Style Stories: Adventures in Personal Style

Style Stories Adventures in Personal Style

Oletha Hope Crutcher

The world is a book, & those who do not travel only read one page. —Saint Augustine

To the brightest ray of sunshine I have ever known.

Life has been truly wonderful since you entered this world.

To the moon and back, Zoey, that is how much I love you.

Table Of contents

Foreword 1 Bianca Fitzpatrick 2 Why You Should Travel While Young

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Caroline Bartek 10 Tips For Traveling Moms

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Maureen Jenkins 18 5 Don’t-Miss Shopping Sites Around the World

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Nina Furstenau 24 Flavors of place: Ten Foods Not To Miss

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Vicky Wilson 32 10 Quick Tips On How To Pack Light

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Acknowledgments 39

Foreword C

hoosing your capstone is tricky business. Finding things you are truly passionate about doesn’t come easy; but when I sat down and looked at the bigger picture, the answer was clear. I love to write. I have loved it since I purchased my first journal in second grade at a book fair, complete with lock and key. I loved writing papers throughout school, but as soon as I arrived at college the passion faded. Somewhere between late night pizza deliveries, five a.m. photo shoots, and two nap Tuesdays, I began journaling again. When this happened, I felt more like myself than ever, realizing once again the elation I have for putting words on a page. My heart longs to think of serene sentences that will drift each person off to another land and Style Stories is a step in that delightful direction.

You will read five profiles on women who have traveled extensively overseas. You will learn their stories and hopefully get a glimpse inside their experiences. You will also learn about their personal style and how traveling has in some way shaped their perspective, not only on their style, but also on the way they see the world as well.

I hope you enjoy the journey, the adventure. I know I did.

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Bianca Fitzpatrick

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

Young & BRAVE B

ianca Fitzpatrick is not your average young woman. At the young age of 21, Fitzpatrick has managed to study abroad not once, but twice.

She has been to Milan Fashion Week and has even been featured in Marie Claire. With a keen eye for great style, Fitzpatrick is on her way to becoming a trendsetter and loud voice within the fashion industry and her travels have helped her along the way.

HC: Where have you traveled?

BF: I have traveled to Italy (Milan, Trento and Bologna), Amsterdam and London.

HC: What was the reason for your travels?

BF: I traveled for study abroad in Milan where I studied Fashion Merchandising at Nuova Accademia Di Belle Arti Milano.

HC: What is your favorite place you visited?

BF: That is a very hard question since I love everywhere I’ve traveled. But London would have to be my favorite.

I am definitely a city girl who loves a busy lifestyle.

Although London is (almost) too big for me, I appreciate the culture. It’s sort of like an upscale America. I say that because there are more people I see who are very trendy and fashion-forward. As far as social issues are concerned, I haven’t seen or experienced racism, which for me is important when I travel because I am an African American and that seems to be a problem in the country I live in. I felt safe there; I felt like no one was judging me and I even felt as if locals were going out of there way to make me feel welcome and loved. The city is absolutely beautiful! Even the quiet neighborhoods 3

are so adorable. I appreciate their transportation system (the tube) that gets you everywhere you need to go. If it weren’t so damn expensive, I would probably move there for a few years and work for a fashion brand in London.

HC: During your travels, what special garments did you purchase?

BF: It was the weekend before Fashion Week in Milan, and my fashion styling instructors gave us the week off so that we were able to experience the shows, network and find potential employers. I loved that about them.

I found a discount store called Touch and Go that sold designer brand apparel and accessories for 90% off. I purchased an Antonio Marras dress that had fine black lace, covered in beading that was conceptually placed on the front to cover my breasts and the bottom was a tutu. It was originally about $2,000, and I purchased it for $200. That same dress got me into Marie Claire after I had attended the Tod’s fashion show. I basically bow down to that dress everyday HC: What drew you to this particular piece? How does this garment make you feel and how has it sculpted your personal style?

BF: The style definitely attracted me to the garment. For one, it was black, which is my favorite color. I knew that I needed to stand out amongst other fashionistas. I had no clue how I was going to style it, but I instantly knew it was the perfect choice for me. The garment makes me feel as if I have power. People stare, they touch and they compliment me all the time. It’s not that I look for it by any means. Doesn’t matter to me whether people compliment me or not; but when I wear that dress, I feel like I could potentially be a major leader within the fashion industry, I feel like I know what I’m doing.

HC: How do you feel when wearing it overseas versus in the U.S.? Would you style it differently depending on your location?

BF: I feel much more comfortable wearing the dress overseas than here. I feel that if I were in a bigger city within the country that appreciated fashion on multiple levels, I would be okay. I believe I’ve only worn that same garment once in Chicago to an interview to be one of the cohosts for a web show with a designer. They absolutely loved it, but I did style it differently and made it look more casual.

HC: Have you let anyone borrow this garment?

BF: I will NEVER and I mean never let anyone borrow this garment. I did use it to style a model in a photo shoot, which was fine because I had my eye on it but even watching her model in it made me feel a little salty.

She looked great though. It’s valuable to me because, not only was it very expensive, but also I purchased it in one of the top fashion capitals of the world. I think I deserve to have a little salt.

HC: How has traveling changed you as a person?

BF: Traveling has changed me so much as a person that I can’t fully recall what my mentality was like before I had traveled. It has made that huge of an impact. I am definitely more bold, outgoing, assertive and confident. I have seen so much, learned so much and I know what I deserve as a student, employee and a woman. I demand that at all times and I feel everyone should.

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Shoes purchased overseas at Anthropologie Photograph by Hope Crutcher

Why You Should Travel While Young

By Bianca Fitzpatrick

It makes you uncomfortable.

The only way for you to grow is by placing yourself in an uncomfortable situation (like this one) that will open your eyes to some things that will change your life.

It’s life changing!

You learn about different cultures, languages, politics, social movements, food, fashion, art, and the list goes on.

It makes you so much smarter. It also gives you a bigger heart. You understand people more and their situations.

[Travelling] takes away the tunnel vision many of us can have.

NETWORKING.

I can recall meeting so many different people within different industries who have connections not only in that city or country but also all around the world. Believe it or not, some of these people can hook you up by simply just sending an email to the right person.

You find yourself.

I know myself so much better as a person. You get put in certain situations, conversations; and it does again, feel uncomfortable, but what do you do? You learn. You make decisions without anyone you know around and I know that sounds scary but it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

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Detailed ear-piece Photograph by Hope Crutcher

You gain maturity and learn how to handle more responsibilities.

On top of keeping up with your place, doing housework such as cooking and cleaning, you still have schoolwork on top of that. You also want a social life. What’s the point of living in a major city and not getting out there to make friends, find jobs and immerse yourself into what the city has to offer you?

Friends.

I have made some of the best friends abroad and they are from all over the world. Mexico, Brazil, New York, Colorado, Milan, London. We still FaceTime to this day. If you make the right friends, they can help you progress as well. When you travel, they’re always there.

Make friends everywhere! You find yourself spending less money on places to stay, being exposed to really cool things and making lasting friendships with good people.

It’s an amazing feeling.

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Caroline Bartek

Photograph by Devin Shallop

The triple Threat

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aroline Bartek is a woman of determination, no doubt about it. A mother and a part time college professor with a full time fashion career, Bartek is a triple threat. The multiple hats she wears have clearly given her the patience and knowledge to handle many different types of unexpected situations. For instance, when her baggage got lost on a trip to Paris and she found herself scrambling to find the perfect outfit last minute, you can bet that she conquered the day. Here’s Bartek’s style story as told through her eyes.

I traveled to Paris on business for a client presentation in February 2009. My luggage was lost for two days, meaning I had to find professional attire the morning of my presentation. I waited patiently for Galeries Lafayette to open and I rushed inside in search of a dress, suit jacket and shoes. It was like an episode of Supermarket Sweep. I shuffled around the store in a storm of chaos not understanding why I couldn’t find my size. I soon realized after asking an associate (in my best attempt at the French language ever, I was desperate), that only a sample size is showcased on the sales floor, all additional sizes are in the back. I got a dress and suit jacket and was in a panic to next find shoes. The shoe department was huge and the only shoes that I could find that looked like anything I’d seen back in the states much less were like anything I had at home, were a pair of Guess patent leather black, platform sole, silver accent on the heel of the pumps. They were WAY too sexy in my opinion, not professional looking at all but I was running out of time and had to settle on these to get me through this meeting.

When I got home I wasn’t sure what to do with them, I tucked them away in the back of my closet forgetting all about them. About eight months later, I was seeing 11

some platform heels at retail in the US. By winter 2009 I was contemplating pulling those heels out and when I did, it was transformative. I felt like a million bucks, powerful, on-trend and strong. Those heels reminded me of time when I was at a low, I was thrown a curve ball of lost luggage that threw me off my game. Those Paris-procured platform pumps represent to me that I am stronger than I think, but that I learned an important lesson. I should’ve been more open-minded seeing that “comfort-zone” shattering shoe department.

Today, I shuffle from meetings to catching flights, I run through airports in these shoes, they are my ‘ole reliable.

I panic in thinking about what will happen when these heels are at the end of their life. We’ve been through so much and those shoes continue to remind me that style really is our sixth sense. Style can reinvent, transform, change and speak to each of us in different ways as long as we are willing to trust it. After all, everything happens for a reason.

"We’ve been through so much and those shoes continue to remind me that style really is our sixth sense."

-Caroline Bartek

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Guess, black patent leather, platform pumps Photograph by Hope Crutcher

Bartek’s favorite earrings purchased overseas.

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

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Tips for traveling Moms

By Caroline Bartek

Start traveling with them when they are young.

Teach them how to travel well at an early age. They will figure out how to sleep in hotels, wait in airports, sit quietly on planes, and more when they are young and that makes traveling as they age, MUCH more enjoyable for all.

Prepare them for the unexpected and spontaneous nature of travel.

Explain that we are on an adventure and not everything can be perfectly scheduled or planned. Everyone is going with the flow.

Keep them busy by bringing a bag full of quiet activities to make the “downtime” enjoyable for your family and other fellow travelers.

If you are bringing technology bring headphones for them.

Make a list of what you will need for the trip.

I keep a list in my phone of all the “things” we need when we travel. I have a family-version, a personal version, a “Cruise” version, etc. that way you have a consistent, reliable list.

Explain travel etiquette early and often.

Explain they are not the only person traveling and not everyone is traveling for fun and vacation. Some people are sad because someone passed away, or someone is hurt or people are happy because they are celebrating a big birthday or accomplishment.

Specific airline etiquette like: 1. Do NOT pull, kick or shake the travel table on the airplane. It disrupts the person in the seat in front of you.

2. Talking quietly on the plane ensures that everyone is enjoying himself or herself quietly.

3. Manners about waiting in line to board will increase their likelihood of being a great traveler as an adult.

Pack snacks for everyone!

Traveling brings a lot of unplanned schedule changes and the best way to be prepared for that is to make sure the kids are well fed with healthy, comfortable snacks that they are familiar with.

Expose them to new, interesting and unique places both in the U.S. and abroad.

There are so many incredible marvels in this world, near and far, that can be explored and conquered if your children can travel well with you as a family.

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Maureen Jenkins

Photograph by Kathy Petrauskas

AMerican girl in an italian world

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cool but beautiful fall day in Florence, Italy set the scene for Maureen Jenkins as she strolled through the Standa supermarket feeling extra confident. Jenkins had recently purchased a new outfit and finally she began to feel like a real Italian woman.

She sported straight blue jeans that hugged her just right.

They were her favorite since she slipped them on in a small Florentine boutique just walking distance away from the grand Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Her caramel colored leather coat was buttery soft and she had loved it since the day she spotted it at Peruzzi, a store located in the famous Piazza Santa Croce square. Her hair was her natural curl and her oversized sunglasses made her feel even more sophisticated.

As she strolled to the counter to place her order, she felt the time of her just being another American girl in Italy was over. She confidently spoke in Italian but to her surprise, the waiter immediately realized she was no Italian woman. Jenkins’s experiment did not end with the hypothesis she had predicted.

“Certain things, maybe in our own mind, make us think differently about ourselves but there’s still a projection of what other people see despite the outer appearance,” Jenkins told me via Skype as she looked back on that day.

“We carry ourselves based on what we wear and how we wear it… but he could still automatically tell I was American.”

Jenkins’s travels have taken her to nearly 35 countries and territories; but Italy was by far her favorite. She lived in Florence for one year writing about fashion, food, and lifestyle. Looking back on her time there, she realizes it was a life-changing experience. “I feel as if I have an Italian soul and a second family there [in Italy].” Jenkins is a prime example how traveling abroad can truly change your perspective.

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Along the Arno River in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Photograph by Maureen Jenkins

5 Don’T-Miss Shopping Sites Around the World (Even If You Don’t Like to Shop)

By Maureen Jenkins

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s a former fashion reporter who spent years covering the international style industry for newspapers across the United States (including in Chicago, Phoenix, and Portland, Ore.), websites, and other publications, I’m very much a “civilian” when it comes to shopping these days. Although I’ve lived in or near some of the world’s most fashionable cities— including Paris, Florence, Italy, and now Chicago—I now seek out stores, boutiques and brands that fit my figure, personal style, and budget without spending time browsing the aisles and perusing the racks as a form of entertainment.

But whether you’re a diehard who lives and breathes fashion 24/7 or someone like me who’s far more interested in the socio-cultural aspect of clothing and accessories, here are five spots you shouldn’t miss when traveling the globe: Scuola del Cuoio in Florence, Italy: Firenze, as the city’s called in italiano, is world-famous for leather goods – and there are plenty of places around this Renaissance paradise to buy marvelously made items.

But this memorable spot inside the Monastery of Santa Croce (just off the tourist-favorite Piazza Santa Croce) is more than just a shop. It’s a place where trained artisans still craft leather goods, gild leather with gold, and sell everything from butter-soft gloves to hand-tailored coats to home accessories. And if you fall in love with all this leather, you can even sign up for a workshop or course to learn how it’s been done for centuries.

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The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey: One of the world’s largest and oldest markets (with a whopping 5,000 shops, it’s been operating since the 15th century), the Grand Bazaar is literally that—a bazaar. Imagine anything you might want to buy with Turkish flair – vividly colored scarves, handcrafted jewelry, pungent spices, heirloom rugs – you’ll find it here.

Just remember where you entered, as the Grand Bazaar’s has four main gates that usher browsers and serious buyers alike into this place of serious sensory overload.

Via Condotti in Rome: Not that I generally can afford the fabulous Italian (and other) fashion—think Fendi, Ferragamo, Valentino and Prada—housed along this elegant Roman street, but even window-shopping here lets you imagine rolling like a rock star. Maybe you can’t spring for a coat or bag, but perhaps a wallet or small leather trinket from one of these legendary ateliers is a budget-friendly option. You’ll at least walk out with a stylish keepsake (and a beautifully packaged bag, as this IS Italy, after all) from your time in the Eternal City.

El Corte Inglés in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain: While department stores may not sound like the most exciting place to invest your euros, I never miss a chance to drop into this Spanish chain. You’ll find standard apparel, for sure, but you’ll also find Spanish and international designers and brands. Still, my favorite floor in El Corte Inglés is the lowerlevel gourmet food emporium where I pick up amazing Spanish olive oils, olives, wines, chocolates, and other edible gifts for friends and family back home. That’s the delicious kind of browsing I love.

10 Corso Como in Milan: While this business-minded city is not my favorite, Milan is a style watcher’s paradise. And while Via Montenapoleone gets all the hype and buzz for its endless assortment of designer shops, 10 Corso Como is a concept paradise (with a lush green courtyard, no less) founded by former fashion editor and publisher Carla Sozzani that houses art exhibitions, a fashion and design store, a bookstore, restaurant and café—and even includes a three-room hotel. Essentially, it’s a playground for those fascinated by thoughtful style of all types.

Caramel colored leather coat.

Photograph by Maureen Jenkins

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Nina Furstenau

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

A shift in culture

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he moment I walked into Nina Furstenau’s home, I could feel the culture. Strategically placed knickknacks from different countries resided in canny nooks. A large painting with vivid colors of women laboring over textiles hung in the sitting room where antlers of a massive size sat in the corner. There were so many colors, so many different tastes and styles, so many cultures mixed into one home and somehow they all elegantly meshed together.

This description is a good one for Furstenau’s experience and perspective as a traveler as well. As a young girl, Furstenau began traveling with her family to visit relatives in North India. These trips along with her experiences in the Peace Corps, “have formed everything I have done since,” she says.

Furstenau believes that in her adult life, her first perspectives of the world were formed when she began working with women in their homes in Tunisia, Africa.

Through exchanging recipes, they were able to bond and learn about each other’s culture in an experience of a lifetime. “Something about food reflects who you are… food is a lens for culture.”

Growing up in the small town of Pittsburg, Kansas, Furstenau never really had the opportunity to share her rich culture with those around her. The ability to share with women around the world made her feel generous; it made her think, “How do you really feel when sharing a meal?”

Her time in the Peace Corps made Furstenau realize that “there are many different ways to live in the world, and they are all okay.” No choice she makes now happens without first thinking about hunger, flavor and culture.

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Furstenau now resides in Columbia, Missouri where she works as a professor at the University of Missouri, teaching journalism in food, wine, culture and travel.

She is an expert on recipes and food from around the world and knows exactly how to grab your attention with her mouth-watering descriptions of dishes from many different cultures. Be sure to see get a taste of her world by trying the ten “Flavors of Place.�

“Something about food reflects who you are… food is a lens for culture.”

-Nina Furstenau

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The many textiles purchased on adventures.

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

Details of the elaboarte textiles.

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

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Flavors of place: Ten Foods Not To Miss

By Nina Furstenau

Barcelona, Spain: Pull up a chair at a tiny table by the sea. Order calamari. You’ll never forget the fresh, seataste on your tongue, the company you kept, and the sharp wine sipped alongside.

Kolkata, Bengal, India: Bengali sweets are a must— go to a sweet shop anywhere in this city and try one of several delicacies. My favorites? Sandesh and roshogollas, but there are fancier options galore, all presented in a beautiful array of mostly milk-based confections.

Florence, Italy: Pane cotta: soft, creamy welcoming.

What’s not to like? But first, try swoon-worthy pappardelle with the deep, rich flavors of wild boar, and watch amiable Florentine waiters nod approvingly.

Siena, Italy: Panforte isn’t the showiest of cakes, but it will seduce you with its spicy, medieval origin, its bakers that call themselves “panforte masters” and its Tuscan old world Christmas feel. Crisp almonds, dense cake lightly dusted with confectioner’s sugar, candied fruit and spices, oh my.

Munich, Germany: Apple strudel—I know, it’s not an unusual choice, but goodness knows it never gets old.

You might rightly deduce these flavors carried over into the New World apple pie I know and love made throughout my home state of Missouri. Comfort and flaky crust all in one.

Tunis, Tunisia: Cape Bon harissa with a fresh French baguette and olive oil, enough said. Pair it with the tagean made in this beautiful country made like a kind of quiche without crust. Careful, recipes are spicy-hot here unlike the rest of the Maghreb region.

Marrakech, Morocco: I loved couscous Moroccanstyle vegetarian, but try it with lamb or chicken for those meat-inclined. The spice route is in evidence here—saffron, onions, sesame seeds, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and even dried fruits. A feast for the eyes, too!

Chang Mai, Thailand: Wake up your taste buds with Tom Yum soup—lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, and aromatic galangal. I love the mushrooms, the added nuance of cilantro, the shrimp, and the fresh hot-sour taste.

Athens, Greece: Always say yes to moussaka made with layered eggplant and sometimes beef and topped off with a creamy sauce browned to perfection in a slow oven.

Pair it with someone you love and it is unforgettable.

Quito, Ecuador: Refreshing shrimp ceviche made with lime and garnished with thin green plantain chips and popcorn (yes, popcorn but here, the kernels are a bit like corn nuts). The flavors of garden tomatoes and marinated onions carry a perfect citrus sweetness and a crunch.

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Vicky Wilson

Photograph by Hope Crutcher

A Light Traveler “ There are tourists and then there are travelers," Vicky Wilson tells me as she stands in the middle of her wonderfully decorated living room, filled with vivid patterns of flowers, circles and stripes all rich in culture.

“We were on an extended trip trying to live in the culture wherever we were.”

Wilson, a 69-year-old woman, petite with short white hair, tells a colorful story of her many travels abroad.

When younger, she joined the Peace Corps for two years.

When it was time to come home, she decided to take the long way and extend her travels while she could. This path took her on a six-month adventure through East Africa, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and Europe as well, if we are just naming a few places.

On her travels she did many things including snorkeling, visiting the largest Buddha in the world that now does not exist, and relaxing on untouched beaches. “It was a totally different time,” she expresses as she talks about the nightlife and clubs of countries that now are seen as warzones in this day and age.

This six-month journey, along with many of her other travels has allowed her to become an expert at packing.

In fact, on her journey back home, she only had a small bag. She would buy new things in each place and then sell them at the next stop when she needed something different. It was a process of learning to let go that was not easy.

“I’m very frugal; I used something as much as possible before I got rid of it on my travels, I’m still like that.”

Wilson told me that she did not buy for fashion, but rather for function. She also shared a bit of advice on 33

Embroidery detail from Afghanistan Photograph by Hope Crutcher

how to let go of things. “You need to go in to your trip knowing what you are trying to do. It’s worth it and that trip was extremely freeing.”

Even though Wilson is an expert at letting go, there are of course a few pieces she just can’t get herself to say farewell to.

We looked upon three bright colored necklaces, all made of beads forming intricate star patterns inside their circles. Tassels hung from the round centerpiece and you could tell how much time and effort was put into making these beautiful pieces.

Wilson purchased these necklaces around 1970 when she was in East Africa. She originally bought them to bring back for friends as souvenirs but found herself attached to them once she brought them home.

“I can’t bring myself to get rid of them because I know they are pieces that made me feel connected to the country… it was important to me to not get rid of them, even though I don’t wear them.”

You can tell Wilson knows to keep holding on to the good things. Her many travels have supplied her with stories she could tell all day, but eventually the stories must end.

Before I walked out the door and said goodbye, I asked Wilson to tell me her favorite part about traveling alone: “It was the food, it was the people, it was the art, and it was just the adventure of it all.”

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Necklaces purchased on trip to Afghanistan Photograph by Hope Crutcher

10 quick Tips on How to Pack Light

By Vicky Wilson

1. Limit the amount of shoes you bring.

2. Don’t take single outfits; make everything mix and match.

3. Bring clothes you can layer.

4. Make sure the color palette matches.

5. Use jewelry to change up the same outfit.

6. Bring non-wrinkling clothes that are compact and comfy.

7. Clothes that dry quickly are useful to pack.

8. Garments that are versatile are the best. Try finding

a reversible jacket and pieces that can go from day to night.

9. Bring a scarf. It can be used in so many ways, around your neck, a shawl and for warmth.

10. Remember, you never need as much as you think!

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Acknowledgments

I

couldn’t even dream of writing this piece if my parents had not loved me unconditionally since the day I was born. Thank you for raising me right, thank you for supporting me, thank you for loving me; but most importantly, thank you for teaching me that I can do anything, be anything, dream anything and then telling me I have the power to make it all happen.

Thank you to my sister. You give me that deep belly laugh when I need it the most. You are beautiful, intelligent and most importantly strong. Thank you for teaching me so many things.

Thank you to Lisa D. Lenoir who has been my adviser, mentor, professor and ally since I arrived here at Stephens College. You are a wonderful person inside and out, and without your knowledge and constant encouragement, I could have not done this. You are constantly shaping minds and changing the world, one wonderful student at a time.

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Thank you to Kate Gray. No one ever made me feel I was a creative person until you came along. Thank you for always nurturing, caring and telling me the truth. Most of all, thank you for making me feel like an artist, like a designer.

Thank you to Stephens College for providing me with an outstanding higher education. Not only am I a more intelligent person because of it, but also I am a better woman, stronger and braver than ever before.

Thank you to all the wonderful women who allowed me to pick their brains and analyze their travels and styles.

Bianca, Caroline, Maureen, Nina, Vicky, this piece would not be possible without all of your amazing experiences.

Most importantly, thank you God, thank you Jesus. You held my hand through it all. I will continue to love you, thank you, and praise you for your blessings all the days of my life.

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.�

Colossians 1:17

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