"I spent my summer working, but the odd part about it was that it felt nothing like work because I was doing what I truly loved." - Alexander-Julian
While at XXL I constructed a concept for a fashion spread. Before I started at the magazine they had already agreed on an idea to rewind and replay fashion trends from the past 15 years in hip-hop. I loved the idea, but I just wasn't sure if I could have stomached watching someone dress-up in Cam'ron's all pink fur ensemble. So I came up with an idea to do the trends, but just tweak them a little bit so that they could be done today. I went out on a limb, drew up sketches for the layout, made concept maps for the wardrobe, and presented them to my boss, Eric Cano, Style Director... he liked it. After, getting his approval we had to tackle the big dog, Vanessa Satten, Editor-in-Chief. Regardless if he liked the idea if V. Satten didn't, it wasn't happening. With my sketches clenched in my sweating palms we walked into her office, I stood in the corner of the office, holding my tongue, and just hoping that in the end we might come out victorious. Surprisingly, the exchange went well, I left with my chest held high, a compliment from the big boss, and a new title "The Super Intern."
Days passed and my boss slowly started to trust me and my opinion more and more. And as a result, I ended up becoming a major factor in the spread. Major enough to get my vision, my brother and friends, and my stylist credit all published in XXL's 15th Anniversary Issue.
Thank You.
Make sure you cop the issue to see the full spread.
