Conversations with A’Zhari Alexander

Today we’d like to introduce you to A’Zhari Alexander.

Hi A’Zhari, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Azhari Alexander, a 27-year-old fashion designer based in Atlanta. I’ve always been drawn to creating in some form modeling, photography, anything that allowed me to express myself but it wasn’t until I started modeling that I realized something was missing. I often felt disconnected from the clothes I was wearing, like they didn’t fully represent who I was or how I wanted to show up in the world.

That feeling pushed me to start creating for myself. I began with custom screen-printing designs, taking my work to different venues and learning through real, face-to-face experiences. At the time, I didn’t have a clear roadmap just curiosity, intuition, and a desire to feel more aligned with my work.

As my passion grew, I taught myself how to sew and eventually pursued formal education in fashion design at The Art Institute of Atlanta. Later, I transferred to Georgia State University to continue my studies in both Business Administration and Fashion Design, which helped me understand not only how to create, but how to sustain what I was building.

There were moments of doubt along the way times when I questioned my direction and even stepped away from designing but those pauses helped shape my vision. Out of that process came Lone Vanguard, a brand rooted in individuality and storytelling. Building it in Atlanta has allowed me to collaborate with artists, actors, and creatives, but more importantly, it’s taught me to trust my voice and create with intention rather than chasing validation or trends.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles has been self-doubt, especially during the moments when progress felt slow or unclear. There were times when I questioned whether I was moving in the right direction or if I was doing enough. Balancing creativity with real-life responsibilities, finances, and expectations was also challenging, particularly while trying to build something meaningful without compromising my vision.

There was a period where I stepped away from designing altogether because I felt disconnected and overwhelmed. That pause was difficult, but it forced me to confront why I started in the first place. It taught me that growth isn’t always visible and that stepping back doesn’t mean failure it can be part of the process.

Navigating the industry itself hasn’t been easy either. As an independent designer, you’re often wearing every hat, learning through trial and error, and pushing forward without guarantees. But those struggles shaped my resilience and helped me build Lone Vanguard with more clarity and intention.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work centers around storytelling through clothing. I design with the belief that garments should feel personal something that evolves with the wearer rather than following a fixed trend or moment. Through Lone Vanguard, I focus on handcrafted pieces that emphasize construction, texture, and versatility, allowing each design to be worn and interpreted in different ways.

What I’m most proud of is returning to designing with my latest collection after taking time away. That pause was necessary it gave me space to reconnect with my purpose and redefine what I wanted my work to represent. This collection reflects that return. It’s intentional, restrained, and rooted in balance. The silhouettes are clean but expressive, blending structure with softness. Neutral tones, textured fabrics, and tailored yet fluid forms create pieces that feel quiet but confident.

The collection explores duality strength and vulnerability, structure and movement. Many of the designs feel genderless and adaptable, encouraging the wearer to define the garment rather than the garment defining them. Instead of relying on heavy branding or trend-driven elements, I focused on fit, proportion, and how the clothing feels on the body.

What sets me apart is my willingness to slow down and design from a place of honesty. I don’t create to keep up I create when there’s something meaningful to say. This collection represents growth, reflection, and a renewed commitment to designing with intention rather than urgency. It’s not just a return to fashion for me; it’s a return to myself as a designer.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, mentorship and networking didn’t come from chasing titles or forcing connections it came from showing up consistently and being genuine. Some of the most meaningful relationships I’ve built started as simple conversations, collaborations, or moments of mutual respect rather than formal mentorships.

What’s worked best for me is putting my work out into the world before asking for anything. When people can see your intention and consistency, conversations happen more naturally. I’ve learned that mentors often appear organically when there’s alignment, not pressure. Sometimes they don’t even realize they’re mentoring you it can come through advice, shared experiences, or simply observing how they move.

I also think it’s important to stay open and humble. Networking isn’t just about meeting people who are “ahead” of you; it’s about building community with peers who are growing alongside you. Some of the strongest support systems come from people who are on a similar path and understand the process in real time.

My advice is to focus less on collecting contacts and more on building relationships. Be curious, listen more than you speak, and let your work speak for you. The right connections tend to come when you’re aligned with your purpose, not when you’re chasing validation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Lonevanguard.store
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/lonevanguard.studio