By Ezae Darby
Gasnel Jacques is a student designer with the goal of shaping Brooklyn College’s identity for the future. From his pivotal role at NYFW x BC F2024 to his campus-wide garment collaboration, Jacques is leaving an indelible mark on the intersection of fashion and student culture.
A film major at Brooklyn College, Jacques’ recent work goes outside the camera to looks he created for the runway. For NYFW x BC F2024, an event held earlier in the semester as previously reported by The Vanguard, he served as a panelist for the pre-runway show discussion. He also served as both the head stylist and a designer for the event in which he showcased some of his upcoming designs.
Jacques recently collaborated with the college through both the Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Marketing and Communications. In celebration of the recent “Night at Barclays” event, where the 100th class was celebrated, as previously reported by The Vanguard, all students with a ticket were gifted his long-awaited gray sweatshirt to help foster a strong sense of school spirit and unity. Although this giveaway seemed to have come out of nowhere, Jacques has been working behind the scenes for quite some time now.
“I’ve been working on the design for two years now, but I have been working on this collaboration with Brooklyn College for a little over a year. To feel it finally being put into effect feels good, and I feel like this is something that all the students need,” he told The Vanguard.
Concerning the current climate of fashion on our campus, Jacques was very vocal in expressing the necessity for a symbol of unity and strength among the student body.
“As a Brooklyn College student, we need something that pops, something that shows students’ spirit, but at the same time represents the student body here on campus,” he said.
Jacques’ inspiration for creating and designing clothing first took form during his childhood. While most children just play with the toys they are given, Jacques would try to design them. Jacques credits anime shows like Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, and Avatar: The Last Airbender as shows that he aimed to take some design elements from and incorporate them into his handmade clay toys.
“As a kid I wasn’t always into fashion, but I was always into design,” he said. “As a child, I used to make my own toys so that’s where design started for me […] I found myself recognizing how fashion was an art form and can say a lot about how someone is […] about how serious you should take them.” He also stressed the importance of students representing themselves, especially given the current climate of fashion in NYC. “As CUNY students, we should be more intentional with how we come to campus.”
When the pandemic shocked the world in 2020, Jacques also found himself at somewhat of a crossroads both personally and creatively. Fashion thus became a facet to who Jacques is as a person. Through this discovery, Jacques hopes to share his love for fashion to make others feel their best with what they wear, which includes making BC students feel seen.
“[Fashion is] a projection of who I am […] a projection of who you are. As young scholars we should project who we are without even having to say a word,” he said. “I feel that my garment best complements this school and represents the students, how they see themselves, and how they want to be seen by others.”
Jacque stated that along with recognizing fashion as an art form, he explained how he draws inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s style of “Black Ivy,” when Black men and women across the country adopted clothing from the white elite and redefined it to serve and promote equality between the two races.
When discussing his future and what the next few years may look like for him, Jacques made it clear that he wants to build upon his partnership with BC.
“I see myself adding on to the tradition at Brooklyn College. I can definitely see this being something very sustainable, and I’m working with the Office of Auxiliary to actually have a shop on campus,” he told The Vanguard.
He also stated that he sees the potential for him to work with all of CUNY as well in the hopes of helping those obtain fashionable looks for an affordable cost.
“I definitely do feel that as students who, the majority of us, come from a low socio-economic background, we definitely should take ourselves seriously and help others perceive us more seriously,” he said.
Beyond BC and CUNY, Jacques hopes to take his talents even farther. To him, his mission is complete once every sector of society has worn his designs.
“I want to dress the minds of tomorrow: the leaders, scholars, doctors, artists, filmmakers,” he said. “I can definitely see myself entering the world of fashion and offering my services on a greater scale.”