When Carmela Spinelli hears the word "tomboy, " a particular look comes to mind: Strong, independent, rebellious.

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Joseph Spinelli offers another reason why the entertainment industry may be particularly exposed.

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Auschwitz by Italian poet Santino Spinelli is engraved around the pool's rim.

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"To use a term that includes the word 'boy' to describe a state of independence and free-thinking for women seems kind of backward, " Spinelli said.

CNN: Girl, where'd you get that necktie?

Her support for emerging designers of diverse backgrounds and influences has bolstered the fashion industry's bottom line while reflecting the country's diverse cultural landscape, Spinelli said.

CNN: Lessons in style from Michelle Obama

Her outfits emphasize fashion and function, reflecting her broader platform of healthy and active living, said decorative arts historian Carmela Spinelli, chair of the Savannah College of Art and Design's fashion department.

CNN: Lessons in style from Michelle Obama

"It's not just great for the fashion industry, but also great for helping us get out and move by showing that the body is just as important as the moment in fashion, " Spinelli said.

CNN: Lessons in style from Michelle Obama