Ring: Hand-me-down. Bracelet: Gift from a friend. Chambray shirt: Vintage Levi’s, used to belong to boyfriend’s mother. T-shirt: Marvel.com. Pants: American Apparel. Boots: Payless. Lip color: Maybelline, Red Revolution. Bag: Vintage.

*It should be noted that Dakota’s awesome outfit was styled by her equally awesome boyfriend Kevin. He’s a student too, and unfortunately he’s majoring in economics rather than fashion. Sorry ladies.

So you’re a student. Did you grow up in New York?

I did. I grew up in the Bronx.

What makes you a New Yorker?

I would say it’s the food. I remember when I first tried a sausage here, it completely blew my mind.

So food is your defining experience of New York.

It is! There are so many cultures here, and so many different types of food. It’s pretty great.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

It’s from my dad. He once said, “Don’t trust boys. They’re really dirty. You have to be a strong woman.”

If you had a life philosophy, what would it be?

I think you should just progress. Go to school and study. Going to school is so important.