For all you LoveBrownSugar readers aspiring to break into the fashion industry or simply intrigued by it, LBS has something for ya! Our new “Get Like Me” series highlights exclusive interviews with industry insiders from celebrity stylists to new fashion designers, fashion PR heads & more! First up – stylist to the stars and Purveyor of Style - Becca Alexis.
Dressing hot celebs from
Trey Songz to Mary J, this fashion maven has made a name for herself working under top celeb stylists like Jessica Paster and June Ambrose. Now co-founder of her own company
Pulchritude & Concepts and head blogger over at
Purveyor of Style, Becca Alexis dishes the juicy deets on how she got started in the industry, who her fave client is, and what’s in her Alexander McQueen purse…
The Fab 5
Name: Becca Alexis
Location: New York and Los Angeles
Personal Style in 3 Words: Glamourous, Pin-Up, Avant-garde
Favorite Designer(s): I call them the fashion Dieties - Jeanne Lanvin, Paco Rabanne, Pierre Balmain, Givenchy, Thierry Mugler, Yves Saint Laurent, Andre Courreges, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier
Must-Have Accessory: A fabulous pair of stilettos. It adds the punctuation to the wardrobe.
All About Becca
How did you get started in the industry?
I started as a fashion illustrator and designer. I made costumes for the performers at my college, University of Florida. My friends and family encouraged me to pursue a more serious career in fashion instead of working as a freelance writer. So I relocated to LA and worked as a wardrobe PA for Desperate Housewives and CSI Miami while attending the FIDM.
Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion?
Fashion was always a part of me in some aspect. I was always in dresses. As a daughter of ministers I was never allowed to wear shorts or pants outside of playing soccer. I loved dressing up, but I didn't know at that time that I could make a career out of it until I was about 22.
How did Pulchritude & Concepts come about?
While attending FIDM, Hachy Mendez who is now my business partner really mentored me about the industry and took me on all the photoshoots she got hired to do. When I finished chool, we partnered up and worked together on a plethora of projects. We really meshed well and our fashion collision transpired into really incredible work. In 2007 when I started to take on my own work we made our company official. The name is a bit pretentious; who needs all those letters to say beauty? But it's really what we do - conceptualize and create beautiful things.
Who's your favorite client?
That's like asking me who my favorite child is.... well, if I had some! All of the clients I worked with were all incredible in their own rights. I consider fashion an expression and all of them had their own way of saying "This is who I am."
Most rewarding experience of your career thus far?
My parents understanding what I do for a living and them expressing their joy on my accomplishments.
3 Pieces of advice for aspiring fashionistas?
1. Know the value of relationships, as one never knows who her/his benefactor might be.
2. Study fashion like its science, as knowledge is power, it's the one thing no one can ever take away from you.
3. Don't let past mistakes overtake you, its about one's ability to recover in this business!
What's in your purse?
NOOO!! I always get nervous with that question! My current bag of choice is by Alexander Mcqueen. Its HUGE. I have the most recent issue of Harper's Bazaar, a Dior pouch with my hand lotion and Fresh Sugar and Lemon perfume, generic cosmetic case with concealer, mascara and Kiehl's lip gloss, a journal with fashion notes and a smaller journal with daily notes, aspirin, Luna Bar, hair brush, Oliver Peoples eyewear, Canon G11 camera and a BCBG pouch full of receipts!
To keep up with Becca Alexis, follow her on Twitter or at Purveyor of Style.
