A semester in Florence that challenged me, changed me, and shaped the creative voice I’m still discovering.
As some of you may know, I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy for my junior fall semester. While that as a whole could be another edit, today I want to share with you all my class experiences – specifically, my experience as a fashion styling student at Lorenzo de Medici International Institute. But before I fully introduce my projects, I’d like to give a quick look into my unique life abroad.
Studying abroad is extremely popular at my school – our program is one of the best in the nation. This opportunity actually was one of the reasons why I chose Marist University. Thus, it was safe to say that once the fall of my junior year came around, I would be in Italy. I’d also like to preface by saying that this would be my first ever experience traveling abroad. The farthest I’d ever been from home was the Bahamas. This didn’t worry me, though. Not really. Not until I was about to get on the 8-hour overnight plane did it actually hit me.
Transparently, I actually had a pretty hard time living in Italy (and I’m aware of how pretentious this may sound, but stay with me). From the moment I arrived, I found it extremely difficult to settle in and get acclimated to my new lifestyle. Nothing was familiar, my family was too far away, and I had to figure out how to navigate this new life and new home. I learned a lot about myself and overcame many battles figuring it all out, but it was difficult for me to separate my exhaustion from my happiness. I found myself yearning to go home a lot of the time. Looking back, I really did have a great experience, but I only wish I was able to stay in the moment more. Apart from my amazing friends (who went with me), few things allowed me to stay in the moment and recognize my happiness there. These being the beach, good food, and my styling class. What a lineup – I know.
During this styling class, I had the privilege to create two full projects – one completely on my own, and the next with a full professional team and a team of 3 other styling students. These counted as my midterm and final assignments. For those unfamiliar with the concept of styling, essentially this class talked me through the editorial styling techniques seen in fashion magazines and campaigns. It dove extensively into the small details of creating a look. I immediately fell in love with styling and this class had my full attention every single time.
Creating my projects made me incredibly happy. I got to go into a free creative space that was entirely my own, and get recognized for it by my peers and professor. Each of these projects took months to curate and the final products were not only relieving to see done but also made me so proud.
As seen above, my first project is titled OUT OF PLACE, and it was broken up into two looks. It delves into the quiet ache of not belonging – the insecurity, the confusion, and the dissonance of existing in spaces that never feel made for you. It’s about the subtle alienation that creeps in whether you’re lost in a crowd or alone in a strange place. That persistent sense that you’re out of sync, never quite mirroring the energy around you, never quite fitting the mold. Through a deliberate clash between wardrobe and setting, each image visually echoes that emotional disconnect. The styling feels at odds with the environment, and the tension between the subject and their surroundings will mirror the discomfort of being seen, but never understood. Of standing out, but never in a way that feels secure. The aim is not just to show what it looks like to not belong, but to capture how it feels, and being unsure if the issue lies within you or the world around you.
I am familiar with this feeling all too well, and I wanted to take the pain of it and turn it into something I was proud to represent. I have always had a hard time with friends or peers. Don’t get me wrong, I have my best friends (who I could go on and on about), but there have been conflicts with other people who were once in my life where I have felt belittled, unwanted, and weird. I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anybody. It slowly morphed into insecurity that creeps into every aspect of my life. Getting older, though, it’s not something that I experience as often, and I have put a lot of work into the growth out of this feeling. Somewhere along the process of this project, I found that I am grateful for my past, for it shaped me into the woman I am today, and I was able to turn a horrible feeling into a project that makes me smile every time I look at it.
I was my own model for this first project and one of my best friends, Cassie Williams, was my photographer. We shot in the beautiful Florentine Boboli Gardens, and it is a day that I will never forget. Cassie and I actually have plans to freestyle some more editorial shoots in the future because of how much fun we had this day.
My second and final project in this class is called ALLEGORY OF REBIRTH, which draws inspiration from the aesthetics of European Renaissance paintings. It centers on the individual, exploring how principles of Classical and Roman antiquity intersect with the intellectual and cultural currents of the Enlightenment. This work offers a modern interpretation of the Renaissance-era transformation in the perception of knowledge and power: a shift from religious thought and worldview toward science, mathematics, and the patronage of the arts. These changes reshaped political structures, economic practices, and the very definition of knowledge, achievement, and individual agency. Through allegorical imagery of rebirth, my team and I translated these evolving ideas of power and intellect into a live painting, merging historical influence with contemporary expression. During that time period, works were designed to impress, with large scale, bold colors, rich textures, and elaborate details that reflected the power of the Church and royalty. Artists often highlighted wealth, power, and authority through luxurious clothing, settings, and decorative elements. Religious, mythological, and historical subjects were presented as dramatic narratives, drawing viewers in and stirring awe, faith, or admiration. The aim was to captivate the viewer, evoking awe or emotional involvement, much like a live performance. My styling team and I came up with this theme from our inspiration of living in Florence, Italy, and its rich history surrounding the Italian Renaissance. I loved working on expanding this theme for my love of art and history and fashion were merging all into one.
This project was split into three looks and then three videos. We shot in a beautiful, old church with an entire professional team, including a model, a photographer and a hair and makeup artist. We also were joined half-way through the shoot by a photography class, so at one point there were maybe twenty cameras on our model. The entire day felt unreal to me. It was such a creative and brilliant space and I felt blessed to not only be a part of it, but the creator of it.
As I wrap up this piece, I want to leave any reader who is preparing to go abroad – or to take any big leap in life – with this: it will unfold the way it’s meant to. These projects mean so much to me not only because of what they are, but because of what they represent – my decision to step outside my comfort zone and grow. Studying abroad brought out a side of me that doesn’t always surface, and I truly believe that anyone willing to take that step will discover something new within themselves too. Choose what makes you feel purposeful, stay present, lean into your creativity, and savor every moment.
If you’d like to hear or see more about my styling journey, feel free to follow me on instagram! I go by @/stylesbysydneyblake and am updating as I create. Below are some photos from my projects! The first three being from OUT OF PLACE, and the last six from ALLEGORY OF REBIRTH.
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