By Libby Allnatt and Savanah Yaghsezian
Hello, downtown Phoenix! A Tailored Place is pleased to introduce the new fashion columnists for the Downtown Devil: Savanah Yaghsezian and Libby Allnatt. Both journalism freshmen at ASU, they are new to the downtown Phoenix area and can’t wait to start exploring all the shops, events and hot spots around them. The best part? They get to share every stylish step of the way with all of YOU.
Savanah Yaghsezian
I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember. As a small child, I constantly wanted to play dress-up, and I always wanted to put on my mom’s makeup. Then, when I was 9, my parents took me to see “The Devil Wears Prada,” and I was truly inspired. I started reading Vogue and Teen Vogue and gathering as much fashion knowledge as I could. By the time I was in high school I managed to coin myself as “the girl with the cute clothes.”
I’m from north Phoenix, but I’m new to the downtown area, though you might have seen me walking down Roosevelt Street during First Fridays.
I love cities, and I’m thinking of my time here as my training wheels for the day I move to Manhattan. I see myself in a SoHo apartment with a French bulldog puppy in 10 years.
My favorite things include (but are not limited to): Taylor Swift, Netflix (I’m currently alternating between “Bones,” “Scrubs” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”), fake flowers, Alexa Chung, Urban Decay makeup and my ever-changing wardrobe.
My fashion inspirations vary on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes I draw from my all-time favorite movie, “Clueless” (Cher Horowitz truly is the queen of ‘90s style). Other days I borrow ideas from the brilliant Alexa Chung (who makes casual look so cool) or pull from some of my favorite fashion blogs.
You might see me wearing a patterned romper one day and then a graphic tee and jeans the next. I’m still trying to find my own personal “trademark” style.
I still have a lot to learn about the fashion industry, but I know that I’ll get to gain some firsthand knowledge writing for A Tailored Place. I’m looking forward to writing about local shops, fashionable Phoenicians and the overall fashion scene downtown.
Libby Allnatt
Fashion has always been a special part of my life. My personal style? I get inspiration from the current couture of my fashion idols, from the glittering edge of Adam Lambert to the brooding ‘60s-era glam of Lana Del Rey. If it’s printed (tribal, floral or chevron), A-line or from Forever 21, chances are I want to get my hands on it.
My hobbies include nail art, running and indulging in some guilty-pleasure reality television.
Enough about me. People always talk about “expressing yourself,” but what exactly does this mean? To me, expressing oneself is about choosing the image one wants to project to the world. Different kinds of clothing give off particular vibes, whether it’s girly, grungy, preppy or somewhere in between.
However, one doesn’t need to feel confined to a label. Fashion is impermanent. Trends come and go and personal style changes. A diverse wardrobe signifies experience and growth. Yes, you can wear florals, plaid, studs, chiffon and leather — and maybe all at the same time, if you’re feeling up to it! Despite what people say, there are no rules in fashion. Wear white after Labor Day. Mix prints. Rock navy-blue socks with black shoes. Style transcends the confinement of “rules.”
There’s no better place to discover one’s personal style than in the growing urban metropolis that is downtown Phoenix, where vintage is always new and the street style is hot (quite literally), but we’ll get to all that. For now, sit back, relax and enjoy the unfolding of our fashion journey. We can’t wait to have you along for the ride, and if in the process you find your personal style evolving and your wardrobe growing diverse, well, that’s even better.
Be the eyes and ears of downtown Phoenix! Hear about an event, shop or trend you want to know more about? Email us and we’ll get the scoop.
Contact the columnists at lallnatt@asu.edu and syaghsez@asu.edu
