BOLD PERSONAL STYLE TAKES LA PHOTOGRAPHER MONIQUE JONES'S CRAFT TO NEW HEIGHTS

MAKE BOLD MOVES

Wearing head-to-toe red could be intimidating for some, but for Jones, this vibrant outfit is exactly the type of look she’d wear for her everyday outings. The high-waisted fiery trousers are the central focus, acting as the ideal match to her SOREL Roaming Decon sandal in Signal Red. “[The shoes] really bring out the pants and the small red details in the top,” she says of the pairing. She coordinates with a textured ’90s-inspired purse for a truly unique ensemble that’s the epitome of confidence. When in doubt, Jones goes for bold, and the statement-making style helps her feel as strong as she looks.


SHINE BRIGHT WITH NEON DETAILS

Menswear-inspired gray trousers get a playful update when paired with Jones’s neon crop top, and together, the look feels fresh and unexpected for spring. Finished with flat sandals, the look is ideal for an al fresco lunch with creative collaborators. Says Jones of the SOREL Roaming Buckle sandal in Velvet Tan, “What stands out most to me are the brown details, [I feel like I] can wear them with anything! And I especially love how the neon yellow looks with them.”


REACH NEW HEIGHTS IN NEUTRALS

When experimenting with a more casual look, Jones opts for jeans and flat sandals — albeit, in her own way. Instead of a tee, she goes for a slinky tie-back top in warm neutral hues that pick up the natural brown and green shades in the SOREL Roaming Multi Strap sandal in Velvet Tan. It’s easy, comfortable, and cool, but with styling that feels deliberate enough to be special for a warm night out, kicking it with her closest circle of friends. Looking to achieve your own new heights? Take a cue from Jones, and use your shoes as the unexpected finishing styling trick to your outfit. Whether it’s pulling out a colorful detail and playing it off the rest of your look, or opting for head-to-toe neutrals, something as simple as your footwear can indeed inspire you to confidently take up space — empowering you to make your own waves in the world this spring.

SUNDAYS IN STYLE

It’s always been important for Williams to design timeless clothing that women can make a part of their daily lives, and for years to come: “Clothing that women can feel confident in and be comfortable in at the same time. Clothing that you can dress up or dress down, because women shouldn’t have to choose.” For the perfect Sunday farmer’s market look, Williams pairs her paperbag-waist denim pants with SOREL'S Cameron Flatform Sandal. She says the shoe is “such a standout sandal in Sea Salt, and really completes the entire look.”


MONOTONE MAGIC

Williams lives in the Downtown LA fashion district, which is a major source of inspiration for her. On one of her walks, she’d wear another one of her own designs: a matching cozy rib knit top and legging set — complete with draped skirt detailing that sets it apart. It’s one of her favorite looks because it’s “just as comfortable as it is fashionable.”SOREL's Cameron Wedge Sandal in Velvet Tan has “just enough height on it to dress it up.”

Now that you have some style inspiration, it’s time to dive into your goals. Williams knows firsthand how complicated it can be to start your own business, but it’s all about taking the first step. “I do believe that there is something you can do right now to work towards your goal,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams, starting is half the battle.”

EMPOWERING YOUNG BLACK CREATIVES

Outside of her work, Reid is active in additional initiatives to make sure those steps are being taken. On the social justice council at FIT, Reid helps Black students and creatives further their own careers by working tirelessly to make sure her narrative –– and those who look like her –– is still being told.
Reid’s many roles require an ever-evolving strategy for realizing her vision, both in the short and long term. “My goals always change,” she says. “I set my goal each year and break it out by quarter.” Though quarantine saw Reid begin many projects she’s passionate about, she says the next step is turning those ideas into reality. “So that’s really what it is: organizing myself and using the creativity I found to allow those things to come to fruition and making those ideas more materialized.”
To step confidently into this transformative season of action, Reid chose SOREL’s Kinetic Impact Sandal to pair with what she describes her “sexy, conservative style.” The shoe, which easily carries her from video calls to set and from set to casual hangs, slips seamlessly into her wardrobe and overall lifestyle.

SAVORING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Besides being a powerhouse in her day-to-day and being a catalyst for change in an industry that has a long history of excluding those like her, Reid’s making sure that some of her time this year goes to her loved ones. “I also get to catch up with my family and friends and be with the people I care about. We haven’t had that moment,” she says.
From organizing her home and tapping into her creativity, to implementing actionable changes and spending time with family, Reid is working overtime to move boldly into this new season. Spring is all about cleaning up and clearing out, and as Reid works toward her goals in fashion and beyond, she takes the style industry to new heights, too.