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Models: Christine Burke (No Ties Management LLC) Hair and makeup: Ziwei Zhao
When it comes to casual wear, it is often easier to abide by the “less is more� aesthetic. Keep it simple and neutral and add a small pop of color or print for extra visual interest. Scarves can serve as the perfect complement to a casual outfit. This black and white leopard printed scarf adds visual intrigue without overwhelming the whole of the look and elevates this casual scoop neck tee. Strappy or woven sandals give off the ultimate laidback vibe; however, opting for a pair of cork or wooden wedges, which can be a great building block for your casual ensembles, will result in a higher impact look.
Blouse courtesy of Lolo Callisto (La Jolla)
Remember, simple and basic designs and styles lend sophistication and versatility to any look. Tap into the cropped top trend to add a youthful and whimsical touch to your ensembles. Just add a high-waisted bottom that covers enough of your midriff to exemplify a classy look while staying fashion forward. The key to a successful casual, chic look is to infuse modern elegance with minimalism and with that you’ll no doubt conquer that polished fresh and easy cool girl look.
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Model: Angela Choe
The modern woman is ever changing, growing and reinventing herself. She is career-driven and professional, yet fun loving and spirited and it shows through her wardrobe. When putting together pieces for the work environment, it is just as important to maintain a clean and polished look, as it is to play around with all the of-themoment trends.
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A great way to put a modern twist on a classic look is to add texture and print. Studs and spikes are great little accents, case in point - this studded collar. It updates this basic button-up shirt and gives it a cool and edgy finish. Nine-to-five jobs can be long and hard on the body, so opt for a pair of geo printed trousers or harem pants for maximum comfort without having to sacrifice style. When done right, print can add a playful sophistication to an outfit. Shoes, the ending punctuation to an outfit, tie the whole look together. Glitter accents and double ankle straps lend the classic stiletto shoe a contemporary touch and make it the perfect day-to-night pair of shoes.
The pencil skirt is an iconic and quintesential piece for the working woman. The perfect way to add femininity and playfulness to the structured skirt is to add peplum. Adding some flared ruffle to the waistline adds a flirty bounce and is great way to play up your look. Whether jersey or chiffon, a tank will give the overall look a cool feel. Adding a cropped, white blazer to this black and pink mix makes the outfit more work appropriate and conservative for the day. Removing the jacket allows the outfit to seamlessly transition into an after-hours cocktail number.
Whatever your profession, you can have fun with your day to day repertoire and make them both chic and functional. Fitted blazers are absolute essentials in the modern woman’s closet, but they need not be antiquated or boring. Though it is always good to have basic black, beige or navy blue blazers on hand, it is important to recognize what color, texture, and cut can do for a suit. This fitted blazer focuses on clean lines, which allows the eye to focus on its rich color and fabric. It does well with putting a contemporary, yet sophisticated touch on the classic black and white combo and makes it fun while still keeping it work appropriate.
Want to make your outfit pop? Jewel tones make any outfit more distinctive and dynamic. Statement accessory pieces like this faux jewel choker make this soft and somewhat neutral color palette vibrant and lush. Cinching this high-waisted skirt with a skinny belt provides shape to the body and accentuates the right curves. Keeping the second accessory the same color or within the same color family will give your ensemble an element of cohesion. A chiffon button up blouse is a great alternative to cotton button-ups, which often gives a structured and serious look. In light of the spring season, a floral print in line with a dreamy pastel palette is chosen for a decidedly fresh and invigorating feel.
Show off your stylish sensibility with a sophisticated nine-to-five ensemble. This outfit sums up the modern woman’s suit – a tailored blazer with a pair of bold, yet playful printed pants.
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FQ: How did you first get started in the fashion industry? ML: I have always kind of been an observer of fashion for the sake of how I wanted to create my own style. As far as getting into the world of fashion for business, that was initiated in 2005. After experiencing some challenges and difficulties in life, one of my buddies started hair school and so I thought about giving it some consideration. I thought, you know, I do have this flair, I love talking with people, I’m a pretty technically capable guy and I’m kind of creative so yeah, I think this is a great idea. So I went ahead, tried it and went to school. I realized I was really enjoying the technical aspects of hair dressing so I wanted to become a great hairdresser. I started to learn a lot about
commitment, dedication, and focus while I was working full-time, volunteering, and going to all these classes. I started to develop a real sincere interest in something I could get back from. When I finished school, I had a few goals: one was to become that great hairdresser, two was to own a salon, and three was to own a school. I started to assist in two new salons so I could learn how to start my own salon. I always saw that the hairdressers that I encountered were very hip cool people. They always dressed well, had cool stories, and knew the places to go. So I looked at that and realized that that’s hair, fashion, and lifestyle. They own that and that’s really the concept that I created in my head when I finished school. As I started assisting this one hairdresser, he and I discovered that
we had very similar interests in what we want to be able to create in the hair salon industry and that was a business that combined hair, fashion, and lifestyle. A Style Concierge was then born 6 months after I got into school. Clueless in how to do hair, business, fashion, everything, but we went for it. The fashion part of the brand was us operating a very small boutique. I brought in my current business partners back then who were interested in running their own boutiques at some point and we started doing a bunch of fashion shows. I think the real initiation into the world was when we started a business that included fashion. So a lot of things came quick after that. FQ: Were you inspired by anybody in particular when you were creating this space? ML: When it comes to fashion, we know what San Diego fashion is all about. We’re just more true to San Diego fashion - what we think San Diego fashion should be. When we got into fashion, we were reliant on local designers. I have been in San Diego since 1972, and I love our city, our culture and this community and I felt it would be cool to have local designers who would tell other people to come check out their stuff in a brand new shop representing hair, fashion, and lifestyle and that they would go on in a marketing way to help tell our story. Whereas if I brought in a vendor, that would not be the case. FQ: What are the key factors that helped your business grow and get you to where you are today? ML: Naturally I’m attracted to marketing and PR because I have such a bold personality. I’m very forward and confident and so that gets me into places that others might not get into and more than anything, it gets me into conversations and areas to learn. I think the underlining element in answering that question is choosing to be with good people and not necessarily good in any one thing like marketing, cutting hair or accounting, but good hearted people. Those are the people that actual relationships start to happen with and relationships that include loyalty, commitment, support and understanding. Whereas talent is almost an old form of paying for the service and getting back what is owed so those necessarily don’t have the longterm commitment and connection that relationships do. I think that’s how businesses can become successful - if you create a family environment, which includes fighting, helping and hurt feelings, I think that is ultimately the piece that allows a business to endure the challenges of the economy and the pitfalls that a lot of businesses fall into.
Models: Reagan Kastner (No Ties Management LLC) Hair and makeup: Ziwei Zhao
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Models: Asian: Dayna Beagle Spanish: Kira Ellis (No Ties Management LLC) Hair and makeup: Ziwei Zhao
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