It has been 6 months since you last heard from me. I had just started my new position and now that I am 6 months in, I can tell you I love it! It's really great for right now. I am able to freely build and explore visual merchandising and have learned how to successfully run a million dollar + business. Not to mention our walls will be expanding in 2013 and I can't hardly wait to start from a blank canvas.



I only did one shoot and one small fashion show (not worth posting about, but I will share some photos from the shoot). As you know from my previous posts I occasionally work closely with Michelle Aquino of M. Dot Design Studio. I did some assisted styling for her latest shoot for Redbulls Breakn Reality. One of the shows dancers girlfriend is Michelles makeup artist and the show wanted to do a fashion segment so here is what we put together! This was a really fun, laid back shoot. Clothing & Styling By Michelle Aquino for M. Dot Design Studio. Make Up By Marisol Garcia Mua. Hair By Crystal Dudley. Assistant Styling Julia James. Model Megan Mohr w/ No Ties Management. Photography By Krisnoff Padua


Doing little shoots like this really urges me to go back to school. I think that will be on my to-do list for 2013. I love being surrounded by people who share the same passion and set equally high goals for themselves. I think mentally this year has been a big learning experience. Taking a break (that I didn't exactly want, but couldn't afford) from school and investing into my career, myself, etc has given me a new perspective on life. Hope everyone has a nice holiday, here is some of my 2013 inspiration. xo, j

Update

I have semi-retired myself from the blogging world. Semi because I have started working full time now (you know, grown up stuff) but I will be back to update every fashion week in LA! Until then you can follow my fashion adventures on instagram, if you please. @juliajames

Today someone asked me, "Why do you like menswear?"

For a question that seemed so simple, I was surprised I didn't have a better answer than "I don't know. I just do."

I once had a teacher in college tell me to run with my inspiration. Find what catches your eye and tear it out, make a note, take a picture, ect. This was great advice because instead of thinking about what inspires me, I went out and found it without question. This opened up my mind to many things I had never considered before.

For the first time a in while I started to think about why?

Let me start off by saying, I believe in trends and I understand how hype and labels are good for the fashion industry. Maybe this is just my California girl perspective, but women's fashion today is all about who you are wearing, not what. There is so much pressure to be thin, beautiful and live up to these unrealistic standards of the average women. To me, menswear appears to be very raw and untainted. It's fashion made for the people, not the industry. Lets compare runways.

Need I say more?

In order of appearance, Bottega Veneta, Elie Saab, Yohji Yamamoto, Paul Smith

"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours." - John of Salisbury 1159

Fashion is kind of like sports, every season you get new talent but it's always the MVPs who are still the most talked about. To be honest, I don't know a thing about sports but you get it right? In the fashion world the MVPs are of course, Chanel, McQueen, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana etc. Although I am big fans.... I am ready for something new. A few things I understand about fashion and trends; Everything has a source of inspiration, (fashion) history repeats itself & one can only reinvent the blazer so many times. Aside from this, this past season was such a disappointment. WHERE IS THE FRESH MEAT AT?! Fashion is an art that is supposed to excite and inspire. You don't have to be a critic, expert, blogger or whatever to relate to that. Have you ever flipped through a magazine and wanted to rip out certain pages for no reason? Thought so.

Anyways I was seldom impressed with this season. Michael Bastian was great though, and of course I will always wave my number 1 fan finger forJ Crew. (If you have yet to catch on, I am talking about Menswear here)

One company I would love to see hopefully embrace the runway one day is Publish. I had the pleasure of previewing their Holiday and Spring collection back in November and let me tell you, these are not just a couple of guys that took graphic design in college and decide to start a clothing company. They are true designers and innovators. I am so impressed with how truly fashion forward they are, the message they are trying to send to men everywhere (not just all the Kanye's in the world!). If you have yet to be introduced check them out here!

If I missed out on a great collection, please feel free to tweet me your favorite collections!

- xo

j

/rant

Michael Bastian F/W 2012



J Crew F/W 2012



Publish Spring 2012

Hanging out at the W Hotel with M Dot Design Studio

Although I am normally running around backstage at most fashion shows, if you attended The Siren, The Muse, and The Goddess this past friday... I either checked you in or you could have found me at the end of the runway snapping photos! Thank you to every one that helped make this event a success, Designer Michelle Aquino, along with Leoluca Handbags. Make Up Artist Marisol Garcia & Hair Stylist Pearson Knight, Media Coverage By Enjet Media, Art by Artists Janelle Carter & Bret Barrett, & Music by DJS Junkyard Dog, K.O.B and pavels & of course thanks to the security guard that gave Reyna & I hot coffee when it was much needed.

To see more photos including a few backstage & pre runway follow me on twitter!

The Holidays are here!

Just because Fashion Week has come & gone does not mean the fashion has to go as well. Come preview & shop the newest holiday collection from M. Dot Design Studio, "The Siren, The Muse, and The Goddess"

December 2nd we open the doors inside the W San Diego and Present the Holiday Collection " The Siren, The Muse, and The Goddess"
A Collection of 28 Handsewn looks by Designer Michelle Aquino, along with Leoluca Handbags. With Make Up Artist Marisol Garcia and Hair Stylist Pearson Knight
Media Coverage By Enjet Media

Come early to Visit the M. Dot Design Studio Trunk Show Selling- Local Handcrafted Jewlery and Garment's. Be the best dressed this Holiday Season!
Check out a fun filled Art Show by Artists Janelle Carter & Bret Barrett
W/DJS Junkyard Dog, K.O.B and pavels

Tickets:
General Admission: Presale $15 / At the door $30 (if available)
These tickets ensure your entrance to the event and a spot in the general standing area for the fashion show. These spots are all first come first served.
VIP: Presale $40 / At the door $50 (if available)
VIP ticket holders get a reserved seat for the fashion show along with a gift bag from our sponsors. There are a very limited number of these tickets available to the general public, so get yours early if you want one.
For Presale Tickets click here

M.Dot Design: "The Siren, The Muse & The Goddess" from Enjet Media on Vimeo.

Wrapping up LA Fashion Weekend with The Gallery LA

48 hours, 200+ runway looks & a sprained wrist later, LA fashion weekend has come to a bittersweet end. Before I share the backstage details, I feel like I need to publicly say how much respect I have for Mikey Koffman, the owner of The Gallery LA. I have been to and worked plenty of fashion shows to know that 85% of the time, whats going on behind the scenes is always a complete disaster. Mikey definitely knows how to run a tight ship and therefor has created an excellent team. Now onto the stuff you care about ...

The first show of the weekend opened with womens and mens ready to wear by Anthony Franco. Let me point out one thing.... it is rare to find good menswear in LA and Franco brought it! Maybe I shouldn't share some of these backstage secrets with you, but I will.
Tom Ford bow ties, The Generic Man shoes & Francos tailored designes all created the epitome of a fashionable gentleman.

Congratulations to all the designers for bringing great fashion to LA. Hair done by Le Posh Salon & make up by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Enjoy the KTLA live runway show from the last day!

For live updates, follow me on twitter! @juliajamess