EVERYTHING Fashion & Style With Stylist Extraordinare Aalexus Longmire Of Lex Styles
It is my firm belief that like attracts like more often than not, or in other words; your vibe will never fail you. Kindred spirits will always find their way to one another. Though we often find ourselves searching for brilliant connections for what seems like a lifetime, or discovering exceptional people when we least expect it, the fact always remains steadfast and true. Those who are most passionate about what we hold dear to our hearts, are the impetus to our very being. The resounding affirmation that yes, indeed we are here. Someone truly understands the very fabric of who we are. While it is our life’s work to understand and be comfortable with ourselves, it is those serendipitous moments when we meet the rare people who can emphasize our passions, that magic truly happens. I was very fortunate to meet Aalexus Longmire also known as Lex of Lex Styles, during the Black Design Collective’s First Annual Pop Up at the FIDM Museum / FIDM Museum Shop, and she is indeed the epitome of magical!
Lex knows how to stand out, from her clothing to her body language. She is distinctly individual in her taste. I was so fascinated by her gentle disposition and exquisite charm. She takes initiative with every task, and imparts a positive impression with every person that she meets. I was so grateful to have not only met her, but enjoy a lovely lunch together where we were able to vibe out! With every conversation we had that day, I was so excited to learn more about someone so dedicated to fashion and style! She is transcendental with her stylist skills, which is very evident in this interview. Our collaborative post is also different because of how much Lex Styleisms she has to share! You are surely in for a treat! It is my honour to introduce you to, Miss. Aalexus Longmire!
@leex.styles
Follow Lex on Instagram!
Tell us about yourself and your latest endeavours!
“Hey girl hey, my name is Aalexus Longmire but I prefer Lex, as in ‘Lex Styles.’
I’m a recent college graduate from the University of Arizona with a degree in Retailing & Consumer Science. Despite my formal education, fashion styling and blogging are my passions and my driving force behind my growth. It brings me butterflies! Currently, I run a fashion blog called “Lex Styles” where I highlight runway trends and how they can be worn everyday, up and coming, as well as hot designers, style tips for everyday lifestyle and pieces, as well as photo shoots I’ve styled & look books that I create. Aside from my styling, based on the reactions from the political and social climate I, along with another stylist, launched a community organization called StyleLA. We do community outreach combined with artistic expression with hopes of inspiring. We’re two stylists on a mission. We had an event this past weekend, where we handed out over 100 care packages to the homeless, including food, toiletries, masks and water!”
How did you become a fashion stylist?
Lex Styles: “Haha—I’m glad you asked. I JUST DID! (I’m still growing, forsure.) I wish someone would’ve told me in middle school that you could just “do” it. There is no formal path to styling, and there’s also soooo many different avenues of styling. I’d say it’s really about connections and letting people see your passion. I started with my blog about three years ago, and continued pushing content. Shortly after, everyone around me would ask for styling advice. I styled a lot of my college friends for their everyday life and parties lol. I even do makeup! Reading my blogs with my tips, they’d ask me what they should wear, and I’d be making full outfit collages and stuff. I then began to style my friends aspiring to model and personal shopped for their outfits. I was happy to help!! In the summer of 2019, I took on an internship with Celebrity Stylist, Okera Banks and it allowed me to make more connections in fashion, as well as learn valuable insight to the styling industry; she saw my blog and liked it. I was able to also sharpen my knowledge on clothing, brands and all around ‘style.’ Now, funny enough, the universe seems to be on my side! It’s important for me to keep going because there aren’t many people that look like me (brown skin girl), that show children that fashion, blogging, and styling can be a lifestyle and career. I want to be that to my community, I want to be able to go back and teach young boys and girls how styling and creativity changed my life.”
A Fashion STYLIST and her muse!
What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
Lex Styles: “I wear sweats and an oversized t-shirt 86% of the time and I’m not ashamed. A big part of fashion for me, is being comfortable in what I’m in. In my everyday life, while I love being flyyyy, I’m super comfortable and quick In my sweats. I’m always moving too. I spent half of my youth wearing stuff I was uncomfortable in because I was trying to fit in. So I gave that up, even with my sweats I’m still cute! Haha.”
What is your style philosophy?
Lex Styles: “Classy, chic, with a little bit of street!
My mission is to help women create fabulous looks that THEY feel confident in. There’s always a push to be the most unique in the room, but I want to teach women with confidence and a little chic thinking, you can wear your favorite pieces with no effort. People always compliment me on my outfits, and sometimes I’m like ‘I ain’t got nothing on…’ but it’s cause it’s calm, classy, and chic.”
Do you have a trademark accessory?
Lex Styles: “Haha, omg I feel so basic. A WHITE TANK TOP/WHITE BEATER! I can do so much with that, that nobody better try me on it. AND the color red! A lot of people recognize my love for red….”
Who is your ultimate style icon(s)? Why? How has this person / their style impacted you?
Lex Styles:
“Coco Chanel.
Did you know that she lost her parents when she was young? Well that’s ‘why.’ Growing up there was a time where I was separated from both of my parents, and my mom was the creative one. I started watching and reading and learning about CoCo. She’s resilient, and she created a brand that has stood the test of time and has never depreciated, despite her passing. Coco said ‘fashion has two purposes; comfort and love.’ That’s something I really believe in, that’s what it was to me as a child. Not to mention, all of Coco Chanel’s designs from her notorious pearls to her classic suits are extremely classy and versatile, and that’s my kind of style. They don’t scream at you, but you notice them in the room. Classy, chic.”
Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
If you could only wear one pattern or print for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
Lex Styles: “Cheetah print, preferably in the cream/nude/chocolate color schemes. Idk why except that it looks the best on me.”
*Remembers that I can’t find my cheetah print Brighton belt*
What is the best style advice you’ve ever given?
Lex Styles: “Turn that skirt/shirt into a dress!
I’m notorious for telling my clients to wear skirts and oversized shirts as dresses! I love a thigh high with an oversized hockey jersey, or white button up.”
How can someone achieve an editorial look without breaking the bank?
Lex Styles: “For your clothes — I definitely 100% recommend thrifting, upcycling, and shopping with consignment shops. You can find great pieces, even designer, for extremely LOW prices. This also gives them the chance to play with different things and make something out of nothing.”
What are the top pieces that every person should have in their wardrobe?
Lex Styles:
These are what I call my capsule pieces —
White Button Up
White/Black tank top
Tube Dress/Skirt
A wrap dress
A little black dress (or charcoal grey)
Your FAV blue jeans, whatever style
Black/White pants
A pencil skirt
A blazer
A leather jacket
A denim jacket
Black pumps
All white sneakers
Statement scarf
What are your thoughts on affordable fashion? Can affordable fashion be sustainable?
Lex Styles: “Yes!! If we begin to really recycle and up-cycle the materials we are using. I think we have to have a system in place where we are actually recycling our clothes and not just throwing them away!“
What is the number one styling trick/ “hack” that every person should know?
Lex Styles: “For my women I’d say it’s tying/knotting your shirt. I’m the front, back, or side. It can accentuate the waist or it can just add some edge.
For my men I’d say it’s tailoring, especially if you’re built with broad shoulders or a broad back, with a tailor you can make your favorite pieces fit even better.”
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done for a shoot?
Lex Styles: “I haven’t done much “crazy” stuff. However, I wanted to use this construction site/parking lot looking space but there was barbed wire all around it, we stood dangerously close to the barbed wire before an automated message told us to leave the premises!”
It’s a HOT GIRL ICY Summer;)
Lex Styles: Anything else you would like to add?
“Given the current political and social climate, it seems almost vain for me to only focus on my styling and blogging efforts. I was very very active in the protests for about a week and a half, and was able to feel so many feelings and it showed me that my heart is in two places. While protesting is important, I think educating and aiding with resources is the best that I can do for the community that I know has been affected by oppression. Aside from my blog posts which featured black fashion and brands, I created StyleLA, to show other young boys and girls what they can do for their communities and what can come from them. Kids ask me questions about styling, college, about blogging, I want them to know it’s a valid dream. Fashion is a valid dream, so I want to continue to go into these spaces and show them that at least ONE stylist and fashion blogger came from where they came from. These little black and brown lives matter SO MUCH to me, because to be a child should be a joy. If you’d like to donate to StyleLA or get involved with our events as a volunteer, please feel free to reach out via Instagram.”
Deuce Deuce
Lex
How sensational is Lex and her spotlight interview?! I am so grateful to Lex for providing so much value here. I am in awe of her thoughtful personal style and gifted client services. If you are in need of any wardrobe services, included but not limited to: wardrobe makeovers, personal shopping, or virtual styling please contact Lex for further details!
Thank you for reading and please feel free to leave a comment or request future content!
Works Cited
Longmire, Aalexus. Personal Interview. July 14, 2020.