10 Things About India de Beaufort

India de Beaufort, currently on ABC Family's "Jane by Design," is truly an artistic jack-of-all-trades. This actress/singer/fashion designer really does it all, and what's even more impressive is that even with a show on the air, she has another coming up--this time a show at New York Fashion Week showcasing a collection she designed herself. We spoke to India about her artistic endeavors and caught a glimpse into the life of this fabulous lady.

Tell us a little about your character on Jane by Design. Would you say you're anything like India in the show or is it a chance to play a part completely different from yourself? I play 'India Jourdain' on ABC Family's Jane by Design. She's a lead designer at Donovan Decker, the fashion house Jane works for and she's also kinda the villain. I wouldn't say we share many traits. We're both strong feisty women who love fashion, but I think it ends there. At least I hope it does! All I know is, I love smiling, which doesn't come naturally to Jourdain... Unless she has just screwed someone over that is...

Obviously, the wardrobe is to die for. Would you say that you dress similarly to your on screen wardrobe? Or, is it more of a chance for you to play dress up? My style is very different from my character's. I like light colors and whimsical shapes. She dresses to kill in darker tones and fierce cuts. We are so lucky to have a wardrobe designer like Olivia Miles. We get to wear the most incredible clothes. Everything from Vivienne Westwood to vintage Chanel. It's a great way to broaden your fashion perspective. You wear things designed for your character, not for you, so you end up trying out styles you may never have chosen for yourself and it's surprising how much you fall in love with and how many new pieces creep into your closet as a result.

I'm loving turquoise jewelry at the moment. Pops of color from earthy stones set in rustic metal. It's so vibrant but grounded. I have so many pieces.

You also have a line, Ballyhoo, can you tell us a little about that? What was the process like? I designed a collection of four pieces for my character on Jane and I was lucky enough to wear one of the pieces on the show. I've been designing and making my own clothes for a very long time. My formal education is in fashion and even though it didn't end up being my main profession, it's still a great love of mine. A few weeks ago I was asked if I would like to show a collection at EMERGE! during New York Fashion Week and I jumped at the chance. I'm always up for a challenge. I've been sewing ever since and I'm a little over half-way done. It's a lot to ask, to make an entire collection in just over a month but my good friend Tatiana Klioukina, from the Art House of Tailoring in Studio City, has been helping me do it right. The show will be in Soho on September 11th, so keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm putting myself out there to get heavily scrutinized. People know me as an actor not a designer but in my mind creativity is creativity in any form and they do say; never dare to hang yourself. I have faith in the pieces I've designed and I'm excited to put them out there.

You're also a singer. Which do you prefer? Singing and songwriting or acting? I love performing in any form equally. My dream would be to play 'Roxie' in Chicago, then I would get to do both!

What's currently on your iPod? Lots of Billie Holiday and Glen Miller. I love feel-good, ambient music. They are both great artists to sew to, as well. I also love to plug in BBC Radio 4 and listen to British comedy shows while I work.

Who are your on-screen inspirations? I adore Carey Mulligan. She's an actress that I very much look up to. She's so deep. Sometimes I think that kind of depth is a gift from birth. You either have it or you don't. I could watch her all day.

What is your dream role? This could involve any director, producer, any cast members, anything! I would love to work on a Judd Apatow production. The actors that are lucky enough to work with him just look like they are having the best time. I would love to work in comedy features.

What is your typical day like? At the moment, I wake up at 7.30, have a cuppa, eat breakfast, get ready and then I start work at 9 am, I put my radio on and make patterns or sew or sketch or shop for fabric until about 9 pm then I pack up, watch the Golden Girls and hit the sack. That has been most days this month, other than the odd, fun photo shoot or event. When I'm filming, I'm on set from 5 am to 7 pm. I don't remember the last time I did nothing… but I have the rest of my life to do that. I'm definitely looking forward to taking a break.

Do you have a staple in your closet? A go-to article of clothing or pair of shoes? A white tank. Every woman should own a good white tank. My naughty staple is a pair of Louboutin's. I saved and saved to buy my first pair. My family all put in money so that I could wear them to my first premiere. They are addictive. Six years later I now own three pairs, but if I were filthy rich I'd buy every pair in every color.

How do you spend off time? Do you have any hobbies you enjoy? My hobbies are very much tied to my work. I have a blog called 'Lovely Junk' that is all things creative. From junking to styling to crafts, it's all in there. I don't get to update as much as I'd like to because of time, but I do what I can. I love flea markets, I love collecting vintage clothing and furniture, I love decorating and building anything with anything. I also love to bake and decorate cakes. Basically I will make anything at any time. It's like I never left kindergarden. I spend my days with a need to make something while making a mess.

Interviewed by Michelle Chang

Photographer: Vince Trupsin Stylist: India de Beaufort Hair/Makeup: India de Beaufort

Wardrobe Credits

First Image Skirt: Vintage Shirt: ALL SAINTS Shoes: Aldo Necklace: ALL SAINTS Ring: Roman Luxe

Second Image Trench: ALL SAINTS Skirt: Vintage Shoes: Christian Louboutin Top: Wasteland Ring: Vintage Brooch: Vintage

Third Image Pants: Anthropology Shirt: Madewell Bag: Anthropology Necklace: Forever 21 Ring: Vintage Hat: Vintage Shoes: Dolce Vita Pin: Vintage

Fourth Image Dress: Anthropology Shoes: Christian Louboutin Necklace: Vintage Ring: Vintage Jacket: Vintage

Fifth Image Ring: H&M Dress: Vintage Shoes: Dolce Vita Tank: Forever 21 Brooch: Vintage Headscaf: Vintage Necklace: Vintage Bag: Vintage

Sixth Image Dress: ‘Ballyhoo’ by India de beaufort Shoes: Christian Louboutin Braclet: Roman Luxe Ring: Forever 21

Just Another Day with Alexa Vega

Our interview becomes more like girl-talk - there’s popcorn, skittles, and us sitting informally on one of her ivory-colored sofas with her legs crossing and leaning back comfortably. Her dog Ramona happens to be right beneath us, under the couch and unwilling to come out as she happily gnaws on rawhide.

Alexa Vega, now 23, offers a never-ending angelic smile as she chats with our crew, wearing her own pair of jeans, a grey American Apparel cotton tee, and a pair of converse shoes. We visit yet another beautiful home in Los Angeles, this time behind closed gates that offers a private environment for Vega and her two dogs (Ramona and Parker), as well as a handful of chickens living in her backyard.

Vega describes her home as “Southern,” citing her Southern roots as inspiration when it came to decorating. She grew up in this house with her many siblings, and now that her younger sister Mackenzie films in New York for The Good Wife, her other siblings have also migrated to the east. Vega therefore mans the house, even as she constantly travels for work and for fun. After some scheduling conflicts, we finally locked Vega down for a home visit and discussed everything about her. We discovered more than we ever knew before...like the fact that she has dated three homosexual guys in the past and didn’t know it, and how she seems to be best friends with everyone from Young Hollywood.

Alexa is pictured here with her sister's (Mackenzie) guitar.

In her kitchen...she told us she could whip up some pretty mean dishes! And loves to make caramel for Christmas.

In her chicken coop in her gorgeous backyard. She grabs fresh eggs every morning...that's just about the sweetest thing we've seen.

We thank Alexa for letting us into her humble home in Los Angeles! To see more of her feature, you can read the July issue online for free! And readers who subscribed to our newsletter were alerted ahead of time of this blog post. Be in the 'know' by subscribing too!

Photographer: Vince Trupsin

10 Things about Jessy Schram

Jessy, you are in "Falling Skies" - a show loved by many fans. Understanding that the show is produced by Speilberg, the name itself gives the show so much prestige. What did you think about the show before even stepping foot into production? Were there things you learned from the show that you didn't know beforehand? Things about the cast, the crew, the show itself? Or even career lessons in general.

In the past I've always said, 'That's it! I'm going on vacation- I'm out of town- booked out! Unless Spielberg calls...' I had just been offered my first TV movie and was supposed to be on a flight to Chicago the next day, when the audition came in with no script attached. DreamWorks was producing with TNT and I fell in love with Karen from the few pages I had on her. I had taken a chance by declining the movie just to audition for "Falling Skies" and rescheduled my flight. It's not often you get to play a dirt bike riding, scout in a post apocalyptic world. Yes, there is a romantic relationship that happens, but there's a story of survival and purpose that overrides chasing after a boy. It's not often roles come along that don't include falling at the foot of a love interest or that TNT and DreamWorks give you an opportunity.

The process of making "Falling Skies" has been going on for about 3 years now, though you've only begun seeing the 2nd season, it's taught me so much about being part of a television series, the entertainment business and most of all myself! I've been able to grow as an actress with being able to hold onto a character, and from the support of the entire cast. I have a profound respect and admiration for that cast and crew. That cast is genuine.

So 10 Things is about figuring out who YOU are. Tell us, what is something that people don't generally know about you? Whether big or small.

I'm a wanderer. I love to walk. I will walk for hours and never even go into a store or sit down. If given the opportunity and time, I'd walk everywhere.

What place in your everyday life would you describe as the most YOU besides your home?

My car. It's where I've spent most of my time from a young age- so I think there's something comforting about it. Half my day is spent in it when in LA - so you get to see me. Messy yet organized, efficient without being fancy and available at all hours for car dancing and jam sessions on the steering wheel.

Everyone has pet peeves. What are things you just detest?

Someone mentioned to me that people cutting finger nails in public was their pet peeve and I have to say, I was standing next to someone recently boarding a plane and she cutting her nails. One hit me. I didn't enjoy that. I [also] detest being around people who have a sense of entitlement they use to put themselves above others. And guilt trips. Using guilt trips knowingly is selfish.

If you were to be in a band, any band whether still active or not, which would it be and what instrument would you play?

Oh there's not one answer for that! I'd like to BE Joni Mitchel or stand in on a session with The Doors to experience Jim Morrison. I'd like to be part of the Civil Wars (Joy Williams and John Paul White) and use my voice to create the duets they do. Play guitar and make people dance like Rodrigo y Gabriela or play and write like Dylan or Ani DiFranco. But stick me in the Jackson 5. They're one of a kind and posses an odd circus- like feel to their life and work.

Do you happen to have any odd tendencies that your friends or family have noticed?

I'm told I text like Yoda.

Your top must watch shows this fall are...

"Last Resort." "Once Upon A Time." "Two Broke Girls."

What are five things that are a must have when you travel?

5 things when I fly around; My cell phone, iPad, sketch pad, scarf and a piece of paper with my favorite prayer.

What is your ideal romantic date?

Something random and simple. To me, a romantic date is when you get to experience the person, be together. The setting just helps bring out the nature of each other. Cooking, getting canvas and painting, dancing in the living room, shooting things at an arcade, jumping in the ocean, watching a movie... It's romantic if its personal and you can be you with the other person.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years? What kinds of excitement are you looking to take on?

I think ahead and I get excited. I see adventure in travel for work and personal. Success in television as well as being part of some quality movies. A directing or producer credit along with song writing. I see creating a foundation that will serve the different charities and causes close to my heart, that other people can be involved in. Maybe by year 10, I'll get a dog. Things might be more settled by then.

Photographer: Vince Trupsin Stylist: Morgan Bethel (MS Management) Hair Stylist: Brithney Lashaun (MS Management) Makeup Artist: Alexis Swain (Celestine Agency)

Wardrobe Credits: Image One BCBG light aqua pleated top 535 Levi skinny jean leggings Gold cuff: Neiman Marcus Ring: Le Chic USA

Image Two BCBG ambrosia orange sweater Bebe high waisted denim shorts 2 Rings: Le Chic USA

Image Three BCBG light heather grey/black combo sweater BCBG black cropped pants Ring: Le Chic USA

Image Four Bar III Floral Print dress Ring: Le Chic USA

Image Five Rachel Roy sapphire jumpsuit Black and Gold long necklace: Le Chic USA 2 Rings: Le Chic USA

Image Six BCBG emerald button up blouse Bebe high waisted denim bell bottoms Bracelet: Le Chic USA Ring: Le Chic USA