Jays Blog, Red Carpet Watch

Jay’s Chic Week in Review-02/06/11

13 Comments 06 February 2011

Yes, we’re back!  The new cast of ANTM Models were announced this week. Hard to believe we are at Cycle 16. Who is your pick?  This is one of my favorite cycles and we had a lot of fun shooting it!  You’re going to love our international destination, Marrakesh, Morocco … I made friends with a camel! Don’t miss the premiere Wednesday, February 23^rd at 8:00pm on The CW!

You know me, I’ll try and tweet as much as I can on Wednesdays… it’s always good to talk with you and hear what you think!

With the SAG Awards there’s definitely lots to talk about.  My fab fav was Tina Fey, just ‘cause she dared to go outside her comfort zone and give us all a little sumthing, sumthing!  Her red Oscar de le Renta was stunning!  Honorable mention goes to my other girls rocking red Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen and Julianna Margulies in Yves Saint Laurent.

I don’t like to criticize because fashion is so subjective, but I will say – I wasn’t crazy about Winona Ryder showing up in what looked to be someone’s wedding dress.  It was in fact from Alberta Ferretti’s Spring 2011 Bridal Collection!!!  It’s my “really??” of the week! Winona, work those assets … you are a fashion maven … I feel it!

Sao Paulo Fashion Week … if you haven’t heard, Model Lea T walked the runway at Alexandre Herchcovitch’s show … turns out Lea T was a he … and stole the show! Enough said …

Gillette Venus announced this week that Jennifer Lopez will be their first Global Ambassador.  As the face of Venus, she will help reveal “The Goddess In Every Woman” and launch new philanthropic effort dedicated To Female Empowerment Through Education.  Go JLo, anything that empowers women gets full support from yours truly!

Chanel’s new favorite gal Blake Lively tops AskMen’s Annual List of the year’s most Desirable Women.  Others making the list are Mila Kunis, Sofia Vergara, Selita Ebanks, Miranda Kerr, Cheryl Cole, Scarlett Johansson, Katy Perry, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Pare.  What do you think?  Who should have made the list?

Vanity Fairs 17^th Annual Hollywood Issue is out this week.  I always look forward to these cover composite shots because they aren’t easy shoots to do, trust.  This one doesn’t disappoint.  Love the 30s feel.  The shot was photographed by Norman Jean Roy.  The Front of the Fold features Oscar Co-Hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, along with Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhall.  In addition, the “IT” GROUP includes Jesse Eisenberg, Jennifer Lawrence, Noomi Rapace, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Garrett Hedland and Robert Duvall.  Love it! Kudos to all involved.

Kate Moss was in the headlines this week as well.  It was announced she’ll be the new face of Dior Beauty Addict lipstick line.  Watch for the ads this May!

And lastly, New York MB Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 kicks off this Thursday … who is attending shows?  Whose collections are you most excited to see?

Fashionista Does Care:  www.operationsmile.org simply because everyone deserves a perfect smile!

That’s a wrap, everybody!

Jays Blog, Red Carpet Watch

Jay’s Chic Week in review 01/30/11

10 Comments 30 January 2011

Michelle Obama hits the State of the Union in Rachel Roy, possibly to make up for “going British” to the state dinner the week before. The critics went crazy!  I kinda liked the fact that our First Lady showed up in Alexander McQueen … people, seriously, it’s only fashion.

Emporio Armani Ads: Seeing the two new ad campaigns for Emporio Armani with Megan Fox and Rafael Nadal is enough to keep me going to the gym everyday!  

Material Girl gets new “Model”.  Taylor Momsen out.  Kelly Osbourne in.  Is this a good thing?

Christian Dior on the Runway this week: Stunning!  OMG!  A flashback to 40s and 50s silhouettes … a classic film moment for sure!

Jimmy Choo relaunches Men’s Footwear: I think I speak for most male fashionistas when I say, “Welcome Back!”. The line will feature “dress shoes, moccasins, casual biker boots, sneakers and evening slippers”.  Moccasins … really???

Lady Gaga Fragrance announced: And it will smell of “blood and semen” apparently.  What no raw meat?

Elie Saab on the Runway this week: Heaven!  It’s as simple as that.

Manolo Blahnik: Look who is coming out with a jewelry line.  When you think of Manolo, does your mind go to your favorite episode of “Sex and the City”.  Me, too!  Always puts a smile on my face!

Valentino on the Runway this week: The collection this week was a bit of a snooze … what did you think?  Talk amongst yourselves.

My “Fashionista Does Care” of the Week: www.littledressesforafrica.org -lets get involved!

Jays Blog

My mom’s Tandoori Chicken recipe!

15 Comments 29 January 2011

You may or may not know that I love to cook when I have the time.  My Mom has taught me so many amazing recipes and all the credit goes to her!  Love you Mom!

Recently I tweeted that I was cooking my Mom’s Tandoori Chicken.  I had a huge response to post the recipe… so here it is!

Tandoori Chicken is super easy to make, healthy (especially if you use skinless, boneless, organic chicken thighs like I do) and always a hit when you have people over.  If you have the time, try and visit a local Indian spice shop to stock up on all the essential spices for this dish.

Enjoy… and let me know how your version turns out.  Remember you can always add a little more spice here and there to change it up.  My Mom does that all the time.  ;-)

Makes 1 Kg. (about 2.2 lbs) of chicken

SPICE MIXTURE:

2 Tbs. masala ( I prefer to use tandoori masala)

about 1 Tbs. cumin

about 1 Tbs. coriander

about 1/2 tsp. chili powder (in a pinch, cayenne or dried chillies will do). Careful, you don’t want the chicken too hot.)

1 tsp. turmeric

1 Tbs. crushed garlic

1 Tbs. crushed ginger

2 tbs. veg. oil

1 -2 tsp. garam masala (optional)

juice of 1/2 lemon

1.5  cups plain yogurt

In a large sealable plastic bag, mix all the spices, ginger, garlic, oil and lemon juice to a paste.  Then, add yogurt. If the mixture looks dry, add more yogurt.  Finally, add the chicken and mix well.  Marinade overnight, or at least 18 hours (the chicken in its marinade can be frozen. Defrost in the fridge).  Remove chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade) Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or grill.

Jays Blog

Side View Magazine cover story

63 Comments 08 October 2010

Every once in a while it’s fun to do a little role reversal, hop on the other side of the camera and do my own photo shoot.  It’s always important to practice what I teach the models week after week on ANTM.  And hey, it’s always nice to do a cover shoot!  Here’s one I did recently with Side View Magazine and the article gives you a bit of insight into my world.

I really love being in a classic suit and tie (as oppose to crazy outfits)!  For those who know me, I love Tom Ford suits and that’s what I’m wearing in this story!  I hope you enjoy the read (you can download the full size story in the press section of my website or click on the thumbnails below to open larger).

All the photography was shot by my good friend Mike Rosenthal .

Leave a comment, I’d love to know what you think.

Jays Blog

Making a difference….

26 Comments 21 July 2010

One of the reasons I got into the fashion business was to empower women.  With that being said…. the children are our future.  It’s really that simple.  We must all work together to keep them safe.  Every child has the right to a childhood — the right to be that child in the sandbox.  If we abolish the market for trafficked children, there will be no incentive to sell them.  The statistics are alarming.  Human trafficking is the third-largest black market in the world, right behind drugs and weapons.  Please support Beyond Borders — together, we can all make a difference.

Will you make a difference and help stop child exploitation? VISIT WEBSITE HERE

Jays Blog

lady gaga alejandro video – too controversial?

52 Comments 09 June 2010

The much anticipated Lady Gaga video “Alejando” premiered yesterday and of course you know the controversy followed – this time for its use of Catholic imagery.  According to Gaga it is a celebration of her love and appreciation for the gay community, her admiration of their bravery, their love for one another, their courage in their relationships.  It’s definitely highly stylized (love the use of B & W images!) reminiscent of a cinematic event.

What did you think?  I’d love to know your thoughts.

If  you haven’t seen… have a look:
view Alejandro video here

Red Carpet Watch

IMAN – honored with CFDA Fashion Icon Award

0 Comments 08 June 2010

I’ve had the pleasure of spending many years working with this all time ICON supermodel.  Iman has been such a support and inspiration to me.  I’ve learned many things from her over the years and what you might not know about her is she has a fantastic sense of humor!  The many trips we’ve taken together all over the world I’ll never forget.  Iman will always have a special place in my heart and I congratulate her on her much deserved award from the CFDA last night in NYC.

For those wondering…. yes I did her makeup in this iconic black turtleneck photo.  I always loved working on her face.
Read about Iman from the NY times here

Iman looking stunning at the CFDA event last night in NYC.

Jays Blog

Futuristic “JAY” photo shoot by Mike Ruiz

56 Comments 31 May 2010

Here is one of my favorite shoots shot by my friend and one of my favorite photographers Mike Ruiz!  The inspiration for this shoot was a post-apocalyptic world where humans have evolved.  I know… clearly I’m a bit of a sci-fi nerd.  This gives you all a chance to see a different Jay and a peak into my crazy mind.  Check out more of Mike’s work here.

Jays Blog

Deluxe – “THE” fashion tell all book to read!

4 Comments 31 May 2010

For all those facinated with how the luxury fashion business really works…. “Deluxe – How Luxury Lost Its Luster” is a must read!  Dana Thomas has many exclusive interviews with the real people who control this world.  Fashion Designers speak out, and the last half of the book reads like a heart pounding thriller as Dana infiltrates the counterfeit underworld.  This is the book Prada, Gucci etc. don’t want you to read!

Amazon short cut to buy book

(For iPad readers like me… it’s available in the iBooks store through iTunes)

Red Carpet Watch

Sex and the city 2

27 Comments 31 May 2010

Well… we all know that “Sex and the City” is a fashion maven’s movie.  Did you see the 2nd movie… did you love it?  More importanty, was there enough fashion?

Last week there were 2 premieres for this film.  One in NYC, and the other in the UK.  Which Sarah Jessica dress gets your all time “yes” vote?