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May 31, 2012
Meet the band: JJAMZ
by Cristina Black (Brooklyn)
LA musician Z Berg welcomes her best guy friends to her new band.
For the past decade, Z Berg has been known as the lead singer of the quintessential LA girl band, The Like. So it might be surprising to hear that she recently formed a new band, JJAMZ (pronounced “juh-JAMS”), with four dudes. All alums of established LA acts, her new bandmates Jason Boesel, Alex Greenwald, Mike Runion and James Valentine are also her best buds. Their debut album, Suicide Pact, doesn’t hit until July 10th, but fans can tide themselves over with the rousing single “Never Enough.”
We recently chatted with Ms. Berg about her new band, her old band and her signature preference for short dresses.
You’ve all been friends for a long time.
We have! We’ve known each other for about 10 years, which is a pretty significant portion of my life. I’m 25.
How did you meet them originally?
We met through all of our old bands. We used to play with Alex’s band (Phantom Planet), Jason’s band (Rilo Kiley) and James’s band (Maroon 5). They were like my four best friends and we just kind of started playing music for fun. Suddenly, it was a band. It snuck up on us.
That’s the best way, right?
It’s awesome. It’s always been such a dream, so fun and natural. We’re all pinching ourselves. I can’t believe I get to go to rehearsal with my best friends.
So is that it for The Like?
The Like is done for now. I mean, I doubt it’ll ever really be over, but right now we’re all doing our own thing. It’s superfun being in a band with all dudes after 10 years of being in a girl band.
How is it different being one of the guys?
It’s different. For most of my life, I’ve had very few girlfriends, except for my band. I’m not the greatest at communicating with girls, really. I’m like the terrible boyfriend who will never notice that you got your hair cut or know what you need unless you tell him exactly what’s going on. So I communicate really well with guys.
Is there a downside?
There is less sharing of clothing, which is definitely a drawback.
You’re a very girly dresser.
I own one pair of pants and I’ve never worn them. My closet is hilarious. Not only do I wear all dresses, but I’m a true minidress girl. My closet just stops after 30 inches. Every dress is the same extremely short length. It’s amusing.
What’s funny is that your wardrobe is so girly when your personality is so guy-like.
Yes! I think I’m compensating for how low my voice is with how high my hemlines are. It’s like when people put pink bows on top of a baby’s head so you know it’s a girl.
May 29, 2012
Tried & true testimonials: The Biker Boot
by Emily Hsieh (S.F.)
After three years and countless miles, my beloved Madewell Biker Boots are still the pair I reach for over and over again. The leather is soft and supple and strikes the perfect balance between patina and polish. The soles are still somehow good as new despite how much I’ve worn them—in fact, these might actually be the most comfortable shoes I own. I’ll be wearing ’em all summer (yes, boots in the summer!)—they’re just so perfect for anchoring floaty silk dresses with a little bit of toughness.
May 25, 2012
Long holiday weekend, here we come
To kick off beach season, we asked our favorite tastemaker (and LE CATCH blogger) Marlien Rentmeester to round up her must-haves for summer weekends—from Madewell and beyond. Happy Friday!
1. The Whistlestop Sandal: “These sandals can take me from the city to the beach, all in stride.”
2. Drifter Shades: “Love the retro shape.”
3. The Bungalow Stripe Caravan Mailbag: “A roomy carry all is essential for the beach. This one fits everything from magazines to scarves to cover-ups.”
4. Clambake Cover-Up: “Speaking of cover-ups, this is the ultimate—slightly sheer and cozy at the same time.”
5. Zimmerman Noir Eyelet Underwire Bikini: “Black is always flattering and sexy—two adjectives I want in a bikini!”
6. Leather Wrap Bracelets: “For a nice pop of color against my tan skin.”
7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait SPF: “Water-resistant with a nice light texture. Plus, the French packaging always transports me to some chic faraway beach.”
8. Too Red nail polish by RGB: “It’s like ’40s-starlet red: out and out glam.”
9. Evian Facial Spray: “It’s not as good as jumping in the ocean, but a spritz of this comes quite close.”
10. Jayson Home beach blanket: “Handwoven and so gorgeous.”
11. Fresh-squeezed juice: “I’m hooked on the apple strawberry coconut and almond milk ones from Pressed Juicery, but any fresh juice will do!”
May 24, 2012
“You guys were so rad—I had a great time chatting about denim last night on Twitter. Thanks for all the questions. Let’s do it again soon?” –Jac, Madewell denim designer
P.S. Miss it? No worries, see all the questions and answers from yesterday’s live chat right here.
May 23, 2012
See how we kicked off the first-ever Madewell Style Sessions last week, from NYC to SF and everywhere in between!
May 22, 2012
We just got this clip of The She’s playing live at our Madewell Style Sessions shopping party in San Francisco last week—and we were instantly charmed! Play the video, then check out the rest of their music here.
May 21, 2012
Got denim questions?
No prob, our all-knowing denim designer Jac will be answering your questions live on Twitter this Wednesday, 5/23 at 7pm EST! Join the conversation at twitter.com/madewell1937.
May 21, 2012
We came. We saw. We styled. Here’s a roundup of some of our very favorite moments on the Madewell Denim Roadtrip!
To see our entire photo diary—including surprise celeb visitors—head over to our Facebook page.
May 18, 2012
Our favorite ways to welcome summer
Looks to kick off the season—and where to wear them.
TO THE FARMER’S MARKET
Indigo Ink Pocket Tee
Checklist Ex-Boyfriend Shirt
Skinny Skinny Jeans in White Wash
Bamboula Ltd. Little Market Bag
TO A BACKYARD BBQ
Neon Sweatshirt
True Love Shrunken Oxford
Denim Slouch Shorts in Saddle Rider Wash
The Basket Weave Sandal
ON A SUNSET STROLL
Flea Market Flares
Fairgame Rugby Shirt
The Contrast Mini Mailbag
Braided Friendship Bracelet
TO THE BEACH
Seastripe Sarong
Summertime Tankdress
Neon Colorblock String Bikini Top
Biltmore® Panama Hat
The Colorstitch Flat
For more great sunny day looks, head over to madewell.com.
May 17, 2012
Seeing double in LA on the Madewell Denim Roadtrip. Pretty great, right?
