The whole world of fashion is constantly evolving throughout generations. In this new digital age, it has become easier to express one’s identity and creativity through clothing. There are positives and negatives that come with the digital fashion world. Some negatives include bullying for your unique style, materialistic desires, and pressure to dress the ‘trendy’ way. Nonetheless, high school fashion clubs show that fashion is so much more than physical materials.
Canton High School has just gained a new club: Fashion Club. It was started by Madeleine Kalufus and Abbigale Kim, two current juniors, in the fall of 2023. They wanted to start this club, but didn’t know where to begin. Canton High School has not had a club like it. They started by trying to find a supervisor. They decided to ask Jessica Stifel, an art teacher at Canton High School, to help start this club. Stifel was more than willing to put the students’ ideas into a reality. She said, “I did it to support a creative environment.” She gives all the credit to Kalufus and Kim saying, “they were really driven and motivated.”
Kalfus and Kim have welcomed this leadership role. For each meeting they have come prepared with activities to do. Members commented on how organized the club is. The club has had four meetings since it was established. Some of the highlighted experiences by members include making collage boards, decorating a bulletin board, and making a Christmas sweater for Mrs. Stifel. These activities have allowed students to express their creativity while getting to socially interact with other peers.
Not only is the club beneficial for the social aspect, but also in an academic way. Stephanie Taylor, department chair of fashion marketing and management at The Art Institution of Pittsburgh, said that in fashion club students can “focus on career paths that pique their interest in the fashion industry before entering college.” It allows students to learn about what a future in fashion would look like. Fashion club explores the business side of the industry and can open student’s eyes to the different jobs in the field.
Fashion is not usually taught in public high schools. In particular, at Canton High School there aren’t any electives that students can take to pursue this study of interest. Students are not able to learn about this subject. This club provides an opportunity for students to discover what truly interests them and what they could be passionate about in their future.
There are fashion clubs in schools all around the United States. Some clubs invite fashion speakers like at Mt. Lebanon in Pittsburgh or have full fashion runways like North Allegheny School. This runway fashion show showcased only students’ work and raised money for charity.
Ms. Kalfus says, “It’s a judgment free zone” and that students “just get to relax and enjoy the opportunity to explore fashion. It’s common for younger generations to be influenced poorly by social media fashion campaigns that subsequently increases insecurities and self-doubt. A club provides a safe place to change the negative stigma around fashion and let students show themselves.
The CHS Fashion Club, which meets on scheduled Thursdays in Ms. Stifel’s room 105, posts projects and updates on their instagram, @cantonfashionclub.
