Student Style Spotlight: Confidently Chic with Morgan Anderson

Central Michigan University’s campus serves as a runway for the everyday fashionista. Forget magazines and paparazzi shots – the real style icons can be spotted walking to class.

Grand Central took a trip down Main Street to the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority house in order to catch up with Lake Orion junior Morgan Anderson, on her day-to-day style.

Setting It Straight 

As a member of Greek life, Anderson has experienced some misunderstanding from those on the outside of it. She filled us in on what it’s like to live in the house.

“I think everyone has this idea that we’re all glammed up every day, sitting around crimping each other’s hair and stuff. But, if you walk into our house, we are all usually in sweatpants, binge eating our house mom’s food, watching movies together and taking naps daily,” Anderson said.

Anderson shared that like other groups on campus, it is easy to have a negative opinion of Greek life if one’s view is from the outside. Aside from her sorority, she finds comfort in the Greek community as a whole.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met more intelligent, well-rounded people,” Anderson said.

Day-to-Day Glam

Living in a house with 20 girls, Anderson’s daily process is nothing short of hectic.

The sisters share one bathroom consisting of two large mirrors and five shower stalls. While getting ready, the most important part of Anderson’s daily beauty regimen is skincare.

“Tone, moisturize, cleanse, treat and repeat, daily,” Anderson said.

With a fresh and clean face Anderson continues by applying a shimmery shadow to the lid and a touch of bronze in her crease. Winged liner is a staple to her daily makeup routine. She completes her everyday look with a simple nude lip.

Drawing inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker’s style, Anderson’s go-to item is a pair of overly distressed boyfriend jeans. This denim can be thrown on in a hurry with a simple sweater and some statement flats.

“It looks very chic – like I tried to look that way, when I actually only had five minutes and just threw it on,” Anderson said.

Anderson commonly finds items for her wardrobe from the BP brand section of Nordstrom and a small boutique, Rococo, that puts on trunk shows in Mount Pleasant for all of the sororities.

Beauty School Skills

When events such as birthdays or recruitment come around, Anderson sets aside enough time to do her sisters’ hair and makeup. After a few years, it has become routine.

“They literally refer to me as their glam squad sometimes!” Anderson said.

Making sure her sisters are glammed up and photo ready serves as practice for Anderson’s makeup skills. Each girl is a fresh canvas for her to experiment with.

“Everyone here has such different features and coloring that I can do beautiful, smoky eyes or very clean, chic Brigitte Bardot looks.”

Makeup and hair is more than just a hobby for Anderson. She has also earned her cosmetology license.

As a junior and senior in high school, Anderson had the opportunity to attend cosmetology school, allowing her to graduate with a high school diploma and a license.

“Cosmetology school was definitely one of the best times in my entire life. I met some of my best friends there who I’m still friends with today.”

Cosmetology school served as a creative outlet for Anderson, and has given her skills that will last a lifetime. She is able to channel her artistic nature into the rewarding act of making people feel truly beautiful.

Full-Time Fashionista

Transitioning into her academic career at CMU, Anderson decided to pursue the major fashion merchandising and design. A double minor in communications and entrepreneurship accompany her major.

Anderson’s passion for fashion does not stop when she returns home to Lake Orion. She works for Ann Taylor, a high quality women’s clothing store.

“I love working with Ann Taylor,” Anderson said. “It’s more than a job for me, because my manager has kind of mentored me. She’s really helped me figure out what I want to do with my life and has shown me how there is so much more we can do with our degree than just being a buyer or visual merchandiser.”

After graduation, Anderson has hopes of being a district manager of multiple stores and to travel the country. Anderson said Ann Taylor is a company she can see herself working for post-graduation.

Contagious Confidence

Anderson capped off our interview with a piece of advice, inspired by the great words of “The Office’s” Michael Scott.

Every day when I wake up and look in the mirror I just tell myself, ‘You are Beyoncé, always.’