Ever listen to track one on The National’s Boxer Album? Fake Empire is one of those songs that makes you want to curl up in a cozy plaid blanket (or person), not do anything too taxing but still remain romantic and whimsical.

There is something extremely haunting about Matt Berninger’s voice. That combined with the mysteriously evasive lyrics typical of The National are the source of inspiration for this F/W12 indie-chic collage.

This Fake Empire look is based on a dark pallet mixed with gold accents in jewelry (inspired by the album art below). The look also mixes fabrics— suede with the indierock go-to fabric (plaid). Imagine a weekend where you are feeling off the grid but want to sneak out for low-key dinner or a burbon nightcap.

A little about the band: Prior to being the brooding baritone singer of The National, Matt Berninger used to be a graphic designer. This would definitely explain the clean design of the album covers by New York-based artist Mark Fox. His sculptures and these album covers certainly resemble the  trending honeycomb pattern for accessories.

You know those rare couples that illuminate happiness and love, even if you don’t know them or are perhaps seeing them for the first time? This is one of them (their most heard compliment proves this). I have had the pleasure of knowing Janae and Quentin for several years now. Long-time friends, they began dating a couple years ago and appear inseparable, in a truly beautiful way. During our interview, in which Janae and Q spoke about what they loved about one another’s style choices and their personal journeys as artists, I found myself beaming with excitement for these two. Enjoy, friends – and try not to get jealous.

L: So, we’re here at Eat Street Social today. Are there any places that you two like to go? What do you two like to do together?

Q: Eat. (Laughs.) We eat a ton.

J: (Laughs) Yes, definitely. We love to go out. There’s a place called Longfellow, have you been there? We live pretty close to there. So, we go there and sit for breakfast at the bar … It’s nice that I’m plus sized, so I can eat all I want. (Laughs)

Q: And I love dancing!

J: Yeah, he likes to dance in public. (Laughs)

Q: We like to dance. So we dance at Target… (Laughs) Everywhere.

J: (Laughs) He loves embarrassing me. He looks at my face and he’s like “I know you’re embarrassed, so I’ma keep doing this.”

Q: …Live music. We go to a lot of shows.

L: Who are some of your favorite local artists that you like to support?

J: We support local music. Toki Wright. I've recently fallen in love with his music. He has a new music video that I’m obsessed with. What song was that?

Q: HD…[Others that we support include] Toki Wright, MaLLy, Unknown Prophets.

J: I really like Longshot and K. Raydio is awesome [too]. I love her voice, it’s so soulful. She’s awesome.

L: Well, this is a great Segway. Q, I know that you are an artist as well. How would you describe your art or your pieces…how you like to express yourself?

Q: How would I describe it…Honest. That’s one thing. I just try to do work that is honest to myself and those who are around me. You’ll never hear me trying to be something that I’m not or talking about something that I’m not. But you know, it’s ever-developing. I think it’s something for all artists – and even for Janae as a model – you’re constantly building your work, you’re constantly building your portfolio. It’s ever-going. It’s good, it’s good. I’m happy. It’s healthy. It’s what I do to stay sane. I love it.

L: Have there been favorite moments during this past year of performing and creating or favorite shows that you've done?

Actually, my last main show. Toki was hosting. Myself, CY, Batsi, Longshot, we all performed. And so that was my first time kind of being in front of those guys. So I think that was a big highlight. And then we did a freestyle rap [with] the Chalice and Ernest Rose and Bobby Raps, a whole bunch of people, so it was cool. So that was a big highlight and then I did a show for Background Noise, they had a release of their volume 2 and the Unknown Prophets and Brother Ali and Atmosphere, so it was cool to be in front of those guys. So my last two shows were probably my biggest highlights. So, good, real good.

L: Well, you’re the dynamic duo so, Janae what about you? You’re a creative artistic soul yourself.

J: I do modeling, in particular. It’s been…a journey, I’ll say that. 

L: Indeed. It has been a rewarding journey! Janae is currently represented by Vision, Mega Models Miami, Moore Creative, and Wehmann Models and Talent. 

I told you a long time ago – we were at St. Thomas and I told you [Lauren] I wanted to model, but I was so worried about losing weight. I was so obsessed with that and I thought I just had to get to a 2/4. But, I've come a long way. I think I've definitely gotten a lot more confident about my body. It’s just so fun to be a different person in front of the camera, but yet you’re so exposed because you have to be so comfortable with yourself. Any insecurities show in your face, you know? It’s something that I've never had. I've never been that secure and that confident in myself – it teaches me that every day. I think a lot of people don’t see that in modeling – you’re not just taking a picture, it’s such a beautiful art form I think. There’s so many people behind it there’s the makeup artist, the stylist, the photographer, the people putting the whole concept together. So it’s an amazing thing to be a part of. See myself grow with every picture I take.

  L: And, you have actually modeled for Ariel Simone before. What of hers do you love?

  J: I actually just bought my first Ariel Simone piece. [The two-toned maxi dress] is flowy. I’m so obsessed. I bought it for a wedding. I’m super excited about it … It’s long and flowy. It’s just so feminine. Anything that’s, like, this chiffon material. Oh my God, it just makes me so happy. It’s cool because it’s a one-size fits all dress. And it just looks really pretty on every girl I've seen it on. She’s an amazing designer.

L: What’ s been your experience working with Adrienne, with her shows or with her shoots?

J: Yes, I've done a little bit of both. I love that she does every size woman. I mean she’s curvy, she’s got it going on. When I first met her I was like an 8 and I was the only plus woman that Richard Moody would normally use. And I was just so excited that she wanted a full-figured woman for her stuff, so I've always just been so excited whenever she picks me for her stuff … I absolutely love her clothing. I love the colors. I’m normally not into too many colors. It’s so awesome how she kind of pulls trends into every line that she puts out.

L: Yes, she’s very forward. I remember last spring seeing some of the things that she was putting out. And I thought it all seemed very ahead of all the things I was noticing.

J: I feel like she was color-blocking before color-blocking was a thing. She’s always been just so into colors, I love that. She’s wonderful.

  L: She is! Well, you’re our first ArielSimone model for my blog posts ... So in terms of your own style, you've noted thus far that you like including femininity, and a piece being “flowy”… is there anything else that you are really drawn to in your own style choices that you make?

  J: Yeah, like I said I’m [still] learning how to dress. I've been anywhere from a 6 to a 14 so I've kind of gone back and forth with learning how to dress my body. Anything that hugs the curves in the right places – I live in skinny jeans and leggings. . Any flowy tops like this … Feminine. Classic. I try to stay away from too much trendy stuff because I hate throwing away clothes. I want stuff that can, you know, stay for awhile. The best advice that I ever got from another model – “make sure you always have classic pieces and go from there. You can have a couple trendy pieces.” And I’m building as we speak.

L: And what about you?

Q: Jeans, a t-shirt, and a baseball cap.

L: It works, it works!

J: A Twin-Cities baseball cap!

Q: Yeah, style-wise for me is all about being comfortable. I really don’t pay attention to fashion mags or things like that. I mean she’s the most stylish out of the two of us by every means. I like just being comfortable and I’m always ready for a good time with how I dress. When I gotta go to work its slacks and tie, collard shirt. I’d rather be in sweatpants and a t-shirt, but you know I’ll throw on jeans every once in awhile, she bugs me about that.

J: I think you have a lot more style than you know. I think it’s your confidence. I think there’s nothing sexier, nothing…than a confident person in general, but especially a confident man. I mean, you have like a million jackets. I think you know how to put things together.

Q: High five on that, baby.

  L: (Laughs) Well, what do you like the most about something that she does with her style?

For her, one thing that I like that she does. She always comes to me and asks “does this look good”? (chuckles)

J: (Laughs) I totally do!

L: (Laughs) Why do you like that?

Q: I always tell her “that looks good” no matter what she has on because it does! I think she definitely knows how to dress for occasions. So whatever it might be, she already has something in her closet to match up from a wedding to a backyard barbecue. She’s gonna have something in her closet that everybody’s gonna look at and go “yeah, she’s bomb.” Like I said, she’s the most stylish out of the both of us, but you know, that’s the way we like it.

J: You’re cute (laughs). Hmm, what do I like most about your style? I think I said it. I love that anything you put on, you’re confident in it. And obviously I already adore you so I’m going to love anything that you put on. I love this – this is what I want a guy in. I mean the metro thing….that’s nice, but I definitely like a manly…I love that I’m more about that than he is. I think I’d be a little worried if he were in the mirror more than I am. He’s never in the mirror. He just puts it on. Matches it up, you know what you’re doing. I like that.

What’s your favorite compliment that you two have received together?

Q: Ooohh, together? “You guys look so happy”

J: Yeah, that’s so true.

L: I've been thinking this the whole time. Do you get that a lot?

Q: Yeah, I've gotten that a few times. And I think that’s true.

Until Soon, Lauren Miller. 

-Q's Junction (Quentin's FB page for his poetry): https://www.facebook.com/qsjunction

-(Rough Around The Edges Mixtape, First Project): http://quentinmoore.bandcamp.com

-Single: http://thisera.com/qs-junction-jealous-love-free-download/ ("Jealous Love" is my new single off the Honorable Mention Vol 3 Mixtape produced by Big Jess from the Unknown Prophets)

-Link to ArielSimone maxi dress Janae mentions: http://www.etsy.com/listing/113309865/keyhole-slit-front-boatneck-maxi-dress 

Meet Julian – or J as others and myself affectionately call him. A rare soul, this man’s spirit animal is the male peacock, I swear. He struts into a room and often forces men and women to break their necks to look at him….as well as to examine what he’s wearing. This man rocks a camouflage jacket like it’s no thing and then gracefully and meticulously drapes an airplane blanket (yes, you read that correctly) around his neck and calls it a scarf (no lie: and he’s received countless compliments after doing so). As a multidisciplinary artist he defies boundaries – he drops it low next to me and the rest of the honies at Honey

and then performs modern dance movements like a trained artiste at local performances

Julian puts pen and paint to canvas creating pieces that speak to the soul

His yoga practice has only recently begun, yet in the yoga studio he moves with all the intentionality and flexibility of an advanced yogi; Julian’s LookBook (http://lookbook.nu/nameseugene) illuminates his reflections on style, identity, and his personal journey, easily gleaned through his self-portraits. Even J’s imperfections are endearing – laughing over champagne and the low-candle light at Eat Street Social we shared a particularly hilarious moment that evidenced Julian’s struggle against pride (I would share it, but he might kill me or at least try to kick my ass during our next lasertag/bumperkart adventure). This is my first blog post that features a dear friend of mine and I am grateful that Julian lent me, and all of us at ArielSimone, his stunning presence and words. 

You are the byprodouct of military parents…yet you came to the arts how?

“What I do whether it’s on paper or canvas or on myself…it comes from my own struggles. Whether it’s insecurities, or fears, or doubts about the future or myself…when I first got into art in general - I’ve always painted or drawn with my Dad as a kid, but as I got older things between us got more separated and…I ended up picking up art on my own. And fashion kind of became…I grew up being the victim of a lot of bullying and things like that, so I guess I didn’t think there was anything special about who I was or what I used to do. So when, this is interesting, my parents got me one pair of Gucci shoes when I was in middle school. I was like ‘what’s Gucci? What’s that?’ And when I went to school the next day I went from being a fly on the wall who no one knew or understood to “those are really cool shoes, Jay” and…I realized that fashion could be a way that I could express myself. That people would not just shut me d own. Over the years it’s gone from obsessive to a well-balanced relationship with it. So I’ve kind of arrived at the place that I’m at now because of all of that.

As a blogger yourself, what is the main drive behind the blog specifically?  

Initially, I was obsessed with this site LookBook. Maybe obsessed isn’t the right word - I was really, really interested, intrigued, and inspired because I realized there was a world of people out there that is just like I am. And they’re not just posting pictures of them in t-shirts and jeans, but they create this narrative through photos. And I realized a lot of people on the site have their own blogs. So I decided to get my own blog. - nameseugene.blogspot.com and it’s…I kind of wanted it to be more of a memoir of things that I see, things that I do. And, maybe, my thoughts. I studied abroad my senior year [of college] in Spain and it was a very dark time for me because I didn’t know anyone…I went there by myself. But, I didn’t know what to do, what to say, I’m kind of socially awkward sometimes. So I just wrote. All the time. I wrote all of the time. And the blog really set off and it kind of opened a few doors actually, just being able to pour from my experiences, my spirit and what was going on inside.

Awesome. So in terms of what you’re wearing today, is there anything you’d like to point out? Or anything that’s special?

Sure yeah. There’s actually three things that I incorporate a lot in things that I wear is...the first is, jewelry. I like jewelry. I don’t like to wear a lot of it. But the pieces that I wear I like to be signature. So this I actually got thrifting in Colorado, it’s this Aztec inspired necklace, it had tons of extra stuff, it was gaudy, I toned it down a little bit.

So you re-did it? You like to do DIY stuff, we’ve talked about this before…

I love the DIY. I just kind of did a little work on it.

I’m going to have to borrow that sometime (laugh)

Yeah! I absolutely love it. So, yeah that’s one thing that I like to point out. Lookbook inspired me to, like, think about doing the top-button without a tie. I’d seen it on runways before, but I never considered it was something that I could do. It was always far removed from what I was experiencing so I was like “meh, whatever.” And then I tried it and I decided to throw jewelry on top of it. Like, I DIYd a goat skull onto a necklace and…

Oh, yeah I saw that in one of your recent posts.

I put that on there with the top-button. So that’s the second thing. And then (laughs) I’m a really big fan of “mankles.” I read GQ every month and Vogue every month, V Man and V magazine…and I saw it a lot in the magazines and I was like “oh this is really cool”! It’s just, like, an inch of ankle. It’s the perfect amount. And it adds a different dynamic to the shape of your pants and it does something to the shoes that you’re wearing, too. So they you can really accentuate or focus on the curve of the show, right below the ankle…it showcases the shoes a lot. And what I’ve seen a lot of people wearing it with wingtips, or Oxfords…It’s kind of become this preppy style, but I also like it in a street style sense, as well.

Yeah, awesome! Well, we’re changing seasons, from summer to fall. Is there anything that you’re intentionally doing in addition to the ankle thing, this fall?

I started shopping for fall about 2, maybe three months ago, just cuz….

Lauren gives Julian “the look” and laughs

(Laughs) 

Sorry, I’m just giving you crap…

I know, I know. I always forget to shop for fall or shop for the reason and I end up scrounging around and never really fully develop what I want to wear.

Right, right! That does happen…

So, yeah, I started shopping for fall, like three months ago, you know just grabbing a piece here and there, like a Nordic sweater. And it’s cool because when things aren’t in season, it’s cheaper. You can thrift them easier and get them from clearance sales. So, it’s actually really economical, in a sense, to shop early. But, I wanted to get at least six good coats that I could wear that all tell a story within themselves. So, I bought this coat from Zara, this is like my [main piece] to my winter coat collection this year. And I ended up going to Buffalo Exchange in Uptown and I get this coat that is like 889 Euros that I got for forty-three dollars. And it’s current season, too. It’s a little more rustic. But, definitely, wanting to focus on outerwear, because I love jackets and coats. And then, trying to find the perfect pair of black pants is really hard for me. When you think about different body types, I’m not “skinny skinny.” I have to try to find the right balance. That’s my next really big thing. That and corduroys.

I enjoyed interviewing and photographing Julian at the Guthrie (the same day I interviewed my friends Alissa and Manuel). We went inside and sat among the crowd that was milling around waiting for a hip-hop show to begin.

At ArielSimone, we really can’t neglect our man friends. We especially appreciate you creative souls

example of Julian's DIY project

that aren’t afraid to step out of the box with how you present yourself to the world. J, I’m grateful that we reunited at Summerset this year

and for the amazing times we’ve had since then. Thank you for being you, Julian. Now, let me borrow your clothes, boo… 

Until Soon, Lauren Miller

Stressed is the word & it was hard for me to write for the past two weeks because I always like to keep positive energy going on my blog. But, I gotta say it! And I totally wore my yoga clothes to school, to work and to yoga class (well, duh) these past couple of days.

I even wore my backpack to school! Which is a huge first, considering the fact that I like to keep school as professional as possible.

We all complain about midterms and taking tests, but with going to art school, you don’t have a multiple choice quiz or a paper to write, you have a full on project(s).

And with taking yoga A LOT seriously these past two months, I’ve survived midterms thankfully.

I transitioned from Bikram to Vinyasa which has helped me with more movement, strength, flexibility & sustained postures. It really brings me back to my ballet days.

The one thing that makes me proud is how much weight I’ve lost because of my ambition in yoga. And if I didn’t go into the studio and extend my practice this week and last week, I don’t think I would’ve gotten through my projects!

This sattva pullover above from lululemon athletica is one of my favorite before & after yoga throw-ons. It’s real comfortable.

So I guess you can tell that I REALLY lounged! My BFF Tamerra would be proud :) haha. Don’t worry, I’ll pull out the polka-dot pants next week. Time for me to get back into serious business & not stress so much!

Happy Friday! Lexie 

Hello!  My name is Lucie Jane and I am the newest guest blogger here at ArielSimone.  I am currently a junior at the University of Minnesota, studying Apparel Design and Retail Merchandising.  I write my own fashion blog, Green Eye Musings, and will be writing here about life as a student and life in the local fashion scene. A bit about me!  I love fashion, and the fashion world.  I have my own budding line, Lucie Jane Apparel,  which I am in the process of launching right now.  I am very interested in plus size womenswear and designing for sizes other than “straight size”.  I model through an agency here in the twin cities and have been able to meet lots of people in the industry through that route. In fact, last weekend I had the opportunity to be involved in a photo shoot where I wore ArielSimone clothing!  Aaron Lamaar, an intern at ArielSimone, and myself styled the shoot and pulled looks from past AS collections to create the look he was going for.  We shot at the Walker Art Center with five models including myself.  It was so much fun-- the clothes were beautiful and the photographer, Kevin C. Walker,  was professional and creative and the shots (without any editing) look great!

This past Thursday we had the wonderful opportunity to show in the seasonal 96.3Fashion Now show at the Fineline Music Café produced by IAmMoody Productions and sponsored by Michelob Golden Light. ArielSimone has been showing with the station since its runway show inception back in 2009 and the shows have just been getting better with each passing season. We love showing at the Fineline because of its cozy atmosphere, great stage lighting, and upstairs section, which was the VIP area with free food and Golden Lights!

Once again, we got to work with the amazing Christopher Straub, and for the first time Design Collective showed some looks! We got the chance to really connect with one of the Design Collective designers Marissa Bridges. Also showing in that segment were a few other designers from the local boutique. Keiona Cook also showed looks. Although she is a newcomer to the Minnesota fashion show scene, she has been designing for private clients for quite some time now. Second Debut had a section of furs and dresses, which was kinda fun. Jungle Red Salon was on the hair that evening. Last and certainly not least, we have to mention that ArielSimone and Golden Life looks were fashioned with jewels and gems from our girl Jennifer Scheffler, the designer of Realia by Jen. We met through IAmMoody at an event last year and have been collaborating ever since. This is the second fashion show that we have done together and her jewels go perfectly with our customer (you'll notice them a lot in our photos)! Basically, we love Jen and her bling SO MUCH it makes us want to cry-- no joke! How awesome is it that she got to waltz down the runway with these two pieces of eye candy by her side?! The show started without a hitch, thanks to the timely and professional IAmMoody Production team-- which only added to the already great reputation of the show. Because of the radio station's obvious connections in the industry they always have popular artists come perform live at the show, this season we got to see Brunette, who strutted around the stage barely clothed! They sounded great, but looked like video vixens, not the next top musical group. For our segment we showed half of a collection (6 looks) for the current Fall/Winter season. Our trends for the season include long skirts, nude colors, and sheers. We created a lot of separates for this collection--which is different for us, but separates are selling great right now, so we gotta give the people what they want!

{Peter Jamus Photography}

You can find more photos of the show by clicking on these links. Or by checking the ArielSimone Facebook Fan Page or the 96.3 NOW Face Book Fan Page.

Metromix link

Minneapolis 2 Night link