NEF PREZ & J. ALLURE | STYLE

Text Cocaine Pretti
Date

Style should be effortless and natural. It is an integral part of one's identity. The way someone dresses reflects on their personality and even how they feel. Self expression is the foundation that solidifies art. Nothing is more refreshing than meeting cool chicks with a style and personality to match.

Fashion merchandise student J. Allure, 22, and Film student Nef Prez, 21, dishes the scoop on how style and identity becomes parallel to art. They discuss how New York City allows them to embrace being indifferent and rare when it comes to their own personal style.

CocainePretti: Who or what influences your style?

Nef Prez: Homeless people influence my style. Boys influence my style. I love the way men dress; its just something effortless about the way a man dresses. I like to think that nature influences my style. And sex. It can influence your style in many ways because its messy.

The Maryland native feels that nature and nudity is another form of art that influences and inspires her filmmaking. In one of her latest films "The Bride: Nike Commercial," she recalls dreaming about the actress's legs as she runs through the Brooklyn borough late for her wedding.

Prez has also received good feedback on her latest film "Check One: I am Other" documentary, which features young individuals discussing what its like to be in the other category.

J. Allure, who is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, goes on to tell us how music and comfortability influences her. "Nostalgia, I'm obsessed with eras. Balance influences my style. I like the mixture of a feminine and a masculine approach to my style. I would never have [on] a tight top and a tight bottom at the same time. Music has a big influence on my style. I believe that people can tell what type of music I listen to based off of the way I dress."

CP: What have you learned about individuality by relocating to a much more diverse city like NYC?

J: Being here, you gain a sense of diversity on a different scale. I dont know anywhere in the United States that is more diverse and accepting than NYC. Its a place where you won't feel ostracized for being you.

CP: What do you feel is a mandatory item that every woman should have in her wardrobe?

J: An oversized mens button down shirt. Its sexy and comfortable.

Nef: I don't think there is anything more attractive to a man than a woman that can put on a mens button [down] shirt and his jeans.

CP: Do you think you can be born with style?

Nef: Style comes with growth. You can most definitely be molded. For example, if you look at Kim Kardashian before she met Kanye, she was so put together — she just looked like a fucking robot. Now she's wearing a Helmut Lang t-shirt and Celine leather sweat pants. She's wearing loose button ups and sneakers. I believe I was molded with time.

J: I don't necessarily believe that you can be born with style, but you can evolve into it. You have to be comfortable, especially at a young age during the times when kids can be the crudest.

CP: What's your definition of a "hipster" and would you consider yourself to be one?

J: Even a hipster doesn't know what a hipster is.

Nef: A hipster is one who doesn't take inspiration, but they copy. They go out into the streets and they examine things. Anyone can be called a hipster, we've been called hipsters. But I am not a hipster, I'm an artist.

CP: With fall approaching, what do you both look forward to seeing in fashion this season?

Nef: Big oversized sweaters with sleeves that almost cover the fingertips and chunky heels without spikes — you don't need them, more sweats and hiram pants. I can't wait to see girls be comfortable.

J: It wasn't until I got to NYC and realized I could wear Frye boots all year. Learn to step out of your element and be comfortable.