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Jeffrey Kalinsky

April 3, 2013

Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2013

Last night, fashion’s most fabulous boarded the Intrepid on Pier 86 in New York City to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Jeffrey Fashion Cares, an annual charity benefit created by Jeffrey Kalinsky, our EVP of Designer.

Twenty years ago, Kalinsky established Fashion Cares in Atlanta, Georgia, with the goal of bringing awareness to the plight of people living with HIV/AIDS and members of the LGBTQ community. In 2003 he brought his benefit to Manhattan and has since raised over $4 million for LGBT and LGBT-youth charities in NY that include ACRIA, the Hetrick Martin Institute, Lambda Legal and the Point Foundation.

“I live for the day when there will be a cure for AIDS and equality for every man and woman in this country. Tonight is about gay rights and even in a greater context human rights,” said Jeffrey (pictured left).

The evening was hosted by Showtime’s Shameless star Emmy Rossum (pictured right), who dazzled in a beaded gold Naeem Khan resort ’13 dress. “I grew up singing in the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus, surrounded by costumes and creative people. So fashion has always been a form of creative expression for me,” said the Golden Globe-nominated starlet. “I style myself, and I love everything about fashion—it’s just fun. I’ve been looking forward to the runway show and lots of cute boys.”

Attendees were treated to a menswear fashion show that included 41 looks handpicked by Jeffrey from the likes of Dries Van Noten, Burberry and Valentino. Head over to the Men’s Shop Daily blog for complete runway coverage.

Pop star and longtime LGBT activist Cyndi Lauper (pictured right) was on hand to present the Jeffrey Fashion Cares’ Community Leadership Award to Broadway legend and Tony winner Jerry Mitchell (pictured left), who directed and choreographed such shows as Legally Blonde: The Musical; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Full Monty.

Australian model Andrej Pejić and reality TV star Kelly Bensimon (pictured right) mingled and sipped champagne aboard the Intrepid.

Noted designer Thakoon Panichgul walked the red carpet in support of this milestone.

The industry’s biggest models were on the scene. L to R: Jasmine Tookes, Zach Stenmark, Ireland Baldwin, Jordan Stenmark and Chrissy Teigen.

The event raised $811,735 through ticket sales, donations and a live silent auction. We want to congratulate Jeffrey on being not only a fashion pioneer, but also a community leader.

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November 21, 2012

Nordstrom’s Jeffrey Kalinsky Talks Resort 2013

Planning a sun-drenched holiday? Let Jeffrey Kalinsky, Nordstrom’s EVP of Designer, guide you through the most ultra-wearable looks from Resort 2013. From stripes to prints to zesty colors, practical elegance will give you a uniquely feminine look.

Jason Wu Stripe Crochet Sweater: “Jason’s use of color and stripes this season feels fresh,” says Jeffrey. “And at the same time, each piece works easily on its own.”

Marni Edition Belted Stripe Dress: “This look combines everything that’s current right now: print mixing, bold stripes and a cool silhouette.”

Stella McCartney ‘Falabella’ Faux Python Handbag: A lavishly scaled handbag ups the chic ante, and Jeffrey says, “This is one of the coolest totes around. I particularly love it in the faux python.”

Get resort-ready! Check out all of Jeffrey’s picks in Jeffrey’s Edit: Resort 2013.

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August 7, 2012

Eye for Style: Fall 2012 Designer Collections

“Who wants to fade into the woodwork? If I had to wrap up what the season was about, it was about individuality.” –Jeffrey Kalinsky, EVP of Designer Merchandise

Jeffrey Kalinsky walks you through his favorites from the fall 2012 designer collections and his must-have looks for the season—all set to footage from our designer shoot. For even more, browse and shop our Portraits of Style Designer Lookbook. It’s all so luscious, we almost can’t stand it. Almost.

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July 18, 2012

CFDA Announces 2012 Fashion Fund Finalists

Earlier this week, the 10 finalists for the 2012 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund were announced. As a proud underwriter of the Fashion Fund for six years, we’d like to offer our congratulations to all of the designer finalists and announce some exciting news of our own!

Established in 2003, the Fashion Fund helps emerging American designers continue to express their talents and grow their business with a $300,000 prize for the winner and $100,000 each for the runners-up (chosen in November).

Our own EVP of Designer Merchandising, Jeffrey Kalinsky, who sits on the Fashion Fund Selection Committee, says, “I’m proud to represent us on the committee. I’m even more proud of Nordstrom’s six-year commitment so far to underwriting the Fashion Fund, which is a great way to support American fashion by helping foster young designers’ businesses.”

Speaking of support, this year we decided to participate in a brand-new way. In spring 2013, we’ll be erecting Fashion Fund Finalist Shops in a handful of our stores as well as Treasure&Bond in New York City. Based on what we see from the designers at Fashion Week in September, our buyers will be curating favorite pieces from all finalist designers that customers will be able to shop right in our stores. Imagine all that serious talent available in one place—it gets any fashion lover’s heart racing. “Being able to showcase the class of 2012 in our store is an exciting opportunity for our customers and for all of us at Nordstrom.”—Jeffrey

Keep an eye out for more from us about the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and its finalists—we’ve got a few more tricks up our sleeves!

In the meantime, meet the 2012 finalists:
Andrea Lieberman | A.L.C.
Greg Armas | Assembly New York
Sofia Sizzi | Giulietta
Justin Salguero, Daniel Silberman, Alina Silberman | Illesteva
Jennifer Fisher | Jennifer Fisher Jewelry
Jennifer Meyer Maguire | Jennifer Meyer
Max Osterweis & Erin Beatty | Suno
Tabitha Simmons | Tabitha Simmons
Greg Chait | The Elder Statesman
Wes Gordon | Wes Gordon

Who are you crossing your fingers for?

CFDA members collage courtesy of the CFDA.

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June 14, 2012

Five Facts About Jeffrey

Jeffrey Kalinsky, known for founding the acclaimed Jeffrey boutiques in New York and Atlanta, also happens to be our EVP of Designer. We’ve highlighted a few tidbits you might not know about the storied fashion insider.

1. Jeffrey grew up in the fashion business, working at his dad’s shoe shop in Charleston, so coming to Nordstrom was a natural fit—we started as a shoe store, after all.

2. Fashion cred aside, Jeffrey has a degree in communications from George Washington University. This probably comes in handy with the oodles of fashion designers he meets from all over the world. Imagine being on the phone with Rei Kawakubo one minute and Alber Elbaz the next—you’ve got to shift gears quickly!

3. When he opened his acclaimed Jeffrey boutiques—in Atlanta in 1994 and New York in 1999—the latter was a particularly daring move. It was the first high-end shop in the Meatpacking District, a neighborhood that used to be all about, well, meatpacking. Now he counts stores Alexander McQueen, Diane von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, La Perla and Yigal Azrouël among his neighbors.

4. In 1990, Jeffrey founded Fashion Cares (formerly named Shoe Cares), an annual runway show and auction benefiting AIDS and breast cancer charities. Last year’s event raised $650,000!

5. Jeffrey’s tastes are second to none (working in the designer market for 15+ years tends to have that effect), so he gave us the scoop on his favorite designer looks for fall in our latest online feature, Jeffrey’s Fall Favorites. Check it out!

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May 8, 2012

Nordstrom at the Met Gala

In case you can’t get enough of the 2012 Met Costume Institute Gala, or you saw the sneak peek of the guests at our table and around the scene in The Cut and are waiting for more, we thought we’d share our candid shots snapped with the help of Jennifer Wheeler, our Designer Corporate Merchandise Manager.


Karolina Kurkova and Arizona Muse


Lana Del Rey and Joseph Altuzarra


Azealia Banks and Alexander Wang


Christina Ricci


Karolina Kurkova and Pete Nordstrom


Arizona Muse and Erdem Moralioglu


Jennifer Wheeler and Olivier Theyskens


Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman


Alexander Wang and Thakoon Panichgul


Jeffrey Kalinsky, Rachel Zoe, Jennifer Wheeler and Pete Nordstrom

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February 27, 2012

Jeffrey Kalinsky’s Crème de la Crème

“When I think of Spring/Summer 2012, I think of bright colors and lots and lots and lots and lots of prints…Don’t be afraid to be noticed.” –Jeffrey Kalinksy, Nordstrom EVP of Designer Merchandising

Our own fashion kingpin, Jeffrey Kalinsky breaks down his designer essentials for the coming seasons in a way that only he can. Watch our interview, then browse Jeffrey’s Top Picks, a personally curated selection of the items he’s loving right now.

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August 9, 2011

Gregg Andrews: VIP Designer Preview Access


Fashion lovers across the country have been flocking to our runways at the Nordstrom Designer Preview as we showcase what we’re loving for fall from our Designer Collections.

Photos by Michael Naiman, Bryce Covey and Vivian Hsu for Team Photogenic © 2011.

Also a benefit for local charitable causes and organizations, the event may have its biggest fan in Nordstrom Fashion Director, Gregg Andrews—one of the many behind the preview’s success. We caught up with Andrews to talk about his favorite trends on the runway and the one piece every woman needs in her wardrobe this fall.

What do you love most about the Designer Preview?
Showing our customers amazing designer pieces straight from the runways of the world’s biggest fashion capitals. It’s always an exciting event, and I love to hear the ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhs’ coming from the audience when something spectacular comes down the runway.

What’s the most common reaction you hear after the show?
“Wow! It’s like being in New York, Paris or Milan.”

There’s a renewed excitement about fashion and all the possibilities that a new season brings. People can’t wait to go to our on-sight boutique and get an up-close look at the clothes. They want to touch the beautiful fabrics and see the exquisite craftsmanship…and shop!

What were your favorite trends at the Designer Preview?
The retro feminine trend that takes inspiration from the 1940s, ‘60s and ‘70s looked very sophisticated. Silhouettes were soft and fluid—the longer hemlines, the wide-leg trousers, the beautiful blouses. Not to mention capes and the look of fur adding a touch of drama. Gucci really captured the decadent feel of the ‘70s in a very chic and elegant way.

A trend toward minimalism showed the new direction of fashion. It was about the purity of designs that focus on the construction and shape of a garment. An angular sheath dress, a jacket with zip or concealed closures or sleek pants all prove the beauty of simplicity. The Michael Kors Fall Collection had timeless pieces with clean architectural lines and luxurious touches of leather and cashmere.

What are you most excited about for fall?
There’s a huge emphasis on sportswear for fall, which allows women to create their own unique looks reflecting their personal style. Our customer is very fashion savvy. She gets her inspiration from the runway, then mixes designers, high/low and the new with the old. The pieces this fall allow her to express herself and build a beautiful, functional wardrobe.

If a woman invested in just one great piece for fall, what should it be?
A skirt or dress with a longer hemline—anywhere from just below the knee to mid-calf or maxi. Wear it with some great platform heels or killer boots, and you’ve got a hot fall look straight off the runway.

Can’t get enough of the Fall 2011 runways? Watch highlights narrated by Jeffrey Kalinsky, Nordstrom EVP of Designer Merchandising, with even more commentary on the season’s most important trends.

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