Class 1: (Classroom)

Date: Saturday and Sunday March 27th and 28th

Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Location: Smashbox Studios

Price: $475

Register: click here to register

Class 2: (Prep/Shop)

Dates: This class is offered by-weekly.

Please see class description for details.

Time: 11:00am-6:00pm

Price: $275

Register: click here to register

Class 3: (Portfolio Shoot)

Date: Saturday March 6th, 2010

Time: 9am-1pm and 1pm-5pm

Location: Chic Little Devil

Price: $575

Register: click here to register

Sarah Nearis graduated from School Of Style less than a month ago and has already started her own personal shopping business. We have to say … that’s pretty darn impressive. So we played Q&A with Sarah to find out what she has been up to since she graduated and how School Of Style helped prepare her for her career as a stylist/personal shopper.

School Of Style: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sarah Nearis: I’m 20 years old from Boston, MA. I have a undenying love for fashion and styling. From a young age I was told …”Style, you have it or you dont”, and I know that I’ve been blessed to have an artistic and visual eye for fashion. I’m a freelance wardrobe stylist and hope to one day have A-list clients, a thick portfolio of editorials and countless commercials under my belt. I plan on moving to LA/ or NYC in the near future.

SOS: Did you have experience in the fashion industry before attending School Of Style?

SN: Prior to attending School Of Style, I had done some runway & promotional modeling, & I also worked at the largest FCUK in the United States, located in Boston. Not only did I see the retail side of things, I saw the chaotic fast paced side of the business, many do not get to witness.

SOS: When did you know you wanted to become a wardrobe stylist?

SN: When I was younger playing in my grandmother’s closet. Styling myself and my sister could occupy me for days.

SOS: When did you graduate from School Of Style?

SN: Jan 31, 2010

SOS: Which classes did you take?

SN: Class 1

SOS: What was the most valuable thing you learned at School Of Style?

SN: The most valuable thing I learned at School Of Style is the importance of drive and want to succeed. There ARE thousands of people who think they want to do your same job, so inorder to survive and succeed, you must WANT it the most, and you must have a strong conviction for what you want. That will take you far.

SOS: What was the most shocking thing you learned?

SN: That besides double stick tape, a GPS will become your best friend.

SOS: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School Of Style?

SN: Yes. I have done some personal shopping!

SOS: Describe your ”style” as a stylist:

SN: Classic, glamorous, chic and trendy

SOS: Is that different than your personal style? If so, describe your personal style:

SN: No way! “YOU MUST DRESS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE “adDRESSed”

SOS: Who is your dream client?

SN: My dream client(s) is Kim Kardashian & Eva Longoria. Such glamor style icons.

SOS: Who are your favorite designers?

SN: Oscar De La Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alice & Olivia, Chanel and Michael Kors

SOS: Favorite trends?

SN: SEQUINS!!!, Jeggings, the boyfriend blazer and skinny jeans.

SOS: Trends you wish would die?

SN: Peasant …ugh.

SOS: What are your favorite places to shop?

SN: Forever21, Topshop, LuLu’s, Bobbles & Lace, Neiman Marcus & Barneys

SOS: Any tips you would like to share with other stylists who are just starting out?

SN: If this is really what you want to do. DO IT! Network, intern, assist!!! Make it yours!

Keep in touch with Sarah online:

We had another fantastic Class 2 last week. We drove all around town and had a really nice day. Some of our more memorable stops included the Cooper Building, Confederacy, and Dietch PR.

Cooper Building Basement

David Dietch at Dietch PR

Jewelry at Dietch PR

Sweet looking dress at Dietch PR

Syreeeta and Chelsea at Confederacy

Window at Confederacy

Art at Confederacy

Jeremy Scott shoes at Peoples Revolution

Phillip Lim store

Class 2: Shopping/Prep is held 2-3 times per month, and is generally held on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Dates for Class 2 are chosen based on Luke’s availability, and are announced to registered students via email, during the week prior to the upcoming date. So if you are interested in learning how to shop like a stylist, register now>

Sometimes you just need a cool tee shirt in your life. Something to slip under a blazer to make it look a bit less serious. Something to make that sweet leather jacket you pulled look just right. You know? Well if you don’t know, we know because just recently we discovered the tee shirt line Born Famous.

Born Famous defines themselves as “a couture t-shirt line that won’t break the piggy bank.”  Their pieces are fun and easy to wear. You may have even seen a Born Famous tee a time or two, as they have been feature in Vogue, Nylon, Seventeen, and on a slew of celebrities.

Check out their line and let us know what you think in the comments section.

The other day we were thinking, “wonder what our grads are up to?” Some of them keep in touch with us, some of them even intern for us, but many of them drift off into mystery land. That got us thinking that maybe we should just ask them to find out.

With all that being said, we are excited to introduce a brand new column to the SOS blog, Graduate Interviews!

Our first interview is with Jennifer Margolin. Jennifer Margolin graduated from SOS about 5 months ago and in that 5 months she has proven herself to be a killer intern, and a very talented key stylist.

We played Q&A with Jennifer to find out what inspires her, what she is up to these days, who her dream client would be, and much more …

School Of Style: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Jennifer Margolin: I have always loved fashion. At an early age, when I was in elementary school, I remember convincing my mom to buy me Vogue and I would try to recreate the looks with my clothes. I have always loved playing with fabrics and color. I can’t seem to get enough shoes and handbags and devour my fashion publications as soon as I get them!

SOS: Did you have experience in the fashion industry before attending School Of Style?

JM: While I never had any formal training besides SOS, I did own my own event planning company in San Francisco and was always designing amazing events. Playing with fabrics, lighting, flowers, etc. is similar to styling clothes. Either you have an eye for it or you don’t. I have always stayed up to date with the latest looks/trends/runways shows as soon they would come out.

SOS: When did you know you wanted to become a wardrobe stylist?

JM: I’ve always loved clothes and fashion. I’ve dressed friends, friends of friends and brides for the past few years. People email me all the time asking where to find a certain item of clothing, what would look good with something etc. I decided I should just follow my dream and do what I love and am good at. Last year I started writing my blog after my daughter was born and it somehow pushed me to become a stylist.

SOS: When did you graduate from School Of Style?

JM: 4-5 months ago

SOS: Which classes did you take?

JM: All 3. I was in the first day 3 photo shoot instead of helping out on a job.

SOS: What was the most valuable thing you learned at School Of Style?

JM: To follow your dreams and just get out there and meet everyone you can.

SOS: What was the most shocking thing you learned?

JM: Other stylists are upset at Luke for being so upfront.

SOS: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School Of Style?

JM: I have done a number of photo shoots with some amazing professionals. In addition, I have obtained some private clients that I have done wardrobe overhaul, personal shopping etc.

SOS: Describe your ”style” as a stylist:

JM: I define each client’s personality, and style each individual by incorporating trends into their current wardrobe as well as adding new looks. I believe that everyone should have a great basic wardrobe that is a bit more expensive then what you would spend on trendy items and add pieces from there. I listen to my clients and see what they are comfortable in and then push them to think outside their comfort level a bit without losing them in the process.

SOS: Is that different than your personal style? If so, describe your personal style:

JM: My personal style, is classic with a lot of black. I’m never afraid to try new things but make sure I always feel comfortable. I love dressing up and usually am over dressed when I go out but it makes me feel good.

SOS: Who is your dream client?

JM: I would love to style Emily Blunt, Reese Witherspoon or Sarah Jessica Parker. Also, the busy executive or mom that wants to be stylish in everything she does.

SOS: Who are your favorite designers?

JM: Chanel, Balmain, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Erin Fetherston, Lanvin.

SOS: Favorite trends?

JM: Loving the miliatary trend lately. also love big, chunky jewelry over comfy shirts from A. Wang and R. Owens.
thigh-high boots

SOS: Trends you wish would die?

JM: Low-rise jeans, tired of seeing everyone’s backside!

SOS: What are your favorite places to shop?

JM: Barney’s, Diavolina, Net-a-Porter, Gilt.com, Maxfield’s

SOS: Any tips you would like to share with other stylists who are just starting out?

JM: Believe you can do it and meet as many people you can. Always be on time!

Big thanks to Jennifer for helping us kick off our Graduate Interview.

Keep up with Jennifer online:

blog: www.redsolediary.com
website: www.jennifermargolin.com
twitter: @redsolediaryjen

There is something you should know about us, and that something is that we love leather jackets. Like, we really love them. We’ve been known to pull entire racks of leathers jackets on multiple occasions. You might even dare to call us leather jacket connoisseurs. Yesh, it’s that serious.

Being leather jacket connoisseurs and all, we like to think that we know a thing or two about leather jackets — specifically, which leather jackets are cool. So when we tell you that Skingraft is the spot in LA to pick up cool rock and roll leather jackets, we know what we are talking about.

Skingraft is an LA based label that specializes in leather jackets (and other cool apparel). This is not the spot to find your run of the mill jacket either. This is a place where you are going to find something totally unique and head turning.

So next time you are in downtown LA, stop into Skingraft and tell em that School Of Style sent you … they will take good care of you.

PS- How cool is their ‘About Us’ statement? “SKINGRAFT is based in Los Angeles. SKINGRAFT will eat your babies.” LOL! We love it.

What could be better than a day of shopping with three really cool students? We honestly couldn’t tell you because yesterday we had a blast during Class 2 with Chalita, Staci, and Carolyn.  We shopped like stylists all around LA and had a really healthy and delicious lunch at a spot called Flore.

Chalita, Staci, Luke, and Carolyn at Flore

Staci at Opening Ceremony

Chalita at Opening Ceremony

Rodarte at Opening Ceremony

Alexander Wang at Opening Ceremony

Alexander Wang clutch at Opening Ceremony

Acme pumps at Opening Ceremony

Class 2: Shopping/Prep is held 2-3 times per month, and is generally held on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Dates for Class 2 are chosen based on Luke’s availability, and are announced to registered students via email, during the week prior to the upcoming date. So if you are interested in learning how to shop like a stylist, register now>

Finding a stylish and moderately priced shoe isn’t an easy task, especially for a stylist. We naturally gravitate towards shoes with costs that equal a car payment, or rent, or the combined income of a small village. That’s just how we roll. So when we do find a shoe label that has the look of an expensive shoe but at a price point that allows us to sleep at night … we like.

Velvet Angels does just that. They keep our appetite for stylish shoes satisfied and they keep our wallets happy.

Shop for Velvet Angels now on their website>>

Those hot looking wedges? They’re by Velvet Angels!