On season 4, episode 13 of “Gossip Girl” Blair Waldorf said, “Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s a movement, design and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.” And for some of the fashionistas at Sage Creek, we couldn’t agree more.
Grace Cowart:
“It’s a way of connecting with people,” she said. “Connecting with similarities and even differences that people have with one another.”
Style guru and senior Grace Cowart expressed that discovering her style has greatly impacted who she is. Influences such as social media, specifically Pinterest, are a great inspiration for many when developing a style.
For newer generations, thrift stores and garage sales are excellent places to pick out unique pieces that wouldn’t usually be found at our local stores. These in return helped Cowart expand her style. When asked to describe her style in a word or two, “Inconsistent” came to mind.
“I really can’t commit to aesthetics or whatever for sure,” she said. “But, sometimes I’ll go for a more seventies or a hippie vibe. And then sometimes I’ll go for something more cottagecore or whatever, like the micro aesthetics kind of thing.”
When it comes to self-expression, sometimes not everyone meets eye to eye. Cowart has spoken about some generational divides in these certain styles. But the support from her peers and remembering her values help Cowart to flourish and thrive in her most comfortable and authentic self. Style can reflect who they are and their values. With the help of someone like Grace Cowart, understanding our individuality has helped inspire others every day.
Travis Vitek
“I’m pretty charismatic,” Vitek said.
Travis Vitek, a senior at Sage Creek, shares some of the same values with Cowart. Gathering inspiration from online interactions is a timeless staple.
“I think just being on the internet and seeing other people dress, I just wanted to do my take on that,” Vitek said. He said that assembling and searching other people’s takes can help with cherry-picking and creating a very unique style is a method that Vitek utilizes.
The collaboration of all the different colors, shapes and materials is important to see what makes someone more comfortable among themselves. Vitek also believes that showcasing their personality through clothing is a safe and knowledgeable way for other people to express themselves.
“Because I know a lot of times people aren’t able to express themselves, at home or, the way they talk, but, like, I think doing it through fashion is a pretty safe way to do it, and it’s generally accepted by everyone,” he said. Ultimately, Vitek’s unique style serves as a vibrant reflection of their individuality, inviting others to appreciate the beauty of self-expression.
Aerin Jordan
“If someone judges, it’s their problem, not a reason to change,” they said.
When approached with criticism for how they present themselves, Aerin Jordan, a sophomore and style enthusiast, thinks that’s the least of their worries. During their time in middle school, Jordan encountered the real power of self-expression and unfortunately the judgmental eyes of few.
Nevertheless, Jordan charges through the backlash and has a strong sense of self-confidence about their fashion styles that anyone can find admirable. Inspired by the influence of social media, seeing other people expressing themselves can help out someone in a fashion crisis.
They also express the juxtaposition of their style and personality. Describing their style as “dark”, “grunge” and even “alternative” when in fact Jordan is the exact opposite. “I consider myself to be a good person, and then, the way I dress is kind of like the opposite of that,” they said.
Jordan also finds comfort in the fashion community because to many it offers acceptance and a welcoming space for a variety of people and numerous styles. Finding others in the fashion community that present themselves in the same way as we do can help us with our individuality and that longing sense of acceptance.
As Sage Creek students steer through not only fashion choices that we might not see eye to eye on, the one thing they can all agree on is that they won’t dim their light to hide in the shadows.
Fashion is so much more than just fabric. It’s the self-expression and cultural and artistic identity that everyone has. Even if it’s Cowart’s groovy cardigans worn through the school year, Vitek’s fun sweaters or even Jordan’s alternative design, fashion will continue to change over the years with new innovative trends, styles and even timeless pieces. It is clear to everyone that the fashion icons of Sage Creek will always be in our hearts and perhaps on the runway.
