Women of Howard
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Aysia Mayo.
Bintu “Fashionista” Kabba.
This is the first of an occasional series I’ll do on college students in the area. Men of Howard will post tomorrow.
Howard University has been called a “fashion show,” and when I went the other day for a look, I found it to be completely true. It was a Friday and a gorgeous, sunny day on campus, and everyone–the men and women both–were out showing off their spring wardrobes. Personal style, as opposed to “fashion,” is important at Howard. “We don’t try to follow trends,” said Bintu Kabba (above, in yellow). “I don’t want to look like the next person, and I like to play around with it…I can look 50s one day and 70s another day.” Women tend to favor heels, True Religion jeans, and bold, statement outfits. There’s definitely a sense of fun and playfulness…and competition in terms of dress. If you wanna wear sweats to class, don’t go to Howard.
Sarde Weathers.
Alana Mayo.
Sidney Luke & Lauren Woulard (“We’re inseparable!”). They’re involved in the school’s newly formed modeling troupe, Uforiya. Uforiya shows involve elements of choreorgraphy and dance, and they’re “more about the models and the story than the clothes,” explains Luke. “It’s a new twist on fashion shows.”
Gabrielle Monroe.
Naima Kamos.
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This is so true about the campus being a catwalk of sorts. On some fashionistas, it looks like the 80′s threw up on them. So faux pas. On a similar note, Howard University is having its annual Spring Fashion Show tomorrow evening and its an out doors one, complete with tents–a la Bryant Park!
Great post! These girls are a blast, own their looks, and have fun with fashion. NICE
I love these photos. All of these girls have such a great sense of style. I only wish that a small fraction of the girls I went to college with had so much style. They were obsessed with Express! Fashion show sounds like a blast. I’m jealous.
I live down the street from Shaw Jr. High, where they have school uniforms. I love the way those girls dress to distinguish themselves from the masses. They colorful scarves, bangles and wrestling shoes. They inspire me to be a little more adventurous in my clothing choices.
This was definitely one of the most fun “assignments” I’ve done for a post…the kind of thing I feel like I could do more of without a full-time job! I suspect that doing this for all of the area schools will be pretty interesting, especially once they’re all complete. It’s not going to be just about the clothes, but the personalities and attitude. The poses alone will tell so much.
what a great set! i love how everyone’s wearing so much color – spring has totally sprung.
This is one of my favorite posts of yours so far! Can’t wait to see what the guys are wearing. . .
Okay, maybe this is me showing my old age of 27, but aside from the last two looks (which I LOVE) and maaaybe the first one, I think the rest of these girls are not only trying more than a bit too hard to look trendy but some of them are also pretty inappropriately dressed for school.
Bright turquoise flats, leopard print leggings, cropped striped top and flashy aviators all in the same ensemble? And short shorts and wedged heels for class?? I went to a pretty trendy, liberal university that was right next door to perhaps the most avant garde college crowd there is (RISD), but no one on either campus would *ever* wear short shorts and heels or bare cleavage to seminar.
Seems more like party-wear than day-wear — that’s my main point.
I don’t like making overtly negative comments on blogs, but the girl in the high-waisted skirt, lavender tie and enormous yellow bangs trying to pull off the “Gwen”…that’s just painful to look at.
WHOO HOWARD! I love my alma mater!
Rachel, you picked the PERFECT DAY to go shoot on the yard. It’s like a rite of spring on campus. That very first Friday when the temperatures shoot up and the sun comes means the yard becomes an instant fashion show. And you gotta love the enery of the Howard girls. That’s how we do.
Great post – these women are gorgeous and seem to have fun with each trend they are choosing to rock.
I have to say that I honestly think some people are over-analyzing the pictures and simply don’t understand what’s going on. I do admit that to the average person Howard students dress a little over the edge, but you have to understand that most of us are at the point in our lives where it is okay to express our individuality. A lot of us come from private high schools where uniforms were required so the only time we really had the chance to get dressed was on the weekends. And since we have yet to enter the corporate world, what better time then now do we have to explore and experiment with style. Oh and by the way, as much as I like Gwen, please believe that we have two totally different styles. Actually, my hair has been this color for three years and it was dyed for the simple purpose of prom…not to imitate the certian look of someone famous…TRUST. Other than that, I think that people need to be a little more open-minded and realize that we’re just having fun and living a little.
Sorry I’m late to the party:
I love Naima’s look. Very simple and the necklace she’s wearing is adorable.
I like most of the 80s style on here as well (though I do wonder about wearing short-shorts to school) and wish I could work it more often.
I think with the person who disagreed with the Howard style is from a different school (no pun intended) of style. Some people like tailored prep, others like more urban and colorful styles. Whatever floats your boat.
dat shit is crazy
they look like hootchies
yall look a damn mess
Hi Bintu Kabba you and I have the same name, are you from West Africa maybe Guinea?
am from Freetown,
Hit me if we can be friend.
YES!!! Good looking and representing our love Howard University.
- http://www.marcialagioandcompany.blogspot.com
Hi mi name is alyia I’m only 14 yrs old I see that in ur pix u guys have fun nd u have great taste in vclothes hopfully ill get a scholarship there I pray lol