Spotlight On: Jessica de Ruiter’s L.A. Style

Despite her Toronto roots, fashion stylist Jessica de Ruiter fully embodies that California cocktail of laid-back-yet-pulled together style. And we’re not talking just in fashion, although her CV is beyond impressive here — the Vogue, WWD and W alum has a client roster that includes Elizabeth Banks, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jennifer Lawrence. Jessica’s L.A. home — a mid-century beauty by architect Gregory Ain — is equally effortless and incredibly chic. Here, we got an up-close-and-personal glimpse.

Spotlight On: Ca & Lou

Between them, Carolina Neri and Bérengère Lux carry serious fashion cred — Gianfranco Ferré, Jimmy Choo and Tabitha Simmons are just a few of the names that pop up on their CVs. Now they’ve gone the entrepreneurial route with the 2010 launch of Ca & Lou, a jewelry line that’s equal parts glamour and edge. Consider the myriad of muses they name-check, from Coco Chanel and Bette Davis to W’s Giovanna Battaglia and Misshapes’ Leigh Lezark. Here, the friends share their style mantras and the music that keep them going.

What’s Your Sign? Aries

Discover what this month brings for you. Here, astrology expert Susie Cox reveals what we can expect now that we’re in the fire sign of Aries (March 20th – April 19th).

To Do: David Bowie Is

In January we were thrilled to celebrate David Bowie’s 66th birthday with a new single, the elegant Where Are We Now?. Then, his first album in a decade, the powerhouse The Next Day. And now to top it all off, a David Bowie retrospective at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s an intoxicating cocktail of the singer’s deep and profound influence on fashion, film, photography and, of course, music — from his Seventies Ziggy Stardust bodysuits to more intimate objets, like personal sketches and diary entries. Because there’s no such thing as too much Bowie, here’s our playlist of some of our favorite songs, old and new.

Trey Laird On: Marfa, Marfa, Marfa

All eyes and ears were focused on Austin last week and since it’s a relatively short swing over to Marfa, Texas, why not close SXSW’s cultural tour of all things film, music and tech by soaking up some of the best art in the South? We spoke to Trey Laird — head of fashion advertising and branding firm Laird + Partners — who gave us his guide to that intriguing little desert town.

Spotlight On: RJ Shaughnessy

While flipping through Milk and Honey, Ammo’s coffee-table tome spotlighting contemporary artists in California, we stumbled on RJ Shaughnessy’s sun-kissed shots of a couple perched on a traffic light, kids breezily jumping into flower beds and (above) a skateboarder coolly breezing down an L.A. freeway. We had to learn more. Here, we chatted with RJ, a Florida native turned full-blooded Angeleno.

Day in the Life: Carolina Zapf

It’s been over a decade since Carolina Zapf launched her Baby CZ children’s collection, but there’s no sign this mother-of-three is slowing down any time soon. Since then, for example, she’s already launched a separate line of baby-soft cashmere goods for the grown-up set. Here, wearing Tory’s Kimball skirt, Carolina (who happens to be the daughter of legendary furniture designer Otto Zapf) showed us how she balances family and work in a 24-hour period.

To Do: Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat embodied downtown New York in the Eighties, its kinetic energy, explosion of color and emotion — and excess. All of it is on full display at New York’s Gagosian Gallery, which is holding a major exhibit of the artist’s works until April 6. With over 50 paintings, the show’s a brilliant mix of pop culture, abstract expressionism, racial commentary and his early graffiti roots. Basquiat may have famously noted that his work was 80 percent anger, but there’s plenty of humor here too. Keep an eye out for Onion Gum, the Joker and Riddler.

Untitled (Julius Caesar on Gold), 1981 by Jean-Michel Basquiat © The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat/ADAGP, Paris/ARS, New York 2013

Best Dressed: Elisa Nalin

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep… Elisa Nalin from rocking out with the zippy colors and perky prints. We chatted with the stylist and brand consultant, here wearing Tory’s Rimon jacket, on all things color, texture and more. After reading her advice, you’ll only want to wear color, no matter the weather forecast.

Tory Daily Exclusive: Priscilla Suitcase

Next time you hit the friendly skies, add a shot of cheer to your travels with our limited-edition Priscilla Suitcase, available only through our app. Made from smooth, matte Italian leather, it features a vibrant golden wheat print from our Spring 2013 runway in addition to all the utilitarian usuals, like adjustable buckle straps at the sides and a single top handle. Plus, it’s small enough to count as an actual carry-on — and will keep you looking chic from takeoff to landing.

Insider’s Guide: São Paulo, Fashion Week Edition

Think the runway collections are over? Think again. It’s São Paulo Fashion Week right now and for those of you hitting the shows in sunny Brazil, we asked fashion bloggers Katharina Afrange Tuch (left) and Paula Proushan of Mundo PK for their insider guide to navigating the city. From the best restaurants and bars to must-see scenic spots, they’ve got you covered.

Jessica Alba On: The Honest Life

Eco does not have to be extreme. Healthy does not mean boring. Moms, you can have your Louboutins and your plant-based disposable diapers, too. If you like the sound of any of this, then you’ll enjoy The Honest Life, Jessica Alba’s new lifestyle book based on the environmentally friendly mindset behind The Honest Company, the line of nontoxic home and baby products she founded last year. Here, we chatted with the actress and mother-of-two about motherhood, avoiding petrochemicals and husband Cash Warren’s pancakes.

Spring 2013: Exclusive Wallpaper

One of Spring’s major motifs is the eternally sunny, ever-optimistic wheat stalk. It showed up as prints, quilting, embroideries — you name it. Even the side braids our models wore were inspired by the golden grain. Now you can incorporate that happy, hopeful graphic into your I-life with the downloads here.

Eugene Souleiman On: Recreating His Runway Braids

Leave it to hair stylist Eugene Souleiman to whip up a look that fits our Spring 2013 wheat motif to a T: a loose fishtail braid. “It’s a little pulled apart, very relaxed and natural — which worked well with the bohemian spirit of Tory’s collection,” explains Eugene, who shares his expert tips to recreating the style here.

Tory’s Playlist: SXSW 2013

SXSW is always one of the highlights of our year — like spring break for techies, musos and the film set. No better place than Austin, Texas, to take in the latest in all media. Here’s a playlist of songs we’re hoping to hear live, wrapped in with tracks by two of Austin’s native sons, the great Roky Erickson and the incomparable Daniel Johnston. See you at Franklin’s Barbecue.

Listen now on Spotify.

Best Dressed: Roopal Patel

Roopal Patel is a front-row fashion fixture who’s known for finding and cultivating new design talent. Now, she’s head of her own consulting firm, helping retail and luxury clients zero in on the right trends, merchandising and branding. When we asked Roopal to style any look from our collection any way she liked, she chose the wheat-print Chelsea dress, paired it with some Proenza Schouler stripes and bohemian jewelry finds and then shared her thoughts on how it all works together.

Tory On: Spring’s Wheat Motif

Spring’s wheat motif, one of the biggest trends on our runway, sends an optimistic and cheerful message. It’s also one of Tory’s favorite looks for spring. Here, she talks about the different ways she works wheat — and yellow, that other big spring idea — into her look.

Spotlight On: Dinner with Sloan Barnett

When Tory was in San Francisco earlier this year, longtime pal Sloan Barnett threw an intimate dinner to celebrate her trip out West. She eschewed the typical seven-course menu for fun and fresh California tapas, pulled from local farmers’ markets. We chatted with Sloan about the evening’s inspiration and got her secrets to the perfect girls’ night in.

Tory Entertains: Yellow Blooms

If you haven’t noticed, yellow is the color right now. But why limit that cheerful hue to your wardrobe? Floral designer Raúl Àvila gave us three tips to incorporating that sunny factor at home, too.

To Do: Anselm Kiefer in Paris

For his massive Morgenthau Plan exhibit at Larry Gagosian’s new gallery in Paris, Anselm Kiefer planted an entire wheat field and encased it within a steel cage that is over 16-feet high. And, no, the German artist wasn’t thinking purple mountain majesties and amber waves of grain, even if the show does nod to a slice of American history — Henry Morgenthau, Jr. was Roosevelt’s U.S. Secretary of the Treasury who wanted to turn post-war Germany into a pre-industrial, agricultural state. But hurry, Anselm’s provocative sheaf session ends this week.

Accessories Guide: Spring 2013

Bags. Shoes. Jewelry. Everything you need for the season — and how to wear it. What else can you expect? “Sunny colors,” says Tory, “plenty of texture and a sense of wanderlust.”

Shop the Accessories Guide

Inspiration: Yellow & Wheat

What’s the best antidote to the winter blues? Yellow, in all its bright, cheerful, optimistic glory. It’s the instant mood pick-me-up whether via fashion, home décor or finding that unexpected hit of lemon yellow on your travels. It’s one of nature’s favorite colors, and it’s one of ours, too.

Print Primer: A Little or A Lot

When it comes to prints, we all fall somewhere along the spectrum of a little or a lot. Whether you’re a dabbler or a master mixer, the graphic and golden wheat print from our spring runway is easy to weave into your wardrobe. Make your statement with a cheerful bag or double — or triple or even quarduple — up with print-on–print. There are many ways to go with the grain. Shop the Looks.

Book of the Week: The Contact Sheet

Contact sheets may be a relic of film photography, but they’re worth a close look for all they reveal about the photographic process — which, as The Contact Sheet shows, is often as bewitching as the final product. In the book, you’ll learn the back stories to some of the most iconic images, too. Like whom Peggy Moffitt was channeling while she modeled Rudi Gernreich’s infamous topless monikini. And the children’s tale that partially inspired Chuck Close’s first self-portrait. And whether Robert Doisneau’s legendary shot in Life of a couple kissing in post-war Paris was, well, spontaneous. P.S.: It’s Babe Paley, Gulliver’s Travels and no.