Phoenix Fashion is Elon University's first fashion club, and its mission is to educate about the fashion industry, promote sustainability, create clothing, and display the clothing it creates.
Sophomore Brooke Gustafson founded Phoenix Fashion to create an organization that could educate others about fashion and sustainability, but also help people, regardless of their skill set, fashion knowledge, or gender, look It's also a place that makes you feel good.
Gustafsson is studying abroad and could not be reached for comment, but Phoenix Fashion interim president Tia Wall and the club's artistic director Elise Whittaker said the club remains supportive of Gustafsson's vision for the organization. .
“Fashion is so subjective, so I think this is a great way to show fashion for all genders and all different styles,” Wall said. “Everyone is welcome to participate. Many of our events include sewing workshops and fashion trivia, but nothing takes 'gender' into account.” ”
Whitaker said Gustafson was able to create a welcoming environment for all Phoenix Fashion members and Elon students.
“I really loved her passion for fashion,” Whittaker said. She said, “When she came to Phoenix her fashion, she felt like she really belonged and she discovered her own artistic abilities.”
Despite being only a one-semester club, Phoenix Fashion has learned how to incorporate fashion into Elon's campus.
“I lead the magazine that we produce for the club,” Whittaker said. “We also try to introduce fashion trends here at Elon and incorporate fashion as a whole into Elon's identity.”
Phoenix Fashion has also focused on increasing brand awareness through social media.
“We’ve been focusing a lot of this semester on branding, getting our logo out there and posting on Instagram,” Wohl said. “I’ve also started posting consistently and collaborating with people.”
Our organization also holds various events.
“Typically, we take people to Goodwill and do a savings trip there that just gets them hooked,” Wall said. After the recycling trip, Phoenix Fashion will hold a workshop to teach members how to upcycle recycled clothing, and at the end of the year they will do a magazine photo shoot showcasing all the recycled clothing.
Whittaker said the club hopes to collaborate with other student organizations and campus resource groups to host workshops and other events in the future.
“We will definitely be working with GLC in the future,” Whittaker said. “A lot of the fashion trends we see come from underrepresented people, and we really want to collaborate with those people because it gives them a voice. is.”
Wall also said Phoenix Fashion will collaborate with the Center for Racial, Ethnic and Diversity Education, Oaks Originals and Elon Sustainability.
“One of the things we do is ‘What Were Wearing Wednesday,’ where we go around campus and find students, but it doesn’t matter what they’re wearing,” Wall said. Told.
In addition to fashion sustainability and education, Phoenix Fashion also aims to create an inclusive environment for all those interested in fashion at Elon University through social media and workshops.
“We want to have more collaboration, and as the club continues to grow, we want to expand the size of our board,” Wall said. “We also want to run a variety of workshops, including sewing, makeup, photography, hair and costume assembly.”
Phoenix Fashion meets the first Tuesday of every month at McEwen 210, and you can follow the club on Instagram @phoenixfashionelon.