Trendsetter, dream maker

With a twist. Trends are a canvas for personality.

For the first time in a long while, the IGNITE Street Styles is back at the North campus.

Around this time last year, the layers were being stacked on like Legos. The name of the game hasn’t changed, but students are showing their personal styles more than ever in a trendy world.

Daniel Douglas-Downer – Sports

Daniel Douglas-Downer wearing a Pitsburgh Steelers jersey, crocks and videogame accessories — *Picture by Joseph Zago*

While the Major League Baseball is coming to an end, a lot of other leagues are just getting started, and the sports getups are coming out.

Daniel Douglas-Downer has a wardrobe full of sportswear ready to go, and he isn’t afraid to show it. He wears jerseys whenever he can — be it the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets or his coveted Stefon Diggs Buffalo Bills jersey. Daniel finds his wardrobe cozy and mixes it up when he can from the traditional sportswear look.

“Just gotta be comfortable.”
Daniel Douglas-Downer

Blink and you’ll miss it. Sprinkled into his fit is the personal touch from the rest of the athletes, including a Fantastic 4 Crocks and gaming accessories.

Daniel’s Crocks sport the same futuristic 50’s aesthetic as the movie, with charms of their own. Draping off his waist are a few Pokémon frills to get him into the spirit of cozy fall gaming.

Sabrina D’Agnone – Office Siren

Sabrina D'Agnone wearing the office siren trend. A leather jacket and black and white pants with lines. — *Picture by Joseph Zago*

Sabrina D’Agnone is a first-year student in the media communications program. She also works for a printing company and must dress formally, but she likes to “jazz it up” while staying professional.

She operates on the motto “look good, feel good.”

When she dresses to the nines, she feels more in command of the room and confident in herself to do business.

“I feel like people take me more seriously.”
Sabrina D’Agnone

Her look is based on the office-siren trend, blending flash with professionalism — she normally uses this template in the cooler months. Although, if it weren’t for the cold weather, she would be wearing skirts and dresses.

To keep costs low, she thrifts most of her wardrobe while keeping her fashion radar on. Every piece of her look is carefully curated, from the leather jacket right down to her glasses. They’re not just complementary to the black and white colour scheme featuring an emblem resembling a butterfly on either corner of the frame and on the lens, they’re practical too. The blue light lenses ensure she doesn’t strain her eyes when looking at screens all day.

“Gotta dress the part.”
Sabrina D’Agnone

The majority of her style remains black and white, but it’s the patterns and the way her outfit flows together that make the office-siren style flourish.

Amani Akinwami – Old Money

Amani Akinwami wearing a brown jacket, capri pants and holding a handbag looking sternly at the camera. — *Picture by Joseph Zago*

“I just go with the flow,” is the message Amani Akinwami sends with this calming yet eccentric outfit. He either dresses in dark or light colours, but we ended up catching him in a dark colour vibe, probably due to midterms. Still, a bit of brightness pops through his pink strap on his handbag.

Dressing heavily isn’t in his nature. Whether it’s in the heat of summer or blizzards of winter, he keeps clothing light and just adds layers to accent his existing fashion choices.

At its core, he follows the old money trend but ditched the professional dress shirt and kakis for a suede-looking jacket and baggy capri pants, while still managing to keep the same aesthetic. Sounds crazy, but it works.

Giovanna Apelabi – Everything, please

Giovanna Apelabi wearing a green sundress holding a bubble tea and a totebag. street — *Courtesy of Giovanna Apelabi*

A girl taking a selfie of her outfit. street — *Courtesy of Giovanna Apelabi*

It may look simple, but depending on her mood and what makes her feel good on the day, Giovanna Apelabi’s outfits are constantly changing. Similar to Sabrina, her confidence in coming to school plays a role in her choices.

One day, she might feel a little more relaxed. Another day, she might feel bubbly and as extroverted as ever, wearing bright colours and extravagant blouses.

Giovanna takes inspiration from where she can consistently survey other people’s outfits and pick the pieces and fashion statements she loves best, then adds them to her repertoire, from something as simple as baggy clothing and slightly ripped jeans to full-on dresses.

Opposed to following trends, she takes pride in adapting to her environment and other people directly, which is what she enjoys the most.

A man in black and white wearing sunglasses bracelets a dress shirt and jacket with one hand raised and his head tilted toward that hand. street — *Photo by R. Fera via Pexels.*

Some people like the trends, while others transcend them. Not ignoring, but personalizing them and putting their own stamp on the campus fashion. Which will you be? How will you re-imagine a trend? Let us know in our socials @shareignite!

Bring your best outfits to campus, because you might be the next one featured in the IGNITE Street Styles!

Feature image courtesy of Marjan Taghipour via Unsplash.

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