For some ladies at the U, the hallways in OSH are more like runways. The classrooms in the BUC are not just a place for learning but a place for showcasing, style that is. Farah Azmi, a finance major in her junior year at the U, is passionate about fashion and shows it everywhere she goes: from classrooms to parking lots to internships to dorms.
Born in Malaysia, Azmi grew up mostly in Memphis, Magnolia, Ark., and Cedar City, Utah. As she’s grown, traveled and gained more experience, her style has evolved with her, even from just last year. She feels her style is a little bit all over the place. “For the most part, I think I like to stay in the city chic realm. I like simple lines and simple patterns. I always care more for the silhouette, the fabric and the movement of the outfit,” Azmi said.
Her favorite designer of all time is the late Alexander McQueen. She is still enjoying his pieces under Sarah Burton, as well as those from designers such as Jason Wu, Christopher Kane, Givenchy and Marchesa. Her style inspirations typically come from bloggers, models and celebrities. Liz from Late Afternoon is one of her favorite bloggers, and she draws inspiration from the Olsen twins and the Fanning sisters. Her other main source of inspiration is architecture, especially old buildings and structures in different, exotic places.
Growing up with parents who were strict about her outfit choices, Azmi found a way around the rules: designing and making her own clothes. From the age of 12, she was creating drawings. In high school, she taught herself to sew using her mother’s old sewing machine and her own body for a dress form. It worked, though. She was able to look at clothes and mimic the styling and flow of fabric to create her own pieces. “My personal design choices are usually in the ready-to-wear realm,” she said.
According to Azmi, this fall’s trends will include contrasting textures, wine reds and oranges, floral prints, geometric prints and lots and lots of layering. “I’m a big fan of contrasting fabrics/textures,” said Azmi. “I’m not going to go over the top like the runways of course, but I keep it simple.” Mostly, she likes to pull a main trend from the runways and make it her own. It’s important to Azmi to have wearable and re-wearable pieces.
Her advice for collegiettes at the U? “Leggings are not pants!” she said. She also feels that women at the U could be bolder with their style and care less about brand names. “Branch out and try something different,” Azmi said.
Not quite ready to strut your stuff down the steps in LNCO? No worries. Take a tip from Farah, though, and try something different or be inspired by your surroundings. What we wear is a huge form of expression, and, like Azmi, we need to show ourselves off!
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