(This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity and space.)
Paulina Iezza walks the halls and campus of LMU rocking leather jackets and famous Jordan 1’s. Our first Lion Lookbook profile subject, Iezza is a junior marketing major with a passion for music and streetwear. We found Iezza in Seaver Hall one night. Her Nike Dunks caught our eye first.
How would you describe your style?
Streetwear but a little bit edgy sometimes depending on my mood that given day.
Who/What are your biggest influences when it comes to style?
Madison Beer and Hailey Bieber. I love their monochromatic looks and their simple yet chic style.
What is your go-to type of outfit?
Black ripped jeans, green Jordans, a leather jacket with a black bodysuit, and gold jewelry. If I’m feeling casual I’ll throw on a black hat. Something I really want to wear is the oversized blazer look with biker shorts, jordans, cuffed-up socks, and a slicked-back bun.
What’s your favorite thing in your closet?
My black leather jacket and my Kid Cudi Intergalactic hoodie.
How has music influenced the way you dress?
A lot of the musicians I listen to dress like the “Hype Beast” streetwear. I don’t like the Hype Beast that much anymore but I like the streetwear aspect of it because it’s comfortable and to me it’s timeless. I love the big T-shirts, comfy clothes look that’s also elevated to look good. A lot of musicians also have merch and that’s what got me into styling myself more, in particular the Kid Cudi Intergalactic hoodie. I really like graphic hoodies too because you can be comfortable while making a statement and I feel like these elevated hoodies especially have become a huge part of the music culture and its style.
What brands are catching your eye at the moment?
Right now, I’d say Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton because one is streetwear and the other just has really nice bags, which I like collecting. As far as clothes go, I don’t have a specific store I shop at for everything, if I see something I like I’ll buy it but I love basics. I like being comfortable while also being able to dress it up if I want to. For shoes, definitely Nike. I have four pairs of jordans right now and am hoping to collect more.
What’s the most recent piece you added to your closet?
I just recently bought UNLV dunks, they’re red and grey. My first pair of streetwear sneakers were first bought back in 2015 and they were the Jordan 1 High Yin Yangs. I also have my bulky Gucci sneakers that I love, they’re a bit cheugy but I still love them.
What, to you, is fashionable and what’s considered “cheugy”? (The term “cheugy” is used to describe something that is tacky or basic.)
I don’t like to use the word cheugy to describe other peoples’ styles because I think everyone dresses the way that they want and feel but for me it’s something that is really flashy. The Gucci tracksuits are the first thing that comes to mind when I think “cheugy.” It’s not making a statement, it’s just showing that you have the brand. I just don’t think regular pieces like a tube top for example should be called cheugy, because that’s a timeless piece and it’s so versatile.
