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PopSugar is a tour de force of women's media. Their various verticals cover fashion, fitness, celebrity, beauty, entertainment, and food, while the site's shopping platform, ShopStyle, culls clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories from a variety of brands and brings them straight to your desktop. We stopped by their San Francisco headquarters to see what the company's founders and team wear to work, and to pick their brains about SF's booming tech scene.
Lisa Sugar, Founder and Editor and Chief, is wearing Tabitha Simmons shoes, an Alexander Wang belt, a J.Crew shirt, Rag & Bone jeans, and a Veronica Beard blazer.
What are your beauty must haves?
I have a lot! Lancer polish, cleanser and face lotion; Pantene conditioner, Dove soap, Glossier Balm Dotcom, Prevage Anti-Aging Eye Serum, Dr. Perricone No Foundation Foundation Serum, Tom Ford Cooncealing Pen, SK-II facial mask—I could seriously keep going.
What celebrity would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat, and why?
Victoria Beckham. Everything fits to perfection. She's classic yet modern and ladylike.
What's it like being a woman in the SF Tech scene?
Our company is 80% women. It feels great!
What was your first job?
Does camp counselor count? That was technically first, but I didn't consider it as real of a job as working at Urban Outfitters.
What do you own that makes you feel the most like yourself when you wear it?
Jeans and T-shirts.
What item of clothing have you owned and cherished for more than five years?
My first pair of Prada loafers that I got on our honeymoon over 15 years ago. I still wear them and love them.
What is the most sentimental item of clothing of jewelry you own?
My necklace. I've been wearing it for eight years straight. It's my initial and a star, which is the logo of our company. I got it around the same time we started PopSugar.
What's the best shopping advice you've ever heard?
If you absolutely fall in love with something, buy it in every color—I do this with lots of tops, and occasionally even shoes!
Brian Sugar, Founder and CEO, is wearing an Everlane cashmere sweater, a J.Crew tee, Bonobos jeans, and Ted Baker shoes.
Who's your professional role model?
Tony Stark.
What was your first job?
Paperboy.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
ShopStyle, Amazon, Everlane.
What's the most sentimental item of clothing or accessory that you own?
My wedding ring.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
Camera.
Leta Shy, Editor at PopSugar Fitness, is wearing a Madewell shirt and tee, a Zara vegan leather skirt, ASOS booties, Catbird, Cartier, and H&M rings, an H&M necklace, bracelets from Madewell and Giles and Brother, and a Fitbit Charge.
What celebrity would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat, and why?
Solange's wardrobe is basically the opposite of mine, but I love how she plays with color and patterns. I'd definitely be up for swapping my gray-white-black routine for a little bit!
Who's your professional role model?
I love Julia Child's professional history—not because I want to be a spy or a chef—but because it's inspiring that she didn't even know how to cook French food (or pretty much cook at all!) until she was in her mid-30s, and yet that's what she's known for. She's proof that it's never too late to try something.
What are your beauty must-haves?
I like to keep things simple: face oil at night, a face moisturizer with SPF during the day, Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Clinique powder, and Stila waterproof liquid eyeliner. Also, I guess it would be remiss of me as a fitness editor if I didn't also say exercise!
What was your first job?
I was a marketing/admin assistant for a tech company in LA
right after college, before I moved back up to the Bay Area to become an editor. In high school I worked at a movie theater.
What do you own that makes you feel the most like yourself when you wear it?
I'm always searching for the perfect gray shirt. I can never have enough. I have a Loft tee that's made out of grayish sweatshirt material that is everything I like: the cut, fabric, and color make me feel the most comfortable.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
I shop at ASOS way too much.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
I'm not a huge app person, but I use the NPR app a lot to stream podcasts and news when I'm getting ready in the morning or going to sleep.
What's the most sentimental item of clothing or jewelry you own?
I have my mom's engagement ring from when she moved from Korea to marry my dad. She's since upgraded, so I just keep it in my jewelry case.
Aleksandra Chojnacka, Director of Business Development at ShopStyle, is wearing a J.Crew skirt, a Joie top, Joe's Jeans pumps, a Burberry watch, a Tiffany and John Hardy rings, a Dogeared necklace and a gold custom necklace from her parents.
What was your first job?
My most exciting first "job" was an internship for 7th on Sixth, where I worked in corporate sponsorships for New York Fashion Week. I got to go to all the fashion week shows (sporting a headset).
What do you own that makes you feel the most like yourself when you wear it?
An A-line little black dress from French Connection. Its professional but not stuffy.
What's the best shopping advice you've ever heard?
It's okay to splurge on a bag.
What item of clothing have you owned and cherished for more than five years?
A grey and white polka dot sundress which used to be my mothers from the '90s. I had it hemmed and wear it at least once every summer.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
Instagram. I'm addicted to it.
What types of boards are you always pinning to?
Home decor. Interior design has always been an interest for me and Pinterest is a good creative outlet. I like to dream big when I pin.
Ryan Roschke, Assistant Editor, is wearing Aldo Boots, Uniqlo chinos, a Target belt, a Uniqlo Oxford Shirt, an Invicta Watch, a Forever 21 bow tie, an H&M Jacket, and Warby Parker glasses.
What celebrity would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat, and why?
Justin Timberlake. His style is always on point, whether he's going black tie or dressing down for a casual day on the street.
What do you own that makes you feel the most like yourself when you wear it?
I've always felt special in a bow tie. They really have so much character packed into them, they're fun, unique, and a great tool for self expression. And people always notice them!
Who's your professional role model?
I really, really admire Lena Dunham. She's proven to be such a brave and inspiring voice that resonates with me in a way not many have. I've been equally enthralled by her ambition, the quality of her work, and the impact she's having specifically on my generation.
What was your first job?
I was a server at Islands (Fine Burgers and Drinks).
What item of clothing have you owned and cherished for more than five years?
I worked at American Apparel when I was in college, and while I was there I bought this sheer plaid button-up shirt. It was the first time I felt like I was taking a risk with my style, and it's been a staple in my wardrobe ever since.
What's the most sentimental item of clothing or jewelry you own?
I got my first pair of Sperry boat shoes right before I went to Berlin to study abroad, and I fell in love with them. I took them everywhere, which means they walked with me through France, Spain, Greece, England, Italy, and more. For me they symbolize a lot more than just a pair of shoes.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
Tumblr (Instagram is a close second).
DeAnna Caggiano, Product Designer, is wearing a Zara top, Elizabeth and James jeans, Steven Alan booties, a vintage ring, and jewelry from boutiques in Brooklyn and San Francisco.
What's the most sentimental item of clothing or jewelry you own?
An initial ring my grandma gave me that used to be hers. The band is completely misshapen from being worn so much and it's missing a diamond but I love it and wear it all the time.
What was your first job?
I was 16 and my official title was 'phone girl' at a pizzeria in Staten Island, where I grew up. Great job, great people, and free slices! I just hope that by now they've adjusted the nomenclature to "phone person".
What do you own that makes you feel the most like yourself when you wear it?
Any of my multi-colored workout ensembles.
What celebrity would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat, and why?
Nicole Richie, Kate Bosworth, or Diane Kruger, because they're consistently killing it.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
Spotify. I can't function without music. I'm constantly up and moving around, so it just makes sense for me to have continual background music. Runner up would be Sketch Mirror!
What types of boards are you always pinning to?
My board "dreamy decor" gets the most play these days. I only moved to San Francisco six months ago, so I'm still in the process of curating and fine tuning my apt—every pin helps!
Steve Sewell, Engineering Manager at ShopStyle, is wearing J.Brand black jeans, a Polo Ralph Lauren shirt, an Emporio Armani watch, and Cole Haan oxfords.
What celebrity would you swap wardrobes with in a heartbeat, and why?
Definitely Mick Jagger.
What was your first job?
I taught kickboxing and martial arts.
Where do you do most of your online shopping?
ShopStyle, J.Crew factory, Ralph Lauren, Zappos, and Cole Haan.
What app do you use the most on your phone?
ShopStyle and Fave.