Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use celebrities (like Sarah Silverman or Emma Watson) as style inspiration even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists. Which we don’t have. And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

I’m sure a lot of you have been waiting for this.  If you don’t already know who Nicole Richie is, excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.  OK, now let’s move on. A few years back, there was a show starring two insanely spoiled socialites that had to “live simply” under one roof with some folks from rural America.  Yeah, I never watched it in fear of losing some serious brain cells (Editor’s Note: But I did and that ish was high-larious!), but one of those two spoiled heiresses was Nicole Richie. Looking back now, it’s pretty difficult to imagine that Hollywood’s wild-child in the overalls and long stringy hair is the same person as the trend-setting fashionista she is today.

To be fair, Nicole’s always been somewhat interested in fashion, even dabbling in a little runway modeling (and then flashing her tots) at one time. But now the hot mama has taken her love to a whole new level with an accessories line for Kitson called House of Harlow 1960, and clothing line called Winter Kate. The pieces in each line look like they’d be something you’d find in Nicole’s own closet, which is exactly what her fashion groupies have been waiting for.

But if you wanna recreate the style of this wild-child-turned-fashion-maven, there are a few key aspects to keep in mind:

1. Oversized sunglasses have probably been popular since before girls were throwing their underwear at The Beatles, but Nicole redefined the look and brought them back with a vengeance.  If Nicole is known for one thing regarding her style, it’s the giant sunglasses (that sometimes borderline on having peeps confuse her with a bug).

2. You gotta embrace a little hippie. OK, maybe not actually find a little one to embrace, but at least welcome a little hippie-chic into your wardrobe. Nicole’s bohemian-hippie-meets-couture combination is what makes it so unique and what inspires all of her little fashion minions (like me!).

Now let’s get you dressed.

Heels, Romper, Sunglasses, Silver Bracelet, White Bracelet

It’s summer, so I chose an adorably casual summer day look from Nic. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, rompers are simple and easy. Just slip one on and you are instantly looking good and ready to go. And with two kids, I’m sure this is exactly what Nicole needs. Of course she doesn’t stop there, though. Nope, just throwing on a romper would would be generic and boring, and Nicole is anything but.

If you’re trying to incorporate some Nicole Richie in your wardrobe, you need the right accessories to mix things up. Like heels. Yes, we know Nicole’s got much love for humungo sunglasses, but another key element in her wardrobe is the sky high pump. Here, the basic black pair adds a little sexy/formality to a typically casual outfit. Paired with an oversized bangle and braided bracelet, she’s got her signature mixture of trendy (romper), bohemian (accessories) and chic couture (pumps).

If this isn’t a look you think you can pull off, though, take Nicole’s style rules and make them work for you. Perhaps you’d prefer a pair of gladiator flats for the bohemian aspect and a shiny belt for some couture. Or maybe you want to add some flash with a stack of gorgeous bangles and find a flirty scarf to wear as a headband. It doesn’t matter. As long as you’re mixing a little bohemian chic with some more classic pieces, you’ve got a look that even Foxy Cleopatra, Nicole’s pup, would approve of.

“That’s hot.”

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

As part of this Campus Couture series, each week we invite you, our dear readers, to submit photos of yourselves or your super fashionista friends so that we can celebrate and ogle your style, and get some inspiration for our own wardrobes. And this week, Mary did just that. All the way from Paris!

Upon opening Mary’s email and seeing her request to be featured in Campus Couture, I already knew she’d be perfect. I mean, Parisian girls know their style, so I didn’t even have to look at her pictures to know she’d look flawless. And when I did, my suspicions were confirmed. Mary looked put-together, chic, and gorgeous. You can tell she puts thought into her outfits, accessorizing perfectly, but doesn’t look like she tried too hard. And that, my friends, is the sign of someone with true style.

Being a math and computer science major, Mary might be somewhat of a geek (her words, not mine!), but you’d never know it by looking at her. If she’s half as good at her studies as she is at getting dressed, Mary is going to do very big things in her life.

Name: Mary Yasmine Arrouche
Year: Junior
Major: Computer Science and Mathematics

1. Describe Your Personal Style: Preppy, Classy, Chic. Fabulous (that’s what people tell me )… I only wear skirts and dresses; I’ve not worn pants for 2 years now. I’m tall (5 ft 7) and slim (size 0/2 depending on the designers) so I guess I can wear pretty much anything I want, but I just don’t find pants comfortable. I’m also in love with high heels. I recently bought a pair of 4 inch Louboutins and I have set my eyes on Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes (graduation gift much?). Oh, and I do not repeat outfits.

2. I can’t leave my house without: My purse. My life is in my purse, that’s why it’s so big.

3. What is your favorite store to shop at? I have a lot of favorite designers (Maison Martin Margiela, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Viktor&Rolf, Balmain….) which I can fortunately afford. (Thanks Mom & Dad for supporting your daughter’s sick obsession.) So my favorite stores are the designer boutiques and department stores (Le Printemps, Le Bon Marché which are the equivalent of Saks or Bergdorf) but also like Zara, H&M…. I mean when I like a piece, the price is not really relevant.

4. What/who is your biggest style influence? Well, I guess many of my friends call me the real life Blair Waldorf for a reason. I also like Rachel Zoe and Tinsley Mortimer (by the way, don’t you think these two look alike?) as well as The Olsen twins and Victoria Beckham’s style. But as I said before, I try to stick to my preppy creed.

5. What’s your favorite trend, past or present? I like floral prints or anything floral. I also like high waisted skirts and colorful, well-cut coats, which are for me the definition of chic.

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (remember how chic Brooklyn from Drake was??) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.... And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

In Northern Ontario, our spring climate is slightly unpredictable. A few weeks ago it seriously went from beautiful sun to snow on the ground in 3 days. So the college girls up here have to be prepared and equipped; fun, warm-weather outfits must be on call! When my friend Kelsey was sporting this chic, summery look, I knew I had to feature her on Campus Couture.

Now, you can tell from the picture that Kelsey could be a model. She’s tall, skinny and gorgeous and is constantly turning heads. With her figure, she can also pull off pretty much anything (JEALOUS). Every single time a new trend comes out, I see Kelsey sporting it, looking like she just came off the runway. I mean, the girl has been wearing jeggings (jean leggings) since December and I only just picked up a pair! In this look she’s rocking some fabulous English florals, in the form of shorts no less, and her ankle-cuff flats are so hot for summer. Even her headband and earrings match, both featuring tiny white flowers. Kelsey looks like a Coachella-bound supermodel, instead of a student on her way to class. And if that’s not something to celebrate, I don’t know what is.

Name: Kelsey DiCasmirro
Year: Junior
Major: English & Education

1. Describe your personal style.
Two words: flirty and fun. I like to look good, but also be able to have fun and play around in my clothes. I’m definitely not someone who would buy a pair of shoes I couldn’t dance in.

2. I can’t leave my house without:
One of my Coach purses.

3. What is your favorite store to shop at?
Probably Urban Outfitters and Charlotte Russe. Urban Outfitters always has fun, quirky stuff and Charlotte Russe keeps up with the trends but at really cheap prices. I can buy a trendy piece and only wear it a couple times without feeling like it’s a waste!

4. What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
I take cues from shows like Gossip Girl. The stylists are just so spot on and I love that they feature chic winter outfits for us Northern girls.

5. What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
High-waisted bottoms! All winter I rocked a blue, sequined high-waisted skirt and loved it!

On Kelsey:
Top: Urban Outfitters
Shorts: Charlotte Russe
Shoes: Aldo
Purse: Coach
Headband: Charlotte Russe
Earrings: Aldo

For us fashionistas, New York Fashion Week (which kicks off today!) is the highlight of the year (or at least the highlight of this dreary February we’re having). Our CollegeCandy hearts always skip a beat when we see those white tents going up in Bryant Park.  The clothes, the shoes, the celebrities, the glamour… Sigh. It’s almost too much to bear.

Until the day we’re rich, famous, and, oh yeah, invited to this exclusive event, we’ll have to live vicariously through TV and internet coverage.

Still, even if we don’t have Heidi Klum’s front row seat, we can’t wait! We’ve got our DVF wrap dress on (courtesy of some serious Ebay-ing), we’re sporting the Anna Wintour helmet bob, and we’re counting down the minutes for the fash-insanity to begin.

Below, the five things we’re looking forward to most about NYFW Fall 2010.

1. The Project Runway Finale

OK, so we don’t know quite yet which three (or four) designers will be walking their designs down the runway in Bryant Park, but who cares? This season is kinda boring, anyway. We just want to see what those little guys and girls are made of… and all the celebs/Project Runway all-stars from season’s past that show up to see it all go down.

2. The Designs! (Duh)

The excitement of just looking at the beautiful designs I’ll never be able to afford makes me weak in the knees. BCBG? La Perla? Badgley Mischka? Yes, yes, yes! But even though I will never own a Chanel LBD, I flip through every last runway photo to see what the new trends will be so I can load up on their more affordable knock-offs.  Will my leggings and skinny jeans still be OK? What about gladiator heels? And for God’s sake, please tell me I don’t need to invest in shoulder pads!

3. The Celebrities

While the focus of Fashion Week should be on the runway, I like to focus on the seats. As in, who is in them. Where are they sitting? What show are they at? What are they wearing? I mean, what would Fashion Week be without Rachel Zoe, Anne Hathaway, Chloe Sevigny, Nicole Richie, and…wait for it….

4. The Jersey Shore Cast???

It is rumored that our favorite Guidos will be rubbing elbows with Anna Wintour at Fashion Week, blowouts and spray tans intact. Although J-Woww’s breast-baring tops and ripped jeans don’t exactly scream “couture,” I love these guys and can’t wait to see them hob nobbing with this elite, high-fashion crowd.

5. Fashion Road Kill

Picture a beautiful model decked out in the most expensive designer clothes strutting her stuff down the runway.  It’s so easy to hate her….that is, until she eats it in front of thousands of people! It happened last year in New York, the year before in Milan, in 2006 in Paris, and with any luck (and Alexander McQueen’s Alien shoes) it will happen next week.

When it came to the fashion choices last night, the celebs pulled out all the stops…and hairspray, as they had to brave the showers to make an appearance on the red carpet.  Of course, despite the rain, they all (well, almost all) looked amazing (I’m looking at you Mariah Carey!). And the fact that they could look so beautiful while showing support for Haiti just made the couture dresses all the more fabulous in my little eyes.

There was a whole lot of awesome on the Red Carpet. From Jane Krakowski’s gorgeous purple frock to Courtney Cox workin’ it in basic black, it really was hard to find a dress I didn’t like. But, as always, the beauty is really in the details, and there were some really breathtaking details on display. Below are a few of my favorite bits and pieces from the Golden Globes Red Carpet. Click on the picture to see the deets at work in the overall look!

And here I thought the discount Absolut was the best part of my Costco membership...

Chanel at Costco? STFU.

I thought the only thing of value they had there was the 40-pack of Trojans for a mere $10. Who knew that between the 80 rolls of Angel Soft toilet paper and the caskets, a myriad of designer brand names could be found at your local Costco warehouse?

New York City residents celebrated the opening of its first Costco by rushing the doors and buying out their stock of Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags. Oh, did I forget to mention they had Burberry and Coach available for purchase as well? Shock me, shock me, shock me, Costco, with your fabulous merchandise. As if the Costco brand wasn’t designer enough already.

And it doesn’t stop there. 7 For All Mankind jeans? You got it. Michele watches?  No big deal. Paris Hilton’s latest perfume… well I’ll pass on that, but if I ever get the urge to smell like a Can Can dancer, I’ll know where to go.

Costco people are a special brand of human. We live life large. Extra large, if possible. Our carts are always filled to the brim with giant boxes of whatever we can get our hands on. And just when we thought life couldn’t get any better, Costco delivers us the crème de la crème of a shopper’s paradise.

These goodies aren’t available at all Costco’s nationwide (…yet), but I’m just happy to live in a world where it’s OK to purchase a discount case of hot dogs and a Chanel purse at the same time.

Yes, you can afford to wear this dress!

The basement of my parents’ house is a graveyard of dresses from years gone by.  Prom dresses, formal dresses, dresses worn to weddings – you name it, and you can find it down there. Seriously, I put Katherine Heigl’s 27 dresses to shame. And the worst part of it all is that these precious and costly dresses only saw the light of day once in their entire existence. They got all prettied up, made their debut, and then got stuffed back in the closet never to be seen again. Honestly, it’s a little heart-breaking.

In this day and age of recession and cutbacks on my wardrobe, I simply can’t afford to keep on living this way. Which is why RentTheRunway.com is saving my life. Their slogan is “Love. Wear. Return.” and one look at their website will have you fashion-orgasming, I promise.

This mail-order service allows women to rent high-end fashions for one-tenth of the retail price. Running from $50 to $200 for a four-night loan, that Diane Von Furstenberg dress you’ve been eyeing will be delivered to your doorstep, in TWO SIZES just in case. After you’ve had your fun, you simply mail it back to the company, and they take care of the dry-cleaning. It’s so effortless I may slip into a fashion coma.

Do you know what this means? Never spending a fortune on a dress you’ll probably wear once before it goes out of style. Always looking better than everyone else at the party because you’re in the latest Christian Siriano design. And finally, the end of outfit-repeating. I’m literally hyperventilating at the thought.

Praise be couture, Rent the Runway is mecca. Now I just need somewhere to go. If only it were acceptable to wear Chanel to a frat party.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

I’ve known Meagan since elementary school, and she’s always been one of the happiest people I know (she’s a cheerleader so she has to be, I guess). Her clothing choices are always full of color and spunk, and she is the definition of cute: a tiny body with a big personality that shines through her outfits. She doesn’t sacrifice comfort for fashion, however, because she believes that fashion is not necessarily about looking good, but feeling good. And that is the most inspiring thing I’ve heard about fashion in a long, long time.

Name: Meagan
Year: 2012
Major: mechanical engineering
Meagan in 3 words: levelheaded, nerdy, friendly

1) Describe your personal style.
Casual and comfortable, but definitely cute. Most days you’ll see me in a nice top with jeans and flats. I’m very down to earth, not overly girly with lots of make-up or anything dramatic. Just comfy and cute.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.
Cell phone.

3) What is your favorite store to shop at?
Nordstrom – they have everything you need from outerwear to underwear.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
I don’t idolize a celebrity or a specific designer or anything. I’m influenced the most by my friends, and usually I just wear what’s most comfortable. For me fashion isn’t about looking your best, it’s about feeling your best.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
Skinny jeans.

Featured clothes:
Dress – Forever21
Belt – Nordstrom
Leggings – Nordstrom
Flip-flops – surf shop in San Louis Obispo, CA

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

Enter Sarah.

Even though she isn’t in college anymore, Sarah still exudes the typical college girl enthusiasm for new clothes and the word “sale.” When I approached her and begged to take a picture of her look, she agreed… but only if I took a picture of the back of her skirt. She wanted to show off the best parts of her look: the pretty metallic details and ruffles next to the rich color of her scarf.  She’s also got this very Nicole Richie, I-didn’t-try-too-hard twisted pin-up braid going on that’s super cute and complements the entire look perfectly.

As a recent college grad, Sarah is always busy running to and from interviews and meetings. She doesn’t have a lot of time to spend on makeup and hair, which she doesn’t mind. Her style philosophy: a cute outfit to match her bag and long, flirty eyelashes. Sweet and simple. I love it.

Name: Sarah F.
Year: 2008 alumnus
Major: Public Policy
Sarah in 3 words: girly, bohemian, au naturale

1) Describe your personal style.
Simple is always better. Too many girls nowadays are getting plastic surgery and putting on heavy makeup when they’re only 10 years old! I don’t really try to stand out; I just pick something cute to wear, grab my favorite bag and heels, put on some mascara and sunscreen, and head out the door.

2) You can’t leave the house without your ____.
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. It makes my lashes look amazingly long and thick, and my eyes don’t look so tired afterwards.

3) Name your favorite place to shop.
Forever 21! Cheap is a must for a recent college graduate.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
I really like Natalie Portman; she always looks flawless in her complexion and dress but doesn’t seem like she spends an unnecessary amount of time on looking good. She’s a great role model too; she took an acting hiatus to go to Harvard! And for psychology, too, like me.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?

I love scarves, I have an entire box full of them! You can wear them in so many ways, and they make your outfit your own unique creation. Sometimes I even tie them on my bag to add another little flair to my outfit.

There are some people who always come to school looking like they just picked up whatever piece of clothing was in their line of sight, that may or may not be clean (determined by the ever scientific “Sniff Test”).

Then there are others who are always dressed so fashionably that you wonder if they live in a clothing store. Or how freaking early they wake up to pull an entire outfit together before making the trek to class.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

So meet Chloe. Whenever I see her on campus, she always has the cutest outfits on that make you think of picnicking in green meadows and somersaulting across the grassy field. Her style is always really fresh with girly touches like headbands and hair pins, and plenty of gold-toned jewelry to go with. And no one has ever seen her without a cloth bag. Ever. She has defined her own style and done it well. That is why Chloe is my muse of the week.

Name: Chloe M.
Year: 2011
Major: History
Chloe in 3 words: outgoing, treehugger, spontaneous.

1) Describe your personal style.
Feminine with a twist. I love shopping at vintage stores, you can always find something that is unique and so YOU at the same time. And there’s less of a chance you’ll run into a girl wearing the same thing. Fashion crisis averted.

2) You can’t leave the house without your ____.
Hobo bag! You can fit anything you want inside it, a pack of gum, a notebook, sometimes even a laptop. I seriously have one of every color.

3) Name your favorite place to shop.
Urban outfitters, for sure.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
Rachel Bilson – she always was my favorite O.C. star. Having Adam Brody as your boyfriend helped too.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
Bohemian bangles. My bangle drawer (yes, drawer) looks like an Indian marketplace.

Do you have a friend who always looks like she’s workin’ the runway? Spot a super fly girl on campus? Snap a photo and send it to Editor@CollegeCandy.com and she could be featured in a future Campus Couture!