Be Unique

Red Light Off: Hoping to get another interview before spring break, I “people watched” before my 2 pm class. As students were funneling out of lecture halls, I took notice in all aspects of style, from hair to shoes. Only about 15 or 10 minutes were left until I would have to give up and walk into Soc100. However, fortunately enough, I spotted a sweet and spunky student. After racing to her to ask if she had time for an interview she kindly agreed and we walked over to the nearest place to have a seat…


Shoes & Sweater/Zipper dress (from mom), Leggings from new store on 4th (next to Imonni), Cabi Jacket (Carol Anderson By Invitation), Belt


Red Light On: From her short pixie cut to her colorful ensemble, Chelsea Knights, a Fashion Merchandizing major, exudes the essence of individuality. Knights loves jewelry, and gets creative designing her own ceramic pieces. She is inspired by animals and nature when using hand formed clay to make one-of-a-kind necklaces. Although they take a great amount of time to complete, she enjoys the detail work she puts into them.

Knights likes to work her outfits around her jewelry, and usually wears vintage or stylish finds from her mom’s closet. Maybe fashion is in her genes, she mentions that her mother was a fashion designer in the 80’s and gets most of her unique clothing from her. When it comes to shopping, Knights ventures to “Retro Row” in Long Beach off 4th and Cherry Street. Where she explores various vintage shops, including such stores as Meow and Imonni. Although vintage is primarily her style she also finds great staples at Anthropologie and Free People. “I like to get quality pieces that I can wear different ways…it’s worth it,” Knights says. The value of clothing outweighs it’s price, she believes spending good money on a lasting item is more important than getting a one time use for something low cost.

Her favorite fashion designers include the colorful flare of Betsey Johnson and the high end style of Alexander McQueen, “Theirs no one that can design like him, its like so different, it was a unique vision,” Knights says. She cannot live without her jewelry, and deems her crocodile necklace her favorite self made creation. The necklace contains two overlapping crocodiles with tails that curl around the neck.

She believes people should stand out rather than blend in when it comes to style. Knights advice to you is to make your outfit different, not getting mixed up in the same old t-shirt and jeans. “Try to be unique, and look for pieces that aren’t what everybody else is wearing.”

Photos/written by: Alexis Sparks