Sacramento State’s Fashion Club is working hard to prove itself against harsh stereotypes and controversial comments.

Club president and senior paramarketing design major Natasia Berry said the club faces ridicule on a daily basis.

There is a common stereotype, she said, that paramarketing is not a real major and that they are just girls who like shop or are too lazy to work towards something real.

“Many look at fashion as a joke,” said Jane Vasquez, junior paramarketing design major and club treasurer.

Berry said fashion students fight a hard struggle because the fashion industry is extremely competitive. As students and not professionals, members of the Fashion Club have to work twice as hard to make a name for themselves, she said.

Vasquez said many students believe the way to lead successful lives is to become an attorney, accountant or doctor.

“I feel in my heart that if you really love what you’re doing, then money will follow. So I feel that a lot of people that think inside the box don’t understand that you can be creative and make a lot of money doing it just as well,” Vasquez said.

Berry said the club overcomes stereotyping by focusing on its work like with the fashion show that took place Friday.

Catherine Hamilton, junior family and consumer sciences major, said being a designer in the fashion show helped her create an image for herself.

The club focuses on making sure members like Hamilton are aware of all the opportunities available to them.

“Opportunities will be given and it’s up to members to take them,” Berry said.

Vasquez took one and she will soon be working as a sales intern for Nordstrom’s.

“Northern California is not a big fashion domain – we show you don’t have to go to Los Angeles or New York to be in fashion,” Berry said.

MiriamArghandiwal can be reached at [email protected]