Ashton from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

“Always remember that a big slice of humble pie is best with a shot of whiskey, sarcastic smurk, and realness.” Ashton Michael

occupation: designer

Ashton was born and raised in East LA, where he was a child actor, growing up on tv and movie sets. Today, the bow tie tattoo on the front of his neck, and his “Dali” moustache exclaim the dramatic, “dapper dan” in him. However, don’t let his highly visual appearance fool you, as today, Ashton is all about focusing on the background artistry, “behind the scenes.” With his partner, Marko Martone, they are center stage as the founders of The House of Infinite Radness, where performers experience a 360 in fashion and beauty styling, head-to-toe, including access to Ashton’s own “glamourized, ghetto punk” clothing line. Ashton says, “give me a treatment, give me a direction..and I will kill it.” The stars may come to him for dressing, but Ashton is the lead in his own style story. There is the collection he designs, and his “dailies” (aka what he relies on to feel himself or “presentable”). These include his Lanvin shades, his “bling bling” earrings, his high top sneaks (he never leaves home without them), despite the fact that he feels that everyone should own a pair of creepers and his own brand of harem trousers, that can be dressed up or down. The New York in him is hard working to the point of exhaustion, but it’s all with passion. He would rather be “beat, after working eighteen hours, than be tired from doing nothing.” Whereas the “LA” side adds a certain lightness and self deprecation, like when he refers to his underwear and socks as the “president” of his outfit “foundation.” The foundation, he believes is essential and right now, it’s about the classics, like, black and white, and houndstooth. Ashton feels there is no challenge too big for him, just like the prominent coi-fish (fish who swim upstream) tattoo on his arm will tell you.

If you like Ashton, you may also enjoy Craig Robinson, Asher Levine, and Emmanuel Limon.

Dani Baum and The High Waisted Shorts

American Apparel Shorts, Betsey Johnson Shoes, Victoria Secret Bustier, Topshop Hat and Sunglasses, Marcia Leichter Bag

A look from Lanvin Fall 2009 collection and Brooklyn Babydoll.

Dani Baum and The High Waisted Shorts

American Apparel Shorts, Converse, American Apparel Socks, Necklace from friend, Hortensia Hat, Her Mother’s Vintage Sunglasses

Top Row: Mack Dugan, Rachel Ballinger, Fatima Al Qadiri.

Bottom Row: Brandon Acton-Bond, Samuel Hindes, Mack Dugan.

“I think it’s more interesting to see someone who doesn’t have millions of dollars create their own identity through fashion.” Christina Mannatt

occupation: cultural editor for Stylesight

I have been reminded over and over again that missing the Phi sample sale when the company closed was a bad mistake. Christina’s black, chunky ankle boots with buckles, and others like it, have popped up in a lot of SLU closets, and give me that “I wish I had a pair” feeling. They are edgy perfection and I love how Christina wears them with the modern take on a classic paper bag Shipley and Helmos shift dress. A little girly in her Marni garnet suede platform mary-janes, and a little tough in her worn Urban Outfitters red ankle booties, Christina has that irresistible charm of being both sweet and gutsy in taste and in life. In her, there is a genuine and almost innocent appreciation for experiencing new places and seeing the world, and at the same time, a strong inner voice and resolve that makes her do things in the moment, like move to New York, after deciding to leave her home town of Seal Beach, CA. Once in Manhattan, she ultimately landed a dream job as the Cultural Editor for Stylesight, a job that fits all of her qualities to the tee, in its use of seeking out the new and deciding what is important in trends. Christina is reminiscent of the Toulouse-Lautrec painting she has in her room, of a woman collapsed on her bed. Like the eternal iconography of the painting, Christina, in her boater hat, patent Lanvin pumps and thick long hair pulled to one side, captures the art of less-is-more and all things classic.

If you Christina, you may also enjoy Legacy Russell, Dalad Kambhu and Hannah Dilworth

Dani Baum and The High Waisted Shorts

American Apparel Shorts, Shoes from her Aunt, Hue Tights,  Her Grandmother’s Vintage Cashmere, Necklace from Kayvon Zand, Dolce and Gabbana Shawl, Faux Fur H&M Hat

Sorcha O’Raghallaigh‘s senior thesis.

“You’ve got to not only be able to sing a song, you’ve also got to create an art and let your audience know what you visualize when you actually sing that song. It’s about giving a whole window into your world as an artist. That’s what everyone wants now… Even if it’s a persona, there is a concept behind it.” Jelone

occupation: musician

Sitting at a pub on Portobello road near Jelone’s home, I remember feeling very conspicuous with my nose in the blackberry. It was about seven at night, with another one-third of my work day to go (as usual), while everyone else was without a visible hand held device, clearly valuing their social lives with one another, not with the person on the other side of their phone. It appears that Jelone became enamored with this subtle, but important difference in the cultures on either side of the Atantic. He originally came to the UK with the intention of staying for six months, but instead, stayed nine years. “New York is still the best city in the world… but it’s a lot of presentation, showing yourself as an artist, as opposed to living your life as an artist… I thought I needed to step back and be an artist… even if it does take a little bit longer.” An artist is what Jelone was born to be. He is presently focused on his music, but was a classically trained ballet dancer, originally from Dallas, with an appreciation for Renaissance and Baroque painters, such as Peter Paul Reubens and Jean-Honore Fragonard. There is an elegance, and a sense of theatre, music (Prince, MJ, Superfly-Curtis Mayfield, Jimi), and history in his very eclectic, soulful clothing combinations. Jelone has an almost Cubist view of garments, turning the ordinary into extraordinary, with the way he cuts the sleeves off of dress shirt and puts them on in reverse over is arms. For him, a camoflage army jacket can be many things. He turned one into one of his “skelts,” a wrap half skirt, that he makes with many kinds of materials and uses as yet another layer to the already outwardly expressive canvas of himself. The camouflage sleeves are then used in reverse on his arms, creating a dramatic bell affect, which echos the gigantic flared sleeves of one of his performance shirts that he designed. With his album coming out this fall, Jelone is primed to be King, in his Egytptian-inspired goatee that he wraps in leather, and his crowns of colored scarves tied under every hat.

If you like Jelone, you may also enjoy Tatum, Rocky and Louise and Michael Calloway.