This CCO Says There's No Longer One Way to Do This

After working her way up at two other major fashion houses, Marie Mazelis came to Halston. Looking to introduce a generation of new Halstonites to the heritage brand that pretty much defined the '70s, Mazelis had her work cut out for her. 

But what she knew was that dressing had fundamentally changed. Specifically, dressing for work had fun-da-mentally changed. And when she took control as Chief Creative Officer, she knew this had to be incorporated into Halston's offerings. That dressing had become interchangeable. 

Read more from Mazelis on the why and how, fashion dress codes (there are none) and lasting power of Halston. 

The business world (for most of us) is more casual than ever. In what ways have you seen a difference in the way women dress for work?

I think how we dress overall has become a lot more personal and much more relaxed. There isn’t just one acceptable way to dress for the office. Women no longer have two separate wardrobes – one for work and one for the weekend. They’ve become interchangeable. It’s all in the mix, it’s how you put things together.

What do women want from their work wear?

Comfort, ease, versatility... Also, I think, longevity… They want things that won’t be out of style next season. Today’s woman is very savvy, and she’s willing to invest in quality that will last. She is also looking for something unique and special, with attention to detail.

How has the way you dress for work changed over the course of your career? 

Interesting question. Working in fashion, I was never really confined to a “dress code”, so the changes in how I dress for work have been mostly influenced by changes in my life. My days now are a whirlwind - filled with meetings on color, embroidery and prints… Fittings, and photo shoots, and sketch reviews... And when I’m not working, I’m out and about with my two boys. All this leaves little time for anything else, so I’ve had to simplify. I’ve developed a “uniform” of sorts. During the week I wear all black – all my favorite pieces that are easily interchangeable, which I update with new silhouettes each season.  It’s one less decision to make before 9am.

In your last seven years at Halston how have you addressed the changing needs of women?

I have focused on creating designs that are lasting – both in quality and aesthetic. Halston brand is known for its timelessness and modernity. There are so many vintage Halston pieces that look as if they had been designed today. To make Halston glamour more accessible, our collections have expanded to include more casual pieces, giving options for dressing up or down, and thus offering more versatility and value.  As I mentioned earlier, it’s all in how you put things together. Like when you wear a cocktail dress with flats, it feels more casual and relaxed, making it appropriate for day.

What are some major trends you're forecasting for this year?

It feels like everything is on trend. It’s all in play. So it’s more about having your own unique point of view.

How do we update our office basics?

For me acquiring a new piece of clothing is about the emotion it evokes.  Dressing for work can become so routine, so mechanical in a way… I love resetting from time to time with something that makes me feel really happy when I reach for it in the morning. Invest in pieces that inspire you.

Can you recommend 6 easy adds to any closet? 

An iconic Halston silhouette, this classic jumpsuit is an easy all-in-one outfit.

A great option from desk to dinner. Layer a jacket over it for day, put on some heels for night.

A fun piece to complete any look, whether with jeans or a cocktail dress, it adds a touch of glam.

Classic Halston, this timeless dress should be in every woman’s wardrobe.

One of my favorite tops this season. I love the delicate ruching detail and the flowy, effortless silhouette.

Gotta love a great slide! A summer must-have, wear these with anything for a relaxed, yet put together look.  

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Why This Sought-After LA Designer Just Launched a New Line

Women in LA know all about Anine Bing. In fact, women all over the world know about Anine Bing. The singer turned designer launched her self-titled line in 2012 and the response was explosive. Consumers were immediately attracted to the cool-meets-laid-back vibe of her designs. They are simple, and yet, at once, recognizable as a Bing piece. 

Six years later and the designer is aiming lower. Well, height wise at least. Inspired by her daughter Bianca's desire to "dress like Mommy," the founder launched BING KIDS. A no-fuss collection at a lower price point for boys and girls. 

What compelled you to launch a kids line? 

It's been a goal of mine to launch BING KIDS for the last couple years now, ever since my daughter Bianca was asking to "dress like mommy." I wanted to create clothes for my kids personally that were both comfortable and cool, so when we set out to do the collection we had those two points in mind specifically.. It's a very no fuss collection with rock n roll tees, skinny jeans, joggers and sleeper sets, a really cool leather jacket, all very ANINE BING.. And we wanted it to be super versatile for both boys and girls to wear. 

Is the design process different from designing for adults? 

It is and it isn't.. Again, comfort and cool factor along with versatility were our priorities in designing. And I had my very own fit models right at home! 

What’s your favorite part of designing for kids? 

First of all, it's all SO cute.. It melts everyone's hearts to see a moto leather jacket in miniature size for a 2 year old! But I really loved and welcomed the challenge of making the line unisex. I had moms in mind when doing this because I know personally that it can be tough to get the kids dressed and out the door some mornings. So we set out to make a collection that cut that process down a little bit, and also kept the kids happy and feeling unique and cool.

Are the models cuter, be honest. That's easy - YES!

How will you balance your time between designing the adult line vs. the kids line? I have an amazing design team and we've tripled in size since the Fall so we all work together to prioritize each line but in different ways. ANINE BING is still the main focus because we just launched BING KIDS and we're only doing monthly drops instead of weekly drops for now, and only selling on eCom. But both of the lines are very close to my heart, and I can't wait to see what we do with both.

Any other secrets up your sleeve you can share with us? None that I can get TOO into, but I'll say this -- we're excited to grow our retail presence in 2018!

The full collection is available online now! 

And be sure to RSVP to see Anine in person when she joins us on panel for the MINI x Create & Cultivate "More of What Matters," speaker series. RSVP HERE! 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Jessie Randall

THE CREATIVE CRAFTSMAN.

photo credit: Taylor Jewell 

Living her dream, one step at a time. 

Devoted mom, wife, and designer behind the brand she founded, Jessie Randall has called her shoe and handbag label a brand “for women who lead dynamic lives.” A woman like herself. 

Loeffler Randall began in 2004 as a bit of a fairy tale. The brand sold into Bergdorf Goodman year one, and won a CFDA award two years after launching. People were hot on Jessie's heels. The brand stayed the course and is now one of the most sought-after brands of digital and fashion darlings.  

Today, her office space in Manhattan's Soho neighborhood is equally as dynamic as the brand itself. It's minimal but bright, the large entryway serving as a yoga studio for the tea Artist Dana Haim's yarn installations hang on the walls. It all fits the brand's clean, cool aesthetic. And why wouldn't it. 

As we said, it's Jessie's fairy tale. We're just wearing her shoes. 

More below. 

Where do your drive and passion come from?

My love of making beautiful things and my life-long passion for shoes.

We love this quote from you about Loeer Randall's design aesthetic: “Oh yeah, that feels like me. I’m pushing a stroller and then running to work.” How are you designing for the modern working woman?

Our customer is dynamic and multi-faceted. She has so many interests and things going on and she needs her shoes and bags to function and also be beautiful. My company is a company that is comprised of 95% women and we understand what our customer needs because we are her. Everything that goes into our line has to be distinctive, beautifully well made and built to last season after season.

What do you think she needs most right now?

Our customer wants products that authentically distinguish her as an original. She wants to wear designs that help the outside world understand who she is inside.

When you run into a career obstacle, how do you find new roads?

Let's see: my circle of women business friends who always have great advice, lots of late night texts with my girlfriends, cognitive behavioral therapy, working out and making time for creative pursuits that have nothing to do with my job (like writing and knitting).

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I'm a pretty honest person so I would say it bothers me a lot when people are disingenuous.

What are your biggest fears about running a business?

I don't really have fears, but I definitely have anxiety. I like to work in a happy, positive environment so I do everything in my power to make sure we have great, upbeat people on our team, a lovely work/life balance, product we are crazy about and a happy vibe in the office.

"I don't really have fears, but I definitely have anxiety."

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What do you do when you lose your creative juice!?

I keep pushing. There are always millions of great ideas to be had. I'm lucky in that I feel really inspired lately. It's always so nice to be able to design the kinds of things you want to wear yourself. Then you can trust your instincts and have fun.

L: Jessie's mood board at her Soho Offices. photo credit: Sarah Elliott. R: Loeffler Randall's latest and greatest.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I guess that every job has parts of it that aren't fun, including and maybe even especially when you are the boss. I'm lucky in that I love what I do, but that doesn't mean that I don't have extremely boring or un-fun parts of my job.

I'm lucky in that I love what I do, but that doesn't mean that I don't have extremely boring or un-fun parts of my job.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

That my kids are proud of what I do.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I honestly can't think of anyone I would trade with. That's a good sign, I guess!

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

Haha. I don't think I ever found the confidence! I think everyone is secretly questioning themselves and often unsure lots of the time - I know I am. But the hardest thing for me was starting my company. I was so scared to fail and there was so much pressure on me to succeed. But I'm really grateful that we did take that leap.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

I've had lots of great advice over the years. I guess the most important to me is to just be myself, be authentic and stick to my guns, doing what I believe in.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

I don't sing. But I do love to take a bath when I've had a bad day and soak in Aesop soap.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FASHION LIST CLICK HERE. 

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FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Janessa Leone

THE MAD HATTER. 

Janessa Leoné graduated from the University of San Diego in 2009 with a degree in English literature. Shortly after she took a job as a nanny and started studying for the law school admission test. Hello GRE. But then, she hopped on a plane to Paris and her life changed. After stumbling into a thrift store in Paris' Marais neighborhood, she found a black fedora made in the 1940s. 

She bought that hat for ten bucks. Under the headband of the hat she found the milliner's initials, and as fate would have it, he turned out to have the same last name her. 

Now, eight years later, Leoné, 30, is running Janessa Leoné, her eponymous millinery label that sells in more than 450 stores worldwide, including at Barney’s, Nordstrom and at her Culver City, CA brick and mortar shop, opened last year. Chrissy Teigen, Lupita Nyongo and Jessica Alba all rock her creations. Her 2017 revenue was on track to top $3 million. Not bad for an almost lawyer and founder who doesn't have a background in design. 

Read more. 

As a fellow with an English degree- EVERYONE said, what are you gonna do with that? But you've built a brand and a company that is in track to do 3 million in 2017. Can you chat a little about your journey?

After graduating college, I had the intention of going to law school, but didn’t feel like that was necessarily my preferred path or one that inspired me—it was just something I chose without knowing what else to do. What I really wanted to do was create something that was unique to me using my own taste and aesthetic. The original idea was to design clothes, but that wasn’t within my resources or skill set at the time. I wasn’t able to just jump into it. I had always loved hats, so I decided to start there with something more niche that would let me break into the market.

Does your degree work into your career in any way?

It does, a lot actually. I learned to communicate and convey ideas effectively. I have manufacturers all over the world, so being able to communicate clearly and efficiently has been a huge value-add. Going through college in general, regardless of degree, was very helpful. Learning to problem solve, work on a timeline, think critically—all those things have helped me in every aspect of running a business.

I want to talk about the hat you found in the Marais. It was made in the '40s but the design was still relevant. How did timelessness play into the brand from the beginning?

The hat I found was from a thrift shop in the Marais in Paris. My aesthetic, whether it’s clothing or home decor, isn’t period specific. I’m always drawn to things that use timeless and quality materials with colors that are classic and relevant during any era. I’ve always had the goal to design items that you can’t necessarily tie back to a specific time period. I want these things to be able to stand on their own with inherent qualities that exist outside of the time they were made. I’ve never gone the route of design based on trends. I do my best to make things that are classic and elegant beyond the era.

Was there ever a question about what you would call the company?

I always wanted to use my name so that I could to carry on my family’s name.

How did you begin to learn the ropes of the fashion world? You're self-funded. You continue to design yourself. Does it come naturally?

I learned a lot from just internet searches. I wasn’t formally trained in design, so I learned from just doing the actual work, asking questions, and researching. I have a natural interest and inclination towards design and things that are well designed—but the work itself does not come naturally. It requires a lot of space and care in order for the inspiration to come. It takes intentional discipline to make sure there’s an environment and a headspace that can allow ideas to come to fruition. It requires a lot of work, but from what I’ve learned from other people who do creative work, that’s a normal relationship. It’s important to be tuned into your taste continually, so you can always be immersing yourself in all different types of art that cultivates your aesthetic and style.

"I’ve never gone the route of design based on trends."

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Speaking of being self-funding. In the beginning. You took 5% of $10,000 and spent it on gifting hats to fashion editors, including Hilary Kerr. It ended up paying off big time. Was that a big risk to you?

Yes, it was a huge risk for me at the time. I only had twenty hats in my entire inventory and I gave half of them away. I didn’t have a proper gifting budget, and just had to use my inventory that I had invested in. At the time, that was a big expense. I’m very grateful and appreciative, especially to Hillary, for supporting and helping me at the beginning.

What do you think people crave when they get dressed?

Confidence. They want to feel good. I think people crave pieces that accentuate their lifestyle and let them express themselves without hindering them or making them self-conscious. They want to be made more comfortable and more confident in who they are. Everyone wants to be comfortable in their lifestyle and whatever activity is entailed in that. So it’s about accentuating that lifestyle in a way that makes you look great and feel comfortable but also helps you go about your life without being hindered by what you’re wearing.

People crave pieces that accentuate their lifestyle and let them express themselves. 

What would you call your superpower?

The support of my dad, boyfriend, and team who have not only given advice but have taken an active part in making this business possible every step of the way.

What's been the hardest part of your growth?

Managing the business side and the challenges that come along with that. That requires a lot of knowledge and skillsets that I wasn’t necessarily equipped for and had to learn quickly. There’s still a lot to learn on that side.

What would you tell budding entrepreneurs about the risk/reward of it all?

Spend time finding the part of your work that you’re passionate about and that fulfills you, and let that be what guides you and helps you persevere. The challenges involved and the sacrifices I’ve experienced have been far beyond anything I expected. But what has kept me going is that I love the work and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do something I find fulfilling.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FASHION LIST CLICK HERE. 

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FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Eva Chen

INSTAGRAM'S NORTH STAR. 

photo credit: Jeff Thibodeau 

She's never had a master plan, but Eva Chen, current Head of Fashion Partnerships at Instagram, has had one hell of a career.

The fashion boss spent a decade running leading fashion publications, including Lucky and Teen Vogue, where she worked in various roles for eight years, chiefly as the teenage fashion magazine’s beauty editor. During her time at the glossy, she finessed her digital savvy and grew her own social media (now 600k), before joining IG in 2015. 

She's worked under the masterful Anna Wintour, is heralded by the Business of Fashion as one of the 500 hand-selected people shaping the $2.4 trillion fashion industry.

More below.

Name: Eva Chen

Instagram Handle: @evachen212

You're fluent in the language of fashion. With your move to IG to you feel more fluent in the language of tech?

I am barely proficient in the language of tech and look forward to becoming more fluent. The team here at Instagram is wonderful and so inspiring to learn from.

What has surprised you most about being a woman in the tech sector?

Facebook has been an incredibly supportive place to work, especially as a mom to two young kids. And having women in positions of authority, like IG COO Marne Levine and Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg, is very important to me.

What's your biggest pet peeve?

People who stand on moving walkways at the airport.

What would you consider your superpower?

Ability to function despite prolonged sleep deprivation from children.

From pre-med to Lucky to Instagram. What has been the most surprising element of your career?

I've never had a master plan, I've always just gone where opportunities have arisen.

"I've never had a master plan, I've always just gone where opportunities have arisen."

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What has proven to be the biggest bump in the road?

My inability to say 'no'....

And how did you get over it?

Working on it for 2018!

Is there an early-on piece of advice that Anna Wintour gave you that you ignored?

No—Anna has the really vexing quality of pretty much being right about everything, at least in my personal experience.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

When I can help someone understand how to use Instagram better!

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I don't want to trade with Oprah, but I'd love to meet her simply to absorb some of her magic.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

Working on it! I think part of becoming an adult is realizing that life is an ongoing work in progress.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FASHION LIST CLICK HERE. 

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FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Emma Grede

NOT JUST GOOD. GREAT.

As the co-founder of Good American, the inclusive denim line Emma Grede launched with Khloe Kardashian in December 2016, there was a lot of pressure to perform. But with a focus on inclusive sizing and showing the product on various models on its website, the duo found immediate, chart-topping success. 

It was the biggest denim launch in apparel history. NBD. With sizes ranging from 00 to 24, that they don't separate into "petite" or "plus-size" categories, the label relied on social-media marketing, featuring the product on an array of women on its Instagram. They've now expanded into bodysuits and sweats, as modeled by Khloe herself. 

Originating from a convo between Khloe and Emma about what it means to be a woman today, Emma shares “We believe everybody deserves to be shown off. Fashion should be made to fit women, not the other way around. Body ideals really have shifted in the last few years.”

Here's to shifting the industry, one Good pair of jeans at a time. 

Read more from Emma below. 

What an amazing year you've had! In 2016 you and co-founder Khloe did one million in sales on day one. Did you ever anticipate such wild, record-breaking success?

I knew we were going to be successful because I knew we had made a killer pair of jeans that doesn’t exist in the marketplace and I was sure women would react positively to that, but No! I didn’t expect that first day of sales and I didn’t anticipate the year we’ve had either.

As a company how do you one-up yourself on that? And stay ahead of the game?

You have to constantly and consistently do two things, one listen to your customers, what do they want, what can they not get and what can you do better for them? And then you need to act on that information from a product development perspective and keep improving what you do.

Your husband also co-founded a denim line that has seen astronomical success. What kind of jean talk happens in your household?

Ha ha! Yes it is quite odd but Jens, who owns Frame denim, and I have worked together for over 10 years now, first in the fashion agency group he founded - Wednesday Group- with his business partner Erik Torsteensen and now with Good American, so we literally talk shop all the time. Our business are our hobbies as well as what we do professionally but we also have two children together, so sometimes there just is no space for us discuss business and that creates a nice balance.

What would you say most prepared you to launch a company?

Good American isn’t my first company, it’s my third! But I would say all my experience leading up to now. Working in the fashion and entertainment business has given me an appreciation for what’s important and that’s product. If I look at how I spend my time it’s all in creating the best possible product.

When do you feel the most empowered?

At about 8:30 am every morning! I’ve worked out, had breakfast with my family, taken my little boy to school and I’m on route to the office listening to a Podcast……somedays I’d like to turn around and head back to bed!! But most days I’m feeling on fire at about 8:30 am!!!

What do you find most empowering about working alongside Khloe?

Khloe is the real deal as a business woman, she’s one of the most positive people I know and she’s also importantly, a really hard worker. She puts her all into every task, she’s super passionate about what we do and that’s both inspiring and empowering.

"We wanted to liberate women from an unreal external projection."

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People always say a co-founder relationship is like a marriage. Why do you think you and Khloe work well together?

Ultimately we have a respect for one another and what each of us does. Khloe is very open-minded and she’s learned a lot from her time in the business with her various ventures, which is where my respect for her comes.

What's the Good Squad about and why is it an important part of the brand?

The Good Squad is so important to us, we believe very strongly that it’s so important to show a real representation of women in fashion and the wider media landscape. We wanted to liberate women from feeling as though they need to live up to an unreal external projection of how they should be. Our girls come from all over the world, from all different backgrounds, have different shapes, sizes and are all working hard to realize their dreams and potential.

"We believe very strongly that it’s so important to show a real representation of women in fashion."

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When do you feel the most pressure?

At about 8:30 am every morning- Ha!! I feel pressure going into photo shoots and filming things, I really don’t do well on camera.

When do you feel the most relaxed?

On Sundays. I love Sunday brunch, the newspapers, hanging with my babies -- that’s just the best and most relaxing for me.

Any upcoming Good American news you can share with us?

YES! We just launched our spring 2018 collection and new styles will drop weekly! We are also very close to releasing our line of maternity denim called ‘Good Mama’. Launch details will be released on Good American’s social media channels very soon!

What would you call your superpower?

I’m really good at motivating people and just getting stuff done, out the door, over the line. That’s my super power.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FASHION LIST CLICK HERE. 

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FULL 2018 CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 LIST BELOW. 

When It Comes to Work, You Want to Be Basic

We’re not saying you’re average, but on average women spend 2.5 hours per week thinking about their wardrobe.

So how about being basic instead?

If your mornings are spent racing through your closet trying to beat the clock, only to have the clock win every. damn. time, it’s high time you reconsider your work wear and incorporate basics into your life. You shouldn't be late to morning meetings because you spent too much time getting dressed. Appearance at the cost of productivity or promptness, isn’t cool.  

“Having a wardrobe full of basics makes getting dressed so much easier,” shares Allie Greenberg, Senior Brand Marketing Manager of Richer Poorer, the Cali-based innerwear brand known for its socks, bralettes, and tees you don't want to take off. 

“I get to hit the snooze button at least two extra times each morning," says Greenberg, "because I know I can throw on a pair of jeans with an RP tee and look effortless and still totally put together.”

Hence the tag line: "Goes with Levi's...buys ten of them," in reference to the brand's beloved muscle tank.  

There are some rad arguments to be made for an office “uniform.” And no, it doesn't make you boring. Or less creative. It makes you smart.

THIS IS THE NEW DAY TO NIGHT DRESSING

If you’re thinking, ‘I’m creative!’ ‘I need my outfits to be creative,’ maybe you'll heed the advice of Richer Poorer Art Director Katherine Wang. “Our tees and tanks are the perfect anchor for creating outfits that are easy but still are unique to me," explains Wang. "I love wearing the crew pocket tee under all the jackets I wear year-round.”

Tara Rynne, Director of Marketing and Merchandising says she now has to "force" herself to wear different things. "RP tees work with every outfit: muscle tanks under jackets, the scoop V with jeans and fun jewelry, and the crew with cons.” 

Sounds like a buncha pros.

THE ENDLESS PERKS

Stepping outside-the-box is important when it comes to business. Without a little discomfort, we never progress. (Think about the first time you spoke up in a meeting or asked for a raise... not easy stuff.) You gotta off-road to make inroads.

But when it comes to how you dress, comfort is key. The first step to feeling comfortable in front of others is feeling comfortable with yourself. How you dress and how you feel in your clothing has a major hand in this.

Other perks to working in the best basics brand out there?...

“Wearing super soft tees all day every day. Duh," says Alex Kirk, Marketing and Merchandising Manager. "Dressed up or dressed down, no one’s judging. Our muscle tank is by far my fave. The functionality of this silhouette is endless. Considering I have a bit of a hard time sitting still… at work, at home, driving too fast on my motorcycle, going a little too ham with friends on a Friday night, trying to beat my boyfriend at tennis, golf-- everything, the muscle tank allows me to be comfortable, feel good, and style to every occasion.”

ALL TEE’D UP (EVEN FOR MOMS)

Stop over-thinking it. Basic dressing at work is your hole-in-one. 

There isn’t anything you can’t wear with a tee these days. CEO and co-founder Iva Pawling is living proof that being a boss, a mom, and a fashionable babe are not mutually exclusive. Forget struggle, the trifecta is real. Even with 3 1/2 year old son Ford, who rules her roost in the am. 

“My child has an incredible ability to be the vortex of my morning minutes, so having a preset uniform of rotating basics has kept me looking like I still have it mildly together (it’s a lie). My muscle tank is my main go-to, whether it's layered under a sweater, dress or tucked into a pair of high waist pants, I feel good in it and can jet out the house quickly.”

Removing the day-to-day thinking about clothes frees up brain space. You need that-- we all need that. 

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Fashion: Alissa Jacob & Aliza Neidich, Reservoir

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

Survived year one.

Best friends for 30 years, Reservoir co-founders Aliza Neidich and Alissa Jacob are a lot more like sisters. After unsuccessfully searching for fulfillment in other careers — Aliza in PR, and Alissa in real estate — the inseparable pair had the realization that they could create something game-changing by joining forces and merging skillsets. After quitting her job, Alissa left New York and joined her BFF out in Los Angeles. Putting their heads together, the duo came up with the idea to open a concept store, something they’d both noticed was conspicuously lacking in this city. It wasn’t long after signing their first lease in Silverlake that the duo got the first taste of entrepreneurship stress (and we’re pretty sure it hasn’t stopped yet).

“We found a space we loved, signed a lease and began construction. However, to make a long story short, we found out we were being lied to by the landlord and we had to get out of our lease while trying to recoup as much money as possible and figuring out what to do with the inventory that was trickling in from vendors,” explains Alissa. Forced to act quickly, the partners decided to open a pop-up shop on Roberston Blvd., where they’ve remained for the last year. “Through this, we learned that not everything will always go to plan, and you really have to be able to roll with the punches in order to be successful,” says Aliza. “Sometimes obstacles happen for a reason. It definitely tested our will, and I'm proud of how we resolved what could have been a disastrous situation,” adds Alissa.

Alissa is wearing Keds' Champion Originals.

Despite some early real estate woes, the Reservoir business has continued to grow. Alissa describes the passion, and, at times, depression, that comes with the territory of owning your own business. “You will never feel more invested in anything. Knowing that this business is a reflection of our work motivates me to make it the best it can be. It's exciting and stressful and rewarding all at the same time,” she says. “The concept of a career five years ago was so hazy to me. Even though I had a job, or jobs, I knew they wouldn't satisfy my own definition of 'career.'"

"You really have to be able to roll with the punches to be successful.”

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"I'm happy I was able to find something that regularly allows me feel both challenged and passionate,” echoes Aliza, of the transition from working for someone else to being in charge of your own destiny." 

If working for yourself is difficult, you might wonder about what happens when your best friend becomes your business partner? Luckily, with the help of some sound advice from friends and a detailed partnership agreement, Alissa and Aliza haven’t let the dynamic come between them. “Sometimes, even though it's awkward, we need to talk business,” says Alissa. “Emotions are definitely still involved, but the partnership agreement allows us to separate work from friendship when we need to.”

So, what’s next for the business partners and besties behind LA’s coolest one-stop-shopping destination? The duo hopes to expand their online business and possibly add a few new locations. “On a grand scale, I'd love to have Reservoir be a go-to for online and in-store shoppers worldwide. On a smaller scale, I'd maybe die if Jessica Lange came in and shopped,” says Aliza. This November, Reservoir celebrated one year in LA. “The first year is so difficult, I'd like to get the business to a point where we are profitable and can consider possible expansion. Hopefully we have developed a unique brand with character that would be valued in different markets as well,” says Alissa. 

One thing both ladies can agree they’ve learned from this last year? Everything happens for a reason. And, yes, that includes shady landlords.

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Fashion: Emily Schuman

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

From blogger to fashion boss. 

Emily Schuman, founder-turned-fashion boss at Cupcakes & Cashmere, wants you to know that the work/life balance myth is exactly that... a myth. Since launching her wildly popular lifestyle blog in 2008, Schuman has parlayed her unparalleled instinct for fashion, food, beauty and interiors into two books, as well as successful clothing, home, and lighting lines by the same name. Couple that with being a wife and new mom, it’s no wonder the elusive “balance” isn’t exactly in the cards for this blogger-cum-business maven.

“In a lot of ways, it really is a myth for me, which is why it's so important to have times when I'm not ‘on,’” explains the multi-tasking mama. She’s as effortless at DIY-ing marbled napkin rings and ombre picnic utensils as she is throwing together an impromptu-yet-festive holiday look or whipping up some home-baked, namesake cupcakes to satisfy those pregnancy cravings. At least, that’s what Instagram would have you believe.

Despite Schuman’s impeccably curated existence, she’s not afraid to get real and tell it like it is. She describes the chaos of her early career and the stress of planning a wedding with managing a blog as a team of one, all while penning her first book. On one particularly high-strung occasion, she recalls being physically peeled away from her desk to get some much-needed rest by her then-fiance, now-husband Geoffrey. “I remember insisting that I still had things to finish and he sweetly reassured me that it would be good to get some sleep and that I could get to things in the morning. He couldn't have been more right.”

These days, the budding business tycoon is inching closer to some semblance of time management, although it’s still a work in progres. “I'll set aside my phone on weekends for large chunks of time and disconnect anytime I'm with my family or friends so that I can enjoy their company and not feel dependent on social media,” says the two-time author, who still struggles with work/life separation. “I also put a lot of importance on spending time with my husband and daughter in the mornings and at night, so I won't be checking email or responding to calls during those periods. As much as possible I try to keep regular working hours so that I'm not on-call 24 hours a day.”

"I'll set aside my phone on weekends and disconnect anytime I'm with my family." 

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At just 33, Schuman has already created a mini empire, boasting books, brands, and bag designs for Coach as well as a capsule collection with Club Monaco. In a notoriously flighty and easily distracted industry, she’s built a beloved blog with mass appeal and trend-defying relevance. And as the business has grown and evolved, so has the powerhouse behind it.

“When I first started my career, I felt almost embarrassed by my success and would try to downplay certain achievements. Now, as a 33-year-old business woman, I embrace it in a way that’s empowered and am proud of my accomplishments,” she explains. “I’m a lot kinder to myself in my 30s than I was in my 20s.”

With this newfound sense of empowerment and wisdom comes a desire to pay it forward  — to inspire future generations of female entrepreneurs and create the kinds of opportunities for them that she was fortunate enough to receive. “I've been able to forge my own path and largely avoid the prejudices my closest girlfriends have encountered in the workforce, but having a one-year-old daughter has really put things into perspective for me,” says Schuman. “I’m raising her to be a strong woman who will fight for gender equality, but I only hope that by the time she is my age, she won’t have to fight quite as hard as previous generations.”

"I’m raising my daughter to be a strong woman who will fight for gender equality."

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That said, she maintains that the best piece of real talk advice she’s ever received is that it’s okay to cry in the workplace. “Obviously you don’t want to be a blubbering mess on a weekly basis, but it’s okay to get emotional sometimes if you’re passionate about what you do.”

Let it out, ladies. A *little blubbering* might be good for biz.  

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Fashion: Rebecca Minkoff

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

From ramen days to real tasty success. 

The early Rebecca Minkoff days were “the ramen days,” according to the mom and mogul who heads up her eponymously named fashion empire. "I worked out of a walk up and it was a real hustle.”

Most people know that Rebecca started with one bag: her iconic Morning After Bag (M.A.B for those ITK), but she’s been making clothes and sewing from a young age. At eight she asked her mother for a dress, a request that was refused but met by a challenge: she’d teach her daughter how to sew. So the budding designer-to-be went to sewing camp. Then she went to performing arts high school, where she got a taste for design in the drama costume department. Eventually landing an internship for a designer in New York where the CEO taught her the ins and outs of every department. 

Fast forward to 2001. She took her scrappy approach to fashion and business and launched her eponymous label. She used the last of her savings to make her first bag without any assurance that she would succeed. A little over ten years ago, in 2005, it was just Rebecca and an intern. Her brother Uri mortgaged his home and maxed out his own credit cards to keep the business from going bust. Today the brand sells to over 900 retailers, has over 10 stores internationally, including four stateside, and is looking to open more. 

From day one she’s been a staple in her company. “Early on, I was told by retailers not to have a direct dialogue with my customer,” says Rebecca. “They thought I was cheapening myself by being accessible. I decided not to take their advice - which as a very young brand was a risk. But I know that decision had a huge part to play in our success.” 

Even as the RM brand has grown exponentially the way Rebecca conducts business has remained constant. “I've always had my hand in everything,” the fashion mogul shares. “I'm in the office every day.”

"I've always had my hand in everything. I'm in the office every day." 

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She counts her mother and brother Uri, who has stayed on as CEO, as tremendous influences. She also “hugely admire[s] women like Jessica Alba who have built incredible businesses for families.”

Rebecca is a mom herself to daughter, Bowie, and son, Luca. Striking a balance every day is “impossible,” but she handles her mom-boss status by way of “trial and error, and more than anything trusting myself. Knowing when to step in and knowing when it's okay to step back.” She works out twice a week with a trainer, admitting “the two sessions are all I have time for, but my trainer makes it worth my while.” And on the weekends you can catch her spending time with her family, having a glass of wine with her husband or escaping to Quogue. “I’m pretty bomb in the kitchen,” the CEO adds.

While she certainty doesn’t pretend that her day-to-day is effortless, Rebecca manages to handle her career and motherhood with grace. Even in moments of doubt and financial distress, she never gave in. Even in the beginning when a factory put another, very successful brand’s logo hardware on her bags. “Occasionally there are moments when you need to reflect and ask, 'OK, how am I doing?,” she says.  And, “What needs to change so that I can get through this?” But got through it she did. 

With a fashion empire and a family, she still finds time to host a salon series. “I do a fireside chat with a woman I admire. We'll talk about her successes and discuss the different challenges we've had and really just share stories.” For her female empowerment is about “championing each other and rooting for each other - rather than always trying to come first and comparing yourself to someone else.”

If you're looking for a female role model in business, the designer of the M.A.B is as F-A-B as it gets.

Fashion: Yael Aflalo

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

The eco fashion warrior. 

Yael Aflalo didn’t set out to be the eco-warrior fashion mother for the A-list and beyond, but if you dig a little into her fashion roots, you’ll find the beginning buds of Reformation. 

Prior to the eco-conscious label that counts influencers like Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss as repeat Ref'ers, Yael founded her first label, Ya-Ya, in 1999. “Towards the end of my time at Ya-Ya,” she shares, “I started to dislike a lot of the things that I had become a part of - overprinting lookbooks and tossing 80% of them, yards of leftover fabric getting thrown out. In 2009 I created Reformation with the goal of changing the way people see ‘green’ fashion and to offer eco-friendly designs that don’t sacrifice style.”

Prior to Ya-Ya, Yael kickstarted her career in fashion by hand-making skirts from pashminas and selling them to Fred Segal. It was her first business foray into repurposing fabric.  

Today, Reformation uses sustainable fabrics and vintage garments, manufacturing a large swath of their want-it-all-outfits in their environmentally friendly sewing factory. Based in LA, investing in green building infrastructure to minimize waste, water, and energy footprints, was a must. The company uses 100% recycled packaging for all shipments. And in a move toward transparency, they track their environmental footprint with what they call RefScale.

It’s a move Yael says is one of the riskiest she’s ever taken. “Making the decision to step away from traditional fashion was a terrifying but incredibly rewarding experience. It allowed me to let go of what I knew and begin to develop new and innovative practices that didn’t harm the environment.” She's grateful she listened to her gut. 

Though “green” dominates fashion conversations today, Yael was initially told to “play down the fact that we were an eco-clothing brand,” noting that concerns arose that “people would automatically roll their eyes at us and associate ‘green’ with ‘granola.’” She also shares that, “At the time, many eco brands weren’t looking at trends or focusing on fit,” another strong motivator for her to do something different with Reformation. So she did. Now her career goals include pioneering sustainable technologies in fashion and cheekily, “becoming a billionaire.” She encourages women “to seek solutions to problems they want to fix. If you don't like something," Yael says, "create a path to change it.

"If you don't like something, create a path to change it."

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Today for the new mom that includes changing some of the culture and contradictions around female empowerment. “We as women, are holding on to some inherently sexist practices and calling them ‘old fashioned’ and yet demanding to be treated as equals,” Yael says. “My favorite example of this is women who insist that men should pay for dinner on a date. Then in their very next breath complain about the wage gap. Men used to pay for women because women weren't employed or had very low paying jobs. If women want to be paid exactly the same as a man then why should men pay for us on dates? When I ask this of a lot of women they reply, ‘Oh I'm old fashioned like that. I expect a guy to pay for me on a date.’ Why shouldn't higher ups at corporations say, ‘I think 74 cents on the dollar feels right. I'm old fashioned like that.’ Anyway, what's more empowering than being a superstar in your career, making good money, going on a date and saying. "Oh no really I have the check!”

“What is more empowering than being a superstar in your career?"

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The CEO admires thinkers like Elon Musk. “[He] said something a few years back that was really impactful,” she says. “‘The path to the CEO’s office should not be through the CFO’s office, and it should not be through the marketing department. It needs to be through engineering and design.’” And calls Patagonia, a brand that is helping destigmitize eco-fashion (and one she’s had in her wardrobe since youth) “the holy grail, start-it-all sustainable brand. They have pioneered some of the most innovative materials and production methods, motivating other companies to do the same. And that's what I hope to do with Ref.” 

From the looks of it, she’s doing it, and doing it well. 

Fashion: Tuesday Bassen

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

Fought the man, and won.

Tuesday Bassen has a name as recognizable as her work. Her Ugly Girl Gang Zine, collections of pins and patches, as well as a growing apparel line sized 2-22, has a loyal swath of fans. 

So loyal, that when international retailer Zara attempted to steal the artists’ work and sell it as their own, Tuesday began receiving emails from concerned followers who wanted to know if the behemoth had licensed her work. They hadn’t. 

In a David v. Goliath-like battle, the independent artist took on the retailer, who essentially told her she wasn’t famous enough to have her work pilfered. But Tuesday fought back, taking the company’s response to Instagram, where loyalists spread the word like wildfire.  

“A true silver lining of a terrible situation has been the incredible support from everyone,” shares Tuesday. “It's a worst nightmare scenario for any artist to have their catalogue of work stolen. It drains your time, money, and resources, but being cheered on by other creatives has made it worth the fight.”

It’s why she says, “the support of her peers,” coupled with “sheer tenacity,” is what has kept her going during cloudy moments. The Zara debacle wasn’t the designers first run in with rain. “I think everyone that is building their career from nothing experiences similar struggles: poverty, self doubt, et cetera.” 

She says it’s hard for her to know what the first, most “important” step in her career was, but says, “I spent years under the poverty line building my career slowly. Moving to Los Angeles was the most important decision I've made for my personal life. I moved without knowing anyone, but I knew in my gut that it was the place I've always been meant to live. Because I took the step to improve my happiness, my career started thriving as well.”

“I took the step to improve my happiness and my career started thriving.”

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Tuesday is wearing Keds' Triple Dalmata Dot Leather sneaker.

Today, she is the CEO and sole designer at her company, Tuesday Bassen INC, where she handles her illustration clients, as well as manages her online store ShopTuesday.com. “I dedicated my life to working on my illustration career and started my online store by selling hand made ceramics,” says Tuesday. 

Her Friend X popup shop that featured her work as well as those of her creative peers, performed exceptionally well over the holidays. And by the looks of things, it’s what people want. Her Ugly Girl Gang Zine “devoted to badass women who don’t care what you think or how they look, all the while kicking ass at what they do,” has sold out of Issue #1, #2, and #3. Thank goodness Tuesday Bassen never has. 

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Fashion: Katherine Power & Hillary Kerr, Clique Media Group

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here. 

The media moguls. 

Leaving a cushy and respectable editorial job at a top fashion magazine to become an entrepreneur might sound completely terrifying and insane to most people, but Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power are certainly not most people. The fashion world power duo met while working for Elle Magazine, on the set of the show "Project Runway." They struck up a friendship and bonded immediately; within a year they had started Who What Wear as an answer to the lack of great editorial content online at the time. This was 2006, when MySpace was king, and most leading fashion magazines had only splash pages as websites, with no content at all. Kerr and Power saw an opportunity and took a leap: they left their jobs at Elle and launched a newsletter which is now, arguably, The Clique Media Group media empire.

As seasoned veterans of fashion editorial, Kerr and Power brought the professionalism and expertise of print media to their web content. But a big part of the reason for Who What Wear’s wild success was the duo’s early embracing of social media; though it was a fledgling medium at the time, Kerr and Power used MySpace to launch a series of videos promoting their new site. Thanks to that, the pair’s own strong networks, and the site’s uniquely friendly and approachable take on fashion, Who What Wear’s readership swelled. Kerr and Power have harnessed the power of social all along the way, and today Who What Wear boasts over 2.3 million Instagram followers. In fact, it was their enthusiasm and savvy for all things digital that led them to eventually step up their entrepreneurial game by launching Clique Media Group, not only as a parent company for Who What Wear but as a tech, commerce, and content company that would allow them to pursue all their digital dreams. In 2017, CMG is a formidable global media, marketing, and consumer brands company that is venture-backed (Amazon is an investor) and regularly touted by Forbes Magazine.  Aside from Who What Wear, their current portfolio includes the home and lifestyle site myDomaine and beauty platform Byrdie, the cutting-edge social only Gen Z network Obsessee, and their most recent acquisition, the website CollegeFashionista. They’ve also entered the consumer space, partnering with Target to offer an ongoing monthly collection of clothing and accessories inspired by street style trends that launched in January of 2016. The collaboration has been so popular that Kerr and Power hope to expand their reach in terms of consumer goods. “We’ve found incredible success with our Who What Wear clothing and accessories line at Target,” says Power. “In fact, we just expanded with Who What Wear shoes that follow the same thesis of fast fashion informed by data from our savvy millennial reader. So I’d love to see us expand in that area of consumer brands as I know we can give consumers what they’re looking for.”

What else is the power pair currently excited about? “I'm obsessed with the Obsessee girl and world; the combination of Gen-Z and social-only content makes every part of my brain excited,” says Kerr. For Power, it’s virtual reality. “We’re always trying new things and work to stay on the cutting edge of all technological advancements, so it’s certainly on our radar,” she tells us. “In fact, we’ve already been using VR as event activations. For our Obsessee pop-up at The Grove this summer, we partnered with Samsung, who had ambassadors bring headsets for guests to view fashion, music, and art virtual reality videos. People loved it!”

“I’d like to build this company to the giant I know it can be."

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It may not seem like Kerr or Power has literally one free second for anything outside of running their empire, but these superwomen squeeze in extra-curriculars to keep themselves sane. For Kerr, a self-described “word nerd,” it’s reading, and for Power, it’s exercise. “I love my daily 6 a.m. workout class at Tracy Anderson’s studio in L.A,” she says. “It keeps my brain functioning clearly.” For her part, Kerr has made peace with being a workaholic. “I take better care of myself, emotionally and physically,” she says of the time since the two first started out over a decade ago. “I've finally realized that I cannot separate my brain from work, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I firmly believe that you never know where a good idea will come from, and that means staying alert, open, and engaged with the world around you.” But don’t make the mistake of assuming Kerr and Power are content with staying where they are professionally. The same ambition and confidence that spurred them to take a risk and start Who What Wear back in 2006 is still here, and bigger than ever. “I’d like to build this company to the giant I know it can be,” Power says of their future goals. “You only get this close to something so big maybe once or twice in a lifetime, so I’m going to swing for the fences.”

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Fashion: Jamie Mizrahi

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

Stylist for Generation Instagram.

Jamie Mizrahi is proof that a career in styling is a process much like getting dressed. You start bare, slowly adding pieces, until finally, you've constructed an outfit. Or in her case, a lauded career. Though today she dresses women like the Foster Sisters and badass Sasha Lane, Jamie got her “first client,” after over ten years in the business, grinding it out in both New York and Los Angeles. “It takes hard work and determination,” Jamie says. “In my experience, it takes never saying no and constantly doing the best you can while learning from others and your own mistakes.” 

Of which, she says, there were so many little ones in the beginning. They make her laugh now, as errors are an inevitability in a business that's core nature is on-the-go and very demanding. You're constantly dealing with tiny details and large personalities. The stylist acknowledges however, to be allowed the space to err is vital. “You can’t do better if you can’t make mistakes,” she says. 

“You can’t do better if you can’t make mistakes.” 

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Unafraid to ask for help, Jamie explains she is “constantly asking [mentors] for advice, seeing where they are in their lives.” She’s realized, “it's not always easy to get to the right decision on your own.”

In her spare time she's a sucker for pottery, hot yoga, cooking, and hiking, swearing by both her skincare routine and “laughing a lot.” 

Part of her career process has included hiring an agent, an important step. “An agent helps you keep all the pieces together and works on building your career with you, helping bring in new opportunities, while you're out hustling."  

As time goes on Jamie's relationship to herself and career only gets “better and better,” in part because she truly loves her chosen path. And whether she's working with friends or new clients her approach to the job doesn’t change. “When I'm working, I make sure to maintain a level of professionalism always. If you're hiring me to do a job, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability - and treat everyone with the same amount of professionalism. Of course there are situations where there's play mixed with work, but I let my client steer that ship.” She's also sure to let those clients be the architects of their own style. The goal is not to have people recognize her work. There's no signature "Jamie," outfit.   

Her day-to-day includes being a supportive woman in both her work and personal life. “I mostly work with women every single day... women doing lots of different things. I cheer them on, I give my ear, I offer advice when someone asks and I push my friends, clients, and colleagues to be the best they can." She aims to surround herself with people who do the same for her. For young but seasoned stylist female empowerment is about, “women standing up for what we believe, working towards what we want and championing each other to do whatever we set our minds to.”

Considering she’s not yet 30, her centered approach to styling will likely facilitate a long and empowered career.  “Keep working. Keep creating. Be happy. Be healthy," she says. "If you can do those things the rest falls into place.”

It might not be so crazy that “world domination,” is on her bucket list. And if that doesn’t happen at least you know she’ll be dressed for it. 

Fashion: Clare Vivier

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

Created a brand of her own.

On the corner of Sunset and Micheltorena in Silverlake is a gray-blue front, the flagship store of LA-based designer Clare Vivier and her namesake brand, Clare V. Inside against white walls, CA-made colorful leather handbags and apparel pops. Shelves feature glasses, wallets, and gifts for the women who appreciate a faultless look. 

Simple, decidedly French, Clare’s is a story of fashion and fate. After finding 400 dollars on a sidewalk, she purchased the sewing machine that would launch a thousand bags.  But it all started with one, known famously as La Tropizienne. 

After graduating from University of San Francisco, Clare moved to France. She interned at a documentary film production company and waitressed on the side. The effortlessly chic style of France and French women spoke to her longtime interest in fashion. Feeling inspired, she started a blog for fun. She also happened to meet her husband, Thierry Vivier, and they moved back to California.  

In Los Angeles, her fashion blog began to pick up some traction as she formed her own style, an effortless blend of French and Californian influences. "Ever since I can remember," Clare says about her unique style and dressing for herself, "it has always been an important part of my identity and happiness."

During this time Clare had a day job, working as a prop stylist and commercial production coordinator in LA. But she needed a bag to hold her laptop and notes. The designer couldn’t bring herself to carry a meek, corporate-looking, nylon tote, especially being fresh off the sensibility of Paris.  So she made her own custom bag. Inspired by the L.L. Bean boat tote and the essence of St. Tropez, her bag demonstrated flare, functionality, and outright “coolness.”  And everyone noticed.  After receiving numerous compliments, Clare felt like she was on to something, and stepped in the role of Clare Vivier, handbag designer.  It was a buyer at Fred Segal luggage shop "back in the day," she says that gave her a first very useful bit of advice. "Why would anyone buy this at this price? No one knows who you are," Clare recounts upon sharing her first laptop bag which was admittedly overpriced. "I had to reassess," she says. 

Her breakthrough was in fact her self-made tote, La Tropizienne, and her blog exposure claiming “I’ve got your summer tote.”  It cultivated the market for chic working bags.  She worked alone for many years doing both the business and the creative side of things. And in 2012, she trusted her gut and took on two business partners, Steven Alan and Randy Kercho, who became her mentors and key contributors to the growth of the company.  

It was trusting her gut that led Clare to her success.  She admits to the difficultly of allocating responsibility and “hiring the right people to do the things that are not my strength.  It is challenging, but when you find the right people, it’s so rewarding.”  Rewarding to say the least. Clare V. has expanded to six stores nationwide, including two in New York, and has designed collaborations with big names such as Steven Alan, & Other Stores, GOOP, Jean Stories, and Apple, to name a few. Her dream though, not surprisingly, is to "open a store in Paris." 

Indeed it was a story of fashion and fate, but most importantly a woman that let her passion live free alongside her work.  She gave it the room and possibility for her creativity to flourish and it awarded her with her very own fashion line, possibly every girl’s dream. 

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Fashion: Melody Ehsani

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Fashion List Here.

The woman of streetwear. 

With mentors like her mom and Frank Ocean, how could streetwear designer Melody Ehsani go wrong?

“Every time I talk to Frank,” Melody shares, “I learn something from him. He has taught me to be regimented, disciplined, preferential in my work and not feel crazy.” 

A native Angeleo and the daughter of two artists, Melody assumed that the only way to enact justice was through the legal system. She attended UCLA, majored in Philosophy/Sociology in preparation for law school. 

However, after several law related internships at every place from Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to private law firms in LA, she knew it was not the path for her. “I had an anxiety attack before entering law school,” she says, “and as a result was forced to dig deeper. I had always felt that the only way that I could carry out my affinity for justice in the world was through the law. I was wrong.”

But wrong can lead to rights. Both personally and fighting for them. Though she had previously associated fashion with a shallowness, Melody “started seeing the nobility in creating beautiful items that made women feel more confident and happy.” She found that doing what she loved was the greatest way she could serve the world.

“In our world,” says Melody, “it’s so easy to get distracted and to truly forget who we are. It’s so important to check in daily and find memory of who you know you are, as opposed to who people want you to be.” 

She’s not immune to fear or doubt. Mediation, looking in versus looking out, and staying connected spiritually are all vital to her success.  Every morning she wakes up, prays/meditates, does 20 minutes of stretching on a foam roller, and then takes her journal down to my favorite coffee shop. Where she sits “with a cup and has ME time. It sets the tone for my day.”

And she's asked herself the question that all entrepreneurs ponder: “What if my business tanks? What if I don’t succeed?” But a wise friend told her, “You are not a role, you are an entity. If your business tanks, you’re still going to be Melody Ehsani. This business is just a role, but you… you are forever going to be you.” She took it to heart. 

As the world of streetwear evolves, Melody hopes, “that streetwear steps up and becomes the raw, unfiltered voice that its always been, sort of like how hip hop was in the ‘80s. I also hope more women in the industry step out and let their voices be heard louder than ever, because now is the time. The feminine needs a bigger voice.”

“Now is the time. The feminine needs a bigger voice.”

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She’s ready and willing to show up. Unapologetically. For her sisters. “I think it is essential that we band together, because we need critical mass to make a change. As women we need to remind one another that the things we feel and experience are real and OK.” 

That includes questioning the status quo and weeding out the red herrings. “After a visit to the White House earlier this year I learned that women are paid significantly less than men in the workforce because women rarely ask for raises, whereas men ask for them often, and often receive them.  If we had more women leaders in the workforce, we would learn basic things like this, to ask for our place."

“To quote Obama,” Melody says, “I don’t have a bucket list but I have something that rhymes with that.” 

Styling provided by Reservoir LA. Hair and makeup provided by Glamsquad. Photography courtesy of Light Lab and Woodnote Photography.

Never Have A Fashion Emergency Again

Source; 9 to 5 Chic

It’s 5pm and you’re wearing the outfit you spilled your sad desk lunch all over. You have a drinks meeting with a client at 6pm and no time to head home to change. Do you cancel and thereby run the risk of losing new biz, or do you reach into your cubby and pull out your emergency outfit? Yeah, it’s a thing for boss ladies everywhere.

From desk to drinks. Or desk to holiday rooftop parties, there are a few key items you need at in case of a work fashion emergency. And if you need it, it can probably be #foundatsimon. Simon is the name behind America’s iconic shopping destinations. Chances are, your favorite mall is a Simon center.

With their help we’re rounding up five items you should stock at your desk for those ”just in case” moments. Because you never know when you need to show up and give them a fashion show down.  

1. DRY SHAMPOO FOR LAST MINUTE TOUCH-UPS

This lands at the top of every fashion emergency checklist because it’s the most important. Dry shampoo is your ultimate hair saver. Maybe you didn’t have time in the am to wash, maybe you did-- and just didn’t feel like it. Spray it-- don’t say “no thanks” to an opportunity because your hair doesn’t feel up to it. No excuses, least of all having to wash your hair.

2. A SMALL CLUTCH IN THE SEASON’S LOGO MANIA TREND 

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If you cart a work bag or backpack to the office and last minute dinner or drinks pop up, keeping a clutch or small shoulder bag in a cubby will allow you to leave your bigger bag at the office. Transfer the items you need that night to the smaller purse, and head out without feeling like you’re lugging along your weekender. Bonus: all your office stuff and very important papers are already there come next morning. Opt for a color that pops like the Gucci red leather GG Marmont Shoulder Bag.

3. NAIL POLISH REMOVER WIPES

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You’ve been typing all day and still didn’t manage to notice your cracked and chipped mani. We get it. You’re that focussed on the grind. But 6pm has arrived, dinner with a potential client is looming and your mani is not cutting it. You’ve got three minutes to wipe it off and head out the door and make an impressive first impression. Grab a set of Instant Nail Polish Remover Wipes at Sephora. They will quickly and easily remove even the darkest colors.

4. AN EXTRA OUTFIT

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If it seems excessive to you, think about how many times you’ve spilled on yourself when you have to take a conference call at your desk. Instead of relying on a stain removing stick, which sometimes works and sometimes makes smudges worse, why not opt for chic evergreen outfit? A pair of high waist, dark wash Levi’s from Anthropologie fit just about any situation. A pair of white mules are simple and stylish to slip into. And an off-the-shoulder men’s shirt.

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No one will ever know you spilled your 3pm caffeine pick-me-up all over your pants.

5. MINI SEWING KIT, SAFETY PINS & FASHION TAPE  

If you’re not in a rush Simon has tailors on site for alternations. But if you don’t have time to swing by, make sure that you have a mini sewing kit handy, with needle, thread, fashion tape, and safety pins. You never know when a strap might break or a button might pop. Fix it on the spot and then head out to pop that bubbly and close that deal.

And if you'll be at C&C Atlanta this week, you can stock up at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, two amazing Simon centers with retailers ranging from Sephora to Chloe.

For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips, go to SAID, the online destination for the style conscious. Here, you’ll discover the best in fashion, beauty, culture, food and design because style really is a lifestyle. So start exploring. Get inspired. Be heard. If it’s worth talking about, you’ll find it on SAID.

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What Do Your Jewelry Choices Say About You As an Employee?

Ever wonder what your jewelry choices say about you as an employee? Whether you’re slaying Keynote proposals in a statement necklace or you’re a simple bangle kind of boss, we’re breaking down jewelry choices and work styles with Simon G. Jewelry.

There is a rapport between what you put on and how you go about your day.

THE STRAIGHT SHOOTER IN THE SIMPLE BANGLE

A simple bangle says you like to get into the office early and clear out your inbox ASAP. It’s a no-fuss approach to business and dressing that says, I bang that drum, but with a bangle that doesn’t get in the way.

With an arresting intertwined design of white and rose gold and white diamonds, you’re also a bit of a dreamer who takes chances by bending the rules a little bit. You’re not afraid to mix metals and you’re certainly not afraid of mixing it up in the conference room, stating your ideas with confidence; two-tone means you’ve got ideas in every hue.

THE GO-GETTER IN THE CLIMBER EARRINGS

Call it a hike, a journey, or a climb, you’re all about getting to the top. But as dedicated as you are about going after your dreams, you also make sure to reach down and to the side as you go.

These climber diamond earrings mean you’re a go-getter, you want to be noticed, and you make a statement with both your earrings and your handshake: firm and no-nonsense.

You know that not everything you do will be a success but that never stops you from trying.

You like talking strategy and growth with your team and you’re constantly brainstorming innovative ideas for expansion. In 18k white gold with floral pattern you’re classic but crafty and nothing will hold you back.

"You’re classic but crafty and nothing will hold you back."

Tweet this. 

THE WORKER BEE IN THE SIMPLE DIAMOND PENDANT

You work out at 6am. Are in the office by 8:30, and you’ve corresponded with more people before noon than most people do in a day. You’re practical, fast, and you like jewelry that you don’t have to think about—  but know is always looking stunning.

This is the kind of necklace you can wear morning, noon, and night. In part because you’re always heading from the office to work drinks!

You never have to take it off (and you often don’t). Don’t underestimate it’s simplicity for simpleness. This necklace works hard for you and you need something that works like you do: around-the-clock.

Like they say: you want something done, give it to a busy person.

THE OFFICE UNICORN IN THE RIGHT HAND RING 

You are always there to jump in, take on a challenge head-on, and come up with ideas that benefit the whole team. If someone is out sick, you’re helping.

If a co-worker is hitting a wall with creative ideas, you’re staying behind to spitball. You’re a true right hand to everyone in the company and it’s an attitude that doesn’t go unnoticed. It has helped you advance your position in the past and will continue to do so.

This spiral ring is comfortable and resilient due to the design of tiny, almost unnoticeable joints in the solid 18k rose gold design. Which mirrors your personality precisely. The diamonds add a bit of sparkle— just like you add to the workplace.

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This One Shirt Is Changing the Way We Buy Clothes

DRESSHIRT is a tightly edited collection of tailored sportswear with a mono product structure of luxurious, a-seasonal basics for the over marketed consumer. The custom embroidered DS1 was the first product category to be released and has become the globally recognized hero of the brand. 

It occurs to me that I am a feminist. I didn’t set out to become one but I find myself a woman, an entrepreneur, and an activist providing women with a comfort that men have enjoyed for centuries. I wasn't compelled to launch my brand with such morals however, rather the opposite—I was being selfish. 

DRESSHIRT erupted from two needs: A personal desire to put something new into the world and a hankering for an ease of dressing similar to what men feel when slipping on their favorite suit. I grew up in Milan, surrounded by fashion. My father, the owner of a fashion consultancy and ex-Saville Row tailor, was an enormous influence on me. You could credit him with being the impetus for both of the aforementioned desires. I watched him get dressed in his own kind of suit every day--a black turtleneck, black pants, a ponytail tightly harnessed with black elastic band. My father is one of the most well dressed men I know, and the ease he finds in just a few basic pieces, that he wears his way, is what aim to give women.

The easiest way of describing DRESSHIRT’s brand structure is as follows: 

DRESSHIRT + JACKET + TROUSER + SCARF + HAT 

Equals an outfit. 

Traditional brands create loyalty by using marketing to appeal to the lifestyle of their customer, and by creating the illusion that there is a need to purchase out of fear that last seasons styles will become obsolete. At DRESSHIRT we believe in a smarter luxury, one that prioritizes values over status and a personal touch over pre-conceived, “perfect” package. We build our brand one product at a time, making pieces that can adapt to many lifestyles, places and seasons. By focusing on products our customers grow with us, and are part of the process of building their wardrobe. It is a truly collaborative, authentic and loyal partnership. 

I often say that I feel the internet is being misused in our industry. The emergence and growth of the internet has given the millennial and Y generations a considerable advantage in business. The virtual storefront means you can run a consumer oriented company with little to no overhead. It is our most valuable asset, and the direct-to-consumer brands leading the way in fashion are mostly price-based models with the familiar adage “we bring you the best for less by cutting out the middle man.”  Today, there is a space for luxury fashion empires to be built online, and being more accessible does not mean we have to sacrifice quality. The rush of newness and fast fashion is coming to an end and an aging millennial generation wants luxury online. 

"The rush of newness and fast fashion is coming to an end."

Tweet this. 

The same can be said of the in-store customer experience. Traditionally, e-commerce has been treated as a back up, a second string to brick and mortar. As the brick and mortar experience has become increasingly passive and dissociative, online has become the opposite. I can sit in our studio and answer customer service emails and live chats myself. Via www.dresshirt.com, we directly reach customers from all over the world. Everyone on the DRESSHIRT team has contact with a customer daily! We learn names and carry out and produce custom orders. We create a relationship with our return shoppers—you don’t get a more personalized experience than that.

Technology has revolutionized the fashion industry. It is a divisive time and there is movement on behalf of some of the bigger houses away from fashion week and the seasonal collections traditionally aimed at buyers and stores. With all the money spent on these twice yearly fanfares it’s a small disaster when all of the media is not translating directly into sales for the business. Social media is, in part, responsible for this shift, which is the beginning of a new forward thinking, customer focused industry. It is equally responsible for the obsession around influencer culture—when lifestyle is king, brand message and intention can get lost, and achieving longevity in a culture of relentless newness is almost impossible. 

One thing is for certain, the fashion world has changed. It is an exciting time where big brands and small are playing together, on a relatively level playing field, with nothing but a website to compete. Everyone is vying for a space in the emerging luxury, direct-to-consumer market. I stand by the prediction I made when I launched DRESSHIRT: This space will be filled by the uncomplicated. Don’t overwhelm, don't overproduce. My mission is to provide my customer with an effortless answer to too much choice. Acting as a compass of style and a canvas for creativity, we created an experience where she can do it her way.

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C&C Asks: What Is Smart Head-to-Toe Dressing?

In 2011 online-native footwear company Sole Society launched as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce venture selling shoes for $100-and-under. In 2012, they added traditional retail to their business model, selling through the department store. Today, the brand has expanded into head-to-toe dressing, taking a unique approach to their foray into fashion. 

We caught up with the brand who will be onsite with us at Create & Cultivate DTLA to chat sales, buying practices, and using an omni-channel approach to reach customers. 

First things, first. What is smart dressing?

We think smart dressing is Fashion Without Sacrifice. Sole Society gives our girl a smarter way to style. We give her the quality and fashion she craves with none of the trade-offs. 

What inspired the brand to expand beyond footwear, handbags and accessories to selling apparel?

We have always encouraged our customers to style from the shoes up. Historically, we’ve styled our accessories on the site as a full look, offering unique “How to Wear” suggestions for each of our offerings. For each of these looks we call out the featured apparel brands. This is a unique approach for a footwear and accessory brand, but we’ve learned that our customers love it, and in turn, have come to trust our styling suggestions and expertise. Our customers have told us they enjoy seeing the fashion and the creative ways that we style our accessories. It helps our customers visualize the many ways they can wear their Sole Society accessories. Along the way, our customers have continuously asked “where can I buy the apparel?” As a result, we decided to start selling a curated selection of apparel that perfectly complements our accessories offerings.  Our customer can still come to Sole Society for great shoes, bags and accessories, but now they can take our fashion inspiration and purchase the entire look in one place. Given the recent results, we think our foray into apparel has been a success!

How does Sole Society drive sales for “head to toe” dressing?

We use an omni-channel approach to reach our customer and offer her key fashion inspiration, which drives her to purchase our products.  On solesociety.com, we showcase our catalog and offer product detail pages, where we feature completed looks in our shoppable How-To-Wear images.  We inspire our customers with our carefully curated and thoughtful point-of-view.  We also send daily emails to our database with creative imagery demonstrating both classic and trendy ways to style our product.

To complement the styling suggestions on our dynamic website, we work closely with a number of bloggers and digital influencers.  We love to collaborate with these talented, fashionable and creative people to see how each of them organically styles our product and makes it their own.   Instead of sending a partner a pair of shoes to promote, we prefer to let her choose her favorite shoes, bag, accessories and apparel to organically style on her own.  Through her creativity, she inspires her followers to wear Sole Society from head to toe and incorporate it into their wardrobe.  As a result, we gain compelling content to share on our social channels so our customer can see how women with all different styles wear our brand.

How do you buy for the online store vs our brick and mortar retail location?

Our online store includes the full Sole Society collection. We have a broader and deeper assortment on the website.  Our customer can browse the website for inspiration across categories and utilize the e-commerce features like ratings and reviews, how-to-wear images, “Shop the Look” and Q & A. 

Our store has limited space so the assortment is a curated selection of our most seasonally and regionally relevant merchandise.  There, we take advantage of merchandising our product categories into stories so our customer can see how well our pieces work together to create a stylish look.  Visiting the store also has the advantage of an in-person experience. Customers can touch and feel the quality of the product, and try pieces on to ensure the best fit.  Our customers are always commenting on how beautiful our merchandise looks in-person.

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