Despite the recession and the increasing need of student budget reforms and lifestyle changes over college campuses, the world of fashion is still revolving and flourishing at the University of Georgia. Fashion may seem like the last thing on a student’s mind during these difficult economic times, but UGA style and interest in the fashion world is thriving. Blvd Magazine, a quarterly publication from Athens Magazine about fashion and trends, manages to pique students’ attention for fashion in spite of more serious concerns about today’s economic woes. UGA students and local Athenians can take an evening away from the monotonous, everyday worries to come celebrate one of the fashion world’s most influential designers and trendsetters at Blvd’s Coco After Dark event at Athens Ciné on Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Blvd in conjunction with Ciné and UGA Creative Consultants are hosting the Coco After Dark event where they will be screening the film, “Coco Before Chanel.” This French film provides a glimpse into Coco’s elusive life before she became the renowned Chanel. Kamala Lyons, Ciné’s public relations director, explains the draw of this popular event, “It’s a good representation of a very independent woman breaking boundaries. The times Coco Chanel lived in are relevant to our times now. She’s an inspiration for young women.” Fashionistas and art lovers can enjoy a cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres from local Athens restaurant, The National, and an exclusive vintage Chanel collection from the local vintage store, Agora. After the special screening of “Coco Before Chanel”, attendees can participate in French culture and fashion trivia for a chance to win door prizes. Sonny Got Blue will provide music at the cocktail party.
Along with creating events like Coco After Dark, UGA students are continuing their involvement with fashion in many other ways. On Oct. 1, Blvd Magazine presented Fashion’s Night Out, a fashion show and trunk show from various Athens boutiques that benefited The Junior League of Athens. This event combined Blvd Magazine’s love of fashion with a philanthropic cause. Other students are involved with UGAStyle, a satirical blog devoted to the do’s and don’ts of Athens style. Students’ spending habits have also been influenced by the deflated economy. Savannah Weeks, a junior who helped organize the Coco After Dark event, explains, “Current economic times have definitely influenced students’ interest in fashion in a negative way. People have less disposable income than they did before to spend on things such as clothes, art, or music.” Despite less disposable income to spend on unnecessary expenses, some students still engage in the fashion world by finding creative and inexpensive ways to be trendy.
“One of our team’s goals is to find unique, affordable items to display in our magazine. We try and show people that you can still dress cute on a budget. The vast majority of thrift stores around Athens are great go-to places to find trendy, funky clothes,” explains Sophie Loghman, a junior and intern at Blvd Magazine. Mollie Rosenberg, a junior who hopes to have a career as a fashion stylist, says, “Fashion may be experiencing changes because of the economy, but I’m still going to try to have a career as a stylist. Fashion is a form of art, and I think it will always have a significant place in the world.”
Even though the deflated economy has changed the way students engage in fashion or trends, they still find creative ways to indulge their interest and keep fashion ingenuity and inspiration alive around UGA and the Athens community. Whether it’s finding clever, inventive ways to spice up a wardrobe without going over budget, interning at a fashion publication, or spending an evening watching the famous Coco Chanel rise above her hard economic times, fashion and style always remain.
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