When I started this blog I didn’t know that there were professional bloggers.
I’d never used Twitter.
I had to Google what a hashtag was.
Yes, both I and this blog, are that old.
So how did I learn? I listened to the experts, mais bien sur. Bloggers! Here are some pearls of wisdom, peeks behind the curtain, and tips for improving your social media game from some of my favorite blogger ladies in the biz!
Love those effortlessly chic street style shots from the pros? The super sweet Josie of Fashion Mumblr gives us some suggestions with How To Up Your Instagram Fashion Game.
Cheryl from Oh To Be A Muse had me cracking up with her oh-so-real My Staged Instagram Life post. Such a good read.
This title might be a touch misleading. Because, let’s be honest, Atlantic-Pacific is my style crush year around. Always polished & put together, always chic, always appropriate. I’ve admired her style since I first fell in love with fashion blogging.
And while her Summer street style is something amazing, I swoon over her Fall and Winter looks every year. She’s nothing short of perfection – From making knee-high socks look effortlessly stylish to the most gorgeous outerwear you can imagine to swoon-worthy handbags.
So keep scrolling for some of my favorite Fall/Winter looks from Atlantic-Pacific over the last few years to get you inspired for a stylish season.
{A pop of tartan is a classic way to accessorize for Fall and this is an easy & stylish way to make it work.}
{Black & white separates – The perfect work look!}
{Jeans get the It Girl treatment for this season with killer booties and a fabulous oversized handbag.}
{When the temperatures drop the Little Black Dress gets the Fall treatment and becomes the Little Black Coat!}
{Capes & ponchos are everywhere and can be a challenge to style well. Try a sleek monochrome look under a bold printed piece like Atlantic-Pacific did here.}
Today I’m here with business owner & entrepreneur Jia Wertz. If her name already sounds familiar, you may be a fan of her clothing company Studio 15 or have fallen in love with her pieces, just like I did, during one of our shoots the past year: Alice In Wonderland, Spring Romper, Cocktail Dressing, Spring Dresses…
When I was initially introduced to Jia I was in awe of her. We met here in San Francisco right at the time she was deciding to relocate to New York. She had always wanted to live there but never made the move, so on a recent trip back East she decided it was finally time. And within a month she had relocated and was kicking fashion industry booty in the City That Never Sleeps.
Read on for some fun back-and-forth with someone who inspires and motivates me on a daily basis.
MCLV: Studio 15 offers a great collection of pieces – From dresses to separates to accessories – How do you decide what makes the cut? When you’re curating your collection for the website, what do you look for?
JW: The two main things we look for when curating our collection are quality and which trends are popular in the moment. From the weight of the fabric to the seams, we inspect every garment very closely. The quality of the craftsmanship has a direct correlation with how flattering the pieces will be on our customers.
MCLV: Quality is important to Studio 15 and only the best frocks make it to the website. Do you have a set criteria when you’re on buying trips or do you just keep your high standards in mind while you’re browsing?
JW: We definitely keep our high standards in mind when browsing, but one criteria that we always look for is that each piece is lined. There are a few exceptions, but 90% of everything we carry has lining; it just makes such a big difference in the fit of the garment.
MCLV: One of the best parts of shopping with Studio 15 – After ordering a killer frock mais bien sur – Is that a percentage of the proceeds go to support female entrepreneurs in developing countries. Can you tell us how you founded this meaningful partnership and how you got involved with such a worthy cause?
JW: Well, I have had a love for fashion since I was very young, but I always knew that I wanted to do something more than just that, and I absolutely love helping people. I decided that I would combine the two things that I love doing – Fashion and giving back. I was lucky because finding the partnership was easy.
My brother has worked with non-profits for most of his career and is the Executive Director for Kleos. Two years ago, prior to joining forces with Kleos, I made a trip out to Gulu, Uganda to volunteer with the organization; that trip was eye-opening, to say the least. I got to work with these women first-hand and see what their lives are like, what they have been able to do with the loans they have received, and the positive impact those loans made in their lives. There was no doubt in my mind, after that trip, that I wanted to help these women and partner with Kleos.
Our last Looks of the Week round-up featured some of my favorite New York City girls. As far as I’m concerned, being able to cope with a Manhattan Winter while still looking fabulous is a talent that definitely needs to be celebrated.
After checking in on the ladies last week, I wanted to focus on the gents this time around.
{Let’s kick this off with one of my favorite male fashion bloggers – A gentleman who makes a suit look so good it should almost be illegal. Almost.}
{New York Winters are all about layers and cozying up in toasty fabrics and materials.}
{Stripes are classic for a reason – They’re flattering, versatile, and never fail to impress!}
{Black & white is always a chic option and I adore this killer sweater-blazer combo. Plus Alex’s mirrored sunnies are divine!}
{Don’t forget to accessorize. The always dapper and hysterical Closet Freaks shows us just how to make the most of Winter accessories!}
{Click images to see original source}
Who is YOUR favorite New York based menswear blogger?
After sharing some of my favorite Italian Fashion Bloggers earlier this year I wanted to introduce you to the ladies that I follow state-side. Here are a few, of the many, New York based street style stars that I adore!
{If you’re in the mood for polished looks, feminine details, and classic, timeless styling, look no further than Atlantic-Pacific.}
{The fabulous Laura of On The Racks may have gotten her start here in SF, but she’s embraced the challenge of New York City Girl with a flourish.}
{London-to-NYC transplant The Fashion Guitar has taken to the streets of the Big Apple with great panache – As evidenced by her devotion to killer outerwear!}
{Pairing polished neutrals with classic, high-fashion accessories is one of Brooklyn Blonde’s many styling talents.}
{One of the things that Miss Danielle of We Wore What does especially well is take great basics and give them a wonderful twist with her own person fashion personality.}