NYC Fashion Influencer, Alexa Days, Adding Pops of Color & Fun To Her Page
Bringing a pop of color to the Instagram feed, NYC based fashion influencer @alexamarieroberts with the focus on playful and colorful styles. Alexa recently landed a collaboration with fashion brand, Ban.do.
What inspired you to start creating content on social media?
It kind of just happened. When I was younger, I was really inspired by following some of the “OG” bloggers - like Chriselle Lim and Aimee Song - and then I started trying to make my Instagram feed have a theme and be more cohesive. And, then it snowballed into taking outfit pictures, flat lay shots, pictures of my food at brunch, stuff like that. The next thing I knew, I was a part-time content creator.
Do you have a favorite project or content series to create?
Oh gosh, I don’t know if I can pick just one. I will always love the process of styling and shooting outfit content and hopefully inspiring other people to explore their own personal style. So, any outfit pictures or videos are definitely some of my favorite things to create. I also really enjoy creating behind-the-scenes videos or sharing captions that talk about my experiences as a content creator (mistakes I’ve made, things to look out for, stuff like that) because that’s the kind of content I feel like can help other people who are in the same boat or don’t know where to start.
Who or what are your biggest fashion influences?
Honestly, I pull inspiration from anywhere. Like there’s a little girl whose Mom helps her style things (@callmesparkle on Instagram) and I’ve been following her for inspo since she was a toddler. Street style in the city is also incredible, so just walking around or riding the train I see so much to pull from.
In August 2020, you made the move from Florida to NYC. What are some things you’ve learned throughout the past year of living in Nork York City?
Making that move during a pandemic was one of the craziest things I’ve done, but I’m so, so grateful for every second of this past year. I’ve learned how important it is to prioritize myself and my mental health and create a lifestyle that brings me joy. I’ve learned to lean on people more, instead of always being hyper-independent. I’ve learned to put myself out there and do things that scare me, because it can be worth it.
What was most memorable about partnering with Ban.do?
Every single part of that experience was literally a dream come true. They’re a brand I’ve loved for so long, so getting an email to work together didn’t feel real. But I’d say the most memorable part was getting to work with one of my dream brands while also being given the space to be fully myself, in my own personal style, and create it all in my favorite city. There are honestly still no words for how that felt.
Can you give us a peek into your current and upcoming social media projects?
I can’t talk about all of it, but I have a lot of cool things planned for this fall/winter season. I have some brand collabs coming up, also some series planned that focus on style and decor for fall and wintertime, the holidays, etc. I always feel the most creative around this time in the year so I’m really excited.
What influenced you to start conversations on mental health, and how has posting about these meaningful topics impacted you?
I got to a point in my own mental health struggles where I was like “okay, I need to use my platform to be honest about this because I know other people feel like this too.” And, I have boundaries I’ve set up for myself when it comes to opening up in that way, so that helps a lot. But it’s impacted me so much more than I thought it would. Like I posted this video showing different parts of my body I have insecurities about, and the responses I got made me want to cry. People were opening up about how they have the same one(s) or how they felt inspired because I was vulnerable. Moments like that are so beautiful.
Can you share your biggest tips on gaining confidence while staying authentic on social media?
I would say set boundaries for sure. Decide what’s off-limits. Decide what your goal for sharing is. Decide what kind of community you want your social media to create and attract. And then literally just do your thing. Post and create, and have fun, and when it’s not fun anymore take a break to recharge. Then do it all over again. People are drawn to authenticity, and they’ll be drawn to your content when you’re being yourself. And I feel like that helps build your confidence more and more, too.
What are your top three New York City recommendations?
I feel like my recommendations are so touristy, but it’s because I really feel like everyone has to do the quintessential NYC things. I don’t care what anyone says, they’re so fun. So, The High Line/Chelsea Market, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Broadway shows, every amazing restaurant. It all sounds cliche but those are all a must.
How does teaching dance differ from content creation? Are there things you’ve learned from one field that helps you in the other?
They’re both creative fields, but that’s about all they have in common. Teaching dance keeps me on my toes because I’m constantly adjusting and evolving the class based on who’s in the room and what they need at that moment, while also making sure I’m challenging everyone so they grow. Content creation is a lot more of an individual thing, unless I’m shooting with a photographer or someone is assisting me. But the creativity of choreographing helps me to think in unconventional ways for creating content that people stop to look at. And the passion I have for content creation gives me an outlet from my full-time job: teaching dance.
What are your biggest aspirations when it comes to content creation at the moment?
I have a bunch of brands I’d love to work with, so that’s definitely the first thing. I also want to expand my team, do more speaking engagements and coaching, and start hosting events in the city. And I also want to start merging my content creation/brand collabs with traveling, because that would be amazing.
Social Media.
Instragram: @alexamarieroberts
TiKTock: @alexadays on Tik Tok
YouTube: Alexa Days
Written By Sophia Renda, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
*All images courtesy of @alexamarieroberts.
