Local Nassau County residents express their opinions on what fashion and style means for them and Long Island. At a recent fashion show held at Hofstra University, local designers gave insight on Long Island's fashion market and where they look forward to taking it. Shoppers, retail workers and the local designers of the fashion show all agree that it is time for Long Island to transition from just fashionable to stylish. (NNL Video by Amber Leon)

"For me personally, my whole view on fashion is to take a potato bag, for instance, and make like a crazy outfit," said Jason Chance, 20, a Valley Stream resident. "That's fashion. Taking something out of the ordinary and turning it into something you can wear day to day." 

Fashionistas, like Chance, are excited to see what's "in" this season. While New York City is a major fashion capital of the world, about 25 miles east of the city, shoppers tell Nassau News Live that area fashion shoppers are really label conscious, but need to learn the difference between style and fashion. 

Brittney Gilliams, 21 and Jasmine Cox, 20, residents of Freeport, showcase their spring style while shopping.
(NNL Photo by Amber Leon) 

“I love style because it’s an expression of who you are, who you want to be, how you want to feel, and how you want to show that to people,” said Marlin Bottex, 24, a local Nassau County shopper on her way to the fitting rooms in Bloomingdale's. “Fashion is about trends, trends are about community. Without a community, there wouldn’t be a trend.” 

According to Startingaclothingline.com, the fashion industry is a great market to get into because it is now the fourth largest industry in the world, bringing in $400 billion each year.

AllBusiness.com records show estimated annual sales of $22,496,981 coming from 55 fashion and apparel companies in Hempstead. This does not include the revenue brought in from the 270 stores in the Roosevelt Field Mall. 

Style caught in a dress and sneakers in the parking lot after a fashion show held at Hofstra University.
(NNL Photo by Amber Leon)

“It’s not about the labels; it’s just how you put things together,” said Brigyte Delia, wearing a flowing black dress from Guess by Marciano and Steve Madden combat boots. Delia is the Roosevelt Field Mall store manager of Guess by Marciano, a moderately priced, fun, flirty women’s line.

Delia said that right now fashion in Nassau County is all about how many name brands you have on and what is currently in style, and not about what truly makes a fashionable person: personal style. According to Delia, style is something you either have or you don’t -- but it can’t be bought.  

 

Jason Chance, 20, a sales associate at Urban Outfitters, shows off his style.  (NNL Photo by Amber Leon)

"As far as style on Long Island, I feel like everyone's the same," said Jason Chance. "I graduated from Nassau Community College. It's like the Polo Rugbys, the Prada sneakers, the Rock and Republic jeans; that was like a uniform." 

Hofstra’s own designers used the runways at the university's 2010 spring fashion show to share their views on fashion and style. Trendy Long Islanders gathered in high waist skirts, chambray shirts, tights and booties, True Religion jeans and Ralph Lauren big pony polos, accented with a monogram logo. The 80’s/Retro look was definitely dominant at the fashion show. Not to mention, the trend of the “skinny jean” has definitely been adopted by the guys on Long Island.

Opinions on fashion and style in Nassau County may be expressed differently, but the message is this: style is about individualism and choice.  

“Style is basically what you’re in to, what you like,” Rich Castano, 20, said. “It’s your style, it’s your choice.” 

Fashion in Nassau County is viewed as "what's commercially produced out there," said James Brenthal, a Nassau County resident.   

Fashion is an industry where clothes are mass produced. It is a business, but it is one built on feelings. Marlin Bottex described fashion as a shared emotion, where everyone comes together to decide on trends.  

According to Sarah McLeod, writer for the Brock Press Online Edition, style versus fashion is the ultimate battle in true self-expression. French Connection captures the very essence of this battle with their Fashion vs. Style campaign.

Pacheco, fashion major at Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM) in Manhattan, said, “To know fashion isn’t to have style, but that they both kind of go hand-in-hand," she said. “Neither one is more important, for me, I feel like both work together.”