Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1184230
A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 9 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M 6 9 Fashion Advice DeMarcus suggests repurposing an item of clothing instead of removing it entirely. "If I truly love a piece of fashion, I never throw it away, I modify it." Fashion Trends "This year, patterns are coming back and I am so excited. This season, wear what you feel; wear who you are. Own the moment and own the piece." DeMarcus Beckham IN HIS DAY TO DAY LIFE as the field organizer and manager of the New Georgia Project Macon and the manager of the daily operations for the Macon-Middle Georgia AIDS Network, DeMarcus Beckham has no idea where his adventure – work or play – will take him, and so he dresses accordingly. "I dress to impress but at the same time I am showing people who I am, where I've been, and where I plan to go," he said. He is also remarkably minimalistic as far as his closet goes, but he believes the items he wears help him speak his truth. He also wants to wear what inspires him. So much so, he actually threw away all of his jeans, and now reaches for chinos instead. "Jeans were just one-dimensional and didn't inspire me. I believe they give you a sense of being too comfortable where you are, and you can be so much greater," he said. "Chinos bring a lot of color to your wardrobe, without your upper half being the center of attention all the time." Beckham said his life story has made him gravitate to certain clothing. "In life, I don't go too much for what I'm expected of, especially as a person of color who's LGBTQ," he said. "For clothing, that's the same. I just want what I'm wearing to reflect who I am." He also opts for a stylish, polished look. "I tend to throw on a pair of oxford shoes and a tailored blazer when going to a meeting or lunch with other grassroots activists," he said. Although his closet is full of classics, he believes accessories help his culture and his beliefs shine. "I usually wear a baseball hat that has a large pride rainbow letter "C," he said. He calls it his activist hat and it was a gift from one of his history professors while he attended Middle Georgia State University. "Knowing that I'm wearing the colors of the pride flag reminds me that I can be an activist each day just by showing my true colors," he said. "Another accessory that I have to wear is a golden safety pin that was my great-grandmother's. Growing up in the small farming community of Zebulon, Georgia, she was one of the greatest influencers, who taught me to be kind to everyone and always strive for the best and to never forget where I came from. So, for the last four years, I have worn a pin to remind myself to stay humble." As far as what Beckham surrounds himself with, he has realized the importance of the energy of the items around you. "Organizing is important to me, and I always want what I have around me to inspire me and represent who I am. Parting with the old and then opening myself up to the new helps me express myself," he said.