Laura
Read all about @laurakellytrexler and how she styles our denim:
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
Hey! I’m Laura Trexler, product designer by day, interior designer by night, and full-time creative with a slightly delusional love for DIY. If there’s a way to make something myself, I’m probably already knee-deep in it.
How did you get started with content creation?
I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design and roomed with my now-bestie, Haileigh Grinkmeyer. She majored in Social Strategies, and for her “homework,” we’d head out and shoot content. I had always enjoyed the fun of styling outfits and found that content creation was a blend of my love for fashion with my fine art side of creating something compelling. Fast-forward seven years, Haileigh and I both run content accounts, and whenever we see each other, we can’t help but dive into content talk and strategy.
How would you describe your style today, and what was the journey like to develop it?
I've always been drawn to strong silhouettes, color, and patterns. However, I'd say my affinity for the bold pieces was shaped by a lot of trial and error growing up. I had to learn that proportion is everything and that pattern clashing actually does have a method to the madness (pro tip: don't wear patterns of the same scale!). So the lesson here is that what you are drawn to innately tends to create uniquely 'you' outfits, and it only gets better as you mature in styling.
Laura wears the Eve Utility Jean in Coffee Bean
How did you get into home renovation, and what’s been your favorite part of the process?
My parents set the example early, taking condemned homes and restoring them to their former glory, and eventually growing a rental business out of it. Because of that, “too far gone” never really existed in my vocabulary. When my husband and I bought our first home, a turnkey option wasn’t even on the table. We renovated it in two months on a penny-pinching budget, flipped it after two years, and used that to buy our current (and much more ambitious) project.
My favorite moment in any renovation is when the project turns from destruction to construction. Demo feels endless. Money is flying out of your wallet with nothing to show for it, but the second you see framing go up for a change you designed, it’s pure adrenaline. That’s the turning point where it all starts coming together.
Laura wears the Kai Drawstring Wide Leg in Dark Denim
How do you infuse your personal style into your renovation and interior design projects?
Designing a room or home is one in the same as an outfit. For both, it's a delicate dance of color, shape, pattern, and texture. I'm a sucker for stripes, and that's usually a common thread in whatever I'm creating. And, of course, for both 'canvases', whether it be a space or an outfit, there needs to be a focal point, supporting characters, and breathing room for the eye to rest.
How has working in renovation and design influenced your fashion style and overall creativity?
It has definitely made me dissect my process more than I used to. Imagine instead of putting together an outfit the morning before you leave the house, you have to decide the structure of it 9 months prior, the color scheme 3 months prior, then the finishing elements a month before wearing it. It really tests how well I can envision the end result. So when it comes to fashion, I have started to think about it in that way. Dress or pants? What's the main color, and what secondary color will pair best? Then let's pile on the accessories to polish it off.
Laura wears The Palazzo Jean in Vintage Olive
What are your tips for pairing bright colors and bold patterns—both in outfits and in home décor?
1. Use the color wheel. Complementary and secondary color schemes work wonders in creating depth.
2. For patterns, pick your 'star.' Usually mine is a floral or leopard. Then add at least one other type of pattern in a smaller scale. Stripes work so well for this!
3. Mix old and new. For interiors, this means balancing the new upholstery with an antique table. For outfits, balance a trendy piece with a closet staple. The mix of old and new will prevent the end result from being too kitschy.
With fall on the way, what trends are you most excited to style this season?
I think the maxi skirt trend will keep up its momentum. Just as the white poplin skirt took over our Instagram this spring and summer, I can only imagine the fun fall colors this skirt will evolve into. Personally, I'm looking for a full chocolate brown one. And paired with an oversized sweater? Perfection.
What advice would you give to someone starting out as a full-time content creator?
Create the content that's easiest for you to make. This took me SO LONG to figure out!! There are so many people creating the same type of content in the world. That's a hard environment to stand out in. However, you were crafted with a unique skill set. What comes naturally to you is guaranteed to be different than anyone else, because you were made differently from anyone else. So, in addition to your content becoming more individualized, it will take the stress out of content creation.
Laura wears the Kai Drawstring Wide Leg in Dark Denim
Are there other ways you love to express yourself artistically outside of social media?
Of course! Having a background in fine art, I create all the time. In this phase of my life, I'm drawing renovation plans. However, when I'm not actively renovating, I paint, sew, and garden. Working with your hands produces a sense of fulfillment that the digital world can't replicate.
How are you styling your JBD jeans this fall?
My JBD jeans will be surrounded with cozy knits (extra points if they are striped!) and statement belts. I recently got a zebra print belt that I cannot wait to wear with my olive denim. Good denim is truly the most critical part of a fall fit!
Where do you find creative inspiration for both fashion and home projects?
Pinterest is great for getting a revival of inspiration quickly. With as many hours as I find myself on Pinterest, my algorithm is spot on. If you have a bit more time, old magazines are so much fun to look through. Even the design of the ads in the '50s and '60s is so stylized! My favs are old Southern Living and Life.
What’s next for you—any exciting projects or goals you’re working on?
My next big project is to complete phase one of my current renovation. It's an old 1915 bed and breakfast, so it has sooooo much work to do. Because of the scope, we had to split it into phases, and the first includes the kitchen, primary bed, primary bath, and living room! So hopefully by Christmas we can move into the house. After that, the world is my oyster for what I tackle.
Laura wears The Palazzo Jean in Vintage Olive
Keep up with @laurakellytrexler on Instagram