Every year I look forward to all of the “Best of” round-ups. The best songs of the year, the best movies of the year, the best celebrity style, the best music videos of the year…
So this year, I’m teaming up with Studio 15 to share my favorite fashion moments from 2015. This includes celebrity street style, models off duty, and Hollywood A-listers striking a pose, walking the runway, or playing a role.
Zoolander walking the Paris Fashion Week Runway wearing Valentino’s utterly divine Fall 2015 collection. This mixture of Hollywood, comedy, and fashion couldn’t be overlooked if we tried. Let’s just say that Blue Steel made a serious comeback in 2015!
Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video and all of the girl squad press and red carpet moments it spurred. It seems like every hot model and TV star made an appearance with TSwift this year, from the stage to the red carpet, and the Bad Blood music video was definitely the sartorial cumulation of their year of fabulous, musical fun.
Call me Caitlyn! Caitlyn Jenner killing it on the cover of Vanity Fair in a cream body suit. It was provocative and hotly debated, but a huge step forward for mainstream media which was welcomed with open arms by the fashion community.
Want to see the rest of my Best of 2015 Fashion list? Head over to Studio 15 and read it 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.
What do I love more than getting to wear and style fabulous new pieces? Getting a chance to support great new, up-and-coming companies that sell great clothing like New York-based Studio 15.
I love the layered fabrics of this skirt combined with the classic, A-line silhouette – It creates such a touchable, textured piece. When I saw a picture of this baby on the Studio 15 Instagram account, I knew that I needed to add it to my closet for Fall and Winter this year.
And if a single piece from your wardrobe can take your look from laid-back and casual to nighttime-ready AND from day-to-night, it’s definitely a winner in my book!
The cocktail dress is a year-around staple for parties and events. From flirty little minis to elegant long-sleeved midi lengths – There’s the perfect style for any occasion and any weather.
It’s all about the details. Anyone can wear black, but a dress with lace, holographic insets, cut-outs, and a fabulous, flattering silhouette is what takes your style to a whole new level.
I adore cocktail dresses with fun embellishments and interesting, touchable fabrics. I also love long-sleeved frocks so I was doubly pleased with this gorgeous little black dress from the Studio 15 Fall/Winter collection.
Fun fact – Approximately three minutes before this photograph was taken I saw Karlie Kloss walk down the street. I actually didn’t stop talking for roughly an hour after this.
