'Fashion is always there for you': UNC students attend New York Fashion Week

UNC students traveled to New York City to attend New York Fashion Week on Feb. 8, gaining firsthand experience in the fashion industry. By networking with industry insiders and gaining special access to shows, their week was more than just a unique opportunity — it was a look at the future they hope to shape. 

Every February and September, designers from all over the world head to New York City to showcase their style. Fashion week primarily serves as a platform for leading designers to present their latest collections, but also allows up-and-coming designers to present their work and gives fashion-lovers an opportunity to connect within the community. 

Sofia Nyiri, a sophomore majoring in communications and media and journalism, and Savannah Matthews, a sophomore majoring in media and journalism, are staff members at Coulture Magazine, a student-led fashion magazine at UNC. They both completed their fashion communications and marketing certificate at the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. Through the Hussman School, Nyiri and Matthews participated in the program Workroom FashionMash, which works closely with Coulture. 

Representing Coulture, they were given press passes to attend NYFW shows. The Hussman School provided funding to reimburse their travel costs. 

Nyiri and Matthews primarily worked with social media coverage during the week and have upcoming video content that will be edited and posted on Coulture's Instagram and TikTok pages. 

It was both Nyiri and Matthews' first time visiting NYFW. Matthews said she bolstered her skills in journalism throughout the experience, and it was rewarding to pave her own way with no personal connection to the event or its members. 

“With us both being from the Chapel Hill area, it's not a hub for fashion because we're not in a big city," Nyiri said. "So just simply being in New York City in itself was a networking opportunity for us." 

They also had a chance to meet with Renata D’Agrella Kenen, a UNC alum and a fashion influencer. 

Both students said that their most memorable experience of the week was spotting Orion Carloto, their favorite influencer. On the last day of their time in New York, Nyiri and Matthews saw a crowd of influencers and celebrities entering the Sandy Liang show. 

“I think that it's a huge influence, especially with style inspiration,” Matthews said when asked about NYFW's impact. “The whole off-duty model aesthetic has come from fashion weeks and it's such a hub of creativity as well.” 

Niharika Ghoshal, a senior majoring in sociology and global studies, was another student that attended NYFW. She has volunteered at Paris Fashion Week before, but it was her first time attending NYFW. 

Ghoshal’s interest and passion for fashion encouraged her to visit the city. She said that she thought NYFW was a great way to network with people in the industry.

Ghoshal specifically focuses on fashion as a cultural force, uplifting minorities and minority voices. On the Saturday of her stay, she was invited as a guest to a runway show from the entertainment company FILIPINXT, which was the first filipino showcase on the main schedule of NYFW. 

Ghoshal said she had a special moment interviewing designer Jasmine Baac, founder of Bagoyan. 

“She said that the clothes were made by Indigenous women from the province she's from, called Kalinga,” Ghoshal said. “I thought that was special because as an Indian woman, I try to stay rooted as well, so I think it was nice speaking to her and seeing meaningful stories being reflected in their work.”

While Nyiri said it's a little cliché, fashion is her primary outlet of expression. It's an outlet for expression for anyone if they choose to utilize it, she said.

"I feel like a lot of people know that fashion is always there for you but are intimidated or scared about what people think and then once you stop caring about that, you can customize your own person, a little character, and that's what I do every day," Nyiri said. 

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that Niharika Ghoshal attended a show by XD Design Philippines. Ghoshal attended the FILIPINXT show.