When you envision a school principal, the last thing you would imagine is a fashion icon. But come to St. Pius X Catholic High School and you will see the most fashionable principal in America. Although it may only be her second year as the principal of St. Pius, Dr. Edye Simpson’s unique and stylish outfits have been noticed daily for the past 19 years that she has been at our school, where she used to be working in the Dean of Students office. Where does she get her inspiration? Where does she shop? What’s her favorite color to wear? Keep reading to uncover some interesting answers!

Usually, fashionable people have a certain influencer who inspires their outfit choices and combinations, but Dr. Simpson takes her inspiration from a variety of sources, including nature, flowers, and people. In addition to her outside inspirations, window shopping also influences her ideas.

“I go window shopping and see the different looks in the window, but they’re so expensive so I try to put together an identical look for half the price!” she explained.

When it comes to inspirations Dr. Simpson has one main source, a certain 2004 reality TV show.

“My biggest influence when it comes to fashion would be ‘Project Runway,’” she said. “I also like the new young designers on there. When I look at the program, I like the new fresh styles that they put together, so I get some styles from there. I also watch different entertainers. I don’t have anyone or anything specific because some of them are over the top. I look at different entertainment shows, award shows, but ‘Project Runway’ is one that I really look at.”

Though you may think that Dr. Simpson shops at expensive stores to achieve the looks she creates, she mainly enjoys shopping at Macy’s due to their reasonable prices, yet decorative clothes.

“I go to Macy’s a lot due to their sales, but I’m always looking for something new. I per say don’t have a favorite store because I’m always looking around,” she said.

Although she rarely repeats outfits and has a variety of colors that she matches, her favorite color to wear is pink. In fact, her office is filled with pink objects.

“Just look at my office!” Dr. Simpson said as she waved her hand and showed off an array of pink items including her paper tray, bulletin board, and even her own nameplate!

She wanted to be a model when she was younger, and although she never got to pursue that dream she participated in school fashion shows, then later participated in local fashion shows for fundraisers through her sorority.

“I have walked a runway. I have done local fashion shows with different conventions. I have also commented on fashion shows because I am in a sorority titled AKA. In my sorority, we’ve had different fashion shows for fundraisers. I’ve done school fashion shows when I was in public schools, which was an activity for both teachers and students.” she said.

Although it seems like she could have her own fashion line, Dr. Simpson would rather be a stylist.

“Maybe a stylist, but a designer requires knowing how to sew,” she explained. I have considered becoming a fashion stylist for Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, something like that, but just thought about it.”

But what prevails through all of her inspirations is her desire to be different, going against the norm. 

“You’re going to have people who don’t like your styling or what you wear, but if I like it, that’s all that’s important,” she said. 

Dr. Simpson has no intention of forgoing her unique fashion sense, so next time you’re walking past the main office, keep an eye out!