Athens is not only home to the University of Georgia Bulldogs but also has an eclectic and vibrant culture of music, art, film, fashion, and style. This quintessential college town really does have something to offer everyone. Sophie Loghman, a junior at the University of Georgia, chose to go off to college in Athens like so many other metro Atlanta teenagers but has found a niche that perfectly suits her along the way. Sophie, 20 years old and a magazines major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, is an intern at Athens’ Blvd Magazine and a truly original soul.
Sophie applied for an internship at Athens’ Blvd Magazine in hopes to gain as much journalistic experience as she could and to have pieces for her portfolio. She leads the home décor section at Blvd Magazine and interns as a junior stylist as well. Sophie creates and designs a full page spread on home décor for each issue of the magazine and writes for Blvd’s newly revived website. When she is working as a junior stylist, she gets to put her own personal fashion sense and artistic eye to good use in order to style the models for photo shoots. One of Sophie’s achievements so far this year as an intern was styling for Blvd Magazine’s Fashion’s Night Out, a fashion show fundraiser and trunk show to benefit the Junior League of Athens.
Sophie explains Blvd Magazine’s significance to the Athens community, “It's a great magazine for college students and young professionals who want fashion, beauty, home décor and styling tips on a budget. And everything is local so it's kind of like an Athens ‘what's around town and in style’ magazine.” The downward spiral of the economy has affected everyone in some way or another. Even though fashion, music, and art may be the interests negatively affected by the lack of disposable income, Athens culture is still thriving. UGA students are still interested in the fashion world and striving to find ways to be involved and maintain their style on a budget. For the recessionistas out there, Sophie advises, “Check the sale racks. Things are always going on sale now and try to visit more thrift shops. You'd be surprised how much you can find there with a good eye.”
Not only does Sophie bring her unique sense of style to Blvd Magazine, but she also creates artwork of her own. She started experimenting by drawing and mimicking paintings she would find in a store. Sophie’s friends began asking her to create special paintings for them, and she finally realized, “Maybe I do have something unique about me.” Some of her do-it-yourself home décor tips on a budget include creating curtains from recycled fabric, decorating and refurbishing furniture found at flea markets or thrift stores, or even upholstering an old piece of furniture to give it a fresh new look.
Despite the deflated economy, Sophie plans to continue finding internships and follow her passion to eventually work for a home décor or fashion magazine. Sophie explains, “No matter the state of the economy, the fashion and art worlds will always remain and keep their significance.” She inspires everyone around her with her authentic, one-of-a-kind style and draws inspiration from local Athens culture, but Sophie also explains how the people of Athens influence her ingenuity and flair, “I get inspired by the people around me. If I see a cute outfit on someone, I think ‘Hey, maybe I could rock that.’”
