Lexi Ioannou Manzo knows how to dress. Fashion and reality TV junkies alike can admit to obsessing over Lexi, as she’s known for her style and lifestyle blog, Bohochicken. Even though Lexi is no stranger to the public eye, Lexi is a self-made fashion guru and has been featured in publications like Refinery 29 and Hamptons Magazine. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and a recent collaboration with jewelry line Eleanor Kalle, Lexi is a rising star in the fashion industry. HC Marist asked Lexi a few questions about her success, fashion advice and upcoming projects!
Her Campus: Tell us about your blog and when you started.
Lexi Ioannou Manzo: I got my start on The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Reality TV wasn’t really for me, but since my mom was on the show I was given a public platform. I decided to make use out of my platform and publicly share my love for fashion. Instead of blogging after each episode about the drama that occurred, I would blog about what I was wearing and the viewers started to really enjoy it! Since we left Housewives I have kept up with my blogging and have tripled my following.
HC: Who was your first style icon?
LM: Probably Mary-Kate and Ashley, just because I grew up watching them and they were the first people that I saw take risks with their wardrobe and be themselves rather than just follow the trends.
HC: From where do you get most of your clothes? Do you have any favorite brands?
LM: I really don’t have any favorite brands, my go-to style really is mixing high end accessories with affordable clothing. So if you see me wearing a Chanel bag most likely my outfit is from H&M or Zara. Lately I have been getting super into vintage though, I love how unique vintage items are and also it’s such a thrill to vintage hunt!
HC: How would you describe your personal style and is there a person who is a fashion inspiration to you?
LM: I’m all over the place with my style, one second I’ll be bohemian with a flower in my hair and the next I’ll be rocking a leather jacket. So ultimately I am still trying to find the right words to describe my personal style! I guess I dress for my mood, my clothing always reflects how I’m feeling or how I want to feel that day, and to me that’s the beauty of personal style.
The slogan I use to describe Bohochicken is, “Fashion that makes you feel good!”
HC: What would you say that is the greatest satisfaction of being a fashion blogger?
LM: I would say the greatest satisfaction of being a fashion blogger is being able to have a following that cares. Nothing gives me more joy than getting positive feedback from my followers. If I’m out and someone comes up to me and they’re like “I know you from Real Housewives,” I’m like “UGHHHH.” But if someone approaches me and says “I love Bohochicken,” I’m like “I love you more!” My blog really is my baby in a way, I put so much time and effort into it and all I want to do is give my followers the best content I possibly can.
HC: What are you excited about right now?
LM: I just came out with my very first collaboration line with jewelry company Eleanor Kalle and I could not be more proud and excited! I helped design every look and I am obsessed with everything we came up with. I really wanted to create the ear look where there are like 4-7 earrings on one ear, but I only have one piercing on each of my ears. So, we came out with earring sets that have ear cuffs in them and an awesome wrap around necklace that can be worn as a bracelet or anklet. I was super involved in the process and we worked to be affordable, so I’m really pumped to share it with my followers.
HC: Did you have any professional help or did you create the blog yourself?
LM: To this day I do everything completely on my own. I developed my entire website on my own and I update it weekly. It definitely was not easy and is super time consuming but I am so proud to say that I did it without any help.
HC: Do you have some tips for those people who are interested in starting a blog of their own?
LM: DO IT! I wish I created mine earlier, and really for the first two years I had my blog I didn’t update much. I came up with so many excuses and I regret it. Who cares if there are a million bloggers out there? I don’t look at blogging as a competition anymore, because everyone has a different audience and every blogger has different content to offer. Creating my blog is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!