split personalities...

fabric will often reveal the personality of a piece...classic shapes assume completely different characters when they're made from different fabrics...when it's worked in sequins...an unassuming...easy-to-care-for white cotton t-shirt (or grey tank top as in my pics) becomes dazzling...yet fragile...



some would say that sequins are most likely limited to evenings...i think...it is a great way to dress up a pair of jeans...combining the unexpected is what personal style is all about...

fashion funnies: getting dolled up...

this fashion funny just makes me smile...i'm picturing agnes getting all dolled up for her man & their hot bingo date nite...don't you just love the ride?

men's corner: belt gone awry...

picture this...a well-dressed man...nice suit...nice shoes...and then i hear in my head that screeching car sound...when you see the belt...the thing is men...accessories are just as important to your outfit as it is to women's...it truly is all the tiny details that make an outfit complete...

a silver-tipped faux cowboy belt is not a dress belt...and never will be...if you’ve got one, retire it...



invest in a high-quality leather strap that’s an inch to an inch and a half wide...if it smells and feels buttery...that means it’ll age beautifully...and the buckle should be subtle...



click here for more belt basics...

tackling the closet...

yesterday i did a post on "free shopping"...and i must admit...i spent a good portion of my day doing just that...shopping in my own closet...it truly is a necessity...even for those of us in the business of wardrobe consulting...confession time...sometimes i forget what i have in my closet...and as it gets pushed to the back...it goes un-noticed..and even worse...unworn...

whether you have a small clothing inventory in your home or you have closet after closet crammed with everything you have ever bought...chances are you are only wearing about 20 percent of what you own...the key is identifying the 80 percent of the clothing you don't wear...then making choices about what to do with it...this exercise is essential to effectively managing your wardrobe and feeling more confident with your overall personal style...

so...it is time to get down and dirty...reach into your closet and put your hand on every item...as you are handling each individual piece...ask yourself these questions...
- do i love it?
- am i currently wearing it?
if you answer yes...then the item stays...

now there may be those items that you are not wearing because of different reasons...
- it is the wrong season
- it doesn't fit
- you don't have anything you think matches it
take this item out of your closet...

clothing that no longer fits but you are not ready to part with should also have its own home...preferably away from your main dressing area...think about it...one of the first decisions you make each day is about what you are going to wear...looking at clothes that used to fit typically makes you feel bad about yourself...when you are presented with dressing choices each morning that make you feel your personal best at your "current" weight and for your "current" lifestyle, you set yourself up to succeed no matter what your day entails...

and for those items that you have nothing that "goes" with it...make it a priority when shopping (or get some help from a personal shopper) to find the items that are missing...to complete those outfits...and add to your wardrobe...

and play some tough love...if you have trouble deciding the fate of a particular item...here are some guidelines to help you along...
- you haven't worn it in more than a season (exceptions are classic evening wear, sentimental favorites, and high quality classics)
- it no longer reflects your lifestyle...
- it is permanently stained (yes...these seem to hang in many closets)
- it is torn beyond repair (i've seen this too many times to count)
- it was bought only because it was on sale (NEVER a good reason to buy)
- you simply don't like the way it looks or feels when you put it on...

get rid of it!

free shopping...

in your closet that is...

shopping in your own closet first before ever heading to the store is one of the best strategies...the best part is that there's no credit card bill when you're finished...

you know that bottomless pit that soaks up new clothes from last year that still have price tags on it? that place that stores those items that haven’t been worn or only worn once? that place so filled with pants, shirts, skirts & shoes hiding behind in secrecy wondering if they might ever get worn? or those outfits that are worn the same way...time and time again? yes you can do it...spend the day shopping in your closet and fall in love with all those great buys of yesterday...you remember those, “had to have it” items, right? well now is the perfect time to bring your great buys to the forefront and actually get your money's worth...

i have a client that i shop for...new occasion, new outfit...big meeting, new suit...one day...she started telling me how "full" her closet was...but she often times felt like she had nothing to wear...two days later...i came over to her house and performed a full closet audit...

what came from that meeting for her...was a "look-book" of all her clothes...and the different ways she could wear them...many times...women will buy an outfit and wear it that same way...over and over...my client always bought beautiful clothing...and felt that she was always wearing the "same" outfit...well...she was...

when she started putting together pieces differently...as shown in her personal lookbook...she was amazed at how many different "new" outfits came from her existing wardrobe...she called me a month later to tell me how everyone thought she had gone on a massive shopping spree and had gotten all new clothes...when in actuality...she was wearing all the same clothes...just put together in different ways...

so what are you waiting for? ask a sympathetic friend who has a good sense of fashion to be your designated shop-in-your-closet buddy when you think you have nothing to wear...or have a wardrobe consultant come in to perform a closet audit...it could save you a small fortune...

knowing your seams...

not quite sure when it happened...and it doesn't seem to affect men...as much as women...but somewhere along the line...we fell out of the habit of altering clothes for a good fit...in a cost-conscious society...what you see is often what you wear...the problem with this...of course...is that sometimes what you wear should see a tailor...you should expect that some of the items in your wardrobe need to be altered...

with the range of quality ready-to-wear clothing available today at various price points...buying off the rack and then having items adjusted by a tailor is often the best strategy...for instance...i often buy clothing off the rack that fits me well and then head directly to my tailor (happens to be my mom) to have items "tweaked" for an even better fit...

if you don't sew for yourself, i highly recommend that you develop a relationship with a skilled seamstress or tailor...interacting with someone who knows garments inside and out (literally) will provide a priceless education and further your fashion savvy...

a good tailor is like a good pair of shoes...necessary, worth every penny, and capable of making you look ten pounds thinner

curing the winter blues...

there's nothing like a new outfit to cure the cold-weather doldrums...why not give yourself a mid-winter wardrobe lift by adding a bright, colorful sweater? as an added bonus...late-winter clearance sales might help you find a terrific bargain...

colors such as cobalt blue...fuchsia...bright red...and sunny yellow look great this time of year over a favorite black pant or skirt...you certainly won't be committing any crimes of fashion with muted colors such as olive green...mustard...or cinnamin...but the brighter colors look especially crisp and fresh against the winter landscape and can do wonders for your phyche...

what makes up my wardrobe?

you open your closet...it's filled with clothes...yet you think you have nothing to wear...

what do you love? what do you need? what should you throw away? where do you start?

the essential wardrobe is about the basic clothes you wear day after day...season after season...year in & year out...they give life to the odd pieces of fashion and accessories you may collect each season...they are the foundation to your wardrobe...

closet audits are necessary...by getting an inventory of what you own...and looking at pieces in new ways...meaning...shopping in your own closet...creating new outfits from pieces you already have...giving "new life" to older pieces...and yes...saying goodbye to pieces that should not be in your closet...maybe even...should "never" have been in your closet...

give yourself permission to let go of purchases that were not right...and create a closet of items that work "now" for your lifestyle...

and if this project seems overwhelming...have an "honest" friend help you out...or have a wardrobe consultant come in and help you out...the investment will be well worth it...

the end result will be a functioning closet...and most likely...a lot of new outfits from pieces that were just "hanging out" in your closet...

fyi...this is not a picture of my closet =)

fashion funnies: cashmere maxine's way...

one of my fabulous readers sent this to me yesterday after reading my post on cashmere...(thanks kim!)...maxine is always good for a smile or two...

love me some cashmere...

when it comes to fashion...my first love always...will be shoes...i am seriously thinking that will never change...and i have a closet full to prove it...and second?? well...it would have to be my love for cashmere...

this soft, luxury fiber is among the worthiest indulgences in a wardrobe...cashmere has the cachet of quality and lasts for years...and it is for this reason...that it is quite possible to accumulate a cashmere collection over time...now my cashmere collection is not as vast as my shoe collection...but i do have a lovely array of color in cashmere...

so what should you consider when buying cashmere? it is all about the density and ply...look for a sweater that has heft and feels substantial...there are many one-ply cashmeres that are lovely...two-ply are simply sublime...and then the three- and four-ply are almost sinful...but oh so luxurious...be on the lookout for show-through...which usually indicates a poor-quality weave...

and the absolute worst thing that could happen to your fabulous collection of cashmere would be the first sighting of a tiny hole...so take care of your luxuries with a little bit of rosemary...

cashmere requires simple care...wash in plenty of lukewarm water with mild detergent or baby shampoo...gently squeeze the sweater rather than scrub...rinse in several washes of cool water until the water runs clear...roll up in a towel to absorb excess moisture...lay flat, block, and dry away from excessive heat...touch up with a warm iron, with your sweater turned inside-out...

men's corner: men in red...

it has been a busy busy week with the jana kos trunk show...and i realized that i have not had a post for my men readers in a while...so i thought i would take an excerpt out of our february monthly newsletter...cannot leave the men out =)

the month of february has many wonderful events taking place...we have new york fashion week...which of course...you know i am glued to each runway show as it comes out...the winter olympics is taking place...cannot forget valentine's day...and golf...the at&t tournament...

for me...february always signifies the color red...

as fashion week was underway in new york...many of the guys were watching the annual at&t golf tournament at pebble beach...although probably not focused on the fashion...however, there were some "men in red" who made a fashion statement in a sport that is known for a certain decorum...

bill murray looks sporting and pulled together in his weather gear during the first round...

photo credit:ap photo jeff chiu; kgo photo

likewise...matt bettencourt's long sleeve polo is perfect for the sport and the playing conditions...

photo credit: ap photo tony avelar; kgo photo

even the official hat for the tournament embraces february red...so don't be shy about giving this stand-out color a try!

photo credit: ap photo eric risberg

and if you would like to see more pics of the at&t pebble beach national pro-am tournament...click here...

black + color = drama...

yesterday i was on a black theme...why wear black? is there such a thing as too much black? for me...black is a great palette from which to start...and in a simple math equation...black + color = drama...

one of my first posts was about a pop of color...and when i bought those luscious purple suede shoes...i knew exactly how i was going to wear them in the cold grey days of winter...black turtleneck, black skirt, black tights...and my purple shoes...and yes...as i wrote that...i was smiling...

black can be intimidating...so dark, so full of attitude, so...black...but used as a backdrop, black brings out the best in colors and patterns...it has the effect of simultaneously toning them down and punching them up...

and with a basic black wardrobe, you'll always have something to pair with that chartreuse shirt or that leopard-print skirt you've been holding on to...

- sweater sets...a colorful sweater set radiates against black...

- silk scarf...pattern and color are always well framed by black...

- skirt...the unmatchable skirt? try it under a black blazer...

- black suit...deconstructs easily into pieces that can each be worn with colorful companions...

why black?

as i have been diligently cleaning out my "very" full closet...i noticed that i have a lot of black...and...i hear the majority of my clients say...either..."i have too much black" or "all i wear is black"

so what is our draw to black?

i have asked several people why they are drawn to black...with many interesting answers...

- it hides stains...hmmm...not sure if that should be a draw to black...something about stains on any color just doesn't seem right to be wearing it...no?

- it detracts from poor tailoring and general wear...hmmm...again...poor tailoring is poor tailoring...it is not hidden...period...and...i'm sorry...but if an item is showing general wear...at what point do you stop and think...maybe i should replace this?

- even the cheapest of fabrics look decent in black...hmmm...i'm thinking same thing that i was thinking with the poor tailoring...but that is just me...

and now...for some great reasons...

- it dresses up...

- it dresses down...

- it can be elegant, classic, sexy, funky, or mournful...

- it imparts timelessness to clothes...

- it has an impressive pedigree - nuns, audrey hepburn, beatniks, and morticia addams...AND is the uniform of fashion editors worldwide...

- it can go summer or winter...

- it has a unique ability to stand out, blend in, seduce, repel...

- what other color does all this and takes off ten pounds?

- and finally...it goes with all colors...(more about this tomorrow...)

so is your closet full of black?

what am i saying?

clothes talk, even when we don't...they speak volumes about us...it's hard to assemble a wardrobe and communicate personal style without understanding its elements...the color, fabric, pattern, and texture of what we wear can hint at the most subtle aspects of our lives...

white, satin, fishnet - all are loaded with different meanings...



why do we choose what we choose?

what decisions do we make when choosing to put two disparate pieces of clothing together?

make sure that you and your clothes speak the same language...

happy valentine's day...

may your day be fabulous! whether you are spending it with someone you love...or spending the day pampering yourself...

fashion funnies: i speak italian...

today's fashion funny comes in the way of cocktail napkins...i'm thinking a girl's nite in...these lovely napkins will need to be used...and of course...we will be speaking italian...shoes...that is...

color me red...

so just last nite...i woke up in the middle of the nite...3:13 a.m...to be exact...and thought...we have this incredible color group for spring 2010 called metropolitan ambitions...and how appropiate with it being february...the month that holds valentine's day...to have a color group filled with red...

so...in honor of valentine's day...i say...treat yourself to something red from the collection and save 10%! what a deal...no?

if you want to see fancy pics...with real models...click on the link above or go to www.janakos.com to view parts of the collection...in between appointments today...i started snapping pics of different items in red...take a peak...and see if something red hits your fancy...if you are able to come by...i highly recommend it...as there is a lot more red to be seen...as well as the other beautiful color groups...and if you are not able...but see something that you just "have to have" =) email me...

lime lights silk sleeveless tank - see the tiny red dots?


broadway lights skirt - has red...although tiny bits


plaited rib twin set


silk shantung pant - their is an adorable skirt as well with ruffled hem


confetti silk sleeveless tank


broadway lights jacket
knit combo red blouse


metro map trench coat


red italian lamb leather jacket
billboard stripe pant


boxed in red silk sleeveless tank


silk shantung jacket

r.i.p. alexander mcqueen...

huge loss for fashion world: celeb-fave designer alexander mcqueen found dead at 40 in London...

alexander mcqueen was a designer who carved his own career path in the fashion industry...he kept moving forward despite the sometimes negative media surrounding him....a true artist...not just a fashion designer...



what did i like most about his beautiful designs? the attention to detail...absolutely fabulous...

guest post: fashion for all ages...

guest blogger: the fabulous dana lynch

visit her over at "www.elementsofimage.com"

Just within the last week, I’ve heard the comment, “I’m not a teenager anymore, but I don’t want to dress like my grandmother, either–I can’t find any clothes,” several times. I can understand how women, between the ages of 23 and 97, don’t think there’s anything out there for them, but really you have the largest number of chic, wardrobe options.

Here are a few tips to follow for finding stylish clothing that feels appropriate for your age and image.

• Extremes in styles tend to be the trendiest. You may feel more comfortable in classic styles in modern shapes.

• If you prefer to look a touch trendy, choose one trendy piece to be the star of the outfit, and then the rest of the garments should be more basic, supporting the star.

• Fit is more important than ever. No matter what your body type or size, it’s important to show your shape. Covering everything up from head to toes in baggy clothing only makes you look larger than you are, and ultimately matronly. And that’s not a flattering description even if you’re 97!

• Steer clear of juvenile prints. If you’re looking for whimsy, do it with accessories and color.

• Avoid old fashioned, “grandmotherly” florals.

• Go for quality, luxurious fabrics in modern or even trendy styles.

• Keep current—go through your closet regularly scouting for clothing that may be outdated. Nothing will age you faster than wearing clothes from a past decade.

Where to shop? Almost anywhere, avoiding the Junior department and departments clearly for elderly women. Here in Denver, I’m partial to J.Crew, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Garbarini, and Moxie.

glamour and some mules...

would you like to transform yourself quickly into a woman of glamour and mystery? slip into a pair of mules..those old-fashioned, high-heeled backless slippers...instant forties movie-star glamour and sex appeal...guaranteed...

you will suddenly view the world as a place in which you are petted and pampered...what is it about a pair of high-heeled mules that can give you that joan crawford kind of feeling? is it that slappy sound as you sashay down the hallway? is it the sexy way you can cross your legs and then dangle one shoe in a sassy manner?

i'm not sure what it is about mules...but it works every time...add a pair of mules to your everyday uniform of jeans and a t-shirt...and you will feel like a completely different woman...the sort of woman who lives in a penthouse apartment and drives a jag...

personal style...

we have all seen her and gawked with admiration - and not a little envy...she needn't be beautiful, nor dressed in anything we couldn't imagine for ourselves...but her clothes are a brilliant orchestration of color and texture...fabric and fit...sensibility and style...and she wears them like a badge...they don't wear her...

maybe it's a color she's claimed as her signature...perhaps it's her panache at mixing the unexpected...she may even buy certain basics over and over...in varying textures, fabrics, and cuts...just different enough to keep things new...

chances are...her look is consistent: every time you see her...her style is unmistakably her own...her personal style is her personal uniform...

grace kelly
a symbol of femininity and taste...this elegant handbag gave form and function to the image of the perfect princess...in fact, hermes, its maker, named it the kelly bag in her honor...
also known for sweater sets & hermes scarf as arm sling


audrey hepburn
in the 1950's, she made the little black dress sophisticated and playful - the essence of her charm...


jackie o
her dark glasses symbolized her sense of fashion, her private nature, and the star status we inflicted on her...
also known for pillbox hats...


barbara bush
the essence of patrician style, her four strands of pearls stood for good breeding and a traditional, understated sense of fashion...


james dean
ever the rebel uniform, the leather jacket underscored his image as a misunderstood loner, a romantic antihero...

diana vreeland - red lipstick
dorothy - ruby slippers
fran lebowitz - men's clothing
harry truman - bow tie
katherine hepburn - menswear-inspired clothes
madonna - undergarments as outergarments
marlene dietrich - tuxedo
michael jackson - single sequined glove
nancy reagan - red
twiggy - fake lashes & micro-miniskirt

can you think of others? what is "your" personal style?

"first" viewing of cartier and america...

back in december i had posted about the recent arrival of cartier to san francisco in "did someone say cartier?"...this week i finally got to view it first hand...les sigh...

where do i start? being surrounded by such beauty...and massive baubles can make any girls heart beat a little faster...i was going to write about my favorites...but in all honesty...there were too many...

i have added this book to my designer collection...i love looking at all the pretty pictures...and remembering them in all their glory...



so what pieces stuck out for me? one would have to be the mystery clocks...the hands made of platinum and diamonds...appear to float around the dial with no apparent mechanism...simply genius...

grace kellys wedding ring was...well...there are no words...it was simply stunning...in all its brilliance...

and the one piece that both adena & i loved...was the panther bracelet...made of diamonds, onyx, emeralds and platinum...sold to wallis warfield, duchess of windsor...it is articulated in sections so it can be wrapped around the wrist and the head can even be turned...beautiful!

speaking of sections...it amazed me how many of the pieces were made to be worn several ways...a necklace that could be separated and worn as bracelets and brooches...

all i know...is that i will most likely be going back to view the exhibit again before its debut ends in april...if you are not able to see this in person...the link above to my december post has a view to see the collection...of course it is not the same as seeing it in person...but a nice show...none the less...

not only was the exhibit beautiful...but the legion of honor is a spectacular view as well...took some pics...since i obviously couldn't take pics of the baubles... =)

adena & i in front of the legion of honor


view of the city


surrounded by lush green


if you look closely...you can see a peak of the golden gate bridge...see it?


gorgeous flowers in front of the legion of honor

fashion funnies: be noticed...

to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment...
~ ralph waldo emerson