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-028- THE YEAR OF THE UNDERDOG MAN OF THE YEAR Justus Steele, best known as Lonni Giovan ni, is a stylist, model, actor and writer hailing from Harrisburg, Pa. For him, his underdog story begins with geography. Because Harrisburg is such a small place, he never felt like he fit in, especially with his sense of style. “I just never really fit in, and I just al ways dressed differently,” Steele said. “I always looked different, and everybody thought I was from Cali or New York; any where but here.” He laughs now looking back at his young er self. “I always just felt like when I left the house I had to look a certain way because you never know who’s going to see you,” Steele said. "But I didn’t realize I was in Harrisburg, Pa., and nobody was going to see me. I always just dressed like a ‘ce lebrity,’ or someone that you would want to know." Upon moving to Atlanta, he quickly real ized he could make fashion a long-term deal. He began to engage in social media and has now worked with brands like boohooMAN and Paul Evans. In addition, he interned at “The Tonight Show Star ring Jimmy Fallon, where he worked in costumes and wardrobe. Steele counts Luka Sabbat and Jaden Smith as his biggest stylistic influences today. He prefers to stay unpredictable on a day-to-day basis, preferring not to think out his ensemble unless it’s for a special cause. “I really dress how I’m feeling that day and I also feel like you can never do too much,” Steele says. “I don’t know, that’s just me, I’m always going over and above.” Jimeria Williams is a graduating senior at Spelman College from Leeds, Ala. She describes herself as an analytical, creative, free-spirited artist. This is re flected by her business, Jim’s Paintbox, where she is able to bring her ideas to life as a makeup artist. She has been doing makeup since high school, which she began to explore with her clique of friends. Williams is very close to her mother, who is also her biggest fashion influence. She describes her mother as being “fly as hell.” In fact, she inherited her love of beauty, specifically her appreciation of red lipstick, perfume and vibrant colors- her stylistic signatures--from her mother. She absolutely glows when mentioning her mother. “My mom is 62, so she had me when she was 40,” Williams says. “She had already established herself and she had time to really pour into me and allow me to do whatever I wanted. That goes from ex pressing myself creatively, intellectually, visually, everything. It was cool.” Because of this, her love of fashion and makeup was allowed to thrive. For her, this is her true passion. “Makeup is powerful,” Williams says. “That’s an understatement. It’s not con fined to women or femaleness. You can be whoever you want to be when you put on a full face. There’s so much confidence attached with that for a lot of people who wear makeup. You know, if you’re feeling bad one day, just putting on mascara can make you feel better.” Her business is a vehicle for her to con nect with others while allowing her to ful fill the larger purpose of Jim’s Paintbox: womanism through beauty. The first thing one comes to understand when speaking to Davia Murray is the end less love she has for her hometown. “I don’t want to say life was like a mov ie, but there’s no better city than Chicago in my opinion,” Murray said. “Chicago is home of some of the most diverse artists, stylists, designers and rappers.” Her interest in fashion was pronounced from a young age. “I remember being a little girl and I want ed to be a fashion designer, so of course I was watching America’s Next Top Model,” she said. “I was looking at Tyra Banks, people like that.” Today, her fashion sense, and her influ ences, are more eclectic. She counts her influences today as being Tracee Ellis Ross, Solange and Rihanna. “i’ve never been that girl that’s had that distinct style,” Murray said. “I've always valued diversity. I like to channel a differ ent look every day.” When putting together an outfit, comfort and personal aesthetic are most import ant. “It’s never been about the designers for me,” Murray said. “I like the thrifty find. You might catch me at Rag-O-Rama pick ing out some nice stuff. I feel like a lot of people associate style with money and high end designers, but it’s not about them, it’s about what you like.” She wants to pursue broadcast journal ism long-term and would ideally work in the arts and entertainment realm hosting fashion shows. Memphis is a city rich in history and cul ture. It’s the home of Elvis and Three 6 Mafia. It could also be seen as the ultimate home of the underdog exemplified by its beloved "grit and grind” Memphis Griz zlies. Despite having all the tools to be a major market, it tends to be disregarded at the hands of its larger southern coun terparts like Atlanta and Houston. Much like his city, Jordan Littlejohn is also overlooked. Many people turn a blind eye to his stylistic genius, and he recognizes it. “Growing up in Memphis, a lot of guys are closed off from the fashion world,” he says. “All guys know is Polo and Jordans.” Littlejohn remembers always gravitating to the bright colors of fashion icons like Pharrell and Kanye. However, his biggest influence came sophomore year of high school when he heard Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky. Rocky name-dropped fashion designers like Raf Simons and Rick Owens on his debut project “Live.Love.A$AP,” and it immediately piqued Littlejohn’s interest. He began to do his research, and learned about brands like BAPE and UNDERCOV ER and became a student of the culture. Now, he’s one of the most stylish people in the entire AUC. He’s able to stay on the cutting edge of fashion because of one of his favorite hobbies: window shopping and piecing together outfits in the Safari browser of his iPhone. Still, he never forgets the giant chip he carries on his shoulder. “Being an underdog is being able to do things that people never thought you’d be able to do,” Littlejohn says. “I’m sure a lot of people would think somebody from Memphis wouldn’t have style in compar ison to guys from New York or LA or DC, you know, fashionable cities. I want to be able to prove people wrong. People from