Street Style: Meet Brittany Mazique
“Love led me here,” shares local author Brittany Mazique, originally from Memphis, Tennessee. “My husband was attending dental school, and we were long distance until we got engaged. I was able to continue my first career in the marketing and gaming industry, first at the Horseshoe in Baltimore and later as part of the opening team at MGM National Harbor.” The couple recently celebrated 11 years of marriage.
When asked how she transitioned from gaming into writing children’s books, Brittany says, “I was reading a lot of picture books with my oldest daughter, and at the same time, I had lost my mother. Writing helped me get through those dark days—it was very cathartic. I didn’t want to be sad; I wanted things to be lighter and fun. My first picture book was named after my late mother, and I decided to enter it into a competition. That unexpected success led to getting an agent, and my publishing career took off from there. This was in 2019, and my mom passed in 2018.”
Brittany and her husband, Edward, have two daughters, Margo (8) and Millie (4). “I do marketing consulting when I’m not writing—special events and fundraisers for nonprofit organizations. One of my favorite clients is Life Pieces to Masterpieces, an art-based program for boys and young men in DC’s Wards 7 and 8.”
Her first book, Delphine Denise and the Mardi Gras Prize (named after her mom), tells the story of a young Black girl in New Orleans determined to win the prize for the best float in the Mardi Gras parade. The book celebrates friendship and the true spirit of the holiday. Brittany’s big break came when Disney offered her a deal to write a companion book for the live-action Little Mermaid movie. “I wrote the book to go with the film,” she says. “And in 2020, I published the start of the Millie Magnus series. People ask if my daughter was the inspiration for the name, but the first book was actually written before she was born.” The series was later acquired by Penguin Random House. Brittany has continued to write for Disney, including a retelling of Cinderella for its 75th anniversary, published this past October.
Brittany Mazique
Self-styled
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Shoot location: Monday’s Child
Her books, she says, are written for all girls. “It’s not just for a little girl with brown skin and curly hair, but for a girl whose mom has a powerful position and is very busy, or a little girl whose father has passed and she’s experiencing grief. Being seen is about more than what you look like—it’s about shared experiences.”
So, what’s next? “I have a few projects in the works,” she says. “The third installment of the Millie Magnus series will come out next September—Millie Magnus Is NOT Jealous. I’m also working on another picture book slated for the end of the year and a novel, but that one’s still in the world-building phase.”
When she’s not writing, Brittany enjoys spending time with her husband, “trying a new restaurant, just the two of us, or a midday coffee run to Tatte before picking up the kids.” Inspiration often strikes in those everyday moments. “Right now, I’m really popular with my daughter’s second-grade friends—but when it comes time to write about their teenage experiences, I’m not sure they’ll be as excited to see me around,” she laughs.
For aspiring writers, Brittany offers this advice: “Read a lot, talk to other writers, and find a mentor who’s ‘been there, done that.’ They’ll teach you the business of writing, which is just as important as the words and pictures on the page.”
Follow Brittany @brittanymazique and check out her Street Style:
ABOUT BRITTANY
Neighborhood: National Harbor
What is your hometown? Memphis, TN
What would surprise people about you? I don’t like chocolate!
Favorite book: A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Guilty Pleasure: Mahjong!
Latest binge-watch: I’m in my binge reading phase right now. I’ve found that if I'm reading heavily I don’t watch a lot of TV, and if I’m watching a lot of TV I’m not reading much!
Bucket list travel destination: Asia
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Timeless, elegant, eclectic
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: It changes with the season. For fall I’m always reaching for a good layering piece like a unique silk scarf or blazer.
Favorite trend: Self-care and good skincare.
Beauty product you can’t live without: Shiseido Sunscreen. No exceptions.
Boots, dress shoes or sneakers? Boots! They are confident, stylish, and playful.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: Quality time with my husband. That could be trying a new restaurant or grabbing a mid-day coffee treat at Tatte.
Most fun way to stay active: Our family loves long walks! When my schedule is too full for a leisurely one, I make sure I grab one on the treadmill.
Wellness goal: Maintaining consistency with my workouts during the holiday season.
Want to try: A Sarah Akram facial! I recently gifted a few and thought, “Why am I not making the time to do this for myself?!”
Proudest wellness achievement: Feeling better than the pre-mom version of myself.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: My office. It’s a low trafficked area of our home so it’s quiet. But it’s also my space where I can sit with my imagination and let my stories tell me where we’re going that day.
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Modern.
Last item bought for your home: Crate & Barrel gold barstools!
Favorite way to entertain: Going above and beyond with lots of surprises and delights. This usually involves a trip to Boxwood!
Clutter-free or well-lived in? I have two young girls so we are in our “well played in” era.
Next planned purchase: I’m due for a visit to Framebridge to design and frame my latest writing projects.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? What I love about ALX Stylebook is how it captures the heartbeat of Alexandria — the creativity, the charm, and the sense of community that make this city so special. It’s more than a digital destination; it’s a celebration of the people and places that shape our everyday lives.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: The swings by the waterfront.
Your go-to shop: Monday’s Child
Best food spot: Ada’s on the River, Josephine’s or The Study at Morrison House Hotel.
