Meet Alexis Norris | Intuitive Stylist & Multidisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexis Norris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexis, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My greatest successes are always rooted in authenticity. As a multidisciplinary artist, my desires, approaches, opinions, and perspectives are wide-ranging; I try to stay open-hearted and open-minded as much as I can. Although it is freeing to be in a constant flow, it is just as challenging. I sometimes question what I truly think, or what I truly feel, as being open to anything can make it difficult to grasp onto ME – especially when consulting my loved ones. I’m so receptive and trusting in everyone’s view, and it gets murky trying to pinpoint where I am in all of it. It helps to affirm myself that 1. I know myself, 2. I trust myself, and 3. I love myself. This nurturing quiets the chatter, allowing me to truly listen to myself without judgement. I am reminded that there’s no wrong answers, and therefore no pressure. It is this freedom that’s the most revealing. With a light heart and clear mind, I accept that I am inherently dynamic, and fluidity is not confusing – it’s who I am. Honoring my truth in each moment, no matter how fleeting, serves me expansion and learning, not regret. Change is authentic to me, and rolling with it brings my most authentic success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My true passion is healing through creative expression. Intuitive styling is my main outlet; I practice and encourage dressing in a way that truly aligns with us, our values, and our visions. Free from the pressure of trends and normalcy, dressing intuitively gives us the chance to explore our tastes, challenge standards, and strengthen our soul-to-body connection. This, in turn, embraces fashion as a means of manifesting – by deepening our intimacy with our bodies, we learn what we truly like and truly want, and when we accept that, we can bring the inside out; we can make the unseen seen; we can turn our dreams into our reality. This is also safer for the Earth! When we invest in pieces that we truly resonate with and form meaningful connections with, we take better care of them. This prevents waste, overconsumption, and buying purely for the image. I’ve created various projects with this sentiment, and I’ve been able to showcase my work in two runway shows, one gallery exhibit, and a couple short films.

In addition to being mindful of how we adorn our bodies, we must also be conscious of what our bodies are consuming – this is why my best friend, Jade Massel, and I co-founded Puritea, an intuitively-blended tea company. We use the magic of herbs and intention to craft tea blends that are just as good for your soul as they are your body. We especially love throwing events that combine our tea and other creative visions, like music, yoga, art, and more. Puritea was founded on a deep desire to heal Grand Rapids’ creative community from within, and we’re so excited to continue carving those channels locally.

I’ve also transmuted my message into my role as creative director of NATURAL, a short film by Jacob Sutton. Inspired by a poem by Ted Joans, NATURAL explores the complexities of the Black experience, specifically Black beauty, through a series of interviews. NATURAL has been screened in events across Chicago and Los Angeles as well as adapted into an immersive gallery experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely want to start one morning with brunch at San Chez – one of my favorites. From there, the Art Museum would be a beautiful way to spend time. Plus, there’s usually a fun pop-up (or ice skating if it’s cold) right out front in Rosa Parks Circle. Next, I’d head for Division Ave to shop; there’s art and trinkets at ArtRat Gallery, vintage clothes at Otono and Zabház, records at Vertigo Music, and skatewear at Premier. We could end the evening with dinner at Rockwell’s and pop next door to GR Noir for a drink and some jazz.

The west side is another great spot to explore. Starting closer to downtown, I love relaxing near the river at Ah Nab Awen Park. The Blue Bridge usually has an interesting art installation, too. For dinner, I’d choose Butcher’s Union followed by a cocktail at Drip Drop. That could lead into a night of hopping around the dive bars on Bridge Street (and a mandatory late-night slice at Fratelli’s) or a fun bowling game at Clique.

I’d dedicate another day to the east side, of course! Breakfast at Cherie Inn, some treats from the Fulton Street Farmers Market, crystal shopping at Spirit Dreams, kombucha from Sacred Springs, a yoga flow at the Grand Rapids Yoga Company, buying all the cuteness at Rebel, a coffee at Outside Coffee Co.’s beautiful patio, a cocktail from Eastern Kille – pick your combo!

Honorable mention: lunch at the Downtown Market before facials at Lex Facial Bar & Spa and a night of board games at House Rules!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, I want to shout out my soul sister, business partner, and favorite client – Jade Massel. As talented as she is intelligent as she is beautiful, Jade is a gem. Her mark in the creative scene is unique and empowering, and she spreads this outwardly to her community. Musician, dancer, jewelry maker, fellow Puritea co-founder, healer – Jade is an ever-flowing spirit, and she achieves whatever she sets her mind to. She has taught me so much about what it means to be fearlessly myself and trusting in my path, no matter what it looks like. It’s truly a blessing to not only share such an honest friendship with her, but to also freely create and collaborate with her in various ways. We’re always compassionately challenging each other and learning together. It’s so exciting to see Jade grow into new versions of herself, especially since we come from similar roots. She is always working toward better and truer, and I am so excited to see how she continues to expand. Cherish those who you can deeply, holistically celebrate the wonders of life with – I am so honored to know and love her!

Additionally, I want to shout out Dr. Colbey Reid, Dana Connell, and Rachel J Penca from the Columbia College Chicago Fashion Studies department. I am so grateful for how my education at CCC has molded me as an artist. Peers and faculty at CCC showed me that there are endless avenues for making your creative dreams come to life in empowering, beautiful, and intelligent ways. It’s no lie that under capitalism and patriarchy, being an artist can be exhausting to embrace, especially as a Black woman. Growing up, I often saw art pursued purely as a hobby accompanied by a draining nine to five – I knew that I was destined for a different, more colorful path. Gratefully, I was raised by two creative parents who encouraged an artistic education. I went on to study both journalism and fashion at CCC, and I was gifted with an experience that helped me develop my craft, apply it practically, and collaborate with other students. I felt like I had the freedom to gear my education specifically toward my passions. I took opportunities to study abroad, compete for scholarships, and exhibit my work. CCC made my dreams not only feel realistic, but some of them even came true.

Instagram: @alexiskristinenorris

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-norris-creativeprofessional

Image Credits
(group of models) Alister Kruizenga (NATURAL flyer) Jacob Sutton