Style Guru Bio – CollegeFashionista

Coffee and Color Play

Hi, everyone! My name is Hannah and I am from Boston, Massachusetts. I just finished my first year at Southern New Hampshire University where I study fashion merchandising—it’s truly the best of both worlds that I get to make my passion a career one day. Fashion has been a love of mine from a young age.

Even in middle school I never wore the same outfit twice, and planned my outfits for school weeks ahead of time. I know it sounds crazy, but mixing different pieces together has always been so fun for me! I’m a firm believer that you don’t need a lot of clothes to create some great, unique looks (but shopping definitely doesn’t hurt)!

I created my own fashion blog during my junior year of high school, and, ever since, blogging has been one of my favorite things to do. Other than blogging, my hobbies include shopping and all things fitness.

I’m not afraid of wearing bright colors, as you can see from my photos.

I paired an off-the-shoulder dress from Anthropologie with my favorite blue Tory Burch sandals (…which I own in three colors, oops!). I complemented the look with some fun Baublebar earrings and my staple Tory Burch cross body bag. Also, during the summer, you’ll never catch me without a cool pair of aviator sunglasses—my pictured look is perfect for a summer day in Boston.

How do you incorporate color into your summer wardrobe? Tell me in the comments or show me on social media, and be sure to tag @CFashionista!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Class-ease

As some of you may know, my wardrobe is predominantly composed of neutral and subdued colors. Luckily for me, muted warm and cool tones such as these are predicted to be trending in the spring/summer 2017 season. As winter comes to an end and spring approaches, it’s time to make some clothing swaps in our closets. Leaving down coats and snow boots behind, we are now able to slowly re-introduce lightweight jackets and fashionable footwear into our daily attire.

As a college student, it is important for me to remain comfortable, fashionable, mobile, and sensible throughout the day. With that being said, there are several essentials that I incorporate into my outfits regularly to add an extra touch of style to my outfits that will allow me to move from class to class with ease and confidence.

The first necessity for any outfit is a cute pair of shoes. Unfortunately, we are still in a transition from winter to spring and it is not yet time to break out open toe shoes. Thus, for this outfit, I opted for a pair of brown thigh high boots. Having a more dramatic pair of boots, such as these, can really make or break an outfit so be mindful when picking out the other items in your outfit to ensure that nothing clashes. In this case, I chose to pair my suede boots with a lighter beige trench coat. Although the shades are different, the cool tones in each piece allow the different shades to be paired.

Next, my go-to accessory is always a choker, especially in the case of lower necklines. With lower necklines, try experimenting with different neck accessories to prevent the neck from looking too elongated. By including a choker, the outfit is more cohesive from top to bottom. Another important accessory that I always have with me while going to class is my black bag. Carrying backpacks can sometimes be too bulky and can wrinkle or ruin clothing. Alternatively, I carry a purse with me to class and, if necessary, I will carry a book or two in my arms to prevent the straps from breaking. A simple black purse, such as the one I have included in this outfit, will pair well with any ensemble.

Lastly, for hair and makeup I like to keep my look natural. Heavy makeup can sometimes be distracting and is not good to keep on your face throughout a long day of classes. Thus, I usually stick with a lightly contoured face, minimal eyeshadow, and winged eyeliner. In regards to hair, I like to keep my hair up and out of my face to avoid the temptation of playing with it during class or the annoyance of it falling in my eyes.

Fashion and function can always be paired together, but it is up to you to find the balance that is best for you and your personal style!

STYLE GURU BIO: Annette Campos Carrillo

Hello everyone, my name is Annette and, of course, I love fashion. It is my first year being a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista. I am excited to see what is in store and also happy to be able to produce content for the readers.

Currently, I am a freshman at the University of California, Davis. I am a communications major, but I am also planning on double majoring in design. I am hoping to work in fashion magazines once I graduate college. My favorite magazines to read are Vogue, i-D, Dazed, and Wonderland.

There is no exact term to describe my style, as I like to experiment with different accessories and clothing. Whenever I see a good outfit, I get excited and start thinking of how I can recreate it in my own way or if I see a staple clothing piece, I start to think of ideas of how I can incorporate it into my outfits. Fashion for me has always been fun. One should always be trying clothing and accessories out of one’s comfort zone; you never know how it might look!

Most people, myself included, have a hard time picking out an outfit when it starts to get cold; most of us just throw on a jacket and walk out the door. However, having a staple piece can turn an ordinary outfit into a fashionable one. For my outfit in the picture, I decided to wear this vegan leather jacket. Underneath my jacket, I picked a shirt which served as my staple piece; this shirt has two tigers in the front of a tie dye background. It’s a unique design and it’s thrifted; it’s one of a kind! I don’t wear a lot of accessories, but hoop earrings are so easy to wear and they look good on everyone. For the rest of my outfit, I just threw on some jeans from UNIF and my white Converse shoes, perfect for walking around the campus.

STYLE GURU BIO: Katie Schwartz

My name is Katie Schwartz, and I’m so delighted to be back with the Guru Gang for another stylish semester. I’d like to think that my infatuation with fashion was something that ignited at a specific moment, but nothing really comes to mind. Instead, as I got older I just found myself becoming more and more excited every time I pieced together an outfit. Now I know that I want to take this passion and turn it into a career. I’m currently a junior at Rollins College in Orlando, Florida. However, I’m still not quite sure exactly what area of the fashion industry I would like to work in, or how I’m going to get there (scary, I know). Nonetheless, I’m taking strides by majoring in public relations, learning all that I can about the fashion world, and posting fashion and lifestyle related videos on YouTube. All I know is that I have a tremendous amount of ambition and I’m constantly putting it to use.

Here’s a few things you need to know about me: I’m unconditionally and irrevocably in love with every dog I meet. I prefer tea over coffee. The list of TV shows I want to watch just keeps getting longer and longer. I work in retail and for my school’s marketing and communication office. I fancy brunch dates, and you’ll often see me wearing oversize sunglasses. Lastly, I’m fixated on capturing moments and telling stories. I’m that person who takes candid pictures of their friends at gatherings. Due to this fixation, I’ve developed a keen eye for fashion. Clothing is how I tell my personal story and express my daily thoughts and emotions.

My style is constantly evolving, so my outfits are never identical. My latest obsession is bomber jackets; they’re a great statement piece for any outfit. While my fashion sense is always developing, an item of clothing that will always stay close to my heart is a simple denim miniskirt, especially when it has retro detailing like a zipper or buttons in the front. Another staple of mine is a good pair of sneakers. Whether it’s Converse All Stars, Keds, or Adidas, having classic sneakers on hand makes styling any outfit incredibly easy.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about me and fashion from my point of view. I can’t wait to see how all of the Gurus inspire each other as this upcoming semester unveils!

STYLE GURU BIO: Ana Martinez-Ortiz

I am Ana Martinez-Ortiz and I’m a Style Guru with CollegeFashionista! I am very excited to be dipping my toe into the world of fashion and style this semester, and I hope that I can help some of you find your own unique look that matches your lifestyle and tastes. I am a senior at University of Wisconson-Milwaukee, home of the Panthers, where I study Spanish and journalism. My goal is to combine the two and find a career that allows me to utilize both of my majors and allow me to travel.

Growing up I had a horrible sense of style. I once insisted on wearing polka dot leggings with a striped shirt because it was my birthday, despite the fact it clearly didn’t match—not even in that way that outfits clash but still look good. As I got older my interest in the fashion world grew and so did my sense of style.

These days, I tend to avoid patterns in favor of monochromatic pieces that are easy to match. My style is pretty basic, almost leaning towards minimalistic. I prefer wearing earthy tones that bring out my eyes and pairs with my preferred natural look.

Here I am wearing one of my favorite go-to looks, partly because it’s super to easy and partly because most of the items were on sale. The sweater, a recent purchase from H&M, is one of my favorites lately because it’s stylish yet simple and keeps me warm during Wisconsin’s harsh winters. The sweater is loose and just long enough to match my style; sometimes I roll the sleeves up to give it a different look.

For bottoms I stuck with my favorite pair of black jeans, also from H&M. Black pants are great and everyone should own at least one pair. These tan boots were purchased over the summer from Target and have become one of my favorite pairs. They’re basic and they match with almost anything. In this case they paired nicely with my white sweater.

For accessories I wore my watch from Urban Outfitters and a gold chain necklace I purchased at a craft fair. The watch has a brown leather band and the face has a map of the world, and it pairs perfectly with every outfit. At the end of the necklace is a metal cutout sun painted teal, it matches with the sweater and goes with the minimalism of the outfit.

I look forward to sharing more articles on fashion, style, and lifestyle this semester. I hope they not only inspire you, but encourage you to try something new.

STYLE GURU BIO: Kyra DePersia

Salutations! My name is Kyra and this is my first semester as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista. I’m beyond excited to combine two of my favorite things, writing and fashion into one fantastic internship. I’m currently a second year marketing student at Philadelphia University with intentions of declaring a minor in fashion merchandising and management next semester. I’m also heavily involved in one of the fashion clubs on campus as the shadowing treasurer.

I’ve always had a love for fashion, not only because of its exciting nature, but because of its artistry. Fashion is simply wearable art and I find that to be one of the greatest things about it. Fashion’s ability to tell the world whom one is is another one of its best traits. Fashion is the easiest and fastest way to express oneself without words.

My passion for literature and film is an immense inspiration for many of my outfits. I draw most if not all of my inspiration from fictional characters in books and movies. My muses range from Holly Golightly to Mia Wallace. I would describe my style as girly grunge. I absolutely love mixing materials like velvet and denim with pearls and other delicate accessories, essentially combining Holly’s and Mia’s style.

For example in my pictured outfit, I paired a dressy, burgundy velvet romper with a light wash denim jacket and black, high-top Converse. I’m wearing a black turtleneck and tights underneath the romper to tone down its formal vibe which is something I do fairly often. I also chose to follow the metallic trend by wearing a pair of metallic glitter-banded socks.

I can’t wait to see what my first semester as a Style Guru will bring. I’m sure the experience will be #RAD as ever!

STYLE GURU BIO: Tylor Brickman

My name is Tylor Brickman and this is my first semester with CollegeFashionista! I am currently a sophomore at Kent State University in Ohio studying fashion merchandising. I am from Cleveland, Ohio but dream of someday living in NYC. I can’t wait to see what this internship has in store for me and am equally excited to share all my fashion favorites with you!

My love of fashion started at a young age but changed from wanting to design to wanting to dabble in the business side of the industry. Either way, I have always been a full on girly girl Fashionista. With my subscriptions to Vogue, Marie Claire, and Glamour, I try to never miss a beat when it comes to keeping up on the latest fashion and beauty trends. I adore Pinterest and Instagram for style inspiration. I start most mornings working out, drinking endless cups of coffee, and checking my Instagram feed for new posts from my favorite fashion bloggers. My style varies based on the season and my mood but one thing that never changes is my love for black (usually head to toe). Lately, my style could be classified as edgy chic.

There is nothing I love more than a good statement piece, whether it be an article of clothing, a pair of amazing shoes, or a standout necklace. I tend to pick one amazing thing, such as this denim skirt, and style the rest of my outfit based off of that. Some days I dress casual, wearing my favorite pair of jeans and an oversize cardigan, and other days I love to edge it up with a cool bomber jacket and my favorite black leather booties.

This look was based off of my current obsession with distressed clothing. With denim skirts making a comeback, what could be a better way to showcase this returning trend than with a denim on denim outfit? This button up light wash denim shirt complements the edginess of the skirt because it is a more subdued color and style which lets the skirt be the center of attention. The black leather booties are a staple in my wardrobe this season and add some girly flair. The gold jewelry is edgy yet refined and finishes off the look. Here’s to a fabulous semester of inspiring each other with our unique style finds!

STYLE GURU BIO: Isabella Orm

My name is Isabella Orm and I am an island girl who recently started college at Johnson and Wales University. I have always been a “moda” enthusiast, but now that I am majoring in fashion merchandising and retail marketing, my passion has grown to immense proportions. It makes me extremely happy to be part of the Guru Gang and to be able to share my vision article by article.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in Puerto Rico and had lived there all my life until I started college. Honest recommendation: do not die without going; you will not regret it. Health and fitness are everyday topics in my life. After the beach, a museum is always my favorite place. I crave adventure, and traveling the world is one of my biggest desires in life. If it was not for art and music, my days would be completely lifeless. I lost count of how many times I have dyed my hair a different color. As you can see, I am everything but conformist. I have a strong character, but I am overall a happy human.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” When it comes to fashion, that is precisely my mantra. I am a fan of monochromatic looks and textiles with textures. However, I cannot say I have a particular style. What I CAN say is that I never use too much color in my outfits. Neutrals make up the majority of my wardrobe and almost all the time, I either wear sneakers or heels; there is no in between. I am constantly looking for something edgy to add to my outfit and I think it is not all about having expensive pieces, but about having thought-provoking ones; the kind that have the ability to turn into conversation pieces.

For my bio look, I am wearing a white T-shirt, black lace crop top and high-waisted jeans on a warm winter day in Puerto Rico; all pieces from Zara. It was not planned, I promise. High-waisted is always a good idea because it helps give a good shape to your body. To keep it trendy, wear a lace crop top as a layer over a white T-shirt. Tip: try to use only 3 colors in your outfits. It gives it a much cleaner look. Keeping it simple, but chic, I added classic pearl earrings, this time extra large, a black choker, and big mirror Quay Australia sunglasses. I wore my daily arm candy: Daniel Wellington watch and Cartier bracelet. Black bag and wedges, both from BCBGeneration to complete the look. This is an outfit that easily transitions from day to night.

Thank you for stopping by! Stick around for many more things to come and always remember: keep it up close and stylish.

STYLE GURU BIO: Rachel Notrica

My name is Rachel and I’m super excited that I have been given the opportunity to be a style guru this semester. Here’s just a little background on me, I am originally from New York but I currently live in Florida. I’m a sophomore at Florida Atlantic University where I am majoring in psychology and am a sister of Theta Phi Alpha. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family (if you’re reading this, hi!) and, of course, watching Netflix. Some of my favorite shows include Criminal Minds, The Vampire Diaries, One Tree Hill, and Gossip Girl.

When it comes to fashion I’ve never considered myself to be a Fashionista, but I know that I have always loved clothes. Some of my style inspirations are Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, and Gigi Hadid. I don’t think there’s one specific category to represent my style but there is one thing I can tell you, I love to wear black as you can see by the photos above. Some of my favorite outfits are similar to the one featured in this article, where I’m wearing almost all black. For this outfit I wore basic jean shorts and a black tank, but to add edge I put on a leather jacket, a choker, and my favorite gladiator sandals. Overall I believe that with a stylish outfit comes a sense of confidence that could help you conquer anything. I feel like fashion is something so amazing because it has this ability to bring people together to do really cool things, like this internship. With that being said, I’m looking forward to a great semester!

STYLE GURU BIO: Kelsey Hassard

Hello #RAD Fashionistas/os! I’m Kelsey Hassard and I attend North Carolina State University. I am a sophomore majoring in fashion and textile brand management and marketing. I’m stoked to be kicking off my first semester as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista!

I’m an advocate for taking risks in fashion, discovering new music, appreciating art, eating good food and surrounding oneself with kick-ass people.

Originally from Long Island, just a few towns shy of the Hamptons and a quick train ride outside of the city, my style was influenced early on by quaint beach towns and boisterous urban cities. I believe in self-expression through fashion which is why I can’t ‘title’ my style one specific headline. But if I did, I would call it “Bo-hedg-y-ban”, an eclectic mix of bohemian, edgy and urban threads (but that sounds a little verbose).

At a bare minimum, 1/3 can compile my ensemble at any given moment… the color black (usually head to toe, because why not), my wrists stacked high and my neck layered in ALV Jewels, and last but not least, Steve Madden shoes. Whether I’m looking for an edgy finish to a blacked out leather look, or a bohemian statement piece to pop against my bronzed summer skin, Steve Madden shoes are my go-tos.

I’m a huge music guru as well; I can spend hours upon hours sitting in a coffee shop, perfecting a Spotify playlist. I absolutely love going to music festivals and indulging in nonstop music, art and fashion for days. Festival fashion has to be one of my favorite fashion genres. I love the endless opportunities that fall under festival wear, from metal accents and lace undertones to acid wash denim and studded leather.

For today’s look I paired an oversize Free People sweater with black distressed denim jeans that I added a raw hem to for an edgier look. I topped off the look with classic black Chelsea boots from Steve Madden and layered ALV Jewels Nikki Choker and braided horn choker.