Eagle Era

Insight into junior Liona Li’s love for fashion

By Kaitlyn Liu

As the lights dimmed and the stage was illuminated with a navy blue hue, Liona Li (11) caught the audience’s attention in her handmade dress. With stitched-together fabrics, layered clothes, vines, and accessories tying the outfit together, Li confidently strutted down the runway at the Fine Arts Fair, pausing every now and then to strike a pose. 

Li highlighted the frills, lace, and accessories that set her outfit apart. “I combined different aspects of an enchanted forest into a dress, with the corset being a tree trunk, and a bunch of vines as leaves,” she said. This was only one of the many intricate designs and outfits Li has created since she began sewing.

Li started sewing in middle school, when she found herself frustrated with limited outfit choices, and began experimenting with a variety of styles. “I learned to sew from a summer camp I attended in fourth grade, and I started by making purses and wallets before I began sewing clothes with a machine.”

Once she felt comfortable sewing basic bags and clothing, she took on her first major project: a clothing revamp. “I turned a pair of skinny jeans into a tube top with these flared sleeves,” said Li. “I remember using Pinterest and Instagram as a way to gain inspiration, so they really helped a lot.”

Elaina Root (11), who helped Li set up and decorate her stand at the Fine Arts Fair, described how they became friends and bonded over her unique style. “I’ve always thought she had such a cool style, but I started associating fashion with her when she would wear these really cool clothes that she made herself.” 

“One of her outfits that I think is just iconic is a yellow dress with a denim vest, and these snake-pattern pants, along with lots of jewelry,” said Root (Photo Credit: Kaitlyn Liu (11)).

Building on this, Root explained that the cohesiveness of Li’s outfits and attention to detail makes her style so unique. “While some people have cute clothes or fun jewelry, Liona puts effort into every part of her appearance so it all works together, which is why I think she stands out so much more than anyone else.”

When choosing which clothes to pair together, Li said that she matches textures and uses interesting color combinations to add a pop to her outfits, adding chunky necklaces and gold bracelets she finds at thrift stores. “I always dress the way I feel, so whenever I’m feeling happy, I wear brighter colors. When I’m feeling moody, I tend to prefer darker colors,” she said. 

Carolina Vasquez (11), who bonds with Li over their shared love for fashion—especially thrifting. “One thing that Liona and I do have in common is sustainability,” Vasquez stated. “I admire her for recycling old clothes and making her own—thrifting, donating, and trying not to buy from big fast fashion companies that use hard labor.” 

Kathy Masnik (11), one of Li’s close friends, explained how her willingness to use fashion as a way of expressing her personality and to go against the norm makes her someone others have fun around. “She really enjoys trying new things with her clothes, hair, jewelry, and makeup that might be unconventional or bold to others,” Masnik said. “She isn’t afraid of what others think, and that’s what makes her so optimistic and bubbly.”

Li rustled her hair as she posed for the photo on the runway (Photo Credit: Ryan Ma (10)).

Kira Hao (10) originally connected with Li over her unique homecoming dress. “I genuinely love her style so much; it is so unique, so colorful, just like she is,” she said. “I always ask her when she comes to school wearing something new or if she changes her hair because I really like hearing her talk about it. I just love seeing her get fired up.”

Aanya Singh (11) described her friend’s style as distinctive. “It is the kind of style you notice right away without even trying—it naturally stands out in a crowd. She mixes creativity with bold choices, so nothing ever feels basic or predictable.”

Root explained that there is no way to confine her style to just one word because the way she dresses strays from contemporary fashion. “Rather than describing Liona’s style with a specific word or aesthetic, it’s more accurate to use ‘Liona’s style’ as its own way to describe other outfits and clothes.”