UCSD’s Fashion Quarterly claims to be the first fashion magazine on any UC campus —although Cal’s BARE might protest.

The student publication began in 2007 under the masthead Secret Scholar, but changed its name last year to more literal Fashion Quarterly (literal except for the fact that it’s released only twice a year); however, its motto has stayed the same: “Smart is sexy.”

“We didn’t want to follow the stereotypical ‘hot, sexy’ on the cover,” Fashion Quarterly co-editor Lois Lim said. “We wanted it to be known that you don’t have to be just smart or just sexy — you can have both.”

All of Fashion Quarterly’s cover girls are UCSD students, who undergo a competitive casting process to get the gig — including an application asking for their GPA, major, extracurricular activities and hobbies, followed by in-person interviews. Once the cover girl is chosen, she’s given the VIP treatment; dolled up by professional makeup artists and hair stylists, then given a scenic San Diego photo shoot.

“It’s really important that our cover models embody what smart and sexy is,” Lim said. “You want them to be a role model to everyone else. And they’ve never been able to be on the cover and do a photo shoot, so it helps their confidence as well.”

Every issue of Fashion Quarterly features the handiwork of two local fashion designers, including at least one student. Since its inception, the publication has formed ties with local stores, makeup artists, hair stylists and photographers — who all lend support during the production process.

A grand total of 32 writers, designers, bloggers and publicists release approximately 25 Elle-aspiring pages twice a year — on top of the requisite launch parties and quarterly events such as fashion shows, fundraisers and makeovers.

“Fashion is so relatable,” Fashion Quarterly co-editor Liz Kim said. “Fashion is everywhere and touches so many people. I don’t think people realize how important it is. And there’s more to fashion than clothes.”