Fashionable Friends

Renee

Readers, meet Renee. Lots of people are fashionable, but what I admire about Renee is that she knows she wants to work in the fashion industry and she's working hard to achieve it. Renee (aka Renay-nay, but I don't think she likes when I call her that) has a cool, layed-back style that ranges from high heeled boots to cute dresses to flowy tanks. I asked her a few questions about fashion, life, and hopes for the future. Here's what she said...

1. How would you describe your personal style?

I would say my personal style is edgy but yet simple, if that makes sense. I'm kind of all over the board like I love being a minimalist but then there are those days that I just want a million bracelets on. I love the boho relaxed Cali look but also the fashionable downtown chic look.


2. Where do you buy most of your pieces?
I buy most of my stuff from Forever 21 and H&M. Otherwise just random online sites and Nordstrom’s cause I work there.
3. If you had all the money in the world, where would you shop?
If I had an unlimited supply of money I would shop at pipperlime.com and defiantly Marc Jacobs. Literally all my favorite designers I would hit up there flag ship stores

4. You've mentioned possibly going into the fashion industry, what's the dream job?
As of now, my dream job is either Fashion Designer or Stylist. I feel like Fashion designer is more on my brain but when I’m designing I can never choose what "my look" is, like what makes my stuff its own. But with styling you don't have to choose you can do it all, and so that's what I like about it. I'm still figuring it out.
5. You've done all this cool fashion related stuff! Can you tell people a little about your fashion and design experiences so far?
I really don't feel like I've done that much but I will tell you what I have done. Last summer I took the Chicago Fashion Industry class at Columbia College. That was an amazing class the teachers were in the industry and experienced so the biggest thing I got out of that class was just talking to them. Then in October I went to Teen Vogue Fashion University and that was BEYOND!!! I am definitely going back next year. For those who don't know it's basically a teen fashion convention with a bunch of different seminars with huge, successful people in the industry. I heard Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Jason Wu, Richard Chai, Alexis Bittar, Anna Wintor and many others. It was one of the coolest moments I have had so far, listening to all of these amazing, talented people and hear them talk about how they got to where they are and all of their encouraging words and advice for us. If anyone gets a chance I say, GO, you will not regret it at all. Along with those two things I am a part of Nordstrom’s BP fashion board, and I work at Nordstrom.


6. If you could steal one item from my closet, what would it be?
If I could steal one thing from your closet it would defiantly be you vest that you made!!! I will by the way, you’re not stopping me.



Can I also just mention that Renee made this dress! It's so cute and just one of the many things she's made. Love the outfit Renaynay, stay stylish.

Kristin

 

Hey Guys! I'm excited to announce my next fashionable friend: Kristin! I would consider Kristin one of my "clients" in this styling business I have going. She said her look has changed a lot in the last two years- for the better. As usual, I asked her to put together one look for school and one fancier look. The casual one consisted of Aeropostale denim bermudas, a white cami, grey boyfriend sweater, and blue floral flats. The F21 braided belt adds a little flair and color. This is a total Kristin look because she is a big fan of the boyfriend sweater and her look embodies the casual yet interesting feel.

Super cute flats! According to Kristin, she's not a floral person so I couldn't convince her to try on any prints while shopping yesterday at F21.

I conducted a little interview about style and shopping:

1. How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as simple but sophisticated.

2. Why do you think personal style is important?

I think personal style is important because it’s such a great way to express yourself, as well as to convey to others a sense of who you are. If you’re wearing a great outfit, not only is it a great way to tell people the great things about yourself, but it also makes you feel so confident and bold!

3. Where do you buy the majority of your clothes?

I get a lot of my basics (jeans, tanks, plain tees) from Aeropostale or Old Navy; but I love stores like H&M or Forever 21 to get something nicer or classier.

4. What is your favorite bargain store?

Forever 21! It is such an adventure to shop there (and you eventually have to face the fact that you can’t look at everything), but there are so many different styles, and you can find great deals.

5. If you could steal anything out of my closet what would it be?

Any of your accessories, but especially your shoes! I’m in love with all your flats and boots – especially the black high boots and grey ankle boots.

6. If you had all the money in the world where would you buy your clothes?

I would buy clothes from those random little boutiques you happen to see all over the world…They can be really expensive, but sometimes the small, privately-owned clothes or shoe stores have the cutest stuff – and definitely the most unique!

Thanks Kristin!

I absolutely love this look for a few reasons. It started with the gray pencil skirt and flowy blue top which are super cute, but the metallic purse (from Paris!!) and aviators made it urban. The shapes in this outfit are great since the high-waisted, tight skirt contrasts well with the flowy, bright top. Its a great outfit and now all I have to do is convince her to wear it to school.

Kristin's older brother picked this out in Paris- good taste ehh?

 

I decided to kick things off with a little "Fashionable Friend" post. This one's about my friend (since 1st grade!!) Hannah, who just went to Paris over spring break. Like any stylista, she felt especially fashion-conscious there and took extra time with each ensemble.

Hannah- April 28, 2010

Here's one of Hannah's favorite looks in her words:

cardigan: old navy

graphic tee: delias

skirt: BMV (department store in paris, like macy's ishh) from the designer kookai. its hard to tell from this pic, but there's a bow on the left side, that's the random bulge...haha

flats: (old) target

pink bow clip: F21 (personally, i think they should just change their name to that, it's shorter and cuter and easier to say, lol)

Me again: I love this outfit because its cute, urban, and artsy at the same time. The classic blazer polishes it up while the jeans keep it relaxed. LOVE the bag and scarf as colorful accesories.


scarf: old navy
blazer: marshalls
shoes: marshalsbag: delia's

jeans: delias

tank: target

Fashionable Friend Quote: "This was the outfit i went shopping in on my birthday :) this is a very urban chic outfit, i think.and i'd normally wear this outfit with some dangly earrings, hoops or the flower ones i just got."

I also love this cute Parisian look. The navy and cream "classic Breton fisherman's" style has a page of its own in the May issue of Vogue and is on the "What's Hot" list in Harper's Bazaar's current issue.


Hannah's Words: "Knit dress also from a random boutique on the famous champs elysse (famous shopping street)this would normally also have dangly earrings, my silver charm bracelet, and black flats."

Trendy scarves she bought me and another friend as gifts. I didn't want to wear it for days because the twisty packaging was so cool. Since she knows me well, Hannah picked the purple on for me.

Interview:

1. How would you describe your style?

*unanswered* I would describe her style as feminine and occasionally boho.

2. If you had all the money in the world, where would you shop?

promode (my favorite shop in paris)

3. What major trends did you see in Paris?

~STRIPES!

~SCARVES!!!

~black

~layers

~flowy, loose things and SUPER tight things paired together (not that weird, just everyone did it)

~everyone was always cute and done up, nobody looked gross or like they woke up 10 minutes ago

~studding

4. What piece do you want to steal from my closet? why?

You're turquiose flats because they go with more things than you'd think and they're AHDORABLE

5. What's your favorite bargain store?

Delia's and Forever 21

 

Kathryn- December 20, 2010

 I'm so excited to introduce my first fashionable friend of the week, Kathryn! I've known her since before kindergarten, I'm pretty sure, and luckily for me she can still stand hanging out me. Kathryn (nickname kiki) is one of my "clients" but as you can see she already dresses super cute. I'm guessing on the outfit above:

Cardigan- Target

Cami- Hollister

Jeans- Hollister

I made my first interview questions, though I'm not sure if I'll use the exact same ones every week or what. Anyways, here are Kathryn's answers:

1. Who is your favorite designer?

my favorite designer is probably either Versace or BCBG, but i don't dress that formally or fashionably, so i don't wear either :)

2. Where do you buy the majority of your clothes?

Okay, i probably buy the majority of my clothes at target, hollister, american eagle, and nordstrom bp. but i also love some little boutiques in the city and oak park.

3. How would you sum up your style in two words?

my style is probably classy and casual

4. Why do you think personal style is important?

i think style is important because you can really set your mood with what you wear. it's important to feel confident :)

5. If you had all the money in the world what big fashion item would you buy and why?

i would probably get some more fashionable clothes, because i wear pretty cookie cutter clothes right now.

6. If you could steal something out of my closet what would it be?

haha oh so much of it, but i just lovee all of your high waisted skirts. they're really cute. i also am a big fan of your steve madden boots.

Random Fact: (my words, not hers)

her favorite saying is "HOLD THE PHONE!

She wore this half-ruffled dress to my friend's Christmas party with funky red shoes that she claims don't match, hence she's not wearing them in the pic.

Dress- Target

Earrings- Target (from me!!)

Kathryn's adorable little sister, Claire, wearing her favorite dress. She stole my friend Connie's necklace. Haha that girl has some attitude, some day she's going to be the fashionable friend of the week. PS-I have never seen a three-year-old girl do that pose before....