designer interview

The Shoes of Prey philosophy is pretty simple: every woman deserves to have the perfect pair of shoes, whether she prefers a lower heel, likes a pointier toe, or needs a bigger or in-between size. Since launching the design-your-own-shoe company in 2009, founder Jodie Fox has brought her footwear problem-solving skills to the masses. The designer has opened four global offices, created two runway collections for Jonathan Simkhai, and built custom shoes for Rihanna, Carly Rae Jepsen, Elle Macpherson, and Kate Middleton. Jodie popped by our POPSUGAR offices in San Francisco recently to show us how Shoes of Prey works — and not only did we get a personal online tour through the shoe-designing process, but we also picked Jodie's brain about her design beginnings, celebrity style icons, and her own shoe collection.

POPSUGAR: How did you get your start, and where did the idea for Shoes of Prey come from?
Jodie Fox: I come from a long line of Sicilian women who always loved shoe shopping and being around beautiful leather goods — I definitely developed the same taste! I went to law school, became a lawyer, and was never able to find shoes that I liked, let alone ones that worked well with the suits I had to wear every day. I then began learning about leather and shoe construction and decided to delve into my creative desires. For my business partners and me, it doesn't matter that we didn't start out as cobblers. It matters that we're solving a problem. This is about you; every woman should have the perfect shoe.

PS: What are your favorite upcoming shoe trends?
JF: I love anything sculptural — anything that goes "beyond the foot" and looks like a piece of art. Also, brogues and oxfords are the new ballet flat. If you don't have a pair of oxfords, you're in trouble.

Find out Jodie's ultimate style crush, shoe tips for brides, and more when you keep reading.

When it comes to styling up a polished yet playful party look, nobody does it quite like J.Crew — and with invitations coming in left and right, we thought it necessary to tap into the brand's signature quirky-cool aesthetic for the season ahead. We chatted with Tom Mora, J.Crew's head of women's design, to hear about the latest collection and get his expert tips on holiday party dressing — and boy, did we get a wealth of inspiration. Tom gave us his advice on taking a look from work to play, his favorite cocktail dress alternatives, and even gave us the inside scoop on the gifts that make creative director Jenna Lyons smile. See what he had to say below.

FabSugar: A lot of us end up going to holiday events straight from work — what are your tips for making an office look party-ready?
Tom Mora: There are a couple things that I think are easy fixes: throwing on a statement necklace or pair of earrings does an incredible job of making an outfit feel really special. In the same vein, we have really gorgeous suede pumps in the most exquisite colors, and it's really fun to walk into a party in a more muted black or gray outfit and then have people look down and see a bright shoe! I also think a really great lipstick color — a really red or poppy-colored lip — looks amazing and is an easy switch-up.

There are a million parties to go to all season, and we tend to get into our somber, dark clothes — but there's lots of color out there, and it's a great opportunity to experiment with brighter tones and mix and match them with hues like seafoam green, icy lilac, and citrus. Don't shy away from colors that you think don't work on you — those rules were made to be broken!

For more of Tom's tips, and to see chic style inspiration from J.Crew's Holiday 2012 lookbook, just keep reading.

Jenni Kayne is a quite force at New York Fashion Week. Her sharp cuts, feminine silhouettes, and cool girl aesthetic are always on my radar. For Fall, the LA-based designer brought equestrian chic to her sportswear. Striped blankets, mud cloth, and aged leather were reworked for the city. Utility played a big role — jodhpur shorts and boxy coats rocked my world. The sleek suede platforms were also designed by Jenni, and leather gloves added the final sporty touch. I caught up with the designer, and she told me about her inspirations, challenges, the difference between East and West Coast style, and what she wears to keep warm. Listen up.

Let's talk Fall 2010 inspirations.

Equestrian culture was a major inspiration. Ochre, British racing green, and mud brown feel like Fall in the English countryside.

What was the biggest challenge with this collection?

Timing is always a challenge.

Proudest piece from this collection?

The Mud Cloth Anorak. I love the versatility of it and the weightless quality of the silk.

To read the rest, read more

We've been smitten with Catherine Holstein since she first landed on the Fashion Week circuit three seasons ago. Her easy, sophisticated clothing has made her one to watch and her shows--packed with editors, models and industry folk--are a sure testament to that fact. This week, we caught up with Holstein for quick interview...

What was the inspiration behind the Fall 2009 collection? The inspiration behind the fall collection was "vagabond, creature of the night." The idea of just passing through town to town with no home or destination, just a suitcase. I suppose I'm kind of a loner so it felt natural.

This Fall you lowered your price point slightly. Can you tell us what led you to make that decision and whether your line will stay within that range? I offered some items for a lower price than last season such as t-shirts and flannels. We wanted to branch out to a larger demographic. We will continue to offer these pieces (and hopefully more!) every season. Our main goal is to price 90% of the collection under $1000 retail, which is proving to be hard for a small designer, but we are finding ways.

What is a typical work day like for you? A typical work day consists of waking up at 8 o'clock, in the office by 9:30. Once I am in the office its usually answering emails and phone calls, resolving with some sort of crisis (I have gotten really used to that!), working on my boards, and dealing with a severe amount of anxiety. I usually leave around 6:30 on a slow day in the middle of the season. Around show time, it can go all night.

Any clues on what we can expect to see this Spring 2010? Easy, breezy everyday wear for women. Clean, yet eclectic. Lots of neutrals with hints of color. I love spring, it's my favorite for design. I wear spring pieces all year round. A pair of black tights and some cashmere can make anything go into winter, so I'm more in touch with that season. Fall can be a bit confusing for me.

Where do you see your brand going in the next few years? I would really like to evolve into a brand that offers an array of classic tailored and drapy pieces for women. I guess what I mean is I would like to be the go-to designer for sophisticated, yet playful garments that can be implemented into anyone's wardrobe. My overall goal is for my collection to be inviting. So we shall certainly see what happens...(it's been a pretty crazy ride so far!)