Jacquelyn Trotman, a Syracuse University student who studied in Florence last spring, has achieved a notable academic milestone with the publication of a paper in the Syracuse Honors Research Journal: “Dapper Dreams: Gucci and the American Hip Hop Scene, 1980s-1990s.”
Trotman’s paper originated as a final project for Professor Chiara Faggella’s course DES 300.2 (Bellissima! Unraveling the Threads of Italian Fashion) in April 2025. Her research explored the intersection of counterfeit Italian luxury fashion goods and the American hip-hop scene during the 1980s and 1990s, examining how these unauthorized reproductions were repurposed and given new cultural meaning.
“Jacquelyn wrote a brilliant paper based on research she conducted autonomously,” said Professor Faggella. “She really did an amazing job and shed light on a brilliant case study.”
After completing the course, Trotman refined her work and submitted it to the research journal run by the Renee Crown University Honors Program, with Professor Faggella serving as her supporting faculty member.
Trotman’s achievement shows how the Florence program can spark academic inquiry that extends beyond the semester abroad, turning classroom assignments into published research that contributes to broader scholarly conversations about fashion, culture, and identity.