Clothing has the unique ability to define someone — what gives someone their individuality, how people walking by perceive them. Some people throw on whatever they find first in the morning, but others take great pride in what they wear. Rachel Erickson, GSB ’25, is one of the latter.
Erickson has one of the most enviable traits of a girl living in New York City: an effortless and undeniable sense of style. She is the co-president of Fordham’s Fashion for Philanthropy, and she happens to be my favorite person’s closet to raid. Whether she’s dressing up for dinner in Manhattan or reading with her roommates, Erickson uses fashion to express herself.
On Wednesday, with the day off from class, Erickson is wearing flare yoga pants with a crocheted sweater and a pair of slippers to pair off the look. While keeping it lowkey on a day off, Erickson’s clothes are still able to dictate how her day will go. “If I have to get work done or be motivated, I feel more productive if my outfit is cute. If I’m wearing something I sleep in, I feel like that’s what I should be doing, so getting a little bit more dressed up makes me feel like I should do something,” she said. She’s not the kind of person to dress for other people, what she wears is truly a reflection of who she is and what she’s doing.
“I think when people meet me, they would think I’m bubbly, nice and funny — hopefully funny!” she said. First impressions are an important part of getting to know someone, and clothing can certainly have an impact on that. As a part of Fashion for Philanthropy and MODE magazine, two fashion clubs on campus, it’s easy to understand Erickson’s love for and relationship with fashion.
When it comes to deciding what to wear on the daily, it can change depending on the occasion for Erickson. “When I get dressed up for class, I feel more motivated to do more with my day. It’s kinda all about motivation for me. I definitely dress differently for different occasions, though. I put more effort into dressing for my clubs rather than my classes. Since they’re all fashion related, I want to step up my game a little bit.” Being involved with people who are like-minded with the same interests is a catalyst for Erickson to explore how fashion and styling fit into her life.
Fashion has always been a part of Erickson’s life, and something she cares to put effort into, so much so that she hopes to work in fashion public relations in the future, as she is a marketing major and fashion studies minor. “I can still be involved in the fashion industry and trends, but less focus on design and more on the social aspect, which I love.”
Erickson is somebody that doesn’t let other people define her. She wears what she likes, often inspired by the ’90s looks of Jennifer Aniston and Carolyn Bessette, and isn’t afraid to try new things. In wearing clothes that speak to her and define her mood of the day, she is able to tell the world exactly who she is.
