"Colourless color. Once in fashion, soon to be seen." - LA Roux

Meet Ashley

Take a break from watching The City and admiring Whitney Port's style. Ashley might suffice. Don't be mistaken, fashion in San Diego isn't yawn-inducing after all. The girls of Rich Skinny Pretty pair unexpected pieces and create their own unique style. See what Ashley's wearing this week...

RSP: Who’s your favorite model?
Ash: Kate Moss.

RSP: Favorite place to shop?
Ash: American Archive Vintage, D.A.V., Buffalo Exchange, Loemans and any really good consignment shop. Sometimes I feel really overwhelmed in a place like Forever 21 because it's really un-organized so I never know where to start or how to create your own style around 8-thousand of the same items.

RSP: What are you drinking?
Ash: Tecate.

RSP: Finish this sentence: “I Wish…"
Ash: I wish I didn’t have such a dirty since of humor. A little inappropriate at times…
RSP: Oh but Ashley this is why we love you.

Above Ashley is wearing a vintage 80's sequin draped trophy dress top and BDG denim.

Vintage 50's floral romper.

Vintage 70's White Embroidered boho Mexican Mini Dress.

Vintage 80's Colorblock Sun Mini Dress.

Love Ashley's style? She shops American Archive Vintage and always wears her fave Clover bracelet.

xoxo
Nacole Gray

What to Wear to Polo: Style Guide

Have you heard? Yours truly is producing the Opening Day Fashion Show at the SD Polo Fields in Rancho Santa Fe. Fashion in San Diego might be perceived by some as safe or boring however this year's fashion show pairs prep with party on the runway and highlights equestrian and wanderlust-inspired looks sure to inspire your summer style. The girls of RichSkinnyPretty.com will be strutting their stuff in Lanvin, Victor & Rolf, Derek Lam and Prada to name a few, compliments of Gerhard boutique. Don't know what to wear? Don't fret...

While living in an international summer vacation destination assumes perfect weather and breathtaking sunsets, perfect for drinking pina coladas poolside bikini-clad, for San Diego’s most sophisticated, summer is also the harbinger of one of our most beloved pastimes – Polo. San Diego Polo affords a respite from too much sun and skin, and match goers are a veritable who’s who of the San Diego elite, showing off bronzed bodies with an effortlessly chic and sophisticated style.

Headed to Opening Day and not sure what to wear? Opening Day boasts a bevy of stylish partygoers socializing and mingling with bubbly in one hand, a designer clutch in the other, and walking with their best sartorial swagger. Think party-dresses galore and some serious bijoux! This must-attend event for Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar and La Jolla socialites is the ultimate summer fashion-studded fete.

Whether you are more of a traditionalist and opt for classic, Audrey-esque attire or a more of the moment, you will surely find a variety of options at local boutiques. I’ll be headed to Gerhard in Del Mar, Azzaria in Cardiff, Studio 1220 and LF in La Jolla, Gracie in Rancho Santa Fe and Cedros Soles in Solana Beach (for shoes and hats!) to pick out my seasonal best!

Romantic
You can’t go wrong with a timeless A-line dress or high-waisted skirt paired with a soft blouse. Tiered ruffled dresses are another great option - romantic and soft which make a perfect statement for polo.
Go Bright
White is fresh for summer though nudes and pink champagne will have you looking like you were plucked from the runway!

Take a Risk
Who said Polo is all about the prim n’ proper? Trade in those pearls for unpredictable accessories like a roped chain necklace. Ditch the dress and go with a romper. Throw on a sun hat and oversized sunglasses to complete your look and add a bit of mystery. Remember, you can always turn a yawn-inducing outfit into an instant wow with a statement piece of jewelry or vintage style hat.
Stay Casual
Turn heads by staying cool and comfy with a sporty chic ensemble. Pair a crisp white blazer with a tee and boyfriend jeans. One final tip – Polo is not for stilettos so choose wedges or flats unless you want to be sinking into the grass as you prance across the polo fields!

For more Polo apprised fashion, join us Opening Day as fashion blog RichSkinnyPretty.com.

Photography by Liz Thurston and Brett Siegle.

xoxo Nacole Gray

Interview with Mimi&lu

RichSkinnyPretty.com scored an exclusive interview with talented jewelry designer Michelle Watson of Mimi&lu. Not only do I relish in the fact that her jewelry line is based here in San Diego but I can't get enough of her delicate and bright designs. A few of my personal favorite pieces from the line include the Mini Crystal Regina Necklace in champagne and Myra Bangles in every color to layer with. As much as I like to layer bracelets I like to adorn myself just as much with rings. I am constantly drawn to cocktail rings and Mimi&Lu's Peyton Ring is that perfect accessory I have been looking for.

Find out all you want to know about Michelle and Mimi&lu here!

RSP: What is your current position in the fashion industry?
Mimi&lu (formerly moushart jewelry) was first introduced in 2007, carried by one store in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego. Today, stores across the country, mostly concentrated in California, are selling the line. The jewelry appeals to a wide demographic so the venues vary from fashion boutiques and high end salons to museum stores, resort spas and gift stores. I also sell on my website and am often hired for custom work including bridal and wedding jewelry. I continue to design and produce each piece myself.

RSP: Which fashion designers or runway trends influence your overall look?
I come from a fine art background so my influences have always been more about the materials and the process. That said, fashion designers and looks most certainly inspire and influence me as an artist. I like when a piece includes the element of surprise or something a bit off beat. For example, I love textiles and admire jewelry designers who use fabric or crochet in their work and are still able to retain a look of high fashion while using more 'crafty' methods and materials. These pieces have great juxtaposition definitely inspire me as an artist to think outside the box. Also, I love, love designers that explore color and patterns like Pucci, Diane Von Furstenburg and Kenzo which always catch my eye and provide inspiration.


RSP: What is the biggest TREND or MUST- HAVE ITEM for Spring?
Neutrals such as Champagne have always been a mimi&lu favorite and it looks like that might be catching on as I'm seeing the pink champagne colors pop up everywhere! As for jewelry- since my work doesn't necessarily follow seasonal trends, I will say that the biggest MUST HAVE jewelry item year-round are oversized hoop earrings. And it doesn't have to be a plain old boring hoop- even something with a neutral colored or metal detail. If you're having a bad hair day, or rushing out the door- just pull your hair back, throw on some giant hoops and a little MAC Chai lip gloss (another year round must have for myself) and you are set.


RSP: What can we find in your closet? Please include specific items, accessories and brands.
Had this question been posed to me when I lived in Boston, I would probably have a much more interesting answer. Since moving to San Diego, I tend to dress more casual both because of the overall atmosphere and because I spend a lot of time chasing around a 130lb Great Dane puppy. In my closet, you can find anything from Forever 21 to Free People. My favorite dress is from White House Black Market--- a long, flowing and very versatile piece. I have 2 favorite L.B.D.s- one H&M and one Nanette Lapore- opposite ends of the spectrum. While I don't get a chance to wear them as much as I'd like, my favorite shoes in my closet are from Hard Hearted Harlot, made in Portugal and Marc by Marc Jacobs. I have a drawer full of jeans but I'm always wearing the same two- Right now it's a pair of LTB jeans for everyday and Lucky Jeans when dressing up. For me, it's really about picking the right individual pieces within collections or stores than the overall brand itself.

Love Mimi&lu as much as the girls of RSP do? Find Michelle's designs at local boutiques in San Diego like at Nicole Miller in La Jolla, Azzaria in Cardiff or at Studio 486 in Newport. Not shopping in Southern California? Don't threat buy Mimi&Lu online!

xo
Nacole Gray