How’s it hanging Fashionistas and Fashionistos? My name is Rachel Secunda and I’m a sophomore at The Florida State University. This is my first semester as a Style Guru and I am super stoked to share my love of all things fashion with you. A little bit about myself—I have no idea what I’m doing with my life, or the direction I’m headed but I’m in the process of figuring it out. I have recently declared as a retail merchandising and product development major after a friend and fellow Style Guru dragged me to one of her Merchandising Club meetings. Instantly I had major heart eyes for the people and the subject matter that the club encompassed which has resulted into where I am today. Some people would describe me as crazy, a self-entitled goofball or even a direct descendant of the Energizer Bunny after a few Red Bulls. I however like to refer to myself as colorful, and always aspire to mold my personal style to reflect that.
I grew up in a quiet beach town in Northeast Florida where the lifestyle was definitely casually laid back, and the styles of the people who lived there equally reflected that. Throughout high school and my freshman year of college I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Europe and parts of Central America on several different occasions. It was during these times where I was exposed to a variety of cultures and the styles that were influenced by them. I quickly learned that personal style doesn’t have to fit into one “aesthetic” or blending into the place you’re in. I also realized that bending the rules to create an outfit from a mixture of styles and influences was okay, and something that inspired me greatly. I soon there after graduated from plain T-shirts and denim shorts which fit the aesthetic of my town, to brightly patterned pants, bold lipsticks and anything else that didn’t necessarily fit a certain look, but I felt like I could rock and would make me feel confident while doing so. I love incorporating new trends into my wardrobe in unique and different ways all the while trying to maintain the comfortability and functionality I need to endure sitting through lectures, walking to class, spicing up an outfit from math class drab to girls night out fab and even embracing the ever changing weather that is in Tallahassee. Whether it’s a thrifted grungy-inspired look or head to toe all nude colored everything and a banging pair of shoes, follow me on the adventure that is just me trying to figure life out, and looking all the more fashionable while doing so.
