Dear Reader,
Ever since childhood, I’ve felt this intense pressure to do everything correctly. Maybe this was how I internalized the—you gotta work twice as hard only to get less—conversation. Getting less never interested me though, so I guess that's why I work three times as hard. I don't desire a lot from people or the world, especially regarding objects. While I love beautiful things, I don’t need to own them, partially because I’m always in a state of transit.
While I am no longer running from life’s hardships, I am still unlearning many bad habits—and commitment is one of them. I love the elusiveness of my life; I feel there should be a TV show about it one day (@karlaproduces, I’m looking at you). But, elusiveness is gray, no commitment is necessary. While I am being less elusive in my personal life, I am leaning in hard regarding personal style. Since the first installment of Off-Trend, I’ve felt a shift in how I move throughout the city and how it moves through me. And, honestly, I’ve never felt more tapped in. Much like the series title implies, I’m not on-trend. Growing up, I could never afford on-season clothes, and eventually, I stopped keeping up with them. Now that I’m fashion-adjacent, I feel guilty about not knowing much about trends. But I can say that it makes working in fashion less stressful, less strategic, and more authentic.
You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life. Without it, you’re nobody. I’m not talking about lots of clothes.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=996&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=3457d0fbae54d39a88b6a68425526474 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1993&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=7076494b036b11e3bbcf935d58356721 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=824&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=bfab0a33d955dabb59c20edd477e59d0 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1648&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=ba74bad4a2cd2f15f0c4ad112641fc21 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=637&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=369fd3cd7f20e6a95afbdac8948f37ec 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1275&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=ac20860bdb7d3a17f6164c6f83305343 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=478&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=6aae6f1b0bfdecf785d601f0fd439d9a 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=956&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=886bee917fe43472ee72b91b26d29af0 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2647&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=f0b7e0559ed61d20a96111fe5c9e3fda 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=5295&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=e248e35be6bd0f5b42a833977a4cb112 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2188&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=531ed6c821f20109fcf01e67a606214d 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4377&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=3519c62fdacf1920a7ad92d50beb1533 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=41d608516f303683ebd881409213bb09 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3389&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=9cd91237c2cdf43b22b02335ef8f5895 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=45d66c1a41d853d0f1ae4d931ba13a36 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK_5.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2541&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=ad25005965b8259b754695cf465f4127 1152w)
When I wake up, I look forward to getting dressed. I’m genuinely excited to see what I can come up with. I’ve tried to pre-plan out my outfits, but you can't predict your moods. My morning routine these days is pretty solid: I wake and bake while drinking cold brew, and blast some sad love song, or something from here. I’ve found a new love for curating playlists, so it’s giving LimeWire. Recently, I’ve been challenging myself with style. I’ve never been a denim guy–I have big thighs and often find denim very uncomfortable and stiff. After years, I finally decided to lean into denim and embrace the textile as it is, not how I want it to be. My business partner and dear friend, Amanda Christine Harth, is very much into the textile and the craft of indigo dying. I have learned a thing or two over these years of knowing her. [Pro-tip: Experiment with textiles and fabrics that may scare you.]
[How do you want to live in the world?] Constant. Owning a beverage brand, I’ve started paying a lot of attention to sustainability–as it relates to the practice of being sustainable. As I’m carving out more time to think about my future, I’m trying to implement routines and healthy habits to grow into. I’ve always navigated growth as if it were a race: never slow and steady, but always striving to be the first. In regards to style, I want to take my time with this. I’m unsure where and how my style will evolve, but I hope to stay constant. I hope I’m learning by experience and not by critics. I hope I listen to my body and not the comments section. Most of all, I hope we—The People—figure out how to sustain fashion and better our practices in developing [our] personal style.
Never slow and steady, but always striving to be the first. Never slow and steady, but always striving to be the first.
The Routine: The Uniform // mood
Drake-Suit
Black Loafers
Pink Beanie
For the first time, I’m experiencing the freedom of self-expression through fashion. I’m feeling very Raven Baxter. I’ve always subscribed to women and the stereotypical #GBF, and I feel obligated to stand ten toes down in my look, whatever that may be. I know I’m being watched, noticed, and celebrated in ways I never have before and I want that to mean something. I’m not interested in being anyone’s “Fashion Icon,” nor do I want folks to think I know all there is to know about Fashion. I will proudly be the first to acknowledge that I am not a fashion expert. [Sidenote: the “F” in fashion is capitalized to emphasize the capital “F” in fashion.] Now, I have great taste and a great sense of style. But, truthfully, I think about how things make me feel. I want to feel like the coolest, sexiest, and most intruding person in the room—at least most days. Confidence is always a great accessory.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2647&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=8663935354e36c12c1bd7eb06246cd50 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=5295&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=f2447a67301274b4a08017561ba44936 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2188&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=1011db313f4255fefea9a983bf443f9e 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4377&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=93f1af15c2b8279262b90536a6f8113f 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=376b1c441044de61c725904b5b3db6ca 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3389&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=f98433a63bfde6b6206ee0f9d0282099 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=ed4669853e6c2ad8778469354c80f9a7 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_1_2023-04-05-194553_pwhw.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2541&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=956efd4bce4ef7e0e7985ce517d5d488 1152w)
Drake’s-Suit
By now, you all can tell I’m a Drake fan (I am a certified lover boy, myself). But, because Drake is Canadian and Drake’s is a phenomenal Drake—this felt like a happy medium. In May of 2020, I realized that I was stuck in the house and the life I had planned was trashed. To cope, I began online shopping. This denim jacket is ½ of a ZARA coping session. The shirt is something local; my brother, Buchi Okafor, recently gifted me this embroidered denim shirt from his brand, Legacy Apparel Co. My pants are from my favorite store, Uniqlo. I’m a sucker for a good fit. I like when my clothes feel like they’re a part of me // made for me. These jeans do that for me. I would like to go on record and state that these are my favorite jeans.
Black Loafers
When I die, bury me with black loafers. By now, even strangers know my black loafers from Dr. Martens are a Kizer Signal–my version of a Bat Signal. [If you see Black loafers, know I’m not far]. I love how multifunctional and pretty gender-neutral loafers are. I wear them with shorts, slacks, and denim. Now, I must admit how painful breaking them in can be. [Kizer Edit: Do not buy a pair and decide to walk all around LES for 6 hours. You will not want to wear them ever again.]
Pink Beanie
Pink is pretty bold for me, but I figure if I can navigate wearing a red hat post-2016 election, that Pink isn’t that scary. After the first six months, the number of double-backs and hard glances from folks became less worrisome and more comical. It became an ice breaker of sorts—a visible alliance. After a while, I found the red hat triggering, so I pivoted to the Red Beanie, which lasted until this past winter. Going Blue broke a long cycle of intense glances and double-backs. As the seasons change and as I experiment more, I think it’s time to give Pink a chance.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2647&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=0d24bf70e6e8f34b2dd17fdbf3f5fc73 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=5295&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=f70bfa3eccd5c995a5b0160242f93210 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2188&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=d16f202b72450c5795f4f1ecfab97a8d 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4377&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=3f7183f2300f0a7ecaf38581140b69d6 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=fa48d41099705a7707667d7e66d60e5f 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3389&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=576f60764efa821dbef96d00c0acd18f 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=1a3d8f602ca4f4a1e74439b84c60a993 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_2_2023-04-05-195109_rogn.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2541&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=1b7479b35c713492f1509e42686dc4a0 1152w)
The Build: The Edit
[Kizer Edit: Eat spinach, turn on DND at 8 pm, watch re-runs of Ugly Betty, call your mother, and drink more water.]
Truth be told, I’ve never paid much attention to Shea Moisture until recently. What caught my attention is how well they captured Black men with their crisp linings and glowing skin. It’s precisely how I’d want to be captured. I would definitely consider them [a] big brand, but I think they do it well.
I’ve wanted a pair of Clark’s for years. I never could justify spending upwards of $150 on desert boots, especially living in Chicago. That never made sense, but I did it anyway, and I don’t regret it. I love structured garments and shoes. But the Wallabees are soft and structured.
[Brand–lululemon] Hear me out; have you ever tried on anything from Lulu? A shirt, shorts—dare I say, leggings? I used to feel the same kind of resistance to the idea that you might be feeling; I’ve felt the same way about Sweetgreen, too. However, when something is good, it’s hard to deny its glory.
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2647&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=a35313f467756820dbe5af1912408e22 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=5295&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=9a65b93bd04309db5722bdc8d744463a 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2188&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=24094f1aa5e95d9aebae0f988dcca1d2 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=4377&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=17a8d7e17eb97798a2546d86a1ff15dc 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1694&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=2efb3fd97a62de23eee1110877ccf36d 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=3389&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7cbab4a9e432756558fa4e3f3b3af6cc 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1270&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=70c32edbe85577e9df827ca3f7719f22 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/FK2_3.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=2541&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=efd2affe76709821d838caf96ff557c6 1152w)
![](https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=263&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=1200&s=33f76ecf820b7749bc1900602a872e26 1200w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=526&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=2400&s=628273f31453b16bd02a05b9557b1d9d 2400w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=217&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=82&usm=20&w=992&s=f718eb45f9138c606a3f76c3d543cfa3 992w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=435&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=61&usm=20&w=1984&s=f1dcd9b70f3d97f141db5044a6ae80a2 1984w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=168&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=768&s=14a4c9408bf73ead6cbcd5601538d094 768w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=337&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1536&s=7b24945ce53cb64fe9a93a11849c9ba0 1536w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=126&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=60&usm=20&w=576&s=0c9a017a52aee25cb7c0ee5e433204d7 576w, https://varyer.imgix.net/Asset-3_2023-04-05-193015_jshx.png?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&domain=varyer.imgix.net&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=252&ixlib=php-3.3.1&q=45&usm=20&w=1152&s=39c9693038b781ed48a30c7df58c0b2e 1152w)