PHOTO BY ISAAC LOPEZ
Founder and CEO, Chrome City Creative Studio; co-founder, The Blank Table
While Chrome City Creative Studio founder and CEO Alexandria Ott is normally behind-the- scenes promoting her top-tier clients, this visionary has found her way into the spotlight thanks to her many ambitious endeavors. Her client list at Chrome City includes Be Saha Hospitality and Basile Studio, and she’s currently producing Feeding San Diego’s Pairings with a Purpose dinner party coming up Sept. 28 at the Secret Garden in Rancho Santa Fe. She’s also the co-founder of The Blank Table, San Diego’s premier pop-up supper club that she launched in 2018 with chef Frederick Keller. Here, the jill of all trades shares the style essentials that keep her looking fabulous on the go.
WAKE-UP TIME: 6:30AM with coffee in hand by 6:35AM
FASHION PHILOSOPHY: Wear what feels like you, not what everyone else is wearing.
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: Growing up, my mother was always dressed head to toe in bossy '80s suits and amazing jewelry. She was just a stunning powerful woman.
MY AESTHETIC: A little punk, a little prep, and a little bit of everything in between. I'm a maximalist.
STYLE CRUSH: Cate Blanchett
MY MOST CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My mother's engagement ring from my father
MY UNIFORM: Cream everything or black everything
IT BAG: Vintage Coach bags handed down from my mom
IT SHOE: Prada loafers give me all the '90s goth vibes, and I am here for it.
BEAUTY STAPLES: The Face Oil and The Rich Cream by Augustinus Bader
PHILANTHROPY: Human Rights Campaign, which ensures that all LGBTQ+ people are treated as full and equal citizens.
CURRENT OBSESSION: Floral dresses by Reformation and Isabel Marant
ULTIMATE FASHION SPLURGE: Saint Laurent anything
DESIGNERS TO DIE FOR: Vivienne Westwood, Marni, Demna Gvasalia and Rick Owens
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Vintage pieces, in everything from your home to wardrobe, or leather
SIGNATURE SCENT: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
BEST ADVICE: Come back to yourself and take all the time you need to unlock and unfold your truest self. There is no timeline for becoming completely and authentically you.
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: “Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
ZODIAC SIGN: Pisces
LAST MEAL ON EARTH: Toasted homemade sourdough bread with butter and jam
SIGNATURE SIP: Mezcal with pineapple juice
BEDSIDE READING: Abundance: The Inner Path to Wealth by Dr. Deepak Chopra, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain and All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks
BEDTIME: In bed by 9PM, lights off by midnight
PHOTO BY JENNY SIEGWART
Founder, principal designer and color expert, Andrea May Interiors
Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of Andrea May Interiors, the luxury residential interior design firm that principal designer Andrea May launched in La Jolla in 2004. A writer by trade, the San Diego local went from penning pieces for top brands and publications to having her exquisite homes featured in them. “I’ve worked with a number of notable clients, such as professional athletes, executives and other professionals on so many fantastic projects,” says May, who splits her time between Southern California and Tel Aviv, Israel. When she’s not sprucing up spaces for San Diego’s elite, she’s giving back locally and abroad through the Jewish Federation of San Diego, AIPAC, StandWithUs, Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, Thank Israeli Soldiers and more. Here, May gives us a peek at her stylish life.
WAKE-UP TIME: 5AM
FASHION PHILOSOPHY: A little bit country, a little bit Tel Aviv
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: My mom heading off to a party in her chic Halston gown in the '70s
MY AESTHETIC: Timeless, eclectic, off-trend
STYLE CRUSH: Shoes by Dominic Lacquaniti
MY MOST CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My grandmother Mayme's chunky opal ring
MY UNIFORM: Either my Pilates clothes or Mirit Rodrig cigarette pants, a white tank and platform sneakers
IT BAG: Vintage bags from my mom and grandmother
IT SHOE: Anything by Stuart Weitzman
BEAUTY STAPLE: Pilates for plenty of happy neurochemicals. A smile is always the best accessory.
PHILANTHROPY: AIPAC, Jewish Federation of San Diego, StandWithUs, Friends of the IDF, Thank Israeli Soldiers
CURRENT OBSESSION: Taking great care of my skin, eating healthfully, and getting plenty of exercise, fresh air and time with my family and friends
ULTIMATE FASHION SPLURGE: Good skincare products
DESIGNERS TO DIE FOR: I find some of the up-and-coming Israeli designers really interesting. I love picking up wonderful pieces at their popups in Tel Aviv.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Swimwear and sunscreen
SIGNATURE SCENT: Coconut and rose oil
BEST ADVICE: “Smile. It increases your face value."–Dolly Parton
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: “Modeh Ani" by Omer Adam
ZODIAC SIGN: Scorpion
LAST MEAL ON EARTH: Salad, grilled salmon and artichoke
SIGNATURE SIP: French rosé, s'il vous plait!
BEDSIDE READING: A stack of this, that and the other
BEDTIME: 8:30PM-ish
PHOTO BY CHRIS SHINTANI
Founder, CEO and designer, Beach Riot
It’s all fun in the sun—with some hard work to boot—for Beach Riot founder, CEO and designer Nicole Tinkess. Following a successful career in licensing and design for Tavik, the Southern California local launched Beach Riot in 2012, taking her penchant for bright colors and bold patterns to the world of swimwear. In 2017, she launched Sport Riot, the company’s wildly popular activewear, and has since introduced mommy-and-me matching sets, among other apparel favorites, as she continues to build out Beach Riot’s ever-growing categories. Here, Tinkess shares her sunny disposition when it comes to her personal style.
WAKE-UP TIME: 6AM
FASHION PHILOSOPHY: Versatility is key. Whether I am designing or shopping for myself, I am constantly reaching for staple pieces that can easily be styled in different ways for different occasions. I am also obsessed with vintage shopping, so I will pair a unique vintage piece with my go-to everyday wardrobe staples for a simple look that's true to my personal style.
FIRST FASHION MEMORY: Getting my first designer bag by Coach. I was so excited to get that bag and wore it practically every day.
MY AESTHETIC: Chic, elevated and vintage
STYLE CRUSH: David and Victoria Beckham; their style is unmatched.
MY MOST CHERISHED ACCESSORY: My grandmother's gold necklace I wear every day
MY UNIFORM: Most days you will see me wearing my Beach Riot Ayla legging in black, paired with a simple tee or jacket, and my favorite vintage accessory.
IT BAG: Goyard's Petit Flot bucket bag
IT SHOE: I am always wearing/reaching for my Hermès slides, but my fun it-shoe choice would be my Mach & Mach leopard crystal-embellished pumps.
BEAUTY STAPLE: Byredo flavored lip balm
PHILANTHROPY: I am really looking forward to volunteering with National Charity League next year with my daughter.
CURRENT OBSESSION: My current and forever obsession is vintage shopping.
ULTIMATE FASHION SPLURGE: Diamond jewelry because it is truly timeless.
DESIGNERS TO DIE FOR: Loewe and Celine
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH: Bikinis! Beach Riot focuses heavily on swimwear, and I love designing pieces that I personally wear.
SIGNATURE SCENT: Le Labo Another 13
BEST ADVICE: Always trust your gut and intuition, and don't let anyone else's opinion or judgment steer you off of your path.
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: “ME!" By Taylor Swift
ZODIAC SIGN: Gemini
LAST MEAL ON EARTH: Chick-fil-A
SIGNATURE SIP: Sauvi-B
BEDSIDE READING: At night, I'm either listening to crime podcasts or watching/reading a romantic comedy
BEDTIME: Around 11PM
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