Life & Work with Alexandria Monet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandria Monet. 

Hi Alexandria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, and was raised primarily by my grandmother. She is a major influence on the way I view style because she taught me how to show up in my womanhood with class, grace, and sex appeal. She exposed me to icons in style such as Diana Ross, Coco Chanel, Pat Cleveland, Eunice Johnson and Angela Davis. Not only did I learn about women who were pioneers in shifting the standards of beauty and fashion, but I was taught to create my own identity in style from the doors they opened. This led me to finding other creatives that I felt followed little to no rules such as Grace Jones, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen. I resonated with them because breaking boundaries seemed to be a part of my DNA.

I eventually ended up in North Carolina as a Fashion and Marketing Student at The Art Institute of Raleigh Durham where I obtained my bachelor’s. I like to say She Thrifty Apparel chose me because nothing else made sense.

I changed career paths once because I didn’t agree with what majority of the fashion industry stood for. I ended up in retail management which was a bit like wearing your best shoe and then stepping in dog poo on the way to your destination. You know that moment where you curse like a sailor and repeat are you freaking kidding me to yourself? Yeah, that was me for 3 years post-grad and then boom! The pandemic hit and forced me to bet on myself. This brand was written and planned well before Covid-19, I’ve been invested in vintage apparel since I was 14 however, I just would not take the chance. 

I knew that I didn’t want to work for big fashion companies anymore, I knew that I didn’t want to be a celebrity wardrobe stylist anymore, I knew that I damn sure didn’t want to work in retail (for anyone else) but still I kept punching the clock until there wasn’t one for me to punch LITERALLY! The world stopped. 

I fully realized then I had a skill and vision that could create an income without compromising my integrity. I realized that I was so much more than an employee and victim of the cycle. I realized that I could create the reality I so desperately wanted + impact the world on my terms— and not the ones given to me to say. 

She Thrifty Apparel is a reflection of where I have been and what I said NO more too. So, let’s just say I will be slinging vintage + preloved apparel and diverting fashion waste for many years to come! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth road, no way, that’s boring! 

– Believing that you are capable, my biggest challenge because in this world as a melanated woman you are showed that your place is not valued 

– Deciding to be an entrepreneur without much knowledge of running a business at all 

– Being the everything and all things of your business. I am the stylist, creative director, editor, curator, tailor, market (the list goes on) that’s a major life adjustment 

– Working out of my home, it gets crowded and overwhelming at times. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a thrift extraordinaire + stylist and advocate of circular fashion. Specializing in Vintage + preloved apparel. 

My company is still a baby bizz but I’d like to think I am known for pushing boundaries with vintage style, sharing hard truths, and reminding all that resonate with my brand to love on themselves through it all. 

I am most proud of creating a space where you feel empowered to question what you have been conditioned to think. I know now that our way of life is killing the very planet we live on, and being able to contribute to changing that fact by sharing information + presenting un traditional thrifted fashion is my personal why. 

What sets me apart from others I believe is my openness to share my vulnerability and my ever-evolving spirit that is reflected in my personal style. 

I will be opening a shop in Durham in November so please see my Instagram for details if interested.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I aspire to make shopping second-hand so popular that the demand for fast fashion becomes minimal and the restoration of tailoring becomes our new normal. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.Shethriftyapparel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shethriftyapparel/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Shethriftyapparel/

Image Credits
@kiapatron
@bbymolio
@wanda.xo
@dominiquevirginia
@iamalexandriamonet