By: Alexis Mikulski
On October 4, 2014, Her Campus kicked off the fifth annual College Fashion Week at The Estate in downtown Boston. Boylston Street was filled with excitement as fashionistas from all over the area stood in line to join in on the fun. The weather was bleak, but even a little bit of rain couldn’t deter these divas from entering the building.  The instant you walked through the door, an enthusiastic staff greeted you with a “swag bag” filled with free samples. Included was shampoo, conditioner and lip-gloss (Oh my!) But by far the best item given was a bright yellow rain poncho, which came extremely handy later that night.
The event took place on the second and third floors of the estate. Music was blasting through the speakers, and colorful lighting circled the room. It presented the “nightclub atmosphere” that famous celebs would attend, and as a freshman I felt very sophisticated in such a chic setting. A long runway was located in the center of the floor, and a bar to the far left.  Being only 18 I was confined to Diet Cokes and Shirley temples, but other guests definitely enjoyed all of the bar’s grandeur. Crowds of people gathered on the third floor to participate in free hair and makeup trials, courtesy of bareMinerals and TRESemmé studios. The event coordinators did a wonderful job of keeping the guests thoroughly entertained as they awaited the main event.
At promptly 8 p.m. the audience took to their seats and the highly anticipated runway show began. The event was hosted by the fabulous Windsor Hanger, who didn’t miss a beat. The production offered a little bit of something for everyone, including an Irish step dancing troupe from Boston College whose high kicks and rhythmic feet wowed the audience. An all boys acapella group from Boston University sang their way into the hearts of all the ladies in the room. A Bollywood dance group even shook their hips better than Shakira to chart topping songs. But the highlight of the evening was definitely the fashion presented by the online retailer Boohoo.
All outfits showcased were broken down into three different collections modeled by local college students.  “Woodlander” was the first collection, and included chic flannels, faux fur jackets and a color palette of dark reds and browns. This line would be perfect for a weekend getaway to Maine or a chilly fall day in the city. The second collection was entitled, “Brooklyn Princess” and provided a sophisticated twist on classic urban wear. There were baby soft pinks and sequined blouses, platform heels and jersey jackets. I’m not sure if it was the Jay Z music playing in the background or the bedazzled flat brimmed hats, but I could totally picture Queen Bey herself rocking one of these looks.  Lastly, the “Imperial” collection showcased sleek, military-inspired clothing. There were structured jackets and floor-length skirts mixed in with dark green and pink rompers. All of the items shown on the runway are available for purchase at Boohoo.com. Boohoo is completely affordable on a college budget so you no longer have to decide between your next meal or a new jacket. As Hannah Montana once said, “You get the best of both worlds.”
College Fashion Week 2014 went off without a hitch. It was a night I will never forget, and I am already counting down the days until next year’s show!
Â