One of the major stereotypes about fashion majors at SCAD is that we’re snobs. We harshly judge others for what they wear and truly believe that we have god complexes. In the same way that all equestrian majors are horse girls and all film majors are testosterone-fueled Filmbros™, these assumptions aren’t inherently accurate, but there is some ring of truth to it.
There is no doubt that going to art school changes you. How could it not? If you come from a classically suburban American background like me, it’s a radically different environment from what you’re used to. Self-expression is celebrated. No matter how you present yourself, someone will always look more outlandish. I knew this when I sent in my acceptance to SCAD, yet I still find myself experiencing a quarter-life crisis of identity at the age of twenty. The ever-present question in the back of my mind is: “Why on earth do I like that?” or “Why am I so judgy?”
I’m slightly embarrassed by how I dressed before I came to SCAD. I wore crop tops, short shorts, and was terrified of any outfit that didn’t make me look socially acceptable. Granted, I dressed nicely and was usually put together, but I still conformed to the unspoken rules of high school fashion. I remember thinking that I couldn’t wear dresses because it was “too extra” and everyone would judge me.
Now? I absolutely love the way I dress. “I’m a fashion major, so I’m obligated to dress however I want. The weirder, the better.” has been more liberating than I could have ever imagined. I also stopped dressing for the male gaze. I’m wearing a shapeless blob dress with tiers of fabric and the most colorful scarf in my closet? Fabulous! I’m stunning! I’m 5’10” and also wearing four-inch heels with a massive skirt that looks straight out of the Oregon Trail? It’s camp. It’s gorgeous.
This mindset has also extended to watching fashion shows and judging celebrity looks. When I was younger, I used to dislike avant-garde because it was impractical and no one would ever wear that in the real world, but right now, it’s my favorite thing ever. Recently, I watched the Rick Owens Fall 2022 Ready to Wear show and loved the spacey silhouettes. It was weird and dramatic and I loved every second of it— especially the looks where the sleeves were ridiculously long and totally unwearable in the real world. By contrast, I watched the Fall 2022 Simone Rocha show and thought, “Why is this just a Comme show?” or “I like it, but it’s totally off-brand”.
Is this who I am now? Am I the type of person who actually judges fashion shows? I feel like the butt of every joke about modern artists at any random New York gallery. They stare at a large abstract painting of a dot and say something unhelpful like “I just don’t see its essence”, accompanied by a long-suffering contemplative sigh.
I guess critiquing or analyzing everything fashion and art comes with the job description, but I really didn’t expect it to hit me so hard. All of my fashion friends have their own opinions and it’s something that we have actual educated discussions about. It’s a stark contrast to my life before art school, but I think I like it. I guess I’m a fashion snob now— hooray for me.
Words by Caroline Tetlow.
Graphic by Fai McCurdy.