Expressions Gala

You could call Jackie Smith, 31, a fashion warrior. The Reisterstown resident has been known for her fearless fashion since she was in college.

“I went to East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. All the bars there were holes in the wall. They were very grungy, but I still got dressed up every time we were going out — in stilettos — to the nines. I had a pair of leather stilettos that wrapped around my foot and a friend called me Xena, Warrior Princess. That name has stuck ever since,” Jackie explained.

Now human resources analyst and communications manager for MileOne Autogroup, Smith said she might tone down her look for work, but she has no problem with experimenting with fashion when it comes to going out and for occasions like Baltimore School for the Arts’ “Expressions Gala.”

“I’ve had that tulle skirt for almost a year now. It’s been sitting in my closet because I couldn’t find the right top to go with it. Originally, I wanted to do a biker theme with the skirt. I have a biker jean vest, but I felt it wasn’t elegant enough for the event. My mom got me into pearls. She and I were in agreement that if you’re going to be wearing pearls, you might as well be drowning in them,” Smith said.

HER ENSEMBLE: Alice + Olivia black lace top she’s had for years.

Dorothee Schumacher black tulle fulllength skirt from Ruth Shaw (she cut off the black long underlayer). Spanx miniskirt.

Chloé purple suede and crocodile patent leather stilettos from Saks Fifth Avenue. Strands of pearls and pearl drop earrings that were gifts from her mother. Balenciaga blue clutch with gold hardware she bought in New York City.