Introducing Alicia

As soon as we walk into Alicia Bollesen’s home, a feeling of zen-like calm washes over us. The house in Laguna Beach, California – where she lives with her husband, now that their sons have left home in their early twenties – has a relaxing minimal feel; cozy, clean and meticulously organized. We ask her about a painting and she fondly recalls buying it during the thirteen years she and her husband spent in Tokyo and Shanghai, raising their children. There are a lot of pieces of art or furniture from their time there, so “there is usually conversation”, she jokes.

“I am 52 years young”, Alicia tells us. “An African American woman with a graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology”, she has studied several languages including French, Japanese and Chinese, and now that she’s back in the US, she’s learning Spanish. It’s kept her busy in retirement, while she spends the rest of her newly acquired free time volunteering in the community and church, hiking, golfing, biking, book clubbing, gardening and traveling; looking for fun wherever she can. “I never run out of energy looking for fun”, she laughs. It’s just as well.

Let’s start with having you explain your style to us, Alicia...

My personal style is classy conservative yet current. As a 52 year old women, I don’t want to compete or try to look like the 25+ female. My jeans are not as tight as they used to be yet they are top brands and latest jeans. I always wear real jewelry rather than trend jewelry like Georgina. If I do, I will complement her jewelry with my real stones, gold or pearls. If I wear a t-shirt, I will definitely add a cotton or silk scarf, things that have been hand woven and natural to give it an edge. I am more of a wrap or pashmina person rather than a jacket unless it’s a crop leather jacket. I really enjoy dresses and long skirts or cropped slacks or wide leg flowing pants. I love silks, linen and cashmere fabrics. I try not to look too conservative so I might wear a trend shoe. I must say that luxury brand shoes and handbags make an outfit. Everything else can be accessorized or have fine and simple lines. A hat shows playfulness and definitely a women with confidence who wants to be seen, a scarf is sweet and softens any outfit. I love camo! That always shows a bit of an edge with attitude and willing to put yourself out there. I am a small earring person and smaller jewelry around the neck and face. I love big rings or a larger bracelet cuff in the evenings to add to a boring or simple outfit to show personality. I would describe my fashion style as current with an edge yet classy and timeless. I like fine clean lines yet seems with not always a straight edge, I prefer very small patterns and thin stripes. I prefer basic colors with accents, such as a belt or scarf or  very small pattern within the print.

Would your friends describe your style any differently do you think?

My friends will tell you that I am always on point with fashion and I always look put together. They will say that I like color as well. That’s what they tell me. . My friends have daughters in their 20’s which is great because they keep us in the know. I have young boys and the girls help me keep my young men on trend.

Who inspires you style-wise?

 I must tell you honestly that I don’t admire anyone’s style. I like to take a bit of this and that from people that I see. I love the characteristics of people that I see and the kindness and confidence that they project when I look at their clothing. When someone walks by looking calm, confident and elegant then I look at their shoes, handbags, clothing, hairstyle etc. Living in Asia, people are so well put-together it’s like a fashion show. Singapore is like a runway walking down the street. People move slowly due to the heat and the make up is beautiful as well as the colors so your eye is drawn to these fashionable people. Hired help is a dime a dozen so everyone looks like their clothes just came out of the dry cleaners. Fresh and crisp. That makes a big difference in fashion, how things hang on people and the flow of the movement when you walk. That is the sex appeal of clothing for me. Perhaps that’s why I like silk so much. Silk flows, linen breathes and is meant to be worn naturally so no need to worry about wrinkles. I love beautiful cotton shirts but so many people look sloppy and unkempt. I am so happy about the nice new wrinkle-free clothing and slacks. People in general look more put-together. So when I shop I look for these things: clothes that won’t cling or bind but will flow and maintain their structure without looking sloppy.

In the public eye, whose style do you admire and are influenced by?

Well, I love motivational speakers that pep you up and get you moving. I enjoy Mel Robbins on Instagram. She is known for the 8 second rule. Get up and make something happen. The cliche that is Tony Robbins - he is all about putting yourself out there and don’t stop no matter what. Athena Calderone is another, I love her fashion and decor style. It’s eye candy. She is in shape, and portrays a positive and healthy image with a great style. These are all on Instagram.

If you could ‘steal’ one person [in the public eye’s] closet, whose closet would you steal and why?

I would invade all of Hollywood’s closets hahaha, love it all. 

Is there anyone or anything else you want to mention?

Halle Berry is always beautiful and fit. I also love a women who can change up her hair style willing to change things up!

Tory Burch - I love her NY classy style with a female twist of patterns and color and she knows how to change it up with class. She is conservative with style without being in your face. Her design of clothing is classic yet sexy,

Vera Wang has this edgy style and the colors are dark and classic. Her diagnose hems with lace or toile make you look confident, fierce yet feminine.

I have always enjoyed that grunge cool look. Lisa Bonnet (the Cosby Show) always had hip hair, she wore ankle boots before her time, funky natural bracelets. She was the vegan , vegetarian, purist and sustainable clothing person before it became cliche. She has her own style so she has always caught my eye.

Where are your three favorite stores to shop in for clothing/apparel?

I like to shop at boutique stores. In Newport, there are several boutique stores that carry a variety of brands. That's the kind of shopping I prefer. I don’t shop too much online because I like to touch and feel the fabric. Remember, I am all about the eye candy. I mentioned James Peres,  Vince, Anthropologie, Athleta, Lululemon, Free People,  Veronica Beard, Rag & Bone. These are brands that I wear and buy but I also love to look into these stores for inspiration. When I shop in boutique stores or large department stores, I focus on brands like Vince, Rag &Bone and Rammy Brook, Paige, James Pierce  and Michael Stars as my foundation clothing. I do enjoy Alo, Athleta , Vuori and Aviator Nation as my casual sweats attire. I once was an avid Lululemon fan but not so much anymore.

What is it about these stores that make them your favorite/preferred place to shop?

The boutique stores are my favorite because people get to know you and your style and recognize you and they are helpful. They suggest things for your body type and they can look at you and tell you which jeans may work best for athletic thighs or if you have larger breasts, which shirts will flatter you. They are trained in customer service.

This is a great question because I used to write customer service training  programs. In Asia and Europe, people are trained on how to assess body types and to help you look your best in their clothing. In America, you don’t get that attention so many times people are not wearing the fashion appropriately. It’s too big or too small or just simply not suited for the body type. Many are focused on just making the sale. 

Does the experience of those stores matter to you too?

I love when I walk into a store and they say, 'Look what we just got in, this item might be really flattering on you, want to try it out?' Also, if I come out of the dressing room with a so-so look on my face they ask me what my concern is so they can help me find something more to my liking. 'That looks great' is the wrong response.  I promise you, if you look and feel fabulous and make a personal connection with service you will return. It was a delightful experience. That’s why I prefer boutique shopping.

One more thing, fewer items allow you to have better focus. Stores have too much stimulus for the customer to even decide which direction to take. You can  get overwhelmed before even trying on and leaving. For example, Anthropologie is great but you really have to know your style to tackle that large inventory and the clothes falling off the sale racks make you feel like you are in a closet of unwanted clothes. Makes you question whether you want this 'junk'.

Going a little more specific, what are your top five favorite brands?

I will always say Vince. Silk is my favorite, always fits and they have classic colors and styles and elegant cuts. You always will look spot on. Ramy Brook, her dresses always fit, they are great for travel. They are wrinkle-proof and flowing when you walk. All kinds of beautiful colors are very easy to accessorize. You can dress up or dress down.

Rag & Bone have an edge. Not everyone is attracted to their style. It’s harsher in some ways with more blacks. It’s like a more expensive All Saint”s. Paige and Citizens always work for me as far as jeans go, along with Rag & Bone. They have a variety of styles, cuts and fits and I know my size so I think that makes things easy for me when shopping. During COVID 19, I bought so much of the Athleta  travel casual  wear. It was light and didn’t  wrinkle so I didn’t need to iron, plus it kept its shape and came in very nice colors. Leisure sweats with style. I am addicted to Bailey 44 thin cotton sweaters. They wash well and have many cut outs in shoulders and elbows and cool neck lines.  Great for traveling.

What are your top priorities when it comes to buying new items of clothing?

Top things that matter to me are the quality of the fabrics. It’s important that they do not stretch out or shrink up or fade. The brand, because nowadays kids love consignment shopping. I can always take my old clothes in and get something for them if I no longer want them. The fit. It has to feel like me when I am wearing it.

I find that my clothes are more classic so I can keep them longer. The cost has to feel like it’s worth it to me. I know how much it costs to manufacture clothing, not much. So if you buy that luxury brand it’s for the style and quality for me not the fashion and I assess how long and often am I actually going to use it.

Is there anything you want to add?

I think retailers are making mistakes on selling for only the moment. Focusing on buy, throw out and no longer about the image of clothing. It’s now about flash and being on trend. Thus, they can’t retain their clients because everyone is looking for the flavor of the month. They lower the price to capture the audience only to lose them to the next trend.

How many pairs of shoes, any shoes, do you own?

OK, I love shoes. I have over 70 pairs of jeans so I must have maybe 40 pairs of tennis shoes and over 50 plus pairs of shoes. I love shoes, the one thing that never changes on your body your feet.

What about your favorite brands for shoes? Who do you always end up going to? I have the top work out tennis shoes and I must have about 6 pairs of different colored vans then you get into the luxury tennis shoe LV, bottega, Guccii, Balenciaga, Golden Goose, the comfort shoe, Girkenstock, Gole Haan, borne, Dansk, Chanel, Chloe, Prada, pretty ballerina Christian Louboutins, Kenneth cole, Motherwell.

I did mention that I think shoes make the outfit. To be honest I wear them all. I pay too much for them to sit. I think my rainbow flip flops are worn daily.