Unraveling the Threads of Originality
Photo by Gopi Vadsak.
Not everyone wants to wear pink leggings with a green shirt, stilettos and a cowboy hat. But what about flaunting a silk blazer in red velvet trousers? Or stepping into some blue suede shoes to match your mini skirt? Throwing on a faux fur coat in the middle of summer?
Regardless of what you pull over your head, shoulders, knees and toes first thing in the morning, defining your sense of style is a universal process. Some like comfort but remain rigid in their favorite fabrics. Some prefer warm tones, some cool. Some prefer heels, while others, like myself, wouldn’t be caught dead in anything but a pair of sneakers.
I had the chance to discuss all things fashion with Deonia Williams, a 21-year-old fashion enthusiast and Long Beach State student who thrives in baggy jeans, fitted tees and gold accessories.
“I would cut up my mom’s clothing when I was little,” said Williams, sporting a cream lettuce-trimmed blouse and embroidered pants that rose to her waist. “I’d wear about three outfits a day, and she’d get so mad at me because she’d have to do all the laundry for it. I thought it was fine, but you know, obviously not.”
Photo by Gopi Vadsak.
Williams gravitated toward fashion at a young age, riffling through her mother’s closet to sample what was in her wardrobe. As time progressed, her love for clothing compelled her to major in fashion merchandising in college. With her graduation looming ahead, Williams devotes her time volunteering as a stylist and working behind the scenes at shows, spending hours steaming garments and assigning outfits to models.
Such occasions connect her with like-minded individuals who nurture her passion and encourage her receptiveness to new experiences and styles.
Curating her wardrobe is an act of self-care, a process Williams appreciates in arousing her confidence and sense of individuality. She considers her style to be “ever-evolving,” strutting looks from streetwear to modern-casual.
"I get discouraged to change up my outfits sometimes, but I keep exploring new pieces and what other people wear to develop my options. It’s fun to put your twist on certain things. Anytime I clean out my closet, I'll try to see if there's any last-minute alteration I could make to a piece before I give it away. Fun projects like that keep my mind spinning," said Williams, explaining her upcycling methodology, a task she has taken part in since a young age to remain creative.
But how DO people find their style? Where do they begin? I wondered. I've spent hours scavenging thrift store bins, retail racks and web apps to find clothes that MIGHT look good on me, with the only commodity spent being my time and patience. When I questioned her,Williams assured me that I'm on the right track.
While the discovery process is lengthy, there are many tools available to guide us.
“Trends are helpful because they might introduce you to a new piece or style that allows you to express yourself,” she said, referencing social media looks, influencers and Pinterest boards. “Just try to be as comfortable as you can. Think if you can incorporate what you find into your capsule wardrobe. Find pieces to keep for a while, and remain open-minded about where you’re shopping.”
Photo by Gopi Vadsak.
To help characterize her own style, she looks to social media influencers Samira Rakotondrahova (@samirahnr) and Koleen Diaz (@koleendz), two women known for their diverse range of outfits.
“Watching them build their styles into what they are today has been so inspiring,” Williams said, her face lit with admiration. “There are so many subcultures in '90s fashion that they exude. They both have that streetwear look — you know, oversized shorts, tees and jerseys — but they still make it feminine with their nails and jewelry. I like that.”
Media, at its core, is a contributor to a plethora of fashion movements and distinct styles. Whether it be box office hits like “Barbie” driving the sales of anything and everything pink, or blockbusters like “Spider- Man” causing fans to dress like their favorite superhero, it's clear that internet culture is omnipresent.
Though it doesn't end with televised material. Williams acknowledged how pop culture icons, namely musicians, have played a vital role in shaping society's style throughout history.
“Tyler, The Creator — that man had people wearing loafers! Caps!” Williams exclaimed when I mentioned him. “People were wearing jorts with cardigans. That was the style, and people still wear it today. It’s so interesting how musicians can inspire different vibes and characters that people want to emulate, and I think that’s so cool for people to witness and explore.”
Photo by Gopi Vadsak.
Williams and I gushed over our love for music, discussing the absurd number of playlists on our Spotify accounts and how exhilarating it is to discover a new song or artist. In a sense, she says, it’s just like fashion.
“All the different genres and sounds — it’s just like shopping, but with your ears. There’s so much variety in the eras of music we have. The feeling a song brings, how it evokes different emotions for different people. Fashion does that too,” she remarked, alluding to the different eras she pulls from when selecting a vintage statement piece.
The variety of occupations in the fashion industry allows people like Williams to participate in different professions. Jobs obscured from society by the weight of the backstage curtain are now visible thanks to our generation's tenacity to learn.
“When I was growing up, you were either a model, or a designer, and that’s it. Now there’s more to choose from and there are so many ways to get involved in the creative process. There’s so much behind the curtain that people don’t know, but want to learn and have the opportunity to learn about.” she said.
Photo by Gopi Vadsak.
Working as a merchandise assistant for a fashion house is one role Williams would like to entertain. As the market unfolds and unravels new positions, the options thrill Williams. After all, it doesn’t quite matter what hat she wears on the job when she simply looks forward to sporting a new look in the field.
“You can do anything you love if you can put your mind to it — anything creative, whether it’s fashion, photography or running a magazine,” Williams declared, gesturing to me with a smile.