JBCStyle: Yumi Kim Style

Dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true. 

-Aerosmith

You know the dream. Girl graduates school, moves to New York City to become a fashion designer, and is suddenly beloved by socialites, celebrities, and all the pretty young things. Just like that. San Diego State University graduate Yumi Kim moved to New York, created eponymous line, and is living proof that the dream exists. It's alive and well. We love these success stories because they inspire the hopefuls to take that leap of faith, and remind the jaded, or even the very established, that the next wunderkind to compete with a de la Renta or a Herrera might be a 20-something year old designing dresses for a doll collection. And then maybe a First Lady's inaugural ball gown. You never know.

A blog post dated September 26, 2008:

I can't believe this is really happening. I have a store in New York City! OMG! It hasn't hit me yet! I keep pinching myself and saying- "Is this for reals? We actually made it happen?!" It's been a crazy roller coaster ride the past few weeks.  I can't believe I actually made it happen!  I have so many people to thank.  I owe my staff and friends BIG time for being there for me.  Thank you so much for staying all those late nights and working those long days.  You guys seriously are the best! I can't thank all of you enough for helping making my dream come true! I am truly blessed to have such an amazing team and friends! I LOVE you guys!

Camila Alves

Tinsley Mortimer

Dabney Mercer

Lauren Conrad

Paris Hilton

Nicky Hilton

Congratulations, Yumi - two years later and we could keep posting the pictures, but it's a blog, after all, and you know how it is with blogs. So we're just ending because we feel like we should so our readers don't develop scroll rage, but many of us have been rocking your rompers all summer long, and can't wait to see what you have in store for Fall. . . your store manager told us exclusively that you design all the clothes on yourself - perhaps that's why there's that invisible snap button already in place (the one we have to go to the dry cleaner and have put in because the buttons aren't spaced right) or that cinched waist, or the capped sleeve sleeve detail to mask the extra pound or two. Easy. Playful. With zippers and florals and just enough edge, oh my. 

JBCStyle: Soho Style

Whether you're a NYC native or just visiting, if you're doing Soho, do not miss Kirna Zabete on Greene Street. The lines they carry leave us a little weak in the knees - Alexander Wang, Azzedine Alaia (we know, we know. . . ) Balmain, Lanvin, Rick Owens. . . you get it. You need to go. Physically for sure, and virtually right now - the site is eye candy for your lunch hour.

What we love best is the Kirna Zabete attitude toward style - it's approached with humor and whimsy - any boutique carrying this book has a style we can appreciate.

Thank you, Alexander Wang - you're so right.

PinkMemo Editor Katrina Szish with Alexander Wang - just a hot picture!

As Fashion's Night Out approaches and Lincoln Center stands poised to fill the big footsteps of the fabled "Tents," we think the ultimate style is a celebration of the variety and beauty of what is being created today - and Kirna Zabete has a knack for carrying labels which prevail season to season because they are fearless, innovative, and well, FUN.

JBCStyle: Transitional Style

One more day left in August, and we couldn't think of a better time to talk about our favorite transitional piece: the cardigan. Eileen Fisher has dedicated a love story to this I'm-Perfect-With-Jeans-And-A-Tee-Shirt-Let's-Go-Apple-Picking-In-The-Catskills staple piece, and there are some great, versatile options on their site in all the yummy fall colors the trees will be sporting soon.

We like how Bloomingdales has styled the the Eileen Fisher cardigans - below are two favorite looks:

And just because we are in an unusually great mood this Monday, obviously we cannot resist. . .

Cardigans and September - we love it, Eileen! It's totally on.

JBCStyle: Hamptons Cover, Diamond Style

We checked out Pranna Restaurant's cocktail soiree to celebrate Serena William's Hamptons Magazine cover. Russell Simmons rolled in to show support and we think the cover looks HOT and everything Serena is doing to help the Diamond Empowerment Fund is even hotter.

Check out the work they are doing. . .

. . .and hear Russell Simmons talk about how you can help - it's so easy, and we think that any cause that empowers youth and promotes education shapes the future.

There is nothing in this world more stylish than education.

JBCStyle: Alexa Rodulfo at Bergdorfs, Flame Style

Our Fashion's Night Out flame is Alexa Rodulfo, and a pit stop at Bergdorf Goodman's Beauty Level will be a must.

Alexa Rodulfo is no stranger to the business of beauty – ask any chic Manhattan girl to name the premiere l’artiste in hair and beauty, and Rodulfo stakes her claim.  At last year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala Alexa did the make-up for Margherita Missoni, Ivanka Trump, and Wendi Murdoch. The new Mrs. Kushner also turned to Alexa for her wedding day make-up, and fêted the launch of the candle collection in her Madison Avenue eponymous jewelry boutique. We love Melissa Whitworth's latest PinkMemo feature "Heiress Apparent" on Ivanka's fabulous jewelry line.

Courtesy PinkMemo: Ivanka Trump

The humble Rodulfo still credits Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke and Lauren Santo Domingo, along with The New York Times’ Karla Martinez and Gryphon wunderkind Aimee Cho as angels who launched her career. 

Alexa with Lauren Santo Domingo

Why candles? Alexa's response is immediate and heartfelt:  “I wanted to make a candle line that was meaningful and had feeling.  Once you become captivated by the scent, it will take you to a place you have been before.  When you have a dream and you are passionate about it, and you do things from the heart and with love, it will happen.  I make my collection with all my love, and hopefully people can feel that.” 

JBCStyle: Fashion Client Style

If you are a brand new designer, an up and coming designer, or a well established fashion house, we invite you to take a moment and sit down with Bryan Zaslow. . . it's that crazy time of year again and what needs to be accomplished between now and Fashion Week almost seems impossible. We like making things easy.

What can JBCStyle do for you? Here's Bryan on a rainy Monday in late August during the 46 seconds he wasn't in a meeting or on a conference call.



Contact us today, and stay tuned if you're on the other side of the fence, looking for a job in the fashion industry. We just got our flip cam (watching is so much easier than writing or reading - our teachers never quite got that, did they?) and we'll be sharing many more clips with you - subscribe to our blog today to make sure you don't miss out!

JBCStyle: Tibi E-Commerce Style

Tibi just relaunched their site - complete with e-commerce section - and we couldn't be more excited. The homepage looks gorgeous.

Our favorite feature is the "About" because it opens like a booklet, and designer Amy Smilovic's Inspiration page rings refreshing, honest, and very true to the brand.

Finally. . . at the click of our fingertips, the CLOTHES!

The SHOES! The Tanzania are ridic.

Swimwear to follow suit soon. . . and A BLOG - featuring Amy's actual sketches! Even cooler is the fact that Amy has written entries herself. In this increasingly digitized world, it's rare to find the right balance between personalization and going mass market. We dig it.

The City's Olivia Palermo and Gossip Girl's Blake Lively are fans:

Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo with Amy Smilovic at Fall 2010

Blake Lively

Our Creative Director Anisha Lakhani is equally obsessed - in a yellow Tibi ruffle dress about to go on set with Fox News Anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle (also in Tibi!) to do a special on "Fashion's Night Out."

Kimberly Guilfoyle and Anisha Lakhani

We still can't forget when Amy blasted Gun n' Roses in Bryant Park and that gorgeous purple skirt made its way down the runway, rocking to Axel's Sweet Child of Mine.

Tibi Spring 2010

Paper Magazine's Luigi Tadini snapped away while Art + Culture's Chessy Wilson and High Society's Dabney Mercer refused to blink!

Luigi Tadini, Chessy Wilson, Dabney Mercer

Tibi's Director of Public Relations Liz Walker wears it well and is constantly seen around town sporting looks we can now own with the click of a mouse.

Cena Hackler Jackson, Annelise Peterson, Liz Walker

Congratulations to Amy and the entire team at Tibi. . . we can't wait to see what you've got in store for Spring 2011. See you at Lincoln Center!

JBCStyle: Artemis Style

Huntress is the creative vision of Paula Shapiro and Kei Zemlicka, inspired by one very long layover in Hong Kong, where both women were travelling on behalf of a leading NYC fashion company. Always on the go, they wanted to look stylish and pulled together while still feeling comfortable, even on a 12 hour flight overseas. They envisioned a laid-back collection that delivers casual fashion and comfort, with a bit of an edge. 

The jean leggings featured above are our favorite, and while we cannot WAIT to purchase some dead sexy, over-the-knee boots for Fall (why not?), the cute snap buttons make these a year round favorite and perfect with ballet flats and a tank in late August. They're also (hard to believe, but we don't lie) more flattering than the J Brand leggings and the ones Gap is featuring in their windows. We tried all three after a pasta dinner ("Eat" section of Eat Pray Love did us in and death by ravioli was inevitable) and indeed this was the verdict. Jeans that still flatter and feel comfortable after that kind of dinner? Priceless.

JBCStyle can exclusively tell you that the girls just photographed their fall line today - but the girls at Huntress have remained Fort Knox about these pieces - we're dying for a glimpse! For now, here's a quick intro to two very cool girls we have a feeling will be making a big splash in the next couple months. . .

Known for her saavy business expertise in overseeing the manufacturing and production for numerous large-scale design and retail companies, Paula built relationships with industry leading mills and factories across the globe. Raised in Japan, Kei started designing at an early age. With a keen eye and skilled hand, she won recognition for her knitwear designs, and relaxed silhouettes. The brand reflects the personalities of its creators. 

Huntress combines sophistication with simplicity, pairing low maintenance, high fashion options. Chic styles that can go from day to evening provide a modern approach to dressing. The ultra-soft fabrics are skillfully crafted into sumptuous playsuits, luxurious tunics and slip-on dresses. The styles are easy to wear and even easier to care for, making the line completely machine washable. Feeling good and looking relaxed. . . key to JBCStyle. 

If you can't wait to get your hands on them, or if you are a retailer interested in carrying the collection, email sales@huntresscollection.com

JBCStyle: Friday End of Day Style

Not much progress with Harold Moscowitz and chocolate lab Rylee, and now it appears puppy Oliver James isn't having much luck, either. The only luck individual, it appears, is Fox News' Susan Gerdeman playing Pac Man on the arcade.

Yes, everyone likes to come play with us after work.

JBCStyle: Black Leather Nights

We're throwing bikinis into beach bags for the weekend right now, but when the leaves start to change color in a couple months, we're falling hard for Versace's sexy-back black leather:

Makes you wanna blast a little Mickey Avalon - he says it best: Lovely in Versace, costly sprees, it's on at Barney's. . .I love to watch her go through fifty g's calmly, she gets naughty with her pilates body. . .



We'd love to hear this on the runway at Lincoln Center and see a label take the black leather well into Spring 2011. It's New York Fashion Week after all, and Mickey says he likes a girl with caked up makeup who wakes up to a bottle of wine on the nightstand.

Any takers?

JBCStyle: Suspicion Style

Harold Moscowitz is an eleven year old shitzu. Rylee Zaslow is nine week old chocolate lab. They are both full time employees at JBCStyle.  We would say their first meeting. . .

. . .was laced with suspicion on Mr. Moscowitz's part despite Rylee's hopeful enthusiasm. Friendship is difficult. It takes time. Trust. We value both at JBCStyle, and will continue to make every effort that our employees all get along.

We don't like to force anything around here.

JBCStyle: Trump Soho Style With A Moschino Cherry On Top

Tonight we checked out Bar D'Eau, the 7th floor spa deck bar in the new Trump Soho. A cascading waterfall, private cabanas, and a bocce court set the scene for one of the slickest spaces to hit downtown. The bar is open to hotel guests, and then a select VIP, card carrying list who can party after hours - a big thank you to Melanie and the team at Syndicate for ours!

We were invited by Moschino Sales Director Khoa Nguyen and his fab team at Moschino to meet Michelle Stein, President of the Aeffe Group, which owns fashion labels Jean Paul Gaultier, Alberta Ferretti, and Moschino. Instead of fashion, Michelle spoke of books, of schooling, and the importance of giving children wings and supporting their independent passion in life - whatever it may be - which we thought was stylish as hell.

AEFFE President Michelle Stein pictured with Rory and Ellie Tahari

There's something about Moschino that speaks directly to our sensibilities at JBCStyle - the Italian precision and dedication to cut and fabric, certainly, but also that edge that makes each look just a little rocker, teetering on bad ass, but then perhaps a bow, or a frill to keep you guessing.

Here are some of our favorite fall looks - we may need to have those boots immediately and wear them with, well, everything.

Boy shorts with boots, a yellow cocktail dress over textured tights, a touch of python - here's to a label clearly dedicated to celebrating the joy, the eccentricity, the fun of fashion. Kinda makes you want to throw on everything you love, all at once, and strut like the sidewalks of New York were always meant to serve as your own personal runway.

JBCStyle: Stylapalooza

It's one night. It's global. It's a Renaissance of style in a heartbeat. It's an international recognition of art, and beauty, and design. . .

With so many participating stores and so many options, it's not a night we at JBCStyle recommend going into blindly. We highly recommend registering at the official website because of their dope "My Night Out" feature, which allows you to personalize your itinerary for the night AND share it with your friends. Actually, we think you should do this immediately.

Here's a peek at Vogue Editor Anna Wintour discussing fall trends with editors and top retail executives from Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.



How deliciously Devil Wears Prada is this clip below?



It's coming. . . there's even a countdown on the site's homepage. A stylapalooza for the fashion world. What's your game plan?

* We love New York Magazine's "Frugal" Guide - they slim down the list and feature the best of the best if you get tired scrolling through all the options.

JBCStyle: KiptonART Style

JBCStyle VP Jen Kirschner recently visited KiptonART's pop-up “Access” space at 75 Wall Street to view the group exhibition, “My Secret Garden”. A complete catalog of the works featured can be accessed here.

The collection plants a floral and foliage essence inside the modern granite 2,200 square foot ground floor retail space. Curated off the innate need to find serenity in the midst of working daily life, here is a place where visitors can relax and escape the heat, noise and other distractions existing outside the walls of this “garden.” Understandably, such serenity was hardly expected on opening night...

Jen Kirshner visits KiptonART's pop up space at 75 Wall Street

Outside, Kipton films a segment about the exhibition

Not many strangers know of this colorful jewel-box existing in the concrete jungle of the Financial District. Painterly and photographic works by artists Julie Combal, James Freedman, William T. Hillman, Richard Horowitz, Ina Jang, Suzy Kim, Simone Lourenco, Kimberly Love, Daniel Seth Pagel, Dan Schwartz, Erica Simone, Matthew Tusciuk, Bobbi Van and Antoinette Wysocki invoke beauty and softness with abstract and literal interpretations of a garden setting. The exhibition opens to the public on August 5th and will be on display through September 12th at KiptonART’s pop-up gallery at 75 Wall Street (at Water Street) developed by the Hakimian Organization in partnership with Peykar Brothers Realty and Gorjian Properties, with furniture provided by Andrew Martin. It's worth checking out.

Today, Kipton headed uptown to visit the JBCStyle office, located just steps away from Bryant Park in the heart of New York's Fashion District. There's something kinda neat about watching two young entrepreneurs, clad in blue jeans, doing what they love and talking synergy in the middle of the work week. 

JBCStyle CEO Bryan Zaslow and KiptonART Founder Kipton Cronkite (with Harold and Rylee)

Art. . .

 
and Fashion. .. .
 

 
Imagine the possibilities.

Check out some of our favorite people in this silent film shot at KiptonART's last event at Saks - Tracy Stern, Dabney Mercer, Antonia Thompson, Melanie Berliet, Nina Freudenberger, Amy Smilovic (we love TIBI!), Liz Walker, and a hysterical laughing fit featuring our Creative Director Anisha Lakhani with Chessy Wilson and Sarah Basile - we particularly enjoy Chessy reminding Anisha that clapping is futile in a silent film (you can read her lips). Anisha was just being creative. . .

Take a moment this afternoon and browse KiptonArt - how stylish to be able to say, "Today, I bought a piece of art."

JBCStyle: Crazy About Camel

Camel and denim. . . . a little like chocolate and peanut butter. We were always a little obsessed, but after Cameron's kick ass spread in Harper's Bazaar this month, we just can't get enough. 

Michael Kors

Chloe

Alexander Wang

And of course, the perfect denim shirt. If you're going to buy only one new item for your fall closet, this is it.

Current Elliot

A little back to school shopping does a body good. . .