TRENDSETTER OF THE WEEK: ALEXIS THOMAS

Known in Jackson, MS for her amiable personality, ALEXIS THOMAS is also gifted in the world of fashion and beauty. 

As a personal close friend of Alexis' I can say she is a goof ball. With her lovely personality, beautiful spirit and sense of fashion, Alexis is heading straight for success, knocking down the door.

AGE:23

ETHNICITY:Bi Racial (but im Black baby!!!)

HOMETOWN:Jackson, Ms

LEOPARD BOTTOMS: Describe your style in 3 words. 

ALEXIS THOMAS: vintage. modern. quirky....a beautiful contradiction.

LB: When and where did you realize that you were fashionably "gifted"?

AT: I realized I was gifted when I started wearing what I liked instead of what other people thought was cute. so around eighth grade I developed my style and it changed as i grew. a few outfits Im not proud of but Ive learned lol

LB: Who is your favorite fashion role model and Why?

AT:Im a fan of Coco Chanel, but who isnt??? Picking someone living though I would say Solange Knowles...she wears what she wants when she wants and rocks it well. I love the patterns and colors that she puts together and the confidence she displays when she is in it.

LB: What is your method when shopping for fashion (any good secrets)?

AT:Hmmm...shopping after a meal is always great. When you are someone bloated and still feel cute that's how you know you love the outfit. That way when you have a fat day your confidence still shines through so you know you will still feel beautiful in what you have on. Tips? I thrift. I like finding old things and putting my twist on them. I get pieces from everywhere even Walmart...people are so superfical these days its about HOW you WEAR it, not WHERE you got it from. Ive made a two dollar skirt from goodwill look like Donna Karan, so its what you love.

LB: Since I know you, I know you're favorite part about fashion is: SHOES. Tell people about your collection. Lol.

AT:ahh....SHOES!!! Recently Ive been buying a lot of loud colors not those tacky plastic ones, lol. I like summer suedes. My shoe angel is Jessica Simpson. I love her big heels and that dutch style bottom. Affordable prices. Great look. Mega high heels. Idk who invented those premie heels but those are not heels and should be burned!!

LB: Whats your favorite color (in regards to fashion)? 

AT:Blues and Corals, especially when they're paired together the right way....MAGIC!!!

LB: Whats the best advice you've ever taken, when it comes to fashion?

AT: Buy what you love. Wear what you want, answer to no one. And if you think someone won't compliment it...wear it anyway...especially if you love it. Never apologize for being different.

LB: You have a yearly charity fashion show. Tell people about it.
AT: Fashion for a Cause is my baby! It happens every October and half the proceeds go to a Breast Cancer Research Foundation. There is a different theme every year and I try to make it a show that takes fashion to a new level. Its all about raising awareness though so you see tributes all throughout the show. It took off and became so much bigger than I ever expected and in the summer will be an official non profit. Yay!!

TRENDSETTER OF THE WEEK: NICOLLETTE FRANCIS

Photogenic.

Daring.

Vintage.

Women want to be like her. Men want to be with her.

NICOLLETTE FRANCIS

One thought came to mind, when I first saw Nicollette: "Chanel Iman." It was Spring 2011's UB Fashion Merchandising Annual Fashion show. She clearly was the most poised of the other models, while maintaining a fierce look as well.
I knew then that she has what it takes to survive in the fashion world.

Even off the runway, Nicollette maintains her style genius, which will surely land her in the world of fashion.

 AGE: 21

ETHNICITY: AFRICAN AMERICAN

HOMETOWN: BRONX, NY

 

Leopard Bottoms: Describe your style in 3 words. 

Nicollette Francis: Sophisticated, Trendy, Ever-changing

 

LB: When and where did you realize that you were fashionably "gifted"? 

NF: I realized I was fashionable gifted the summer of my sophomore year of college when I got my first pair of pumps for a party; I felt liberated and for the first time in my life I felt that fashion was a new gateway for me to express myself and not only introduce people to who Nicollette is but also for me to see what I am becoming as a woman. (I never felt comfortable walking in heels despite the fact that I model now LOL such irony right!)

 

LB:  Who is your favorite fashion role model and Why? 

NF: My favorite fashion role model is Chanel Iman because not only is she young and pursuing her dreams but she also is setting the bar for other young models, myself included, to continue to do what others may think is the impossible.

 

LB:  What is your method when shopping for fashion (any good secrets)? 

NF: Comfort! Not only should you be comfortable physically in your own clothes but also mentally, if you feel like what your wearing isn’t something that’s your norm don’t take a chance; its great to try new things but you should do it at your own speed.

 

LB: Clearly you have goals and dreams that involve the fashion world. Tell me about it. 

NF: My ultimate goals/dreams that involve the fashion world are to get my name out there so people know who Nicollette is, become an IMG model, and prove a point that there are outstanding models between the height of 5’5 to 5’7 that can deliver a better runway walk than models that are 5’9 or taller. Overall I want to become a well known model and be a role model for my sister and show her that she can pursue anything she wants in life.

 

LB: Whats your favorite color (in regards to fashion)? 

NF: In regards to fashion, as of now, I personally love the color salmon. I feel it makes my skin color glow!

 

LB: Whats the best advice you've ever taken, when it comes to fashion? 

NF: Don’t frown at old school/vintage fashion because what was fashionable in the 90’s is becoming fashionable in today’s fashion world. (I wear a lot of my mother’s clothes when she was my age; high waist pants and over sized blouses have been catching my eye lately LOL)

 

LB: How do you keep your body looking so wonderful? Any advice.. 

NF: Honestly I have no secret, if you ask anyone who knows me they will tell you I have the stomach of a bottomless pit LOL I have a fast metabolism but one thing that I definitely advise is to drink a lot of water. Good fashion is one thing but great skin does wonders!

TRENDSETTER OF THE WEEK: JEREMY VEAL

AGE:23
ETHNICITY: African American
HOMETOWN: Jackson, MS

A close personal friend of mine, from Jackson Mississippi, has definitely left an imprint on Jackson Fashion. He owns his own photography business, JV Photography, after being a model himself for JHar. He has been regarded as one of Jackson's most fashionable men. Jeremy has been on a very long hair journey (like myself), and recently creating the "Rihanna Mohawk," Jeremy creates fashion through a system of beauty unlike any other, by making regular thing look "crystalized" Jeremy JV Veal... is here.

Leopard Bottoms: Describe your style in 3 words.
Jeremy Veal: Like my photography slogan says... Sexy, Edgy,Classy..

LB: Who is your favorite fashion role model and Why?

JV: I would have to say Rihanna & Kanye West, I know it's weird for a guy to look up to a girl's fashion. But Rihanna is a very edgy, sexy,and yet  classy girl. She can wear anything and not be afraid of negative comments....she dresses how she feels and I admire and  love that!. Kanye West is very precise with his style it's different and attention grabbing. I love that he gives young men a new approach to fashion....

LB: Where do you shop most??? Any good secrets??

JV: I shop where my heart leads me, honestly I don't really have a limit to my style: I could shop at Dolce and Gabbana one week, Armani the next, Wal-mart the other week, and the thrift store maybe the week after that  lol....I am open to new fashion and "Past fashion"... And my secret is have fun with shopping (it takes time)

LB: jeremy -___- ...you do not wear Dolce and Gabbana...lol

JV: shut up it's a analogy lol just showing that fashion is everywhere not just in big names

LB: Whats your favorite color (in regards to fashion)?
JV: I am Addicted to Black ( kinda plain huh? lol) but I love black because it's classic, it's sexy and it compliments all people no matter what race, color,or body shape. It's Bold!

LB: Whats the best advice you've ever taken, when it comes to fashion?
JV: Don't force yourself to be like others, don't be afraid to stand out! Yes people might not understand it, but at the end of the day you did what you wanted...


LB: Whats your favorite part about fashion? and Whats your favorite part about dressing YOURSELF?
JV: My favorite part about fashion is that it never dies, it's art it lives on for centuries and it makes us who we are. It except's everyone. My favorite part about dressing myself is : I can express through my clothes how Im feeling for example: I would wear black when I want to go for a laid black, classy look. and when I want to stand out I'll wear loud, bold colors that say "Hey look at me!"

LB: What does it take to be a "Trendsetter" in your opinion? 

JV: You have to have confidence in yourself and your actions...you have to make sure at the end of the day you love what you do. Whether it's a career, outfit, or anything that makes you happy. Being a Trendsetter is not a joke...it's a JOB.