Words by Ella Sangster
As a serial minimalist the brief of ‘Colour’ for the TFI Summer Campaign was, in total honesty, a tad nerve-wracking.
Swapping neutral hues and baggy silhouettes for a tangerine jumpsuit and electric blue blazer was a huge step out of my comfort zone in regards to my personal style. For anyone who has ever seen The Grinch, I put on quite the reenactment of the “but what will I wear” scene (and of course, the ensuing at-home runway show).
Despite the nerves and uncertainty, I felt an odd sense of calm as soon as I got to shoot that day. Maybe the complimentary coffee and brownies had something to do with it, but you could feel everyone’s nerves dissipate into excitement and shared remarks of “OMG what do I do with my arms” pretty quickly.
That’s what I love about TFI - the gentle push to do things you never would have imagined yourself doing whilst in an environment that is eternally supportive and uplifting.
In the campus studio I watched my peers slowly gain confidence in front of the camera. The bright outfits popped against the white backdrop and the air was positive; full of giggles and “you’re doing amazing”’s.
Everyone certainly delivered on the ‘Colour’ brief. From full monochromatic looks to experimental patterns, streamlined silhouettes to meticulous layering, the final ensembles blended the summer-focused brief with the individual’s personal styles.
In the spirit of Summer and, more specifically, Summer fashion, I chatted to some of my peers to delve into their personal journeys with fashion and the industry and the role TFI is playing in the process.
Shaakirah Samuel-Gaskin
1. How would you describe your personal style? My style is feminine yet bold. I’m quite experimental with my colour choices, I love orange, cobalt, bubblegum pink, and bottega green. These colours are reflected in the tops I wear, I adore crop tops with cool cutouts or materials that can elevate a look more than your standard t shirt. I love to wear midi skirts or straight leg pants as I think it’s a silhouette that’s so flattering on a petite frame.
2. What are your key essentials for a summer outfit?
In the summer I live in linen. You can never go past linen pants, I love a straight leg in either white, or a bold colour. Slip dresses are also a must in summer, I adore ones made from cupro as the fabric drapes in all the right places. For shoes nothing beats a Birkenstock in summer, so comfortable to wear all day + they are excellent for the beach!
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hmm, I’ll be 24 so I definitely see myself working deeper within the industry. Perhaps in PR or styling. I would like to think I’d be taking ownership of a role fully, as I have had the time to be growing my skill set and becoming more confident. 24 year old me would love to be travelling for my job, I know fashion is such a globalised industry, so the opportunity to head to London or New York for work is something I want to accomplish in the next 5 years.
Yasemin Onur
1. How would you describe your personal style? I would describe my style as mostly alternative with a lot of 90s and early 2000s influence
2. What are your key essentials for a summer outfit? Key essentials for a summer fit are big 80s sunglasses, mesh tops with cool patterns and any platform shoe.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself as a stylist or running a small business.
Sebastian Blazely
1. How would you describe your personal style? Most of the clothing I wear fits oversized, such as wide leg pants, massive hoodies and XL tees. I also tend to gravitate towards darker shades, I prefer an all black outfit over bright colours.
2. What are your key essentials for a summer outfit?
I often struggle with outfits over the summer as most of my current wardrobe is better suited for Winter, however a large vintage or plain tee is definitely something I throw on every day during the warmer months.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I’d like to be working in the fashion industry, preferably as a stylist. I’ve worked with some great stylists whilst studying at TFI which has really motivated me to follow that path, however, I’m open to most positions in the industry as I feel I still have so much to discover.
Madison Agius
1. How would you describe your personal style? I would say that my style is experimental while still staying within current trends.
2. What are your key essentials for a summer outfit? My key essentials for a summer outfit is colour, singlets, shorts and birks
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I see myself living my dream of being an up and coming fashion designer