As a city much more unique than the remainder of the United States, New York stands as the hub for fashion and innovation. Specifically at The New School, students from all parts of the world are provided the opportunity for unbridled self-expression. As a new series within The New School Free Press, Free Press Threads aims to highlight the individual styles of students that often change after they move to New York City. Moving to New York often has a lasting impact on students’ individuality and creative expression. New residents are able to explore and develop their personal style and discover timeless pieces at the numerous thrift stores sprawling throughout the city.

Emma Spence is a Los Angeles, California native and a first-year student at The New School. Throughout her interview, she discussed how her sense of style was heavily influenced after moving to the city. “When I was back home, everybody was the same in my high school,” Spence said. To Spence, her style evolution has revolved primarily around her increased ability for self-expression. “I was a lot more shy in high school, so I was a little bit scared to step out of the box. I also told myself that I didn’t have a personal style just because I wasn’t wearing what I wanted to wear. Now, seeing everybody dressing so creative and beautifully in New York, made me want to wear exactly what I want and like. Just go even crazier than I ever would have imagined,” Spence said. She described some of her style icons to be Rihanna and Bella Hadid. 

Nikki Carlo, from Darien, Connecticut, is a third-year student at Parsons, studying Integrated Design. She is influenced by 2000s fashion and enjoys dressing like style icons such as Paris Hilton and the fictional Hannah Montana. In regards to her personal style, Carlo  shares a similar high school experience to Spence. “Coming to New York, there’s so much more freedom,” she said. “Whenever I would come to visit New York, I felt like it was the one time where I can literally wear anything and no one will care. I don’t have to worry about what I’m wearing and what people will think because everybody has such different styles here and you just blend into the mesh of all the different styles completely,” Carlo said. 

Coming from San Diego, California, Maya Alzaben moved to New York City to earn her master’s degree in fashion studies at Parsons. Alzaben said New York is a huge change of pace from her home state. She said the most notable way her style has changed is due to practicality. She embraced layers and began experimenting with winter fashion, “That’s something I wasn’t used to [New York weather], and just having a winter closet, because that’s something that I never truly needed. I feel like coming from California, over there, I would be in workout clothes 24/7, because San Diego is such an active city.” Alzaben is looking forward to creating a new winter wardrobe through thrifting and shopping at the variety of shops offered in Manhattan. She has ditched her Louis Vuitton Birkenstocks and athleisure-wear – now, her closet staples include her black trench coat, Melina Flare black Aritzia pants, and her Collina Strada Jacket (pictured above).

New York City is the global hub for fashion, culture, and self-expression. Particularly for those who have just arrived, this city retains an ability to make those who love to stand out have the opportunity to do just that. Each student interviewed said that after they moved to the city, theym felt more comfortable experimenting and expressing themselves through fashion than in their hometowns.