Inspired by the fashion competition series “Project Runway,” the Columbia College Fashion Association held its own competition for student stylists.
Rachel Jimenez Penca, a part-time instructor in the School of Fashion, and junior fashion studies major Galaxy Wolf created “Project Styling” to showcase fashion styling, which organizers say is distinct from design and merchandising.
“We put a lot of emphasis on design and merchandising,” Jimenez Penca said. “There’s a lot of different areas in the fashion ecosystem and sometimes styling gets overlooked.”
The first “Project Styling” was hosted last year in The Rack at 916 S. Wabash Ave. with eight contestants. Jimenez Penca and Wolf did not anticipate the massive turnout of the inaugural event.
“We packed The Rack, and we had students and attendees that overflowed into the lobby,” Jimenez Penca said.
The success of the first “Project Styling” opened the door for the event to be bigger this year.
On Wednesday, May 6, the eighth floor of 1104 S. Wabash Ave. was transformed into a showcase of pure creativity and style, with five stylists set at their stations presenting their curated looks based on the theme “90s Revival.”
With the expansion in size came an expansion in audience. “Project Styling” opened its doors not only to Columbia students, but also faculty, staff, Chicago neighbors and industry professionals.
Each contestant brought their own unique interpretation of 90s fashion, spanning from 90s Grunge, to Mexican-American Chicana style.
“It’s the major decade that’s being relived today by younger generations,” Wolf said.
Each contestant was judged on specific criteria: clear concept, creativity and innovation, and styling execution.
The competition was judged by Brandon Frein, part-time instructor in the School of Fashion and an internationally published commercial and editorial wardrobe stylist, who also judged the inaugural event, along with two Columbia alums, Paige Berndt, a styling logistics manager and social specialist and Josh Ray, an editorial stylist and photographer.
Frein said that the event gives students an insight into what working in the fashion industry is like.
“You can’t teach styling in a classroom,” Frein said. “You have to have the hands-on experience.”
As industry professionals in a field that is often overlooked, each judge expressed deep appreciation for the event and the opportunity it allows the next generation of stylists.
“It’s phenomenal,” Berndt said. “I wish there was this opportunity when I went to Columbia.”
Five contestants showcased their unique perspectives of the 90s revival theme on live models.
Riley McGuire, a junior fine arts major and fashion styling minor, won the competition. McGuire received a personal photoshoot from CCFA photographer and senior photography major Ella Sharba, along with two VIP tickets to the Chicago Fashion Week’s stylist symposium, and a gift card from WellRounded, a vintage clothing store in the Pilsen neighborhood.
McGuire’s look took inspiration from the 90s grunge subculture, bringing various vintage pieces and personal touches to the look.
“I got inspo from SNL punk “Tank Girl”, Kurt Cobain, as well as the 1993 Marc Jacobs Spring and Summer collection that he ended up getting fired for,” McGuire said.
Mikayla Lerczak, a senior fashion studies major, curated a look inspired by 90s Vivienne Westwood
“I feel like you can interpret 90s revival in so many different ways,” Lerczak said. “Mine pulled from the runway.”
Chloe Boehm, a sophomore fashion studies major and fashion styling minor, took inspiration from 90s hip hop legends such as Tupac and 50 Cent for her look.
“I love styling, and when I saw this, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s so fun and a great opportunity,’” Boehm said.
Boehm appreciated the event for being open to various industry professionals, allowing for aspiring stylists to build connections early in their careers.
Clarissa Torres, a senior fashion studies major and fashion styling minor, found the event through Columbia a La Mode, CCFA’s fashion styling committee.
“I’ve been styling since I was a little kid with my mom,” Torres said. “She taught me everything I know.”
Torres’ channeled 90s Mexican American Chicana style for her look, mixing in some more modern details to highlight the resurgence of the 90s style.
Torres views the Chicana style as a form of “rebellious femininity,” mixing typical cholo aesthetics with feminine touches of lace and gold jewelry.
First-year fashion studies major Kamijah Wilson found the event through instagram and jumped at the opportunity.
Wilson’s look was an expression of the impact 90s hip-hop had on women’s fashion as women adopted more traditionally masculine silhouettes over time.
“The fashion went from feminine and soft to feminine and masculine,” Wilson said.
After the judges got a chance to visit each stylist’s section and evaluate their looks, participants, guests, and judges moved to the Film Row Cinema on the eighth floor of 1104 S. Wabash Ave., where the stylists got to showcase and explain their looks to the audience thoroughly going through each element of their look.
“I know how significant it feels to be able to show your craft to the eyes of the public,” Wolf said. “Just seeing my peers get to show their creativity is really special.”
Copy Edited by Samantha Mosquera
