Exodus Oktavia Brownlow is a writer, sewist, author and editor native to Blackhawk, MS. She is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a BA in English, and Mississippi University for Women with an MFA in Creative Writing. She is an associate editor at Fractured Lit and is the Editor-in-Chief of The Loveliest Review. Exodus has been published or has forthcoming work with Electric Lit, West Branch, Denver Quarterly, F(r)iction, BOOTH, CRAFT and more. She has work featured in Best MicroFiction 2021 and 2022, and her piece “The Terrible Darling” was featured as a Wigleaf Top 50 2022 selection. Exodus’ essay “When the World Was Ending We Wore the Cornrows, We Twisted Our Coils, and We Waited” was selected for Best American Essays 2024 as notable. You may find her, and more of her work at exodusoktaviabrownlow.com. Exodus’s favorite color is green.
1. What three words would you use to describe your personal style?
Hyper-Romantic. Fantastically-Playful. Sweetly-Spooky.
2. Who/what/where/when is/are your style inspiration(s)?
Michael Jackson. Freddie Mercury. My Mama. Beyonce's Renny Era. All coincidently Virgo folks. I, too, am a Virgo folk. But often I lean into my Leo cusp because I truly have an adoration for the dramatic. The excess. I also really love Schiaparelli, Miss Sohee, Ann Lowe, Bob Mackie, Dolly Parton and Teuta Matoshi.
3. What colors or prints do you consider an essential part of your signature looks?
Cheetah/Leopard. Florals (especially roses). Brown (brown is more alluring than red to me, the warmiest, most comforting, most passionate shade in the spectrum). Green. Black. And a very specific shade of orange that's close to amber and terra cotta.
4. What’s an early memory of how you used clothing to express who you are?
I am a late bloomer when it comes to interests and applying them to myself, so my earliest memory of expressing myself through fashion was in playing with dolls. I loved Bratz and had a generous collection of them from the time they debuted and up until ages of 12-13. During that time, I was much more consumed with playing with fashion than I was in participating in fashion as an individual. I didn't like shopping, even, until my mid-teens.
5. What’s your favorite season of the year to dress for?
Definitely Autumn. I mean, come on.
6. What fabric or texture do you especially love to wear?
Velvet. Organza (poofy clothes lover). Denim. Corduroy. Cotton. Sequins. Embroidery.
7. What’s a favorite piece in your wardrobe, and how did you get it?
I'm glad you said *a* favorite piece and not my favorite piece because that nearly would be an impossible choice. It changes, but right now I'll say it's a chocolate brown gown by Selkie that I secured for a fraction of a price in a secondhand resell. The seller had only worn it for a couple of hours during a Disney trip so it was practically new! The dress is organza with a babydolll-empire bodice, a skirt that is very full with three layers, and a ruffle at the outer layer's hem. The coloring is the perfect shade of brown--a red-toned chocolate brown as opposed to a purple or neutral grey/black. On the inner side of the fabric, there's a golden yellow hue to it as well. It's like the hyde of the most beautiful chestnut horse. Cinnamon'ed. Utterly Autumnal.
Honorable Mention: A vintage 1970s ivory velvet leopard penny lane coat with faux fur trim.
8. What’s your favorite bit of style advice you’d like to share with others?
Wear what you want to wear and don't be afraid to make style choices you'll regret later. If you were happy in the moment wearing it, then the look has served its purpose. It doesn't matter if you feel differently about that style choice later on. Also, utilize varying your accessories more than buying new clothes each and every time. How an outfit looks depending on your hairstyle, your shoes, your makeup, even your scent drastically changes its appeal. When accessorized wisely, one outfit can offer countless options.
Thank you, Exodus, for sharing your insight with the Writer’s Style Guide! Stay tuned for the next installment.