Today’s Style Crush is a celebration of the brilliance and bold stylings of Alex Ngo, LCSW, @alexjenny_ . Her style makes us swoon as do her words and wisdom on healing and receiving feedback.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Alex wears bear bungs and long wavy hair, a blue crop top and yellow bellbottoms. Photo by @darlineandco 
Alex wears bear buns and a sheer down in a field of yellow flowers. Photo by @darlineandco
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is fiercely and unapologetically femme and bold. I gravitate towards outfits that make me feel powerful, confident, and free. I also love finding ways to find a mix of a laid-back, edgy vibe of streetwear with that “can’t tell me shit” bad bitch energy. High waisted pants with a fun silhouette and a sparkly bra with an oversized jacket is one of my go-to fits that always makes me feel cool, sexy, and refined. I love showing skin in unexpected ways and I’m always wearing a heel. I dress to communicate that I know what I’m worth and expect to be treated accordingly.
Alex looks in a mirror wearing gold drop earrings and a camel color cutout dress. Photo by @emilymulder 
Alex wears a red fringe two piece set.
Who are your style icons?
I love the designers who style some of my favorite pop stars like Michael Ngo @imngo, Yeha Leung @creepyyeha, Zana Bayne @zanabayne, and Gnat @gnat_glitter_kink. I also love slutwear made by Louis Dorantes @leakyourownsextape_underwear, Toi Ano @toi.ano, and of course Robyn Fenty, the icon Rihanna, @savagexfenty. I must say though, my ultimate style icons come from the unparelled power of queer and trans femmes of color like Jari Jones @iamjarijones, Richie Shazam @richieshazam, Dara @dara._, Vivek Shraya @vivekshraya, IV Fischer @iv.fischer, Sophia @lilflameprincess, and @flukkaron.
Alex has her makeup done by a someone holding a makeup brush, body out of frame. She sits in a chair against a dark grey background. Photo by @darlineandco 
Alex wears a leopard print and lace teddy with yellow tights, thigh high boots and opera gloves. A series of red lacquer objects is behind her.
What kind of political work are you focused on right now?
In my anti-oppression work, I’ve always been focused on centering the margins and uplifting queer and trans people of color, specifically Black trans women. Black Trans Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. I’m working to ensure that whatever platform I have the privilege to build, focuses on uplifting the voices that need to be centered and amplified the most. It also means investing in community care and building a world of radical possibility and imagination within my own life by freeing myself from ego-centered, individualistic goals and shifting to putting my larger community first. Our most radical work is to love ourselves and that love can be found in the connections we make with each other.
What do you want people to know about who you are and what you do?
I want people to know that everything I do revolves around healing. I am committed to learning and unlearning in public. I push myself to exude an image of confidence because this is my effort to manifest the person I want to be. I love being bold in my style because it is a way for me to honor my younger self who was too afraid to be seen at all. I love myself openly and without apology so I can model it for others. I love my community as a way to center my activism. I love so we can all heal.
Alex wears a floral print crop top and yellow bellbottoms. Photo by @darlineandco 
Alex wears bear buns, a 90’s style pale blue mesh halter top, denim cutoffs and long nails. Photo by @darlineandco
Who inspires you?
The Black women and femmes in my life who have shown me what it means to truly be an intentional and reflective person. Without the knowledge they’ve pushed me to grapple with, I would not be the person I am today. I am also greatly inspired by my mother, who taught me how to be compassionate and gentle.
What’s your favorite self care ritual?
I love finding time to journal. I also love engaging in what I call my self-love rituals which usually involves taking the time to set the mood for myself: candles, incense, calming music, cleaning my room, turning on my oil diffuser, lathering my skin with lotion, and brushing and moisturizing my hair. I make sure that this time is an essential part of my everyday routine.
What is something about your heritage that makes you proud or brings you joy?
I am proud of the resiliency I find in my heritage. Being a child of immigrants is such a specific experience and I truly believe that I am the manifestation of my ancestors’ cumulative struggle towards freedom, safety, and liberation. My personal gender expression and queer liberation is an ode to my ancestors and an answer to their prayers.
