Parker XL [RADIO INTERVIEW]

Parker XL, Creative Consultant & Lifestyle Expert.

LASM x TDR: Trip Digital Radio. Sound Art Express with L.A STYLE Magazine. TizThaTime, Tricia, Ravin Dave over there. And we have the lovely Markeeda Monét. …The lovely…Tricia Love. It’s a lot of lovelies up in here today. Telling you man. But it’s not about us. Who was it about Tricia? It’s about Parker. Parker. Let’s give it up for Parker.

Parker XL: Put some respect for my name when you say it…  I’m joking.

LASM x TDR: Parker came out here laying the law.

Parker XL: I’m just joking.

LASM x TDR: Kind of not really.

Parker XL: Yeah, exactly.

LASM x TDR: It’s for real though.

Parker XL: Thought that the camera’s are rolling.

LASM x TDR: So Parker is a fashion guru, social media strategist, taking you to the next level level.

Parker XL: Next level. It’s all about content.

LASM x TDR: I want to talk to you about fashion. We want to talk to you about social media. So thank you for being here with us today.

Parker XL: Yes. Where else can I be?

LASM x TDR: Gracing us with your presence. Oh, it sounds like you won’t drop some nuggets i’m looking forward to this one right here. Yeah. you need something. Yes. So where should we start? Should we start on fashion or social media? What do you think Tiz, Markeeda? I would say fashion because we definitely want to represent L.A Style. And Markeeda is over here loving this jacket. So yes, we got to talk about something. Tell us about that’s jacket. That cheetah, that cheetah top. You’re speaking my language. Those are not regular clothes. Those are clothing. I can’t do it.  I’m a jaguar. I am a Jaguar.

Parker XL: I’m in the process right now, actually of relocating. So, a lot of my stuff is actually packed up so I’m kind of throwing on like the last statement pieces.

LASM x TDR: You’re natural. That’s okay. You win.

Parker XL: This is natural. Exactly. Was there any competition? No, I’m just kidding.

LASM x TDR: Thank you for pointing that out.

Parker XL: I’m just joking.

LASM x TDR: No you’re not.

Parker XL: No, no, no, no. All seriousness. This jacket actually is the jacket I actually put together myself.

LASM x TDR: Look at you.

Parker XL: Yeah, I put this jacket together myself. It was an old white jacket that I was kind of like sad that it had gotten dirty. Yeah. So I just added some fringe to it. Ball mine is doing like this crazy, added embellishments to jackets right now and that’s super inch friend. So I like spent maybe an hour on it and kind of put it together. And I like it. And My whole thing is you can get the look for less because the look is only a look. It’s all about how you embrace it and how you rock it. You can buy a $5,000 jacket and still look like you’re wearing a $50 jacket because you don’t got the swag, the sauce.

LASM x TDR: I love that. I love that.

Parker XL: The confidence.

LASM x TDR: Yes. So how can people get that confidence if they don’t have it?

Parker XL: It really just comes, it comes natural. You have to know what it is that you want to wear and know what it is that you want to symbolize. For me, I typically don’t like to follow trends. I typically like to just do my own thing. And then I so happened to find out that it actually is a trend at that time. And so maybe it’s subconscious, people like you, L.A Style Magazine, put those subconscious messages out of what our trends, what’s trending now. And so, I think for me, it’s all about embracing what it is I want to embody. And my whole style is more, I call it urban dandy where I mixed a little bit of the urban fashion with a little bit of that tailored. And so…

LASM x TDR: Urban dandy.

Parker XL: Yeah. Urban dandy. And so, for me, I can go to a thrift store, I can go to a designer store, I can mix and match and make it work. I think a lot of men now, luckily they’re playing a little bit more of fashion, because before it was, they were a little scared to play with patterns and colors and things like that. And now I’m seeing guys walking around looking like a box of fruit loops in suits, corporate companies.

LASM x TDR: Yeah. Living their lives. That’s amazing. Tell us about some trends going on right now entering in the season that we’re going into or what are your favorites? And what do you want to see people do more?

Parker XL: Okay. Right now, what I’m noticing is a lot of people are doing a lot more basics, especially women. They’re doing a lot more elevated basics where their basic dresses that are in shades of like red, nude, Beige. And they’re elevating it with simple accessories. So right now less is more when it comes to fashion. And for men’s fashion I feel like more is not enough. And I feel like that’s where it’s kind of…

LASM x TDR: Peacocking?

Parker XL: Peacocking?

LASM x TDR: I don’t know. Is that a thing with like men peacocking? No, no. Nobody else on… It’s like the tail like spreads out the beautiful colors. Yes. That’s what I’m trying to say. All of a sudden you’re like, Whoa, wait a minute. Where did that come from? It’s not it’s thing. Like in nature. Yeah. I don’t know. Well it just doesn’t matter. I’m just so excited to have all the colors and…

Parker XL: The options I guess. Options. The stores are now supplying those options. So now you can buy them.

LASM x TDR: Exactly.

Parker XL: Yes, yes. That, and I’m also noticing a lot of a pattern blocking. So pattern blocking, so it’s on both spectrums. Either it’s very minimalistic or their pattern blocking.So pattern…

LASM x TDR: Explain pattern. Yeah please.

Parker XL: Pattern blocking is something where you can wear a striped shirt with houndstooth top, or vice versa as he can wear a plaid top with a houndstooth skirt. So a lot of people are doing that or Cheetah print belt with the hounds tooth top and then applied a skirt. So that’s like really in trend right now.

LASM x TDR: Like they contrast.

Parker XL: Yeah. The contrast. Yes. And what I would love to see people do more of right now is invest in statement pieces such as a jacket or an oversized coat, or a nice blazer…

LASM x TDR: That you wear.

Parker XL: …that you can wear and you can wear in different ways. Because right now everyone’s in that digital age where everyone’s thinking about taking a picture and getting that look for one time photo. And then it’s all about getting the next outfit for the next photo. And so a lot of people don’t invest in statement pieces anymore because it’s all about that quick fix to get that quick look that you need for that post. And so I do think there is some beauty in having a piece that you can wear it no matter what, and it still looks like something new every time. For example, I have this oversized duster and it, it’s like a cape as well, so I can wear it in two ways. I can wear my arms through it or I can wear it over my shoulders or I can wear it through the sleeves. And so it gets three looks, three looks, and it’s a neutral color. It’s beige. That’s a statement piece. I initially bought this jacket. It’s, I think it’s like, no, it’s Ralph Lauren. I bought this jacket about probably like four years ago and I added the extra slits in here. So I think that’s what I want to see people do more of. And I also want to see them do more tailoring. Tailoring is key. Tailoring is key. That’s how you can elevate your look to the next level, so you can buy something simple from h&m. A simple dress or simple skirt.

LASM x TDR: Absolutely

Parker XL: And get it tailored. And now you’re looking like you’re wearing designer clothing and you look like you’re wearing something that fits you perfectly, that was made for you. And that tailoring only costs you $8 to get tailored.

LASM x TDR: Right. And would you say the tailoring in fashion is like basically your foundation piece? Would you, the tailored look or the tailoring or whatever piece that we consider, are you considered tailored is like the foundation of all the fashion, and you build on from build onto the tailored look? If I’m understanding correctly?

Parker XL: No, no, no, no. What I’m saying is, there is beauty in having an oversized clothing. There’s beauty in having a tailored look. And so for me, I like to mix and match. Having a tailored look with some oversized things. And what I’m seeing with tailoring, if you do have a statement piece that’s worth having tailored. Even if it is a simple pants that you buy from H&M. But you know that you’re going to get a lot of wear out of that pants. Why not make it be the best pants that you have.

LASM x TDR: So literally, tailoring like take it in to be tailored…

Parker XL: Exactly.

LASM x TDR: …so that it can fit you properly.

Parker XL: Properly. Yes.

LASM x TDR: And truly, that is foundation.

Parker XL: Yes. Yes.

LASM x TDR: Absolutely. Yes. Also, based on what you’re saying, would you say it’s not so much what you wear is the priority, but it’s how you wear it or who’s wearing it? Like the energy of the person that’s actually putting it on.

Parker XL: Yes. How are you wear it, that speaks volumes because if you have confidence in whatever you’re wearing, it’s going to exude. And people are going to be like, whoa, that style’s not for me but they’re rocking it. And they have that confidence. You can see through that people, humans, we can read off other people. And so if someone’s feeling insecure about an outfit that you’re wearing, you can read it. You can fill it. They don’t have to say it.

LASM x TDR: Completely. Energy.

Parker XL: They may even look good. Yeah. They may look good but they feel uncomfortable and they’re putting the energy out. So if someone has the energy of feeling super confident, like, oh shoot, I’m looking like 1 million bucks. I know we’ve all been out before and we saw somebody that looked like a damn clown. Let’s be real. Let’s be real. But the thing is, they felt good and they thought they looked the best.

LASM x TDR: Absolutely. Damn clown. And you gave him a high five on the long pants.

Parker XL: No. I did. I give them a high five because…

LASM x TDR: Yow low.

Parker XL: … Exactly. And not just that, but as long as you feel good about yourself, that’s all that matters.

LASM x TDR: That’s life. Live your life.

Parker XL: That’s all that matters.

LASM x TDR: Wait to go Bozo. Okay wow. Dj. Okay. Journey is in the house. Trip Digital. Awesome. But that’s the thing that I noticed when he stepped to the mic. Man. His energy. And your energy just, it just exudes through it. Much respect.

Parker XL: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That means a lot.

LASM x TDR: And that’s confidence. I liked that.

Parker XL: e today I’m actually tired right now. So you all getting me at the end. If you all went, when it got me like early in the morning which I can’t imagine.

LASM x TDR: We might not be sitting in our chairs. Wow. There’s more? Wow. You’re kidding me.

Parker XL: So funny.

LASM x TDR: That’s awesome. Oh my gosh. So should we jump into a nugget of wisdom and social media?

Parker XL: Yes.

LASM x TDR: What is the one thing that companies, maybe a small business can do to really be dynamic in their social media content and strategy?

Parker XL: Yes. I think right now as consumers, it doesn’t matter if you have a personal blog or if you have a product that you’re selling or you’re just taking pictures of yourself. And in the end of the day, no one likes to tune into something that is not polished and not consistent. So you have to always look at it as someone removed from whatever it is that you’re selling. So, if you as a viewer, would not purchase a product, would you expect something else to purchase it? So anytime you make a post, sometimes you take a picture and you spent five hours on getting that picture, somewhat right? But it’s still not right. It’s not worth posting because it’s not going to get you what you want.

LASM x TDR: Agreed.

Parker XL: It’s not going to get you what you want. So you need to put time and effort, and even money into the equipment that you want to get what you need. And so for example, for me, I put out a lot of content. My company puts out a lot of content. So we’re constantly purchasing new products. Luckily today we have digital phones that costs about $1,200. iPhone’s really good camera quality that you can take a photo and it looks commercial quality. And so that’s an option. What I would suggest for everyone to do is content is key. Don’t worry so much about what it is that you’re selling because there’s a product for everyone. There’s billions of people out there in the world. So there’s a consumer, a customer for you no matter what. It’s just about the execution and so you wouldn’t trust someone that has a shady website, you wouldn’t trust to put your card on that website because the product images look shady. So why would you expect somebody to want to buy something from you as Instagram blog or Instagram person when your content looks shady?

LASM x TDR: Absolutely.

Parker XL: So just constantly out good quality content. And people will see that, wow, this person has a passion, they’re consistent. Or this company is, they’re legit.

LASM x TDR: I do have a question. Is there a specific time during the day in which you should post if you’re trying to get a specific…

Parker XL: Yes. And so it all depends on where you’re at. And so generally you have to think about it as a consumer. That’s what I always tell people when you’re trying to do social media marketing, always think of it as yourself, like your consumer, right? When do you normally look at social media? In middle of the night, when you’re at home in the bed board or on the weekends on a Sunday that last hour before work because you like already, mentally you’re like, oh shit is four o’clock. I get off at five. I’m kind of, I’m already checked out because there ain’t nothing I can really get done in that last hour, right? So now that last hour is generally when people go on social media, lunch break 12 o’clock…

LASM x TDR: Exactly.

Parker XL: …12 o’clock, between those times. So morning times are really bad to make posts because generally people are trying to get into work. They’re getting ready for work or they’re at work, they’re trying to get all their tasks done. So morning times are not the best times. But there’s an app actually that’s called when to post and you can sign into your account. It’ll tell you based off your audience and your following or they’re based at what times would be the best time to post for them to interact with you.

LASM x TDR: Excellent. that’s awesome. That’s a nugget right there… That’s a good nugget. That’s a nugget. I’m glad I can give you all the nugget. A boss of social media is with us.

Parker XL: And if you guys could just all put down your paypal email address so I can invoice you.  [laughs]

LASM x TDR: There it is. It’s sale…  So Tiz, you got a question, right? Oh, Oh yes. Is it that time for me already. But you know what? I do want to find out though, because of the energy that you have and just you on point with what’s going on it. You know it. So since you know it, tell everybody, what is your superpower?

Parker XL: My superpower.

LASM x TDR: Yes sir.

Parker XL: I think my superpower is empathy… Because I do feel like I’ve always been able to be empathic with people and being able to connect with them in different ways before even talking to them. And knowing, the energy, I can read their energy before even having a conversation with them. So, and this is something I’ve always had. I’ve always been a very empathic person. Whether I want it or not, people would always walk up to me, even still to this day, people walk up to me and they told me their entire life story and they’re like, wow, I don’t know why I just told you that. Or I’ll be on an Uber and the Uber driver will just pour themselves completely out to me. And they’re just like, once they’re done, they’re like, wow, wait. So I think that’s my superpower, to be honest with you.

LASM x TDR: That’s dope. It’s deep. Empathy. That’s very unique.

Parker XL: Yeah. It was really listening… I didn’t get to choose that superpower. If I was able to choose one. It will probably be able to be able to fly or go invisible. But that’s going to, you take the hand that you’re dealt and you make the best out of it. Right!

LASM x TDR: No. We need one in paths. We need more people that are empathetic to people. Because like I was just talking to Journey, like life gets tough. And so to have somebody that is amongst you, around you to have that empathetic energy can help somebody. Like, I mean, Uber driver, you’re amazing. Yeah. So tell us where can we follow you? And is there anything in the work that you want us to know about, look out about?

Parker XL:  Always things in the works, always things in the works. So, right now I’m working on my fedora hat line launch. That is my signature. Unfortunately I’m not wearing it today because…

LASM x TDR: I saw it. I was going to see.

Parker XL: They’re all packed up. They’re all packed up, but it is a truthblack.com and that will be launching December 1st. Yeah. So I’m excited for everyone to see those beautiful hats. We have a lot of amazing designs and really excited. A lot of people have been asking about it. And then also, you can follow my blog, which is a lifestyle and fashion blog. And I touched a little bit based on a lot of things like technology, fashion, business, lifestyle things in general. And I’m going to go more in depth with content going forward with the blog because I will be releasing an app for it beginning of next year. Yes, yes, yes, yes. So I’m really excited. Yes. And that, it’s Parker XL like extra large, even though I’m getting a little smaller, so it’s now at large. But for branding purposes…  It just stay extra large. It keeps staying extra large.

LASM x TDR: Congratulations. There it goes.

Parker XL: Yeah. So that’s ww…

LASM x TDR: The extra large personality.

Parker XL: …Exactly. Bigger than life. Bigger than life. Bigger than life.

LASM x TDR: Like my auntie say, you’re bigger than life boy. You gotta do it baby.

Parker XL: And it’s the same thing for all my social media platforms at Parker XL.

LASM x TDR: Awesome. Amazing. Follow him. He has a beautiful soul.

Parker XL: Thank you.

LASM x TDR: So blessed.

Parker XL: I’m so blessed to be here.

LASM x TDR: Thank you.

Parker XL: I’m super blessed. Like, I mean everyone, I was telling someone over here, and I, yes. And I was like, oh, the host, the whole cast is cute.You know what I mean? Usually there’s some funny looking ones in between, you know what I mean?

LASM x TDR: Stop. You’re going to have to stop it.

Parker XL: But the whole cast is cute. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing. It’s a good thing. They say on radio usually don’t got faces, but everybody got a face you all. Individually beautiful people inside and out. I can see it. I can fill it.

LASM x TDR: As are you. Thank you very much. Was that empathy coming out? Makes us all feel good.

Parker XL: You guys are so funny.

LASM x TDR: There you have it. Trip Digital Radio, L.A. STYLE Magazine. We will be back for sure.