Style Diaries with SGA President Edmund Rhynes II
By Kendra Bryant, contributing writer
“There’s a difference between fashion and fly, I’m what you would consider, fly,” the SGA President Edmund “Eddie” Rhynes II, said. While sitting in his brightly lit office, Rhynes begins fidgeting with his ‘TU’ pin – a ceremonial gift he received a few days before the SGA presidential elections. The Towerlight sat down with Rhynes to discuss how his style and professional life at TU influence each other.
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your upbringing? Where are you from? How did this environment shape you into who you are today?
Rhynes: I’m from Waldorf, MD, which is in the Charles County region. I’ve lived in Waldorf my entire life. I grew up with my parents and a younger sister, she’s 17. We moved around quite a bit; from what I can count, it’s been about five to six times since I was born up until I was about 16 years old. I think that that really kind of helped me in a way that I would’ve never seen coming. Moving around a lot, going to several different schools, there was never really any stability. No stability in friendships, my education, none of that. Honestly, it was because of our circumstances at the time. We didn’t have it like that. As I’ve grown up, people always tell me, “Eddie, you’re such a people person. How is it so easy for you to adapt to making friends?” Honestly, I just draw back to my childhood. Bouncing around so much just made it all so natural. I’m thankful for that experience, it truly molded me into who I am today.
Q: Transitioning into the topic of style, how would you describe your relationship with clothing as a child?
Rhynes: For me, up until high school, my family just didn’t have it like that. Growing up, there were a lot of things I always wanted, be it clothes or shoes. But I couldn’t always get it due to our circumstances. Now I will say that my parents did their best to make sure I never went without. In terms of clothing, I had hand-me-downs and I went to the thrift shop. I think now that I’m older and quite frankly, blessed, I’m able to get what I want. It’s still something that I’m working towards getting used to. I remember as a child, people would ask me what I wanted and I would have an entire list of things, but now, in 2024 as a 22-year-old, I can’t think of anything. I feel like I have everything.
Q: Tell me about a memory you have of a clothing item that you wanted so badly, but you just couldn’t have.
Rhynes: When I was in the seventh grade, I remember wanting a pair of Jordans for Christmas. My dad told me that since I wanted them, they would get them for me. But when Christmas came around, I didn’t get them. I was so sad. I was young, and I just didn’t understand what was going on. My dad pulled me aside and told me, “I’m sorry, we just couldn’t do it.” From that point on, I fully understood what was going on.
Q: Guide us through the moments you discovered your style. When did it all begin?
Rhynes: I do have one memory. I was in the second grade, getting dressed to go to school when my mom gave me a pair of cargo pants to wear. I remember crying and protesting that I didn’t want to wear them, but she insisted I did. So, I wore them, and I was upset the entire day. I hated them. From that point on, my mom started letting me dress myself. Growing up, I wore a lot of skinny jeans, and I think that’s something that still sticks. I’m not really a loose-fitting person.
Q: How did your wardrobe transition between high school, starting college and later joining the Student Government Association (SGA)?
Rhynes: In high school I played football, so I wore a lot of sweatpants and hoodies, I kept it real calm. I may have worn a pair of jeans here and there. Now, especially with SGA, three out of five-day business week, I’m in a suit and tie. Now that I’m president, I don’t get to dress down as much as I used to. I remember my freshmen year, I used to come in pajamas.
Q: Wait, like a hoodie and pajama bottoms?
Rhynes: No, like full-on pajamas. I just didn’t care. But now, I love to put on outfits and spend money on clothes. It’s my biggest expense.
Q: As I’ve noticed throughout the past few months, you’re known for your suits around these halls. Tell me about the first time you purchased a suit, how did that feel?
Rhynes: I got my first suit in the Spring semester of my freshmen year. I had an interview for my first internship, and I realized I didn’t own a suit, let alone a tie. We took a trip to Express and purchased a simple black suit. I’ve always gotten compliments on how I look in a suit. I went from the color black to purchasing a suit in crème, green and gray.
Q: What is your favorite color to wear and why?
Rhynes: Black. It’s simple, but it says a lot. You just look like you mean business when you have on black.
Q: I asked you to bring some clothing items here today that represent monumental style moments for you. Describe to us what you have here.
Rhynes: I’m going to start with this pair of White Lanvin Leather Curb Sneakers (Retail Price: $990). They’re a little beat now, but they mean a lot to me, especially when I first got them. I got these shoes for my 21st birthday from a few of my closest childhood friends. The reason they mean so much to me is because this is the first expensive gift that I’ve ever gotten from a friend. These are designer shoes you know. Growing up I could never have this; I used to wear the same two, or three shoes every week. That’s all I had. There’s even a funny photo that they took of me holding the shoes up, you could just tell I’ve never had anything like that before.
Q: With our conversation having a common theme of not having it all, I’m curious to know, did you choose your career path off passion or finances?
Rhynes: I was thinking about passion. I want to be a defense attorney, so I’m always thinking about how I can correct the flaws in the legal system. I want to help as many people as I can. Growing up, I’ve always noticed there’s a lot of injustice going on, especially for people who look like me.
Q: Tell me about your second item.
Rhynes: This is a Towson University pin that I received about a week before elections took place. I wear this pin with pride with my suits. I always tell people, “Towson is the best school ever.” It’s kept in a small black box when it’s not on me.
Q: In one word, how would you describe your style?
Rhynes: Fly. There’s a difference between fly and fashion. Fashion is more versatile; you can wear a lot of different things and make it look unique. But if you’re fly, you just put on nice clothes, effortlessly. I’m basic, but I still manage to always look good.
Q: Where do you take style inspiration from? Where does the “fly” come from?
Rhynes: I have a few friends who I always go to for fashion advice. A Towson alum and friend of mine, Damon Edwards, is known for putting outfits together. He’s my go-to for style. I could be in the store and Facetime him to ask, “Does this look good?”, or “Should I get this?” When it comes to business attire, I’ll always call on my dad. Leaning on the people around me is the best, I know they’ll make sure I look right.
Q: What qualities, outside of your sense of style, make you fit for the role of president?
Rhynes: I’m a people person, I can talk all day if I must. I’m always flexible with people.
Q: What is your signature scent? Guide me through your experience with finding your personal cologne?
Rhynes: Yves Saint Laurent ‘Y Eau de Parfum’ is my favorite. Growing up, I wasn’t much of scent person. It wasn’t until my freshmen year before going out to a party, I realized all my friends were spraying on cologne. I looked around for something and noticed all I had was body oil. I talked to my dad and told him that I needed some cologne, “I’m practically a grown man at this point.” We went to go and test some things out and this was the first cologne I’ve ever purchased for myself. I’ve been in love with it since 2022.
Q: What is your best advice to someone who may have grown up in similar situations as you, or is simply trying to discover their style?
Rhynes: Stick to what you feel is you and avoid falling into trends.
Q: Lastly, do you have a go-to mantra or inspiration quote you live by?
Rhynes: My go-to Bible verse, saying, everything is Mark 11:24. It reads, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it shall be yours.” I literally tell that to myself like a billion times a day.
