Interview by Leena Dreamers

Editing by Jeanne Bransbourg

Interview CUNY Outfits:
Intro: Introducing the world of fashion, creativity, and social media evolution! In this exciting realm, we explore the inspiring journey of a visionary content creator, driven by a passion for style and storytelling. Join us as we delve into the mind behind the innovative social media account CUNYOUTFITS, focused on capturing the vibrant fashion scene on CUNY campuses across NYC.

Tell me your story – How you got to where you currently are.
Noah- I've been toying with the idea of creating a social media account centered around college life, inspired by the Instagram page "Bar Stool." The initial concept was sparked one day while observing how my campus seemed like a runway, with stylish students flaunting their outfits. My aim was to capture and showcase this fashion-forward atmosphere. However, as the project evolved, it has transformed into something more significant. What started as a casual community for fashion enthusiasts within CUNY has now blossomed into a full-fledged magazine, collaborating with fellow students and brands. We have grown from an informal gathering of like-minded individuals to an educational platform. Our focus is on empowering our team members, who have side accounts where they share impressive work, but often go unnoticed due to their limited number of followers. Our new mission is to help them realize their potential and expand their reach. We want to guide them on how to grow their accounts and make their work more visible to a broader audience. By working together as a team, we aim to raise awareness of their talent and contributions within our college community.

What characteristics do you have that made your account grow so much?
Noah-In the absence of any competition or established social media presence for CUNY schools, I embarked on a new and creative idea. I reached out to various club Instagram accounts and meme pages run by fellow students affiliated with the school, asking for a shoutout. To my delight, the first one I approached gave me a shoutout, resulting in a boost of 200 followers. Within just two months, my account had garnered 1000 followers, primarily spreading through word of mouth. To aid this organic growth, I utilized stickers that further promoted the account. College provides an excellent environment to build a business since everyone is closely connected, making word-of-mouth marketing much more effective. Moreover, when your venture is directly related to college life, it becomes even easier to establish meaningful connections with individuals. While college may seem like a niche, the friendships and networks formed during this time can last a lifetime, extending far beyond the college experience.

What do you do/how would you describe what you do?
Noah- Initially, the account focused on capturing a lot of content featuring students' outfits on campus, accompanied by detailed descriptions of what they were wearing. This personal touch aimed to provide comfort and inspiration to others, as they could relate to their peers' styles and looks. The account's primary goal was to create a relatable space for students. As the account grew, it evolved into a magazine-style platform with more polished content. The shift involved professional-style pictures of students posing in a studio setting. To facilitate this transition, collaborations with brands were initiated, making it easier for models to showcase various fashion items. By involving more students, the account transformed into a collaborative space, resembling a magazine. To enhance the professionalism of the account, a team was assembled, including a stylist, journalist, photographer, videographer, and other students, who were given a platform to showcase their talents. Despite the growth and transformation, the creator maintained the essence of authenticity. The intention was to keep the photos raw and unfiltered, taken with an iPhone rather than glamourous setups, to preserve the relatability and avoid intimidating the audience. The account continues to capture students as they are, in their natural state, without the need for excessive professional grooming, creating a genuine connection with the audience.

What is your process like?
Noah- Before every photoshoot, I begin by envisioning the concept or mood I want to convey through the images. Sometimes, I have a clear and specific vision in mind, and I involve my team to bring this idea to life. We collaborate closely to build the photoshoot, ensuring everyone's input is valued. Once the concept is agreed upon, we set a date for the shoot. To find models, we reach out to potential candidates directly or invite interested individuals to apply through Instagram DMS. The real magic happens during the photoshoot when each member of the team sprinkles their creativity onto the idea, much like "salt bae." The journalist, videographer, and photographer each add their unique flair, enriching the project with their talents. After the shoot, the post-production work comes into play. I meet with the graphic designer to ensure our visions align. We go through drafts until we achieve the perfect final result, refining and perfecting the visuals together. The whole process is a collaborative effort, with everyone contributing their creativity and expertise, ultimately crafting a stunning visual story that captures the desired mood or feeling.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years with this page?
Noah- To start the expansion, I would first broaden the scope to include all NYC schools. This step would allow me to connect with a more extensive network of students, capturing diverse styles and experiences from different educational institutions within the city. Once the account successfully incorporates all NYC schools, the next phase would involve expanding to include the SUNY schools in New York State. By doing so, I would extend the reach to a broader audience and capture the unique fashion trends and expressions from various SUNY campuses. With a solid presence across New York State, the final stage of my fantasy journey would be to extend the account's coverage to all schools throughout the rest of the country. This significant step would bring together an incredible array of styles, cultures, and trends from students across America. In this fantasy transformation, the account would become a thriving hub for fashion enthusiasts, showcasing the vibrant diversity and creativity of students in schools nationwide.

You liked the barstool style of Instagram, would you want it to be similar to their Instagram set up or would you want it all under one domain?
Noah- It would be like NYUoutfits or Colombiaoutfits.

What about the accounts that are already are out there that have similar ideas?
Noah- Currently, there is an existing account associated with the school, which is managed by a person who reached out and appreciated my content. However, my vision is to foster collaboration with these existing accounts, allowing them to create content under my name. I believe in giving individuals the opportunity to have their own segments on my account. If the content they produce is of high quality and aligns with the vision, I'll be more than happy to feature it, thereby supporting them in growing their own audience. In this collaborative approach, these individuals would become ambassadors for the account. This strategy makes the content more personal and relatable to students since they get to see their peers creating content. Moreover, when the focus is on creating content for a collective purpose rather than solely for individual gain, it often becomes a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. By encouraging students to contribute and showcasing their work, the account becomes a dynamic platform where creativity flourishes, and everyone can find a place to express themselves and connect with their peers. It transforms into a genuine community where students inspire and uplift each other through their shared passions and creativity.

What are some upcoming projects we can expect from you?
Noah- The idea for my next shoot is a Paris x New York City photoshoot. I have two mixed students (a guy and girl) and we’re gonna go to a private green area in the west village and do a shoot there. Its gonna be called the summer of love in French; its gonna be a lovey dovey type thing. Instead of an article, I found a student who writes poems and its going to be a love poem instead of an article. Also trying to plan a public event on May 27th on the Great Lawn but still working out the details. Want to do a collab with his friend that runs a small clothing brand, wants to do a photoshoot with CUNY students in his clothes. Wants to collab with a college party promoter.

What inspires you?
Noah- My passion for movies has always been a driving force in my life. It was the original art form that captivated me. However, what truly brings me joy is capturing those little moments with students and using them to inspire others. One particular incident stands out vividly in my mind: a girl approached me and my friend, complimenting my outfit and suggesting that I should curate CUNY outfits for an account. This encounter was profoundly inspiring and planted the seed for my project. As I started building the account, people began to take notice and talk about it. The response was overwhelming, with students eager to be featured on the account. This positive reception was truly heartwarming and reinforced my belief that this idea had the potential to make an impact on the college community. The fact that my Instagram account was even showcased in one of my classes by a professor after a presentation on it was an incredibly surreal and rewarding experience. It made me realize that taking action on my idea and bringing it to life was the right decision. Seeing the appreciation and excitement from the people around me has been immensely gratifying. It motivates me to continue inspiring others through the moments I capture and the stories I tell on the account. Each day, I strive to create a space where students can find joy, inspiration, and a sense of belonging through their shared fashion experiences.

What does CUNY Outfits represent to you?
Noah- To me, this project is not just about fashion and arts; it represents the authentic spirit of New York. When people envision a college experience in NYC, they often think of prestigious institutions like NYU, FIT, and Columbia. While these schools have their charm, CUNY students truly embody the essence of real New York. Unlike the larger schools that consist mostly of transplants, CUNY students are the heartbeat of this city. A significant percentage, around 95%, are native New Yorkers who have chosen to pursue their education within the CUNY system. Their decision reflects a commitment to getting a quality education while staying true to their roots. Through this account, I aim to celebrate the diverse and genuine experiences of CUNY students. It showcases the everyday fashion and stories of those who form the fabric of this vibrant city. These are the students who walk the streets of New York with a sense of belonging, living and breathing the authentic New York culture. By capturing their unique styles and personal journeys, I want to challenge the notion that only certain schools define the NYC college experience. The CUNY community, with its deep ties to the city and diverse student body, represents the real essence of New York—a city built on dreams, ambition, and the rich tapestry of its people.

How do you pick the people you feature on your page?
Noah- What I love about this approach is that it reflects my personal tastes and preferences. When I'm with friends, they often point out outfits that I may have overlooked, and their input adds another layer of excitement and discovery to the project. While I occasionally receive pictures from my stylist and students at other schools, the heart of the content is still driven by my own photography. I enjoy being in control of the creative process, as it gives me the freedom to express my unique perspective through the lens. Through this account, I hope to continue showcasing the beauty and diversity of fashion, and the individuals who effortlessly carry their unique styles. It's about celebrating the fleeting moments that catch my eye and sharing them with the world. It's my way of contributing to the fashion community and connecting with like-minded individuals who appreciate the artistry of personal expression.

What have you learned through running CUNY outfits or any take aways?
Noah- One of the most significant realizations I've had about social media is that garnering attention often requires bold and attention-grabbing publicity stunts. Standing out in a sea of similar content creators is essential, especially when numerous fields of content overlap and everyone seems to be producing similar types of videos. Many content creators follow the same premise of filming themselves, making it crucial to bring a unique and fresh perspective to the table. For me, the key to standing out is focusing on the people around me, capturing their stories and experiences in a way that sets my content apart from the rest. I've been particularly intrigued by the evolution of vlogging over time. Initially, there was a trend of attempting to emulate Hollywood-style artsy videos, with lengthy 20-minute formats inspired by influencers like Casey Neistat. However, the landscape shifted, and creators like David Dobrik popularized shorter, more engaging 5-minute videos. Eventually, the trend transitioned towards clickbait content on YouTube. In this competitive field, originality is paramount. To succeed and thrive, your content must shine brightly amidst a plethora of creators attempting to replicate one another. Finding that unique idea and carving out your own niche becomes the key to capturing and retaining your audience's attention in the dynamic world of social media.

How would you describe the content you make?
Noah- I would describe it as college fashion community style content.

Looks by Leena is a website I created to promote more sustainability within the fashion industry. This is my take on showing people how to style their own clothes in seven different ways in order to display the unique ways in which your very own closest can be worn in hundreds of different ways without purchasing anything new. In this look guide I have upcycled a long-sleeve white shirt where I have fastened a handmade ScatterBrain patch to the front of the shirt. Shirts can be worn in many fashions as seen here. One of my biggest tips when styling is making sure all my colors match in my outfit but because in this shirt there are many colors due to the patch, I have many different color schemes to pick from. Between layering, folding, tying and manipulating, the shirt is able to be worn in seven different ways. Each outfit has a completely different essence.