Fashion in “Hines” Sight

By: Qieara Lesesne (’19), Staff Writer

Photo Source: https://www.instagram.com 

Fashion for a lot of people is about more than just clothes.

Don’t believe me? Ask Shawn Hines, a sophomore Business Administration and Media and Journalism double major from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, who says it’s about confidence and self expression.

He is involved all over campus, leaving his mark and setting a great leadership standard for his community. Shawn is a Minority Advisor, Chair for Minority Student Recruitment Committee – Select Program, Marketing Manager for CUAB, Admissions Ambassador, and has many other prominent roles on campus. He’s working the system on our campus and in his closet.

Hines got an early start at branding himself as this daring and polished sophomore. Fashion influences like the Jonas Brothers growing up helped Hines craft himself into the dapper man we see today. The brothers were known for being risk takers, and Hines picked up the trend.

He now looks up to a fun— but still sophisticated — fashion inspiration: Pharrell Williams. Having such a role model, Shawn could be on his way to becoming a fashion icon in his own respect right here at UNC. The way he describes his style parallels with the Vogue definition of chicness, “dressing with individuality, consistency, and a hint or two of adventure.”

His unpredictable style could go from edgy to classic on a day to day basis. But one thing that’s consistent is his appreciation for Black culture.

A part of Black History Month is about representation and recognition. Through his fashion and his leadership contributions, Shawn represents our community in a creative and positive way. Sometimes the Black community may feel unseen and unheard, but you’re hard to ignore when you’re poppin’. Hines can be seen killing the game all over campus and representing his people well.

He encourages everyone to “be bold in what you are wearing. Ignore what people may think or say about you.”

In the same respect, Shawn says that you should be bold in the skin that you’re in. The Black community cannot let ignorance and discrimination affect the way we live our lives. The leaders of past Black history and the ones in our Black present would not encourage us to live in fear, but to live boldly and with a purpose.

“It’s important to praise a community that’s been vital in the emergence of our country and to have a month to appreciate and gain knowledge of the historical contributions to our country’s success,” he says.