“What we have here is a dreamer…”
“What we have here is a dreamer. Someone completely out of touch with reality.” The Virgin Suicides (1999) *
During the day she might be wearing pastel colors and 50s pin-up skirts, but on Thursday nights she is in the center of the dance floor in Underground club with a Kurt Cobain T-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans. What is the mystery behind Marina Penkova’s bold style?
“It’s called a sense of humor – you should get one – they’re nice. ” Pretty in Pink (1986)
Marina. If you don’t know her, the chances are: you are either a first-semester student or you have never stepped out of your dorm room since coming here. Both ways, you are missing a lot. Marina is one of the most active social butterflies at AUBG, and her style is just one of her many ways for artistic expression.
“I can do anything I want. And so can you.” Donnie Darko (2001)
- Underdressed or overdressed? Overdressed
- Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe? Audrey Hepburn
- Quantity or quality? Quality
- High heels or flats? High heels
- Black or white? Black
- Skirt or pants? Skirt
- Leather or suede? Leather
- Summer or winter? Winter
- Rock chic or a classy lady? Rock chic
- Favorite color: Purple
“I refuse to become what you call normal.” Alphaville (1965)
Marina is not a girl to stand boredom. Being a creative extrovert, she has a flair for acting and is not afraid of the spotlight. Not by chance, each semester we see her starring in the student organized plays. Last semester she wowed the audience as the extravagant Irena in the adaptation of Leaving by Czech author Václav Havel and this semester we expect to see her as Regina Davis in The Mousetrap.
“You are just as cynical as the rest of them!” Irena, Leaving . Personal archive (Photo credits: Dimitar Bratovanov)
Marina is eternally fascinated by the world of cinema and her favorite directors are Alfred Hitchcock and David Lynch. The film character she identifies herself with is Lux Lisbon from Sofia Coppola’s 1999 masterpiece The Virgin Suicides. Her all-time favorite actress and personal fashion icon is Grace Kelly.
“I love her because she is the true definition of beauty, class, perfection,” Marina said.
“I’ve got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?” Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
If she has to describe her style in one word that would be mix-and-match. She admits that she has a very diverse taste in clothes and changeable fashion moods. She is constantly going back and forth from classy vintage feminine outfits to expressive rock chic attires depending on her mood and her confidence.
“It’s a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.” American Beauty (1999)
The single item in her closet she cannot live without are her ripped jeans. Her “skeleton in the closet” is a bright yellow crop top with a bow tie back from her mother’s teenage years. Marina admits it always evokes an amazed reaction in others, but she kept it because of its boldness and vintage vibe. She says she has an unhealthy amount of shoes but never enough lipsticks.
“A woman happily in love, she burns the soufflé. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven.” Sabrina (1954)
Are you wondering what her dirty fashion secret is?
“Once I bought super expensive shoes,“ Marina said, “and I always lie to people that they are less than 100 lv.”
“Well, if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to wear the proper clothes.” Rear Window (1954)
“We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.” The Breakfast Club (1985)
Her fashion guilty pleasures are see-through clothes and band T-shirts.
“Only one is a wanderer; two together are always going somewhere.” Vertigo (1996)
“We all go a little mad sometimes.” Psycho (1960)
When it comes to designers and labels, Marina is hesitant. On the one hand, she is fascinated by the creations of Moschino and Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada and adores browsing through their new collections, but admits they are too extravagant and “just seem out of this planet.” On the other, when on a shopping spree, she does not discriminate and does not let herself be defines by only one label.
“I just shop from everywhere. I do not believe in branding. If you like something you just like it,” Marina said.
“We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art.” La Dolce Vita (1960)
“Before you can change the world you must realize that you, yourself, are part of it. You can’t stand outside looking in.” The Dreamers (2003)
Marina definitely considers herself an individual trend-setter. She is always going through fashion fad periods of her own. She even recalls a story from her high school years when she was obsessed with hats and after a while , all of her classmates also started wearing hats.
“I wish I didn’t care about anything. But I do care. I care about everything too much. “Palo Alto (2013)
“Does the soul exist in modern society?” À bout de souffle (1960)
Her fashion piece of advice to all readers is:
“I don’t want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. ” A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
“Everything is fashionable as long as you like it. People are so oppressed to express themselves and that is something that I am so much against. People should look the way they want to look and dress the way they want to dress, especially when it comes to young people. They should feel comfortable in their own skin.”
*All photos have been captioned with Marina’s help featuring her favorite movie quotes.
