STYLING 101 IS IN SESH
Class is in sesh! …but more like, grab your comfort drink and get cozy (bestie, put on some socks cus I know you’re cold !) and enjoy this 101!
Most Fashion Diehards, Girlies, Gays and They’s have this built-in intuition that gives them the spiritual inclination to let you if an outfit is off or even use their power for good and re-curate your vibe to give it that perfect ✨aesthetic✨ look. But with the best of intentions, I promise you. Anyway. Some of these Fashion Diehards are so powerful that they have the divine strength to elevate and become: Stylists. If you've ever been in a room amidst creatives, you just may be able to spot a Stylist working their magic by setting up looks, fixing an outfit to reach editorial level, etc etc. As creatives, we all have our superpowers - so our fashion crash course will be brought to you by the creatives on the ground working with designers, shoots, PR, talent and other creatives. So, allow us to hand over the keyboard to Fashionista and Stylist, now Lead Stylist at Arête.
Can you give the girlies a quick overview of who Alexea Brown is?
“My name is Alexea Brown, I’m the Lead Stylist at Arête. I’ve been a fashion connoisseur for as long as I can remember, but my career as a professional stylist began in 2020. Since then, I’ve worked with emerging artist YaYa Bey, and done e-comm and commercial styling for brands like URBN, Peloton, and Squarespace. I’ve been in New York for the last seven years and I’m originally from Frisco, Texas.”
What does being a stylist mean to you?
“As a stylist I am a fashion advisor, a wardrobe therapist, and an image consultant rolled into one. I’m able to use my knowledge of fashion and outfitting to give shopping guidance, and help people maximize their wardrobes & dress in a way that makes them look and feel confident and current.”
In today’s culture, what does it mean to have style and how is it represented in trends?
“To have style means that you’ve refined your taste in a way that allows you to express yourself uniquely through fashion. A stylish person knows which colors and silhouettes are the most flattering on them, and which trends are worth integrating into their wardrobes and which ones they should skip.
Social media and fast fashion have lent themselves to a trend cycle that moves faster than ever, and it’s easy to get caught up in over-consumption if you haven’t solidified your personal style yet. This usually results in wardrobes filled with trendy pieces that make the wearer feel ungrounded as opposed to fashionable.
This is a phase that most people go through in some capacity. Luckily, there’s a pretty simple solution- closet editing! You can do it on your own or with a stylist. The end goal is to have a wardrobe that’s versatile and filled with items that make you feel like you!”
What is the difference between virtual/irl styling and how does AI help?
“One of the biggest differences between virtual and IRL styling is that virtual styling affords clients much less one-on-one time with a stylist than they would have IRL. As a result, the process tends to be less personalized and clothing suggestions more generalized..
AI helps because it learns about you, your lifestyle, and your style preferences in the same way that a professional stylist would, improving your experience over time.”
How has fashion + tech inspired you as a creative?
“I find the increased access to fashion through tech to be inspiring. Hanifa’s virtual runway show in 2020 was such a game changer because it means that aspiring designers don’t necessarily need a team of people, or even the ability to cut & sew, to produce and share their designs with the world. This is only the beginning!”
Can you give us an example of the foundations to building a statement look/outfit?
“Every statement look should include an interest piece, which is your focal item- something that has an interesting color, texture, or shape. You’ll also want a foundational piece and a connector piece, like a jacket or a blazer, to tie the look together. A good thing to keep in mind is that your foundational pieces, sometimes referred to as basics or staples, don’t have to be read as basic or typical. Your foundational pieces should speak to your style and personality in the same way that a statement piece does because they are what will ground your outfit and make even your most experimental looks feel like you.”
Alexea Brown styling for Yaya Bey.
What’s your go-to staple piece?
“My go-to staple piece is a good pair of jeans. Jeans are my favorite wardrobe staple to invest in because the right style can carry you from season to season, and a great pair actually gets better as time goes on. The ones I reach for the most often are from Moussy, Margiela, and ASOS.”
Okay one last q, when you’re not styling, how do you express your creativity?
“I love to cook! Especially finding and trying new recipes!”
And there you have it, girlies! If you don't need to take notes, I hope you’re fully inspired to curate, create and share! Follow Alexea Brown on IG and sign up for Arête’s beta app waitlist!
