Jessica L. Pizzo: Girl American.

Through a tangled web of Newport connections, I recently made the acquaintance of Jessica L. Pizzo, globe trotter, tennis champion, designer of Tartan Hugs, and world-famous Cupcaketologist. We bonded over a shared love of the sailing capital's dashing sailors and now collaborate on blog projects and pipe dreams (to buy beach houses and fall off the grid).

But more than anything else it's Jessica's impeccable, effortless sense of style and wild appreciation for the Eastern seaboard that make her this week's Girl American.


Read my interview with Jessica and scoop her sartorial secrets after the jump.

Name: Jessica L. Pizzo
Location: Philadelpha, P.A.
Occupation: Communications consultant and Cupcaketologist
Favorite American brand: Levis
Favorite American designer: Currently Alexander Wang for spring 2010
Favorite place to shop: Mother's closet, J. Crew for basics, and Neiman Marcus for statement pieces

Who are your style inspirations? Diane Keaton as Annie Hall, Giovanna Battaglia for making sexy classics risky, and Elle MacPherson's sporty and laid-back femme style.

How do you believe you capture the "American spirit" through your clothes? Through menswear, a love that comes from my mother. Nothing speaks louder to the power that American women found (a bit earlier than our Old World counterparts) than oxfords rolled to the elbow, blazers, and tailored trousers. Otherwise, I tend to stay pretty classic with my shapes and neutral with my colors. I think fine tailoring and basics will never be passe' in the American ideal.

What is your favorite place in the USA, and how does its environment translate to your wardrobe? We've always vacationed at the way end of Cape Cod, where fashion doesn't really matter and you can food shop in your bikini. It's my happy place. The way the wind whips around you at that far Atlantic reaching point really brings an awareness to how your body feels in general. I choose natural materials that feel good on my skin and shy away from anything so tight that I look like a stuffed sausage. Does it translate to my everyday wardrobe? Maybe not. But it reminds me to be a little more effortless. 

What five items can you not live without? Brown Argentinean over-the-knee riding boots from five years ago, black cashmere sweater, scarves (street pashminas and silk Hermes), black super-opaque tights, and badass vintage navy driving gloves.

What do you think sets American style apart from the rest of the world? I think American designers have consistently maintained a level of tailored and functional fashion, all while taking risks that are forward-thinking, rugged, and industrial. Prim and tailored puritanism with a kick of western bound rugged exploration is a constant direction that still occurs. 

Why did you start the Cupcaketologist, and who are your readers? The Cupcaketologist began as an outlet to share my neverending baking adventures, and has evolved into a sort of virtual memoir-cum-cookbook. I think it's less about the whole cupcake craze, more about creating something that is inspired by life: people, places, experiences, and dreams. Most of my readers are friends and family, and their friends and family, but I think I have a little fan following in the cupcake community as well!

Describe the style scene in Philadelphia. What do you forecast for Philadelphians for 2010? Philadelphia is home to many very creative artists and designers, and it definitely also has a very urban hipster feel as well. We are also home of Anthropologie family, so I think that kitschy and laid-back comfort will continue to reign supreme in 2010.

How has your extensive European travel influenced your wardrobe? When I lived in Italy, I was floored by the simple elegance of the locals and their use of layering fine and custom made knits. They truly know their bodies, and they invest in what looks good in order to create sartorial uniforms. I am rarely without a scarf due to Parisian adventures. And my funky friends all over the UK have inspired me to bring out my bold and edgy sides more often. I'm also not really a label whore. Most of my bags, clutches and jewelry come from antique fairs in Italy or my mother and grandmothers. I am the sum of my experiences; wearing them only defines me further.


What are some local favorites of yours? Philly has great food, notably in BYOBs.  For this I like Melograno.  My sushi comes from Vic's, and I get my prohibition cocktails at Village Whiskey (my new neighborhood joint).  I get my dance fix at L'etage, a little cabaret above a creperie in the Queen's Village section (Michael Jackson! Bell Biv Devoe!). I'm inspired by Philly's abundant farmers' markets, and I think after six years in Philly, Anthropologie is my happy place. Even if I don't buy anything, the architecture, ceilings and artistic design of the flagship are oh-so-inspiring.  


Who is on your daily blog roll? Style favorites include Fashion Gone Rogue for editorials, The Sartorialist and Garance Dore for always, and Le Fashion Image, Knight Cat and src783 for my wild fixes. For artistic inspiration I hit up the New York Times' "The Moment", This is Glamourous, The Neon Hive, and a variety of photo Tumblrs. 

For more Jessica visit her blog and Etsy shop. And thank you, Miss Pizzo, for the instant inspiration!