Jane and Judy Aldridge

The Internet’s populism has made it possible for, say, a 15-year-old girl from Dallas, Texas, with an enthusiasm for vintage Victor Costa and Martin Margiela booties to win notice not only from the public, but from some very prestigious figures in fashion. Such is the case of Jane Aldridge, now 18, whose blog Sea of Shoes attracts more than 70,000 hits a day, has gotten shout-outs from Kanye West and spreads in Teen Vogue, and afforded her invitations to exclusive events such as the Crillon Ball, for which Aldridge was outfitted by Karl Lagerfeld. None of this would be possible without the help and support of Jane’s mother Judy, a former model with an affection for late-70s/early-80s maximalism, who often photographs her daughter for Sea of Shoes and whose own lifestyle blog, Atlantis Home, addresses topics ranging from kitchen renovations to Vivienne Westwood. Together, the women have injected the blogosphere—and the planned communities on the outskirts of Dallas—with a shot of exuberant, determined glamor.

Judy Aldridge (left) and Jane Aldridge at their home in Texas. Photo by Douglas Friedman, 2010

More From Jane and Judy

July 27, 2010

Mother-Daughter Bloggers Judy and Jane Aldridge Invite NOWNESS Into Their Dallas Home

In a suburb of Dallas, an unassuming brick façade belies the glittering splendor of Judy and Jane Aldridge’s residence. Chez Aldridge is a veritable cave of wonders, filled with rarities such as a life-size brass fawn (thanks, eBay) and a gold-and-emerald green daybed. The mother-daughter blogging sensation are keen collectors: Judy runs Atlantis Home, a style-cum-home décor blog, which features posts on vintage jewelry finds, interiors and shopping trips from Tulsa to Tokyo, while Jane is the 18-year-old brain behind Sea of Shoes, on which every outfit posted incorporates exotic and collectible footwear, from Margiela Marfa boots to Yves Saint Laurent cage shoes. Jane started blogging three years ago and attracts thousands of daily visitors to her site, and fans include Kanye West and Karl Lagerfeld (who lent her a Chanel couture gown to wear to the Crillon Ball in Paris last year). Both mother and daughter have an eye for transforming kitsch into glamour, with a home-brewed sense of 70s-tinged style that’s reflected in their personal dress as much as their meticulously appointed living space—nothing was changed for today’s shoot. Their home has just undergone a revamp, with the help of fellow Dallas-based blogger, Samantha Reitmayer Sano, of design site Style/Swoon. One standout, destined for the dining table, is a giant deep-water clam shell, filled with amethyst and dried purple artichokes that Judy found at Antiques Moderne in Dallas. “It's unbelievably heavy—it takes two grown men to lift it!” Judy says. “These old oil towns are the best for thrifting and junking” says Jane, referencing the antique stores they troll in the South. “There are a lot of old ladies’ homes that have sat untouched for years…,” adds Judy. NOWNESS sent photographer Douglas Friedman, known for his revealing portraits of celebrities and their homes (past sitters include Calvin Klein and Donatella Versace), to capture the Dallas duo's world. “Given that people in Texas are a little more over-the-top, we included some Dynasty in our references,” says Judy of the outfits they chose for the shoot.