PackFashion Magazine Fall 2018

V O L U M E

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MADDI LANGLEY MODEL: GRACE DOODOO STYLIST: MACKENZIE PIERCE MAKEUP: MORGAN PETERSON COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: NGOC NGUYEN COVER MODEL: SATA SCOTT

Editor in Chief MEGAN SINGLETON Deputy Editor in Chief ISABELLE PRINGLE Creative Directors SAMIA USMANI HANNAH WILLIAMS Lead Stylists MEGAN EARLY MACKENZIE PIERCE Lead Photographer KORI HYER Web Director PEYTON BROWNLEE Social Media Director TARYN HOFFMAN Modeling Director ARIANA FERREIRA Executive Team TSHEPO DITHANE SILVANA MERLOS MADISON NEELEY Creative Staff TSHEPO DITHANE AVERY MATTHEWS SURI MARTINEZ Writing Staff EMILY ARNHEITER ANNE GRAF GUNIKKA AHUJA LAUREN REGGI AMY COTTONGIM Photography Staff NANDI BRYAN MAGGIE JARRETT MADI LANGLEY NGOC NGUYEN LILY O’BRIEN VIDUSHA RAO BEN RATTERREE AUDREY ROH KATIE WATSON ANNE WONG Stylists CAMDYN CONNER MARA HARRIS HAILEY LILLIOT JAY MARTIN SUMMER PERKINS LAUREN REGGI HANNAH STOLTZ BAILEY WILLIAMS Social Media Staff COLLEEN CLIFFORD MADISON NEELY OLIVIA NOLES AUDREY ROH

ANASTASIA SHYMONYAK Web Staff COLLEEN CLIFFORD MADISON DAY ALEX NEIGHBOUR OLIVIA NOLES Models KAWTHER ASAD MIGUEL AZALDE OSCAR MEJIA BARAHONA NATALIE CODY GRACE DODOO MEGAN EARLY THOMAS ELLERBE SOFIA ESCOBAL ANNE GRAF SUSANNAH GROVER RICKY HERRERA INAYYANOOR JAWAD RAYHAN KARIMI HARRISON KAUFMANN MAGGIE KIMMETT NATHAN KOHN MAKAYLA MACK JAY MARTIN MADISON NEELY LILY O’BRIEN ADRIANA ORITZ EVANN POLLARD NAKYRAH RADNEY ALESSANDRA RAMIREZ NAHUSHA RAO VIDUSHA RAO JUAN JOSE RODRIGUEZ SATA SCOTT SKYLAR SHUFORD ANASTASIA SHYMONYAK SHREYA SINGH JARED SMITH MORGAN SNOW EMILY STOLARCZYK LAUREN TITCHER EMMA WADE BAILEY WILLIAMS RUTH WILSON

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

MEGAN SINGLETON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MODELS: NATHAN KOHN, LAUREN REGGI. HARRISON KAUFMANN PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY OʼBRIEN STYLIST: LAUREN REGGI

INDIVIDUALITY WORKPLACE in the

being you while being professional

by Lauren Reggi

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veryone, at some point in their life, has had to put on a uniform and go to work. That uniform could be a regulated outfit, or, more likely than not, is something out of your own wardrobe. It’s daunting to open your closet doors and examine what pieces you have, especially if the true you dresses extremely differently than work you. So how do you balance a clever outfit that not only shows your individuality, but is also suitable to show up to work in?

Well, that’s just the question we asked Monica Mayer, a Brand Management Assistant working in Global Luxury and Management. A quick look at her Instagram can tell you that she not only has workplace fashion down, but also effortlessly inspires thousands of people in every day style (without breaking your wallet!). Her #fashionfriday stories offer a instant look at her outfits of the week, which can range from stylish trousers and blazers, to layers for chilly days, to classy dresses that have found a new look styled with Monica’s unique eye.

So, what does make a good wardrobe? According to Monica, “Good style to me is an outfit that makes me feel good! I am more productive at work, more social, and more assertive when I am wearing a good outfit!”

She also states that it helps to tailor an outfit for a day’s task, whether it be working at the desk or landing a deal.

It’s easy to get caught up in a workplace look and neglect representing yourself, and sometimes it is easier to buy into a certain look that you only wear at work. Who you are is still the same person who clocks in and out, and you might as well have some fun with your wardrobe. Try finding basics that look good with anything, like a nice pair of jeans, a simple tee, or a solid pair of heels. Then, keep an eye out for clothing articles that really speak to you, whether it’s a pair of abstract earrings or stylish pants that have some major 70’s vibes. Whatever works for you, and fits the standard of where you work, you should go for it.

Fashion is such a diverse and beautiful thing that we as humans all share. It is something that helps to define and show who we are. We all have to work as well as dress for it, so be inspired by Monica, other influencers, your friends and family, and the world around you. Find out who you are, and then dress like it, and don’t let any preconceived notions about how you are supposed to dress stand in your way.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER STYLIST: MARA HARRIS MODEL: SKYLAR SHUFORD

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER MODEL: NATALIE CODY MAKEUP: TAYLOR BUTLER STYLIST: MEGAN EARLY

PHOTOGRAPHY: LILY OʼBRIEN MODEL: MAKAYLA MACK STYLIST: CAMDYN CONNER MAKEUP: TAYLOR BUTLER

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PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER MODEL: KAW THER ASAD STYLIST: SUMMER PERKINS MAKEUP: TAYLOR BUTLER

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hild refugee, UNICEF ambassador, international model, innovator. When it comes to badass women, Halima Aden stands out on and off the runway. Caught in the midst of the Somali Civil War, Aden was forced at a young age to relocate to Kakuma, a Kenyan refugee camp. Eventually her family would come to the United States.

She worked two jobs in high school to send money to her extended family in Somalia, help her mom pay for their house, and save up to buy a car. At the age of nineteen, Aden caught the eye of IMG Models after being the first hijab-wearing contestant in Minnesota’s Miss USA competition. However, Aden has made a point to not conform to the pressures of the fashion industry. Before signing with the nation’s top agency, she discussed at length her wardrobe requirements and her place as a Somali Muslim woman in the modeling industry with the agency. The fashion industry is often criticized for being too monolithic. But Aden has ensured that the fashion world will not change her - steadfast to her beliefs, she says that every time she goes on set, the people who are doing the shoot already know her requirements and have an understanding, so she feels safe. She also travels with a female chaperone and doesn’t allow male stylists to dress her.

Modeling and beauty pageants are not traditionally a part of Halima Aden’s culture, and she has faced opposition in light of this.

Aden expresses that as a child, magazine articles never painted Muslim

ILLUSTRATIONS: NGOC NGUYEN

women in a positive light. When asked about what the importance of representation in fashion means to her, Aden replied, “Oh my gosh, it’s huge. When you are represented, people take it for granted. To understand the importance of representation you have to ask people who’ve never felt like they were represented fairly… Now, I get to represent my community to the majority.” Aden continues, “For a very long time, women like me have been kept out of the conversation. We were talked about, but we weren’t given opportunities to talk for ourselves.” Since signing with IMG Models, Aden has made appearances for Yeezy Season 5 and MaxMara. She has also worked with Nike, Mario Sorrenti and Carine Roitfeld. Roitfield put her on issues 10 and 13 of CR Fashion Book.

Aden has also appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and Allure.

Halima Aden is an official UNICEF ambassador. In this position she is able to bring attention to human rights causes and help attract resources to support refugees. She is grateful for her many opportunities and hopes to grow in her partnership with UNICEF. Halima Aden is the true definition of a strong, empowered woman. She is using her platform as a model of color to educate people about the gravity of representing all of humankind - from all walks of life; all ages, races, and genders. By sharing her story with others and standing up for herself, Aden is creating a movement that extends far beyond the runway.

halima aden:

redefining beauty standards

by Emily Arnheiter

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by Isabelle Pringle

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hat is “Bouclé?”

You definitely have seen it over the years in a timeless Chanel jacket and it is a symbol of Parisian fashion, but what is the history behind this fabric?

The definition according to Merriam Webster’s dictionary is “an uneven yarn with three plies one of which forms loops at the interval” but a simpler definition is that bouclé is a yarn that consists of loops of a similar size that can range from miniscule circlets to big curls. Bouclé then can be turned into a fabric which has the defining feature of having a looped appearance. On top of that, the word “bouclé” in French means “to curl.”

Bouclé rose to popularity in 1954 after being used regularly by Coco Chanel in her boxy jackets. What made Chanel’s bouclé jackets become so sought-after was their easy appeal and that all jackets have four real pockets and a delicate chain sewn into the bottom lining of the jacket to ensure it falls perfectly on the wearer’s shape. Even after Coco Chanel’s

reign at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld has kept with tradition in incorporating bouclé into everything that Chanel is. Lagerfeld has reimagined the fabric in a multitude of ways ranging from long creamy-white trousers to pearl encrusted blazers. Each season a new and innovative use of the fabric takes place at the Chanel show and seeing a fresh use of the fabric is almost a definite to count on. What makes bouclé so exceptional is its durability, but more than that, the fabric’s ability to transform a typical garment into something luxe and even more covetable is an incredible feat. A bouclé jacket is an ageless piece that transcends decades and trends alike. If you are ever so lucky to be able to obtain a bouclé piece of some sort: hold onto it, you most likely will never consider it out of style.

PHOTOGRAPHY: NGOC NGUYEN MODEL: SKYLAR SHUFORD STYLIST: HAILEY LILLIOT

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER MODEL: KAW THER ASAD STYLIST: MARA HARRIS

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PHOTOGRAPHY: NGOC NGUYEN MODEL: NAKYRAH RADNEY STYLIST: BAILEY W ILLIAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER STYLIST: MEGAN EARLY MODEL: HARRISON KAUFMANN

PHOTOGRAPHY: NGOC NGUYEN MODEL: SKYLAR SHUFORD STYLIST: HAILEY LILLIOT

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER STYLIST: HAILEY LILLIOT MODEL: LILY OʼBRIEN

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PHOTOGRAPHY: LAURA ROSS KING

entrepreneurial

women byAmyCottongim+GunikkaAhuja

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uccessful entrepreneurship requires commitment, unlimited amounts of motivation, and above all the ability to take the risk. In this male dominated world, women have always been taught to be the opposite of what it requires to become an entrepreneur. Taala Rassi is one of the fashion entrepreneurs who is breaking the norms and stereotypes with her brand, Taala Rassi Swimwear. Taala says “Don’t let the possibility of failing or rejection stop you from pushing forward, because beyond the risk always lies the opportunity for wisdom and growth. You have to become the best version of yourself every day and in everything that you do”. From Indian to Latino to Mexican Fashion to trendy sorority outfits, let’s meet some fearless women entrepreneurs who are taking a risk everyday to change the face of the fashion industry.

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NIKITA & RITIKA SHAMDASANI founders of Sani Sisters

Can you tell us about your startup and what made you have your own business?

My younger sister and I co-founded Sani, a line of Indian-inspired occasion wear. We bring together Indian culture and craftsmanship with modern silhouettes that reflect our Western upbringing. We started the business last year when, once again, my sisters and I were going to a beautiful Indian wedding in outfits we didn’t like. All of our friends felt the same way. Inspiration from top South Asian labels showed us what occasion wear could look like with $1000+ dollars for one outfit for one event of an Indian wedding, which tends to involve three to four days of events. Something was missing. I moved back from NYC to NC to join my high-schooler sister in creating Sani. We make the outfits we always wished we could find.

What impact do you have want to have on the world or on the textile industry through your startup?

We are a brand for and by young multicultural women. In an industry dominated by males and generational differences, we help young women find clothing that speaks to more than one part of them. And we don’t sacrifice style for comfort - we obsess over the finer details (like how to put pockets in more occasion wear!)

What advice would you give to girls out there who wish to become great entrepreneurs like you?

Take the first step. There’s a quote by Rumi that I love - “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” No one has it figured out. As two people without fashion degrees or any contacts in the fashion industry, we certainly didn’t. A great community and support system have helped turn our ideas into reality, one step at a time.

What are the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the world today?

I’ve been asked to sit on panels to “add some diversity” (not because of my competence or any other stated reason). I’ve been judged on the pitch of my voice or my height. Superficial elements have superseded my accomplishments, character, and work ethic. I have also gotten in my own way by minimizing what we have done and I have put fear of failure above the potential that incredible things can happen when you try. That has actually influenced a part of our future marketing strategy - we like collaborating with women that may not be influencers with tens of thousands of followers, but that are doing incredible work so that we can boost them up.

DOMINIQUE FAVERO founder of De La D.E.F

Can you tell us about your startup and what made you have your own business?

My brand is called De La D.E.F. The name is inspired by my initials, Dominique Elizabeth Favero (DEF), and my love for rap music. De la Soul is one of my favorite and first rap groups I listened to. I started my business to bring awareness to issues that were affecting my community. I am a Mexican American transplant from San Diego, California. Upon arriving to North Carolina, I found that I was having to cope with a lot of discrimination. The way I chose to do that was through my art.

The art I sells pointed at raising awareness for issues that affect the Latino community while also celebrating my culture.

What advice would you give to girls out there who wish to become great entrepreneurs like you?

I would advise any women who wants to start a business is to stay true to yourself and believe in yourself though it may sound cliché. What I have found is that people want authenticity because fakeness is easy to detect. Embrace whatever it is that makes you unique. Brand it. YOU are your brand, so represent it at all times. There’s always people who are going to want to take you down when they see you being great so affirm your own capability and keep moving forward. Rely on yourself.

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER

What impact do you have want to have on the world or on the textile industry through your startup?

My creative spirit transcends material art and so one day, I’ll grow out of that space but never forget it. Through every medium I manipulate, I seek to portray my experience on this earth thus far. I try to convey my despair through the most rosy tinted lens possible. It seems very individual, but through that approach I hope to create space for others who have dealt with the same bitterness, depression, and aimlessness. As for the textile industry, I hope to bring native Mexican textiles and imagery to the United States on our terms rather than those that produce the appropriated versions you see throughout the mall.

Go get experience first. Honestly. I know you want to hear me saying “follow your dreams”, but it’s exhausting, unpredictable, and emotionally draining. When you get experience in whatever field or industry you’re interested in then you learn what works and doesn’t work for you. Who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself working in a company that loves your ideas and implements them.

But if you do get experience, you’re still unhappy, and you can’t stop thinking about your idea, then you need to come back to Raleigh and start working on it (that’s what I ended up doing.)

What impact do you have want to have on the world or on the textile industry through your startup?

Oh my the world is so big, but if I could make an impact it would be to show others that nothing is impossible. I know it sounds so cliché but it’s true. When you work hard, you’re passionate, your heart is in the right place, and you’re genuine, you can create a movement. I want people to hear or

LISBETH CAROLINA ARIAS founderandCEOofDescalza

Tell us about your startup and what made you have your own business?

I was never looking to start my own business. If I was then I would’ve taken business classes at State and been a little more prepared. I started Descalza because it kept following me. I kept thinking about my internship and the artisans I worked for while I was in Guatemala my sophomore year.

They’re preserving these traditions through fabrics that represent our heritage and they’re so talented. I also kept thinking about the Latino community in the US and how beautiful and colorful our culture is, but unfortunately the media doesn’t portray that. We are often pictured as victims or villains and I don’t want people to think of us like that.

We’re beautiful, just like the fabrics our artisans have been weaving for centuries. I knew that fashion could change these perceptions. I knew that when someone gives you a compliment on your skirt or your tie, you have the opportunity to create a conversation with that individual and share them your story. This is why I started Descalza. I wanted people to be proud of their skin and of their culture and be able to share that with others. Fashion is the skin you choose to wear and I wanted mine to tell you my story.

What advice would you give to college girls out there who wish to become great entrepreneurs like you?

PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER

see Descalza in the streets and remember that all odds were against me but we did it. So even if all the odds are against you, you can do it too.

What are the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in the world today?

This is a difficult question for me to answer since I don’t know if my challenges are derived from being female, being in my mid-20s, or being a first-generation Latina. Regardless they’re there and the biggest challenge for me is coming from within. I think as women we are constantly taught that we have to be perfect and that we need to have it together before we make any sort of decision. Therefore, it takes me a while to feel fully confident to make any decision. I get nervous and worry that what I’m doing is not enough or that I’m not enough. This is dumb. Women shouldn’t have to feel this way or be told that we have to be perfect. We just have to be true to ourselves and that’s it. We are enough. I am enough and you are enough, too.

SHARON BUI formerownerofFrillClothing What was your degree from NC State?

Fashion Textile Management and Marketing, with a concentration in Brand Management and Marketing. I graduated in 2013.

How did you start your Frill Clothing?

I only had $350 when I started it up and was somewhat frustrated with wearing outfits I’d never wear again during sorority recruitment week. I wanted to make sure that I could sell affordable, cute clothing and not spend an immense amount of money on a piece of clothing that I’d wear once.

“Don’t

stop.

Be positive, flexible and coachable.”

What caused you to go on the show, Shark Tank?

I was in love with the show and was inspired to go on it because I wanted to expand the product line and marketing of Frill Clothing.

What kinds of fashion trends are you liking right now?

Overall, I don’t follow the trends. I like dressing preppy and edgy. I could have a J. Crew look day, or a Vestique kind of day. In regards to current trends, I currently love the white boots. Oh and the matte jewelry, like what Madewell sells. I love the sweater with tight skirt look, and the fun earring phase. I love the snakeskin prints.

Have you always felt the desire to be an entrepreneur/run your own business?

No, surprisingly enough. I saw having Frill as a way of solving the problem of having to spend a lot of money on an outfit I would wear once during sorority recruitment.

Do you still own Frill? What is your current job now?

I sold Frill completely about a year after being on Shark Tank. I am currently a program and marketing manager at Cisco. I loved marketing and wanted to do it for a big technology company. I also wanted to keep up with the innovation and technology, I felt like I could change more lives with technology.

PHOTOGRAPHY: THOMAS BLAKE

What’s your biggest piece of advice for those desiring to achieve goals in life/create a brand?

Don’t stop. Be positive, flexible and coachable.

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TH E B R AN D S W E

LL O O VV EE

by Anne Graf

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ur capitalistic society is built on a foundation of brands and companies, but there are so many now that it is easy to become overwhelmed. We, at Pack Fashion, thought we would save you the trouble, and share a few of our favorites!

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand that emphasizes integrity and transparency; all of their products are affordable and free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and all those harmful chemicals, and not a single product is tested on animals. Each product is packaged in a plain bottle and simply named what it is (for example, Retinol 0.2% in Squalane or Salicylic Acid 2% Solution), without relying on buzzwords or cool graphics to attract customers.

Patagonia is an American clothing company that strives to be sustainable by donating to environmental efforts, using organic cotton and recycling plastic water bottles to create polyester. While they began by creating outdoor clothing,

now they have everything from puff jackets to dresses.

Stance is a company built around socks: fun, unique, effective, good quality socks. Need I say more?

The Good On You app takes the frustration out of ethical clothes shopping. This app allows you to look up different brands to see how sustainable and upstanding they are, and discover ethical brands that you may not have been aware of otherwise.

Billie is a brand like no other: they created Project Body Hair in an effort to normalize women’s body hair in the media and recognize that each woman makes a choice about what, if any, hair she removes. Thus, while their shaving subscription service is catered towards women who do shave (and wish to do so affordably - no Pink Tax!), they also offer products to care for body hair, and are the first women’s shaving brand to show hair in their advertisements.

Bettermen, an apparel and home goods brand, ethically sources products through fair trade and works with artisans around the

world, with the end goal of inspiring others to be better. They use sustainable practices, give 10% of their proceeds to charity, and actively volunteer with organizations. To top it off, their products are incredibly unique and very boho-chic!

From strappy leather sandals to little carved agate elephants, you’re bound to find something you love.

Transparency, recycled water bottles, socks, ethical shopping: these companies are using their expertise to make their corner of the world a better place! If you are looking for skincare that is good for you and does not hide anything, then The Ordinary is for you! If you are concerned about the sustainability of the fashion industry, and want to support a conscientious company, then try out Patagonia or Bettermen (and you can find other great companies on the Good On You app). If you also shudder with indignation at the mere thought of the Pink Tax, look into Billie! And of course, if you are ever in need of some snazzy socks, Stance is the place to go.

MODELS: ADRIANA ORITZ, OSCAR MEJIA BARAHONA PHOTOGRAPHY: NANDI BRYAN

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MODELS: ALESSANDRA RAMIREZ PHOTOGRAPHY: MADI LANGLEY STYLIST: MACKENZIE PIERCE MAKEUP: TAYLOR BUTLER

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hat is “everyday beauty” when you’re in college? Do you put a full face of makeup on only for it to melt off on the way to class or do you not put any makeup on and go about your day in a freshfaced kind of way? For those of the latter, the brand Glossier is ideal for college students. With Glossier more suited for a college budget, what you are offered is for certain what you get and more. Their award winning perfume, “You” is a unisex scent that is irresistible and bound to get you many compliments.

But among their makeup products, their “Boy Brow” is a top seller for many reasons. It makes your brows look defined without looking fake and the formula is so soft it does not make your brows feel stiff either.

What makes Glossier so wonderful, and especially wonderful for college students, is how easy the products are to use and that above all else you still look like you after applying the products. The eyeshadows called “Lidstar” are offered in a plethora of dreamy colors ranging from an earthy green to a pale lilac.

The creamy formula is easy to apply as it comes out of lipgloss tube and it enhances your natural look even more so. Glossier also features a variety of models with varying skin tones and different assets to one’s face whether it be splotch of freckles or a distinctive beauty mark. Glossier embraces differences and celebrates the little things that make us all who we are in threefold. The most important aspect this brand embraces is that one’s natural beauty does transcend all the makeup in the world but a little swipe of lipstick doesn’t hurt from time to time.

AN ODE TO

GLOSSIER

by Isabelle Pringle

ILLUSTRATIONS: NGOC NGUYEN

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NO

PHOTOGRAPHY: MADI LANGLEY MODELS: GRACE DODOO, MADISON NEELY, RUTH W ILSON, MAGGIE KIMMEL STYLISTS: MACKENZIE PIERCE, MEGAN EARLY, JAY MARTIN, HANNAH STOLTZ MAKEUP: MORGAN PETERSON HAIR: ARIANA FERREIRA

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PHOTOGRAPHY: BEN RATTERREE MODEL: EMILY STOLARCZYK STYLIST: MACKENZIE PIERCE MAKEUP: MORGAN PETERSON HAIR: ARIANA FERREIRA

IR

et

bl a nc

MODELS: GRACE DODOO, RUTH W ILSON PHOTOGRAPHY: MADI LANGLEY STYLST: JAY MARTIN, MACKENZIE PIERCE MAKEUP: MORGAN PETERSON HAIR: LIVIA PRESTIFILIPPO

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MAGGIE JARRETT MODEL: MAGGIE KIMMETT STYLIST: HANNAH STOLTZ MAKEUP: MORGAN PETERSON HAIR: ARIANA FERREIRA

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PHOTOGRAPHY: KORI HYER MODEL: NATHAN KOHN STYLIST: SAMIA USMANI MAKEUP: SATA SCOTT HAIR: ARIANA FERREIRA

sincerely

SPECTA

by Isabelle Pringle

MODELS: NAKYRAH RADNEY, ANASTASIA SHYMONYAK PHOTOGRAPHY: VIDUSHA RAO , KATIE WATSON STYLISTS; JAY MARTIN. MACKENZIE PIERCE

Contact Ali Velas: support@sincerelyina.com

CULAR O n a cloudy, some might say gloomy morning in October, Ali Velas, founder of Sincerely, Ina, meets with me to discuss her brand. One can tell almost immediately that is she eager to talk about Sincerely, Ina and is in the throes of prepping her brand to launch in just a mere several days. When I ask Ali about why she wanted to start her own business of creating denim jackets from reusable textiles, she tells me “the reason I started my brand at the core center is my Grandma, Ina, and she is the reason that I began sewing.” Sincerely, Ina is named after Ali’s grandmother and it is evident that she is the biggest inspiration behind it. “We had an obsession with way too many clothes and jackets” Ali tells me of her relationship with her grandmother and that whenever they went shopping together, “for some reason, I would always walk into a mall and always walk out with five jackets.”

Jackets, for Ali, are the focal point behind Sincerely, Ina but as the business gets more established she says she would love to branch out into leather and more denim. With the creation of the brand itself, Ali believes her business endeavor for her family life has “brought us back together and it’s made us relive [Ina’s] life again.”

Personal and meaningful relationships are a key component to what the Sincerely, Ina brand has been built upon. When asking about how she incorporates the ever increasing importance of sustainability into her brand, Ali tells me that her time at NC State has helped her better appreciate the importance of being knowledgeable about the roots of the clothes we wear. Her hope is that consumers of her products can get a better grasp

of this as well. “I will take other materials that I have saved over the years or are on things when I’m out thrifting,” Ali says of her process when she is making her jackets.

When a stunning dark-wash cropped jean jacket catches my eyes with pearl embellished sleeves and a cobalt-blue shearling capelet to boot, Ali tells me she found the pearls herself while thrifting. Even though this process does take a large chunk of time, she believes “it’s worth it, because in the long run you’re saving any kind of product and other textiles out there.”

Along with constructing jackets from scratch, Ali offers the option to clients to send in vintage jackets and denim pieces so she can refurbish them and bring a new life to old clothes. This idea is extremely important because, according to Ali, “I want to teach the world about going out and spending that time to understand the sustainability movement.” More than that she explains, “I really want people to feel involved in the brand and not just have it all on me.” Ali wishes for clients to feel involved during the process and feel as if they are creating their jacket with their own hands too. The price point of around $200 may seem steep to some college students, but Ali believes wholeheartedly her product is worth the price tag.

When I ask about the best advice she has received about starting her own business, Ali expresses how she felt often in the beginning, “when you’re sitting here doing everything by yourself I do feel overwhelmed a lot of the time, and so many people have told me to go get a business partner or a friend to do this with you. But I really wanted to share this story myself because nobody knows my Grandma.” Her final words of wisdom to impart? “You have to believe in yourself, trust yourself and you can do it by yourself.” Truer, no, more sincere words have never been spoken.

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PACKING IN THE

FASHION

check out what the Packfashion board is loving this season

“I found this [dress] at a market in London and had to have it. I’m obsessed!”

- Taryn, Social Media Director

“This was my mom’s jacket and she’d kill me if anything happened to it.”

- Megan, Lead Stylist

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“I love that these shoes are a statement with any outfit.”

- Samia, Creative Director

“This super chic hat works with any look. It’s a staple piece for me.”

- Mackenzie, Lead Stylist

“I love amping up a simple outfit with accessories and these are some of my favorites!"

- Megan, Editor in Chief ILLUSTRATIONS: NGOC NGUYEN

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“This brand promotes sustainability, female empowerment, and mental health. I love it.”

- Kori, Lead Photographer

“This birthday gift ended up being one of my favorite purses. It goes with every outfit.”

- Hannah, Creative Director

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“I wear my heels with confidence and scarf with pride.”

- Ariana, Modeling Director

“My mother gave me this ring she received at 16 on my own 16th brithday!”

- Isabelle, Deputy Editor in Chief

“I love pairing my grandad’s vintage Mustang t-shirt with a classic leather jacket.”

- Peyton, Web Director

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