For this week’s Fashion on Fifth, I sought out the most striking at the SENS strike. The signs picketers were toting as they protested in front of the University Center weren’t the only things making statements. I’m reminded of something Blair Waldorf once said: “Fashion is the most powerful art there is. It’s movement, design, and architecture all in one. It shows the world who we are and who we’d like to be.” Personal style says a lot about someone, hence the word “personal.” The way we present ourselves conveys a message of its own, and at The New School, what better way to send a message than through our clothes? 

Jonah Devlin he/they — @pon0p0no

Fourth-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts contemporary music major 

Bring your kid to work day? More like bring your pet to strike day. I couldn’t help but laugh when Jonah asked me if he should include his Pomeranian in his photo. Seeing students walking their dogs around campus isn’t uncommon, but it’s not every day you see a dog trotting along to the rhythm set by picketing student workers. Nothing about this makes sense. But it works in Jonah’s favor. “This is my favorite special hat,” he tells me. “It has good vibes in it, so I wanted to bring those good vibes to the protest.” With his cozy winter hat, navy blue zip-up, cargo pants, and precious pet, he does more than pass the vibe check. Bonus points for the baby blue Student Worker Power bandanna his dog wore. 

Zara Franke they/them — @zarafranke026 

Graduate student at the New School for Social Research 

Zara came prepared to strike, achieving the perfect balance between practicality and style. Likely a product of the fashionable freedom they enjoy as a student worker at The New School. “I’m here to support the strike,” they said. “I love my job so much, and I love that I can wear whatever I want to work.” They inform me that their enviable faux fur coat is a gem they discovered at Beacon’s Closet, pairing well with their chunky, cream-colored scarf and baby pink sweater. When it comes to striking in wintry New York City, dress light in color and heavy in layers.

Kartik Gupta Any pronouns — @beinganobody 

Third-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts liberal arts student 

I’d never seen anyone more in their element than Kartik at the strike. Engaged in lively chatter with other students and choosing to stand in the middle of the crowd of picketers for their photo-op, their passion and deep connection to the work that they do was palpable. They tell me that people should be free to exchange ideas and actions, and that it’s important to talk about struggles and how to work through them. “When I picket, wearing this energizes me.” Their garment, a traditional Kashmiri piece that gathers loosely at the sleeves, paired with a fluorescent orange and yellow construction vest, marries a sense of duty with creative freedom. Looking back on the part-time faculty strike that took place less than two years ago, good energy is certainly a much-needed factor in this equation.

Isabelle Fessler she/they — @isabelle_fessler 

Fourth-year Lang environmental studies student 

Isabelle wasn’t the only one on strike against The New School, her outfit did some striking of its own. When it came to curating her vibrant ensemble, Isabelle asked herself, “What’s gonna be comfy and cute to wear on the picket line?” She definitely nailed it, coordinating her hot pink, purple, and teal windbreaker with hot pink leg warmers to create a look that reminds me of “Workout Barbie.” “As you can see, I’m not wearing pants, so I got cold,” Isabelle laughed. “So I went out and bought these leg warmers at Reminiscence across the street!” The improvisation was a colorful display of quick thinking; one that brought vibrance to the picket line. Practical? Check. Stylish? Check. Strike-worthy? Check. 

Kayla Cioffi she/they — @saturdaysagain 

Third-year Lang sociology student 

For someone whose outfit was casually thrown together, there’s so much detail to unpack. And with her pink and gold “Union Strong” sign, Kayla’s fashion prowess seems to come naturally. “I just wore this outfit because I love it,” she said. The lamb keychain hanging from her belt loop and cow graphic tee paint her out as this edgy Bo Peep figure, and I’m so here for it. But rather than keeping lambs in line, she’s a driving force on the picket line. “Support student workers!” she said, concluding our conversation with a flourish as fiercely dramatic as her outfit. 

It’s evident that personal style transcends mere aesthetics — it’s a powerful means of self-expression and social commentary. Each participant in the protest brought their unique flair to the forefront, showcasing how clothing can convey values, beliefs, and a sense of identity. From bold statements to subtle nuances, every choice in attire becomes part of the collective narrative, reflecting an individual message sent by everyone present. They say actions speak louder than words, but in this case, perhaps clothes have a resounding voice of their own.