I used to lament the fact that I didn’t apply to an art college before deciding on Trinity College. I mean, apart from having no semblance of an artistic impulse, or having ever studied art as a second-level subject, I was the perfect candidate! I had a vague interest in fashion, a fondness for independent and experimental film and a nerdy appreciation of all media-related, Photoshop-esque software.
Anyway, and needless to say, I didn’t go for it (can you image my potential portfolio? Scrapbook ahoy…). Yet despite opting never to cry over spilled milk, I continued – for a good portion of first year – to be secretly quite jelz of the NCAD and IADT students who threw themed balls as opposed to the stuffy formal affairs that abound in Trinity. That said, I’ve experienced a radical change of heart having studied here for nigh on three years now.
Whilst Trinners students may not rifle through the racks of Thomas St. charity shops to source the most outrageous (calm down NCAD readers, I know you’re not all brash) pieces for an outfit that begs to be photographed, they’ll stalk down the George’s/Aungier/Wexford/Camden St. thrift trail in search of blazers, quilted and waxed jackets, chinos and anything remotely collegiate in their search for British heritage-influenced, somewhat conservative outfit components. And it works. Granted, I am kind of referring to Arts Block denizens here, rather than frequenters of the Hamilton (sorry guys, I know you don’t all live in tracksuits!).
Ultimately – and I know these comparison are always a bit daft – I feel Trinity is akin to Dublin’s Paris (conservative but considered, with emphasis on tailoring, silhouette and subtle details), whilst NCAD is Ireland’s own London (unabashed and experimental, with colours either being blocked or clashed in ostentatious fashion and unconventional silhouette seen as supreme).
Thoughts? I know I’m spewing rash generalisations here but I thought it might be interesting for people to share their preconceptions/misconceptions regarding fashion and fourth-level institutions…
_________________
SO, er, that wasn’t the intention behind this post at all, but rather I just wanted to share with you what I like to call my Trinners ensemble. I feel it’s equal parts Ivy League (I know Trinity’s more Eton than Harvard, but do please let’s go with it), and generic Dublin arts student. Or just, you know, lots of grey…
^ Snood from H&M, cardigan and tee from ASOS, belt from River Island, jeans from Bershka, boots by Grafters.
^ I know most of Trinity’s fairly affluent scholars wouldn’t appreciate mud splattered footwear but, you know, you can take the boy out of Wexford but you can’t take the Wexford out of the boy…
_________________
Major thanks to dear friend and insanely talent yet incredibly modest Karen Alvey who snapped me in Merrion Square. Karen likes to store her camera equipment in an assortment of woolly hats and does not enjoy eating marshmallows. Her Flickr is here.
This is really interesting. I think that Trinity's (Arts Block) style has gotten considerably preppier since I started in 2007 – in general, satchels, blouses, socks and cardigans are all a lot more stylish now than they were then. But anytime I'm in NCAD I'm impressed by how put-together a lot of the students are, to the point where I'd think of NCAD as being 'stylish' whereas Trinity's more just 'whatever trend is about at the moment'. Obviously speaking v generally here…
ha i have no idea what you're talking about but it makes my town feel very small i know this. nice outfit, liking the stripes on the arm. bit different, we need this.