Mobs of Uggs and flared leggings around Fauquier High School (FHS) are dull in comparison to Gwen Zappola, who stands out with outfits that perfectly match her personality. Zappola loves to mix and match styles and puts a twist on what’s trending. She entered the picture with exceptional fashion knowledge and lit up FHS entirely.
Zappola first got into fashion because of her mother. “When my mom forced me to put effort into my self-appearance, I really [found myself].” In seventh grade, everything sparked. “I love expressing myself through my outfits…the first ever outfit that felt like me was a plaid skirt paired with a mustard shirt with chunky combat boots; it was very grunge, and it opened the door to [my own style],” She added. Zappola carefully synchronizes her outfits every day, taking at least an hour each day to pick the catchiest outfit. Zappola suggests that if a person has a good base, the ultimate outfit will appear. “A t-shirt is a staple piece in my wardrobe. It’s just so versatile and with the perfect fitting t-shirt, it just brings an outfit all together,” she stated.
Zappola loves putting a twist on fashion trends by adding extra jewelry and a cute bag, allowing her outfits to be personalized. She doesn’t hate any new fashion trends floating around but dislikes how stores are recreating pieces that aren’t how they originally were. For instance, the 2000s ultra-low-rise jeans. “I love how low-rise jeans have been brought back, but the stores have not been showing out. They would only make them mid-rise, and it’s not authentic,” Zappola commented.
FHS students recognized Zappola’s fashion style by awarding her the “Best Dressed” student in the Senior Superlative contest. Zappola is ecstatic about the award and can’t express how much joy it brought. “I am so happy that I was awarded. I was so surprised that people recognized me. Because whenever I pick out my outfits, I get embarrassed and overthink if anyone is looking at me or judging me. I am so very happy that people don’t see me in a bad light,” Zappola exclaimed.
