Styliiista Style Diaries

1/20/13

VII VICTORY SS 2013 Limited Edition Tribal Collection

Introducing the latest jewelry addition to our online shop.

As worn on the beautiful Dawn Richard in her new music video:"86" - which was also styled in entirety by me.

Love. Support. Shop.

XOXO,

Styliiista

1/17/13

VII VICTORY SS 2013 Jewelry-

WELCOME: fashion and accessory lovers!!

For those of you that have followed my journey since the beginning of time... I have a fresh and creative venture, that I've newly re-launched this month!!!

Re-introducing: VII VICTORY JEWELRY.

With that said, our newest "everyday" Spring/Summer 2013 jewelry line is now available on our online shop. With this line in particular, we believe that owning beautiful accessories shouldn't break your pockets. Everything in the collection is $50 and under. This will continue through summer 2013.

COME SHOP OUR "ARMOR COLLECTION" HERE.

Now you can join the bandwagon and take advantage of our awesome January 2013 discounts and specials! Use COUPON CODE: #SLS15 when you spend $50 and more until midnight, January 31, 2013. Stay up to speed to one of our newest jewelry trends... we call finger art and dress up your hands with beautiful, stackable ring styles!!! We carry items like: mid-finger rings, chain link rings, and double chain link rings: priced from $4.99 - $19.99.

BEGIN THE SHOPPING FUN: HERE!

Love. Support. Shop.

Styliiista xxx

11/29/12

Jewel Tone Juxtaposition

As a stylist, brought on board and strictly outsourced from America, working with such a uniquely in-demand market in South Asia is a dream come true. In the midst of obtaining my Indian Visa, and a few American holidays interference the delays in sorting the Visa in time for our scheduled project, added a second plot to the original plan. Thus, leading to a once in a lifetime opportunity of styling a music video remotely from LA. Eager to expand my network, and openly obliging, I found myself on an intriguing journey full of rich culture, and a crystal clear perspective on international brand development. This experience in short, has already become life-changing. Thus leading to my December travel plans to Mumbai to finish some of the work we've already started.

In staying true to an amalgamation of both Western American and South Asian sensibilities, I chose to delve into my own fashion-forward bliss of unchartered waters and unlimited brand-building imagination. With a goal in mind to develop a unique platform for my client centering around her Indian and UK demographic to bring commercial appeal to her music. In the midst of a transformative rebrand, it is about fostering a fresh approach that embraces the clothing staples of Indian fashion, yet with an original vision. Creatively, I handpicked my most favorite silhouettes, colors, and styles that I'd love to watch dominate the next season.

With a strong eye for American presentation, I opted for beautifully tailored jackets with sharp lines, and strikingly bold native prints as the strength of look #3. Equally inspired by floral tones, voluminous elements and contrasting black color to evoke a "powerful" message not only through voice, but color. The importance in mind of transitioning from a golden-goddess approach from look #2 - and moving into an edgier, more contrasting style, leaves room for the most creativity and imagination.

Essentially motivated by pop culture, and vintage 90's oversized patterns, I wanted her final look to complete the series with a slight androgynous inspiration. Feeling moved by the obvious menswear moments of the Spring Summer 2013 Indian runways - lead me to an ultra edgy introduction of sheer sex-appeal. One of the most feminine ways to re-work a boxy menswear silhouette, is to pair it with the right peek of skin. In this case, sheer leggings shall be quite paramount.

With a completely individual artist vision combining fashion looks #1, 2, and 3, and a stellar rebrand package, we are more than set to launch her product for the new year. With the help of copious amounts of resources, it feels brilliant to see my work unfold into the creative and strategic journey that will ultimately help define my client's voice. The adventure continues, and I anticipate sharing the coming chapter of what's next for the transformation.

XOXO,

♥ Styliiista x

11/28/12

Indian Fashion Fused With Western Philosophy

In designing a recipe for world fashion, in following suite with Indo-Western culture, my formula for look #2 for my client in Mumbai, I've decided to stay true to the cultural appeal with a modern vision. As displayed in the moodboard, my color of choices are all about shiny metallics and feminine embellishment. I chose to focus on: gold, copper, and iridescent ombre colors from cool to warm, with pops of vibrant hues like purple, and cobalt icy tones for a bit of a majestic finish to translate an air of "royalty."

With a carefully sought-out direction on how to take my clients brand to the next level, my motivation was somewhere in the realm of Indo-Western (by request) and applying a touch of my own sparkle to the mixture. My ever-inspiring list of LA clients range from International couture labels, to independent fashion designers, to London-based showrooms and local LA style houses. Within this wide spectrum of ensembles and influences, the skies truly the limit. With a project so captivatingly special, I opted to get in touch with some of my most celebrated go-to labels here in LA - to discover their participation in "Wills Fashion Week" home to some of the most exquisite fashion labels in the South-Asian Indian market.

Some of my top Indian-based designer picks (I've had the pleasure of working with) and whom are consistent participates of Wills Fashion Week in India are:

If you love fashion, one musn't sleep on Indian Fashion Week. Much like the international markets: NYFW, LFW, PFW, India's "WIFW" also takes place two times per year. Covering both seasons: Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer. Their seasons fall approximately around the time of the year that our (end of the market) market's run. With a wide array of newfound inspiration, I set out on a visual journey to research all that can be accomplished remotely from LA to India.

Overall, the goal is to transform a traditional staple piece of clothing into something that plays homage to the original, but takes it to the next phase in fashion. In building a marketable presence for my client, following tradition is important for her culture, but stepping outside of her comfort zone is equally appealing for her genre of music as well. To design an image that is equally yoked in both sensibilities is vital to the complete production. In working with one of the most fashion favored capitals in the international markets, moving a brand from India to the United Kingdom - it's important to cross cultivate both cultures musically and visually. We decided collectively to follow a less bohemian inspiration for the look and mood of our second style option, and continue to enlighten the Western world on how to wear a traditional Tika headpiece, in a non-traditional fashion for one of the key style transitions.

As a stylist and director for the birth of this amazing project at hand, some styles as seen on the MOODBOARD which stood out the most for my client's rebrand were:

Jersey knit fabrics with lots of draping,
Sheer bottoms layered with embellished printed jackets,
Long billowy traditional sari's with revamped shoulders,
Cropped Sari's newly designed with structured necklines,
High-neck gowns and dresses,
Sequenced numbers with A-line hems,
Sleeveless dresses with high-neck collars.

In gelling each of these looks from #1, to #2, and moving onto wardrobe change #3, the mission is to fuse each one with an alternating season. Look #1 begins sort of spring and summer with golden white tones and soft pastels, moving into fall and winter with metallic shades and jewel tone contrasts. In my mind the perfect way to showcase a moving spectrum of fashion along with the seasons change, and the trends that follow. Carrying into the third (and final) fashion look, we begin to see more color, and bolder, brighter fashion statements as we begin to transition into Spring Summer 2013. Just in line with the global trends, and just in time to launch her second single from the album.

XOXO,

♥ Styliiista

11/27/12

Flirting With Indo-Western Sensibilities-

Recently I had the pleasure of working with a client remotely based out of Mumbai, India. Being brought on board for artist development, I was given authority to design a complete rebrand for the forthcoming music campaign (set to release) with the opening of the new year. With the help of my guidance, and some very important fine details about which markets we would need to penetrate, whilst staying true to her Indian heritage - the goal was to incorporate a fun, and youthful approach to an "Indo-Western" style in line with some of the American fashion trends for Spring Summer 2013. (For example - take note to Indian-inspired collections by: Marchesa SS 2013 runway, Diane Von Furstenberg SS 2013 collection, and Furne One (Amato Couture) SS 2013 runway show.)

With an intention to fuse traditional Indian fashion elements with Western inspiration, we went with a goal to transform her image using 3-4 key fashion looks. Following highlights from American Spring Summer 2013 runways, with an unorthodox Indo-Western vision focusing on SS 2013 Indian Fashion Week runway coverage, there were more than enough intriguing style combinations between both cultures varying fashion appeal to expand my ideas into a concrete branding strategy.

Flirting with Indian Fashion is paradigm to inspiration on some of the flirty-est trends of the season. Highlighting Spring 2013 became an easy target. For my client, I chose to direct the attention for the first fashion look, on fine feminine detailing. When I think of her age demographic (15-25) I recognize the importance of the idea of innocent flirtation. With that said, leads me to my goalpost of fusing pastels with florals and some of the softest most sterile innocent of contrast colors: white and creme for her opening look. While, "sparkle" also plays a primary role in ushering attention of an audience, I opted to keep the first look neutral and floral, with some ruffles and draping to play up a sweet yet, commanding style. Sticking with a soft, refined approach slightly bordering a bohemian aesthetic to place her somewhere between Indian tradition and American fashion to identify a Western edge that not only resonates the Asian market, but opens up a wider demographic for her particular genre.

In mastering a presence that works for her, and queuing in line with some of the best trends for the season, my approach is to follow a consistent and consecutive stye that her fans can grow with. So here we are... right on target and just in time for first quarter! ♡

XOXO,

♡ Styliiista

10/29/12

Homage To Vintage Versace-

Lately, I've been wanting to play around with more color. Fusing styling techniques that pay homage to some of the most influential fashion labels in hip hop and R&B music dating back to the early to mid 1980s.

In this inspiration, I've been looking to find a way to give the glory to some of my favorite 1980's labels, yet re-create some of the style inspirations from my favorite vintage prints such as Versace -and redefine the look in a way that makes it my own. As a fashion stylist, I am responsible for taking a trend and twisting it in a way that makes sense, and encourages increase in market growth and brand accessibility.

As a trendsetter, I am held accountable for taking specific brands and highlighting them in such fashion that helps generate greater exposure and public awareness of their label. I love my job! There is nothing more fulfilling that spending endless hours in research, and finding fashion and styling concepts that paint a picture of a vision, which translates into an actual storyline. When the book has the right packaging, the future is bright and anything is possible.

The styling inspiration above is designed for a new client - and for their look number one of four for their first music video - as I've been brought onto the team as artist re-branding to help market their image as a new female rap group. The focus here, is to give them a style that sets them apart from their peers. The song is called, "Booty Pop" which we're filming day two of today. I'll have some screen caps of the physical looks inspired by the moodboard to share very soon. XOXO, Ja'Niya

For The LOVE of Sports-

Coming up with an innovative style concept for a new client, brought on board for artist development - I put together a couple moodboards of inspiration.

Visually, I wanted to keep the mood fun, sporty, and fashion forward in the vein of early 90's grunge elements.

In this direction, we're working on a whole re-brand to help establish a total look for their sound, style, and genre of music. I've been having a lot of fun coming up with the visuals, and today we're on day two of the music video. Behind the scenes photos coming soon!!

XOXO,

10/12/12

Every Vision Needs A Moodboard

It's a beautiful morning in LA. Sun is shining. Thought I'd post one of my recent moodboards (I designed) for one of my clients album cover & packaging shoot. Here's a peek at the direction we aimed for. Concept is inspired by the Greek Goddess: "Pallas Athena." I've always found myself inspired by Greek Mythology, so this was the perfect marriage.

*Note: Dawn Richard's album releases on Tuesday, October 16th! Support her amazing music and movement as there's not many artists of her caliber out there - doing what she's doing musically, sonically, and visually. It's an absolute honor to team up with Dawn and help facilitate a vision that is both avant garde and original.

10/6/12

The Future Is Here.

GOLDENHEART out: 10/16/12

Creative Team:

Photographer: Dimitry Loiseau
Fashion Stylist: Ja'Niya Walker
Makeup Artist: Ashley Gomila
Hairstylist: Carlos Jamieson
Nails: Destinee Handly

Words Make For Great Imagination,

But -- A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words.

8/2012

History In The Making: Dawn Richard

Creative Team:

Photographer: Jon Santana
Model: Dawn Richard
Fashion Stylist: Ja'Niya Walker
Makeup Artist: Ashley Gomila
Hairstylist: Carlos Jamieson
Nails: Destinee Handly

Dawn Richard: "Wild N' Faith" Music Video.

Favorite behind the scenes video footage.

Includes quite awesome fashion gif images Dawn's fans made.

Love!!! Enjoy, Ja'Niya X

Director: Eugene Lee Yang

Artist: Dawn Richard

Fashion Stylist: Ja'Niya Walker

Men's Wardrobe Assistant: Salomon Guitterrez

Makeup Artist: Ashley Gomila

Hairstylist: Carlos Jamieson

Nails: Destinee Handly

11/11/11

\\\ICONIC MARiSA BERENSON

It-girl of the 1960's and 1970's...

Iconic, Supermodel coined by YVES SAiNT LAURENT, and ELSA SCHiAPPARELLi

as one of the most exquisite beauties of all time!

Clearly one of the most captivating women of her era.

Pay it forward - homage.

source: here.

♥ Styliiista xx

11\11\11 A Powerful Message About Today-

There is a huge vibrational shift in consciousness happening.

A united portal of love and light reminding us to find our balance and fill ourselves with the magic of remembering what our role here on earth is for. Take responsibility for cleaning your own garden, and say goodbye to that which no longer serves in accordance with who you are today. Let go of fear, self-doubt and worry about being worthy, and know you are made with purpose. Embrace love, transcend your priorities to encompass an elevated spirit and allow yourself the freedom to be occupied in your true self. Nourish the present moment. Let go of those things which deter you from pressing forward, fill yourself with light. Close the vortex of doubt and darkness, that we as humans we carry the dualities of both light and darkness: positive and negative, good and evil, however you choose to view it.

On this day, the message is about progressing with the shift in consciousness, as we move into a new portal, a new vibrational frequency, a new reality. Channel an energy of light to help with the spiritual alignment of love for mother nature, the earth, and fellow humankind, the entire collective. Give yourself permission to shed the old skin and patterns of thinking, that you may ascend to the next frequency, the next reality - aligned with love and pure balance. Meditate on this chord of awakening. Stay in the love. Stay in the truth of who you are. ♥

♥ Styliiista xx