VCUArts Runways

Coming into VCUArts, I knew I had wanted to experience everything I could with the program. The first fashion show I went to was the VCUArts Fashion Design + Merchandising Fashion Show in 2019 with my mom at the Main Street Station in Richmond. I fell in love with the production and knew I wanted to be apart of something this magical. My freshmen year was in the midst of the pandemic, so it postponed many shows online with little participation necessary. However, I began my sophomore year with modeling for the VMFA Fine Arts and Flowers Show that showcased several unique pieces from senior designers within the fashion design program. That same year, I participated in VCU’s House of Havoc fashion show that showcased the work of over 30 designers and was held place at the Altria Theater. I wore a Victorian Era inspired wedding dress with several embellishments and jewels.

To close out my sophomore year, I walked in the VCUArts Fashion Design + Merchandising Spring 2022 fashion show held at the VMFA. This was the first production since COVID-19 and over 700+ people were in attendance. I wore two looks during the show, both from senior showcases.

Being in these productions has sparked my love for fashion shows, event planning, design, and modeling. Watching a show come together to showcase talent and skill is an unexplainable feeling. I look forward to finishing the last half of my college career with several more fashion shows and modeling events.

My mom and I at the 2019 VCUArts Fashion Show!

Moments of Style

Some people may go for a spa day or a weekend getaway, but for me, the best way to ground myself again is to dress up in my best outfit. Styling outfits has always been my favorite way to get back in touch with myself and help me to feel my best. I grew up begging to play dress up with tons of different costumes and accessories that made me feel like a “grown-up.” As I got older, I realized I also loved the way these costumes were designed and wanted to eventually make one myself. Almost every day you could find me sketching dress designs on napkins, construction paper, (sometimes even my bedroom wall), that symbolized something I wanted to create. My love for clothes really immersed from this idea that I could create something larger than art and utilize everyday.

As I got older, a different realization stemmed from my sketch creations. Although I loved imagining different pieces, I also adored being able to pick out my outfit for school every morning and showcasing my personal style. I would pick out my outfit for the end of the week before the beginning of the week had even started, which brought me the best joy and structure into my daily routine. Being a shy kid in school, I was never the first person to start a conversation or go up and make a friend easily. However, fashion ultimately helped me gain this confidence to talk about something I’m passionate about or bond with someone over a specific piece they’re wearing. It showed me how to have a passion and have courage talk about something I love, that others find fascinating too. Shopping and finding pieces that made me feel beautiful as a kid was exciting to me, and now I love doing that for others.

I would describe my style as “boho-chic.” This also ultimately sums up a description of my life. I love the outdoors, yoga, being spontaneous, and traveling, however I also pride myself on my classier taste and fancier outings. This can be portrayed through my style in different ways. I balance my looks with bright colors while also focusing on neutrals and accessorizing simple looks to make them my own.

In the future, I would hopefully love to be able to style others as a past time or open up my own styling page where people can receive inspiration or advice as to how to style for an event.

Second-Hand Beginnings

“Halston, Lagarfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, and what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it.”

-Stanley Tucci (Nigel) from The Devil Wears Prada

I always knew I had a passion for fashion from a very young age. I would watch my mom dress up each day for work and constantly admired the fact that we could use style and clothing to express individuality, personality, and creativity. Fashion felt like walking art and as I came into myself and my values, I realized I could there was more to dressing up in items from a mass market.

My mom!

Second-Hand Outfit

Almost everyday after high school, I would venture into Carytown, about 20 minutes from home, and deep dive into each of the consignment and thrift stores looking for my next item to wear to create an outfit around. Living in a city, Richmond ensured me many options and I fell in love with small second-hand businesses. It felt exciting, and as it became more of a regular occasion, I realized the good I was doing. My senior year of high school I took an AP Environmental Science class that shifted my focus on how impactful our actions are on the environment. I started doing my own personal research and became completely invested in finding ways I can reduce waste among my daily life. Having a strong interest in fashion, I also became extremely aware of the harmful lifestyle of fast fashion and the amount of clothing wasted each year. Sustainability quickly became one of my top priorities. What started off as a way to find unique and different pieces turned into a passion. Not only was I constantly seeking a way to express my style, but also focused my attention on making sure this style was sustainable and eco-friendly. 

It became one of my favorite activities, and I constantly encouraged friends and family to join me in these outings for new pieces, reiterating the importance of shopping second-hand. 

Studying fashion and sustainability further in my academic career has only strengthened these values and opened my eyes to different ways to ensure I help our environment, while also allowing me to express my identity. 

Social Media and Mental Health Resources

Social media is an incredibly large force in today’s society. Almost everyone uses it. Some could even say one is not up to date or “cool” if you do not use social media. Because of this, college students are one of the main groups of the population that utilize social media on a daily basis. It gives them access to all sorts of information and all sorts of outlets that permit different emotions and feelings. Due to this, mental health concerns among students are rapidly increasing. We get so wrapped up in the online world that they stray away from their personal life, leaving feelings of emptiness and loneliness. Which also leads to isolation. Which also leads to disconnectivity. Which will eventually lead to anxiety, depression, self-image concerns, and sometimes even a rise in suicide rates.

Think about the social media app, Instagram. College students are constantly chatting, direct messaging, and scrolling through thousands of posts a day. They are exposed to extensive comparison and filtered images that can fog what real life really is. They start to spend all of their time looking through people’s perfect posts and end up finding the negative in their own lives. Self image is completely detrimental because of this. We, as students, are just navigating life and Instagram puts a blurred line over the deception between reality and expectation. 

Honestly, I have always been aware of the harmful impacts of social media and the internet. Ever since I first downloaded a social media app, I could see that there was no beneficial purpose to it. It was honestly just a tool to compare and contrast other people my age. People are continuously using social media without wondering what the actual effects are. Social media is affecting us more than we know. It is raising mental health concerns across the globe and leading to some pretty deep conclusions, like suicide or depression. Social media is an incredibly powerful presence, and students are the main group of people who are exposed to it and the main group who are affected in a negative way.

This is a topic I am heavily passionate about, and being a student I want to ensure myself and my peers feel supported and have the resources needed for help. Below I’ve included several infographcis to find different ways for help in college.