Emerly Soong, 20 year-old Econ and Psych major, has temporarily “lost [her] sanity” preparing for the biggest night in Northwestern fashion, UNITY fashion show on April 3. For a sophomore so serious about her role in the fashion world she doesn’t take style too seriously, and perhaps it’s this anything-goes attitude that makes her such a breath of fresh air on and off the runway.
How did you get involved with Unity?
I was Clothing Head for the fashion show last year, absolutely loved the experience, and subsequently made it my mission to be involved in a greater capacity this year. Lo and behold, I am the Co-president now. My friends think that I lost my sanity last quarter, during the prime of planning season, but my investment in Unity made me realize my future career path, and I became deliriously happy, and momentarily lost touch with the world for a few days. Years after graduation, when I reminisce about my NU experience, my involvement in Unity will be one of the defining moments of my college experience.
That’s amazing! Are you pretty involved with STITCH too?
I blog for the STITCH Fashion Feed. It’s a fun job that allows me to share my thoughts about style and trends to the NU community, but at the same time, I don’t want to dictate what people should wear and how they should wear it. There’s so much hoopla about what’s “in” and what’s “fashionable” these days that people are losing sight of their own sense of style in the hodge-podge of fashion blog-o-media. Fashion, style, or whatever you want to call it, is about self-creativity and experimentation. There aren’t any rules or guidelines, or to make my point, any bloggers that can advise you on what looks good and what doesn’t. As a STITCH blogger, my role is to observe and share what I see; the rest is up to the reader.
Describe your style in one sentence. Go.
Whatever I feel like wearing when I wake up. I’m transgressing the one-sentence rule right now. But it’s hard for me describe my style in words, and this by no means is supposed to sound pretentious or snooty. I like to wear clothes that are comfortable, practical, and fall in line with whatever mood I’m in, which is different every day.
What has been the hardest part of preparing for the show?
As Co-president, my job is to undertake all the backstage work that typically goes unnoticed. It’s far from glamorous and not always fun, but as the old adage goes, it’s about the journey and not the destiny when pursuing a greater entity than oneself. The entire process is a learning experience. The more obstacles that I run into during the planning process, the more prepared I will be to execute a great student-produced fashion show on April 3rd.
The most rewarding part?
I’ve had the privilege of working with some really creative, zainy, and supportive peers who have shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears throughout the planning process. The most rewarding part will be when I see Steph, Leo, Aja, Renee, Ryan, Kia, Logan – the entire Unity family – having fun at our show. Because when the internal organization is enjoying the moment and is proud of its accomplishments, then the audience will no doubt experience the excitement as well.
Do you have a favorite piece from the show?
Not yet, because the sponsors have yet to send us all the clothing. But I anticipate great pieces from SNITCHES and Michelle Brown, both are student designers, and each march to the beat of their own drum, representing two very different, but positively exquisite, styles.
What are your picks for spring?
Hm, this is a funny question because I’ve never really considered Spring an actual season until I was smacked on the head for not thinking that Spring time calls for Spring clothing. So for the sake of answering the question and appeasement of the people, I look forward to wearing lighter layers as the weather slowly warms up. My style radar forecasts a ton of sheer tanks, cotton cardigans, and bright sandals for my own “Spring” wardrobe. I also cannot wait to pull out my trusty ‘ol boyfriend jeans again, too.
Whats the best part of the fashion world at Northwestern?
We have every kind of style here. I’ve lusted over the guy in my micro class who wears casual button downs, dark wash straight-leg jeans, and brown oxfords everyday; I’ve raised a questionable, yet commendable, eyebrow to the guy who wears a red-on-red gym short and t-shirt combination in Winter advisory conditions. But like I said before, fashion is indefinable, and whatever feels right to that person is, well, right.