Ashley

Name: Ashley L.

Year: Sophomore

Major: Art

Minor: Gender Studies

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Ashley combines modern and vintage styles with retro pants and a t-shirt from Urban Outfitters. 

How did you develop your interest in art? I’ve always kind of had it, and I never really realized that I could turn that into a career. I’m really interested in combining art with media studies and women and gender studies to help shape societal expectations and norms through the media with art and inclusivity.

What are some of the projects you’re working on? I run my own t-shirt business. So it’s a little outside of school project. I do line drawings and illustrations, and people can message me on Instagram if they see one that they like or they have an idea in mind. For 30 bucks, I make a shirt for them.

She sports the popular Stan Smith Adidas. 

What are some of your favorite designs that you’ve done? It’s relatively new, but I do a lot of abstract women’s bodies, and I do a lot of faces. That’s all looping into my interest of wanting to help reshape norms and standards through wearable art.

What do you like about doing it through t-shirts in particular? I like that you can just throw it on. At least for me, I have a t-shirt that I made for myself, and I can just throw it on and think, “I made this. This was my idea.” It’s cool to see people walking around wearing my stuff. I think, “I made that.”

Fjallraven Kankens are the perfect back to school bag.

How do your studies influence your art? I feel for me at least, it’s sort of reclaiming my own body because I feel the media and everything else is so quick to sexualize the female form. But I think as a women identified person, you can look at yourself and learn to love yourself, whether it’s displaying it on a t-shirt or art or talking about it. I think that’s super powerful.

What do you like about using social media as an artist? I think it’s a super helpful tool because if you can regularly display your stuff, your creations and everything, your following grows and you can see that. I’ve been really fortunate because a lot of my friends are people who follow me on Instagram and are super supportive. So it kind of serves as a motivation and also free advertising,which is really nice.

How do you want your art to grow? I’d love to have a small business with it or work for some publication and use the artistic tools that I’m gaining here and combine that with social justice and reshaping of society. So working at a very inclusive, equitable, awesome, forward-thinking magazine would be super cool. And then having my own business on the side would be great.

What are your inspirations? Well I love Rookie Mag. And I guess I’m really more inspired by the people around me and things in everyday life. I draw a lot of inspiration from that in daily life.

How would you describe your personal style? I like to be comfy. I like modern styles and the lines that go with that. I would say a little bit of vintage and modern.

Who are some of your style inspirations? Honestly the people around me. I don’t think I have one particular person, like a celebrity or someone. I think just the people around me. I draw a lot of inspiration from them.

Do you wear your relatives’ clothes a lot? Yeah I do. I have a big chunky sweater that was my mom’s when she was my age. I incorporate lots of new and old pieces together to kind of make whatever I’m wearing.

Words and photos by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Alyssa

Name: Alyssa B.

Year: Junior

Major: Advertising and Public Relations

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

What inspired your outfits? Lately, I’ve been really into mustard yellow and been eyeing these pants for a long time. I love florals and patterns. I decided to wear the floral top because normally people don’t wear patterns together, but I felt like the shoes tied it all together.

What is your everyday style? I think about this a lot because I really like fashion. I can’t say that I can choose one style because some days, I wake up and I want to be boho-chic and some days, I want to wear a vintage t-shirt and jeans and dress grungy. I don’t like to define my style by one certain genre or category of fashion. It changes day by day. Some days, I want to be girly, and some days, I want to wear all black.

Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against what you think others want you to wear? I struggle with that a lot because there are some things I want to wear that people are uncomfortable with, because they might think my shorts are too short or my shirts are too cropped, but I realized I have to wear what I feel comfortable in and not let my personal style be determined by the public. I believe what I wear enhances my overall image and personal style. I think my fashion makes me feel strong and self-expressive.

Do you think you fit in with the Pacific Northwest style? Yes and no, but definitely since I’ve come here, my style has conformed. I wear Birkenstocks, and my style is definitely more “effortlessly cool” now. I’m more laid-back and not as “hottie tottie,” whereas, in L.A. I wanted to dress up to a certain extent every day.

How do you think fashion has affected your life? I think it has hugely affected my life because when I was 8 years old, I would obsess over fashion magazines. I try to take it seriously because I am constantly trying to find new ways to change my style. I search fashion blogs and try to find the most current colors or trends. I think it has taken over my life in a positive way. I love fashion.

What do you want to do when you’re older in terms of a job or career? I am not sure because I feel like I have a couple different options. Ever since I was young, I wanted to work for a fashion magazine, whether it was as a stylist or editor. I also love writing, so I think that would be the perfect career for me. I could also see myself starting my own business with a boutique or clothing store.

What draws you to fashion? Why is it so important to you? The elegance of it. When I was younger, I would idolize people who had it all together in terms of their outfits and how they presented themselves. I think clothes are a key factor to self-confidence. Fashion is a form of art to me.

Why did you start making your own clothing? It was a spur of a moment thing. I realized other people would probably want the shirts I was making, and the money aspect played a key role too. The shirts I make are a cheaper version of LF’s shirts, which are in popular demand amongst college students. They are also fun to make; it’s not like a job to me. It’s actually relaxing.

How do you sell them? I sell them on Poshmark and Mercari, which are apps made to sell clothing items. Similar to Buffalo Exchange, some things are new and some things are old. I also sell them to my friends.

How many have I sold? I have sold 19, and the sales just keep coming in, which is really exciting.

Why this design? Although this design is not a completely original idea, I have added my own touch to it. The reason I started making these is because I love vintage tees. They are not only practical, but they are also effortless. I think that is what my style is moving towards, and I think that everyone can attain this effortlessly cool look through my t-shirts. I also wanted to make a t-shirt that was more affordable than the original ones, something that was more accessible and something that was more handpicked and crafted towards certain peoples’ interests and likes.

How would you describe the style? As far as the style goes, I’ve been really into thrifting lately and finding hidden gems. So, when I look for shirts every week at various thrift stores, I keep in mind what I would like and what some of my friends and idols would like as well. The best part about adding this lacing detail is that it takes an ordinary shirt and adds a bold touch to it. It doesn’t really have any limits to where you can wear it. I find myself wearing it while lounging around in the house, going out with friends to a party and even just going to class. It is very versatile, and it’s comfortable. That’s a main component to me. It is one of those shirts that you can throw on for any occasion, and it will lie perfectly on you. A part of me feels special wearing it too because I know that it was handmade and made with love and care.

What have you learned about fashion through making clothes? I have learned that fashion is very limitless; it allows you to do the strangest things to clothing items. It also is this beautiful thing through which you can create and just test new things and see if you like them. With every piece I make, it’s hard for me to sell them because I put so much time and investment in them that usually I want to keep them. But of course, I have a mini business where I have to sell them.

What do you want to make in the future? I’ve been coming up with new designs and testing new things, but for now, I think I want to stick to different vintage t-shirt designs. Although I’ve been really into distressing vintage Levi 501’s. so I might try and do something new and fun to jeans and shorts to add another layer to my little business.

Words and photos by Alie Williams

Chi Chi

Name: Chi Chi N.

Year: Graduate Student

Program: Couples and Family Therapy through the College of Education

Hometown: Oak Hill, West Virginia

Chi Chi rocks a yellow dress from Marshalls. Her headscarf was made from fabric a friend brought in Liberia. She also made a scarf and pants out of it.

 

Did you grow up in West Virginia? Yes I grew up in West Virginia, but I am half Nigerian. So I’ve had a lot of influence from my dad, and he actually lives in New York. So I spent summers up there.

How was it growing up there and dressing more expressively? It was interesting. When I was in high school, I was probably the only one that was dressing as expressively as I do. When I got to college and people were coming from all over, then it was still like, “You’re wearing that?” But then people didn’t assume I was from West Virginia. They said, “Oh you must be from D.C. or something.” No. I’m from West Virginia. It was interesting. People always think you’re doing something out of the box. I’m like, “No. People all over the world are doing this.”

Her ring, which can be flipped to show two different stones, was a gift from her mother. The bracelet was from a Middle Eastern shop in Seattle. 

Have you seen a difference in how people dress on the East and West Coast? There is a little bit more of “I don’t really care what I have on. I’m just going to wear it and be cool.” On the East Coast, there is a little bit more intention about dressing. When I first came here, I thought, “Oh I don’t really need to prepare anything to be cute because everything here is super relaxed.”

How did you become interested in therapy? I think it was just my desire to help out the family. I really want to do work with the African American community, and that’s really what has driven me to pursue therapy and become a therapist.

Do you think you have a personality that works well for therapy? For some reason, I tend to click well with people. They tend to want to be my friend, like “Oh you seem cool and laid back.” I kind of view myself as that kind of person, so I think that works well for me. It’s just having a very chill stance and vibe. Some people feel I’m approachable, but not all.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to do research and then use the research to inform my therapy.

How has your style changed over time? I think I’ve become a little bit more conservative since I joined a master’s program just because I feel I should cover up, but on nice days, I let that go and wear whatever I want to wear.

Her shiny blue clogs are from Gabriel Brothers, a store in West Virginia.

How would you describe your personal style? I kind of draw inspiration from going in the moment. I can plan an outfit the day before, but I like to wake up in the morning and think about what pops out at me or what shoes I want to wear and base my outfit off of that.

What was your inspiration for today? I had to do some homework this morning. So then I thought, “It’s sunny outside. I want to wear yellow.” But I also really wanted to wear these new shoes that I got and my school colors back at home are blue and yellow. I thought, “Perfect. I’m about to rep Mountaineers (West Virginia University) today.”

Who are some of your style inspirations? I’m half Nigerian, so I really get inspiration from African culture, my culture. It’s the reason I have on my headwrap today. And just African culture period. I get inspiration from that: What do I want to do today? Do I want to wear the big earrings or something wooden or a scarf?

Have you noticed the West African wax print fabrics becoming more popular? They have become a lot more popular just because Africa period is growing, and their style over there is growing, and that’s transferring over here. There is a lot of African fabric. A lot of African print being sewn into modern styles, what we call modern here.

How do you see yourself dressing in twenty years? I see myself being similar. I don’t see myself aging as in, “Oh I’m 40. Now I have to cover up.” No. I shaved the side of my head a couple of years ago and had  my hair on the top. My aunt who was 50, she was like, “I’m about to do it too.” She shaved hers, and we were rocking it together. I thought, “That’s going to be me when I get to that age.” When I get to that age, I’m still going to dress me. It’s not going to change.”

Are your family and the women in your life an inspiration? Oh yeah. Up to my grannie. My grannie is 87, and she has a room full of shoes. Even now, we’re like, “Grannie do you want to go out?” We’ll put her in the wheelchair, and we’re going to the shoe store to go shoe shopping with her. It just transfers down. All the women in my life are very eccentric.

What part of your personality comes through in your outfits? I don’t wear anything that I feel isn’t me. Matter of fact, my first name is Allie, and I don’t go by that because it doesn’t suit me. I go by my middle name, which is Chinyere. Chi Chi is short for that. I’m like, “Oh I have to dress for what feels me.” If I feel loud today, I’m going to go loud. If I feel African – well I feel African every day – but if I feel African, I’m going to put on a scarf.  I’m going to wear my earrings. I dress me, which is very eccentric, very unique. I like to think.

Her hair jewels are from a shop in Portland. She wanted to add some flair to her hair.

When did you make the name switch? I’ve always gone by Chi Chi because my dad wanted my first name to be Chinyere and not Allie, but my mom kind of got that. But I’ve always gone by Chi Chi. I’ve been wanting to switch to Chinyere lately, and then go short with Ray. But that’s hard because I’m in my 20s now.

How do you introduce a new name? It would be transition and location. So maybe when I move to do whatever I’m going to do, I may introduce myself as “Chi Chi” and for short, go “Ray” and see how that goes.

Are there any Nigerian celebrities who inspire you? I don’t think any Nigerian celebrities per say. I do love that Lupita Nyong’o is out there, but everyone knows her. I just enjoy the fact that she is a dark-skinned woman, and she is being very loud in her dressing and colors. I think sometimes that maybe when you’re darker or black, it’s assumed you shouldn’t do loud colors. No.

Words by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Photos by Elinor Manoogian-O’Dell, @ElinormODell

 

 

Devyn

4rName: Devyn H.

Year: Junior

Major: Advertising

Hometown: Salem, Oregon

Website: www.devynholbrook.com

Devyn sports a comfortable spring look with an Urban Outfitters t-shirt and pants from Madewell (similar here). 

Why did you decide to study advertising? Because I kind of messed around with art, and I did a lot of business in high school, so I feel it’s kind of the perfect mix.

How did you get into the art aspect of advertising? Well, I want to be a creative director, so I want to come up with the ideas for the advertisements – not necessarily actually create them or come up with the base concept – but be on the grander scale.

Does what you study relate to how you dress? I would say so. In the ad school, you kind of have to dress to impress a lot, and I feel if you’re a stylish person, people respect you a little bit more especially in design and creativity and stuff like that. What you put out there is what people take in.

How would you describe your personal style? I would say it is laid back, classic, chic.

Her Sabona bracelet was thrifted and supposedly helps with arthritis. 

How has your style changed over time? I feel like I was super sporty in high school. I played a lot of sports. Then come college, I got into a lot more music and art, so I fell into the more creative, weirder styles. So, now I’m in this weird half. I really like city looks plus that laid back look.

Who are some of your style inspirations? I love performance art. One thing I feel is that your style is kind of like performance art. I like to pick up on things that have a deeper meaning to them in the way I dress. So a lot of times, it describes how I’m feeling. I wear a lot of black, not to be depressed, but with the weather and stuff like that, I feel like that’s a super big inspiration. I love to look at websites and then from that, get a lot of inspiration. I’m really into Madewell right now and Anthropologie. I really like that one because it’s weirder, but you can kind of dress it up or down for classic, kind of alternative wear.

Is your style shifting with the warmer weather? Definitely. I’m going from a lot of leggings because I’m religiously into leggings during the winter time, strictly black or dark grey. I do that with a colorful top. Now, I’m into super flowy pants, and I’m really into flowy shorts too. Anything flowy and light and not constricting, I feel that’s the perfect summer look.

Devyn rocks simple, playful jewelry including a ring from Madewell (similar here) and a lucky clover necklace from Dogeared (similar here).

Do you think there has been a shift from tight clothes like skinny jeans and bodycon dresses to looser garments? Definitely. I’m way into it too, because I feel like it is one of those things that you don’t have to feel as uncomfortable in. A lot of different body styles can fit into them and look the same, so it’s a great outfit choice.

What music are you digging right now? I’ve been really into classic ’90s. It’s really weird, because I feel it’s not normal to like that. But I’ve been really into it. My Pandora is all classic ’90s or early 2000s, which is kind of strange. But, I feel the the way I dress and the clothes and everything is super inspired by it right now. So, I think I’m fully diving into it.

Are there any artists in particular? I love Sublime. They are my favorite right now, especially with the warm weather. I think that’s the perfect ’90s sound. I actually just bought tickets to blink-182 because they are coming to Portland, and I’m super stoked about it, because I’m super into them right now – just the classic, poppy, vibey bands.

Her earrings are from Madewell (similar here). 

Why do you think the ’90s are coming back, both in music and fashion? I feel the ’70s have also been really popular lately. I think it is such a difference from the tight clothes that have been so popular, like tight crop tops and tight pants and all the fitted things. I think it is coming out of that into looser, groovier kinds of styles.

How are you inspired by the ’90s? Definitely the jogger pants. I’m super into those right now, and I feel that is definitely ’90s. I’m really into overalls. I’m loving overalls and the baseball cap. I feel that is classic. Boyfriend jeans, those are really in. Just really plain and baggy. Like plain white shirts and plain black shirts, I wear those all the time. That is my thing right now, any just plain tee I love. I think it makes an outfit because you can dress it up or dress it down. I think that’s perfect.

Are there any trends you want to try? I want to get into the high heeled sandals, but it’s hard in college because it is one of those things if people see you in high heels, they think, “Oh that’s kind of strange.” Like the platform sandal,  it’s something you have to commit to, but I’m not sure if I can dive in yet.

Her minimalist sandals are from DSW. 

Do you think there is a stereotype of dressing casual on the West Coast? Oh definitely, but I feel there is definitely the classic Oregon girl who wears the leggings with her Nikes and a long sleeved shirt and a vest with a baseball hat or something like an Oregon cap. So, it is pretty laid back in that way. But in the ad school and in a couple of different departments, I think it really is dependent on what major you are in as to what you wear and things like that. Because definitely in the ad department, people dress New York style and really dress up.

Why do you think you stand out from that Pacific Northwest style? Probably because I don’t see myself here in the future. I feel like I’m always from Oregon, so whereas a lot of people want to go to Portland and stick with that style, I think that I have greater views beyond just Oregon. I love Oregon, but I want to go farther than that. I think my style shows a larger culture.

Words and photos by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Alandra

Name: Alandra M.

Year: Senior

Major: Fine Art

Hometown: San Diego, California

Website: www.alandramichelle.com

Alandra pairs an Urban Outfitters lace top with a PacSun denim jacket and jeans from Nordstrom for an edgy yet wearable look.

Do you have any style go-tos or favorite trends? I love jeans, pants and booties. I feel like I really only own booties. It’s kind of a problem. I mainly lean towards black and other neutrals, since that’s what I’m most comfortable in, and I feel bold, strong and like my truest self.

What is your artistic focus? I work primarily in photography, printmaking and drawing. A lot of my work is female- and fashion-based, which I would love to use as a way to integrate myself into the magazine industry.

 She accessorizes with bracelets from Sun Diego and Alex and Ani and rings from many different boutiques.

What do you hope to do within the industry? By working within the industry, I would like to advocate for what it truly means to be a woman and break the boundaries of the “ideal” pretty face and social stereotype.

Has your style changed since moving to Oregon and pursuing a career within an artistic field? I think it’s developed in a more sophisticated way because when I was younger, I didn’t really care, and since I used to be a dancer, I typically wore sweats. Once I came to college and started developing a better sense of who I was, I became more interested in putting myself together and representing myself in a new way. I know that people say “If you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside,” or “What you wear or what you look like is who you are,” and I don’t necessarily feel like that’s the only thing. Still, I do think that if it helps you carry through what you want or pursue what you want to pursue and if that’s your way to express yourself, then go for it.

Alandra steps her look up with chic black Nordstrom detailed booties.

As a soon-to-be-graduated senior, do you have any advice for current students trying to get more involved in groups and form connections within and beyond Eugene? I like to encourage people to get out of their comfort zone while still not straying from what they love. So, pursue what you love, find what you love and form connections. Get out of your box and try to talk to people that you wouldn’t normally talk to, specifically within your field. Reach out and collaborate with others because you never know what you can create together. I think that people who aren’t willing to collaborate are really setting themselves back, and I feel like within the photography field, or any creative field, getting to know other people – whether it’s over a cup of coffee or working together on a project – you will learn so much more about that field, about yourself, what you want and your interests, and you might even come away with a finalized project as well.

Any final advice or thoughts? Here’s the thing: If you feel the drive, and you feel like you’ve found something that you need, just push for it. I wasted a lot of time in college, especially in the beginning. I now realize that I wasn’t putting my passions first – I was putting my social life and the general college experience first, which is fine, but I feel like I could have gotten so much more done, and I could have gone so much further if I had really dedicated myself the way I have been these past two years.

Words and photos by Kendra Siebert, @kendraesiebert

 

Christiana and Maitreya

Names: Christiana S. and Maitreya B.

Year: Freshman

Majors: Christiana studies biology, and Maitreya studies advertising.

Hometowns: Christiana is from Dana Point, California, and Maitreya is from Portland, Oregon.

Christiana (left) wears a shirt from Forever 21 and jeans from Rag & Bone. Maitreya wears white pants and holds her black bomber jacket, both from Forever 21. Her shirt is from Urban outfitters. 

How do you two know each other? 

Christiana: We live on the same floor.

Maitreya: We are like two doors down.

How would each of you describe your personal style?

Christiana: I definitely like fall clothes better. I live, breath and will probably die in jeans. Everything about jeans, I absolutely love. It’s rarely ever that anyone will find me out of the house not in a pair of jeans.

Maitreya: I’m really into simple colors right now, like beiges and all that stuff. I feel like the more basic, like just a few tones, is better. I just like black and white, and that’s usually what I find myself in.

How did both of you choose your majors?

Christiana: I actually volunteer right now at a transition middle school for kids who are kind of behind or don’t really fit into the normal school mode, and that really just helped me decide: okay I love these students. I love teaching them. I love pouring into them. So, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I’ve always had a knack for science. So, I’m thinking marine bio. So right now I’m going to school for bio to become a high school science teacher.

Maitreya: I came here thinking I was going to do the FSH program (Family and Human Services), and then I took a super general journalism course, and I fell in love with it. I talked to some people and figured out what I could do with a journalism major, and I don’t think I’m going to change. I’m in love with it.

Maitreya’s dad, who runs a jewelry business, made her rings. Christiana’s belt is from Urban Outfitters. 

What’s a dream job for you? 

Maitreya: Working for something like Adidas on the traveling side. I really want to travel. I want to be able to do something with Adidas and fashion within advertising and being able to work at their hubs in London and all that stuff.

Who are both of your style inspirations?

Christiana: Does Pinterest count? I feel I spend way too much time there for so many different things. I like Pinterest because I don’t read magazines. I don’t feel we are in the generation of magazines anymore. It’s nice. It’s all mobile, so I can just sit there when I’m bored and I’m waiting for class to start and need to do something. I just find myself on there. Sometimes I will find it open on my computer and my phone at the same time. So, I have a problem.

What are your favorite pins? 

Christiana: My favorite ones are the ones for homes. Before teaching, I wanted to do interior design, so a lot of home stuff. I also like the tattoos. I don’t have any. I want one. I’m on the fence still about the whole idea of it being permanently on my body. It kind of wigs me out, but I love the way that they look, and there are so many that I think are so pretty. 

Maitreya’s unique key ring is from Nationale in Portland. 

What is your dream tattoo?

Christiana: Well, there are a few that I’ve thought about getting. There is one that is on my arm, and there is one that I thought about maybe putting on my back or side. I love floral tattoos. I think they are really really pretty. They are very feminine in a cool way.

Who are your style inspirations Maitreya? I look on websites and blogs and stuff. I always like to keep up with sneakers and just that kind of stuff. I look on High Snobiety a lot. I love jackets. That’s like my thing right now: nice, fancy jackets with just a simple outfit and nice shoes.

Maitreya’s jacket is from Forever 21. She added the NASA patch for a personal touch. 

Has your style changed since you came to college?

Christiana: Yeah, I think so in some ways. I guess I could say I’ve been getting more girly since coming to college. Before, I didn’t wear as many dresses, and now, especially with the weather getting warmer, I’m excited to bring out dresses and wear those more. I think it’s also been nice because it’s been able to grow up a little bit more since high school. I find myself looking forward to the times I get to dress up and wear things that are maybe a little bit more business casual, but are still nice. It’s nice because I feel like an adult, and I think my clothes kind of express that too.

Maitreya: I used to wear a lot more colors, and I try to stay more simple. I used to wear a lot of jeans, and I have steered clear of jeans. I used to only wear black jeans, black skinny jeans with rips in them. And I just never wear jeans anymore because with loose, comfortable pants, there is nothing better. Being comfortable I feel like is something that I choose also. If I want to look good, I feel like I’m also comfortable.

Christiana’s shoes are from Forever 21. Maitreya’s are classic Vans 

Do you think you stand out?

Maitreya: I feel like a lot of people here only wear athletic gear. So, because of that, a lot of girls are always like, “You’re so dressed up.” I’m like, “It is just as easy to put on pants and a shirt as it is to put on leggings and a hoodie.” It’s really just as easy. But I think there are a lot more kids here who have more expensive stuff or it catches your eye. Brighter stuff.

 

Are you inspired by each other’s style?

Christiana: I think so. I think it’s nice because we definitely have different styles. I feel like I’ve totally seen your (Maitreya’s) simple colors and stuff going on lately. But I think you have inspired me more to go more towards the comfy clothes and realize I don’t have to wear jeans all the time. But then she also has this denim dress, and I loved it, and I ended up actually owning a denim dress. Oh and like jeans, there is the denim again. But I think it has been nice too because I come from southern California and she’s from Portland, and the styles are completely different. I didn’t realize how different it was coming to Oregon and thinking, “Wow there are so many different things that I don’t know about,” which has been kind of cool.

What’s a song both of you are digging right now?

Christiana: “Bridge Burn” by Little Comets. I texted her about it the other day actually. I heard it driving back from Portland. I was like, “This song is amazing!”

Maitreya and Christiana are both wearing chokers that Maitreya made from chord she bought at the craft store. They can be knotted in the back, like Maitreya is wearing, or tied in a bow in the front, like Christiana’s. 

Christiana: Also Beyonce’s new album.

Maitreya: I can’t listen to it now because I just can’t stop it.

Christiana: She listened to it for like five hours. Every time I would walk by her room, she would be playing it.

Maitreya: I was like tearing up.

Christiana: I didn’t think it was something I could listen to on the daily, and then I found myself on the daily being like, “I need to hear this song.”

Are you doing a lot of crafting now?

Maitreya: Not really. This year, I’ve made a bunch of macramé plant hangers and stuff. I made these (chokers) because I saw some of them online. But there is no point in buying something like this when you can just make it super easily. I’m painting like watercolors and stuff. It’s usually just for my room to decorate.

What outfit do you want to cope from the video?

Maitreya: It’s so beautiful. My roommate’s sister had a Lemonade themed party. It was all light and flowy. That’s not my style really, but I guess maybe for dressing up. I really like the whole baggy dresses right now. I think if you’re going to wear the ones that are biggish and almost like smocks, you can dress them up with nice jewelry and stuff.

Christiana: I wish that I had the hair to pull it off, but the Beyonce when she has the really long braids towards the end of “Sorry” in the video. Her hair is really long, and I just thought they were so cool. I could probably not pull them off the same way that she does, but I love it when people can pull things off that I wish I could. I love it when people take old ’70s clothes and kind of make them new and incorporate them into a more modern look. I can’t do that because I’m short and those flair jeans don’t happen, but at the same time, I’m like, “That looks so great.”

What do you both like about fashion and dressing up?

Maitreya: I love that it is a way that you can kind of create yourself. You can feel really good about yourself, and it’s just kind of a way to portray yourself without introducing yourself to people. It’s a way for people to understand a little bit about you.

Christiana: You only get one first impression, and I think that it’s kind of cool when you see people, and it just makes you more presentable in a way as well. I just find that when I don’t wear sweats out of the house or when I don’t put on a hoodie, I’m more productive. Because I feel like, “Wow. I am ready for the world with what I’m wearing. Throughout whatever I do, I know I’m set and good to go.”

Words and photos by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Dressed up Ducks takes: Willamette Valley Music Festival

The Willamette Valley Music Festival was a fun way to spend a sunny Saturday May 7th. The University of Oregon campus hosted two stages, art events and vendors from the previous week’s ASUO Street Faire and a few others. 

The festival featured local artists from the Northwest include pianist Alvin Johnson.

Some bands included students from UO like Trucks go Easy featured above.

 Face for Radio had a great brass section. 

Students seemed to be previewing their Sasquatch and other festival gear.

Name: Annalee N.

Year: Freshman

Major: English

Favorite band/song: Anything by Amy Winehouse

Unique concert experience: At the Wild Child concert, I had my hair in tiny buns on the top of my head, and after the band finished, the lead singer came up and went “boop boop” and grabbed them.

Does music play any particular role in your life? I think music plays a particular role in everybody’s life. I was a trained vocalist until graduating high school, and I even took opera lessons. As a poet, music is important because there is a really close relationship between music and poetry. It’s all about the rhythm.

What inspired your outfit? Trying to stay cool temperature-wise. I put yellow eyebrows on this morning thinking what goes with yellow eyebrows? Flowers.

Annalee’s overalls are from Forever 21. She made the top herself out of a tablecloth from Goodwill, and her shoes are from the Converse Kids collection.

Concertgoers relaxed in the grass in front of the main stage.

Name: Kestrel B. 

Year: Freshman

Major: Biology

What is your favorite band? The Beatles because I grew up listening to them and they were my childhood. “Revolver” is my favorite album. None of the modern music would exist without them!

What is the best musical experience that you have ever had? Going to Ringo Starr’s All-Starr band concert in Eugene a few years ago.

What inspired your outfit today? So, my grandpa used to have a hat like this, and I couldn’t bring it to school, because it was 50 years old, and it would have gotten lost. And so anytime I have an excuse to wear a hat similar to this, I do. I found my sunglasses at a store, and they remind me of, like, John Lennon meets MoonChild. This outfit is comfortable and good for the sun.

 Kestrel’s sunglasses are from a street fair in Tillamook, and her hat is from Forever 21. 

Thach wore a shirt that he bought at the ASUO Street Faire from Modern Tribe. The brand works with tribes and cultural leaders to create designs that reduce the amount of cultural appropriation in today’s fashion. 

Name: Alaska Yokota 

Major: Psychology and Human Physiology

Year: Freshman

What’s your favorite band? ODESZA or Flume, one of them.

And your favorite song by them? MY favorite ODESZA song, that’s really hard. I think on of them is called Koto, that one is really good.

Have you ever seen them live? Yeah, I saw them last year at the end of the year over winter break. It was really cool.

What has been your favorite musical experience? Ooo, dang! I’ve gone to so many concerts, to choose one is so hard. I went to Wango Tango for a radio station a long time ago and I got to meet a bunch of celebrities and I loved it.

How do you experience music? Sometimes I’ll try to sing and dance, I can play guitar sometimes. Other than that I just love dancing and listening to it.

Alaska’s striped shorts are from Forever 21 and her hat is from Nordstrom. Her sunglasses are from Pacsun.

 

 We caught up with a couple ducks who have been previously featured on the blog. Holly pairs pink cowboy boots with patterned shorts and a simple top. Check out Holly’s article from the early days of Dressed up Ducks here!

Keeping with the western theme, she wore a bolo tie as a necklace. 

Khahlela kept it simple with a long floral dress. 

The energy picked up by the end of the night starting with the string rhythms of Hill Stomp. 

SOL on stage towards the end of the night. 

Written and photographed by Elinor Manoogian-O’Dell, @ElinormODell , Taylor Griggs, @taylorjgriggs, and Kendra Siebert, @kendraesiebert, and Hailey Woram, @hworam_

Lucca

Name: Lucca C.

Major: Architecture

Year: Graduate student

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Lucca expertly layers a grey H&M t-shirt with a sweater from Karmaloop and an H&M long flannel. His pants are Cotton On. 

How did you become interested in architecture? I did furniture design for my undergraduate, so it seemed like a good next step.

What’s your dream job within architecture? I do interiors as well as architecture, so probably something that integrates interiors and furniture design.

How would you describe your style? Very comfortable. The most comfortable things available. I like really long things, so like long shirts, long tank tops. Things like that.

Who are your style inspirations? Kanye. I’m a big Kanye fan, so anything he is doing, I follow.

What’s your favorite Kanye song? You’ve put me on the spot. I’m obsessed with him, so his whole discography I like.

Do you think he would make a good president? Absolutely. I would vote for him because he’s for the people. He’s the people’s voice.

How has your style changed over time? It’s always changing, like every year, it’s something new. I always try to switch it up a little bit.

How have you dressed in the past? Well I’m from California, so just less [clothes] I guess. I’ve always been into long things, but now that I’m here, I get to wear all my coats and my jackets and my long attire.

Do you think you fit in more with the Pacific Northwest style? I don’t know. Maybe. I don’t know. I always have ties to L.A. I’m from L.A. So I guess I try to find a mix between both.

What has been the biggest adjustment to living in Oregon? Definitely the rain. It never rains in L.A. but it rains every day here.

His boots are Bass.

I love your hair. Can you tell me about it? When I was out of school, I worked for three years, so I didn’t have a lot of freedom with my personal style. So when I came back to school, I just decided to get crazy. So I’ve just been growing it out since September.

How do people usually respond to how you dress? People are always interested in it. My friends seem to like it. I always try to do something different I guess.

Why is it important for you to stand out? Because I’m very insecure. No [laughs]. No I guess it’s being in a place for a few years where I didn’t have that much creative freedom. So it’s good being back into it. So I’m kind of just going for it now.

What were you doing for those years? I worked for a plywood and lumber company.

So next to no creative freedom? Yeah, I had to be in an office and wear the same shirt every day. So, now I can get wild.

Are you inspired by the people around you? Absolutely. Everyone. I’m inspired by everything and everybody.

What are your layering tips? I usually go long to short. So I will usually go long shirt or a long tank top and then a short hoodie or a short flannel. I like having different steps to it I guess. So short, longer, longer.

Are there any new trends you have been into? I’m introducing the man skirt into the architecture department. A friend of mine and I sewed one a couple of weeks ago. I’m trying to integrate that into my friend group and see if they will also do it.

What was the inspiration to do that? Just comfort. I had been talking about it for awhile with my group of friends. I  was saying, “it just doesn’t make sense why it’s not in men’s fashion. It’s just the ultimate comfort one-piece, airy thing. It just doesn’t make sense why it hasn’t transferred over.”

Have you worn it out yet? I have.

Did you get any reactions? I did. People loved it. People were all for it, so it will make a comeback over the summer when it gets a little warmer.

What is the next evolution past the man skirt? I have these ideas for like jumpers, but just one thing. So you just have to put on one piece of clothing every day. Just really like female clothing in the man world, like jumpers or rompers that can be translated. It seems like not a lot of that has made its way into men’s fashion. But, I think it’s changing a little bit. I’m into Jayden Smith. He wears the skirts and the dresses. I’m into that.

Words and photos by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Matthew

Name: Matthew H.

Year: Freshman

Major: Biology

Hometown: Ventura, California

Matthew’s off-white denim jacket is from AllSaints, and his pants are from Old Navy.

What sparked your interest in biology? I want to make a change in the world. I’m a scientific thinker, and I’m good at biology. There are a lot of environmental issues, so biology ties into my interest with ecology, too. Pretty early on in my life, my mom would tell me not to litter, so once I learned about pollution and everything, I kind of saw it as a form of littering.

What do you think about people who don’t believe in climate change? They’re either politicians or they haven’t done their research. If I have a certain conviction, it means that I have done a lot of research on the topic and have looked at arguments from opposing sides. They probably haven’t seen enough information.

Matthew’s draped shirt from Kenneth Cole is a popular street style fashion choice.

Yeezy for president or nah? I’d have to look into his stances on certain policies.

What have you learned from being in college? I know now that if I’m struggling with something, it’s better to reach out and get help instead of assuming that I’ll just get better at it. That’s how I learned a lot of calculus. Also, (I learned) that it’s fun to be around people that you don’t really know. I like to learn things about new people. I’m way more open to other experiences because the mentality that you have to have as a freshman is kind of saying, “Hey, what’s up” to every person that you see.

How do you hope to come across to people who are meeting you for the first time? Really smart and hot. Actually, my roommate told me that he had never gone from being so neutral about someone to really liking them, so that was cool, I guess? I’m not really sure if that’s a compliment or not. I don’t want to be “neutral.”

Where do you see yourself at the end of your time at the University? Married with three kids in a house that I payed for. Also, multiple sets of really good friends and a more clear idea of what I want to do career-wise.

His shoes are classic white Vans (Damn).

Do you consider yourself style-conscious? Yes, definitely. I think that you can tell everything about a person by how they dress. I hope to come across as a very high-effort person. If I see someone wearing basketball shorts and crew socks, I might make the generalization that they’re not very focused. I know I’m not the only person that feels that way.

How do you define your style? It’s kind of streetwear and high fashion at the same time. I want to look put together and current.

Which trends have you been into lately? I’ve been really into the layering look  with a lot of draping clothing to make a good silhouette. (I’m into) loose, thin fabric that has a lot of movement and length, too. It’s what I see a lot of big fashion houses pushing.

Is there a certain piece that you’ve had your eye on? One of my favorite designers, Jerry Lorenzo, has a bomber jacket that’s iconic. There’s a bunch of really interesting ways to use it, and I’ve seen it on a bunch of my favorite artists. The only problem is that it’s more than 1000 dollars.

His simple, but stylish backpack is from Everlane (similar here).

How do you feel about the stereotype that fashion is primarily for women? It really, really annoys me. It’s just not true. To hear that just because I’m a male, I don’t know as much about fashion is really infuriating.

Do you ever feel like you’re being judged as a fashionable guy? I think most guys appreciate that I dress cohesively, but to avoid feeling self-conscious, everything I own fits me the way that I want it to. Sometimes if I get a negative comment about what I’m wearing, I feel like I have to explain why I’m wearing it. For example, my friends used to tell me that I looked “homeless” whenever I wore my fishtail parka, but when I came to college, I got a bunch of compliments on it. That made me branch into different avenues of style.

What do you do to boost your confidence? Well, if I wear something I don’t feel comfortable in, I never have to wear it again. I shop so that my clothes fit exactly how I want them to. Comfort is key. Also, I know that putting effort into how you dress just amplifies and encourages effort into other aspects of your life, so dressing better makes you better.

Words and photos by Rachel Lauren, @rach3llaur3n

Julianna

Name: Julianna B.

Year: Freshman

Majors: Public Relations and Journalism

Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia

Julianna wears her purple Doc Marten boots styled with her moose print Deborah Murray coat and Clubmaster Ray-Bans.

What inspired your outfit today? Nothing necessarily inspired me per say except for my mood. I typically tend to dress better when I need a pick-me-up. Look better, feel better.

What would you say your everyday style is? My style varies every day depending on my mood. It is very eclectic, as sometimes I look more preppy or more alternative on other days.

What are some rules you follow when you get dressed? Make sure you’re comfortable both physically and mentally. Confidence, in my opinion, is what makes your outfit look good, and if you seem uncomfortable with either how it feels or how it looks, it is obvious!

What is your favorite piece of clothing you own? I have this jacket that my mum got at a tourist shop in Whistler about 10 years ago that has moose patterns on it. We have the pattern in blankets too. It’s super cozy.

Is there any fashion trend that you love? Turtlenecks and ’90s grunge.

If you were a cartoon character, what would be your everyday outfit? Black tights, black dress and purple Dr Martens.

Is there a TV show or movie you would like to have the clothing from? Any of Audrey Hepburn’s outfits in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I love her style!

Do you notice what others are wearing? If so, what do you notice? I’ve recently piqued an interest in sneakers. I do notice what other people are wearing, but nothing really sticks out to me unless it’s something unique. UO is such an athletic campus, and it really bothers me how people just wear gym clothes every day, so I really appreciate it when people wear actual clothes.

Was there a point in your life when your style changed dramatically? My junior year of high school I started branching out from social norms and experimenting. Then finally once I came to university where I no longer had to wear a uniform five days a week, I was finally allowed to further develop my stylistic evolution.

Are there ways in which you conform to or rebel against what you think others want you to wear? I think I rebel because I don’t normally wear tight clothing and super provocative outfits, and even when people question what I’m wearing, I tend to not care.

Do you think you fit in with the Pacific Northwest style? I think I do and don’t. I am definitely not as posh or manicured as I find people on the East Coast are, but I don’t think I dress as comfortable as most people from the Pacific Northwest.

What do you plan to do for a career? Hopefully, something within the professional athletics field, preferably the NFL or NBA. That could be public relations or sports broadcasting. As a female, it is a pretty ambitious goal, but I feel like we need stronger female representation within the sports entertainment industry. If I end up in PR for the NFL as a whole or even a team, I would really like to help implement more discipline for players who commit domestic abuse.

Do you think your area of study influences how you dress? Not particularly. I want to be a sports broadcaster, yet I don’t dress formally like an anchor all the time, and I rarely wear athletic apparel unless I’m going to the gym. I think that may be a problem because I do not dress like the stereotype, and that may turn potential employers away from me because they are specifically looking for that one type of woman.

Words and photos by Alie Williams, @aliewilliams