RORY BECA HOLIDAY 2011

Posted on by
Reply

Tell us what inspired you to create your own brand? I did a summer program at St. Martins in London and then when I was in college in Boston I started taking design classes. I knew then that was what I wanted to do. From the beginning I knew I always wanted to start my own line rather than work for someone else.

 

What is your personal style?I live by the beach so I tend to have a very relaxed, easy-going style.

Who is your target customer? What is their style and lifestyle? Someone who likes to feel pretty and comfortable at the same time. Someone who likes to travel and enjoy herself.  I have a big customer age range. Everyone in our office wears the clothes, from the 20-year-old interns to my mom who is 65.

When did you know fashion was what you wanted to do for a living?  When I was in college and was taking classes and interning for stylist Deb McGuire.

What was your biggest challenge getting to where you are now? Being able to keep designing and successfully producing collections with no outside financing – it’s just me and my mom.

 

How do you find inspiration for your collection? I find inspiration everywhere from photographs to music to travel. Mostly, my collection though is inspired by fabrics and colors.

What’s your strategy to make your brand stand out among other brands?  I try to make quality clothes that are wearable, feminine and sexy, but also fit well. It is hard to find clothes that fit well.

If you can give any advice to young entrepreneurs, what would you tell them? Make sure to ask a lot of questions and listen to advice from others, but always follow to your own intuition.

Are you planning anything exciting for your brand/boutique/customers for 2012? We will be expanding our collection in new directions.

Web: www.rorybeca.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Rory_Beca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rorybecafashion

Lara of What’s Haute in the Streets for Rory Beca

Posted on by
Reply

And last but certainly not least…. our final blogger and designer duo for the fashion photoshoot on September 24th…. (drumroll)…. Please meet the stunning sista’ of What’s Haute in the Streets, Lara!  I have paired her up with Rory Beca!

Name:  Lara Jones

Age:  26’ish

City:  Los Angeles, CA

What inspired you to start your blog?:  I love to write. I love fashion and pop culture. I studied fashion in college and I have been following certain fashion site and blogs (before blogging was even cool) for years.

Sites you must visit daily: WWD, Refinery 29, Fashion Bomb Daily, Fashionista, and LA Times Image – All The Rage

Favorite Designer: Yves Saint Laurent

Trend/item you’re loving right now:  I have two major ones: harem pants and asymmetrical skirts

Who is your style icon and why?  I have so many. At this particular moment in time and that is living: Rihanna. I love her edge. She takes a lot of risks and looks good in pretty much anything she puts on.

What is your dream fashion purchase?  An $11,000 Balmain leather jacket *sighs*

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe?  I have two: my Gucci sunglasses and my Forever 21 leopard wedges.

You’re spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What’s the city and itinerary?  Milian, Italy. I would visit all the major fashion streets – Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant’Andrea, Via Manzoni, Corso Veneziaall and all the major fashion houses.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or TV character whose would it be?  Blake Lively’s character, Serena on Gossip Girl

The ultimate accessory is... high heels.

What advice can you give to anyone who is thinking of starting their own blog?  Stick with it, stick with it, and stick with it! Make sure it is a reflection of your unique style and thoughts. Basically, find your voice. It shows and makes all the difference between a successful blog and a non-successful one.

Mel of Modanista Junkie for Kucoon

Posted on by
1

So stoked to introduce the next collaboration for the fashion photoshoot on September 24th…. Up next is the absolute babe of Modanista Junkie, Mel!  I have paired her up with Kucoon!

Name:  Melissa Rodriguez

Age:  27

City:  Whittier

What inspired you to start your blog?:  People in general inspired me to start a blog. I like reinventing my wardrobe and wanted to express my personal style and love affair through a blog. It’s sort of like my fashion diary.

Sites you must visit daily:  Gosh there’s a few. Monica Rose, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Peony Lim.. to name a few.

Favorite Designer:  Marc Jacobs

Trend/item you’re loving right now:  Lace skirts and anything fringe.

Who is your style icon and why?  Nicole Richie because she has made a huge transformation in her life, and I admire that. Her fashion lines of apparel, shoes, and accessories have been an inspiration to what I hope to one day accomplish.

What is your dream fashion purchase?  Anything Couture.

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe?  My shoes most definitely.

You’re spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What’s the city and itinerary?  Paris. I would meet my girlfriend at a fancy coffee shop, splurge on delightful pastries and take a stroll around the city.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or TV character whose would it be?  Carrie Bradshaw.

The ultimate accessory is…. SHOES.

What advice can you give to anyone who is thinking of starting their own blog?:  Just be you and stay true.

JEN AWAD FALL / WINTER 2011

Posted on by
Reply

 

Tell us what inspired you to create your own brand?  Being my own boss.

What is your personal style?  Glam rock meets Sophia Loren.

Who is your target customer? What is their style and lifestyle?  Die hard fashionistas who live to dress for that next party they’re rolling to.

When did you know fashion was what you wanted to do for a living?  Since the day I could hold a crayon!

What was your biggest challenge getting to where you are now?  Not letting the haters get me down hahahaha.

How do you find inspiration for your collections?  Movies, pop culture, inspiring friends, strangers, travel and my MOOD!!!!!

Why did you use your name for your brand?  It’s my name and I wanted to stick with it, unlike most designers who try to come up with some pretentious name for their label.

What’s your strategy to make your brand stand out among other brands?  My clothing tends stand out on its own. I love bright colors and bold cuts and I think that most designers in LA like to go for safe because it sells better to buyers… which is cool because they’ll make way more money that way.

If you can give any advice to young entrepreneurs, what would you tell them?  I would tell them to take some business courses before they jump in to the big bad world of fashion. Just because you’re creative does not mean you are business savvy and you gotta be both. Also, if you are serious about your designs and need help, there is a world of people who are ready to help you.

Are you planning anything exciting for your brand/customers for 2012?  Hell yeah I do! Online shopping! Also I’m releasing a capsule cruise collection for S/S 2012 line of white dresses! Yay!

Web:  www.jenawad.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jenawad

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jen-Awad/302500700933

West Hollywood’s Structures & Style Tour 2011 – Fashion Blueprints

Posted on by
Reply

Photos courtesy of Joshua Barash

Two weekends ago, I attended the Structures & Style event in Weho; it was a nicely executed guided walking and (air-conditioned, thank God) shuttle tour, with behind the scenes peek at the latest design and architecture concepts in the City of West Hollywood, and mimosas and yummy bites from Craig’s restaurant.  

This year’s Structures & Style tour featured:  Alberta Ferretti, 3.1 Phillip Lim, H.L.N.R., Church Boutique, Roseark – all of which are considered to be some of the most inspiring fashion retailers, and housed in stunning and unique spaces. These significant architectural and design-centric concepts create amazing interiors and facades that showcase brands to consumers and introduce one-of-a-kind shopping experiences only found in West Hollywood.

I love LA.

Jenny of Good Bad N Fab for Ellie Lavelle

Posted on by
Reply

Aaaaaannnd introducing our 4th talented team for the fashion photoshoot on September 24th…. Please meet the absolute fox of Good Bad N Fab, Jenny!  I have paired her up with Ellie Lavelle!

Name:  Jenny Wu

Age:  29

City:  Los Angeles, CA

What inspired you to start your blog?:  My day job as a fashion lawyer is quite stressful so blogging was an outlet for me to express and comment on the lighter sides of life.

Sites you must visit daily:  PerezHilton, lookbook.nu, www.accidentalchinesehipster.tumblr.com, FashionGoneRogue

Favorite Designer:  Phillip Lim

Trend/item you’re loving right now:  Colorblocking.

Who is your style icon and why?  Marilyn Monroe. She embodied old Hollywood glamour and exuded a sense of soft sensuality.

What is your dream fashion purchase?  The entire Fall 2011 Tom Ford collection.

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? A pair of red Gucci pumps. They were my very first high-end shoe purchase!

You’re spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What’s the city and itinerary?  LA, my hometown and my one true love. I would maximize my shopping afternoon by heading over to Melrose Avenue. I’d start out hunting for vintage treasures at the Fairfax High Flea Market. Then I’d head west and do some boutique shopping at Fred Segal, Madison, Marc Jacobs, and Chloe. I would end my afternoon with cocktails and oysters at Comme Ca.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or TV character whose would it be?  Serena Van Der Woodsen from Gossip Girl. Who wouldn’t want a closet that reaches every spectrum of the fashion rainbow-from billowy bohemian blouses to couture gowns…she has it all and I want all of it!

The ultimate accessory is… a red Chanel 2.55 purse. Timeless, chic, and classic.

What advice can you give to anyone who is thinking of starting their own blog?:  Once you find your own voice, readers will find you!

Ami of Fashion ROI for Kittin Hawk

Posted on by
Reply

Please put your hands together for our next captivating combo for the fashion photoshoot on September 24th…. Please meet the gorgeous Ami of Fashion ROI :)   I have paired her up with Kittin Hawk!

Meow.

Name:  Ami Gan

Age:  26

City:  West Hollywood, CA

What inspired you to start your blog?: I wanted free stuff. j/k (sort of)…I really wanted a place I could document what was not only going on in my life, but also the world. I like to write about newsy topics mixed together with personal style.

Sites you must visit daily:  The MyFDBlog, WWD, Racked, Fashionista, WWD

Favorite Designer:  Prabal Gurung

Trend/item you’re loving right now:  Wearing lots of different textured pieces, oh and color-blocking because it never goes out of style.

Who is your style icon and why?  Tom Ford because he has a touch of effortless class to him and I also love well tailored men’s looks, which he’s always in.

What is your dream fashion purchase?  Chanel & Missoni

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe?  My REAL jewelry…actual gemstones, gold & silver. Costume jewelry and clothes are fun, but these pieces never go out of style.

You’re spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What’s the city and itinerary?  Somewhere I’ve never been: Sao Paulo, Brasil. The city is full of vivid colors and amazing clothes. Plus, after shopping I could hit up one of the exotic beaches.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or TV character whose would it be?
Cher’s closet in Clueless, her clothes are very 90’s, but her closet was incredible… It was computerized, rotated, color coordinated—it’s 2011, why isn’t this available yet?

The ultimate accessory is…  Confidence.

What advice can you give to anyone who is thinking of starting their own blog?:  Don’t think, just do it. Start writing, posting pictures, etc… You can always change things later. The important thing is to start documenting yourself and your interests. I like to think of blogs as online scrapbooks, something you’ll look back at in the future to see what was cool.