EXPENSIVE TASTE

Dresses over jeans, patterns-on-patterns, tights under shorts— my 2007 pairings would have stunned Tim Gunn. But when you’re young you don’t think twice, because instinct is all you know. That innate inclination is what made my outfits so distinctive— and it still does. Writing, designing, and illustrating are all creative outlets of mine, but the way that I express myself on a day-to-day basis is through fashion.

When I was little, there would always be a mess of clothes in my wake. Discarded garments littered the floor almost every morning as I tried to make my stylings just right. Each empty hanger marked how late I was for school, to the point where my outfit-planning- perfectionism was reserved to the night before. 

I pull my inspiration from images in magazines and from influencers who track the latest trends, but sometimes engineering my own looks is what turns the most heads. Combining non-traditional articles of clothing is a movement that I’ve noticed invites the most intrigue. I’ve paired combat boots with babydoll dresses and layered turtlenecks under tulle tops; the contrast is key. Soft silhouettes with harsh accents or simple designs with bright colors— that’s what’s captivating, and I’ve gained interest from my unexpected outfits.

Senior year of high school, I was asked to be in a shoot for my school’s media production because of my style. Being noticed for something so personally specific was especially gratifying. I’ve connected with countless people who have complimented my outfits, bonding with them over matching boots or sharing the sources of my favorite pieces. Social media has not only been a source of inspiration but an outlet for me to share my own looks. I’ve accumulated hundreds of thousands of monthly viewers who appreciate my frequent postings of my ideas and influences. The recognition I’ve gotten for my taste has helped me realize that the fashion industry offers me so many opportunities, among them, fashion journalism; a combination of two of my favorite forms of expression.