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Hi Eva, I recently received a place on a BA Fashion Design course at a great university in London, but didn't receive an offer at the most well known uni for fashion (CSM). How important is the name of the university on the CV when you start applying for jobs? Thank you xx

Fri, 24 May 2013 09:03:00 -0400

I won’t be disingenuous and say that “Oh, no one cares where you went to college, it doesn’t matter one bit.” Yes, people who go to Ivy League colleges in the US (the equivalent, I suppose, of Oxbridge in the UK) have a minor edge in that they have that glossy name on their CV’s. But, honestly, what it comes down to at the end of the day is your work ethic, attitude, street smarts, and personality. I’ve had interns from the best colleges in the world—who haven’t had the aforementioned qualities—and have had interns who’ve gone to community colleges who have. Quality, passion, and drive will always win. (And superior organizational skills). My advice to you is to network as much as you can—talk to your school’s alumni office and see who they can connect you to—and begin interning as soon as you feel ready to. You will have the incredible advantage of going to school in one of the major fashion cities in the world. Supplement the education you receive at your university with all that the city has to offer. Good luck!

Must.Own.These.Shoes. These leather Comme des Garcons Play...

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:56:46 -0400

Must.Own.These.Shoes.

These leather Comme des Garcons Play sneakers are so cute, I can’t even properly articulate how much I want them. They’re out next week at the NYC store, may I kindly suggest that you get on the list now?

To The Point (Or Not) For some reason, this giant arrow I...

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400

To The Point (Or Not)

For some reason, this giant arrow I spotted in Chelsea reminded me of those horrid “I’m With Stupid” t-shirts once popular with fraternity brothers and younger brothers around the world. Shudder. That said, if there were a shirt that said “I’m with Phillip Lim” I could totally get behind that because that’s what I’m wearing (top and shirt. Shoes by COS, clutch by Celine).

PS: want to attend the CFDA Awards (and see designers like Phillip IRL!)? Check out their contest on Instagram!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a quote but,...

Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:45 -0400

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a quote but, well, Victoria Beckham + spot-on message = a must-do. I have to say, 99 percent of the people I work or have worked with are hardworking, completely focused, intense, demanding of perfection, yes, but ultimately grounded. When I do encounter 1 percenters with ego, entitlement, general rudeness manifesting in a “Do you know who I am?” attitude, it’s always bewildering to me. The industry is so, so small and when people act a fool, it’s remembered. So! Never, ever get ahead of yourself. That’s my thought of the day.

Ahoy, Matey These vaguely nautical, totally chic Illesteva...

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:00:57 -0400

Ahoy, Matey

These vaguely nautical, totally chic Illesteva sunglasses are on my summer wishlist in a very major way.

Rainbow Connection Alessandro International, a new nailpolish...

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:55 -0400

Rainbow Connection

Alessandro International, a new nailpolish brand that manicurist Myrdith McCormack used on me a few weeks ago, kindly (very kindly) sent me what feels like every.single.color of theirs. Happy Tuesday to me ^_^

Hi Eva!! ^-^ Fellow skincare obsessor here. I use toners, serums, oils, creams, etc. for evening my skintone, but no anti-aging products. What do you recommend for a fresh, 20y.o that is already paranoid about wrinkles? (The only anti-aging item I use is Caudalie's Premier Cru the eye cream) Apparently, neck creams are important too, but I'm stumped.. Help!! PS. Your instagram/twitpics of your skincare are comparable to eating cupcakes while I'm PMS-ing. Satisfying. <3

Tue, 21 May 2013 07:11:00 -0400

I’m impressed—and you sound like you’re on the right track. Even if none of your products are explicitly labeled “Anti-Aging Cream For People Who Don’t Want To Look Old”, I’m sure they’re infused with antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and other ingredients that are healthy-skin staples. And, honestly, the most important thing you’re doing is setting up a consistent routine. That’s the hardest part and what most people dilly-dally over. “But it’s so much… work!” people mutter or they’ll dejectedly ask “What’s the point?”: I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. So much of skincare is being consistent. Skin, like a potted plant, needs to be fed and watered regularly. Anyway, I’ll get off my soapbox to answer your questions: a) I personally don’t use a neckcream. But I do make sure to put SPF on it every single day (and ditto for the backs of my hands (and face, obviously)). b) don’t ever smoke. c) add a retinoid to your daily routine. It’s the only ingredient that every single one of the many dermatologists I’ve ever met agree on and like an insurance policy for your skin—you won’t have immediate results (but when you’re 35 you’ll be very glad you’ve been using one). Keep up the good work!

Jean Therapy Had a meeting with the lovely ladies at Estee...

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:00:39 -0400

Jean Therapy

Had a meeting with the lovely ladies at Estee Lauder at the GM building (that’s the towering, um, tower in the background there) and here’s what I wore: Obey hat, Zara men’s sweater, Ditto’s jeans, Aquazurra heels, Celine bag.

Container Store I need another pouch like I need a hole in my...

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:43 -0400

Container Store

I need another pouch like I need a hole in my head, but this Marc by Marc Jacobs iridescent number is really fantastic. Perhaps I can justify the expense if I chalk the purchase up to organization & office supplies?

Beauty Confidential: Monday Hair As promised, here’s...

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:49 -0400

Beauty Confidential: Monday Hair

As promised, here’s another installment of Beauty Confidential (wherein I break down every single thing I use in painstaking detail). Now, the truth about my hair is that I’ve always, always wanted delicious typical Asian hair (thick, lustrous, black). Instead, I have fine, bleh, and medium brown (!) hair. What! I know, sigh. I wrote a whole article about my hair routine in ELLE (read it here). In any case, here’s what I used on it this morning to fake delicious typical Asian hair:

Shu Uemura Muroto Volume shampoo and conditioner: gives anemic hair lift and bounce.
Kerastase Initialiste serum: I use it on damp hair, just at the roots. It’s meant to make hair healthier and fuller over time.
Living Proof Root Lifting Spray (dupe for that: L’Oreal Everstyle Volume Root Lifting Spray): spritz, spritz at the roots for even bigger hair.

I use a Sultra blowdryer, brush it out with a Mason Pearson, and done (whew)!

ICYMI A shoetastic week, from Valentino to Aquazurra. Plus, my...

Sun, 19 May 2013 21:26:13 -0400

ICYMI

A shoetastic week, from Valentino to Aquazurra. Plus, my must-have dresses for summer. All on Instagram, follow me here!

Hi Eva! Your pictures have got me a little obsessed with nail polish at the moment! I was wondering what are your fav. drug store brands? I also need advice for an interview I have coming up. It is for a fashion magazine. Is there something you look for specifically at what someone is wearing to an interview? Is nail polish and lots of accessaries appropriate to wear to such an interview? Sorry I have so many questions, but you give the best advice!

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:22:00 -0400

Nailpolish is one of the best obsessions, in my opinion, since it’s a ridiculously fun and (fairly) inexpensive way to stay on-trend each season. Note the aforementioned word “fairly” because if you buy, say, thirty polishes a season, that can quickly add up cost-wise too. If you have friends who you’re rather certain are nail fungus-free (sorry to go there, but it’s true), may I suggest a seasonal polish swap? And I actually really, really love drugstore brand nailpolishes: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure is my favorite. The brush head fits my nails perfectly and I have literally applied the polish in the back of a moving taxi (en route to a fashion show!) effortlessly. I also love L’Oreal Paris’ colors, they’re always on trend and the formula is super shiny.

And, as for your second question, depends what industry you’re applying to. Finance (& similarly stuffy ones): be low-key. Fashion: go for it, but exercise chic restraint.

Mais Oui This is indeed a clutch fashioned in the shape of my...

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:37 -0400

Mais Oui

This is indeed a clutch fashioned in the shape of my favorite French pastry: the golden, flaky croissant. I wonder if Charlotte Olympia would consider making ones shaped like my two other favorite French pastries: the chocolate croissant and the millefeuille… (Yes, I was hungry when I wrote this post. That said, I’m always hungry).

Lady Luxe Slightly spendier top and shoes (Marc Jacobs for both)...

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:00:51 -0400

Lady Luxe

Slightly spendier top and shoes (Marc Jacobs for both) paired with my beloved Whistles full leather skirt.

Books, Glorious Books Spent some time earlier this week at...

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:46 -0400

Books, Glorious Books

Spent some time earlier this week at Patrick Demarchelier’s studio (I can’t believe this is my life either!) and couldn’t resist snapping some of his books. I love a good stack of coffee table books, don’t you?

Lovely Lilac Whenever I’m on set I make BFFs with the...

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:52 -0400

Lovely Lilac

Whenever I’m on set I make BFFs with the manicurist (because, well, you all know how much I love nails). If I’m lucky, they’ll give my nails a quick pampering. This week, the lovely Kelly painted my nails with Jinsoon Choi’s French Lilac. It’s the perfect dusky lilac, I adore it.

Eye Spy I keep telling people that sunglasses are the new shoes....

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:56 -0400

Eye Spy

I keep telling people that sunglasses are the new shoes. You might be thinking, “Huh?” Really, what I mean is that I’ve begun to collect sunglasses as voraciously as I do shoes. Added a few pairs to my collection recently (clockwise from top left): no name from Hong Kong (henceforth known as NNfHK), Westward Leaning, Warby Parker, NNfHK, Prada, NNfHK.

What is the best sunscreen that you've used for the face that you would be able to recommend?

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:25 -0400

Hooray! I love getting sunscreen questions because, well, I love sunscreen. It’s a huge, huge part in anti-aging and in generally looking gorgeous and amazing five, ten, fifteen years into the future (he’s the worst example ever, but I found out actor-slash-manboy Paul Rudd uses SPF every day. I’m convinced that’s why he hasn’t aged a nanosecond since his Clueless days). Anyway! I never understand when people don’t want to wear it because there really is a sunscreen for every skin type. Here are some of my favorites….

Boscia: Just received a sample of this. Feels sheer and light on the face, formulated with no preservatives.
Murad: A good, basic, daily SPF.
Olay: I love that it’s SPF 50. Great for drier skin. I love this entire line with an undying passion, I’ve been using it for, like, a decade.
L’Oreal Paris: For those with sensitive skin.
Clarins: Super sheer, layers well under makeup. A good drugstore dupe for this is Neutrogena… I know several makeup artists who use this as a primer.

Some sunscreen reminders: remember to wear it every day, even cloudy ones (clouds only provide SPF 4, from what I remember). And apply it to the backs of your hands and neck always. I often suggest people opt for a less pricey sunscreen in favor of one they’ll use more generously. Slather it on—you’ll be glad you did!

Mad Hatter Twenty dollar leather baseball cap I picked up at a...

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:24:22 -0400

Mad Hatter

Twenty dollar leather baseball cap I picked up at a diner in Sedona, Stella McCartney jacket, Whistles sweater, Ditto’s boyfriend jeans, Chanel heels, Balenciaga bag.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Lucky me! Sally Hansen kindly sent me a full set of...

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:00:42 -0400

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Lucky me! Sally Hansen kindly sent me a full set of their new Fuzzy Coat polish. The polishes have a sweatery look to them—I’m going to try layering them over like colors. Stay tuned…