Styling Randy and Ashley

It's been an exciting weekend! Wilmington Fashion Weekend kicked off on Thursday, and I had the pleasure of styling WWAY Good Morning Carolina anchors Ashley Jacobs and Randy Aldridge. Both were serving as guest celebrity judges for the Emerging Designers competition on Friday.

Let me apologize in advance for the grittiness of these images. There haven't been any postings of the professional photos from the event yet, so I'm relying on iPhone pics for now. 

ASHLEY'S LOOK

Ashley usually wears conservative shift dresses with a bold statement necklace while on air. I wanted to switch it up a bit and showcase her playful personality with a flirty dress. I pulled a lot of great dresses for her, but I ended up choosing this sexy lace top dress with a flouncy skirt from Camille's of Wilmington. 

I paired Ashley's dress with some bebe kicks (also from Camille's), and a pair of bauble earrings, a stylish bracelet and a freakishly cute clutch, all from from Lula Balou.

And her makeup was done, courtesy of makeup artist Danielle Forte. The image doesn't do the makeup justice, that's for sure!

Ashley snapped this pic, shortly after Danielle completed her look.

RANDY'S LOOK

Randy is usually spotted wearing suits on-air and untucked, casual button downs with slacks when working as an interior designer (yea, he's a busy guy!) I liked Randy's style, but I wanted to put him in a slimmer suit. At 6'3, Randy has the lean figure to pull this off.

Randy is sporting a navy, modern-fit suit from Express. I chose the "Producer" fit, because the look is tailored and refined. I also chose the same style for his trousers, because the Producer slacks hit right at the waist, which is perfect for any gentleman who has a longer torso. 

I wanted him to have a suit he'd wear again and again and not just for this event. The sateen fabric was dressy enough for the Wilmington Fashion Weekend, yet perfect for on-air wear, too. I loved this plaid shirt, too (also from Express). The bold blocks of color included touches of candy apple, faded browns and blues, perfect for Randy's olive complexion. 

I finished off Randy's look with a pair of stylish Oxfords from Dillards. He nixed the socks for this look.

 I had a ball styling both Randy and Ashley. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to do it again!

Did you attend Wilmington Fashion Weekend? What did you wear?

WILMA: Bling It On!

In the April edition of WILMA, we focused on the art of accessorizing and piling on the jewelry. I was particularly a fan of this shoot because I was able to feature tons of pieces from local and regional designers such as Vint, Half United and local boutique Ziabird and Tickled Pink, both of which offer tons of independent designer finds.

Check out the full article and take a peak at some of the images below. Photos were taken by Ben Minor.

Gilded Goddess

The Bohemian 

 Twice As Nice

MODEL: Kenzie Schmidt

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ben Minor Photograpy

HAIR and MAKEUP: Brandy Alexander of Groove Jet Salon

STYLIST ASSISTANT: Erica Suarez-Pinket

Style Stop: Get Ready For Prom

Prom season is officially upon us! If your daughter is looking for that special dress, here are a few trends to consider!

Wilma: Spring Awakening

The March edition of Wilma Magazine is out and it features my recent fashion editorial "Spring Awakening" with photographer Ben Minor I pulled some beautiful garments from Monkees of Wilmington and Aqua Fedora at Lumina Station. 

Check out my article and spread HERE, and enjoy the images!

Photography by Ben Minor Photography

Model: Chelsea Reeves

Hair and Makeup: Brandy Alexander of Groove Jet Salon

Teaming Up With Project WIGU!

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? I did.

I wanted to be an entertainer, an actress, a pop star and anything else that would give me a chance to put my face in front of the camera. I would have never have thought that I would end up behind the scenes instead.

I was able to revisit my childhood dream of being the next Beyonce as a part of Project WIGU (When I Grow Up) photo series created by Katherine Clark Photography. Check out more WIGU participants at http://projectwigu.tumblr.com/

And don't forget to follow the project!
instagram: projectWIGU
twitter: @projectWIGU

Photo taken by Katherine Clark Photography

THE LOOKS
The dress on the left was provided by Camille's Closet. The outfit on the right was from my personal closet. And that cool chain link necklace is a Tizzy Necklace, which you can buy at Tickled Pink in Wilmington, NC.

Style Stop: Oscars Recap!

Did you check out the Oscars last night? I did and I really loved what I saw! There were definitely some winners last night!  Check out my recap segment on WWAY's Style Stop and some more of my favorites below!




THE WINNERS

Not only did Lupita Nyong'o win Best Supporting Actress for her breathtaking role in "12 Years A Slave" but she also rocked the red carpet with her "Nairobi Blue" Prada dress. The actress reportedly tried on 70 dresses before deciding on this one!

Charlize Theron slayed the red carpet in her simple, yet elegant Dior dress. Then again, when has she EVER failed us?

Cate Blanchett was STUNNING in her sheer Armani Prive dress. LOVE. 

MENSWEAR

I was thrilled to see white tux jackets and navy and burgundy tuxedos. Men were all about making a statement last night!

Ryan Seacrest

Kevin Spacey

Michael B. Jordan looked rather dapper in this Givenchy tux with detailed collar and flashy kicks.

We've seen men rock shorts with blazers during the summer. That's one thing. But Pharrell's Lanvin tux with shorts was a different level. I queried several male fashion enthusiasts to get their thoughts. Some were just as torn as I was. The look screams little boy church suit.  But then again, it's Pharrell, a dude who is usually ahead of the fashion curve anyway. And honestly, I can think of several stylish gents who can easily pull this off. So this look, although an acquired taste and NOT for everyone, gets a thumbs up from me.  I'm willing to bet we'll see this look again but in the Port City.

ACCESSORIES

And can we take a moment to check out the evening's accessories? 

 Ok, one more shout out for Charlize! Check out that Harry Winston Diamond Drop Necklace! That piece of fabulousness was worth a whopping $15 million!

So, I think I'm digging this adorable Fred Leighton headband and crescent earrings. Some weren't a fan of the headband, but I think it was sweet enough for someone like Lupita to pull off! 

Peep these Chopard drop earrings that showcase opals set in white gold and diamonds.  They went perfectly with Cate's dress!

Naomi Watts was all about the Bulgari accessories, particularly this geometric clutch. Very fab.

So what were your favorite looks from the Oscars? What looks did you hate?

Style Stop: I Answer YOUR Questions

Since the Style Stop started, both Ashlei and I have received questions from the viewers. So we took this segment to respond to a few of those inquiries! Check it out!




SHOP THE LOOK

In this clip, I kept it simple and wore some blue skinnies with a Colorblocked Shirt from Talbots.

Do you have any style questions? Send them in and maybe I'll answer your questions on the next Q&A segment. 

Style Stop: Men's Springs Trends

It was all about the fellas on today's Style Stop! I worked with Bloke and J. McLaughlin to create two stylish looks that will surely be on trend in the Port City.

Get the Look

On Remington (left): Carnegie Button Down in Sunset Gingham, Kerouac Twill Pant in oatmeal, the 1977 belt in cognac and a medium Sailcloth Duffle Bag, all compliments of the local J. McLaughlin shop at Lumina Station.

On Jack (right): Penguin floral shirt, a Tee By Big Star shirt underneath, with Selvedge denim and a blue and suede Hershel Supply Co. backpack, all courtesy of Bloke.



On myself, I'm mixing up the patterns with a Polka Dot Shirt, with Spring Striped Skirt and Flower Necklace, all from the local Talbots on Oleander Drive.

Talbots, the Remix

You may have noticed that I wear a lot of Talbots, especially on air for WWAY. Whenever I tell someone what I'm wearing, I get the same response: "You got THAT from Talbots? I didn't know they carried things like that!"

I get it.

For a long time, the brand catered to a mature crowd. But over the last five years, there's been an apparent shift with the designs. Sure, there are still classics in stock for the longstanding client who's shopped at Talbots for years. But there's a little something in there for the trendier shopper, as well.

Regardless, I often tell clients, it's not always where you get your clothes but how you wear them!

With that said, I partnered with the Talbots on Oleander Drive in Wilmington and Will Page Photography and Silverceiling Makeup to do a fun look book to showcase a few styling tricks to spice up the same ol', same ol'. Some of the looks are still classic Talbots, but with the right accessories and attitude, anyone can rock the looks.

Here are a few shots from the shoot.

Model Casey Croom rocks out with a python print purse, printed pants and these funky boots 

Model Kimberly Baker is fit to be tied with this double-belted fit-n-flare dress.

This simple suit is belted for cinched waist and paired with a must-have python bag. 

To see more, visit Will Page Photography! 

Style Stop: 50 Shades of Red

There's a lot of heart health awareness events happening this week -  2014 Cape Fear Heart Ball or the 9th Annual Red Dress Project Luncheon, anyone? So red will be the color of the moment. However, if this hue intimidates you, here are some tips on how to pick the right shade!



More Style Tips

- When it comes to formal wear, keep your accessories simple. Sometimes, a simple bracelet or necklace is all that's needed to place all the focus on you and your gorgeous dress.

- If there are any metallic accents in your gown, play on that with your shoes. Gold or silver shoes are easy picks.

- When finding the right shoe for a casual red dress, black is an easy go-to. Satin navy is a considerable pick, as well. But try nude heels to elongate your legs.


Get the Look

Lately, the anchors and I have been matching. Don't ask me how that happens, because we definitely don't plan it that way!

The dress I'm wearing today is a Maggy London. Meteorologist Cristina Anthony (right) is wearing a cute top from the Limited, with a staple pencil skirt and cardigan. And anchor Ashley Jacobs is rocking her Stella & Dot necklace with a Banana Republic blouse and pencil skirt from Target.

Need help finding the right dress for an upcoming event? Contact me at inquiries@jessicadevault.com or book me at StyleSeat.com/JessicaDeVault. 
And look for me at the Red Dress Luncheon! I'll be there with Talbots! :-)

Style Stop: 1 Vest, 3 Outfits

On today's "Style Stop," it was all about versatility! When you buy a garment, you should be able to think of at least three outfits you can make with the clothes you already own. To demonstrate this concept, I took a trip to Target to pick up a Neoprene Moto Vest for a whopping $8.99!

See how I integrated this trendy piece into my wardrobe (And learn more about how to incorporate Neoprene fabrics into your style HERE)!


GET THE LOOK

Look 1: Funky Camo
NYC Tee, picked up by a friend who lives in the Big Apple; and Camouflage denims, The Loft.

Look 2: Office Chic
Fuchsia silk blouse, Talbots; Printed crops, Ann Taylor; and necklace tie, made by me.

Look 3: After Hours
Black Perfect Tee, J. Crew; and  graphic print skirt, White House Black Market.

The ON-AIR Look
Today, I wore a Talbots color block dress with necklace and earrings from Forever21 and a striped bangle by Kate Spade.

Scuba Wear: How to Rock It

The spring runways were teeming with an unlikely fabric: neoprene scuba material!

If you're skeptical about diving in this new trend, you're not the only one. But you can easily pull off this look, by following these tips:

Don't be this fashion DON'T!

Less is More. Don't rock head-to-toe neoprene, lest someone mistakes you for a scuba diver.

Tommy Hilfiger 

Do Try a Mini Skirt. This is a super cute way to try out scuba wear. Plus, it makes for a stylish cover up when at the beach. There's nothing wrong with a little double duty action!

Juicy Couture Satchel

Upgrade With Scuba Accessories. Seriously, this Juicy Couture Neoprene Tote… #MustHave

Examine the Cut. Whether it's a pair of pants, a dress or a skirt, make sure it's flattering from all angles. Cheaper varieties of this trend can add bulk or bulging to your silhouette.

Add Heels. Otherwise, your look will resemble a fitness ensemble and less like a fashion-forward outfit.

Would you rock scuba wear? 

Finding the Perfect Headpiece For Your Wedding Dress

Wedding season is upon us! Engagements have been announced and ladies are already looking for their special gown. If you're among the newly-engaged, congratulations!

If you already have your dress lined up, but aren't sure what to do for your headpiece, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one!

What's Trending For 2014?

Today's "Style Stop" segment was a fun one! I quizzed the Good Morning Carolina anchors on what was hot for spring.

There are some quirky trends afoot, so let's see what they had to say about them!




GET THE LOOK
My Python-Print Dress and Chunky Link Necklace were all courtesy of Talbots.

Winter Style

Did anyone else wake up this morning to the sounds of gusting winds? Well, I did. Disturbed, I rolled over to look at my mobile weather app to learn that it was 30 degrees outside - a chilly reality for those of us who were enjoying a few 70-degree days just last week. In other parts of the East Coast, the thermostat is showing temperatures in the negatives. Winter is officially here. So the question is, how do we dress for it?

You may remember my segment on WWAY on how to Look Hot When It's Cold, but that was pertaining to Wilmington's unseasonably warm weather. No one was talking about below freezing temps. So now it's time for a new game plan.

For windy days, let's think thick, bulky scarves. I'm personally a fan of the Infinity Scarf. Just about every store in town sells a variation of this nifty little bugger. I'll be sporting one that I purchased on the streets of D.C. a couple of years ago. It's super dense and can wrap around the head to serve as earmuffs, as well.

Gloves are a no-brainer, but the type of gloves you wear is key. When temperatures dip below freezing, you probably should invest in a real pair. You know…the leather variety with a lining inside the glove to keep your hands toasty warm. The cheap variety won't do, folks. Trust me.

Get a real coat. I'm guilty of buying cute, stylish coats that are more fashionable than practical. They fit me to a tee…that is until I actually wear a real sweater underneath them. Then we have a problem. When buying your winter coat, think about what you'll be wearing underneath it. Give yourself enough room to layer and look for a little insulation. To stay on trend, look for a Boyfriend Coat or maybe something of the Mixed Material variety. 

Zara Coat with knitted Lapel

Michael Kors Wool-Blend Mixed Media Color Block Coat

Stay warm today, folks!