Fashion Fortuity

Fashion+Fortuity

Miuccia Prada, fashion designer, once said, “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” For some students there is now a space where they can express themselves through fashion and engage with those that share this value can come together and share their passion.

Jadyn Williams, senior, is ending this year with a bang as she started and leads the new fashion club. Williams’ desired college offers opportunities for those that start fashion clubs and are willing to sponsor these clubs as well.

“We had a meeting with [the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising] representative because our counselors knew we were interested in the fashion institute, and she told me that I needed to start this club in order to get a scholarship. So I took on the role and I talked to Jaylon and Ms. Davis, who was willing to be our sponsor,” said Williams.

Williams has planned events and ideas for the students in fashion club to participate in, some even involving charity and community service. One event planned will directly affect seniors when prom time comes around.

“As far as big plans, I wanted to do a clothing drive for homeless people and then donate the clothes to a shelter. I also wanted to do a pop-up shop where people donate their clothes and either sell them or swap looks. Another idea was to raise money for prom season and get a dress and a tux for people that can’t afford it,” stated Williams.

Williams has dedicated herself to the club beyond just the scholarship, and is looking to make students in the club feel comfortable and accepted. She hopes that the club will become a sort of family for the students after she graduates.

“I want this club to be somewhere that people feel welcome and somewhere that people feel a sense of belonging. I want people to know that there is no judgement in this club. I don’t want it to just be a fashion club, I want it to be like a bond between students and for it to be impactful to the student body and the community. I plan on passing the club onto whoever in the club is interested in taking on the role. I think it would be really cool for the club to continue even after I graduate,” says Williams.

Jaylon Jones, senior, co-leads beside Williams. The club means college opportunities for Jones as well, but the young fashion lover also hopes to find innovation from the club.

“I plan on going to a fashion school, either the one sponsoring us which is the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising [FIDM] or Fashion Institute of Technology which is in New York. I’m trying to help the students prepare, because I know we only have one fashion design class but it doesn’t have a Fashion Design II. So I’m using this club to influence others and letting it influence me since I am working on my portfolio. Coming together of all different ages and different people with different interests, you’re more inspired by everyone you encounter,” said Jones.

Sponsor, Donna Davis, is a well experienced Fashion Design teacher here at Lake Ridge. She hopes that her experience will help students succeed in their dreams and revamp an even more successful club than the previous one.

“My degree is in apparel and textile marketing, and I worked in the industry on the retail side for many years, and then worked in public relations with a fashion college so I do feel like I have a lot of knowledge to offer students. The first year I was at lake ridge we started one, but it didn’t last and I was hoping that it will continue,” stated Davis.

A creative outlet for students that express their ideas through fashion is now available at Lake Ridge. Plenty of opportunities come with the new club and both club leaders are more than willing to accept anyone and their ideas. Harry Winston, Jewelry Designer, once said “People will stare. Make it worth their while,” and the emerging Fashion club is sure to turn heads in the near future.