At The Table With: Jalil Johnson
Ft. custom plates and a truly inspired menu
At The Table With is a monthly interview series that explores the ideas of creativity and personal taste through the eyes of my friends (or people I would like to be friends with.) This month’s guest is the incredibly chic, undeniably stylish Jalil Johnson!
If you’re a regular À La Carte reader, you know how important the process of seeking inspiration is to my own creative practice. I’ve been known to spend hours digging through archives, sorting through screen shots, and rummaging through stacks of books to fill my brain with things that give me that little heart flutter I’m always chasing. I think the best things—outfits, interiors, design projects—are the ones that aren’t copies of something else but instead an amalgamation of the things that inform your inner world, a combination of films and images and artworks and places and songs that make you who you are.
The problem with social media, especially when it comes to fashion, is that it just takes a couple of quick scrolls for inspiration to go bad; comparison, feelings of inadequacy, and a lack of individuality creeps in before you know it. I opened my explore page the other day and was met with dozens of images of girls dressed exactly like me. There were a comical number of white poplin skirts and straw bags present. None of it was inspiring, and in fact, it kind of gave me the ick.
Jalil Johnson is a breath of fresh air in a sea of sameness. He’s the embodiment of exactly what I know to be true: that to have your own sense of style, you have to be committed to filling your world with references from across history, genres, and sources. You have to know yourself well and be courageous in proudly sharing who you are to everyone else. You have to be willing to lean into whims and curiosities and able to hone that feeling that tells you when something really, truly is you.
I don’t think anyone is inspiring me like Jalil is right now. Not just via his outfits, which are obviously incredible, but through his writing in his newsletter, . Jalil writes often about what he’s shopping, whose style influences his own, and what’s on his mind as he’s putting together a look. One of my favorite posts was April’s “My 10 Moods For The Season”, where Jalil creates 10 outfits around concepts ranging from “the kid who stayed at summer camp too long” to “the 7th Olsen”. It’s a perfect glimpse into Jalil’s wealth of collected references, which in this post alone include but are not limited to Jackie Onassis, Wet Hot American Summer (2011), Magnum P.I., John Hughes, Sex And The City, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby (1974)… The list goes on. You can see the influence the things Jalil loves have on his writing and styling, projecting a distinct point of view I don’t see over and over as I scroll through my feed.
I asked Jalil a few questions…
Ali LaBelle: First things first, tell us a little about yourself!
Jalil Johnson: I am originally from Hurt, VA, and moved to New York about seven years ago to attend New York University. While studying there, I interned and eventually began freelancing as a stylist’s assistant. Before the pandemic, I primarily worked with magazines and on editorial projects. During and after the pandemic, my focus shifted more toward e-commerce jobs. It was during this time that I met my former boss, Roopal Patel, who encouraged me to apply to be her assistant. I did, and I got the role of Fashion Office Coordinator. I remained in that role for 3 years, and left about a month ago to pursue personal projects, such as my newsletter, .
I started the newsletter a little over a year ago because I needed a creative outlet to serve as a respite from my daily routine. Although I learned a great deal and met many incredible people at Saks, I felt my creativity was not being fully utilized, so I sought opportunities outside of work. When Leandra Medine Cohen featured me in her newsletter The Cereal Aisle, I felt a strong urge to dedicate more time to my own projects, and the rest is history.
Since leaving Saks, life has been non-stop, and I am grateful for every moment. My goal is to build a successful freelance career, starting with my newsletter and expanding into various areas such as personal styling, product development, and collaborating with brands navigating the ever-changing retail landscape.
AL: Something I really love about your newsletter is that your writing references what seems like a library’s-worth of historical and cultural moments you’ve collected across film, pop culture, art, fashion, and even politics. What is the experience of translating inspiration into personal style like for you?
JJ: I always return to that moment from The September Issue when Grace Coddington looks out the window and shares her mentor’s advice: “Always be observant because inspiration can strike at any time.” I absorb as much information as I can, like a sponge, and express it through my style. I describe myself as an eclectic dresser because I draw from numerous references that each reflect different aspects of my personality. Some days I want to channel Jackie, The White House years, with a sensible heel and a Chanel-esque skirt set. Other days, I want to be Magnum P.I. in my short shorts and a polo.
AL: Something I often hear from readers is that they know they like an outfit when they see it, but they feel like a fraud when they try it for themselves, or that it feels like they’re wearing a costume, or that they “can’t pull it off.” What advice would you give someone who wants to step outside their sartorial comfort zone but might be afraid to?
JJ: The first piece of advice I give everyone is that when you’re figuring out your personal style or stepping out of your comfort zone, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Personal style is really a matter of trial and error. Unless you’re truly willing to experiment and occasionally look a little wacky, how will you ever discover what does and doesn’t work for you?
Another key point is your mindset when entering a situation. If you walk into a store thinking, Nothing is going to work because of X, Y, Z, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, go in without preconceived notions of what you will or won’t find. Shopping should be an act of discovery. I understand that sometimes stores aren’t conducive to this sense of discovery, whether due to a lack of novelty or pushy, unfriendly salespeople, however, we should reclaim that sense of exploration because it’s the secret ingredient to finding your personal style!
AL: When do you feel most like yourself?
JJ: Most days, I strive to feel like my true self.
AL: Your style is inspiring so many of us right now; I screen shot almost every look you share. Who’s inspiring you?
JJ: Whenever I am asked this question, I of course have to mention my style North Star, which is Jackie O. At this moment, I am definitely looking at photos of her from the late ‘60s/early ‘70s on a daily basis! In a contemporary sense, I am always inspired by Leandra Medine Cohen, Rachel Tashjian Wise, Tracee Ellis Ross, my friends Nick Shoebridge and his boyfriend Andy Chung. And of course, living in New York City, you are blessed with some of the best people watching opportunities there are, so I am inspired simply by stepping outside my door.
AL: Let’s do a little visualization exercise! Imagine your dream dinner party. You can invite anyone (living or not, famous or not,) serve anything, and host it anywhere. Where’s the party?
JJ: The back room/garden area at Michael’s on 55th and 5th. Michael’s is my absolute favorite spot for lunch in the city. While I've tried their dinner menu and it's not quite my favorite, I'm so fond of the space itself that I would happily arrange my own catering.
AL: What’s on the table? How are you decorating?
JJ: I love the decor at Michael’s, and the restaurant has an extensive art collection, so it would definitely need to be on display. For the table, I envision an abundance of flowers, as though they’re blooming right from the tables themselves. Ideally, I’d enlist the same talented person who handles all the tablescaping for SAA to create the perfect setting.
When it comes to the actual tableware, I would want to work with Marc Domingo of Armitano Domingo to make custom plates—I’m a huge fan of his work. Custom plates for everyone would be a delightful touch, and I love to leave dinners with little souvenirs. For flatware, I’d choose Heath Wagoner, who not only makes exquisite jewelry but also exceptional flatware. As for glassware, I’d likely opt for selections from Front Street General Store in Dumbo, who are renowned for their stellar vintage collection, and their homeware section is equally impressive. (That’s also where I go for my socks!)
AL: Who’s invited?
JJ: Since this is my fantasy dinner, I'm going to be a bit whimsical with the guest list. While I wish I could invite everyone, I'll try to limit myself to a party of no more than 25-30ish people! The more, the merrier, so here we go:
In this fantasy, I assume I have the power to resurrect the deceased, so naturally, I'm bringing back Jacqueline Onassis and Toni Morrison for one night only.
Of course, my lover Nick would have to be in attendance.
Jack Schlossberg, the man, the myth, the legend. Not to be one of those people, but I've known about him and been obsessed with him since the summer of 2018 when he was still doing word versus word, okay! I think he is absolutely brilliant and has just the right amount of chaotic energy that every party needs. I imagine that by the end of the night, we would follow in the grand tradition of his great cousin Little Edie and perform a cabaret number. (I think we could do a mean rendition of “Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag”.)
My good friends Tchesmeni Leonard, Dione Davis, Nick Shoebridge, and his boyfriend Andy Chung are all incredibly stylish and the loveliest of people, and they bring such positive energy to any environment, which is crucial for a great party.
Christopher John Rogers, Miuccia Prada, and Dries Van Noten, some of the most influential designers of our time.
Batsheva Hay and her husband Alexei. Batsheva is a fantastic designer and has such a warm spirit; she has welcomed me into her home so many times, so she would have to be at this dinner. Also, she and Alexei have some of the best stories and tidbits!
Ashley Harris (Don’t Let Disco) and Renato Cipullo. I met Ashley through
, and when I met her, it felt like I had known her my whole life. She is so smart and witty and knows how to have a good time, which is so important. I discovered Renato via The Stax, and his work beautifully embodies in equal parts the ‘70s and antiquity. I had the pleasure of meeting him and interviewing him for an upcoming episode of “Lunch Break” (my interview series on my newsletter). After our interview, I immediately texted my boyfriend Nick, who is Sicilian-Irish-American, and told him he was going to age beautifully! Renato was also full of fascinating stories about his family, old New York, and just about life in general.Sofia Coppola, my absolute favorite director. The soundtrack of Marie Antoinette LITERALLY changed my life—I discovered The Cure because of her! I would hope that Kirsten Dunst and Kate Young would tag along with her.
Craig Thompson and his husband Mark. Craig runs a bakery called Shandaken Bake, which is right across from Nick’s apartment in Tannersville, and everything he makes is simply divine. He is such a gentle soul and a fellow hat lover!
Rachel Tashjian Wise and Hilton Als. I first started reading Rachel’s work during the pandemic, and to this day, I find her fashion writing fresh and inspiring. She’s also a fantastic dresser, so I know she would truly get DRESSED for a dinner of this magnitude. Hilton Als informed much of my concentration at NYU, and I think he is a brilliant writer. While I don't always agree with him, he epitomizes smart and provocative criticism. It would be fun to see what he would write about this fantasy dinner party!
Olympian Laurie Hernandez. I recently met her in Minneapolis during the Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials and had the pleasure of interviewing her for my newsletter. She was an absolute ball of joy, and hilarious!
And, of course, I would have to invite a gaggle of my favorite Substack writers:
, Laura Reilly, , , Heather Hurst, , and .
AL: What’s the dress code?
JJ: Believe it or not, I'm not a big fan of dress codes. I want people to come comfortably dressed in outfits that reflect their true selves. Just don’t wear those god-awful hybrid sneaker/loafers and we're fine.
AL: What’s on the menu?
JJ: When it comes to drinks, I would insist on an open bar. I love having a wide range of options, and I want my guests to feel the same way. When I showed Nick (my boyfriend/lover) the menu I originally put together he felt it could use a little help, so he graciously rewrote it. It looks absolutely delicious!
First Course (served individually):
Garden salad with raspberry sesame champagne vinaigrette, edible flowers, fresh raspberries (vegan)
Second Course:
Wellfleet oysters on ice with cucumber shallot mignonette, lemons
Third Course (served family style):
Grilled NY strip steak with chimichurri
Calabrian chili, garlic prawns with grilled sourdough toast
Summer squash and eggplant terrine with pistachio garlic scape pesto (vegan)
Sides:
Crushed crispy salt potatoes with olive oil, scallions, pink flake salt, cracked pepper (vegan)
Garden cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, oregano, Kalamata olives, red wine vinaigrette (vegan)
Fourth Course (choice of):
Key lime creme brûlée garnished with graham cracker cookie
Grilled peaches with balsamic reduction (vegan)
After Dinner Beverages:
Amaro Nonino
Arak with sides of ice and water
Coffee or tea
AL: What music is playing?
JJ: I would want the music to start off softly, like perfect elevator tunes that won't overpower conversations. By the middle of dinner, as everyone loosens up, changes seats, and joins in dancing and singing, I want the music to gradually build into a grand crescendo to match the energy in the room. To wind down the night, I'd love to hear some soft, emotional ballads from the late ‘50s and ‘60s, perhaps culminating with The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You". This song always tugs at my heartstrings and feels like the ideal choice to bring a cinematic end to our fantasy dinner!
AL: Quick fire round. What’s your favorite scent or smell?
JJ: When it comes to perfumes, my go-to is Frederic Malle, specifically Lipstick Rose. However, I recently tried Heaven Can Wait. (Isn’t that name simply amazing?!) It has really spicy, musky notes, and has a scent reminiscent of roses even though there are none present in its ingredients.
AL: Favorite artist?
JJ: Alex Katz.
AL: Last thing you read?
JJ: I just finished Plum Sykes’ book Wives Like Us (I thought it was pretty funny, and the ideal book to read during the summer,) and I just started Triumph of the Yuppies: America, The Eighties, and the Creation of an Unequal Nation by Tom McGrath. Anything having to do with “yuppies” I’m immediately hooked, so I had to buy this as soon as I saw it!
AL: Comfort food?
JJ: Dinner rolls with butter and a lime seltzer (preferably Polar Seltzer but I will also happily take a La Croix.)
AL: Thing you bought recently?
JJ: A copy of the April 1978 issue of Vogue Paris and these espadrilles from Drake’s.
Jalil, thank you for being here and for dreaming up a dinner party that I am now absolutely determined to host with you someday!
To everyone reading, I can’t stress this enough: Follow Jalil on Instagram here and subscribe to his newsletter immediately. Also, Jalil is the resident stylist for jewelry brand At Present — click here to take a peek at his curation of jewels and gems. Jackie O. would be proud.
I’ll see you all back here on Friday for this month’s Specials.
x
Ali
Header image by Tommy Ton.
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🍸🍴🖤