Ever's Jamie Haller

By Heather Summerville
July 16, 2010

Even at the age of six, Southern California-native Jamie Haller’s favorite article of clothing was a beat up, oversized men’s T-shirt. Back then, she stole her dad’s, belted it, and wore it to kindergarten as a dress with fringed cowboy boots. Today, she designs a whole collection of perfectly simple, live-in-them basics for the L.A.-based label Ever. And though you’ll still find her sporting an easy tee most days, she’s traded in those cowboy boots for one of the highly covetable shrunken leather jackets she creates. Since all we seem to want to wear right now is a tank top and denim cutoffs (will the temperature ever drop?), we decided to solicit some advice from Haller on how she’s dressing for the heat. In the process, we chatted about Ever’s recent pop-up shop on Venice Beach’s Abbott Kinney and finagled a first-glimpse of the line’s Fall ’10 video…which you’ll see here first!

The Inside Source: You joined Ever back in 2007, but before that it was strictly a men’s line. How did the idea to add a women’s collection come about?

Jamie Haller: Well, it actually came from stores that carried the men’s line. They really wanted the same fashion-forward approach to casual, everyday classics that the men’s line had, only translated for women.

TIS: A lot of the collection is inspired by travel, which has been the case since creative director and men’s designer Jason Bleick founded the line in 2003. But what’s really unique are the cool videos you produce each season that blend footage from trips with backstage glimpses from your photoshoots. You just finished your most recent one for Fall ’10, right? What inspired it?

JH: Yes! Jason is an avid traveler, the more remote the better. Everything from the tags to the earplugs attached to every garment are remnants of train tickets, boarding passes and flight paraphernalia from our travels. The videos are another way to show what inspired us. Jason shoots all the videos using his collection of vintage cameras. His latest one—which we sent you—is footage of our Fall ’10 photoshoot shot on an old Super 8MM spliced with some shots from his latest trip to Russia. It hasn’t even gone up on our site yet!

TIS: Ever seems to be staging a West Coast takeover. You’ve opened three Cali locations in the last few years—L.A., Montecito and Newport—and we just heard about a summer pop-up shop on Abbott Kinney in Venice Beach. How did the temporary store come about?

JH: The Abbott Kinney pop up is only open for a few more weeks, but we couldn’t resist doing something in one of our favorite neighborhoods when the opportunity came up. We had a lot of fun with the space, made all the shelves, tables and racks out of recycled wood crates and cardboard boxes. And we’re even more excited about our next retail adventure…a permanent hub in Santa Monica slated to open in August.

TIS: The temperatures these days are topping out in the 90-degree range for most of the country. How do you manage to look so cool in the dead heat of summer?

JH: There’s nothing worse than clingy clothes when you’re hot. My go-to’s year after year are Indian caftan blouses, tunic dresses and dhoti pants. Though my summer uniform right now has been a knit miniskirt, sheer tee, beat-up denim jacket and a bun.

TIS: Since Ever is all about great-fitting wardrobe essentials, what are a few pieces in your own closet you’d be lost without?

JH: Oh wow, there are so many things. Okay, here goes:

-Definitely one of our Ever hand-wrung, washed leather jackets. You can be wearing slouchy old jeans and a holy tee, and still look good thanks to this jacket.

-I love to wear stripe button down shirts.

-A large, printed scarf is always important.

-I couldn’t live without a pair of Levi’s 501s, the older and scruffier the better. They’re the original boyfriend jean.

-And I collect fun vintage dresses. They’re statement pieces, so I can’t always wear them, but just having them to look at makes me happy.

TIS: We hear that some of those vintage dresses were eBay scores. Are you a big eBay shopper?

JH: I’m on eBay weekly. I buy things for inspiration and to just have in my closet. It’s a great way to get a deal on something you might have missed out on, but can’t stop thinking about…like these Chloe Amish-style ankle boots I fell in love with five years ago and continue to stalk eBay for to this day.

TIS: What are you usually shopping for?

JH: I love to buy random things you’d never usually find, like lace tablecloths or old whiskey bottles that I use as vases. I have friends who sell vintage items on eBay. Actually, we’ve held many a weekend photoshoot at my house. I take a pretty mean eBay model photo.

We asked Haller to shop eBay for more of her go-to essentials—from the random to the classic. Here’s what made the cut.

Roll over items for details

Vintage Buckled Booties
“These are funky and cute—and would look amazing with shorts, a fitted blazer and a cool ring.”
((from $9.99))

Vintage Montblanc Pen
“The perfect gift for my boyfriend.”
((from $1) )

Vintage 1970’s Shrunken Military Jacket
“The slim shape and military influence are cool—such a good inspiration piece.”
((winning bid, $61))

Volkswagen Bus
“This would be so fun to own. I love it.”
((from $200))

Vintage Dooney and Bourke Satchel
“I collect vintage Dooney and Bourke bags. This buckle combo is really cute, and I love a white bag for summer.”
((from $0.99))

Vintage Gucci Clutch
“I love suede. I love clutches, and I love-love vintage Gucci.”
((from $0.99))

Vintage 1970’s YSL Silk Scarf
“This is very me: I love the bold contrast colors mixed with the basic pattern. I want this…BAD.”
((from $6.99) )

Martin Margiela Metal Heel Booties
“I covet these, big time. My girlfriend has them, and they are so hot.”
((buy it now price, $495))

Vintage 1970’s Handmade Moccasins
“These are pretty awesome. I have a real affection toward handmade items, especially shoes.”
((from $4.95))

** Portrait, video and Ever images provided by the subject. **

Heather Summerville is a freelance writer and editor in New York City who has contributed to publications including InStyle, Lucky, Real Simple, and Travel and Leisure.

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