For College of Communication senior Sam Mendoza, Commonwealth Avenue is his own personal runway to strut his high-fashion ideals for the Boston University community.
Mendoza — who was named one of the 25 Most Stylish Bostonians in a Nov. 1 Boston Globe article — said fashion began as a side project. But Mendoza’s personal style and eye for fashion have quickly pushed him to the top.
“Of course BU is fashionable,” Mendoza said. “We’re an urban campus. We have diversity, counter cultures and all sorts of influences.”
COM senior Alex Swanson, who has known Mendoza since freshman year and collaborated with him, said he was not surprised when Mendoza’s name was put on the Most Stylish list.
“I absolutely love his designs,” Swanson said in an email. “[I] find them to be very modern and progressive, while at the same time having a broad appeal. They are cutting-edge and classy all at once.”
Mendoza said his long-term goal is to change the way women dress. An outfit should be chosen because it is something the individual wants to wear, not because it is a trend, he said.
“I get inspiration from anyone and anything,” he said. “It could be one of my best friends or just a random person. It depends on the mood that I’m in.”
As far as his personal style goes, Mendoza said it is a continuing process, and his own rack of clothes will probably continue to change over the years.
“All the trends are moving so fast,” Mendoza said. “People go wrong because they’re not wearing clothes that make them look their best. It’s about expressing yourself and what’s right for you.”
COM senior Chris Maggio, who has worked with Mendoza on fashion projects, said it is a great experience to collaborate with him.
“When I’ve made any contribution to his work … he’s always open to new ideas,” Maggio said in an email. “[He] always seems to have a desire to let his style evolve.” Maggio said he knows little about fashion, but Mendoza’s designs “can be appreciated on numerous levels.”
While Mendoza said he loves the recognition he receives for his work, being recognized is not the most important part of fashion.
Swanson said Mendoza stays humble in the fashion business, regardless of the attention.
“[Mendoza] never lets it go to his head,” he said.