Project 315 group centers on fashion, capitalizes on individual authenticity
Project 315 is open to students of all experience levels. They hold photoshoots and accept members all year. Courtesy of Jahleel Bennett
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Before his birthday photoshoot, the thought of starting a fashion collective was nonexistent for Jahleel Bennett. But on the day in early October, Bennett realized he enjoyed the entire process of dressing up, gathering his friends and posing for the camera.
Two weeks later, Project 315 was born.
“I had realized that was something I wanted to do long term and more often,” Bennett, a Syracuse University sophomore, said. “So I had the idea that maybe I should just open this up to everybody, not just the people I know.”
Bennett and freshman Hannah Wilson cofounded Project 315, a fashion and photography collective that hosts themed photoshoots open to all students. The project officially started on Oct. 19, holding photoshoots and is open to new members all year. The collective aims to be an all-inclusive organization, rooted in a love for fashion.
Fashion is what brings everyone together in Project 315, Bennett said. Fashion has always been part of Bennett’s identity since he was young, even meeting designer Tommy Hilfiger through his dad’s work.
Project 315’s social media and marketing director, Bonita Roka, said she’s always been in tune with fashion ever since she was little, often styling other people. Wilson initially, on the other hand, wasn’t as fashionable, until quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic. The freshman saw inspiration in celebrities like Tyler, The Creator.
This shared love of fashion kickstarted the Project 315 initiative, Bennett said. When the organization’s main photographer asked to shoot several photos with Bennett, it cemented his idea.
“It was so fun that I can’t just keep it to myself. I have to spread the love,” Bennett said.
In the month since its launch, Project 315 has grown to over 100 general members and over 500 followers on Instagram. Wilson said the collective’s rise in popularity is credited to two things: authenticity and individuality.
Project 315’s photoshoots have themes, but no specific dress code. Models are free to wear whatever look they like best. Courtesy of Jahleel Bennett
As of now, Project 315 isn’t a registered student organization, but hopes to become one by next fall, Bennett said. By becoming an RSO, Project 315 hopes to collaborate with other fashion organizations on campus and receive sponsorships, Bennett said.
Though each photoshoot has a specific theme, stylists don’t pick outfits for the models. Instead, models are encouraged to wear a look they feel best fits the theme. In Project 315’s first photoshoot on Oct. 25, models adorned all things street style: vibrant zip-up jackets, trendy Timberlands and decked out accessories. No one looked the same, coming back to the idea of authenticity and individuality the collective has put forward, Wilson said.
“Before we meet up, it’s fun to see everyone’s different outfits,” Roka said. “That’s what makes it fun, because you see so many different types of styles being worn. And it all looks good.”
On photoshoot day, the environment is alive, Roka said. With around 40 models coming to a photoshoot, Bennett and Wilson split them up into different groups, diversifying each shot to mix and match different people and outfits. Many of Project 315’s members are freshmen, and photoshoots give those younger members the chance to branch out and make connections with others in the collective, Wilson said.
I had realized that was something I wanted to do long term and more often. So I had the idea that maybe I should just open this up to everybody, not just the people I know.Jahleel Bennett, Project 315 co-founder
While managing 40 members at a photoshoot can seem daunting, Project 315’s collaborative nature makes this an easy exchange, Bennett said.
“Even though we have creative director positions, there’s a lot of people in the organization that just want to pitch their ideas, and the photographer is always open to that. We’re always open to that,” Wilson said.
Photography makes up the second half of Project 315’s purpose, Bennett said. Gathering aspiring photographers to build their portfolio, Project 315 accepts photographers of all abilities, Wilson said. They don’t need specific equipment or experiences to get started.
“We have people literally bring their phone in their hands, no tripod or anything, try to make videos and we 100% promote and repost their content,” Wilson said. “So it’s all about content creation and small creators who want to branch out and start something bigger than what they are right now.”
During photoshoots, they prioritize group photos over individual shots, Wilson said. With members joining the collective year round, using group shots allows more members to be featured.
As a public relations sophomore looking to go into the fashion industry, Roka said she’s noticed that agencies tend to pick and choose who they want their models to be. This pattern is common — Roka’s even seen this in other fashion organizations she’s part of on campus.
Project 315 breaks this mold; its open and positive atmosphere makes the organization stand out from others on campus, Roka said.
Roka and Wilson said Project 315 has pushed the two toward a future in fashion. Learning the behind the scenes of a photoshoot is good preparation for Roka while Wilson plans on posting fashion on social media on the side. Bennett never thought fashion would be his future career path, but since starting the organization, it’s now a definite possibility, he said.
“For me right now, it’s just developing my craft and honing in on what really means the most to me,” Bennett said. “And for me that’s community. Seeing everybody show up, volunteering their time and space is really really amazing,”
