EFFORTLESS AESTHETICS: STYLE AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ROMe
Spring 2015
It has been that week. That week when temperatures soar so high, all you can think about is camping out in the nearest gelateria- both day and night. That week when it’s so hot, tanning seems like a luxury you almost cannot afford. But it has also been that week when the sundress that’s been sitting in the back of your closet for whole semester suddenly becomes your only solution for beating the heat. Study abroad students at the American University of Rome used their signature senses of style to transition to summer as temperatures climbed into the 80s Fahrenheit over the past few days. Prints and Pastels Members of the student body used designs and vibrant hues to welcome summer’s imminent arrival. For instance, prints were the way to go for Boston College student Isabella Salvatori: “I love summer clothes because I don’t have to wear the same two jackets all the time and it’s easier to get dressed when you just put one piece- like one dress- on.” Allison Cox from Carlow University opted for an outfit that drew more attention to its color than her lower half: “I'm wearing a coral summer dress today because it's very hot outside and being in Italy, I don't want to wear shorts.” A Hybrid Look A combination of cool- and warm-weather items worked for Eryn Davis. The University of Miami student’s outfit was a nod to both past and upcoming seasons. She paired boots with her summer look to greet the heat: “I’ve been really excited about the warm weather because I used to live in perpetual summer for about two and a half years, so my entire wardrobe has been summer clothes. Now that the weather’s warm I’m really able to sport my actual style…[these shorts] look like a skirt but they’re actually shorts.” Relaxed Chic AUR study abroad students also used casual items to channel summer. Danny Maloney from LaSalle University stayed a bit more covered up on his upper half, but his shorts added a pop of color: “Now that it’s almost summer, I’m wearing brighter colors every now and then to kind of reflect the mood of the weather. I’m wearing shorts because it’s hot and I’m gonna defy Roman fashion- get a little sun- and I’m wearing my sunglasses a lot more now, too.” American University student Rachel Roderick also kept Italy’s traditional nature in mind: “Italy’s more of a conservative culture, so I didn’t wanna go right into shorts or a skirt. So I went with printed pants because they’re white and gray, and are kind of not as absorbent of the sun as something that would be in black. And then I went with a tank top so that at least I’d have some air hitting some part of my body. And you know, with the shoes...they’re comfy, they’re cool, you can wear them without socks, kinda like transitioning toward the boat shoes of the summer, so it’s a good in-between piece."
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When she’s not in class at New York City fashion merchandising school LIM, Visual Merchandising major Allison King can often be found interning in the city’s retail arena. Since the 20-year-old Ashburn, Va., native moved to New York City as a freshman, she’s worked as a stylist, associate and later, a Visual Merchandising Assistant for the brand Free People. She has also interned for the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards. Although no one within the small group of LIM Visual Merchandising majors has ever studied abroad, King is spending the Spring 2015 semester of her junior year at the American University of Rome because she was told that studying abroad “completely changes your life.” But King is preparing to make a professional transition: after interning with Rag & Bone’s Visual Merchandising team last semester, she will be working as a freelancer for the brand this summer. On what she did as a stylist, and then as a visual merchandising assistant for Free People: When we got new merchandise I was responsible for changing mannequins and making my version of the perfect outfit so customers would want to shop [for] that look. I was a stylist and associate until I became a Visual Merchandising Assistant there. It wasn’t a full time position until I turned into a Visual Merchandising Assistant for the New York City area. Honestly, it made me grow as a person because I feel like I grew with the company. It was like a family...[But] I’ve been with them all through college, so I’m not gonna go back. I’ve just grown out of it. On what she did as a Rag & Bone visual merchandising intern last semester: I helped my supervisor with floor sets for stores. Every other Friday we would go to the Soho store and create a table or visual merchandise...and take pictures. This merchandise had not been in any other store besides the flagship store in Soho. So we took the pictures back to the office and did design, layout, and communicated the direction for visual and creative directives using InDesign and Photoshop. On what she will be doing as a freelancer for Rag & Bone this summer: Creating store window displays for Rag & Bone stores. This includes designing window display concepts using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, which will be presented in meetings with vendors, senior managers and managing partners. [The displays will be] put together in stores in and around the New York City area, and [I will] create directives for stores to follow when they set up their own window displays. On how she made the transition from Rag & Bone visual merchandising intern to freelancer: Rag and Bone is very different from anything I’ve ever done, but it’s my absolute favorite. Going into it, I didn’t know I was gonna get it. Honestly though, it was an internship, and I think I realized and my supervisor realized [that] it came easily to me. I think that’s why she asked me to come back. On her advice for other students trying to make similar professional changes: Trying to find yourself and find out what you want to do is important before you go into any job- or you’ll just be eaten alive. On other experiences that molded her professionally: Moving to New York was the biggest obstacle and the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I traveled from this small town to a big city...and I had to be independent….I lived in the dorms my first year. When I moved to my apartment, it was a whole a different New York. On her dream career: Either a Visual Merchandiser for store window displays or a prop designer (like set design, props, etc.). I can’t sit at a desk. I need to be doing something with my hands. On if this semester in Rome (including weekend trips to international locations) has changed her perception of fashion: Oh my god yes...Morocco was probably the most amazing place I’ve ever been. It’s amazing to see how people live and interact with one another [there]...Everything’s just so beautiful. Traveling and different places have definitely inspired me and my work. As I walked across Piazza Venezia on Easter Monday 2015, my jaw almost hit the pavement. It seemed like the population of the entire world had Via Del Corso in mind for shopping that day. I inched through the body-to-body crowds with a friend, hoping we wouldn’t lose each other in the sea of photo-obsessed tourists and brisk locals. After venturing into a few less-pricy shops, I came across upon Twin-Set Simona Barbieri, a brand among the creme-de-la-creme of Italian women’s fashion. The building is right down the block from an almost equally-as-spacious H&M, but it seems to stand on its own. Twin-Set Simona Barbieri is a must-see shop for anyone interested in the delicate fabrics and distinguished accessories a classically Italian woman would wear in an ideal world. But a word of caution: I wouldn’t recommend going in if you get sticker shock easily. Two-hundred-euro tops are casually sprinkled throughout the store. But back to my visit: as crowds rushed by outside, few broke through the invisible barrier that seemed to separate the store from clothing-hungry masses. Other than the shopping attendants and managers, the shop appeared relatively empty. Stepping into Twin-Set Simona Barbieri on Via Del Corso 122/125 was like entering a palace. The high ceilings, light music, color scheme of cream and gold (and even the icy stares from some clientele) made it clear that hushed tones are a must. After taking in the lush environment for a few more moments, I decided to take the plunge and made a beeline for the expansive clothing display on the back wall of the first floor. Pastel-colored leather handbags caught my eye as I hunted through the racks and expensive- yet discreetly placed- price tags. The fine cloth shirts and black sequined shorts added a whimsical touch. I climbed the carpeted staircase to the second floor and as I gazed at the entrance below the white bannister, I realized what the essence of Twin-Set Simona Barbieri truly is: a strong commitment to detail in every top and accompanying item. Twin-Set Simona Barbieri echoes this in its mission: “Above all TWIN-SET means knitwear, produced entirely in their own factories in Italy, characterized by a never-ending search for technological innovations while remaining sensitive to the value of craft skills such as embroideries, hand-made appliques and unconventional printing and dying techniques.” The brand expanded beyond Italy during the 1990s. Today, loyal customers can pick up signature pieces in international locations such as Barcelona, Dubai, and Montreal. The second floor had range of feminine pieces, from the edgy leather jacket thrown over a floor-length printed gown, to a delicate, red flower-petal-shaped necklace listed at 60 euros. The mannequin towering in high heels and blue-sequined pants presented a distinct look as well. I was also greeted by frilly bikinis and dainty coverups of white and red, wedge sandals, flowing sundresses, and more. As I flipped through lookbook on a nearby table, I thought about how it seemed like Twin-Set Simona Barbieri’s summer section is dedicated to making buyers appear to be dripping in luxury.
However, as much as I enjoyed the clothing, I did feel pressure of some kind. I couldn’t escape attendants’ lines of vision- especially on the second floor. But overall, visiting Twin-Set Simona Barbieri reminded me that a truly stunning outfit is all in the details- even if it comes at a price. A group of American University of Rome study abroad students used layers to combat off-season weather in Greece over Spring Break 2015. The islands are usually tourist hotspots during summer months, but the undergraduates still found ways to bundle up there before warmer weather came along. The group powered across the Greek island of Santorini on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in chilly wind and cooler temperatures in mostly non-traditional sportswear. Instead, they paired sneakers with multiple pieces of outerwear appropriate for a leisurely vacation. Hannah Carroll, a study abroad student from Boston College, made her wardrobe work for the athletic occasion: “I’d call this outfit ATV-chic...It’s about 50-55 degrees...So that’s relatively warm, but, on an ATV when you’re going as fast as I am, it gets cold,” she said. “I was pretty cold earlier today so when we went back to the hostel today, I said, I’m just gonna put on every shirt that I brought. So I’m currently wearing two long sleeves, three sweaters, a vest and a scarf.” Carroll’s white protective helmet and cream outer sweater also lightly highlighted the darker color scheme of her outfit. Study abroad student Ryan Hiatt had a similar approach: “Today I was ATV-ing in Santorini,” he said. “I wore long jeans, some outdoor shoes, a nice light blue t-shirt and a rain jacket because it was a little cold, and the wind was getting a little harsh so I had to put on a few layers.”
The other students in the group wore leather jackets, jeans, leggings, sneakers, tank tops under t-shirts, and jackets with fur-lined hoods. Most of their clothing was able to handle the dusty roads, grassy paths, red- and black-sand beaches and rocky cliffs sprinkled around Santorini. Overall, the students proved that Greece still has a lot to offer in the off-season- as long as tourists dress for the weather. "I was thinking about how unreal it feels to be studying abroad in such a beautiful country," says AUR study abroad student Holly Gambrell about this moment above Florence. The undergraduate wears a hat she bought from city street vendor at the top of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral on the AUR Tuscan Weekend Trip on Feb. 28. Dresses, skirts and scarves flutter as a light breeze sweeps through the courtyard at the American University of Rome in late February. A few seated undergraduates readjust ruffled papers at their outdoor tables and turn their shades back up to the sky. January was last month, but it’s already sunbathing season. Students are currently daring to bare a little more skin on campus during fifty- and sixty-degree Fahrenheit February days- even though it is still considered winter in Italy. Transition pieces like the aforementioned items- in addition to lighter tops- have become more popular among the student body recently than in previous weeks. Less is More: Lighter Outerwear and Footwear Less heavily-insulated jackets, open shoes and scarves are common spring staples. For example, study abroad student Brooke Menard’s coat and shoe choices are breaking her out of the winter mold. “I decided to put on flats today instead of my boots. so I have a little bit of the skin showing on the feet,” she said. “The lighter jacket is my biggest transition piece because before this I was wearing my pea coat.” For others, scarves have proven to be both fun and functional as the weather thaws out. Study abroad student Frankie Panebianco views spring’s imminent arrival as an opportunity to both coax the season into existence and make a style statement. “I chose this scarf because the weather is getting nicer and I wanted to give a splash of color with this outfit, you know, to tell everyone that ‘Here comes spring!’” Dressing the Part: Attire Fit for a Rooftop Terrace Sunshine Session Students soaked up sunlight and took in scenic views between classes on the AUR rooftop terrace on Feb. 23. A couple female undergraduates greeted the warmer temperatures and abundant sunlight in dresses and skirts. For example, Rebecca Fowler’s outfit stayed true to her bohemian style, but included an Italian twist. “Recently while I’ve been here- I guess its an Italian thing- I’ve been wearing lots of black...but also since it’s technically winter in Italy, I’ve got the long sleeves- so I don’t stand out as much...still have some coverage.” But others, like study abroad student Natalie Kozma, do not mind breaking unspoken rules about Italian winter clothing. “So I wore this sheer top and high waisted black skater skirt with my decorative stockings because Mondays are tough enough, and when you look good you feel good,” she said. “So I know it’s a little unorthodox to be wearing a skirt without tights and be showing a lot of bare leg at the end of February in Italy, but I did it anyway because I’m naive and I don’t understand the culture yet.” However, even though spring is approaching, the slight chill lingering in the air is enough to keep study abroad student Jess Balko in a leather jacket and tights. “We’re in Italy so leather’s big here...today is gorgeous- it’s a lot warmer. Too hot for pants, but I decided to pair [my dress with] some tights because it’s not quite warm enough for just bare legs with a dress.” Spring's Take on a Winter Shirt: the Three-Quarter Sleeve and Beyond It is not quite spring yet, but some degree-seeking students have also been ditching longer-sleeved shirts and sweaters for shorter-sleeved versions lately. For example, Francesca Aka has not gone sleeveless at this point, but wears a lighter top in thicker material. She describes her appreciation for shorter sleeves: “I feel like it is spring because it's cold and you have these sleeves to keep you warm. If it's hot you have these half sleeves to keep you, you know, chill.” Jacket-free degree-seeker Melissa Lattari offers her take on the spring transition process: “For me, dressing up and getting ready for spring is going from a heavy coat to wearing a trench coat, and possibly underneath, not too much of a heavy sweater...so a short sleeve.” There is physical and psychological distance between the average American University of Rome student and the upcoming women’s wear exhibitions at Milan Fashion Week 2015. Despite going to school in a country commonly envied for its residents’ senses of style, few students seem to be interested in the event or have the resources to attend between Feb. 5 and March 2. Going to Milan for the occasion- without actually having tickets to shows- appears to be the closest any AUR student is coming to being in attendance. The accessibility of the showcase is also called into question when considering that students with the ability to get to the city are not easily able to obtain tickets. For example, study abroad student Kelsey Lucas is traveling to the northern Italian city that weekend to witness it at its aesthetic peak- without tickets. “I’m not actually going to any shows for fashion week,” she said. “But I’m going to Milan to see how people are dressed for it.” Milano Moda Donna is a biannual fashion show featuring the latest designer trends for women in Milan. The organization behind it, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, plans more than 170 displays and fashion shows in the northern Italian city. Milan also hosts events centered around menswear and design in January and April. Pieces from the 2015 autumn and winter women’s collections will make their way down the runway between Feb. 25 and March 2. Models will show off women’s items from the 2015 spring and summer collections from Sept. 23-29. Students like AUR degree-seeker Audrey-Anna Oliveros have a connection to the industry but have not planned a trip to Milan that weekend.
“Milano fashion week...I would love to go...one of my friends did the styling for the Jill Sanders menswear show.” But the event is not even an afterthought for others. American study abroad student Alex Fontana is both physically and mentally removed from the displays. “I know nothing about Milan Fashion Week,” he said. “I don’t pay much attention to fashion so obviously I never would’ve heard of it. I currently don’t know anyone going.” |
AuthorHey! I'm Jane Burnett and I'm studying abroad at AUR in Italy during the Spring 2015 semester. Stay dazzled by campus fashion with me here! CategoriesArchives |