Photo by Josephine Murgor

Dan Wang, junior, accounting major

Wearing: Sandro white top, Abercrombie & Fitch skater skirt, Nike sneakers and Mansur Gavriel bag

The Triangle: What is your thought process when picking your outfits?

Dan Wang: I am in classes during weekdays so I tend to choose comfortable outfits.  

TT: How would you describe you personal style?

DW: I dress based on comfort.

TT: What do you see as the biggest difference between fashion in the United States and in China?

DW: The United States has more variety of fashion than China.  

TT: What are some of your favorite stores?

DW: Sandro and Topshop.

TT: What is your must-have item in your closet?

DW: My Nike shoes.  

TT: What trend are you most excited about for this fall?

DW: Sweaters!

The post Street Style: Dan Wang appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Josephine Murgor

Omolola Adesanya, senior, fashion design

The Triangle: Tell me about your senior collection!

Omolola Adesanya: At first, I was inspired by African culture, from everyday wear to traditional beads and wedding gowns. As I started sketching, I discovered that I wanted a roving. So I began to weave my fabrics to make them look like bricks. Throughout the process, I would take multiple trips to New York to purchase fabric. I had to constantly remind myself that I was my own team. I had to juggle multiple responsibilities to reach a certain point.

TT: What distinguishes your designs from your peers?

OA: They’re simple, modern and minimal. You don’t need a lot to look good. I like to create designs that catch the eye.

TT: How many hours do you think you spent each week on this collection?

OA: An average of 65 hours.

TT: Describe your ideal man or woman who would wear your designs.

OA: An independent 23 to 45-year-old woman who is powerful, usually busy and dresses with ease.

Photo by Josephine Murgor

Sarah Costa, senior, fashion design

The Triangle: Tell me about your senior collection!

Sarah Coesta: I was inspired by the idea of a big blanket engulfing your body. I started creating fabric and silhouettes that were comfortable. It took a lot of time to feel the fabric and figure out what it wanted to be, but there was always a constant theme of heavy clothes engulfing one’s body.

TT: What distinguishes your designs from your peers?

SC: I made my own fabrics from knitting, scratching, quilting and dyeing. I used a lot of sheer to create more dimension and different color effects.

TT: How many hours do you think you spent each week on this collection?

SC: About 126 hours.

TT: Describe your ideal man or woman who would wear your designs.

SC: A woman in her late 20s to mid-30s who is creative and comfortable in her own skin. She is an artist who has figured herself out.

Photo courtesy Ashley Nicole Harper

Ashley Nicole Harper, third year graduate student, fashion design

The Triangle: Tell me about your senior collection!

Ashley Nicole Harper: Persian textiles inspired my collection. I was drawn to the use of colors, prints and textures in Persian rugs and vases. My fabrications include velvet, faux fur, feathers and brocades made in France and Switzerland to portray a high fashion eveningwear collection. I am also designing jewelry to compliment my line by using gold chain links and beading techniques. My intent is to create an exotic, luxurious, bohemian collection that appeals to strong, feminine women.

TT: What distinguishes your designs from your peers?

ANH: My collection is bold, dramatic, very editorial and runway ready.

TT: How many hours did you spend a week on your collection?

ANH: I worked approximately 100 hours per week.

TT: Describe your ideal man or woman who would wear your designs.

ANH: This collection is for dames who aren’t afraid of being bold and taking risks.

The post Fashion ’15: Meet the designers appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Josephine Murgor

Dr. Tracie Babb, Communications Professor

The Triangle: What are you wearing today?

Tracie Babb: Saks Fifth Avenue black leather dress, INC black jacket, Melissa flats, Charcoal Marc Jacobs bag.

TT: How would you describe your style?

TB: Rocker chic, leather, dark colors, motorcycle boots, girly, and edgy with a twist of rocker style.

TT: What was the last thing you bought?

TB: Free People tunic from Bloomingdales

TT: What are three items in your closet that you cherish the most?

TB: My Rebecca Minkoff red leather bag since it’s edgy and chic, a nice crisp white button down shirt, and my BCBG cutout black dress.

TT: What are your favorite stores to shop at?

TB: ASOS, Bloomingdales, and Nordstrom.

TT: Any trends that you are looking forward to wearing this summer?

TB: I love to be girly in the summer- looking forward to accessorizing girly flirty dresses!

The post Street Style: Tracie Babb appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Josephine Murgor

Dr. Brent Luvaas, Anthropology professor and blogger of Urban Field Notes

The Triangle: What are you wearing today?

Brent Luvaas: Urban outfitters bomber jacket, Ben Sherman plaid button down, Levi’s jeans, Dr. Marten black boots, and Steve Allen sunglasses

The Triangle: How would you describe your personal style?

BL: Shifting over the last few years, I have been going for a professor look with a little bit more of an edge.

TT: Have you faced any challenges with your blog?

BL: Finding people at the right place and time who have a distinctive style

TT: What three items in your closet do you cherish the most at the moment?

BL: My Urban Outfitters bomber jacket, a good pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt

TT: What are a few of your favorite stores?

BL: Century 21, American Apparel and thrift shops like Greene Street and Buffalo exchange

TT: What fashion advice you would give to young adults?

BL:  Be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t wear something because it’s trendy, wear it because it makes you feel empowered.

TT: Are there any trends you are looking forward to wearing in the summer?

BL: My new khaki shorts from Uniqlo, and going casual for the summer

The post Street Style: Brent Luvaas appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Marien Wilkinson

As winter arrives, we naturally start to transition our wardrobes from vibrant summer colors to ethereal black hues. Sometimes it can be difficult to find trendy and classy clothing pieces for a reasonable price. Located on the corner of 40th Street and Lancaster Avenue, a few blocks from Drexel University, is where you can find the Legacy Boutique. While most boutiques around University City are overpriced, fortunately for us college students, Legacy has a rule that everything in the store is under $50.

The boutique was founded by Courtney Fentress and Fakira Brooks in a unique way. Through social media, the two were able to connect and begin the story of Legacy Boutique. Both business partners developed an interest in fashion but didn’t want to fully pursue such a demanding career within the fashion industry. Rather than giving up what they love, they opened Legacy Boutique, a boutique targeting young adults, in August 2014. The tall Victorian windows give Legacy a tranquil and harmonious atmosphere while the Audrey Hepburn black-and-white portrait gives the store a vintage yet classy finish.

The shop’s merchandise is all women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. Ladies will find attire that can easily transition from work to evening-wear. Fur fall vests, crop tops, body-con skirts and faux leather skirts can be purchased at reasonable prices. Prices range from $10 for a necklace and no more than $35 for a black sweetheart dress. Students also receive a 10 percent discount with a valid ID. The trendiest item this season, according to Fentress, is the “Londyn” trench coat. The coat features a boyfriend-style cut that gives it an edgy look, meaning it can be worn to the office and later for a night out.

“We have a lot of loyal and returning customers,” Fentress said, emphasizing that their customers’ preferences impact what merchandise is featured and purchased. In fact, she explained that, “[Legacy Boutique] gets new stock every month, [and] sometimes customers will request specific styles.” The partners take time to select quality clothing for customers from New York, California and online stores.

At this point they are excited to see the store grow and to impact as many women as possible, by showing them that they are capable of dressing classily and sexily. Empowering young adults to dress in a sophisticated manner is what Legacy is aiming for. By next year, they anticipate on opening a boutique in New Jersey and expanding their online shop. They hope to eventually reach out to customers across the U.S. and internationally.

The post Store profile: Legacy boutique appeared first on The Triangle.

Photo by Josephine Murgor

Ariane Heffinck, senior, sociology with an international area studies minor

Q: What are you wearing today?

A: Michael Kors sandals, Brandy Melville pants and bag, Forever 21 shirt, Tobi necklace, bracelets from Kenya, and a silver ring from Liberia.

Q: How old were you when you developed your own style?

A: It wasn’t until four years ago, when I came to university. I started to figure out what I liked and didn’t like. Now, I look for better quality and more durable attire instead of just purchasing anything.

Q: What three items in your closet do you cherish most at the moment?

A: My brown sandals from Michael Kors, my pair of distressed high-waist denim shorts and all of my jewelry.

Q: You always look so stylish on campus, where do you get your inspiration?

A: I get my inspiration from Tumblr. If I consistently see the same thing, I then assume it’s in style. Also, since I was raised in Kenya, I was able to see many different kinds of styles.

Q: What is your season to dress?

A: Spring and summer. The weather is perfect, and the color schemes are more vibrant and less restricted.

Q: One item you can’t leave home without?

A: Vaseline Lip Balm. It’s so necessary.

Q: What are your favorite stores to shop at?

A: Urban Outfitters, Brandy Melville, H&M and Forever 21.

The post Street Style: Ariane Heffinck appeared first on The Triangle.

by Josephine Murgor

Xiwen Miao | Finance & Accounting | Sophomore

Wearing: Just Something camouflage shirt, shorts from boutique in Hong Kong, Now leather boots and Urban Outfitters sunglasses 

Q. How would you describe your personal style?

A. My personal style is simple yet comfortable. I tend to wear a lot of black: the color is minimalistic and you can never go wrong with black.

Q: What are your favorite clothing stores around campus?

A: I love Piper Boutique and Bonded Boutique. They are always on trend and their pieces are very unique. I actually bought a dress from Bonded Boutique for formal and received a lot of compliments.

Q: From where do you get your style inspiration?

A: I read a lot of fashion blogs, and Instagram is always keeping me up to date. 

Q: What trend if any are you looking forward to trying this summer?

A: I am excited to try lace crop tops and pair them with distressed shorts.

Q: What is the one thing you can’t live without in your wardrobe?

A: My sunglasses from Urban Outfitters. They are essential during this time of the year.   

The post Street Style appeared first on The Triangle.

Entertainment and arts management student Leresa Gripper emptied her purse to show us her daily essentials:

1. Her sturdy yet stylish Guess bag allows her to carry things around campus. It was a gift from a Celebrity Stylist on Campus event by People StyleWatch.
2. Why two pens? She “must always carry a black and a blue pen for contrast while taking notes in class.”
3. A comb, for those bad hair days when hair needs to be fixed.
4. Her iPad is easier and lighter to carry than a laptop, perfect for taking notes and for those four-hour lectures.
5. In her makeup bag: mascara, eyeliner, lipstick and lip gloss, for a quick touch-up between her classes.
6. Evolution of Smooth lip balm keeps her lips smooth.
7. Gum, the perfect way to keep breath fresh.
8. A Nature Valley granola bar is a must during Gripper’s early morning classes.
9. A bottle of water keeps her hydrated.
10. Her Coach wallet contains all of her most important belongings.
11. Hand sanitizer, to keep her hands clean.
12. Lotion is necessary, Gripper said, especially during the winter.
13. “I can’t leave the house without my phone. I use it for music and to keep myself busy during classes.”
14. In case her phone runs out of battery power, she has a charger on hand.
15. Gripper prefers using the sections in her Five Star notebook to having to carry a bunch of books around campus.
16. The African beaded key chain holding her keys was a gift from her Kenyan friend.

Photo by Courtney Denton

The post In Her Bag appeared first on The Triangle.

As the temperature drastically drops, the only way to survive is to bundle up. However, that doesn’t mean dressing up like you are in a circus. Instead, invest in a fashionable and functional winter coat. The perfect coat is one that can be thrown on and look stylish regardless of what you are wearing underneath. The right coat can perk up an entire outfit, which makes it the perfect winter accessory.

You might be wondering: Where can I find an affordable yet stylish coat? As a college student, you don’t have to splurge to look good. The trick is to know which stores to splurge in. Instead of spending $40 on a coat at Forever 21, spend it at Urban Outfitters, where the fabric is likely of a better quality. What it really comes down to is that you get what you pay for.

There are plenty of boutiques in University City and Center City worth splurging in, which will result in a closet full of more original pieces. The benefit of shopping in boutiques is that they have their own unique style, unlike most fast fashion stores. One advantage of tackling vintage stores as well as boutiques is that you are probably never going to see the same thing on someone else. Nobody wants to be wearing the same thing as someone else or, even worse, see someone else wearing it better. For chic style inspiration, check out Piper Boutique at 140 S. 34th St. Those looking to have a little fun with outerwear should consider Urban Outfitters at 110 S. 36th St., which offers a variety of styles from feminine bell shapes to tough, military-inspired silhouettes.

Avoid the winter blues and add some color into your life. For those who are not fond of pink, a popular shade in outerwear this season, go for a feminine shade of burgundy instead. If you are daring, opt for a brightly colored coat.

This winter is all about taking style risks, which means giving oversized coats and chic bomber styles a chance, like the Members Only Homecoming Color Block Wool Coat from Urban Outfitters. Not only is the coat stylish, but the woolen fabrication will keep you warm on the chilliest winter days. Outerwear this season is leaning toward a boxy yet classic style, a trend that has trickled down from the runway to the streets. More trendy coats can be found at H&M and Smak Parlour, which are a subway ride or short walk away from Drexel University.

The post Bundle Up: Winter Coats appeared first on The Triangle.