Loving to see the downtown sweetheart getting some love from big media like WWD. As the first woman to have a  collaborative Jordan sneaker for us sneaker aficianados and branding observers this is a big deal. Read her Q&A with Flores Gerald on the flip.

Spotted on Curated is a rare glimpse at one of  the pioneers of  female  graff culture and streetwear. Enjoy!

When J* Davey appeared on the scene a few years ago we never stopped marveling at the style factor of Miss J* Davey. She recently spoke to the FADER’s Chioma Nnadi about her apparel collection LadyTrippeR which we think is a good example of a celebrity line as it perfectly  reflects her aesthetic. A few ooks from the line and the interview on the flip.

Braganza portrait via FI

As much as he has been designing his collection since 2004 Jean-Pierre Braganza, whose talent  is apparent , is  generating a bigger  buzz lately.  The Fashion Informer’s Lauren David Peden sat down with the mind behind the lovely designs who opens up about his likes, dislikes creative proces and more. Read  the interview on the next page.

 Paola Venturi   talks to  Highsnobette  about her background, love of shoes and passion for design. What makes the creative director of Via Spiga stand out to us is not only  her obvious talent in creating covetable accessories,  but mostly the fact that she designs for women with a sense of empowerment  while taking inpiration  from the vast and diverse  world we live in. Read the feature on the next page.

Kelis was featured in the Sunday Times and as always had plenty to say. I loved her quote on her feelings about her son…no doubt all our Mommy readers can relate: “I mean, I will literally kill you. If it’s between you and my kid, you do not have a chance.” Haha, so true!

The image featured here is from the the video for her next song, “Spaceship.” Thanks to UltimateKelis for both the pic and the article.

 Having worked in retail for a very long time I stopped counting the times when you see the guy and his girl shopping together and you can feel the drama  in the air ,  the contradiction of  what she thinks he should wear and what he ’s comfortable with.  Our brother site selectism with the help Ms. Fuller  conducted an insightful in interview of J.crew Stylist Jack O’Connor who sheds some light on the matter:

We’ve all received (and given) bad gifts.

A few months ago we put our lady on the street, Cary Randolph Fuller, to the task of producing a guide for girlfriends (or wives) buying for their men. After some discussion, Ms. Fuller decided that a chat with J. Crew men’s stylist Jack O’Connor would prove fruitful. Below are her words and an insightful (and demystifying) Q&A. Many thanks are due to Ms. Fuller.

Several years ago, to commemorate a special occasion, I bought the (now ex-) boyfriend a pink and navy Ralph Lauren repp tie. At the time I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t thrilled, but age and experience have exposed the error of my ways. (And that error is: Neckties are kind of boring.) These days I steer clear of presents with seams and sizes, preferring to bestow upon the men in my life gifts that cannot be worn. – Cary Randolph Fuller.

I’m not alone. Many women feel lost on the men’s floor. It can be hard to know what men want when a suit is not just a suit but a minefield of subtle intricacies. More often than not, we girls default to the necktie table or slink back to the women’s department with a gift card in hand. He can buy his own damn dress shirts.

Unless…I could enlist the help of Jack O’Connor, stylist for J. Crew’s men’s division and one of New York’s best-dressed. J. Crew has perfected the art of accessible fashion by marrying a well-edited selection of small heritage brands with its own collections. The results are always quirky and unique yet somehow instantly recognizable. To know J. Crew is to know the aesthetic and aspirations of the most stylish men and women. I recently sat down with Jack and his assistant Shawn Buchanan for a little primer on how to shop for the men in my life. Along the way I learned some valuable lessons for every woman who wants to give a gift that keeps on giving – the gift of great style.

Above is a picture of Jack O’Connor. Read Ms. Fuller’s Q&A after the jump.

Forever and a day I’ve wanted to visit Valley Spa, located in SoHo. Manicures and well done nail art are a very big deal to me and I had a feeling stepping into Valley compared to all the Brooklyn salons I normally visit would feel like a homecoming. And it did.  For downtownistas who have gone form salon to salon like a nomad in search of nail technicians whose aesthetic and product sensibilities are in line with theirs, Valley will hit the spot. Not only are their colors and processes in step with fashion, they hold the same oath as doctors, ”do no harm.” So no acrylic nails or any other product that damages the nails or the nail bed. I tried out a glitter gold, gradiated Cal-Gel process and nine days later I swear to you it is still as perfect as the day I got it. Can you imagine, a manicure lasting so long that you actually grow tired of it?? I can’t (and btw, I’m still not tired of it).

Before, during and after getting my nails done, co-owner Julia Werman (her sister, Nina, is her partner) and I chatted about how business is going, plus hot nails trends and whether or not matte nails are on they’re way in or at. Flip to the next page to read more and see more images, too.

Heather Martin , the designer behind Mono Clothing, a growing design label based out of Vancouver,  was recently interviewed by Hearty Magazine.The talented designer talks about  launching gher line, inspirations  experiences and and much more. This quote made it for me: “I like simplicity,” Heather confirms. “Style is more important than actual clothing. The way someone puts something together is way more interesting than the item itself. Clothing, for me, is quite functional. It has to be comfortable and unique.”Check out the image filled feature here.

The incredibly sumptuous Lara Stone, the model of the moment, was interviewed by Marc Jacobs for the March issue of Interview magazine. MJ is not only an amazing designer, but he also asks good questions! What can’t this man do?? Lara was photographed by Marcus Piggot for Interview, but the source for this image is Blackeett.