We are kicking off the 2025-26 school year by sharing these students’ journeys into discovering their unique style and best takeaways. We are excited to start off with junior Jayden Hwang, our September Fashion Student of the Month.
Hwang’s journey into the fashion world began even before he knew it. His mother was a designer and his father was a design manager, which pushed him into fashion from the start. “Whether I liked it or not, my mommy was telling me from day one that my shirt didn’t match my pants, or I shouldn’t wear black socks on white shoes. Honestly, this drove me away from caring about my outfits, because when you’re five, anything your mom cares about just seems kind of stupid, you know?” he says.
However, during the transition from middle school to high school, Hwang too started to explore himself through his fashion. He says, “It wasn’t ever about looking fashionable– I just wanted to dress the way that reflects myself instead of doing things how everyone else does.”
Hwang does not base his style on anyone in particular, as his fashion choices are mainly a reflection of himself. “My fashion sense is pretty out there, to be frank. No one seems to agree with me about what I think looks good, but I’m not some misunderstood genius– I’m just weird. The way I dress is based on, besides the weather, my ideas on what might work and what might not.” He also credits his father as a prominent influence to his wardrobe, as “he brings [Hwang] clothes that [his company, BKYS,] made for testing.”
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He describes his style as “geometrically challenged and texturized,” along the lines of the streetwear aesthetic. For example, he enjoys wearing cropped tees because of how they fit his frame. “I have lanky legs and a short torso, so having shirts that fit my form is nice.” Photo Courtesy of Jayden Hwang
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Additionally, he has been interested in experimenting with different elements of fashion and plans to use “some whacky accessories sometime soon.” Photo Courtesy of Jayden Hwang
One of his favorite fashion trends is accessorizing with rings. However, he “really, truly, wholeheartedly DESPISES the predominantly male fashion trend where you put on a zip-up hoodie, zip it up halfway, flare the edges, and put on sweatpants,” expressing that “[They] LOOK LIKE CLONES. Not even for individuality sake, but it doesn’t look that interesting. I will admit, the shape it creates looks cool; wide shoulders will always look cool. However, I think it’s getting old, and it lacks seasoning.”
For those who want to get into fashion, Hwang offers some advice,
He does not believe in the notions of pretentiousness when it comes to dressing himself, following an incredibly organic and nonconformist approach to fashion. Moreover, Hwang’s emphasis on being himself is met with his firm belief in following the appropriate dress code when attending an event, saying that “it’s just rude to go to a wedding in baggy jeans.”
Jayden Hwang does not let trends or others define him as an individual, nor his wardrobe. He does not dress based on what others tell him looks good, but rather what makes him feel the most like himself: and encourages others to do the same. His uniqueness, creativity, and whimsy are reflected in his fashion and speaks true to him as a person. Conventional fashion rules do not stand a chance against this junior, who proudly puts his red hair on display and wears his originality on his sleeve.