Categories
Art Feature

Healing Through Art

Alexandra Baker’s art exhibit, “Healing Through Color,” opens August 18th at New Day Healing and Wellness. Which is appropriate …

“The pieces in this show are more focused on calming and relaxation,” says Baker, 32. “They have a ‘Relaxation Room,’ so the painting in there is ‘When Doves Cry.’ Very subdued colors.” She adds, “The other pieces in the show are all based around healing. All my work is based around healing.”

Since Baker and New Day have the same goal of healing, the owners thought her abstract paintings “would be great in the therapy rooms.”

Describing “Earth Shake,”  as a “fun, funky” painting to honor Earth, Baker says, “Since Memphis is on the fault-line for an earthquake, I believe if you honor the weather, maybe it won’t come. So, that’s my intention in that piece.”

“Earth Shake” by Alexandra Baker (Credit: Michael Donahue)

The show features eight works, including prints as well as originals. “Some of them I painted when I was sad. When I paint when I’m sad, it’s a very soothing result. What I need to see in that moment,” Baker says.

Born in Boston, Baker moved to Memphis with her family when she was four. “As a child, I loved art class. I was blessed to study with a woman named Kay Spruill. She was so wonderful. And she taught me so much about art and the magic of creation.”

Baker painted a lot of still lifes and animals in Spruill’s class. “I did a portrait of a dog once. I’ve always loved animals. It was a just a picture of a dog out of a magazine. It was a small dog with brown spots and brown ears. And it actually won a contest at my school.  They put it on some stationery for my school, St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls.”

But Baker says she never explored “what’s in your soul” in Spruill’s class, as she does now.

Baker says she always dreamed of being an artist, but her parents steered her away from that dream. They thought she’d be better off being a doctor or a lawyer, “to be more lucrative or be more successful, or what have you.” Her parents are supportive of her now, but, Baker says it was “a journey.”

After high school, Baker attended the University of Vermont. “I double majored in English and studio art for a while,” she says, “and then I ended up dropping the studio art at the behest of my parents. (They) preferred that I just study English and psychology at that point in time. I don’t know. I think they were just looking out for my best interests. And maybe believing art might not be able to sustain me.”

Ironically, Baker says her parents helped further her love of art when she was growing up. “They were always taking me to art galleries.”

They also took her to art museums when they traveled. “They were always teaching me about the greats. Rembrandt and Monet,” she says. “We even went to Versailles and saw the gardens. So, my parents valued art highly. I think they were just surprised to find their daughter was an artist.” 

Baker never took a painting class in college. “I took some of the foundation classes, like two-dimensional work and just some basic creating classes. The last class I was going to take was painting. Then I chose to drop the major and didn’t get to take that painting class.”

Baker became a paralegal after graduating with a degree in English literature. “My parents are attorneys, so I grew up in the law firm, learning how it works.”

Her mother and father are “wonderful, wonderful parents,” and, at the time, Baker thought it was best to go along with what they wanted her to do. “I wanted to please them and I knew art wasn’t the way to do that. So, I tried to take other avenues. But God really had plans for me. I started feeling a pressure on me to paint. Like I’d better paint or else.

“Just that feeling, that inner knowledge, of knowing that I needed to paint. I need to paint to process trauma. To heal my grief. I lost some friends along the way in life. And family members. But losing friends hurt more because they’re so young. And I felt life was kind of softened by them. I had a lot of grief I needed to process. And God gave me painting in order to help me heal myself and, hopefully, heal the world by sharing through my art. I really did try to suppress my need to create, but it didn’t last for long.”

Baker began painting five years ago. “It was kind of a culmination of the universe speaking to me. I had a knowing I had to paint, but I didn’t know what that meant. I had never painted what was in my heart. Never painted my emotions. Never painted my soul before.”

Then, she says, “The universe lined up. An art store near my home had a big sale on canvases.” Baker thought, “Okay, this must be the time.”

She bought canvases and paint and went to work. “My first painting was just variations of white and yellow. It was a big 48-by-48 (inch) painting. I was so proud of it. Just the fact that I had painted was maybe the bravest thing I had ever done. I felt in my heart I had taken a step toward my destiny.

“I loved it. Other people weren’t too impressed, but I was just proud I had put paint to canvas.”

Baker kept painting, and painting helped with whatever she was going through at the time. It was “the medicine I needed at that moment. Abstract art gave me a language of color and texture to really express my soul in a way that landscapes just didn’t.”

She didn’t show her work to her parents until about a year after she began painting. Her father, in particular, was “moved by the work to the point where he became incredibly supportive of me painting. My parents could tell painting was healing me. They knew it was the right thing whether I ever sold a painting or not. This was something that was healing their child and they were supportive of that.”

Baker exhibited her work in group shows after she moved to San Diego, nine years ago. “I have many paintings that are dedicated to the water — the spirit of the water, the ocean. I have a painting called ‘MAMA’ that is dedicated to the great mother, the ocean.”

She was asked to exhibit “MAMA” in British Vogue. “I spoke with them on the phone to see if their values were in line with mine. I agreed to go ahead with it. I’m gay. I’m not as familiar with high fashion values. I wanted to make sure they’re trans friendly. Gay friendly. Pro Black. Things like that. I wanted to make sure our values lined up before I agreed to be published in their magazine.”

Since then, Baker’s art has appeared in two more issues of British Vogue and three issues of Vanity Fair London.


Darrell Baker Jr. and Deborah Whitt with “MAMA” at Medicine Factory show (Credit: Michael Donahue)

Baker moved back to Memphis seven years later. “Several people reached out to me though social media: ‘We saw your work. We love it.’ And wanted to learn more about me and as an artist.”

She held her first solo show at Stock & Belle. She also showed at The Gallery on Main, which still has some of her art on view. She’s also exhibited in New York, San Diego, and Dallas.

In June, she held a show at the Medicine Factory in Memphis. “I put it all together myself. I rented the venue. I picked the food. I picked the wines. I picked the mock-tail. I dedicated the drink to one of my friends who passed away. I picked the pieces myself. It was all me. And the energy there was so wonderful. Everyone was so loving. So receptive to the work.”

l”Squigglefish” by Alexandra Baker at the Medicine Factory show (Credit: Michael Donahue)

As for managing her art career, Baker says, “I’ve been doing it all by myself. My mom is very supportive. And she gives me business advice often. She studied business in school. But it’s all me. I don’t have an agent.”

Baker also teaches yoga, but, she says, “Currently, my art career is sustaining me. In between times, shows and stuff, I’ll still pick up a bit of legal work from my parents to help them out.”

Alexandra Baker and her mother, Deborah Whitt, at New Day Healing and Wellness (Credit: Michael Donahue)

She continues to paint abstract works, but, she adds, “My process has changed a bit. I like incorporating fabric in my work sometimes now. That’s a new development. My work can be a little looser now. I feel a little bit more free of self-judgments now that I’ve been painting for quite a while. It’s a wonderful feeling. It gives me freedom to express what’s in my heart.”

Painting is a panacea for Baker. “It heals my heart. It heals my life. And my hope is to make my own personal dent in helping to heal the world. I know the world really needs it.”

Baker also is utilizing that English literature degree. “I started my book. It’s based on my life experiences, but I’m going to publish it as fiction because it’s a bit whimsical.”

“Healing Through Color” is on view through October 12th at New Day Healing and Wellness, 5040 Sanderlin Avenue, Suite 111.

Alexandra Baker and Eden Hite of New Day Healing and Wellness with Baker’s painting, “Jungle Spirit Share” (Credit: Michael Donahue)
Categories
Fashion Fashion Feature

Shop Local Downtown

This holiday season, we’re encouraging our readers to support local businesses by shopping right here at home. Consider these Memphis-area establishments for your gift-giving needs.

Sachë

Your giftees will sport their love for our city in style with Memphis-inspired T-shirts designed and screenprinted by the passionate people at Sachë. With 901 designs, skyline styles, and shirts supporting our grit-and-grind Grizzlies, these unique tees will please even your hard-to-buy-for friends. And “Hey, you guuuys!” we love this Goonies/Grizz mash-up; truffle shuffle optional ($25). Available at 525 South Main or sachedesign.com.

Stock&Belle

At this lifestyle store, shoppers can find men’s and women’s clothing, home goods, and made-in-Memphis items from Letters&Co, Rowdy Dept. by Kyle Taylor, Embrace Your Inner Memphis, Kreep Ceramics, and more. We’re fans of the tumbled marble coasters from ARCHd, creations of Memphis-born sisters Kristen and Lindsey Archer. A variety of coaster sets ($29) showcase some of the city’s most iconic views and spaces. Visit Stock&Belle on Facebook, instagram, or 387 S. Main.

Lansky Bros.

Dedicated Elvis fans will love this fashionable pair of Blue Suede Shoes ($155). The longtime Memphis retailer offers these and other Elvis-inspired garments for men, as well as stylish activewear, polos, and more — for both men and women. Pick a gift from Lansky, and the recipient will “Thank ya, thank ya very much.” Visit Lansky Bros. at 126 Beale Street inside the Hard Rock Cafe, 149 Union Avenue inside The Peabody Hotel, or lanskybros.com.

Categories
Cover Feature News

Shop Local, Memphis!

Meet Your Makers

Let’s fantasize for a moment. This holiday season, wouldn’t it feel good to resist the suck of Target or a crowded shopping mall? Consider a gift not made in China or replicated by the dozens in every color and pre-wrapped so you’re done with absolutely no thought at all. Think about the heft of a lovingly made earthenware bowl or a piece of handcrafted jewelry, made by someone you might very well bump into at your local coffee shop.

Shop local, support your local artisan. This is easy enough to do in Memphis, where there are dozens of makers crafting their wares. We spoke to a few of them, and we have a few ideas …

If you have eyeballs, then you’ve seen the work of Michelle Duckworth. The Bartlett native is an illustrator/artist whose work has hung in local galleries. Duckworth also participates in 10 to 12 artists’ markets a year, selling her mounted wood prints.

Duckworth describes her work as “fairytale-ish — a snapshot from the middle of the story.” She’s inspired by fairy tales and folk tales and old illustrated books from around the world. The works call to mind Grimm’s Fairy Tales — images that are at the same time pleasing to look at but a little scary, too. “They walk the line between being kind of nice and being kind of off,” she says.

Duckworth’s work is available at Five in One Social Club on Broad and through her Etsy shop at MichelleDuckworth.

If this speaks to you, you’ll want to check out the porcelain works of babycreep — pretty baby faces shorn off for planters, a tiny spoon that tapers into a finger. Fingers figure a lot in her work. There’s jewelry, too. Also available at Five in One Social Club.

Justin Fox Burks

babycreep’s wares

“I like to make my jewelry so that you see a cohesive design first. The tickle comes from the fact that it’s food,” says Funlola Coker.

Coker is primarily known for her oh-so-tiny and stunningly detailed food jewelry. Donuts, sushi, peas, asparagus, bacon and eggs, avocados, cauliflower, and more adorn her earrings and rings.

“I like to think that it’s for everyone,” she says. “A lot of people assume it’s for quirky or alternative folk, but really you can pair a simple pair of donut earrings with a chic grey dress.”

Is it the appeal of the food or working in miniature that drives her? It’s both, she says. “I love food and food presentation. I feel like I enjoy my food a lot more with good presentation. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just visually appealing. However, I love to dive into the process of my work. Rolling out tiny peas or texturing a little piece of chicken is extremely satisfying. It’s all very time consuming, but the more I do it the faster I get, and before I realize it, I’ve iced 60 miniature donuts by the end of the day.”

Coker’s work is available at Five in One Social Club and at funlolacoker.com.

Looking for a unique set of earrings? Five in One’s popular Grit and Grind earrings are one way to show that you are a homer. Their pretty tinysaw label earrings bring to mind architecture and beehives.

After Lisa Wheeler graduated from college with a degree in ceramics, she was itching to make something … anything. But, she decided, it would have to be something she could use, something she needed. And that’s how she ended up making soap.

Her first batch involved coconut oil, olive oil, and lye. (“The lye really freaked me out,” she says.) She let the soap cure for two months, and then she tried it out. “I loved it,” Wheeler says. “I felt like a chemist.”

After experimenting with ingredients, Wheeler was ready to launch her line — LATHA. First she needed a gimmick. She’d seen cupcake soaps, cake soaps. She then hit upon drink soaps. Among her Bawdy Bars, which come in a cup, are Electric Lemonade, Sparkling Mojito, and Sex on the Beach. LATHA also sells bath bombs, including the Jager bomb, and scrubs such as On the Rocks. For the recent Crafts and Drafts event, LATHA introduced beer-inspired soaps.

Susan Ellis

LATHA soap

One drink she hasn’t been able to translate into soap is bubble tea. The color was weird. “I’m going to revisit that,” she says.

LATHA soaps are available at lathabar.com.

Need to clean up your act? Check out Gifts from Nature. Some of their bar soaps: the blue-striped Seersucker, Rehab (with charcoal), and the Mannish. Available at www.gfnsoap.com. — Susan Ellis

Naughty and Nice

Aunt Margaret would clutch her pearls if she got the “Merry Fucking Christmas” card from Five in One Social Club, but Uncle Bob would love it.

You can’t please everyone all the time, especially when it comes to holiday gifting. But you can get pretty close if you shop locally.

Small, locally owned retail shops dot the landscape from Broad to the river. In them, you can find beautiful, useful things for the nice people on your list, like Aunt Margaret, and funny, kitschy things for those on your naughty list (lookin’ at you, Uncle Bob).

The Nice List

You know that friend that is In. Love. With. Memphis? Stock and Belle on Broad offers up tons o’ tasty treats to help get them grit, ground, and Bluff-i-fied.

Look for artist Kyle Taylor‘s prints of a melty, good-enough-to-eat Pancho’s cheese dip man and Taylor’s huge prints of a matadored Marc Gasol as Big Spain. Stock and Belle also carries plenty of Memphis wearables, like the Nine Oh One trucker hat and the house-made “Embrace Your Inner Memphis” T-shirt.

For the luxe-loving jet-setter on your list, hit up 20twelve on Broad. The store focuses on high-end fashion, and, while picking out clothes for somebody else can be tricky, 20twelve has plenty of perfect gift items.

Toby Sells

20twelve

Chocolate-bacon-pretzel bites, anyone? Yes, everyone. That’s but one flavor in Sugarfina’s Vice Collection candy bento box, which also includes maple bourbon caramels and pale ale gummies.

20twelve also sells many high-end fragrance brands — and gift cards, of course.

That friend of yours who won’t stop talking about running probably loves Breakaway Running. Its Overton Square location still feels new and has everything to get your running buddy on the road — or trail.

Picking out clothes for someone else is tough (that’s double for running clothes), but you can’t go wrong with a pair of Yurbuds, the sport earphones that just won’t fall out. Ever. Or, get your runner some nighttime illumination, like a Petzl headlamp.

A sense of adventure fills you up when you open the door at Outdoors Inc., and you see all the gear you could possibly need to enjoy the, well, outdoors.

Toby Sells

Outdoors Inc. medical kit

Your pal may do that fake smile thing when she opens the Adventure Medical Kit from Bighorn, but she’ll be praising your name when she’s mending a wound on the trail. If you want to win Christmas, give someone the Yeti Hopper, the indestructible, always-cold cooler that has become a status symbol for the outdoor set.

Toby Sells

Breakaway Running headlamp

The Naughty List

Let’s get straight to the penis candles, shall we?

Tater Red’s has been a shopping mecca for Beale Street tourists (and locals alike) for more than two decades. It’s a cornucopia of the peculiar and profane.

You know you have one friend who would love one of Tater’s penis candles, (which come in red and black). Tater has vagina candles, too, but he was out of those on a recent visit. Also, look for a ton of throwback Memphis sports gear, adult coloring books, voodoo dolls, and Hangover Helper Mints.

Toby Sells

Tater Red’s mints

Okay, we’re back at Five in One, but we’re on the Naughty List and, well, the Broad Avenue shop is the only place you’re going to find that “Merry Fucking Christmas” card, which is made in-house. Five in One has tons of great, original Memphis-themed stuff, like Samantha Crespo’s new book, 100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die Vol. 2, T-shirts and sweaters, and Beerings — earrings made from cans of Memphis beers.

Toby Sells

Before You Die

Maggie’s Pharm is another great Nice List shopping place, but Maggie also loves the naughty snark.

That special someone in your life needs a pair of socks that read, “I hate everyone, too.” You’ve got that other friend who needs a bottle of “I Can’t Believe I Fucked That Guy” hand sanitizer. Load up on stocking stuffers like “I Love My Penis” gum, “Coffee Makes Me Poop” gum, or “Mother Fucking Girl Power” gum.

Toby Sells

Maggie’s Pharm socks

Maggie’s also has nice cards, wide selections of herbs, coffees, teas, and more. But, y’know, go for the gum and the socks.

Head on down to A. Schwab on Beale Street, and bring home a fat sack of 100 percent USDA-certified Memphis kitsch.

You want the authentic hip-swiveling Elvis clock? How about a pair of Elvis sunglasses (you know the ones)? A TCB patch legit enough to fool even the Memphis Mafia? Go to Schwab. And what says Christmas more than a pink Elvis snow globe refrigerator magnet?

There’s plenty of great non-Elvis stuff, too, like a “Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go to Beale Street” coozie, an old-school collectible Memphis plate, and Beale veteran John Elkington’s kids book, The Pirates of the Gayoso Bayou. — Toby Sells

Eat, Drink, Be Merry

I’m not big on giving gifts of food for Christmas. What with all the ham, weird wedges of cheese, chemically enhanced popcorn, loads of cookies, and tins and tins of peppermint bark — erp! — it’s too much. But there are exceptions. Lots of exceptions …

You can’t go wrong with a bottle of Pyramid vodka. The general reception for this smooth delight: Hells, yeah! And, if the holiday family-together time is getting to you, we recommend you grab your friends and take a tour of the Pyramid facilities. You’ll learn something, for sure, and the tour is capped off with a taste of the product. You might want to call to make sure they’re open first, though: 576-8844.

Absolutely nobody complains about a gift certificate from Joe’s Liquor or Hammer & Ale. For the mixologist on your list, there’s the Elixir No. 01 line — simple syrup, mint julep, and orange and green chile syrup — from the Crazy Good folks.

I receive a tin of Aunt Lizzie’s cheese straws every year. If I don’t get one, there’s going to be trouble. Bad trouble. These are the perfect snack for sports-watching or Netflix-binging during that lovely stretch between Christmas and New Year’s.

For out-of-town folks, get them an order of barbecue — Corky’s, Rendezvous, Germantown Commissary, doesn’t matter — and you’ll be treated like a damn hero. Another option: a gift box from Memphis Flavor (memphisflavor.com). The Memphis Flavor Original Sampler box includes barbecue sauce from Central BBQ, a jar of Flo’s Homemade Goodness, Makeda’s Cookies, and more.

I’m a sucker for good packaging. Judy Pound Cakes’ simple brown box, tied in string and stamped with a pound sign, rings all my bells. The cakes come in all sorts of flavors — chocolate cayenne, cherry almond, plum — but the Plain Ol’ pound cake is my favorite. Makes a good hostess/host gift.

Susan Ellis

Judy Pound Cakes

Your dog has been a good, good dog. (Forget about the couch!) Treat him or her right with a bag of Farm House Santa Paws, yogurt-iced peanut butter cookies, available at Curb Market. Donuts, brownies, muffins, and cupcakes — why not? At Hollywood Feed Bakery, each treat was created specifically for your pup.

Susan Ellis

House Santa Paws

Susan Ellis

Hollywood Feed Bakery

One of my go-to gifts for Christmas, birthdays, house-warmings, whatever is Dinstuhl’s Cashew Crunch. The angels sang when they created this candy. I once gave a friend a box as a thank-you present, and she ended up breaking a tooth. After three or four visits to the dentist, she was totally fine and still eating the crunch.

Hipsters need gifts too. Scratch ’em off your list with a jar of brilliant red Koolickles from Porcellino’s. Pickles and Kool-Aid — it’s a match made in … well, we’re not sure exactly where.

Susan Ellis

Koolickles from Porcellino’s

The caramels from Shotwell Candy are a fine, fine thing indeed. Just thinking about the Craft Beer & Pretzel caramel, I’m misting up. You might want to warn the recipient that this gift is precious and should be hidden immediately in their secret snack drawer.

Susan Ellis

Shotwell Candy

GiveGood Toffee makes an excellent stocking stuffer. At $5 for a pack-of-cards-sized box, it’s a little pricey, but the company was founded to empower young adults living on the autism spectrum. Learn more at givegoodco.com.

Susan Ellis

GiveGood Toffee

For those who like to represent, there’s the Nine Oh One coffee mug, available at 387 Pantry. The stoneware beer cup by Erica Bodine Pottery is pretty special, too, and you can put it in the dishwasher. You can find one at Miss Cordelia’s.

Susan Ellis

387 Pantry coffee mug

Muddy’s Bakery has made its rep on delicious cupcakes and gnome-tastic adorableness. The “Hustle n’ Dough” T-shirt features gnomes and a tumbling stack of pies. Resistance is futile. — Susan Ellis

Susan Ellis

Muddy’s Bake Shop T-shirt

Categories
Cover Feature News

Flyer Fall Fashion

Just like the autumn weather, fall fashion brings change. And like the temperature drop, the new looks and styles of fall will be most welcome. Ironically, as our blazing summer temperatures finally cool, the colors of fall arrive to warm us up all over again. Elsewhere, fashion trends are dictated by designers and their runway models, but in Memphis, our style is authentically idiosyncratic.

We selected this year’s Flyer fashion models at the Peabody Hotel’s summer Rooftop Parties, and the final four brought their own style to our shoot. We mixed that up with a balance of vintage pieces and fresh-off-the-runway looks — along with a generous serving of Memphis grit.

The shoot took place on Summer Avenue in the Propcellar building, a brick-and-ivy edifice that feels very SoCal. Just as Memphis music is a gumbo of soul, rap, and punk, the city’s — and our models’ — fashion sense is a patchwork of sophistication and funk. Enjoy.

Taryn

On Taryn:

Green felt hat; navy and white knit jacket; sunglasses; all from Lansky 126. Grey T-shirt from Baer’s Den in Laurelwood. Vintage gold maxi ruffled skirt from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Handmade copper earrings from Bead Couture on Broad Avenue.

Amanda

On Amanda:

Black hat from Stock & Belle on South Main. Vintage bolero jacket from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Plaid button-down from the Attic in Overton Square. Handmade sterling earrings by Question the Answer available on www.questiontheanswer.com.

Jay

On Jay:

Teal hat from Lansky 126. Vintage lavender dress shirt and vintage brown Levi’s; both from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Grey zip-front sweater from Baer’s Den in Laurelwood.

Darryl

On Darryl:

Sportscoat; jeans; plaid button-down; all from Baer’s Den in Laurelwood. Tony Allen graphic T-shirt from Stock & Belle. Sunglasses, model’s own.

Taryn

Shoe boots from Stock & Belle on South Main.

On Taryn:

Sunglasses, from Lansky 126. Vintage bomber jacket from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Blush pink dress; wrap belt; both from Stock & Belle. Handmade agate choker by Brave Design available at Joseph. Bra from Coco & Lola’s on South Cox.

Jay

On Jay:

Button-down from Lansky 126. Vintage tie and vintage Levi’s corduroys from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Sunglasses, belt, and watch all model’s own.

Darryl

On Darryl:

Vintage puffer vest from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. White striped button-down from Lansky 126. Raw denim; leather bracelets; both from Stock & Belle on South Main. Watch, model’s own.

Amanda

On Amanda:

Vintage wool peacock coat with mink collar from Found Memphis on Broad Avenue. Handmade earrings by Question the Answer from www.questiontheanswer.com. Handmade copper cuff from Bead Couture on Broad Avenue.

Special thanks to:

• Propcellar

• Christopher Padgett, makeup artist; Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Macy’s Oak Court

• Models: Amanda Ampie, Taryn Leebelt, Jay Rodriguez, Darryl Smith

• Memphis Pizza Cafe

Categories
Style Sessions We Recommend

Spring Fashion with Leah-Claire Friddle Grawemeyer

I’m so thankful to have worked on the cover feature story and fashion spread this week. To follow the spirit of many of the style sessions I’ve posted here, the spring fashion spread shows fashion through the portrait of a person and their true style. Twenty-something Memphian Leah-Claire Friddle Grawemeyer portrays herself in familiar and favorite places in Memphis, the places she grew up in. Here, we learn more about Leah with additional images to supplement the original spread.

[jump]

Leah and her family are no strangers to the world of fashion. In 2011, her family opened a few boutiques on South Main – Everleahs and Sir Samuels next to their restaurant Grawemeyers, which has now become South Main Sushi. The two boutiques have since transformed as well into a vintage store called Broken Arrow run by Leah’s sister Olivia Friddle. Growing up in the boutique business along with traveling to fashion meccas such as Paris, Milan, and Rome has broadened Leah’s style.

“I’ve seen so many different styles. I always remember them and their influences. Anyone from Brigitte Bardot to Cara Delevigne to Elizabeth Taylor are my influences. I always find something about each style that I like. Whether it’s a scarf or even their lipstick. Body language and confidence is all about style too. The way you present yourself is major. ‘Perception is reality,’” she says.

As far as her personal style favorites for spring, Leah talks tassels, leather, and looking naturally beautiful.

“One of my favorite things I’ve been seeing is wrap-around sandals with tassels. I always love a good western influence too. Modesty is back in. Mid length skirts with booties, half turtleneck shirts, and long sleeve chiffon tops. You don’t have to show a lot of skin to be sexy, but exposing your wrist and ankles are always good. Good leather bags are always a good staple and investment piece. Look for local leather makers and spend a little extra for one. I love lots and lots of rings. Put one on every finger and own it. Natural hair and makeup is always beautiful. Especially when you add a simple red lip. For spring, let your eyebrows go wild and bold. It’s a defining feature of your face and dark eyebrows are always slimming.”

Leah is an artist, musician, and student now working with the Lansky family in their various clothing store locations. With her love for music and recent focus on the banjo, Leah also volunteers her time at the Blues Foundation and Blues Hall of Fame.

“South Main is my community. My sense of belonging is here. Everyone knows everyone and that’s a great feeling,” Leah says. 

Check out the issue on stands now and see the full outfit list with links below to the local shops and designers used in the feature.

Cover Photo at City & State
Shirt and Jeans – Lansky 126
Scarf – Local Designer Garner Blue, Stock & Belle

Rainy day with umbrella
Dress – Broken Arrow
Clutch – Lansky 126
Bracelet – Lesouque
Umbrella – American Apparel

Grand piano at South Main Sushi
Floral Dress – Stock & Belle
Cardigan – Lansky 126
Shoes (black pumps) – Lansky 126
Belt (Leather Tassel) – Lansky 126
Rings – Broken Arrow

At Broken Arrow
Graphic Top – Stock & Belle
Necklace – Local artist Nikkila Carroll, Stock & Belle
Jean skirt – Lansky 126
Bag – Lansky 126

On Stephanie
Shirt – Lansky 126
Jeans – Lansky 126

Under bridge at new mural in South Main
Shirt – local designer Tara Skelley of Dilettante Collection
Jeans – Lansky 126
Shoes (Brown strappy wedges) – Lansky 126
Purse – Broken Arrow

Blues Foundation Stairs
Top with Kimono Wrap – Stock & Belle
Shoes – Lansky 126
Scarf – Broken Arrow
Banjo – Model’s own

Blues Foundation Wall
Dress – 20twelve
Necklace – Lesouque
Shoes – Lansky 126
Kimono Top – Free People

Ernestine & Hazel’s upstairs
Top and Skirt – Stock & Belle
Necklaces – local designer Lauren Carlson of Question the Answer

Playing Pool at Ernestine & Hazel’s
Dress – Lansky 126
Hat – Model’s own

On Olivia
Dress – Stock & Belle

Bike and Flowers
Top – Broken Arrow
Skirt – Broken Arrow
Shoes – Lansky 126
Sunglasses – Lansky 126
Bag – Madewell
Bike – Midtown Bike

South Main intersection with trolley
Top (white fringe) – Lanky 126
Jeans – Lansky 126
Shoes (brown leather pumps) – Broken Arrow
Necklace – Lansky 126
Bag – City & State

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Style Sessions We Recommend

“Embrace Your Inner Memphis” Shirts by Eso Tolson – Favorite Find

Photo of Eso Tolson by Darius B Williams

The beautiful hand lettering created by designer and creative director Eso Tolson captures attention in and of itself, but when the message that the letters form are just as rich, the artwork reaches a whole new realm. Eso has taken one particular message and wears it boldly on a shirt: “Embrace You Inner Memphis.” As a Memphis transplant, Eso helps show that pride is also about where you are and not just where you come from.

You can purchase these t-shirts exclusively at Stock & Belle on South Main or follow him on Instagram or Facebook to keep up with upcoming pop-up shops.
See more of his work here.

If you have a shirt, feel free to tag a photo of yourself showing your pride with #embraceyourinner, and you could be chosen to be a part of the growing collection of fans on the “embrace your inner” instagram feed, which includes some familiar faces like Moziah Bridges of Mo’s Bows. I purchased a shirt at Stock & Belle for my brother John (pictured here) to represent Memphis in Singapore.

Embrace Your Inner Instagram Feed

Photo by Sophorn Kuoy

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Style Sessions We Recommend

7 Inspiring Looks with Thuyvi Vo and A Look Inside the Lofts at Merchants Row


“Anyone can put clothes on; that’s easy, but what I want to know is the story your clothes tell.”
– Thuyvi Vo
 
Today, Thuyvi tells her story both through her words and through her inspiring style. A believer that clothes can speak gracefully about the life you love, she gives insight into her passions and how they’ve helped develop her sense of style – the definitive example of effortless.

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Thuyvi, pronounced /tree-vee/, moved to Memphis from Vietnam with her parents and two older brothers at age five.  “My family moved to America for the single reason most people do – better opportunities,” she says.

It’s also clear from knowing Thuyvi that she has a strong love for Memphis specifically, actively supporting and encouraging other Memphians around her. Her artistic endeavor Dear Sir Paper Co., illustrates it well with watercolor quotes such as “Memphis is It.”  As a creative, she often incorporates local artists and artisans in store events at Madewell in Saddle Creek, where she is store director. What does she take most from living in Memphis? – “the pride!”
 

“I genuinely love Memphis. It’s such a wonderful city. There are so many cool things happening here, and to be in the middle of it and witness the growth from the ground up is something I will always treasure. The resurgence of Overton Square, Crosstown, downtown and everything in between is truly remarkable. It just goes to show what we can accomplish together as a unified city with a vision. If you’re a naysayer, I’m sorry, but you can’t sit with us. Sorry for going Mean Girls on you.”

 
When asked about how her personal style developed, Thuyvi takes us back to her early childhood. She credits her mother for her love for clothes.

“I am the youngest of three and the only girl, so naturally, my mom was ecstatic when she found out she was having a little girl. I think my childhood closet could rival that of Carrie Bradshaw’s. My mom made all of the clothes, and I definitely rocked the ’80s trends like no other. However, somewhere in the middle, though still very interested in fashion, I cared less about the dresses and colors, and moved towards the minimalist and tomboy, much to my mother’s dismay. It was in finding my true style that I think I finally found my identity: simple and understated yet artful and refined, with touches of edge. Sometimes I like to push the envelope.”

Using the beautifully renovated Lofts at Merchants Row as our stage, Thuyvi shares 7 outfits that define her style from everyday to a night out.

“When I paint, jeans and tees are the way to go. Like I said before, I love simple graphics and own so many tees from all the places I’ve visited. If there’s a festival, and you’re selling t-shirts, I’ve probably purchased something from you. I tend to get paint on a lot of my clothes, but I still to wear it out. It’s a reflection of who I am and the life I live. Those little things, in my opinion, are the elements that specializes what you wear. Anyone can put clothes on; that’s easy, but what I want to know is the story your clothes tell.” 

“This is very much a “Monday” outfit for me. My typical Mondays are spent in the office crunching numbers and analyzing data. In order to do that, I need to be in my element, clothing and all. Nothing says comfort better than a sweatshirt, loose-fitting jeans and sneakers.” 

“I am a Madewell fanatic as you can clearly tell; however, I like to invest in interesting pieces that are timeless, like this top. I love simple graphics, especially ones that are linear. Confession: I have an obsession with shapes. For me, black and white is never a regrettable choice.”

“Talk about a denim tuxedo! It’s so interesting to me – people assume, because I look pulled together and “cool,” that I must spend a lot of time getting ready. Truth: I don’t. I wake up at 6:45am, make my way out of bed by 7:00am and leave the house by 7:15am. If you are purposeful in buying pieces you love that are versatile, you ultimately save so much time trying to get ready. The beauty of this formula – generally everything in your closet complements each other well. “

“This is one of my favorite outfits because it feels so effortless, yet it’s got this total cool-girl vibe. It’s my “Look Good and Get Shit Done” outfit.”

With Her Other Half – Jacob
“I met my husband at Republic Coffee through mutual friends. We share a lot in common – travel, arts, fashion, and best of all, he’s my favorite person to goof around with. And let me tell you, we are a pair of goofy people.

He works at Gibson and helps build guitars. Specifically, he works in final assembly, the last step before the guitars hit the market. He’s also their team leader, and he’s pretty fantastic at what he does, but it also helps that he has incredible worth ethic. That’s also another trait we share. I don’t think I could’ve ever married someone who wasn’t motivated to succeed. On top of it all, he’s an amazing guitarist. That’s how his job at Gibson all began – because of his passion for playing the guitar.

Though I am a terrible singer, Jacob and I really love making up songs. We’ll make songs about each other’s names, how our days are going, the weather – it doesn’t really matter. If it’s a part of our lives, we’ll make up a song for it. During these sessions, he’s usually playing the guitar or some kind of instrument picked up from around the house and I’m the choreographer. And by choreographer, I mean I usually bust out with moves you’ve probably never seen or probably never want to see.” 

“Black is my go-to date-night outfit. It’s easy, simple and classic, just like everything else in my closet.”

Pictured above is her favorite quote.  “She has fire in her soul and grace in her heart. That quote embodies how I want to live my life. The juxtaposition of those two words – fire and grace – is part of why I love this quote. I want my ambitions to burn bright like fire but be poised in execution,” she explains. Below she also explains the inspiration for finding quotes like these to paint.

“[Dear Sir Paper Co.] started as a creative outlet to offset my constant need to work 24/7. This forced me to make time to paint, so I wasn’t burned out from working constantly. I’m a big fan of social media, so I began posting my work just to share with my friends. I slowly started receiving requests for commission work, and that’s when I realized I could make this into something more. I participated in two juried holiday markets, Porter Flea and Memphis Indie Holiday Market, and absolutely loved it!  

“As for what inspires the art I make, it most definitely depends on my mood and the experiences that have helped shape those moods. There are days where I am jovial and in a quirky mood, those are generally the days I come up with my punny cards i.e. “You’re the radish.” Then there are days where I read these amazing stories about women empowering one another, and I’ll find this really great quote that coincides with it. I feel like I bring those words to life in a way when I am able to make art from it. It makes me feel like I played a small part in telling their stories. And every time I read the quote, I feel empowered because of it. It’s like my circle of life in art form: create art through use of powerful words, be inspired by powerful words, repeat.”

Using style powerfully is also something she has taught other women when they ask for her help in developing their wardrobe.

“One of the most frustrating things I hear is when people ask me about ‘the rules,’ as if there is some kind of handbook for dressing. I know this is totally cliche to say, but the only rule is that there is no rule. If you want to wear black and navy together, do it. In fact, I highly encourage it. Those colors look great together. And if you want to wear white after Labor Day, I’m certain there is no mythical taser that will zap you if you choose to wear it. 
 
Aside from that, I would encourage women to look in the mirror and list their favorite physical features and learn how to accentuate those features. For instance, I like my shoulders, so I try to wear tops that are sleeveless. I like my legs, so I cut the bottoms of all my jeans (that, and I am also short), so a little ankle skin is on display. Showing off the smallest part of your ankle helps elongate your legs, too. It’s all about finding the parts that make you feel beautiful. 
 
And before you leave the house each day, look in the mirror and tell yourself that you look good and will get shit done.” 

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Special thanks to Lofts at Merchants Row, APG Furnishings Memphis, Stock & Belle, Madewell, and Farmhouse Marketing.
All photos taken at Lofts at Merchants Row.