Gimmie list #5

Photo:  Scarletstiletto100

Love, love, love, luuuuuuv this dress by Zuhair Murad!  Blake Lively rocks it at the LA premier of Savages this summer.

Two loves

I had this great post idea: tips on networking!!  Well because I love it...meeting new fascinating people...being out and about...but then I remembered, MOST do not love networking as much as I do.  But let's face it, lovlies, it is es-sen-tial to building a business/brand particularly in the fashion industry.  So...I thought I would combine my little talk on networking with another love: SHOES!!  Who doesn't love looking at shoe porn??  Further convoluting this post I thought I would highlight shoes from the most fabulous designer Yotam Solomon who I was just introduced to by my super amazing friend Miss Charlotte Wood.  Miss Char just started working with Mr. Solomon.

Anyways...back to the subject at hand...networking.  What I just described is, in fact, a great story about networking...I know Charlotte who knows Yotam and I was introduced to his work through Charlotte.  I might use his clothes in one of my future shoots or just purchase a few things for myself.  He might need a stylist and Charlotte might recommend me.  Who knows? But now I have an in.  I wouldn't be some random, strange person calling...well not too random or strange.  Ha!  Time for some shoes...

The statement...it's not what you know, it's who you know could never be truer.  Of course, once you get a little help getting your fabulous foot in the door then it is all about what you know.  But first, getting said foot in the door...

• Always ask.  You might meet someone you would love to work with but are afraid to talk to them.  DON'T BE AFRAID.  Just do it.  Ask for their contact info and say hey, can I call you/email you sometime and ask you a few questions about how you got started?  Trust me they remember the people who helped them out at the beginning of their career and want to return the favor.
• Get your name and resume/portfolio in front of as many people as possible.  Do the work and find people in your industry and email them.  Say you would love to assist them in future projects.  You might email 20 and only hear back from two...so what!  Do it anyway...who knows where those two new contacts will lead you.
• Energy in = Energy out.  The universe works in mysterious ways.  You might send out 20 emails one day and nothing happens from those emails but the next day you get a random call for a job.  Always be putting energy into your business.  Do something everyday that grows it and moves it forward.
•  Be your best person ALWAYS!!  Whether that is at your side job, or being an unpaid PA on a micro-budget indie.  You never know who is watching.  Your reputation will proceed you...make sure it's a good one.  Photo shoots or film sets are a team of people working together and ANY of those people could be the one hiring you or referring you to your next job.

And now...a final pair of shoes...

Happy networking!!!  

And remember...you can do anything if you have the right pair of shoes!

Oh and one more pair of shoes...on Yotam's website there is the MOST amazing pair of shoes in his Fall - Winter 2010 Native American collection called the Pandora Wedge.  I couldn't find a pic so click now and see the deliciousness for yourself.  CLICKITY

xoxo

It's in the details

Photo: Garance Dore

There are so many things right about this look.  Simple.  Chic.  Fantastic!  And did you check out those shoes??

Amanda Brooks is tre fabulous for sure.  She wrote one of my favorite books on style and vintage fashion I Love Your Style.  Get it here. 

Always look the part

News of the day:  Kanye West has a new stylist!!  

Happens all the time in Hollywood right??!  Not exactly...so the story goes something like this...  Mr. West was doing a little shopping at Barneys and noticed a fellow shopper's style.  This young shopper happened to be Cassius Clay, a 19 year-old Yale student.  After a brief and I'm sure fascinating conversation, the two exchanged information.  Long story short...Mr. Clay is now Mr. West's new stylist and creative consigliere.  Amazing!!!  I love stories like this!

So my friends...what can we take away from this little story?

I'm always saying you never know who you're going to meet...at the gas station, in line for Starbucks, shopping at Barneys, so MAKE SURE you look good.  No, you don't have to be dressed to the nines but make sure you're representin'.  Hair brushed, (teeth brushed!) a little gloss, cute shoes.  Looking good is part of being prepared...you never know when opportunity will strike and you want to be prepared when it does...because for those paying attention...it always does!

Heading to Barneys now...

For the full story:  Click here!

Sarah Jessica Parker in ELLE

Photos: Tom Munro for ELLE

Not exactly sure when my love affair with SJP started....probably somewhere between season one and two of Sex and the City.  Regardless, she is awesome.  I know...many disagree...and we will just agree to disagree.  Just one girl's opinion here but I think SJP inspired many women in America (including yours truly) to take more risks in their everyday fashion.  Does this fabulous skirt go with those even more fabulous shoes?  Not sure...why not try it and see.  Will fashion "errors" happen along the way...probably but who cares.  Be creative.  Have fun with clothes.  Be inspired.

Check out the January ELLE for more inspiration from Sarah Jessica Parker on December 15.