Parsons grad Julia Chesky, a self-described "obsessive" photographer who documents New York window displays on the blog Modelizing, had the same style fixation many of us did growing up: Cher Horowitz from 'Clueless'. Alicia Silverstone's white-feather boa and red mini dress from the movie's cover seemed a bit dressy for a girl who compared her life to a Noxzema commercial, but as the results of Tai's makeover prove, she and Dionne always knew how to make an impression.
For Chesky, peeking into a new life led to more formal studies of fashion. And in the process, that video got plenty of use because she had few people who shared her fascination. But let's hear it from her.
Mel: What the hell is that?
Cher: A dress.
Mel: Says who?
Cher: Calvin Klein.
'Clueless' debuted July 15, 1995, and at age 9 I knew I had to see that movie. Nothing like it had ever came across my TV. I begged my mother to take me to 'Clueless' rather than seeing something from Disney after my birthday. I sat at my film of choice - hanging on every word, learning about my first designers ever, seeing people care about fashion, and discovering how "other" people lived. I was hooked; I begged for a teddy-bear backpack from Claire's (never got one) and tried to recreate outfits, but failed miserably. Even back then, it wasn't my style. So I studied designers.
Cher Horowitz was my style maven; I wanted her life and fashion boldness. Her owning a rotating closet didn't hurt her iconic status, in my eyes. I started my own fashion comic book, which I drew weekly for friends, and decided that I must become a designer because I wanted to be the "Says who?" in Cher's conversation. It seems like forever ago, but the internet wasn't around like it currently is, so I studied books. There weren't fashion bloggers or online communities to educate my young mind. And to add to my frustration, I had no one to discuss fashion with. So I would watch the VHS until I almost ruined it, studying "the past" so I could figure out "the future".
Needless to say, the obsession has stayed with me, going on 13 years now. My taste has evolved (no desire for cropped tops or teddy-bear backpacks), and my goals in fashion have changed. I gave up designing my senior year of high school and began to focus more on my talent for photography, something that Cher was also totally into during the movie. So perhaps the inspiration lives on, even if I don't go rollin' with my 'Clueless' homies as much anymore.
- JULIA CHESKY
