When you look at Trent and Stephanie—a young West Toledo couple—you can’t help but feel young yourself. They’re warm and friendly; forthcoming about their goals, their preferences, their views on art and on the world. Their daily outfits suggest that they could be hitting the road for an adventure or heading out to a dance party.
What does personal style mean to you?
Trent: Personal style directly coordinates with your identity. It is very important because it represents how you visually exist in this life, in my opinion. Your style is you.
Stephanie: Personal style is a means of expression. Being able to represent yourself in any artistic form.
Is there any person, idea, or concept that influences what you wear?
T: I can’t say that I'm directly influenced by anyone in particular, but I'm really feeling the modern era boutique/streetwear movement or, as someone who was less informed would call it, "hipster fashion."
S: I love rocking my favorite designers, but I would have to say I am my biggest influence when it comes to styling myself.
Describe a time you pulled an outfit together on the fly using a little DIY spirit.
T: This is essentially what happens every time I step out of the house, with purpose. I always try to combine different articles of clothing I own for different looks. It also depends on what I'm doing that day or night.
S: It comes naturally to me to act as a stylist anytime a friend/family member/co-worker attends an event. It's something I enjoy greatly.
Do you favor any designers in particular? If so, why?
T: Yes, in fact I'm really big into Mishka NYC, Rocksmith clothing, Crooks & Castles, Supreme NYC, Play Clothes etc., also any gems I discover while thrifting. That's always grand.
S: I adore Black Milk Clothing. Their style is so free-spirited, and so bold. They’re not afraid to turn heads.
You both mentioned that fashion is a means of self-expression and confidence. How do you live that creed?
T: "Being fresh," I guess, is something that most young people are concerned with due to new fads or trends i.e. backpack rappers, poser skaters, hipsters. I, on the other hand, had been taught about how important appearance is since I was a wee lad. So, it has just simply become a part of my lifestyle over the years. Keeping my gear game up is top priority: confidence and self-expression are just parts of a whole.
S: I like to relate getting dressed to painting; Vincent Van Gogh once said "paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter’s soul."
