Read what Vogue Senior Market Editor, Meredith Melling Burke recommends as closet essentials and her favorite new J Brand styles.

Name: Meredith Melling Burke
Job/Position:Vogue Senior Market Editor
Where do you live now: New York City
Hometown: I grew up outside of Boston, MA in a town called Weston.
 
Q: How long have you worked at Vogue?
A: 11 years (!)

Q: What is your experience prior to working at Vogue?
A: I’ve always worked with Conde Nast magazines. Before Vogue, I worked at Mademoiselle magazine, which is sadly no longer with us.

Q: What are 5 items every girl needs in her wardrobe?
A: 1. Classic trench, 2. A men’s button down shirt (in a men’s fit – slightly oversized), 3. A strappy stacked high heel, 4. Day-to-night oversized ring, 5. And of course the perfect fitting pair of jeans.

Q: What is your favorite J Brand Classic?
A: How do I pick just one favorite? I would have to say it’s a 3-way tie between the Love Story, the 7/8 Jean and The Deal (I love the 10-inch zipper detail).

72201 Love Story in Dark Vintage, 926 7/8 in Dark Vintage, and 9610 The Deal in Ink

Q: What is your new favorite style?
A: My favorite new style is the Santa Cruz in Army. It’s the perfect item for putting together a utility-inspired look this season.

1287 Santa Cruz shown in Taupe (L) and Army (R)

Q: What keeps you going back to J Brand?
A: I keep going back to J Brand because every time I wear them my colleagues and friends ask, “Who makes your jeans?!?!?!’”

Related links:
Shop J Brand – www.jbrandjeans.com
Visit Vogue.com – www.vogue.com

Introducing Style Instinct, our monthly feature on what the industry’s heavy hitters are talking about. Read what Jen Rade, Stylist and Costumer Designer, is inspired by, her wardrobe essentials and her new favorite jeans.

Name: Jen Rade
Job/Position: Stylist & Costume Designer
Where do you live now: Encino
Hometown: Philadelphia 

BIO:
Jen Rade is one of the premiere stylists in the fashion and entertainment business.  She collaborates with numerous celebrity clients including Angelina Jolie and has styled an assortment of music videos for artists such as: Pink, Marilyn Manson, Avril Lavigne and Dave Matthews Band among others.

Additionally, Jen has costume designed a number of commercials for iPod and Target, for which she received the 2005 & 2007 Costume Designer’s Guild Award for “Best Commercial Costume Design.”

Her editorial credits include: Esquire, W, Harper’s Bazaar UK, Marie Claire and GQ.

Q&A
Q: What is your favorite city to be inspired by fashion and the way people dress?
A: Everywhere! I’m inspired by humanity.

Q: You’ve been quoted on your love of J Brand. Which styles are your favorite?
A: All of the J Brand jeans are classic to me but, if I have to choose one or two, I’d say the 910 Skinny or 912 Pencil in Ink and the Love Story.

My favorite new style is the denim legging – I absolutely love. They are so soft, lightweight and cozy. And with over-the-knee or knee-high flat boots…perfection! The color is great too. 

Q: What are five items every girl needs in her wardrobe?
A: Great jeans, a classic cocktail dress that fits great, black heels, a good coat, and a cashmere sweater.

Q: Why do you keep coming back to J Brand?
A: I keep coming back, or actually never leave J Brand, for many reasons…first and foremost, the fit is the absolute best. I also think the denim used is amazing, the perfect amount of stretch. I love the colors and washes and the quality is great. I still have my very first pair from almost five years ago and even though they’ve been washed a zillion times, and I have probably 15 other pairs of J Brand, I still love that first pair.

J Brand’s can be dressed up or down for day or night, they go with absolutely everything, and they are a perfect combination of form and function as they both look and feel great! Style AND comfort! What else can I say!