The 'It' Factor

Like the young-hearted 40-somethings who never wish to grow up, Alexa Chung is the “It” girl who never wished to be.

Up until now, Chung has been the spit-fire VJ giving you music updates with a raspy British accent, and the model convincing you that there is ease in trendiness without uttering a single accented word. Now, she has taken to ink and quill—rather, some lengthy emails to her publisher—to let her style evolution and love of ‘selfies’ come forth.  

Photo by Kyle Thonburg

Offering up advice about the self-portrait science, Chung says, “There are two ways to compose this shot: you can either hide your face behind the camera or, if you’re having a good day, peek out from behind it – but for God’s sake, please don’t look directly into the lens.” Taking part in the ‘selfie’ movement means you have maintained relevance, but taking a non-incriminating selfie helps people to take you seriously. The last tip, Chung rattles off, is to rid of the evidence. Having someone thumb across photos that never saw the likes of Instagram is an embarrassing conversation everyone should avoid.

Photo by Kyle Thornburg

Wrapped in a pink, textured armor, the book’s exterior is a prelude to the highbrow, vintage scrapbook that awaits you in the pages. If there were ever a chronology of book layouts that were acceptable with age (i.e. picture book, photo essays, novels), well, Chung has gone and scribbled all over this unwritten rule. With her own illustrations and photographs, this fashion bible marries tomboy with femme fatal in the most seamless manner.

In a culture where we consume everything, or nothing, reading memoirs of public figures is often the telling sign that you have reached the end of your celebrity crush. The same cannot be said regarding Alexa Chung’s “It”. Covering all of the essential topics, Chung will be a shoe-in for your next famed infatuation before you have finished reading from pink cover to pink cover.

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Watch Andrew Bevan, of Teen Vogue, talk with Alexa Chung about the release of her new book in the online series, "Breakfast with Bevan".