Like many women at ASU, chemistry junior Eman Fendi just wants to look cute. So when it came to balancing her cultural guidelines of dressing with her love of fashion, Fendi found a way.
The Muslim student started the club Fashionistas at ASU last semester because she needed to find an outlet for her creativity and love of fashion.
“I love fashion and designer clothing but it’s more of a hobby for me,” Fendi said. “There was no minor available for my interest so I decided to start my own club.”
Being Muslim requires Fendi to adhere to certain guidelines when dressing. She must keep her arms and legs covered and wear a scarf around her head.
In accordance with the Quran, the Islamic religion requires that women cover their entire body, excluding their face and hands, and men are expected to cover up between the navel and the knee.
But Fendi doesn’t let that stop her from showing off her personal style.
“Like everybody, I want to look cute,” Fendi said. “I love bright colors, so I wear those instead of typical black.”
Though fashion is not her main career path, Fendi is working on her own lingerie line that she plans to launch online next summer. Her family does not yet know about her line but she said they have always been supportive of her.
Beginning in January, Fashionistas at ASU is the University’s second fashion-related club, following in the steps of the Fashion Journalism club that started in 2008. Its motto is that every woman is beautiful in her own unique way and invites anybody interested in fashion to join.
There are currently about 30 members from various backgrounds who all share a passion for fashion.
They do not have meetings but instead host a “fashion forward event” every month. Past events consisted of fashion shows on campus, beauty advice nights featuring Toni and Guy and Aveda, a clothing sale on Hayden and participation in a charity called Soles4Souls.
Soles4Souls is a national nonprofit organization that hosts shoe drives where people can donate their old shoes to people in need. Last semester, Fashionistas at ASU collected more than 200 pairs of shoes for the organization.
Club member Jenna Burns, a communications senior, said joining the club has helped her gain confidence in herself.
“No one judges you and everyone has their own look,” she said. “It’s all about making you a better you.”
The club plans on having similar events this semester including another student fashion show, beauty event and an open call for models.
The Fashionistas at ASU’s next event will be Sept. 10. They will be hosting an open casting call for FORD/Robert Black Modeling and Talent Agency.
Students of all shapes and sizes are invited to show up to be considered for hire. However, it’s encouraged that women be between 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall and men between 6 feet and 6 feet 3 inches tall.
The event will take place at the Memorial Union in Gila 224 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Reach the reporter at danielle.legler@asu.edu
