The IT List 2020: 1-5/26

If you keep up with me on the Instagram, I hope you’ve been enjoying so far seeing this year’s stylish set on The IT List, as seen in SouthPark Magazine. If you don’t do the Instagram thing, that’s quite alright; I’m excited to also introduce you to each of this year’s featured men and women here! You can also go grab a copy of your own at just about any Harris Teeter and Auto Bell in the Queen City, as well as the mall or Reid’s Fine Foods! Introducing the very stylish first five on this year’s list…

Natalie Frazier Allen

Growing up in New York City influenced Natalie Frazier Allen’s love of high-low styling. “I am accustomed to valuing everything from Bergdorf’s and Bloomingdale’s to styles you see on the street and subway,” says Frazier Allen, 54. The former attoreny and founder and CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project loves pairing everything from NYC and her travels with items she finds in pop-up shops around Charlotte.

Yele Aluko

“I consider myself a modern-day Renaissance man,” says Yele Aluko, chief medical officer at Ernst & Young. Aluko is inspired by nostalgia and things that tell a story, including a vintage pocket watch he is currently eyeing. “I enjoy being distinct from the mainstream,” Aluko says. “Style is not a fad or fast fashion; it’s about who you are and who you represent.”

Sonya Barnes

Sonya Barnes’ signature color is red, including her favorite pair of signed Sarah Jessica Parker heels that the actor encouraged her to wear often. The life and style strategist for women has her eye on a Gucci caftan to add to her closet. “I love modern elegance with a bit of visual interest. I love timeless pieces that have been reimagined“, says Barnes, 52. 

Troy M. Barnes, Jr.

As a style advisor for Neiman Marcus, Troy M. Barnes Jr. knows style when he sees it. He believes your mood works in tandem with what you wear. “My favorite pieces are my hats. They’re the bridge between generations and all people,” says Barnes, 34. “ A good hat will start a conversation between strangers and develop a friendship that lasts a lifetime.”

Lashawnda Becoats

Not putting style in a box is how life coach, model and Pride Magazine editor Lashawnda Becoats puts her fashion foot forward. “ I love remixing traditional womenswear with a touch of masculinity. It allows me to express my love for both men’s and women’s wear unapologetically, says Becoats, 49, Who calls her style tomboy chic. “ in fact, if you see me in a dress, look down — I’m usually rocking a pair a fly kicks on my feet.”

Written: Shameika Rhymes
Photography: Richard Israel
On location: Johnson C. Smith
On location hair and makeup touch ups: Josiah Reed
Production Assistant: Isabelle Pringle

Introducing What Whitley Wants

If you keep up with me on Instagram, there’s a chance you’ve seen my newest series called What Whitley Wants. As I said, we all may be shopping a little less, and thatss okay. In fact, I agree it's not a terrible idea to reasses your means and, as a result, your values, BUT we all still want to feel fresh, new, exciting and alive! While shopping for clients, I always stumble upon things that excite me in terms of my own wardrobe wants or day dreams. So, I thought I would start to share some of those craves with you here. The best summer platform sandal of all time, the ultimate party bag, escargot fun in the form of a placemat, and the most wearable dress all summer long inspired by the Queen City’s own, Angie Harmon.. be sure to grab this month’s SouthPark Magazine to see why! Shop all my looks and finds by following me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it shpping app HERE.

Shop The Edit + Get The Look

Disco Ball Bag

Edie Dress

Escargot Placemats

Bird Candleholder

Linen Crop Top

Linen Midi Skirt

Sully Top

Platform Sandal

Straw Hat

Hands Vase

SouthPark Magazine featuring Brooke Hall

I am trying to get caught up here on the Queen City Style, and I am certain it will not ever truly completely happen; there is so much I want to share!  Does anyone else find themselves distracted by squirrels with just about every turn they take?  Lately, that's me.  Most important of all, my two precious peanuts keep me so so busy... I find motherhood to be more and more exciting, fun and rewarding at every stage.  We just returned from the beach. I basically want to soak them both up every single second, like the sun. Look at these two handsome studs!

The May fashion editorial for SouthPark Magazine was probably one of my favorite projects to date.  Olly Yung, as always, was brilliant behind the camera.  We enlisted native Charlottean and my beautiful on the inside and out friend, Brooke Hall , to be our model.  Mega-star hair and makeup artist gal pal Jami Svay did her thing.  So much of this project was about Brooke.  Brooke defines embullient beauty, and so it was really necessary that SHE be the model, showcasing the very best fashions I could get my hands on around select original spots in our great city.  These images are so life-giving for me.  I hope you enjoy them too!

SouthPark Magazine Valentine's Fashion Feature

I was thrilled for the opportunity to work with one of the most talented and lovely photographers that I know, Richard Israel, along with a wonderful team of stylists and models on a recent fashion feature for SouthPark Magazine.  Richard is a wonderful portrait, wedding and fashion photographer with a style and edge all his own.  Most of all, he is a lovely person. Our models, Tonya Robinson and Tanner Junker, were totally on point, as was hair and makeup artist Teri-Lyn Hiroshige.  I had some great help from my hardworking, motivated and talented intern, Lauren. We even got to style one of Lauren's necklaces in the Central Ave. shot!  Charlotte has grown so much and continues to grow very quickly.  It was particularly fun to pair looks with some of my personal favorite spots--some new, some old--around our great city.  Take a look and see what you think!  And for the record, I think Tanner was totally sneaking a peak! ;)

Caftan Love

I've always had a thing for the caftan.  Or is it kaftan?  I guess if we were in the Middle East it would probably be a Kaftan with a K.  I'm going with caftan with a C, because that's what the prosecco says right now.  Can you tell the times I write when I'm in to the wine? It's actually the case more than not because I am usually writing when the day is done... the children, the work, the exercise, the children.  Well, I was shopping on line for a client about 30 seconds ago, but when I saved this accessibly priced pretty black patent pump into the file with her name, the file Caftan was in my line of vision, and I remembered a couple of months ago I thought I would write a post about caftans because I love them so much, and I styled a couple in the August issue of Southpark Magazine.  Now can you see there is prosecco?  It's summer, I'm working my fanny off, let there be prosecco!  And caftans.  Oh, and if you have children, you have to see Shaun the Sheep.  We got a two disk set from the $5 stand at Target.  It is fantastically hilarious.  English and charming and funny.  

Onto the caftans.  A couple from that SouthPark Magazine shoot as well as styling one of my Grandmother's vintage poolside loungers on the blog.  If you love the casual elegance of a caftan as much as I do, shop them below and HERE. 

A Sign Of The Times

The fashion editorial feature in the current issue of Southpark Magazine is so hot and bright the models even have to wear their shades!  But seriously, I can't tell you how excited this spread gets me.  Every project's outcome is a result of the sum of the parts, and let me tell you, we were definitely operating on all cylinders for this one.  As my father said when I proudly handed him a copy, "GREAT job.  You had a lot to work with here Whitley," followed by a boyish flirtatious smile.  Let's just say he wasn't referring to the clothes.  Models Taylor Sharpe and Hadley Hilton sizzle just like fiya (favorite Pink song!) in House of Landor vintage styles (and a few pieces from my personal collection), Addison Weeks jewels and sunglasses from Innovative Eye Care.  Joseph Bradley's camera lens tell no lie. Charlotte artist Windy O'Connor's home played the perfect back drop for telling our story of high style, and Adrienne McCann flawlessly maintained the vintage glam vibe with hair and makeup. What can I say?  I want it all.  Visit HERE for all wardrobe and accessory credits.