Fashionista Bre’Yana Williams rocking the striped sweater she bought from her favorite store, Forever 21.
Photo by Carlie Madlinger
Montclair State fashionista Bre’Yana Williams is taking on a beautiful fall day in her flawless fall ensemble.
“Fashion has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a house full of girls. It was just me, my mom and my older sister. We all love fashion,” Williams said. “I would watch my mom as she would put her outfit together every morning. She would get whatever she was wearing, then she would pick out her shoes and her jewelry, so I was just always fascinated by that.”
As a junior majoring in communication and media arts, Williams, 20, has made fashion a vital part of her collegiate career at Montclair State. The MSU Fashion Club has been a home away from home for Williams since the first semester of her freshman year.
“I’ve always liked fashion, so it’s just somewhere I can go. I enjoy learning new trends and seeing different things that people are wearing,” she said.
A loyal member for nearly three years, she is now secretary of the fashion club. Williams is in charge of preparing the PowerPoints for each meeting, which take place on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in University Hall, where they discuss the hottest fashion trends and celebrity ensembles.
Williams will be expressing her creativity through fashion as a stylist for the club’s annual fashion show, which will be held on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in University Hall on the 7th floor. The theme this year will be cultural.
Williams said, “We [the fashion club E-board] wanted it to be different this year and unique from past years, so that’s why we picked the cultural theme. There are so many cultures just on Montclair’s campus so we wanted to showcase all of the cultures we have here.”
Along with the MSU Fashion Club, Williams is a contributing writer for HerCampus: Montclair. “The articles I write have to do with pop culture,” she said. “I’m very into celebrities and things that are trending in the fashion industry.”
Bre’Yana Williams struts around Montclair State with her favorite pair of over-the-knee boots from Charlotte Russe.
Photo by Carlie Madlinger
Williams is determined to have longevity within the fashion industry. She said, “I really want to work for Teen Vogue or Cosmopolitan, Seventeen Magazine—one of those. I want to write primarily about celebrities and their fashion because I just love everything that has to do with pop culture.”
Celebrities have a huge impact on the world and an even greater influence on fashion. Williams said, “I have multiple style icons. I loved Blake Lively’s style in ‘Gossip Girl.’ It was amazing. I love Kendall Jenner. She’s laid back, but she’s still fashion-forward. I also like Kylie Jenner’s style because she’s just so out of the box—does whatever she wants and it just looks good.”
While Kylie Jenner can seemingly pull off anything, a trend that Williams hopes the star and fellow fashionistas and fashinistos, in general, should stay away from is Crocs.
“Crocs—they physically hurt me when I see them,” Williams said. “I don’t like them, I don’t know why they’re a thing.”
Montclair State student Bre’Yana Williams makes sure to accessorize with these silver bracelets and a violet gemstone ring.
Photo by Carlie Madliner
Fashion has not only been an avenue for Williams to express her creativity, but a way in which her personality has been able to shine. “I was a very shy person growing up,” Williams said. “Once I got to high school, I just started dressing the way that I wanted to. I’d rather show people that I am fun and whimsical through my clothes than having to say it.”
Williams describes her style as comfortable, but still fashionable. “I love being comfy, but I don’t have a problem with putting on jeans and a nice comfy sweater,” she said. “You will never see me in sweat pants, I swear. Everyone is so shocked that I don’t wear sweatpants to class and I’m just like, ‘No I need to get dressed!’ I dress laid back and very girly. I love skirts and jewelry and all that stuff.”
In regard to style advice for Montclair State students, Williams said, “Wear what you feel the most comfortable in because the only person you should try to impress is yourself.”
Ensemble Examination:
The first thing I noticed in regard to Williams’ ensemble was her oversized black floppy hat: a fashion staple that is essential for every fashionista’s fall wardrobe. This statement piece complements her entire look and cohesively fits in with her accompanying monochrome black pieces. The black long sleeve top’s simplicity allows this garment to be extremely versatile. Dress it up or dress it down—a monochromatic black top can go with just about anything.
Forever ditching Crocs, Williams is able to make Montclair State her runway and strut, like her style icon Kendall Jenner, with these over-the-knee black suede boots which are undeniably a fall must-have. On her way to the library with her sturdy black Victoria’s Secret Pink backpack, Williams stood out from students who decide to study in their pajamas. She kept comfortable and still fashionable with these awesome acid wash skinny jeans. November has been warmer than usual, yet on those expected chilly days, Williams’ striped sweater is a great companion to keep her warm and stylish.
Black floppy hats are a fashion staple that is essential for every fashionista’s fall wardrobe.
Photo by Carlie Madlinger
