“Jones, the latest “It Girl” to burst onto Manhattan’s social scene, may have no regular job but is nonetheless a vital cog in the fashion industry’s marketing machine. Dressing up and having her photograph taken, Jones helps fashion and luxury-goods companies pitch their products simply through being associated with her.”–Teri Agins, ‘How ‘It’ Girl Scaled World of Fashion, One Party at a Time’, Wall Street Journal, Sept 14, 2006.

So for this week’s Style File I switched it up a bit. Instead of profiling a singer, rapper, or America’s Next Top Model, I decided to take a look at one of the few African-American ‘socialites’ (including Bonnie Morrison and Rachel Roy) New York Magazine deemed worth mentioning in a recent article:

Teri Agins of the Wall Street Journal did an *amazing* investigative article on Ms. Jones last September. Everyone wanted to know: How did she become a socialite? Teri found that Genevieve made her way into upper crust society by befriending the right people (like Zac Posen) and being bold (for example, jumping in front of Andre Leon Talley and dancing with him at a Donna Karen party). Unlike her colleagues, she didn’t go to college, is a little old ( 31, not 27 as she claims), and lacks a trust fund. Mystere et boule de gomme.
Whoever she is, her style is one of a kind. Let’s take a look:
Ms. Jones updates classic black dresses with fringe details, sequins, and embellished bags…

Remixes summer whites with ruffles, understated baubles, and side swept hairdos…

Accentuates her small waist with belts over both coats and dresses…

And keeps top designers seduced in thigh skimming dresses and shorts…

Classy.
Want the socialite look? Start with these pieces:

Top Row: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hammered Silk Satin Dress, $170, www.saks.com; Clu Ruffle Trim Dress, $100, shopbop.com
Bottom Row; Necessary Objects Lace Babydoll Dress, $68, www.nordstrom.com; Hamptons Belt, $11.80, www.forever21.com.
Smootches!
PS Missed the article? Read more about the enigma that is G. Jones here.