Courtesy of Sylvia Brofka-Berends
Upon first glance, the Connecticut College campus is a lush landscape perfectly crafted to New England sensibilities. To the keen observer, however, campus is more than a place of work and play. In fact, the most fashionable camels see our campus as a 700-acre runway.
Take a walk around campus in between classes. You’ll notice each student possesses their own style, from the colorful art student to the athlete dressed in team-issued gear. If you pass Tempel Green at the right time, you may spot someone playing guitar or immersed in a book, dressed like a contemporary Stevie Nicks, dress flowing in the soft afternoon breeze. Observing the style of the student body tells you a great deal about campus culture and can serve as a snapshot of the present moment. The clothes we wear are an extension of ourselves. If you want to express these feelings or enjoy pouring over the glossy pages of Vogue, look no further than Conn’s student fashion magazine, Gray Area. The College Voice covered the founding of Gray Area a while back, but new faces and recent photoshoots warranted a much-needed catch-up. After all, us student publications have got to stick together.
I spoke to Sylvia Brofka-Berends, a sophomore from Pennsylvania double majoring in International Relations and French with a minor in Economics. Sylvia is the director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Gray Area, a role the magazine recently implemented. The magazine has only existed since 2021, but despite its youth, it is making an indelible mark on campus. For such a small campus, we are rich in unique content that appeals to every kind of student. Gray Area appeals to the individuals who wake up on a Monday morning and don their heeled boots and eclectic accessories. Still, if you prefer the cozy and comfortable route, have no fear! Sylvia emphasized that the magazine is a welcoming space for anyone, no matter where they are on their fashion journey.
You can learn much about an organization from how members talk about it. When I asked about her favorite part of being on GAM, she leaned back in her chair, saying, “Oh, where to start!” That reaction told me all I needed to know. Throughout our conversation, Sylvia lovingly referred to the magazine as GAM, spoke animatedly about her involvement in photoshoots, and praised fellow members for their creativity and vision. The fashion world has often been labeled as exclusive or unwelcoming. GAM could not be further from this. At the core of GAM is community. The magazine is open to everyone on campus, and this inclusivity has formed an incredibly close group. One cannot help but think that the tight-knit nature of Conn itself aids in this community building. During our conversation one morning in Coffee Closet, I witnessed this closeness firsthand when several GAM members approached our table to say hello to Sylvia and offer their thoughts on being a member of the magazine. These chance encounters would never happen on a larger campus.
She also spoke on her involvement in the magazine as a form of catharsis. During her first photoshoot, everyone on set immediately put her at ease. There was no judgment, only people looking to channel their interests into a creative outlet. She explained that having this kind of outlet, especially at an academically rigorous school, is incredibly important. Exploring our creative side is a student’s best defense against burnout, and Gray Area offers that kind of sanctuary for the academically exhausted and creativity-starved.
Don’t be surprised if you haven’t seen or heard much from Gray Area this semester, as they have recently been hard at work on several photoshoots. Earlier this year, they had their Nostalgia photoshoot. Models were photographed in the campus arboretum “frolicking in the trees,” as Sylvia described. More recently, the Surrealist shoot took place in the greenhouse. Think funky tights and bold colors. A Gray Area photoshoot is what Sylvia describes as a “high vibes space.” She painted a picture of what you might come across on set: a solo shot in the corner of the greenhouse, six people modeling their shoes, music playing, and a whole lot of joy.
I set out to not only highlight the unique work of Gray Area but also to understand how Conn students approach fashion and how they think campus culture influences their style. Sylvia made it clear that Conn is very accepting of all kinds of styles, saying that “there’s not really judgment passed about what you’re wearing.” We discussed how Conn, being a tight-knit, small liberal arts college in New England, has its own unique vibe and history. The old stone buildings mixed with eclectic coffee shops and distinctive academic programs contribute to a sense of freedom, which trickles down to one’s fashion sense. She spoke candidly about fashion culture on other campuses, specifically her friend’s experiences at bigger state schools. She described how there, it’s typically a sweatshirt and leggings or sweatpants every day. Of course, comfort is key as a college student. There’s nothing wrong with that! Still, you don’t see as much experimentation on campus and may receive questioning looks.
Naturally, I had to sleuth out what the popular fashion trends are now. Sylvia told me she loves bold statement jewelry: big earrings, necklaces, bracelets. “I’ll get looks in my classes because my bangles will be making sounds,” she remarked. I, of course, also had to bring up Floralia, Conn’s fashion equivalent of the Coachella. Flo is the perfect time of year to experiment with outfits. This annual spring music festival is Conn’s most anticipated event, featuring student bands and celebrity headliners. It’s basically a 12-hour live-action version of Dress to Impress. Many students plan their outfits months in advance. “Don’t even get me started on Flo. I’m already stressed about my outfit,” Sylvia told me.
She mentioned how she tries to look at fashion through a sustainable lens and told me how she buys many pieces secondhand and spends a lot of time at local thrift stores. She walked me through her outfit, from her thrifted hoodie to the shoes she found on Depop, a popular online secondhand/vintage shopping app. These days, chances are good that if you ask someone about their outfit, at least one piece will have been thrifted. With thrifting comes a sense of control over sustainability and personal style, especially as trend cycles shift almost instantly (mob wife on Tuesday, coastal grandmother the next?) We are seeing a shift to people cementing their personal style in pieces that appeal to them, not what outside voices say. Gray Area is a perfect haven for experimentation and appreciation. As Sylvia says, “Conn itself fosters a creative and fashionable environment.”
The future truly looks bright for Gray Area. With a dedicated and talented team, the magazine is making its mark on campus, carving out a space for seasoned artists, those dipping their toes into fashion, and anyone in between. As for future hopes, Sylvia says she would “love to see [Gray Area] keep growing…we have a really strong foundation right now.” It’s only up from here.
Follow Gray Area on Instagram: @grayareamag
