By Emera L. Riley |
UP's best dressed meet on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the basement of Franz Hall. They wear boyfriend jeans, bomber jackets and quirky glasses. They wear slouchy sweaters, high heels and high-waisted skirts. Their styles range from vintage to runway, but one thing is for certain: Every single member of University of Portland's budding fashion club knows how to rock an outfit.
Freshmen Emily Mills, Anastasiya Korovskaya and Sam Keeler bonded over their mutual love of all things stylish their first few weeks of classes. Upon discovering that UP did not have a fashion club, the three took it upon themselves to create one.
“I think our purpose is to unite in fashion interest,” Mills said.
Some of their club objectives include discussing current trends and events, showcasing styles on campus, potentially hosting speakers from the fashion industry and discovering Portland's fashion scene. And, of course, their fashion lookbook, their first successful event since launching the club.
On Oct. 24 the club asked students with stylish fall looks to join them in the back of Franz Hall. With freshman photographer Jack Hulbert and the marketing club, they shot photos of trend-setting students and compiled them onto their Instagram account, with the hashtag #Upstreetfashion.
The photos and videos have been released on the fashion club's Instagram page and the University of Portland's Facebook page. The club plans to do more photo shoots of UP students, including a spring and a summer collection.
They also encourage interested students to post photos of their friends or themselves with their unique looks to #Upstreetfashion.
“A lot of people have cool outfits everyday, but we don't get to take a photo because we don't see them,” Korovskaya said.
The fashion club uses Instagram as their main portal of communication. Through Instagram they announce photo shoots, upcoming club meetings and events, and share photos of fashionable UP students. With their use of social media, the fashion club plans to capitalize on the increasing push within the fashion industry to become more digital.
Mills’ interest in fashion stems from her work experience, as she has been modeling since she was 13. To be behind the camera, Mills said, you need confidence.
“I think you have to be really comfortable and not be self-conscious,” Mill said. “You have to give it your best shot and be really outgoing. You have to know how to work it.”
Keeler, on the other hand, feels much more comfortable behind the camera, and plans to take photos for the club for future events.
But the club is not just interested in looking good.
“We also want to use (the club) to give back to the community,” Mills said.
Currently they are planning a sock drive and are working with the Portland Rescue Mission to give socks stuffed full of toiletries to the homeless. Mills, who started her high school fashion club, organized similar community service projects before.
For fashion club members, whether it is modeling, photography, or just clothes in general, being yourself and owning your style is most important.
“Embrace your own unique style,” Korvoskaya said. “That's what will make you stand out.”
For Fashion Club meeting times, style pictures, and their lookbook follow them on instragram at http://www.enjoygram.com/upstreetfashion, or at the University of Portland’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/universityofportland.
