In last month's issue of Queen Things Online Magazine, Elizabeth Thomas talked to some up and coming entrepreneurs who just happened to be Queens! This month's issue will take a glimpse at some Kings who are doing big things in their community, on their jobs, and in their leisure time.
Construction Program Manager, Dallas Lewis likes to flex his style no matter where he is. He tells Queen Things' Elizabeth Thomas, why maintaining integrity in his clothing style is representative of who he is.
We talked to the Look Behind the Curtains Podcast host and social justice activist, David Nelson about why he does what he does.
Darion Lewis shares why his job as the Area Manager for the military commissaries in Sacramento, California is right for him.
Who is Dallas Lewis?
In part one of this three-part series, we chat with Dallas Lewis, who is a young man with a lot to say about how style is important to just about everything we do.
It’s barely ten o’clock on a beautiful and quiet Sunday morning, and Dallas Lewis is still feeling lazy after a fun night of celebrating a friend’s birthday. His attire is comfortable for his sit down with Queen Things’ Elizabeth Thomas, and he pauses as he considers how to answer the last question asked.
Young Mr. Lewis believes that once you do a sort of quality check of your wardrobe, making sure everything you own reflects you in some way, you should be able to pair together items with “strength” to ensure that your chosen outfit is a good representation of you.
Whether the occasion is casual or chic, Dallas Lewis seeks to make a statement.
Dallas Lewis - Style Architect
Queen Things: Do you think style translates to the work environment?
Lewis: Oh, definitely.
Queen Things: How could style play into the typical work environment?
Lewis: You should be able to go out into a hard-working setting where you have durable jeans, or durable work attire, that's still representative of yourself, and it’s stylish. If you were to leave that site, you wouldn’t be embarrassed to go into a public setting with what you have on. Obviously, it’s work attire. Synonymously… like I said, I’m practical, so you should dress for the occasion. If you’re going into an office setting, and you’re not going to be working and doing physical labor, you can kind of turn it up a notch, as far as what you’re wearing, but it should still be stylish. That type of setting gives you the opportunity to kind of polish your style a little bit more.
Queen Things: How does this work when you are deciding what to wear to work? Are you free to flex your own style?
Lewis: I kind of tailor it to the activity. I have those two, kind of polar ends, within my career field. So, they both excite me. The chance to go into that office setting and kind of tailor it up…turn it up a notch, or to turn it back a little bit when I’m in the field and look stylish while wearing durable work clothing is great.
Queen Things: So, let’s talk about the construction science and architecture in your background. I heard you say earlier that style is analogous to art. How does your interest in architecture play into your style?
Lewis: I feel like there are a lot of different variations and types of art. Architecture is one, style is another. Paintings are one, tattoos are another. There are plenty of different mediums of art.
Dallas goes on to make the analogy between exterior finishes on a building, and the finishing touches to an outfit that make just the statement you desire.
Lewis: It’s the same with exterior finishes on a building. You might use brick on a building because you may want it to be seen as a more serious type of structure. Similarly, you might put a tie on in the work setting so that people know that you mean business. It translates that way for me.
Queen Things: How do you shop and, are you thrifty?
Lewis: I’m probably the worst person to ask that question. I consider myself a professional shopper…an avid shopper. There are a lot of factors I consider when I shop. In the past, I’ve been very thrifty. As I’ve gotten a little older, that’s shifted to not so much being thrifty, as being more a man of value.
Queen Things: Do you think that people who are geographically challenged, if given the opportunity through some program at a shop or boutique to purchase clothing at a price discounted specifically for their demographic, would be helped by such a program?
Lewis: What would be the goal of the program, to get a job?
Queen Things: Yes, to get a job, or to reintroduce them into the workplace, or just society at large?
Lewis: I definitely think there is a strong chance to impact geographically challenged individuals with a program like a “Thrifty Thursdays”. A lot of times, that demographic is just people who are down on their luck. They suffer from the effects of a negative stigma of just not being clean or not well groomed and dressed. A lot of the time, people are just between blessings. They are generally judged by their appearance…what they’re wearing. They only look like that because they can’t financially afford to do better at that moment. I think something like “Thrifty Thursdays” would definitely help eliminate the barrier between them and every other demographic who might be considered for a job. It kind of evens the playing field for them.
Queen Things: As a young, Black man who is all about his business but still all about his style, what kind of impact do you think you might have on young people coming behind you…those who have been watching you?
Lewis: There are definitely things that you can do to reflect your style, and that I do to reflect my style. I try to impress upon people that I encounter, the fact that our culture is notorious for things that are really flashy, really in your face. For instance, sagging is very frowned upon, gaudy jewelry and big, bold statements like that are really frowned upon. What I would say is, it’s fine to have items like that to represent you, minus the sagging. Like I said, I’m a practical guy. It’s generally not a good reflection on you in any environment. Aside from that, I would say a good subtle accent of jewelry, a good pop of color in a shoe, or a top could go a long way. You don’t have to wear the traditional, plain, solid button down, or the plaid button down with the khakis and the subtle shoes. There are always opportunities for you to add your own flare to things, depending on the setting.
Queen Things: What other advice might you give to those seeking to enhance their style in a professional setting?
Lewis: I don’t feel like we, as Black men and women, or even as minorities, should have to sacrifice our cultural style. If that’s something you cherish within yourself, or within your culture, you should be able to translate that into your attire in any setting.
Queen Things: I hear you saying you have a deep belief in reflecting your culture in your style.
Lewis: I feel like there is a balance. You should still be able to represent yourself by pulling things from your culture that express the way that you feel without being frowned upon. I feel like there are little pieces of everyone’s culture that they can incorporate into their own style.
Elizabeth Thomas, MPL is an educator, writer, publisher, entrepreneur, and change agent. She is the owner of Latter Rain Publishing, LLC in Dallas, Texas, as well as the founder of Queen Things Online Magazine. Find her on social media at: https://www.facebook.com/dueseasonwriters, https://www.twitter.com/EssentialEme, https://www.instagram.com/essentialeme/
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