New Semester, New Brand
Welcome to the new semester! With a fresh start, there’s no better time to have a new rebranding. Cinephiles are film enthusiasts and they wouldn’t deny an opportunity to tell how they feel about a cult classic. As a cinephile, I am surprised I had never expressed my interest in films through fashion. So in this blog, I dive into a new aesthetic called “cinephile-core,” where I experiment my style with five different references from popular movies.
Resources
Most of my garments are from a mix of free and discounted resources. While this table isn’t exhaustive, these resources are the ones that I use the most.
| Resource | Tier | On-Campus | Address | What you will find | Pros | Cons |
| AMS Free Store | Free-to-grab | Yes | Nest Building’s Basement(Room 2102) | Pre-owned clothes | Anyone can grab anything for free | Small selection |
| AMS Thrift Store | Discounted pre-owned garments | Yes | Nest Building’s Basement (opposite the ARC gym) | Pre-owned clothes | Student-friendly budget | Limited plus-size garments |
| Gender Empowerment Store (Pride Collective/UBC Transco) | Free – need to prior contact | Yes | Fill out their forms | Gender-affirming garments and gadgets | Discreet, free | On break |
The Outfits
Imagine Tuesday: Devil Wears Prada
A pixie skirt for a The Devil Wears Prada reference… ground-breaking. I paired a button-up shirt from the UBC Free Store, symbolizing the rigid structure of a routine, with an asymmetrical pixie skirt to add a touch of rebellious romance.
First Wednesday to Class: Addams Family
On Wednesday, we wear black. The glamor of a black-on-black ensemble is back with the Addams Family’s spin-off. Wearing everything black from the UBC Free store, I felt like an omen of this semester.
Late Thursday Night: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zisso
Wes Anderson is more than pastel and symmetry! I aimed to have a sense of nostalgia perfumed with contradiction. I thought oversized pants – the only outfit with pants hence the contradiction – with a graphic Campbell-Soup t-shirt would do the nostalgia justice.
Friday Dance Fever: Lady Bird
I needed something for a Welcome Back event. So, I channeled the spirit of a coming-of-age cult classic through a funky shirt on top of a stereotypical private-school-girl skirt.
Cosmic Weekend: Scott Pilgrim vs The World
Hello again, friend of a friend, I was waiting to end the working week with the comic-inspired outfits. The utility kit from UBC Free Store closes this fashion week!
The Finishing Hems
I had a blast this week. Altering my characters feels true to my flicking gemini nature. It’s about evolving and adapting to new environments —something I’ve experienced firsthand at UBC. Just as I’ve relied on my instincts to navigate new challenges, I hope this blog inspires you to embrace your own transformation with confidence.
