Photo taken from @catwalk.usfsp on Instagram
By Canela Vasquez
Stored in the phone of Harlyn Pickins are dozens of photos of students and faculty at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg . A collection dating back to August showcases the campus’ varying styles.
“I noticed a lot of people were in touch with their fashion, individuality and aesthetic,” said Pickins, a psychology junior.
Catwalk.usfsp, a student-run Instagram page, is an collection of campus fashion with a mission of cultivating community and providing a safe space for creativity.
Pickens created the page with Kaylie Beck, a finance freshman on Feb. 23. Their first post was captioned, “Never waste a chic fit on a filler day, xoxo Catwalk.”
Photo courtesy of Harlyn Pickens
Each post showcases a student or faculty member’s outfit, followed by a description and inspiration on how to achieve that look.
“It’s not just our friends,” Pickens said. ”We’re just going up to complete strangers and like hyping them up it’s so fun.”
Pickens’ friendship with Beck began when she asked to take a photo of her outfit. Beck felt unsure about her upcycled ensemble, a white t-shirt with a lacy black bralette sewn on top, jorts and cowboy boots, but Pickens saw pure creativity.
“When you say, ‘I love your outfit,’ there’s a whole connection that’s made,” said Beck. “We’ve been friends ever since.”
Photo courtesy of Harlyn Pickens
As their friendship grew, so did their admiration for how fellow students and faculty dressed. Pickens had intended to start a fashion page when she realized USF St. Petersburg did not have one. She then proposed to Beck to finally create catwalk.usfsp.
Every time they would compliment someone’s outfit, they would also ask to take a photo that would be posted to the page. Pickens believes that these interactions help to combat a sense of isolation on campus.
“I don’t think people talk to strangers enough or compliment each other enough,” Pickens said. “So I started doing that.”
Pickens’ extroverted nature blossomed as a result of bullying in middle school and high school. Being made to feel different was the catalyst for acceptance and celebration of herself and others.
“I never want anyone to feel the way I did, how lonely it felt,” Pickens said. “That’s why I compliment everyone, because you never know what anyone’s going through.”
Beck emphasizes that the page is not a popularity or best-dressed contest , but a showcase of uniqueness.
As the page continues to grow, Pickens and Beck aspire to create not only a student club, but a campus fashion magazine.
The first-ever official magazine at USF Tampa, Seam magazine, was founded in 2024. The magazine aims to “highlight trends, stories, and artistry from across campus.” However, Beck wants to showcase the models and not just the outfits.
“Ours would be way more focused on the outfits and people’s stories,” Beck said. “How they came to that point with their fashion or their aesthetic.”
Pickens predicts that this page will lead towards a more connected and inclusive spirit on campus.
“The whole point of Instagram is we need positivity and community more than ever right now,” Pickens said. “We find friendships through this. We find community.”
