Life with Lex

doing this thing called fashion

[kileylex]

Nike Pop-Up Shop

I would choose Nike to create a pop-up shop because they are a well-known brand that works in fashion but is also huge in the sports industry. I think Nike would benefit from this because they have a wide consumer market and have been one of the most popular sportswear brands for a while. For this specific pop-up shop, it will be focused the USWNT, soccer cleats and sportswear for the brand and team. I think this would also benefit Nike due to the recent rise of women's sports and would be nice to see in the soccer community. The target audience will be women, ages 10-50+, soccer lovers, and those who enjoy fitness. My main goals for this pop-up are to increase brand awareness, promote the USWNT line, and connect with that sector of the target market more because I think they are not reaching them as much as they could. This event would take place in early winter, around this time to get people excited for the NWSL finals. It will be located in San Jose, CA, where the finals are being held and will showcase primarily the two teams gear and merchandise, but will also include merchandise from the other teams. There will be live music with a DJ, food and beverages served like wings, sliders, and hot dogs, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There will be mini-activities for guests like a juggling contest, 1v1 scoring game, and will have a section for the younger audience to get some technique lessons from some of the OG players like Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan. There will be merchandise set up in the tent including jerseys, socks, keychains, headbands, and tote bags. To make it more competitive, like the game of soccer, the person with the highest count of touches (non-stop) when juggling will get a new pair of cleats signed by both of the competing teams.

[kileylex]

Fenty X Puma

I chose to write about the Fenty and Puma collaboration. I chose this collaboration because I love both of these brands and think that they work really well together. The particular IP that Puma uses include trademarks for their puma logo and brand name, design patents, and other copyrights associated with the brand. As for Fenty, they have trademarked the name of the brand and certain phrases used in Ads and commercials.Their IP also protects the use of her name and image. In this specific collection you can see the name and logo of each brand clearly on the product. This use of both the brands IPs are officially licensed and Rihanna began a partnership with Puma in 2014 which has resulted in multiple collaborations throughout the years. This specific IP is targeted towards Gen Z and Millennials, as well as fans of Rihanna. I think this collab creates value for both of the brands seeing how Rihanna has a huge fanbase and her style is well-known throughout the world. It allows Puma to increase sales and Fenty to gather more traction with expanding their market. Puma is pretty well-known for their IP partnerships as they have done some with Wicked, A$ap Rocky, and Sonic The Hedgehog. I think this strengthens their identity because it pulls more consumers in and it gives the brand more connections. Fenty (Rihanna) has been doing collaborations with Puma for over a decade and I’m sure it will continue due to how popular it is. 

Link to website: Fenty X Puma

Link to article: Sole Retriever

[kileylex]

AI in Fashion Media

In the August issue of Vogue, a Guess ad featured a "perfect" model wearing the brands clothing and accessories with a tag on the side of the page stating that they used AI. This was the first time a fully AI-generated person was put into the magazine. The co-founder of Guess asked for an AI model as a part of the brand's summer campaign and so they made 10 draft models for him to narrow down to one brunette and one blonde so they could be further developed. Three words to describe the use of AI in this situation would be lazy, disheartening, and unachievable. Though I do think they did well in making the AI model look as human as possible, I do think that it was a low blow for it to be put in a Vogue magazine. A magazine that prides itself in art and the exclusivity of fashion should not result in having an AI-generated model in one of it's issues. Most of the criticism that this photo got was from people hating how unattainable the model looks and how they feel like society is getting further away from being size-inclusive and diverse.

Mango recently launched a fully AI-generated campaign that was a part of the Mango Strategic Plan 2024-2026, which aims to create value through technological development. This campaign was for the limited-edition Sunset Dream Collection from the Mango Teen youth line. A variety of teams came together to develop the campaign idea including the arts, styling, dataset and AI model training, and the photography studio team. They first shot photos of the real garments in the collection, then a generative AI model was trained to learn how to generate photos by positioning the real garments on a model. Once the photos were fully generated using AI, the art team retouched and mastered the images. Three words I would use to describe the use of AI in this situation would be slow, amusing, and impractical. Yes, the photo looks fine for the campaign and it does look fully generated and touched-up, but i think that it was a waste of time. I feel like it would've been a much faster and easier process if they had just booked a model, got pictures, and they touched those up instead of making dozens of AI-generated models they weren't good enough in the end and they had to edit additionally. I get that they are saving money by going the AI route but at what cost? I also think it's a low blow to use AI models for teen campaigns. It's already hard enough for them at that age, so why present a whole campaign with a "perfect" model that is completely unattainable? This campaign did get get plenty of backlash with people saying that it is taking over creative jobs and that it was false advertising because the models don't actually exist.

Earlier this year, H&M released a campaign in which they used AI to create "digital twins", using the real model on one side and creating the AI-generated twin on the other. These AI models are developed in collaboration with the original model, who keep full control over their own photos. They began using an AI platform to create 30 digital replicas of the real-life models, attempting to elevate the creative process. They narrowed them down with the help of the real models and mastered the campaign, like the one pictured above. The three words I would use for this AI-campaign would be personalized, altered-reality, and cautious. I think of the three AI campaigns I have written about this is the one that is most effective. It keeps the original model and allows them to make decisions about their "twin" for the advertisements. I think the way that they used AI was much more understandable, unlike the previous I talked about. Obviously, there are not many great reviews about using AI in these creative spaces, but it did not receive the backlash that the other two campaigns did. I think right now it is a balancing act where the jobs still need to be prioritized but experimenting should be encouraged.

[kileylex]

My hair/makeup board and soft lighting board (in black and white) for Grace Ling photoshoot concept.

[kileylex]

Rumi Neely - Fashion Toast

Rumi Neely started her blog in 2007 using her tripod against her garage door to take pictures, but would often get help from her friends and boyfriend. She had just graduated from college and started buying vintage clothes to reconstruct or style in different ways to sell on Ebay. After constantly getting messages on Ebay from people interested in the clothing she was selling asking for specific measurements and sizes, Rumi decided to make her blog space to post all the information in one space - Fashion Toast. 

One thing that Rumi’s blog was known for was the way she styled using the high/low aesthetic, meaning she would pair a Forever 21 dress with an Alexander Wang backpack. She never stuck to one sector of the fashion spectrum, instead she was constantly trying to style clothing that had a huge price gap, but she would style it so well that you would never be able to tell. 

I think that the style in which she would post and the topics she would talk about in the fashion and beauty industry shaped the way people found their personal style and how they purchased certain products. Rumi would accessorize with feather earrings and layered necklaces, sheer dresses with unique cut-outs and necklines. She not only would showcase her own style and fashion takes, but she greatly influenced the people who were watching her media. Many people started styling things they already had in their closet instead of buying new things because of the inspiration Rumi would share on Fashion Toast. 

Overall, I think during the time when blogs were very popular it definitely changed and shaped the way that people would wear, style, and how they shopped for their clothing, and it was notable period that helped develop the popularity of fashion writers and columns to what we see and read today. I think that some of the current journalists have stuck to this style of fashion blogging, strictly staying true to what their personal style is and what they like to wear, but most of them have attached themselves to what society thinks is popular and what people should wear. Though I believe trends have been coming and going to fast, I have been seeing more niche subgroups coming into the light again and that gives me hope for the future of art, fashion, and the simplicity of stating one's opinion on a blog.

[kileylex]

This is my Pose mood board, regarding one of my previous blog posts where I created a concept board for a photo shoot for a designer. Continuing my thought process on how the shoot might be a timeline of women's restraints all the way to freedom, I feel like the shoot could start with the models posing more crouched and condensed. As the shoot goes on, each model will become more "free" and able to move and pose more artistically and editorially. I feel like these poses would represent the concept well, and they would work well with the designs by Grace Ling.

[kileylex]

Jazz Club Photoshoot

Below I will be creating looks for my Jazz Club Photoshoot. Still waiting on the call sheet from the styling team, but have locations set for the shoot.

This will be one of my looks. I have this beaded dress in my closet and the leopard print heels that would pair well with it. I will be sourcing jewelry and accessories such as a boa.

For my second look I already have the shoes, dress, and bracelet. Looking to source some black gloves and maybe something like that cape to go over it along with more jewelry.

Locations of photoshoots include Small's Jazz Club and Zinc Club. Time and date TBD. I will be sourcing the rest of the look this week to get ready for photoshoot. Also here is a look at my Concept/Mood board I created and sent to styling team last week.

[kileylex]

For my article on the graffiti seen in New York:

Went to Brooklyn and took photos on my camera of graffiti I found that looked interesting to me. This article will be more of a photo spread/collage of photos rather than a long paragraph.

[kileylex]

Kiley Holliman, 9/29/25, "Concrete Canvas: Graffiti in New York"

Graffiti - it’s bold and unapologetic. One of the most misunderstood forms of art and self-expression stains the walls of New York’s buildings and architecture, capturing artists’ creativity and resistance through the years.Graffiti can spark ideas ranging from culture, politics, and identity, influencing everyone passing by.  What began as an act of rebellion has evolved into an art form that includes tags, murals, and messages that turn heads and spark conversations. This art form has never asked for permission, and will continue to breathe life into the streets and start movements that some may be too afraid to lead themselves. 

Come with me to explore some graffiti in the city. 

*want to be more of a visual piece, i will be taking my own photos in brooklyn and send them to graphics, along with cutouts. Might make a prototype of page and send to graphic team when ready*

[kileylex]

Kiley Holliman, 9/22/25, “The Soul of the City: Jazz in NYC“

Jazz music can be heard throughout the city, echoing through the streets and subways underground with a rhythm that reflects the city’s diversity and history. From the well-known streets of Manhattan to the intimate corners of the Bronx, jazz has shaped New York for over a century. This specific genre of music isn’t just something that “people listen to”, it’s a way of life for those who have grown up here. It mirrors the faced-paced and unpredictable environment of city life, inspiring people and giving a soundtrack to the five boroughs. Here, jazz is more than a sound - it’s the pulse that moves with the people. I’ve decided to search the city for different jazz clubs to personally review and to discover hidden gems. 

Here are the jazz clubs I’ve chosen to visit and review : 

Manhattan - Smalls Jazz Club ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great intimate setting in the basement of a historic building. This specific club has a lot of history behind it, as it was closed for a few years and finally reopened in 2007. The horn players were amazing and I would definitely go back. They also have another club “Mezzrow” right across the street that is known for its duo musical jazz. 

Brooklyn - BrownstoneJAZZ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tucked inside a restored 19th-century brownstone, visiting Brownstone Jazz club feels like going back in time. The atmosphere is very intimate, with a full set of acoustics ranging from piano to drums to bass, filling the room with a sense of inspiration and spontaneity. This club is greatly rooted in the southern jazz sound.  

Queens - Terraza 7 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This intercultural experience was amazing to witness. The sound of this club has focused on the combination of contemporary and traditional music, allowing those from different backgrounds and cultures to share their sound. This is a great place to go if you’re looking to explore the depths of diversity here in the city. 

The Bronx - Shrine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This club holds a space for a variety of different music forms including djs, jazz, singer/songwriters, fusion, and classic R&B. This is a great place to discover different music genres and listen to local independent artists if you’re looking to hear more than jazz music. Smaller venue, so the room feels intimate when listening to people perform. 

So now that you have ideas of where to go for music the next time you have an evening out, here are some outfits that would be perfect for a night out at a jazz club. 

*Working with the styling team to make a photoshoot “What to wear on your night out to a jazz bar”., Will send over photos of each club's exterior/interior so people can visually see the vibe. Might shorten some of the reviews or intro paragraph]

[kileylex]

Kiley Holliman, 9/22/25, "Concrete Canvas: Graffiti in New York"

Graffiti-it’s bold and unapologetic. One of the most misunderstood forms of art and self-expression stains the walls of New York’s buildings and architecture, capturing artists creativity and resistance through the years. From what started off as rebellion, graffiti has evolved into an art form that includes tags, murals, and messages that turn heads and start conversations. This art form has never asked for permission, and will continue to breathe life into the streets and start conversations that some may be too afraid to start. Graffiti is not condensed down to cool designs, but can spark ideas ranging from culture, politics, and identity. 

Come with me to explore some graffiti in the city.

[kileylex]

Vignette Article 1st draft

Kiley Holliman, 9/22/25, “The Soul of the City: Jazz in NYC“

Jazz music can be heard throughout the city, echoing through the streets and subways underground with a rhythm that reflects the city’s diversity and history. From the well-known streets of Manhattan to the intimate corners of the Bronx, jazz has shaped New York for over a century. This specific genre of music isn’t just something that “people listen to”, it’s a way of life for those who have grown up here. It mirrors the fast-paced and unpredictable environment of city life, inspiring people and giving a soundtrack to the five boroughs. Here, jazz is more than a sound - it’s the pulse that moves with the people. 

[ In this article I will be going to, and reviewing, one jazz bar in each borough. I want to go more in depth and see if the type of sound, beat or rhythm is different in any way depending on the area or borough i’m in. I will be working on collecting my thoughts in the next week and will put down the names of the different jazz clubs and where they are located below. For the photoshoot, I might just want to work with the styling team and put together an outfit or two and have a section at the bottom where it's like : “What to wear on your night out to a jazz bar”. ] 

Here are the jazz clubs I’ve chosen to visit and review : 

Manhattan: Smalls Jazz Club 

Brooklyn: BrownstoneJAZZ

Queens: Terraza 7

The Bronx: Shrine

Staten Island: (don't think they have any)

[kileylex]

Grace Ling Look book

Grace Ling went to study fashion at Parsons in NY and Central Saint Martins in London, as well as studying sculpture and performance art. Her brand focuses on intelligent femininity and uses 3D-printing and CGI technology. Using this technology, Ling can focus on making precise and rigorous cuts, while also creating looks with zero waste. 

The overall concept of this mood board is sort of like a feminine capture moment. Using both mesh and chrome metal in her designs, this mood board shows restraint in a more feminine way. I was thinking the look book could start off with a pose like the model crouching in heavy layers of metal, then with each look she can gradually break free from the metal chrome and wear more mesh and pose more freely. As you can see in the mood board, I added different layers of mesh materials in different opacities to help create the aesthetic and atmosphere of the ideas. I am proposing this photo shoot direction for Grace Ling because she already has experience in using chrome metal and mesh in her designs, but combining the two would create a different feeling. As you see in the mood board, the different use of poses will better represent the different stages, allowing the audience to feel different emotions during the changes. The technology that this brand and designer use will also make using materials like chrome and mesh easier and will reduce the amount of waste during the process. The mesh materials can be used in different opacities and shades, but most of this collection will be on the grayscale, with the last look more white and angelic due to the complete freedom. I think this mood board could help create a collection that is both familiar but also challenging for Grace Ling.

[kileylex]

Streetwear Fashion

As I was walking around Manhattan, I noticed a lot of similar styles and outfit combinations. It was a rainy and gloomy day, so I knew it would be a bit more difficult to find outfits that stood out to me. One of the biggest things I saw when walking around were women wearing oversized button-down shirts with baggy jeans. The button-down shirts were usually striped and most women had the sleeves rolled up or unbuttoned. Another trend I have seen is people wearing a t-shirt with a sweater around their neck, with the sleeves going down the front on the shirt as shown in one of the pictures. Neutral colors were seen more, yet I did find people with pops of color as seen above. Accessories wise, I saw lots of big bags and purses, as well as leather coats, beanies, and watches. Along with that, I found some cool details in peoples’ outfits such as the girl wearing the pink hat. She had a monochromatic look with overalls, chunky shoes, and a beanie hat that had an adjuster in the back so she was able to wear her hair up. I’ve never seen that before. Another cute detail I saw when walking around was stars that were maybe patched onto the denim jacket. In the same outfit, the woman matched her socks with her dress which I thought was a cute detail to elevate the outfit. 

[kileylex]

For my first post, I chose to write about Emma Chamberlain, Wisdom Kaye, and the stylist doe Chloe and Chanelle.

Emma Chamberlain is a well-known YouTuber and fashion influencer who now has her own podcast called Anything Goes, established coffee brand, and holds ambassador roles with Cartier, Lancome, and Louis Vuitton. The past few years she has been seen wearing Miu Miu to galas and has been an interviewer for Vogue at the MET Gala in the past. I have watched Ms.Chamberlain on YouTube since 2018 and have seen her different phases and have watched her grow online into who she is today. 

I am inspired by the way Emma presents herself on the internet, and how unapologetically herself she is in her videos. She’s a bit awkward, she shares her opinions, and has her own sense of style. I admire the way she talks to her viewers and how human she is in her videos; how she shows her vulnerability at times, but also knows when she needs to step back and focus on her mental health. I think some advice we could all take away from Emma is to be empathetic towards others, set boundaries for yourself, and be so ambitious as a human being. Emma was one of the main influencers that took part in the “vsco girl” style and aesthetic that started in 2018. The Hydroflask, scrunchies, and mom shorts were all the rave and Emma was there for all of it. I feel like that phase of her life is what really made her skyrocket, and ever since then her fashion career has been incredibly interesting. While you can see her following trends on youtube and instagram, she adds her own personal twist to make it feel more genuine to her. Emma has received backlash in the past for doing racially insensitive makeup looks on red carpets that made fans feel uncomfortable and released a public apology not long after the news was out. Her coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee, has also received backlash in the past over the price and quality of the coffee.

Photos of Emma Chamberlain above.

Next, I have found Wisdom Kaye to be one of my favorite fashion influencers and models over the years. What started off as a fun thing to do on TikTok during the 2020 pandemic, turned into a modeling career for Wisdom. Most of his fashion looks come from a sense of nostalgia and reflect fashions from different time periods such as the 60s and 70s. I think my favorite thing about Wisdom is his insane and very nonchalant talent of styling. He can bring out a top or jacket that looks like a bag of chips and could make into a beautiful masterpiece of a look. He inspires me to be more authentic and to step outside of my comfort zone when styling clothes. I think he may be the one example I look to when I hear the saying “wear the clothes, don’t let the clothes wear you”. Wisdom Kaye has contributed to the fashion industry in many different ways by pushing the expectations of men’s fashion and the limits that have been unspokenly placed by society. You don’t see many men styling different textures, colors, and prints - let alone style dresses with pants or other garments. His styling techniques play a key factor in advancing men's fashion. Wisdom Kaye has not been involved in any “bad press” but fans were confused as to why he was not invited to this past year's Met Gala with the theme being “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”, though Kaye was not involved with the backlash that the gala received. I believe one thing we should learn from Wisdom is to challenge ourselves to step outside of the box and defy the “rules” that were set for us both in the fashion industry and our everyday lives.

Last but not least, my favorite stylist duo, Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo. Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo are two siblings from LA that have styled celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae, Addison Rae, and Rosalia. They also work as creative directors for brands, print editorials, and music videos. You know that Skims Valentine's Day ad with Lana Del Rey? Yeah they styled her for that shoot. I enjoy seeing their work because they bring an edge to their clients and do a beautiful job at portraying the artists’ or brands’ image through clothing and other visual aspects. They recently styled Tate McRae in her F1 music video, where they chose a futuristic direction with the outfits that would mesh well with the world of F1 but would still align with Tate’s previous looks and aesthetic. They fully immersed themselves in the F1 world to fit the storyline of the new film with Tate’s song. I think the biggest impact that Chloe and Chenelle have had on the industry so far, is simply being the stylists that have worked with almost all of the modern pop stars that have started to fill our screens. Pop music in itself is making a huge comeback in my opinion, and getting the right stylists to portray the modern look and feel to it has been so important. The styling duo has not received any backlashes in their career, as they seem pretty stable and true to their work and aesthetic. I think that one thing we could take away from this duo is wear what makes you feel comfortable and what feels right to you as a person. Also to make connections - Chloe and Chenelle’s first big break was when they started styling Olivia Rodrigo for her Sour promo, and now they are styling all the pop baddies.

Chloe & Chenelle Delgadillo.