Summer Best
A fresh force in the Pacific Northwest’s evolving style story? Transplants who bring their closets — and perspectives — with them.
Case in point: Oklahoma-born Savaughn Williams, who moved to the University District in September and recently wrapped her first year as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington.
Though fashion has always been in the frame, she says her style journey truly began in her early 20s after she embraced her natural hair — a shift that sparked new confidence and creative expression.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How did this outfit come together, and what inspired it?
My inspiration was mixing masculine with feminine, because I get the choice to be creative with how I dress. I first wore the outfit in a more professional setting, but once I take outfits from work to play, I experiment with different shapes.
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is a bit edgy but still very girlie, fun and free. It’s also generational — my entire family is very conscious of our fashion and interested in expressing ourselves through the clothing we wear.
What are your thoughts on Seattle fashion in the summer?
Eclectic in the best way. There are a variety of dressers in Seattle — from the functional dresser who needs their clothes to move with them, to the fun dressers who want to look fabulous. Coming from Oklahoma, you don’t always get to see that type of diversity. In Seattle, it seems like you have the freedom to exist in the way that you want to.
