FASHION: [versace | for | h&m]

Hi my lovelies!

So today I found out who the next designer collaboration for H&M will be... Versace! They've designed iconic pieces from iconic moments past & present. About 40 Women's pieces and 20 Men's pieces plus accessories to be in stores November 17, 2011 and shortly followed by a pre-spring collection that will be available online from January 19, 2012.



Here are some speak peek images for the upcoming collection...





I'm in love with the studded dresses and the mid high peep-toe booties. I can't wait to see what else the collection will bring. My personal style doesn't really go with what Versace is all about but from what I see so far from these photos, I can definitely make some of them work.

STYLING TIP: Never buy something just going based off the designer/brand name!
Just because something is made by a designer/brand doesn't always make it fashionable and fabulous for everyone and anyone. You should always spend you money on pieces that fit you will, and fit into your style. Always look for quality, fit, style and longevity. Spending money on "trendy" pieces isn't very smart (unless you're rich), spending it on the classic quality pieces that will last a while is always smart. Also, just like buying based off the designer brand names... fallowing every trend isn't a must. If you want to fallow a trend, be sure to pick and choose and make it fit into your own style otherwise you'll come out looking like you're trying way too hard.

{source: vogue.co.uk, hm.com}

Until next time...
xx
j

STYLING: [gentry | photo shoot | f11 & SS12]

Hi Lovelies,

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I know I sure did. This past Saturday, GENTRY asked me to co-style their Fall 2011 and Spring/Summer 2012 photo shoot with the amazing Ed Choi up at the Stahl House in the Hollywood Hills (photographed on the right). I was extremely excited and honored that they had asked me to help style they're shoot. On top of never really focusing on just men's styling before, I was also excited to be able to work with all of GENTRY's amazing men's accessories (neck pins, tie pins, tie bars, pocket squares, bow ties (new) and neck ties).

It's definitely a lot easier to style a shoot when you believe in the product, as well as the brand's vision. What I love about GENTRY is their effortless, classic with a modern take on men's accessories and of course their attention to details. I think that more men should start investing in their accessories. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I see more men out their wearing tie bars but how about adding a little more character to the accessories?! Like GENTRY's Fitzgerlad collection. This is probably by far my favorite collection from GENTRY. I'm in love with the Carraway set and the clock tie pin is my all time favorite.

ATTENTION ALL MEN: please start wearing tie pins, I love them more than tie bars (but I love tie bars too). It's a nice suttle touch of character to an outfit and I LOVE that! All you need is just a little detail to finish a look. As shown in the photo on the left on the handsome Warren Baker, the face of GENTRY. Which is actually a sneak peek pic at one of the looks from the shoot for GENTRY's Fall 2011 campaign.

Ok enough about my love for GENTRY and men's accessories... Now back to the photo shoot. We started off the day shooting GENTRY's Spring/Summer 2012 collections. Since Spring/Summer is more vibrant and colorful, it was only natural to start off the day with the SS collection. Which I personally had the most fun with styling wise (I think Ed did as well). In the Spring collection we also wanted to show people that men's accessories didn't have to be tied down to suits and evening wear. As you'll be able to see a little peek at in the behind the scenes photos below. (click image to enlarge photo)

Models for GENTRY's Spring/Summer 2012 is Warren Baker, Brian Thomas Gove and Austin Stowell. Photographed by Carl Lindstorm

After we wrapped the SS shoot at the Stahl House around 3pm, it was time for the Fall 2011 shoot. Unfortunately, I was wrapped up in the shoot that I completely forgot to take some behind the scenes photos for the Fall collection but I'm sure the one with Warren in the top left is good enough for you guys. However, here is a photo of all of us at the end of the day.
Crew photo from GENTRY's Fall 2011 photo shoot at the Stahl House.

Co-founders: Ms. Imamura & Mr. Sato
Photographer: Everette Perry & his assistants
Fashion Stylist: Jen Nunn-Iwai & Ed Choi
Groomer: Jonathan Colombini
Models: Warren Baker, Alex Ulvsgard & Jonathan Isaiah

All-in-all it was an amazing day with amazing people and an amazing view! Loved every moment of it. Had a blast and I can't wait for the next one. Thank you... Annie & Greg for having me be a part of this photo shoot and Ed for being my partner in crime on this shoot. NUNN + CHOI styling, next stop... the world! :)

Also, I want to thank everyone else that made this shoot happen. Great Team! Can't wait to see all the photos.

Until next time,
xoxo
j

FASHION: [personal style | styling tip #5]

• Tip #5:

Personal style is your own, so own it!
I believe that everyone has their own personal style, you might have it right now, you might grow into it and/or it might even evolve on you later down the line. For most people the hard part is figuring out how to refine their style.

What I love about my friends is that we can buy the same exact item but we would never wear it exactly the same way and pair with the same exact items, that's what you call personal style! You never want to be called a cookie cutter, which means you and everyone else looks exactly alike.

Keep in mind that style in most cases evolves and matures over time, as it should. A 50 year old should not be wearing what a 20 year old wears. But that also doesn't mean that a 50 year old still can't look young a stylish for her age. It's all in how you put things together and what's deemed appropriate at your age.

One of my very favorite quotes is by Yves Saint Laurent- "Fashion fades, Style is eternal". Following every fashion trend out there and/or what the "in" things are, doesn't automatically mean that you have style. To be honest, I don't even think they ever go hand-in-hand. Just like YSL said fashion fades. Someone with style will be able to pick out which trends will/will not work within his/her own personal style and not the other way around.

If you're having a hard time finding your own style, start with the classics/essentials/basics (simple black dress, t-shirts, jeans, etc) and then slowly try adding a few different things here and there, if it'd be a pop of color with shoes or a scarf. Just always keep in mind in whatever you do less is more. And if all else fails, you can never go wrong with the classics.

Sometimes to find your own style you have to go with trial and error but whatever you decide to wear, make sure you wear it with confidence and make it your own. If you're not confident in what you're wearing, take it off and try again, it just means that wasn't your style. You'll eventually get there if you keep trying.

Until next time
xoxo
Best,
j

FASHION: [versatility | styling tip #4]

• Tip #4:

Being versatile saves money and gives you options!
Most people buy their clothes and only see it the one was that it's shown. I guess this can also fall in the line of Tip #3: Layering. Because depending on how you decided to layer your outfit together, it can dress it up and/or dress it down, kind of like Tip #2: accessories. All the layering and accessories kind of go hand-in-hand on if you're dressing up or down your outfit.

A great example was when i was trying to figure out what to wear to my brother-in-law's wedding. I knew I wanted to wear a long dress being that it was during a cold winter/rainy month but i didn't want to look to formal. I had had my eye on this Lazaro dress for a while and i think i was just trying to find an excuse to finally buy it and wear it. So to dress it down i decided to add a long dark brown cardigan belted along with thick pearls to accent it. Now i just need to find an event to wear the Lazaro dress in all it's glory. ha! Don't you just love the back of the dress?? I sure do!
Below are before and after images.

[right: Lazaro dress alone. left: me at my brother-in-law's wedding dressing down the lazaro dress]

In most cases personal, I'm more likely to dress something down rather than up being that I'm usually not going to too many dressy event and all. But to dress up an outfit, that depends on the accessories (shoes, jewelry, clutch etc.).

Being versatile doesn't only refer to dressing an outfit up or down. I'm also referring to how you pair things up in general. You can get more outfits out of one item than you think. For example, I have this floral sheer DVF shirt dress that i also convert into a top. Sometimes i add a skirt over it,other times I'll feel like tucking it into shorts or pants. That of course is on top of wearing it as a dress with a cardigan along with belting it and black sheer tights and a pair of booties to top it off.

I Guess what I'm trying to say is, try opening up your mind to how you put an outfit together. Sometimes outfits can be made from things you'd never think of and in multiple ways. Don't be cookie-cutter, explore. Just remember whatever you decide to wear, own it and be you!

Until next time.
xoxo
best,
j

ACCESSORIES: [mens | tie pins]

I know that most of my post are typically geared towards the ladies but today's post is for the men.

It's always sexy when a guy looks like he knows how to dress. Notice how I said "looks like". It doesn't matter how you end up in the outfit, it could be a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, friend and/or stylist that dressed you, as long as you look put together that's all that matters and in the end its all about the accessories (Tip #2).

I styled a photo shoot this past weekend for my good friends at Krista Mason Photography and i didn't realize until then how much I love men's tie-pins (I used Gentry's Carraway tie-pin from their Fitzgerald collection - Gentry Carraway jewelry collection photoed on the left, click to enlarge). Don't get me wrong, I still love me a good tie-bar on a guy but the simplicity of a tie-pin... i die for!

Most guys might hear accessories and/or jewelry and run when it comes to adding them to their outfit and if you are one of those guys you should seriously reconsider your stereotype of it. Just like it does for the ladies, Accessories give an outfit that finishing touch.

For example, check out the image below taken from Gentry's F/W 2010 lookbook.
It gives a little hint of style and character that some might not even notice right away and I love that!

If you haven't already gone over to Gentry to check out their amazing pieces you should do so now. Their love for the details makes me love them even more. Right now Gentry only sells their tie-pins via their box sets but that shouldn't stop you from getting the whole set because all of their pieces will give you that polished finished look that all men need. You know that saying "dress to impress!"?! live by it!

Until next time.
xoxo
Best,
j

FASHION: [layering | styling tip #3]

• Tip #3:

Layering adds character!


I love layering. I might be a little bias because of where i grew up. We had cold winter days and freezing winter nights. Definitely not like the winters i get now down in Southern California.

When you grow up in cold weather you tend to learn how to layer in order to survive. Especially for someone like me who gets cold easily, I needed to be able to have enough layers on to keep warm outside and be able to adjust the layers while inside. And somehow this stuck and grew into my over all personal style.

Now days I still get cold easily but instead of layering for survival, I layer to add character to my outfits. For example, most will wear and shirt and then a jacket or heavy sweater... but me, I'll add a cardigan in between and sometimes on top of all that i might add a coat. It won't always work, as with anything it all depends on the outfit and the items you're trying to pair together. Check out my Polyvore sets for examples of my layering.

Especially now that it's winter, it's a great time to try layering. Of course layering might not be for everyone, just fallow your own personal style and work off that. It can never hurt to try new things. In the end, just be yourself.

Until next time!
xoxo
Best,
j

FASHION: [accessories | styling tip #2]

• Tip #2:

It's all about the accessories!
Your outfit won't look complete without the accessories. The way you accessorize can either dress up an outfit, dress it down and if you're not careful it can also ruin an outfit all together.

When it comes to accessorizing, remember the phrase "less is more" and/or "simplicity is key". Here are a few simple rules when it comes to accessorizing: Never wear earrings, a necklace(s), and bracelets all at one time. If you want to wear earrings go with a bracelet(s). If you want to wear a chunky necklace pair it with a cocktail ring and if you want you don't always have to pair them up with another accessory. Some times being extra simple can be best. Keep in mind like i said in Styling Tip #1, there's SOME exceptions to every rule. For example, if you're wearing a dainty/simple pendant necklace (like this one by Marc by Marc Jacobs at Shopbop.com) you're able to pair it with a bracelet(s) because the necklace isn't over powering.

One of the most important accessory to any outfit are the shoes because it sets the tone of the whole outfit. Flat boots to dress it down, heeled boots to dress it up, strappy heels to feel fancy or pumps to make it classic. Shoes are actually one of the accessories I don't think you necessarily have to spend a lot of money on. With so many shoe companies out there creating knock-offs it's not hard to find shoes that look great for less. Just remember to pay a little for something that looks like it would cost a lot more and also keep in mind the higher the heel the nice your legs will look. If you do have some money to spare, it definitely wouldn't hurt to spend money on classic staples, you can never go wrong with a black pump. Like these Christian Louboutin Rolando pumps.

And for the guys, more of you should start looking into more men's accessories like watches, shoes, and even ties clips, neckties, pocket squares like the ones by Gentry. Accessories aren't just for women you know?! Go for it. Add some character and style to your everyday look.



Until next time!
xoxo,
J

FASHION: [cost | styling tip #1]

Style some would say is subjective and in a way I would have to agree with this statement. But i do think there is always a stylish way to wearing anything and this is my 1st tip on styling.

• Tip #1:

Looking well put together has nothing to do with how much an outfit cost.
this is probably one of the most common misconceptions about being stylish. How much you spend on your clothes and/or what brand you're wearing doesn't automatically mark you fashionable. You can still look like a "million bucks" without spending a million bucks and you can look like a hot mess even when you do. Style is all in how will you can put the clothing and accessories together.

My husband and i aren't rich and haven't won the lotto (yet!), so one of the #1 key rules I live by when it comes to putting outfits together is being able to mix a few key pieces that may cost a little more money and match them up with pieces that are more on the cheaper side, like from Target (my favorite store), H&M, Zara and even Forever 21.

Certain key items I personally think needs to have the quality/details and in most cases that mean spending more money on these items. For instance, I personally think that you always have to have a good pair of jeans and a nice bag/purse. If you're wearing a bad pair of jeans (which normally mean the fabric is cheap and the fit is horrible) added with a cheap looking bag, it doesn't matter how nice your top, jacket and/or accessories are it's a recipe for disaster. But of course there's always SOME exceptions to every rule, so I'm not saying this is the case all the time.. but most.

Tops, Jackets and Accessories (costume jewelry, shoes, etc.) are always easier to find at the cheaper stores. You just have to know what to look for. Make sure you're not picking out something that looks cheap even though it is. Always try to buy items that look more than they actually are. If it's $5 and looks like it's $5 DON'T get it but if it's $5 and looks like it's $50, those are the items you want to buy.

Also on the items you do decided to spend more money on, unless you're financially able to, make sure these items are versatile and not trendy. Try to spend your money on timeless pieces and keep the trendier items on the cheaper side. Their called trends for a reason and you don't have be into every single trend in order to be in style. Unless you're rich and/or a celebrity be smart with your purchases.

Here is an example to help you understand the styling tip a little better:

the Tapered Leg Trousers to the left are from Forever 21 for $22.50. But because they have a look and feel of a silk blend even though it's actually polynosic/polyester, it looks like it could be a lot more expensive than they actually are.

Pair these trousers with a loose plain white cotton tank like this T by Alexander Wang on Shopbop.com along with some simple accessories... you have yourself a effortless look for less.

I hope in reading this tip it has helped you to look at your purchases differently and hopefully it will guide those of you in need into developing/sharpening your own personal style.

Best,
xoxo
j