my interest in fashion and moving to Athens, I have begun to follow unique trends and take more risks with my clothing. Therefore, my personal style is undoubtedly chic and trendy, with a twist of classic from time-to-time. While I adore the traditional silhouettes and classic staple pieces, I often find myself following trends and relinquishing myself into the world of ever-changing, bold styles. I am a self-proclaimed Maxxinista, but also frequent department stores like Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale’s, as well as local Athens boutiques.
I am thrilled for the incredible opportunity to further explore personal style in Athens, GA and discuss it with fellow Fashionistas! Please follow my journey here at CollegeFashionista.
As John Galliano once said, “The joy of dressing is an art.” Here’s to the art that graces the streets of downtown Athens and the classrooms of UGA’s campus. Stay stylish, my darlings!
