Thursday, August 27, 2009

If there is one thing a Southerner knows, it is style. Birmingham is full of fashionistas as you will find on any given night at Bottega or while attending one of the city's galas. We chose Birmingham's Top 10 Fashionistas.

The Trendsetters
These are Birmingham's Trendsetters - the people whose effortless chic introduces our region to new designers and new trends. Anyone who knows John Cassimus knows he likes fashion and has an eye for style. It was only appropriate to include this Notable clotheshorse in our top fashionista photo shoot. John Cassimus is an entrepreneur and proprietor of Jinsei and Maki Fresh as well as the former CEO of Zoe's.
Lesley DeCastro, owner of Manhattan South, has a carefree polished sense of style. She dresses with the current trends, but makes sure to be comfortable and casual at the same time. Lesley believes in boiling it down to basics with a “less is more” attitude. Here she is wearing the Hollywood “it” jean – PRVCY Premium Denim. She paired this great fitting straight leg with a pleated tunic by Nanushka – a creative fashion line from Budapest. Lesley layered a Tat2 Designs coin and pearl necklace with a John Hardy chain and Judith Ripka cross. The look was finished off with a silver platform gladiator. PRVCY, Nanushka and Tat2 Designs can be found exclusively at Manhattan South.
It is no wonder Danielle Yancey is a retail buyer, one look at this fashionista and you will be captivated by her style. We spotted her shopping at Gus Mayer and when we laid eyes on her unique look we knew she belonged in the pages of a fashion magazine. Wearing clothes from her own closet: a grey pleated halter-tie top gathered with a 3-buckle waist belt, black satin ruched pencil skirt, and Stuart Weitzman black patent stilettos, white enamel drop earrings and gold, smoky quartz/blue topaz ring from Regina Jewelry at Gus Mayer.

The All Americans
If it wasn't apparent why Jeana Lee Fleming was chosen as one of our All American girls it certainly became so as she walked in her red dress and apple looking identical to Snow White. Co-owner of Bella Bridesmaid in both Birmingham and Jackson, Jeana Lee is always dolled up and she has a few tricks up her fashionista sleeve as well like creating a bubble hem by pinning her dress up because it was too long. At Bella Bridesmaid Jeana Lee is able to implement her love of styling others by helping each bride find the perfect dress for her best friends. No doubt she has a passion for fashion but her forte lies in the art of accessorizing. As the Style Tips editor Jeana Lee shares her insight with the My Scoop audience. Wearing: Lula Kate "Christy" dress in Cardinal Silk Dupioni.
Davida Freeman is the store manager at one of Birmingham's favorite stores, The Clothes Tree. Sassy and sophisticated describe this All American girl who knows how to dress to the nines. Wearing: dress from The Clothes Tree.

The Heiresses
It is hard not to notice Emily Dees Boulden and her high style. This top fashionista knows how to do it up whether it is walking around in Mui Mui platforms, strutting it in a Rozaa Nichols dress, or having a wedding in Cap Jaluca Anguilla. Emily knows style and the best part - any customer that walks into her store Swank35223 can expect the best customer service from Emily herself. Wearing: Rozae Nichols Cross Over with Organza dress and Barbara Bui Cutout Booties both found at Swank35223.
Paget Pizitz grew up in Birmingham with a very notable last name. Seconds after graduating from Auburn this heiress moved to Washington DC. She spent most of my weekends traveling to New York, so after two years, relocated to a wonderful one bedroom in Chelsea where she worked as a fashion recruiter for Fourth Floor Fashion. She fell in live with everything about New York from the Saturday farmers market at the Chelsea Piers to scavenging flea markets on the lower east side for that great find. However, she knew she would end up in Birmingham sooner or later and moved home in the fall of 2008. Currently, I work at the Alabama Council for Economic Education as the Development Director. I also serve on the junior board for Hands on Birmingham, an organization dedicated to serving the community, and this is where I fulfill my philanthropic needs. Wearing: Dress by Maria Bianca Nero, Shoes by Pelle Moda, Gold bracelet and ring from Regina at Gus Mayer Jewelry department, snake bracelet from a vintage boutique in the West Village in New York.

The Barbie Dolls
Tall, blonde, and beautiful the qualifications for being Birmingham's Barbie Dolls. Doree Walker (pictured at top) owner of Doree in Homewood, is a real life barbie doll and beauty queen. The tall blonde is not only a top Southern beauty but also one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Wearing: dress by di Hera and Jimmy Choos shoes.
Misty Luna (middle) is one hot mommy Barbie. With a closet of Oscar de la Renta, Naeem Kahn, and Marchesa that will make any fashionista drool it is no wonder why we chose this stylista as one of our top 10. Wearing: Naeem Kahn.
Ashley Kaple is young, chic, and if you cannot picture this girl riding around in a pink Mustang like Barbie, get some glasses! With her big eyes and long blonde hair this Barbie with boots can even be seen serving at the McDonald's Drive Thru window (her parents own a franchise). Wearing: Long sleeve sequined mini dress from Doree and cowboy boots from her closet.