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ARTE NOIR EDITORIAL

BORN TO STYLE

Even as a young boy raised by a single mother in Seattle’s south end, Justin Leggett's sense of style was evident. Always one to dress up his cousins in sheets and create a runway in the backyard, Justin was eager to fashion a narrative using clothes instead of words. “Our clothing is like armor. We put on our armor so it speaks for us and tells a story about a part of us that needs no words,” Justin shared.

 

Although his life was far from rich, Justin never felt poor. He relished in the memories of his mom taking him to retrieve items that had been put on layaway. “I felt like my mom saw her success in my wardrobe,” Justin recalls of the special payday visits to collect a new piece of clothing or shoes.


Stylist Justin Loring Leggett. Photo by Jim Garner.

 

From the bins of Chubby & Tubby to the aisles of Goodwill, and on to jobs at The Gap and eventually to Nordstrom, Justin has always had a flare for fashion. “I always had the glitter,” he smiles, referring to his passion for creating good feelings through clothing.


After spending 27 years at Nordstrom, Justin struck out on his own as a stylist. One look at his Instagram page provides evidence of his adept sense of style and taste. When asked about the impetus for leaving Nordstrom to strike out on his own, Justin reflects on his desire to create closer relationships with his clients, understanding that he isn't just a leader but part of a team. “Everyone benefits from a team. My best days are when a woman who has suffered through breast cancer treatment can be introduced to a new bra to help her feel better in her clothes. Or when someone has lost weight and they are still covering up, I help them feel good in the skin they are in. I don’t just sell clothes; I create feelings.” 


“The benefit of having a stylist is to help people get out of a rut where they have been overlooking their own magic. I help them see their authentic selves and get them away from all of the [fashion] noise.”


The journey to appreciating and putting forth his fashion point of view has been one that is steeped in his love and respect for his parents and grandparents. Justin refers lovingly to how his grandmother taught him etiquette and how his mother always made certain that he looked his best for each occasion. “My mom saw her own beauty and worth in me. I learned to always dress for my next position in life,” he stated.

 

After a few years of working away from fashion, Justin found himself back at Nordstrom. He had previously relegated his Nordstrom life to being a stock person but found new confidence upon his return, landing in Children’s Shoes. “I had two daughters, and people saw how I dressed them, and I formed a bond of trust with parents and grandparents. They didn’t just buy shoes; they relied on me to offer advice for what their kids need for school and special occasions.” While teaching kids how to tie their shoes, Justin was able to build a bond with their families.

 

Referring to himself as “a safe place,” it is not lost on Justin how critical his styling advice can be. Working with people at all levels of their lives and careers, Justin is a listener and prides himself on hearing his clients. He listens to their insecurities, their views about fashion, and the things they like best about themselves. He takes all of that to help each person see themselves more fully. “The benefit of having a stylist is to help people get out of a rut where they have been overlooking their own magic. I help them see their authentic selves and get them away from all of the [fashion] noise.”


A light-skinned Black man in a tailored suit and black boots and glasses sits on a staircase and smiles into the camera.
Justin Leggett, photo by Jim Garner.

When asked about his approach to styling or clothes auditing with clients, Justin noted that being the right fit for anyone’s team is most important. “We have to connect so I know what is important for them. I need to know if a potential client is someone who collects clothes or wears them and what has sentimental value but has not been used. I help people learn how to make use of things they have and to shop for items that complement what they love.”

 

Justin likens his eye to the ways we envision certain things in our lives. “You may see a garden and think you want your garden to look that way, but you don’t know how to do it yourself. I take your vision and help you realize it,” he said. However, one thing Justin noted is that not every vision is a good one. You may not be right for that outfit you saw Rihanna wearing, and Justin sees it as his job to be honest. What he does offer are appropriate alternatives instead of just shutting people down.  


Fashion is the thing that allowed Justin Loring Leggett to see himself as creative. He says, “Fashion is my art, and I strive to bring humanity into the way I style.” Justin also recognizes how style can have double standards and how women are often judged very differently, simply based on their fashion choices. “It shouldn’t be this way, but if a woman walks into a board room with all men and she’s wearing a leopard print anything, it’s likely being read as something it probably is not. I bring my knowledge to add an extra boost of confidence.”

 

While we put a spotlight on Justin, we are happy to announce that he will begin offering a quarterly style column in ARTE NOIR next year! We’ll get all the latest tips on wardrobe must-haves, learning to wear our clothes and not letting them wear us, how to make use of those sentimental items that live in the back of our dresser drawers, what style etiquette men should embrace, and best of all, how to step out of the PNW dreary days with style across all seasons.

 

Until then, you can find Justin on Instagram @justinleggo, or accept his invitation to shop with him through Lafayette 148 New York.

 

Be ready to do some closet auditing!

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