Name: Cindy Suzuki
Year: 2016
Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Major: Communications with a Double Minor in Textiles and Clothing and Professional Writing
Dream Job: Editor in Chief at a Fashion Magazine
On a breezy spring afternoon, I met up with Cindy Suzuki, President of the Student Fashion Association, and a part-time stylist for Stitchfix. Her outfit, an effortlessly cool, black off the shoulder jumpsuit, paired with simple stud earrings, a tribal statement necklace, and metallic silver flats, perfectly contrasted her warm smile and effervescent personality. With an internship at College Fashionista, in addition to formerly writing for Her Campus at UCD, this senior is ready to add two more feathers in her fashionable cap at SFA’s Spring Fashion Show, Wanderlust, and at graduation.
When did you start to take an interest in fashion?
Really young. When I was little, I loved playing dress up, and since my mom worked in retail, she also loved to dress me up. In elementary school, I was very cautious and particular about what I wore. One time my mom sent me to school in a Dora the Explorer turtleneck without knowing it was picture day. That sweater was a fuzzy, dark magenta disgrace. By the time I got to middle school, I knew I wanted to work in fashion, so for career day, my project was about how I wanted to become a fashion designer. Now I know that I am more interested in styling and fashion marketing.
Why is fashion so important to you?
Even though you shouldn’t judge someone based on how they look, I think that clothing can be empowering, and make you feel strong. It’s always exciting to get positive feedback from my Stitchfix clients who tell me that they felt beautiful and received compliments on their outfit. Also, it’s a great way to be creative. You can play around with cool pieces and essentially tell a story through your clothing.
What’s the best advice you could give someone trying to improve their daily look?
Don’t follow what’s trending. Just because something is trending, it doesn’t mean that you have to dress that way, especially if you don’t like that trend. Some styles that are classic might be a more suitable look. Get some good, polished, items that are timeless and can be worn in different ways. Fuss-free, go-to pieces that fill well and look good will make dressing fashionably much easier.
How are you able to keep your wardrobe budget friendly?
First of all, don’t shy away from thrifting. There are stores that have lightly worn, quality clothing like Buffalo and Crossroads, which is not only friendly to your wallet but also to the environment. Another tip is to look online and see when stores have seasonal discounts. Another great idea is to stock up on neutral pieces that you can mix and match with different items in your wardrobe. Finally, invest in good quality pieces; don’t shop fast fashion.
Can you tell us more about SFA’s Fashion Show coming up?
Last fall we had a pitch competition with our members, who broke off into different teams to decide the theme for our show. Based on an objective vote by the officers, and a club favorite vote, the theme of destinations won. We felt that it would be a theme that our designers could work well with in terms of creating collections. The tentative name of the theme was Wanderlust and we all liked it so much that we ended up using it for our show. Ten of the designers are students here at UCD (some are members of SFA), but we also have a girl from Fresno, and from the Sacramento area designing collections. Since we use the show to raise funds for charity, we decided The World Literacy Foundation would fit perfectly with the theme of the show.
If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
POTATOES! Potatoes are the most versatile food of all time; fry them, bake them, I will have them any way.
What’s the best class you’ve ever taken at UCD?
UWP 104C with Andersen. I was going through a bit of a crisis when I was enrolled in that class; I had no internships, was not involved in any clubs or organizations, and the writing samples I wrote in that class helped me solidify what I wanted to do on campus. I strongly recommend that class for anyone who wants to improve their writing.
Must-have fashion item: I think I wear a necklace every day; that’s my go-to.
Dogs or Cats: Dogs. I’m allergic to cats. I really want a shiba inu.
Favorite Davis memory: Probably the SFA fashion show last year. It was so rewarding to see all our work come together. Having a different perspective as a director this year will surely become another one of my favorite memories at UCD.
Hats off to you, Cindy. We look forward to seeing you make the world a more fashionable place, one outfit at a time.