Hot Picks is a column in which fashion insiders reveal their latest obsessions–sharing their recent purchases and must-have pieces.
Venita Aspen answers our Zoom call in a red and blue plaid shirt that evokes preppy style. Aspen who has skyrocketed to a unique and lauded space in the content creator realm has an easygoing demeanor as she talks about the roots of her affinity for fashion. It began with her mother carefully considering the outfits she wore as a child in Charleston, South Carolina. Aspen describes her adolescence there as magical. As a private school kid, she says she was always looking for ways to stick out. “I’ve always had this love for fashion,” the Southern Charm cast member said. Fast forward to the present day and she’s still doing just that—but now she’s allowing brands like Area and Self Portrait to speak for her. In matters of personal style, she tells me she dresses according to how she’s feeling—she also says she has a Southern preppy past. Now she describes her signature style as traditional prep. “I’ve never met a navy and cream stripe that I didn’t like,” Venita said as she smiles.
Aspen, a Charleston native details that the Southern city was a charming and beautiful place to grow up. There she was poured into by her family whom she also calls her community. Her mother is a significant figure in her life who always supported Aspen’s fascination with statement pieces. She recalls a trailblazing moment in ninth grade when her mother picked up a campy zipper floral necklace from the beauty supply store. She wore this accessory to school for a special day with a purple silk button-up top. Aspen styled this outfit with a pair of her mother’s cowboy boots too. This speaks to how even as a young girl she wanted to stick out from her peers and classmates.
As she got older she began modeling and in 2011 she launched a blog and began growing a fanbase. During this phase in her life, Tumblr was also a platform she regularly used. Eventually, she felt the urge to move to New York City, so in 2015 she did–three years later she returned to South Carolina. Her time in New York was distinct and she expresses that it pushed her to further explore her style.
Four years ago, Venita notes that she began focusing on staying consistent with creating content for Instagram, and her background in social media gave her the expertise to excel at this. As time went on her platform blossomed and she began pitching herself to brands like Lily Pulitzer. After establishing herself as an influencer she started to secure partnerships through relationships she forged over the years.
When asked to detail her style influences aside from her mother, Aspen shares that she’s enamored with the ‘50s and the ’80s. “I love the concept of the ‘50s, everything was an occasion to be dressed [up].” She practically beams when she brings up Janelle Monáe, the fashion chameleon. Aspen says she is constantly inspired by how Monáe subverts the status quo.
At the moment, Aspen is fully committed to dressing up no matter where she’s going: dinner with friends, BravoCon, and beyond. Her style at the moment is indicative of spending the majority of her life in the South, but it’s also injected with aesthetics that make her feel good. The intention she puts behind her looks makes sense especially since with Southern Charm she has a large platform where she can express herself creatively through her clothing choices. “From a fashion standpoint, I’ve caused my co-workers to up the ante,” she adds.
In anticipation of the forthcoming gifting season, we also asked Aspen to break down what holiday shopping is like for her. She shared that this year she will be purchasing fashion items for the people who are closest to her. “[I’m] being intentional with the things I choose [this season].”
With a highly unique spin on classics, Descendent of Thieves would be the perfect place to shop for Manny Houston, who doesn’t want to own the same piece as everyone else. [This brand] only creates handmade small batches of clothing, making it the perfect shop for the unique man in your life but making it hard for me to pick only one item
Available at Descendant Of Thieves
Vi Mitchell, aka my mother, is an ex-high heel wearer who has now converted to the land of flats, which is working in my favor since they are having a shining moment. On our most recent trip to NYC, she purchased a few pairs of Rothy’s, so I figured, why not get her something she already loves?
Available at Rothy's
Diamonds will always be our best friend, so for the person in your life who likes everything shiny but does not break the bank, shopping at Dorsey will cover everyone who fits the bill. From growing diamond studs to tennis bracelets and everything in between, including stunning colored gems.
Available at Dorsey
For the girl who loves a workout set but doesn’t want to be out in typical gym clothing throughout the day, a scalloped workout set [or dress] is the way to go. My friend Gaby Mungo loves all things girly so being able to gift her a cute workout outfit that she doesn’t feel the need to change out of for her next workout-related activity is perfect.
Available at Marysia
We all have that one friend who will take a tropical vacation anytime during the year. Dominique Johnson loves a purse just as much as the next girl but prefers to carry something other than everyone else, which landed me on Brandon Blackwood’s site. All his pieces are unique and fun, and he has a current raffia bag that will make the perfect gift for the island hopper in your life.
Available at Brandon Blackwood
This cardigan from Love Shack Fancy is perfect for the chic-at-home office dweller like my friend Azanique Rawl, who spends most of her day working behind the screen in her lovely at-home office.
Available at Bergdorf Goodman