my san francisco stay.

So I had a sleepover at my friend Alex's uncle's apartment in San Francisco last week. It was a really cute apartment. Here are some photos of my stay.



Church by the apartment.

Then we got dinner in Chinatown. (It was terrible, but it was food.)

Then we came back to the apartment and dyed Alex's hair which we decided to do spontaneously and it turned out great. And then we got into the pull out bed and watched The Nanny.

Outfit I wore that day.

Deena & Ozzy cut-out oxfords.

Stringbean blazer, vintage cashmere scarf, vintage cardigan, Merona pink ruffle tank,

and American Eagle military skinny pants.

It was a great time. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

Love, Jenae.

wednesday words #31.

- Donald Trump.

A golden girl, with golden words

Mary Rosenberger in a photoshoot for Nasty Gal.

By Jenae Lee

The whole school year, Mary Rosenberger was the kind of girl that I would smile at every once in a while when I saw her, but I never had a conversation with her. I was acquainted with Mary through Facebook and Tumblr. I knew a bit about her and how she was a model. Mary, soon to be 17, has modeled for SF Magazine and online clothing stores such as Nasty Gal and 80’s Purple. So when I found out that I had to interview someone in the fashion industry for Fashion Journalism, I saw this as a great opportunity to get to know her more.

I waited for her at Starbucks on a Monday evening. I looked around waiting to see her head of blonde, yellow hair to appear. Then finally she came. Tall, of course, with her long, blonde hair down and a beaming smile. As she got closer I saw that Mary has a small face with great skin, cute freckles, and brown eyes. She wore a black pencil mini skirt with a blue striped tube top, and a layered chain necklace.

In another shoot for 80's Purple.

It was really exciting to be able to finally be able to sit down and talk to her. Mary was interested in what my questions were, so I began by asking her about how she started modeling.

Modeling was something that her Mom had suggested to her because she believed that she would succeed (if you ever see her you’ll see why). Mary put together a portfolio and brought it to Ford Models in September 2009. They didn’t like her photos but they liked her look. So they handed her and her Mom this huge paper “that literally took her 15 minutes to read,” and ask her if she could come in a swim suit the next week.

For Mary, modeling wasn’t something that she always wanted to do.

One of Mary's photos in her portfolio for Ford Models.

“For some people it’s something they’ve always wanted to do, but it wasn’t that way for me. I never found it interesting. I never considered myself pretty and I didn’t think I could be a model.”

When I asked her what she liked about modeling she responded, “The money,” with a grin and that she got to wear some cool clothes.

Then I asked her what she didn’t like about being a model. She explained to me that the modeling world is very competitive and that you have to keep on top of things and keep an eye on your weight. Mary is the kind of girl who likes food so having to constantly think about weight is a bother to her. She goes to the gym everyday to keep herself in shape.

“Modeling is something that you have to think about all the time. It’s not the kind of job that you can go to work for a couple hours and then go home and forget about it.”

Mary in the SF Magazine spread in March 2010.
Here she is wearing Prada teal organza cloquet jacket and shorts,
black organza croquet top and YSL heels. Photographed by JUCO.

One of Mary’s favorite gigs that she has done was a spread for San Francisco Magazine.

“The clothes were beautiful. The photographer was great. I got to wear clothes from Prada, Gucci, YSL, clothes that would cost more than my entire wardrobe.”

Does Mary prefer photo shoots or runway? To her photo shoots are more laidback but it can take a while to get “that one picture,” while in runway shows there is more pressure but they are over faster. Mary hasn’t done that many runway shows but she would like to walk for them in the future.

If Mary could model for anyone, she would model for Marc Jacobs. She loves everything that he creates and admires his crazy prints plus the hair and makeup in all of his shows.

Mary’s favorite model is the gapped-tooth model, Lara Stone. Mary describes her as “pretty, but not in a classical way.”

Lara Stone in i-d magazine.

“Lara Stone inspires me because despite her characteristics that everyday people would probably find ugly, the fashion world embraces. I love the fact that she isn’t traditionally beautiful.”

Mary describes her everyday style as laidback and like any other person would, she likes to be comfortable. “You’ll probably almost never see me in pants. I like skirts and dresses, and big, chunky accessories that make the outfit come together,” she says with a smile and points to her big floral ring on her finger.

When Mary stops modeling she would like to go to a makeup and hair school and would like to go to Academy of Art to study fashion.

“Looks don’t last forever,” she says when I ask her about her future, “I want to push modeling as much as I can.”

Mary in an online ad for Nasty Gal.

Fade to Brown

Worn on the streets in San Francisco, Karma of Charme
boots which are made in Italy.

By Jenae Lee

July 12, 2010

When you think of leather do you automatically think of black, grungy motorcycle jackets or rich, brown leather?

After a year of going through a phase wear girls dressed like Taylor Momsen with rocker-chic black leather jackets, this fall seems to be heading towards sleek brown leather jackets.

While I was cool hunting around the city I stumbled upon some fashion savvy people with brown leather items such as bags, boots, jackets, and belts all in different shades and styles. Most of the people I interviewed stated that they had purchased their item in Italy, home of the world’s highest quality leather.

One of the special finds that I found while cool hunting was these boots as shown on the left. They are from the Italian brand, Karma of Charme. They boast that their boots have an invisible heel that makes you two inches taller and that it has a more elegant fit than other flat boots. They are handmade with the finest leathers which definitely makes the famous “Made in Italy” label.

Karlie Kloss opening for Christian Dior in a brown
leather highwayman's cape for the fall 2010 collection.

Brown leather shoes such as oxfords and Sperry Topsiders have been creating a classic, preppy look. Leather boots, booties, and heels have been studded, ruffled, buckled, embroidered, zippered, laced-up, and fringed for this fall in all shades of brown.

In D&G’s recent spring 2010 collection, they featured urban cowboy inspired looks with the caramel coloured boots, belts, and mini dresses. These items are seeping into fall and have been on other runway shows this fall as well.

Christian Dior’s fall 2010 collection, for instance, featured brown leather quite heavily with its cape-like jackets, thigh-high boots and pants. Dior also displayed different shades of brown such as mocha and a deep reddish-brown colour.

The fall 2010 line for Chloe was inspired by seventies American sportswear with a pair of caramel leather trousers and a beige leather quilted jacket.

A completely brown leather look from
Haider Ackermann's fall collection.

Haider Ackermann had featured looks head-to-toe with brown leather and suede.

Other designers such as Illia have been taking the black motorcycle bomber jackets and switching them to a brown colour making them look far more sophisticated and polished. Brown leather jackets can be seen with different styles such as a cowl neck, blazer, trench, aviator with white fleece trim, and military.

Brown leather jackets have been worn in movies throughout the centuries in films such as Indiana Jones, Brad Pitt in Fight Club, Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause making these characters appear adventurous with a touch of class.

The tan leather jacket, particularly, is very popular with the Brit Pop and Indie music image and culture and is famously worn by people such as Kelly Jones of the band,“The Stereophonics”.

Reporter Sarah Mower, in her article for Telegraph on titled “Pre-fall 2010 heralds the return of classic dressing, brown leather…” had noted that, “All of a sudden, black looks dull and wrong, and tan looks exciting and new.”

So whether it’s a jacket, bag, belt, or shoe, brown leather should definitely be a staple in your closet for this fall 2010 season.

A bag seen on the streets of San Francisco that is from Italy.

Madonna Creates Material Girl

July 5, 2010 Written by Jenae Lee

Madonna has teamed up with Macy’s to launch her new line, Material Girl.

In the collection, you will see items that reflect inspiring looks that Madonna has worn in the past that have been modernized to appeal to today’s teens and young adults. The line is composed of clothing, footwear, handbags, jewelry, and hair accessories. Most of the items range from $12 to $40 while the most expensive part of the line includes some outerwear and dresses at $80; making it good competition with other retailers such as H&M, Forever 21, and Zara.

To help design the line Madonna received much help and inspiration from her well-dressed daughter, Lourdes Leon.

“She’s been coming to meetings pretty much from the very beginning,” said Madonna in admiration of her fashionista daughter. “My role was really to make sure we were all going in the right direction and it was a line that I could stand behind and be proud of and feel good about — and one that she could also feel represented her. I really like the way Lola dresses, and I think this line is absolutely an extension of her taste.”

The collection arrives at Macy’s August 3 in stores and will be available on http://www.macys.com/.

hello world! quick update.

For my Fashion Journalism class I have to post all the articles I have done over the past month. So I apologize for all the sudden spam of words! But I will try to gradually post them over the week so it's not just one big mess.

Then I guess we will show our blogs off at the Exhibition. OMG, people will be looking at my blog?!

Well, that's all for now. Sleepover in San Francisco tonight!

Love, Jenae.

wednesday words. #30

- E. Nightingale.

love me, love me, say that you love me.

Hello loves! I hope you all had a great weekend. I just wanted to show you real quick some things I picked up at ULTA. Nail polish = love the colour, better quality than I expected. Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm = I like it alot. I can't feel it on my lips at all. It does tingle for some reason though. I have to get used to is since it's like a marker. I'm not sure if it stays on for very long but love the colour.

ULTA nail lacquer in Double Streak $2, Revlon Just Bitten lipstain in Passion and Beloved/Adored $8.99

Anyway, I did see Justin Bieber on Saturday night. Say whatever you want but this show just proved how even more talented he is. He gave us everything and more. Truly amazing.

So this is what I wore. When you go to a tweeny show surrounded by little girls and their mothers, you gotta go in style.

Wearing Revlon Just Bitten lipstain in Passion, a Comme des Garcons tee, vintage belt, Ricard Chai for Target skirt, polka dot tights from New York & Company, Kim Rodgers boots, and Marc by Marc Jacobs watch.

(not all photos were mine, click photos for source.)

More to come this week! I hope I'm ready for this.

Love, Jenae.

that's how it should be, you and me.

Hello lovelies! Fashion school has been great! Yesterday was a bit hard because I discovered that I fail at watercolor! D: And I felt really bad because we had this beautiful model and I hate drawing with color pencils. :/ Oh well, I'll just keep practicing.

In Fashion Journalism, I have to do an interview so I'm going to interview Mary Rosenberger! I'm really excited about that. You might of seen her on NastyGal Vintage and 80's Purple.

In Fashion Merchandising today we watched a movie called Kinky Boots. The name is funny but it's certainly a great movie!

This is what I wore today.

Wearing my Great Granddad's hat, Billabong ruffled tank, Lace Cardigan from Kristina, pocket skirt from American Apparel, and Rampage black bow flats.

Self made necklace, vintage rings, and Marc by Marc Jacobs watch.

Sorry for no Wednesday Words this week. :/ I was exhausted yesterday.

OH! Exciting news! My friend Aparna just got engaged and I get to go to the wedding! I'm so excited for her! I love her and miss her so much! And this is the first time I've actually been invited to a wedding! I've been in one but being invited it completely different! The wedding won't be till spring though since she's currently in Texas, so I have a while to wait.

ALSO! I'm going to go see JB tomorrow! I know, I know, it's super lame but he's my guilty pleasure. I can't help it. I'm a Belieber. But I've got a great outfit! :D

I hope you have a great weekend! I will. :)

Love, Jenae.

intelligent input darling.

So today in Fashion Merchandising we had to evaluate a boutique on Fillmore Street. So Taylor, Mary and I got to look at Erica Tanov. Erica Tanov is a pretty little boutique with very overpriced items of course. Here are some things I picked up from the store.

A pretty postcard I added to my collection. :)

A very beautiful poster/storyboard.

Then afterwards we went shopping for a bit at Marc by Marc Jacobs. Definitely going in there again once I get money. Great sale! Then we had to go to Goodwill afterwards to get inspiration for our project.

Taylor at Goodwill. (Loved that Ralph Lauren polka dot shirt in the middle.)

Lil Lower bag $5, wishbone necklace $7, and brown fingerless gloves for Alex $3.

(It's actually gold, not silver.)

Wearing vintage cadrigan, H&M scarf, Kimchi Blue Dress, vintage belt, ripped tights, and Kim Rodgers boots.

This is my phone skin that I made on skinit.com. The artwork is from Mark Warren Jacques. I love everything he does.

I hope you all are having a great week. I am! :)

Love, Jenae.