@CUNYOutfits, organized a flash fashion show in the Clivner=Field Plaza after Baruch College or Baruch-affiliated organizations did not agree to collaborate.
The “Not a Fashion Show” fashion show included 13 models from various CUNY campuses who walked along the plaza showcasing their own outfits. The official video debuted on the @CUNYOutfits Instagram on Sept. 21 with “Black Skinhead” by Ye playing in the background.
A sudden mob of well-dressed students overtook the plaza with cameras recording their every move. Models walked one after another along the plaza in a formation with stoic expressions, as if they were briskly walking to class.
@CUNYOutfits was started by 24-year-old Baruch student Noah Cavallito in 2022. Fashion in New York City is not just found in high-end retail stores or expensive private schools. @CUNYOutfits has been showing what the “real New York” looks like by highlighting the unique style and creativity of CUNY students.
Even after attempting to contact Undergraduate Student Government via direct messaging, Cavallito still had difficulty gaining Baruch’s assistance. “It was along the lines of like they couldn’t; they had a lot of clubs wanting to do stuff so they couldn’t do something with a non-Baruch club,” Cavallito said in an interview with The Ticker.
USG representatives also told him it would be difficult to organize a fashion show in the plaza as it is a public space. “All that bureaucratic red tape kind of stuff annoys me. So, once they said no, I was like screw it. I have the account; I have enough of a following to be able to do this on my own.”
@CUNYOutfits currently has over 5,300 followers. Cavallito received more than 40 applications from potential models for the show. The idea behind the flash fashion show was to imitate a flash mob and avoid interference from Baruch.
Cavallito originally had a different fashion show in mind if Baruch were to collaborate with him, but he gradually shifted plans. He cited designers like KidSuper as his main inspiration for the show. Cavallito acted as the creative director and organized where everyone was positioned, what shots he wanted to take and how to roll out the content.
Cavallito also chose a date and time for the show, asking anyone fashionable and available to apply, purposely using vague language to ensure secrecy. Once the date was decided on, Cavallito reached out to videographers and other creatives he knew he wanted on the project, including videographers @honcho.jpg and @theunmanifest.
The chosen models wore outfits they compiled themselves, with Cavallito making creative decisions about which outfits would fit the shoot. @CUNYOutfits previously hosted a poetry fashion show in December 2023, where CUNY students showcased their best outfits while reading their own poetry. @CUNYOutfits teased similar content in the future by ending the caption of the fashion show video with “Where should we go next?”
The account is still growing with more fashion-related content ahead. Although it began by showcasing student outfits, it has evolved to include magazine editorials, with the first issue released on Jan. 27.
@CUNYOutfits works with a team of CUNY undergraduate and alumni videographers, graphic designers and photographers to further the mission of sharing the creative talents of CUNY students. All creatives involved are tagged in the captions of the relevant posts and any work that is not attributed is typically done by Cavallito, such as the video editing for the fashion show.
The account also highlights interview with small and local designers, such as Kody Phillips. Cavallito will be graduating this fall, hoping to continue @CUNYOutfits and potentially hiring social media directors.
