Jess:

To escape, my friend Stella French (who was living in Austin for a few weeks leading up to the festival) and I decided we’d much rather join the fashionable folks we spotted on the balcony at The Driskill Hotel.

 
En route to the balcony, I spotted ShopBop Fashion Director Kate Ciepluch, an Instagram friend, who shared that she was there filming a secret project. Oh, the intrigue.

Stella and I climbed the marble staircase two steps at a time only to find that the balcony  was part of a private party hosted by Fuse and required a special wristband to enter. Never to be deterred, Stella grabbed my arm and pulled me over to the corner of the pipe and drape sectioning off the party.

“I’m going under and if I get caught, I’ll just say I dropped my phone.”

 
Halfway under, she stumbled on the curtain slightly before disappearing into the stylish crowd. I stood there, frozen in a moment of panic. It seemed like such a good idea when Stella was still standing next to me. Knowing it would be unforgivable not to leave her hanging and miss the party, I counted to three and ducked under the curtain without looking up to see who might have spotted my illegal entrance.

When some of the Fuse staff started chatting Stella up and asking who we know, she quickly diverted their attention by inviting two of the guys to join us in the photo booth. We laughed at our poses, chose a favorite, instantly uploaded it to Facebook and made our way to the open bar.

Sweet Success. On the balcony at The Driskill Hotel.

Those leggings led us to him! Here’s where the stylish folk are hiding out.

Easily the highlight of our day, we got a chance to see the Pierce sisters, Catherine and Allison Pierce, play a set while Stella racked up the digits and party invites from the musicians, photographers and music executives all around us.

Catherine Pierce

I Like the Nightlife, Baby

Gay:

The East Side Showroom is a beautiful restaurant and bar that has a speakeasy feel.  The staff is complete with vintage clothes and attitudes, the music when we were there, was authentic 20′s and the food and drinks yummy.  The lighting was just right. Every detail perfect.  I felt lovely in there.  I even got up and did a soft shoe with the band.  There was an undeniable romantic glow that touched everyone there.

Jess:

After Stella and I devoured some cajun flavored ice cream from a food truck and pampered ourselves with a blow-out, we decided we were going to do it up right. It’s Saturday night. No more flat boots. It’s time for the heels! In the forty minutes it took me to get ready, her sweet boyfriend informed me she had passed out cold as soon as they got home. On my own,  with only 15 minutes left before the Mississippi Showcase where Charlie Mars was playing, I tried calling a cab only to find out there would be a two hour wait. I tried sitting at a bus stop for several minutes, before impatience got the best of me, and I just started walking. I came across a group of guys who looked like they might have worn pocket protectors if they had on more formal attire. They said they were headed downtown and invited me to join them. We walked as far as we could before the sidewalk gave out to the highway. They came to a halt and one of them asked, “Does anyone have a flashlight app?”

In my almost four-inch-heels glory, I shrugged my shoulders and said, “Follow me” pushing my way through the branches on a shadowy path carved by the headlights from oncoming traffic.  We peered around the treacherous curve and sprinted to the other side of the highway. Turns out the next bus stop was a lot farther than Google maps promised. I walked three miles before hitching a pedicab to The Lustre Pearl to meet Gay and Kevin.

Gay:

The Lustre Pearl is in the Rainey District, between Lady Bird Lake and I- 35, where historic bungalows downtown were turned into bars and music venues with its rezoning in 2004.  Lustre Pearl is a wonderful distressed old candlelit beauty with an outdoor tent, large stage and gravel dance floor.  Again, it didn’t matter what anyone had on, the place just worked its magic and we were all hip, cool and relaxed which is always fashionable.  It was a luxurious, happy feeling to be covered in dust from the dance floor the next morning!

Jess:

Lustre Pearl was pure magic from the moment I arrived. The Hogslop String Band’s Daniel Frazier (“The Mouth of the South”) greeted me with a “Hello, darling” and everyone was in high spirits. I met two stylish girls from Dallas. One was wearing an incredible Aztec print sequin skirt from Zara paired with a chambray shirt and an oversized (it’s Texas!) rhinestone pendant shaped like the state. Don’t mess with Texas, ya’ll.

Fearing tequila might get the best of ‘em, Gay and Kevin decided to ride their electric bike home, leaving me to another “adventure” finding my way home. After calling for a cab (“if noone comes for you in an hour, call us back”) I settled in on the curb in front of The Pearl with a slice of pizza (the food trucks here are the s*it). After the third musician  (this one, a bass player from the Providence, RI band Boo City) asked why I was sitting on a curb, (by this point, I could admit the heels were not my best decision of the night) I decided to take Harrison up on his offer to join the band for a party at “the Castle” in exchange for a ride home.

 
Scrunched in the backseat with Harrison and his lead singer Tai, a supermodel soul sister with the tiniest red hotpants, we pulled up to what was essentially a modern take on a medieval castle. Apparently, the owner opens his doors to bands looking for a place to jam. Spotting the infinity pool / moat, several guys in several different bands decided to disrobe, dive in and proceed to play music…naked.

Still unable to secure a cab, I finally found a ride home (Harrison didn’t seem quite up to keeping his promise), and fell into bed a little after 5am.

Shopping?
Jess: After the Onward Soldiers show at Amy’s Ice Cream, Gay and I browsed some beautiful things at By George and planned to hit the shop girl’s must-hit list (Howl, Feathers Vintage and sister store and high end consignment shop, Moss).

Gay convinces Jess to try on a glittering gold cocktail dress at Moss

After Sunday brunch, we lingered at Moss, moving slower by the second. We found some exquisite pieces at prices we could feel good about. Gay found a gold crochet dress made for her alone while I took home a Karen Millen colorblock dress. Feeling satisfied and ready for a nap at our mid-century oasis, even Style Girl didn’t have the heart to shop on.

Overall, we felt SXSW is not the place to go looking for fashion.  But there was a definite style.  Comfortable,  rough, torn, a little dirty around the edges.

Days and nights blur into one another and the most important thing is not what you’re wearing, but trying not to miss a beat.

xoxo,

Gay + Jess

SLIDESHOW:

Style Girl Jess James | Fashion Fix

Outside Barney’s “Lady Gaga’s Workshop” entrance I spontaneously made my way to NYC a few days before New Year’s after receiving an urgent message from Alisa, a NYC-based styling client I worked with while I was in the city in September during Fashion Week, thanks to my dear friend Rachel Mcpherson. Alisa wanted to surprise her fiance Vic with a Style Girl shopping package for Christmas so I packed my bags, booked my ticket on the Bolt bus from Jersey and spent the next five days ringing in the New Year.   Here’s the Top 10 from my first few days of 2012 as a temporary New Yorker:      1. Shopping John Varvatos and Billy Reid with Vic at Bloomies where he came home with his first vest!     2. Meeting up with Wilmington design darling Gay Adair and her daughter Flannery to see Johanna Hickey’s “Candy Canyon” exhibit at 108 Leonard + climbing to the roof to admire the view.       3. Monopolizing the photo booth at The Ace Hotel and serendipitiously finding our way to the El Quijote, Patti Smith  and Robert Mapplethorpe’s haunt during the heyday of The Chelsea Hotel (next door).   4. Ever since visiting Malin Landaeus’ vintage boutique in Williamsburg two years ago, I’ve been dying to go back. On this visit, I picked out a reversible jacket Malin hand-dyed.  Her equally gorgeous daughter Nova demonstrated that not only is my new jacket reversible but if I turn the sleeves upside down,  it can also be worn as a bolero!   Find me on their tumblr blog by clicking HERE.   5. Yummy pizza and margueritas at Serafina at 55th & Broadway before a nightcap at The London Hotel NYC     6. Finally made it to Aritzia after coveting several of their poncho sweaters featured on Chloe Touran’s Instagram. 7. Visiting UK-based All Saints Spitalfields  always makes me long for London. Scored an oatmeal cashmere “jumper” with “Rebels” emblazoned on the back for 50% off.   8.  Photographer Jason Riffe graciously invited me to join him to view emerging designer Omar Salam’s brand-new collection at Omar’s beautiful home off Central Park West. Omar says, “It’s too early to say what my signature is but I’m focused on movement and (the clothing’s) relationship with the wind as a woman moves.” His exquisite work speaks for itself. So excited to see what’s next from Omar!     9.  Must-See: My Week with Marilyn (watched it at the 42nd Street AMC, near the circus of Times Square).   10. After bunking with my friend Rachel’s mom, her mom’s best friend and Rachel’s sister in a studio apartment, I spent several nights  in my own apartment on the Upper West Side (thanks to Wayne Adams, who happened to be spending the week at our house in Wilmington). +  As I was checking out at another of my favorites Comptoir des Cotonniers, the shop girl said she loved my style and wondered if I was the owner of Jessie James, a cherished boutique of hers in The Village. Of course, I had to go so I braved the blistery winds on my last day to meet another “outlaw.” Turns out it’s a husband-wife team named Jessie and James  with law breaking style to spare.

2nd Location –  NOW at Tickled Pink in Lumina Station!

January 14 Gabriel Kelley & Hogslop String BandCalico Room WILMINGTON   WHAT: Nashville’s Gabriel Kelley and The Hogslop String Band make their way back to Wilmington! Bring your square dancing shoes.   WHEN: January 14th. Doors open at 6:30pm.   WHERE: The Calico Room 107 South Front Street   To watch their last Wilmington show at City Stage, click HERE. For more info, contact wilmington.unplugged@gmail.com

January 29   Brooklyn Arts Center Winter Wedding Show WILMINGTON WHAT: Don’t miss BAC’s 2nd interactive wedding show hosted by Zach Hanner and Jess James. The first 75 brides to purchase a ticket will receive a swag bag filled with local goodies, and everyone will have a chance to win great giveaways, sip lovely liquid refreshments from the BAC cash bar, hear live music, see wedding photo shoots, taste fabulous food, and find all the latest wedding fashions, trends and styles presented as actual weddings throughout the venue.         WHEN: Sunday Jan 29th from 1-4pm   WHERE: 516 North 4th Street, Downtown Wilmington   WANNA GO? Tickets are $10 advance online. Get yours by clicking HERE.

For more style-related events and details, visit FASHION FIX Events Calendar. About FASHION FIX Everyone needs a fashionable friend who knows the best places to shop. Looking for the insider scoop on the most sought-after deals?         Once a week (FASHION FRIDAYS), get your fashion fix with Style Girl’s style tips, style on the street + more!       Please forward on to your oh-so-fashionable friends.

Style Girl Jess James | Fashion Fix

Keynote Speaker Joe Zee, Elle Magazine’s Creative Director To kick off New York Fashion Week this month, I attended the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference for the first time. Just imagine the outfit once-overs and trigger happy street style shutterbugs in a room full of stylistas who most likely meticulously selected their eye-catching ensembles. Not only was there eye candy in all directions, this fashion camp founded by Jennine Jacob, brought out the heavy hitters with panel discussions from Keynote Speaker Joe Zee (Creative Director at Elle), Man Repeller Leandra Medine (arm party, check!), Model Coco Rochas and crowd charmer Ari Goldberg of StyleCaster. Personal highlights included meeting Susie Bubble, being invited to the Advanced Style NYFW private party by founder Ari Seth Cohen and receiving compliments on my tur-band (created by local fashion designer Caroline Castles) from my favorite Advanced Style muses “The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas,” Jean and Valerie.   We fashion bloggers may have felt a bit frazzled over being disconnected from our social media life line (within the concrete walls of Milk Studios for eight hours) wondering “Do I or don’t I have a distinct point of view?” But when you throw in free ice cream, manis, blow-outs and a super-sized swag bag (with a mini Amika flat iron, Urban Decay makeup palette and Bauble Bar earrings),  you better believe we all shared the same sentiment: I (do) heart IFB.       Advanced Style style stars Jean and Valerie,The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas / Braided blogger at conference     Style Girl (wearing a tur-band from Castles Couture, Rebecca Minkoff MAC bag from Oliver, necklace from A Second Time Around and red J Brand skinnys from Beanie + Cecil) with The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas and the founder of Advanced Style, Ari Seth Cohen         L: Internationally read blogger Susie Bubble     StyleCaster Chief Executive Officer Ari Goldberg         L: Joe Zee with IFB founder Jennine Jacob of The Coveted R: KMS beauty station       L: Amanda Shoemaker of OneofEachblog.com – loved her layers R: Blogger Dionne Barbert in a colorblock skirt       L: Michelle Christina from Denim Therapy in Southwest-inspired mixed prints R: Printed DIY turban     Even Missoni’s Marina was there! To check out her blog, click HERE.   Photos: Jess James

Guess what, Wilmington! Torri/Bell is picking up Missoni (the real deal) Arriving in store SOON…   Favorite Moments from Fashion Week!         L:Nicki Minaj and Anna Wintour new BFFs front row at Carolina Herrera.  R: Margerhita Missoni, Tatianna Santo Domingo and Shala Monroque in vibrant hues during London Fashion Week     SONG OF THE DAY     Take a listen to Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games”- According to Fashion Writer Lynn Yaeger, this song captivated the audience at Christopher Kane’s London Fashion Week show.

October 22 Encore’s 5-year Celebration Encore! Boutique WILMINGTON WHAT: Encore! Consignment Boutique hosts their 5th Year Anniversary Celebration with Roll-the-Dice Discounts, FREE tote bags & beauty/fashion makeovers! Wear a smashing outfit featuring one of your favorite purchases from Encore! for a chance to win fabulous “Best Dressed” prizes.  WHEN: Saturday Oct 22 from 10am to 6pm. “Style Girl” Jess James will select “Best Dressed” Encore! outfits between 3pm – 5pm. WHERE: 5814 Oleander Drive / Wilmington WANNA GO?: Everyone is welcome!

For more style-related events and details, visit FASHION FIX Events Calendar. About FASHION FIX  Everyone needs a fashionable friend who knows the best places to shop. Looking for the insider scoop on the most sought-after deals?   Once a week (FASHION FRIDAYS), get your fashion fix with Style Girl’s style tips, style on the street + more! Please forward on to your oh-so-fashionable friends.   Contact Jess James and subscribe to the Fashion Fix Newsletter at www.stylegirljessjames.com

Style Girl Jess James | Fashion Fix

Jeremy Laing fashion show at New York Fashion Week   In honor of next Thursday’s Fall Fashion Preview at Blue Hand Home, the FASHION FIX’s Danielle Dewar spotlights the new silhouette for fall by capturing the essence of the season in texture, movement and balance.        Phillip Lim static beaded top $795 from Beanie + Cecil This season marks a major trend in fashion coming to a close, whilst leaving room for another to emerge. The days of relying on the curvatures of our own figures to flatter our clothing are over — thank God. So, with new voluminous separates and oversized concepts being introduced, it’s time to bid adieu to the bandage dress—and all its passé splendor. Designers have turned to some of the very basic elements and principles of design for inspiration this season. Texture, movement, and balance are inspiring all aspects of fall clothing. They can be seen in anything from tunics to outerwear.   In an attempt to find examples locally, the FASHION FIX ventured to four of Wilmington’s mah-jor women’s boutiques —Beanie + Cecil, Oliver, Personal Touch, and Torri/Bell. Here are some of Danielle’s amazing finds (modeled by the lovely Sarah Elizabeth and photographed by Joshua Philippe) around our very own Wilmington:     Texture is a way to create static movement in a garment. It can be achieved in many ways—draping and tangible texture, to name a few. Movement can certainly be related to texture. Fringe and flowing fabric also demonstrate this idea.       Karina Grimaldi Delanna camisole $185, Haute Hippe Garden of Eden laser mini $396, Boutique 9 Dejana heel in light natural $139 All from Torri/Bell  Movement     Thread Social Drip Capelet $550and Phillip Lim Alec Half D’Orsay heels $575 from Beanie + Cecil          Alexis Lynda Tri poncho $264, David Lerner basic legging in steel blue $77, David Aubrey necklace $67 All from  Torri/Bell   Balance is emphasizing one feature and reserving the other. It’s breaking pieces up by cinching, wearing a loose top with form-fitting skinnies, or a fitted top and a bubble skirt. Balance is easily achieved and can also be one of the easiest ways to flatter your body shape.     Boulee Michelle top $209, Siwy Jeans in Rose NYM $185, 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent August caramel heels $298 (40% off) All from Oliver     Maggie Ward slip jersey dress in cub $165, Tracy Reeese cape in Toffee $299, Dulce Haute Ecolier booties $362 All from Personal Touch     L: A.L.C. dress R: Phillip Lim static beaded top $795, J. Brand skinny (low-rise power stretch) $119, Phillip Lim Nini braided ankle heel $595 All from Beanie + Cecil       Photographer: Joshua Philippe Model: Sarah Elizabeth

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT 9.8.2011   After New York Fashion Week’s third annual FASHION’S NIGHT OUT (the brainchild of VOGUE Editor in Chief Anna Wintour at the start of the recession), there is a rumor floating around that this year may have been the last. Perhaps FNO has become more of a spectator sport with free booze, swag and celebrity spotting rather than a serious shopping session, but whether shopping or sipping – we certainly had fun!     L: Our crew painting the town black, gray and white! R: Fashion’s Night Out at MACY’s Herald Square: Angela Finley, Katie Kern, Jess James       L: Katie, Angela and Mya among the masses at MACY’s  R: Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld’s new collaboration line with MACY’s  launched shortly before Fashion Week       Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari     Jess, Katie and Angela wearing Anna Dello Russo (VOGUE Japan’s Editor at Large) headpieces (gift from MACY’s)   Get ready for Fall Fashion! Wilmington Dermatology presents…   Get Your Ticket NOW – CLICK HERE. If you get your tickets ONLINE between  today (Friday) and Monday Sept 26th by noon, you will be registered to win  FREE BOTOX ($325  value) from Wilmington Dermatology Center         VOGUE Japan Editor at Large Anna Delo Russo and Model Karolina Kurkova arrive at MACY’s for their photo booth session (shoppers who spent over a certain $ amount posed with ADR and KK)       The beautiful Mya Marte wearing a vintage-inspired J. Crew necklace       Angela and Katie having fun!       L: Anna Dello Russo / R: Katie & Jess     To see more photos from our FNO, please visit the style girl FASHION FIX Facebook page.             To order prints of Bella Rose photos from The Great Gatsby Gala, please CLICK HERE

 

Sept 23 Pink Fashion Walk 128 South   WILMINGTON    WHAT: Pink Fashion Walk, presented by Stylist Hair Studio, Britt Motorsport, Lula Balou, Home Again/ LuminaGem and Camille’s Closet, benefits the Pretty In Pink Foundation, which recently launched a chapter in Wilmington. Runway models and breast cancer survivors will model clothing from Lula Balou, jewelry from Lumina Gem and hair accessories from Joanne Miranda. Hair and makeup by Stylist Hair Studio, music by DJ Brian Hood and food from 128 South Events & Catering.   WHEN: Friday, September 23 6:30pm – 10pm   WHERE: 128 South / 128 South Front Street / Downtown Wilmington   WANNA GO?: Tickets are $20 pre-sale via Joanne Miranda at joannemirandadesigns@yahoo.com or $25 at the door.

Sept 29 Fall Fashion Preview Blue Hand Home   WILMINGTON   WHAT: An evening of style – season essentials, fashion & beauty secrets, local celebrity models, shopping, light bites, bubbly & fun! Presented by Wilmington Dermatology and hosted by “Style Girl” Jess James, Celebrity Hair Stylist Steven Ward of Steven Ward Hair, Dr. Rosalyn George of Wilmington Dermatology, Regan Brown of MAC Cosmetics, Blue Hand Home’sdesign team and your favorite boutique owners and designers including Aqua Fedora, Beanie + Cecil,Castles Couture, Hallelu, He & Me, La Bella Forma, Oliver,StC, Style Girl Collection, Stella & Dot, The Julia,Torri/Bell, Spectrum Art & Jewelry  and  Ziabird. Mini-Makeovers, Massages byHannah Simmons, Delectable bites from Mark Milner Catering, sweet treats fromThe Dessert Divas and wine & bubbly courtesy of The City Club.   WHEN: Thursday, Sept 29 from 7-9pm   WHERE: Blue Hand Home at The Forum   WANNA GO?: $17 – Limited Space. Tickets for sale NOW at stylegirljessjames.com. First 25 guests to purchase tickets online will be entered to win the “FALL FABULOUS” grand prize!

October 22 Encore’s 5-year Celebration Encore! Boutique   WILMINGTON   WHAT: Encore! Consignment Boutique hosts their 5th Year Anniversary Celebration with Roll-the-Dice Discounts, FREE tote bags & beauty/fashion makeovers! Wear a smashing outfit featuring one of your favorite purchases from Encore! for a chance to win fabulous “Best Dressed” prizes.   WHEN: Saturday Oct 22 from 10am to 6pm. “Style Girl” Jess James will select “Best Dressed” Encore! outfits between 3pm – 5pm.   WHERE: 5814 Oleander Drive / Wilmington   WANNA GO?: Everyone is welcome!

For more style-related events and details, visit FASHION FIX Events Calendar. About FASHION FIX  Everyone needs a fashionable friend who knows the best places to shop. Looking for the insider scoop on the most sought-after deals? Once a week (FASHION FRIDAYS), get your fashion fix with Style Girl’s style tips, style on the street + more!   Please forward on to your oh-so-fashionable friends.   Contact Jess James and subscribe to the Fashion Fix Newsletter at www.stylegirljessjames.com

 

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