5 quick questions with Vi Lyles about that viral 704 Shop hoodie photo, plus the other shots you didn’t see

The mayor was the talk of the local internet for a few hours this week when 704 Shop posted a photo of her posing in a black hoodie with the signature Charlotte crown on it.

What’s happening: The city of Charlotte and 704 Shop expanded their partnership to create the official Crown Store of Charlotte. 704 Shop is the only retailer licensed to sell the crown.

• The mayor took about 50 different photos for the announcement. Some in a Pride shirt, others in white sweatshirt, and of course the hoodie. She saluted in some and gave a thumbs up in another.
• For consistency’s sake, she kept on the pearl necklace she wears every day.

Q&A: I talked to Lyles today about this bit of light news in what’s been an otherwise heavy couple of years as mayor. After the interview, her spokesperson sent over some of those other looks.

What’s the one reaction to the photo that you’ll remember?

Sometimes I really find that I’m more fun than I think I am. … It helps when I can read the posts and understand them. I love ‘crine’ because I don’t spell it like that. (Of note: her daughter Aisha was the one who said that.) I also liked the one that asked when am I dropping my album.

What do you notice about the photo?

We did a lot of photos, 50 or more. When I saw (this one), I was like, ‘That’s pretty good.’ I do think it captures my expression, when I’m thinking really hard about something.’

The hoodie looked really comfortable, like something I’d probably wear around the house in winter.

If you’ve ever been to my house you know I dress that way at home. I dress at home in a comfort way, leggings. I have Puma slides. They’re black.

What’s your go-to comfort food?

Sometimes I go to Eddie’s and eat pancakes for lunch. And usually on Friday nights, my family comes over and we have dinner together, and we always end with ice cream. My favorite dessert is hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

A few people latched on to the pearls. Is there a story behind them?

I wear pearls almost every day. Part of it was my mom was a person to wear jewelry. So for me to have something that’s a good reminder of how my mom was, but not so much that I have to think about it every morning when I get up, that’s why I wear them. They’re a simple accessory that stands out. It’s a constant for me.

Anything else?

I’m very fortunate that I got to go to Queens College and I get to live in Charlotte. I never expected that I could serve now. If this hoodie picture is a way that people see me as someone who really cares about our city, then that’s great.

A few other shots of the mayor in the Crown Store gear: