I know for a fact that the people in my life and random people on the street would say that I am a very fashionable person. When my friends and I make plans at home, in our groupchat, they always -- without fail -- say "Well I know Alex will look amazing, so I should probably try" OR "I know Alex will look amazing, so I won't even try". I've been asked by many people "why are you so dressed up all the time?" and I've given a multitude of answers. But at the end of the day, the best answer is it's just who I am. I was in THE most stylish outfits before I could talk and my mother had me heels by the time I was nine-years-old. So when I say fashion is in my blood, I truly mean it. I am very proud to say that after years of studying the broad field of fashion via Vogue, Fashiion Police (RIP the great Joan Rivers) and my very chic mom, I have developed a very keen sense of style in many different genres. I'm confident I can do a sharp monochromatic look one day, a sophisticated business look the next, a soft bohemian look the following day, and a casual look with a grungy edge the day after because fashion was my first love. It's what I look forward to the most every single day and on the days I can't find a reason to wear a fashionable outfit, I feel off. But it wasn't always this way.

When I got to the new and exciting world of high school, I realized just how different I was from my sister. My big sister was constantly pursued by guys and also had the curves of a pornstar by the time she was fourteen. With an hourglass of a body then, you can only imagine how ridiculously attractive she is now at twenty-two. Meanwhile, I stayed as single as a dollar bill in the shape of a starved giraffe my entire high school career. By the summer after my sophomore year, I decided I needed something to make me as beautiful as I thought and still think my sister is. While she had too many assets to count, particularly a literal apple bottom, I was cursed with legs up to my armpits and that's it. It was that summer that fashion helped me realize my twigs for legs are in fact a pretty fabulous asset.

It was that first day of my junior year in high school that my life changed forever. I didn't wake up with acne-free skin, I didn't find a million dollars, and I certainly didn't meet my soulmate. I simply began a life-long journey in loving myself that all started with dressing to impress. I started dressing as if it was my job to look good and as a result, I started feeling amazing about myself. Not only did I begin loving myself, but I learned so much about the incredible world of fashion and style.

I remember exactly what I wore that day; a 3/4-sleeved grey blouse, denim shorts, Steve Madden, combat boots, and gold eyeliner. Yeah, I didn't start off dressing like a supermodel that first day of school in 2012. However, as I grew, so did my passion and understanding for style. After years of reading, watching, and doing, I understand what staples are needed, what bolder pieces I should own, and the luxury items I just want -- most of my shoe collection. I understand that if I'm going to embrace my legs, I'll cover my chest and arms or vice versa, that mixing patterns can create an outfit to remember if you do it right, that you can wear thigh-high boots without looking like a stripper and skin-tight clothes do not a sexy woman make. Best of all, I learned that style is this fluid concept to help both men and women find their identity. It certainly helped me find mine and I will use what I have learned to help others while learnig everything else there is to know about the industry. After all, it is my first love and I will never give up on it.