Atlanta Style Spotlight: Kwajelyn Jackson

I've been following the lovely Kwajelyn on instagram for a while. One thing you can't deny is her effortless style. I was so happy she agreed to be on my site, So I can share her haute style with you. I was able to speak with the fashionista to see what inspires her awesome style.

Arkeedah: How would you describe your personal style?

Kwajelyn: I am a full on vintage addict. I love things from the fifties, seventies, and eighties most, but really anything that looks unique and not trendy. I try to avoid trends at all costs. I like interesting combinations that are not doing too much. I am often way overdressed, but I like to think that my clothes are my artistic expression.

Arkeedah: Where do you like to shop?

Kwajelyn: Value Village is my favorite store, but I shop pretty much exclusively at thrift and second hand stores. I can't stand malls. When I see a rack full of 50 copies of the same dress, it pretty much repulses me. I want whatever I have to be as unique as possible. But I also don't believe in paying a lot for vintage clothes, so I tend to avoid the places that up charge a lot. Everywhere I shop, I am looking for a "Thrift Store Miracle" -- that magical something, buried in the crap around it that is glorious and unique and special and fits perfectly and belongs in your life. A Thrift Store Miracle can appear anywhere if you are willing to look long and hard enough. Some other favorite shops: Poor Little Rich Girl, Rag-O-Rama, The Hip Zipper (Nashville, TN), any Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Arkeedah: What inspires your style?

Kwajelyn: I guess I have always wanted to be different. I felt as a kid that being the same as everyone else was like being invisible and I wanted to shine, and personal style was the way I did it. Probably the Leo in me. But not just in a vanity way, but also wanting to feel like I am my own person and not a copy of anyone else. My whole splendid self. My mother and younger brother also have very intimate relationships with personal style and it has been a bonding thing with us my whole life. I am inspired by lots -- other people, art, television, blogs, tumblr -- I soak it all up and put it into my clothes. Also, mood affects my clothes a lot. I sometimes try to counteract my mood with an amazing outfit, like from Hello, Dolly!

"Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out.

Strut down the street and have your picture took.

Dressed like a dream, your spirits seem to turn about.

That Sunday shine is a certain sign, that you feel as fine as you look!"

I also think money influences my style choices. I like making something out of nothing. I don't believe that the best place I can put $200 is on my feet, as pretty as the shoes may be. I think that you can be creative and thoughtful and make simple things look expensive with styling. Nothing I own cost more than $100 (except my patent leather Doc Martens, lol).

"She wore simple things. They weren't that expensive. And they looked stunning." Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's