Online Only Article
By Lanie Cauthen
Fashion is an important part of today’s world– grabbing the attention of Winthrop University students for a variety of reasons.
“Well, the fashion industry is about people,” Cognitive psychologist Carolyn Mair said in “Speaking of Psychology: Psychology of fashion” – a podcast with the American Psychological Association. “It employs millions worldwide and everyone wears clothes. Clothes are the closest thing to our bodies, they’re our second skin.”
According to Uniform Market, the global apparel market accounted for 1.63% of the global GDP. 430 million people work in fashion and textile production.
The Association of Ebonites, the first African American student organization on Winthrop’s campus, hosted fashion shows during the 1970s and beyond. Later, Winthrop’s Fashion Club continue to host fashion shows today.
But what draws students into Winthrop students into fashion world?
Winthrop freshman Caitlin Garmand became interested in fashion after receiving complements on her style.
“I like to dress up and I didn’t realize I like to dress up,” Garmand said. “I was just naturally dressed up and constantly get compliments for the stuff I put on. So, I was like, ‘Okay, why don’t I just do this to show people?’ And so that’s what I did.”
Getting out of her comfort zone drew Winthrop freshman Jael Hodges into fashion.
“I used to be a really shy kid,” Hodges said. “I used to not really talk to people, and I felt like my style was one of the ways that I could kind of attract the people that I wanted to be around.”
Being able to express themselves is what drew Winthrop sophomore Brianna Lambert and junior Tayler Mason to fashion.
“I became more interested in just having a way to express myself outside of being scared to be unique,” Lambert said. “I think a big thing in our society is everyone is too afraid to like show me themselves.”
“I’ve always wanted to express myself and I feel like fashion was just a way for me to break into it and just to develop my character more,” Mason said.
Winthrop sophomore Adelaide Sprawls began her fashion journey at a young age.
“I’ve never really been good at styling myself, but I always remember throwing all my mom’s clothes when I was a little like and doing a little runway for her,” Sprawls said. “I just love the idea of wearing someone else’s creation and being able to show it.”
For more information about the fashion club and upcoming events, follow @winthropfashionclub on Instagram or join their GroupMe at https://groupme.com/join_group/99412465/Q8BvmuPi?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafJCGsnU26j7cIzGiqQJ6r2Rkgt0vUC_WlwC9JywlRlINkkrXsvc9Cag3ryUQ_aem_YTW5GAx5E_RFvL1AqjJjHg.