The new year has welcomed the University with numerous new trends, already rocked on campus by fashionable Falcons. As Vogue.com releases designers’ look-books – including Kanye West, Betsey Johnson and Just Cavalli – students are seen replicating trends in their own unique way.
Apparel Merchandising and Product Development majors agree on how Falcons translate high fashion into appropriate dress for college classes.
Ashley Lewis, a student in the Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program at the University, describes the translation as “not automatically accepted by the masses.”
“Runway fashions and celebrity fashion trends are usually very fashion-forward and can be considered outrageous at times,” Lewis said. “Individuals of a small population of students will introduce the trends to the University, followed by the late majority, and soon a large percentage of the University is aware of the new look. It’s part of the fashion cycle, and trends are adjusted at each stage to appeal to the masses.”
Adrina Wolf, an Apparel Merchandising and Product Development student, said she does not think translation is hard to do with the help of magazines.
“Since high fashion looks are more for show and not to wear, I draw ideas from them to make them wearable. Fashion blogs, celebrities and magazines help me translate from runway to everyday,” Wolf said. “For example, in all the magazines I read there are always sections that show a runway outfit and a variation of it with affordable prices. Most college students can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on one outfit. But if the price is dropped to say $50, it may become a reality.”
Emily Bennet, an Apparel Merchandising and Product Development major, said she translates high fashion to her personal style easily.
“As runway fashion is always evolving, I try to shape the current styles to create my own innovative look,” Bennet said. “I use current trends from runway fashions as a source of insight, and I think a lot of students do that as well.”
“A favorite designer that creates affordable high-fashion looks is Alice McCall. The London-born Australian designer has an exclusive range with General Pants entitled ‘Gracie,’ and also McCall for Topshop. These lines are fashionable, affordable, and easily available to college students,” Bennet said.
Most of the Apparel Merchandising and Product Development students said they don’t think the University’s campus is too concerned with high fashion looks.
“Because BG is a smaller town, the trends are more relaxed and casual, and people seem to dress for comfort rather than follow current fashion trends,” Haley Radachi, Apparel Merchandising and Product Development student, said.
Radachi claims students choose to find inspiration from other sources.
“Couture trends may not seem practical to students, and they will instead turn to celebrities who take their own spin on a specific trend, and inspire students to do the same,” Radachi said.
Though high fashion looks are rarely seen cat-walking across campus, Lewis adds, “In my opinion, many students on campus have a great sense of style; many of which are Apparel Merchandising and Product Development majors. A lot of the trends I see on campus are high waist shorts and pants, above the knee boots and pattern tights. These trends might seem a bit over the top, but the girls I have seen do it do so in a relatable and stylish way.”
