Introducing Lex

“I’m a Black AF, Queer AF, Transmasculine being”, Sir Lex Kennedy tells us as we sit down in their Hollywood home, which they describe as “like a queer ass artist studio, carefully curated”. A space where they have been conscious to make sure “Blackness is in every crack and covers almost every wall”. There is a place for everything, they assure us, but things still seem to be absolutely everywhere.

For the 33-year-old filmmaker and content creator, “Ball is LIFE”; from the ballrooms filled with their favorite Houses to the arenas and centers around the states with hardwood floors. Their friends would describe them as being “loyal, funny, kind, honest, and brilliant”, and they’ve always got a couple of books or scripts on the go, which currently include The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw, Black Futures by Kimberly Drew, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, and Bone Black by Bell Hooks, as well as a script for the latest episodes of Master of None Season 3. Alongside that, they’re also always reading their own scripts, journal entries, poems, and old works. We’re surprised they even found the time to talk to us!

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

My style is Black AF. Black Designers, Black manufacturers, Black Tailors. Blacksmiths. Black as in I shop local Black shops that source from Black people in the US and abroad. Black is my preferred color of choice, call it the New Yorker in me. However being the beautifully melanated trans masculine person I am; a monochromatic look does me something NICE, you hear me?

On a typical day, I’m in a cozy ass jogger set from a South Central LA street brand I love (The Forgotten Ones) and a pair of designer slides with a black cinema classic on my custom socks. Simply stated, I’ll rep my set and show up as my full self wherever I go. A creative who is Black AF no hashtags.

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

I think that my friends might add that I usually don’t follow the trends. Many of my style choices have influenced them by giving them a guide to be more free in their style choices.

Thinking about your friends, what’s your ‘style/fashion role’ in the group?

I def know straight off that I’m the stylist in the group of friends that I have. I’m the one that is asked to help put a look together for an imaging session, video session, or just a date. My homies come to me or FT me or ask me how they did on the look after. 

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

Wisdom Kaye - He just does what needs to be done!! From his poses to his curation: they meet all the marks.

Gucci Mane - Since before he was this international star, I’ve loved the way he shows up as himself all the time, in all places. His ICE GAME is what I aspire to! 

Beyoncé - She is EVERYTHING.

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

KANYE WEST - cuz I know it’s organized AF, thanks to KIM!

Where are the other places you’re getting style/fashion influence from?

I’d say my influences come from The African Diaspora, Black Cinema from the early to late '70s-'90s-'00s, and Jet Magazine. This is my childhood, growing up watching PBS and local broadcast TV shows of Black folx from the Diaspora talking about their lives and joys, passions and peace. I’m also a latch key kid so the TV and my VCR raised me, any Black movie I could rent from Blockbuster I’d watch on repeat pulling from the color palette, using the fabrics, the shoes they were wearing. I’d look to see who the Costume Designer was at the end credits. And Jet Magazine was my pulse to the world at one point, the Beauty of the Week was my crush of the hour, and my standard for beauty and style.

When it comes to Streetwear right now, what’s the exciting stuff happening in the culture?

I think what’s most exciting is seeing so many new brands coming up and making names, it’s amazing to see Black Designers in the streetwear scene making waves and being credited. Too often these designer have been and continue to be stolen from other bigger brands. I love that social media allows consumers to call that s**t out on a larger scale and the designers get their dues.

What are the things happening that frustrate you or cause friction?

What’s frustrating is that the theft continues and if the smaller brands or designer doesn't’ have a big enough social platform nothing can be done.

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

Zara

StockX

Saks

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

I know the floor plans of these stores very well, sans StockX of course. And I love a good department store where I can get a good price on a shoe and shirt in the same shop. I also love the cleanliness of these department stores most. In terms of StockX, I know I’m purchasing authenticated products and I love to be able to haggle to get the price that I want.

Does the experience of those stores matter to you too?

Department stores offer accessibility and cleanliness. But they also discriminate with the ways in which I’m monitored by security and sales associates as I’m shopping. The alley provides accessibility in terms of price negotiations and I can get just about anything in the alley.

What other stores/spaces are you shopping in and why?

Online shopping is my safe space. I can shop to my hearts desire with my playlist of choice. I also love shopping at my friends' boutiques cuz 1. support the homies and 2. support the homies. I know I’m gonna get the best customer service and I’m circulating the black queer dollar!

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

1. Jordan

2. Nike

3. Essence

4. Apple

All of these brands are reliable, they all have been a constant in my life, and they all speak to who I am in different ways. I feel like they are a part of me and how I grew up, how I shaped myself into the person that I’ve become.

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

Fit

Does it belong in my collection?

Function

Does it spark Joy?

How does it feel?

And why do those things matter to you in the order they do?

If the fit ain't right it’s no point in adding it to my collection or keeping it if I’ve already purchased it from an online shop. The fit is key to that feeling. Asking myself does it belong in my collection really challenges me to ask myself if I NEED this piece. I’m really focused on my enough measurement and asking this question helps me to gauge it constantly. Function allows me to move to how this piece will add to my collection if I deem it necessary, what ways will it be worn? how often? Will it age well? The last two questions inform how I want to feel when I’m wearing the piece or if I feel anything at all. that's the key to unlock whether it gets returned or purchased and bagged.

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

I’ve downsized my collection to under 70 pairs of shoes! At one point I owned over 200 pairs of shoes. Too too too many!

If you had to split them up into categories and write a percentage next to them [what, math!] what would that look like?

80% tennis shoes/sneakers

10% dress shoes

10% boots

What type of shoe would we typically find you in, if you there is a ‘typical shoe’ for you?

A typical shoe for me is a pair of sneakers, probably JORDANS. Or as of Covid, some Yeezy slides, cuz damn these are comfy AF. Wearing them as I type this.

What are the most important things for you when it comes to buying your favorite kind of shoe?

COLOR WAY!!! Fit! if the color way ain't hitting, I can’t put them on to even try them on. If the fit is off I can’t wear it, sorry not sorry. My toes and soles won’t suffer for the sake of being a hypebeast, which I am the furthest thing from.

What about your favorite brands for shoes? Who do you always end up going to and why?

Adidas, Nike, Jordan - because my favorite designers design with or for these brands

What about your favorite shoe stores, again - on or offline? What makes them your favorite stores?

I love that I can buy directly from NIKE through the app, same with Adidas, I love the app integration. I love using StockX as well for the same reason. Unless f**kers buy all the kicks back door than sell at reseller prices on StockX and Grail, using their parents credit card who happens to be the f**king VP of the damn company.