www.facebook.com/francanderson.creative
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8 - 11 Jessie Bush We The People
14- 17 Joellen Lu Joellen Love
20 - 23 Valeria Volkova Fashion Around
26 - 29 Roos Van Dorsten Mode Rosa
32 - 35 Kendra Jeffery Stolen Inspiration
38 - 41 Amanda Watson Done n Done
44 - 46 Jasmin Howell Friend in Fashion
50 - 53 Rachel & Nicole Rachel Et Nicole
56 - 59 Norelle Rheingold Fashion Can Not Die
62 - 65 Jysla Kay Jysla Kay
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JESSIE BUSH
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Work hard and push yourself creatively. Be gracious and positive; you reap what you sow.
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JESSIE BUSH 23, New zealand
Tell us about yourself? I started We The People in Wellington over two years ago, went to NZFW shortly after where I met some great people who encouraged me to make the move to Sydney. We The People started out as a street style blog, but has since evolved to include portraits of people who inspire me creatively, studio visits with designers, still life and fashion editorials. In the past 2 years I’ve collaborated with lot’s of great brands, and have been featured or published in Famous, Grazia, Harpers Bazaar, Lucky Mag, Vogue.com.au, Fallen Magazine, Cosmopolitan and Shop til You Drop. I contribute regularly to Vogue.com. au, Grazia Australia and Sunglass Hut’s Inner Circle. What inspired you to start blogging? I had finished Uni and had just come back from a short stint around South East Asia. I was looking for a creative outlet, and at the time I was reading a huge amount of blogs, so it seemed like the logical progression to start creating content myself. Describe your style in 3 words. Minimal, structured and dark.
When did you first fall in love with fashion? I’ve always had a strong interest in fashion. It’s the classic story; I grew up in a small town with no fashion industry to speak of. I started reading fashion magazines and became swept by this alternate reality. Then I discovered the internet and the whole world just opened up. Fashion become more accessible (some ways more than others) and it was easier to imagine myself being part of it. Has fashion blogging brought a lot of opportunities within the fashion scene? Definitely - the internet evens the playing field somewhat - everyone has a voice. Having a platform to create my own content and publish my work is such a powerful tool. I would say every opportunity that has come my way has been thanks to my blog (and a little hard work!). Who inspires you in the fashion world? I don’t have one main source of inspiration. But I am motivated by the fact that I constantly meet new, inspiring people with their own stories and personal style. Anyone with confidence and charisma inspires me. 9
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What do you do aside from blogging? I work full time in fashion PR - although I’m actually leaving my job this week. Then I plan to spend the next few months traveling around Europe, shoot street style at fashion month, then settle down in London. Which designers are you loving right now? Dress Up, Kahlo, Acne, Phillip Lim, Celine, Kate Sylvester, Thursday Sunday What are your staple items in your wardrobe? Leather pants and shorts, breton stripes, black boots, loose-fitting tees, oversized vests and coats. What are your favorite stores/websites to shop at? Shopbop, Net a Porter. I’m online so much it just makes sense to purchase online. Plus, you can’t beat free, fast shipping Do you have any professional or creative mantras? Work hard and push yourself creatively. Be gracious and positive; you reap what you sow. What makes you a successful blogger? I’m not sure I would say I’m more successful than others. But I enjoy what I do, and I work very hard. Where do you see yourself in the future? Happy, healthy and travelling the world with my lovely boyfriend. Shooting great subjects, publishing work and enjoying the adventure.
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JOELLEN LU 21, USA
Firstly, tell us about yourself. These types of questions are the toughest! My name is Joellen and I’m from Southern California. I’m a blogger, student, and online shop owner. I love photography, painting, and animals. I’m always ready for new endeavors! When and why did you decide to start up your own fashion blog? I’ve always kept a journal, and as soon as the internet was born, I jumped into the blog world. It wasn’t until about two years ago that my food/art/music blog centered its focus on fashion in order to keep up with all my subscribers’ main interests. Describe your style in 3 words. Experimental, feminine, and nostalgic. Your outfits are always put together so perfectly! Are they planned or are they just your daily outfits? P.s. I LOVE your jellies Thank you! Most of the time they on produced on a whim, but I’m also a compulsive list maker. If I see something and know it’ll look great with someothing else I have, I write it down before I forget. 14
What are your staple items in your wardrobe? High waist shorts, button-ups, pullovers, and ballet flats. Has fashion blogging given you any opportunities within the fashion scene? Fashion blogging has given me a plethora of opportunities that I could not even imagine would come my way. Above all traveling, exclusive access to events, and greatly appreciated wining & dining are the amazing people I’ve met on the way. Whether it be other bloggers, blog organization leaders, brand reps, or my readers, they are all amazing. What do you do when you’re not blogging? When I’m not blogging I’m either studying for my next exam (I’m currently studying psychology), running my online store, hanging out with friends and extending our vocabulary to our made-up language, or watching Netflix. What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? I still can’t get over my Chloe ballet flats. As a ballet flat fanatic, this is like the cornerstone of all collections.
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If I see something and know it will look great with someothing else I have, I write it down before I forget.
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So you’ve got your own shop. How did that come about? It started on my blog, of course, then migrated to tumblr where it flourished. I began buying solely for my customers, made the leap to hosting my own site, and it’s been such an astounding experience so far. If your blog had a mission statement what would ir be? Aspiring to inspire others. Do you have any style icons? I have a few forever-icons including my mother (she essentially got me into vintage in the first place), but as of late I’ve really been admiring Miroslava Duma. What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? I still can’t get over my Chloe ballet flats. As a ballet flat fanatic, this is like the cornerstone of all collections. What’s your biggest fashion pet peeve? There are really obviously terrible ones like Uggs and studded-everything, but another one I’ve been seeing lately are outfits overly saturated with trends (probably thanks to the growing popularity of tumblr). Pick one, and work around it! 16
What has been a highlight of your blogging experience? Besides meeting such awesome people as stated previously, the best highlight has to be the opening and continued success of my store. As a self-proclaimed shopping addict, I’ve turned something initially destructive and counter productive into something I can use to help inspire others while benefiting myself financially. What makes you a successful blogger? While most people would define “successful” blogs by how much they’ve received from sponsors or what blog-related trips they’ve taken, I believe it can be measured by feedback from readers and they’re gratitude towards you for inspiring them on a day to day basis. I’ve had the the honor of having said readers and I wouldn’t trade that in for any other kind of successes. Where do you see yourself in the future? Only time will tell!
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VALERIA VOLKOVA Tell us about yourself and how you started blogging. My name is Valeriya Volkova. I’m a fashion blogger from Russia and I started blogging about 1.5 years ago. I was surfing the internet, watching different blogs and I liked the idea of having your own online fashion diary, expressing your personality, posting photos, thoughts and other things. There were a lot of cool blogs and for a minute I thought ‘hey I could do that too. Setting fashion trends has been my dream since my childhood and I’m also really interested in the world of art and traveling. How would you describe your style? My looks are always experimenting with my style and my fashion credo is the variety of styles. When did you first fall in love with fashion? My mums first education is as a designer and our house is usually full of different fabrics, jewelery and fashion magazines. When I was a child mum used to design clothes for me and the other mums would try copy my outfits for their children. I enjoyed wearing beautiful and unusual clothes. I even used to design and sew costumes for my dolls. When I was about 6 years old I entered a dolls costume design competition in pre-school. As it usually happens, all kids brought their mum-made costumes, except me. I had made the costume myself. And despite it being far from perfect with one incomplete one inch stitching and not actually winning anything, I felt really proud that it was MY own work, not someone else’s. And I suppose that it was from that day forth that I fell in love with fashion.
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16, RUSSIA
Who are your fashion icons? I don’t have any idols or icons, but there are some people whose style appeals me. For example, the boho & vintage Olsen sisters and the elegancy of Olivia Palermo. What current fashion trends do you like or dislike at the moment? My current favorites are checked, geometric patterns, drawings in pop art style and baroque. It’s hard for me to remember what I dislike, because I try not to pay attention to it, but recently in one fashion magazine I found a collage of fur bags and shoes, which seemed really tasteless to me. How have you grown your blog and expanded your readership? I don’t have a special secret, I’m just blogging, expressing myself and some people like what I’m doing, so with time my blog attracts more and more followers. It’s important to blog often to keep your readers interested and use other social networks like lookbook, instagram, facebook etc. When you are not blogging, what are you doing? I’m only 16, so I have to study a lot at school and after. that I have a lot of English classes because in future I want to move and study in London. I also take Art History and French lessons. And of course, just as every teen does I spend a lot of time with my friends, because i’m from a small town we have to drive to the nearest city to go to the cinema and to do our shopping.
“Fashion isn’t fashion without risk.
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How often do you shop for clothes? I usually try to buy as much as I can abroad because of the better choice and prices are quite lower than in Russia. I live in a small town and we don’t have multi brand stores, so I can buy something new once a week if I go to the nearest city, which is 40 minutes far from ours. What are your favorite stores/websites to shop at? My favorites are Zara, Massimo Dutti, Guess, Abercrombie&Fitch, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Patrizia Pepe. And what about online stores I like dresses from inlovewithfashion.com and asos.com. Do you plan your outfits or are they just what you are wearing that day? I usually plan what to wear in the evening, because in the morning I feel like a zombie and having such mood I’ll just put jeans and hoodies on, what is quite boring, and simply go to school. It makes me feel upset and disappointed for a whole day, because mostly my mood depends on the way I look. Do you have any favorite recent outfits from your blog? I love all my outfits, but if to look at the recent ones, I will single out the one in a ‘jockey’ style, which is also a trend of this season. At the same time I like the one in a long grey dress on the beach, because of the color palette and accessories. I can talk about this for a long tome, so if you are interested, you can simply download my blog. What is your go to outfit if all else fails? I think that the safest way is to put on something simple or classical and add an interesting accessory, which will make your outfit unusual. But there is no fashion without risk. What makes you a successful blogger? I don’t regard myself as a very successful and popular blogger, I thing everything will happen in the nearest future. But I suppose that people enjoy my blog because the style of my next look is always unpredictable and it makes my readers being curious and interested. And, of course, it’s important to post constantly at least 1 post in 3 days, but it’s not as easy as it might seem firstly. If you could go back to the beginning of your blogging journey and tell yourself one thing, what would it be? I would tell myself to pay more attention to the photos because my first ones are less professional then they’re now and it’s quite funny for me to look at them at the moment.
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ROOS VAN DORSTEN
22, netherlands
Tell us about yourself? Roos-anne, 22 years old, blogger, stylist, from the Netherlands, and currently studying Vogue Academy, Fashion, Interior Design and Photography. Describe your style in 3 words. Edgy, feminine, minimalistic. What motivated you to start your own blog? Other bloggers. I was looking on other blogs, and after a while I thought ‘Hey, i can do this myself!’. I just love fashion and I love sharing it with others. Who inspires you in the fashion world? Other bloggers again. Elin kling, Fashion Toast, COTTDS and Angelica Blick. What are your staple items in your wardrobe? Black leather pants, white t shirt, oversized leather jacket, big knits. 26
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If your thinking about blogging, just go for it. It’s a once in a life time chance.
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When you are not blogging what are you doing? I work in a clothing store, but I also go to school and hang out with my girls, but most of the time I spend time with my boyfriend! What current fashion trends do you like or dislike at the moment? I liked the printed cartoon sweaters from Balenciaga. As well as the kenzo sweater, but after seeing on almost every blog and on every street style picture I dislike it at the moment. I do like all the other prints even though I dont wear them much. I will always be minimalistic with black and white. What is the number one fashion mistake you see women make? White leggings. I don’t think you’ll need an explanation... How often do you shop for new clothes? If I’m lucky, every week :p otherwise once every two or three weeks. Do you have any favorite stores or websites? Zara is my number 1 favorite store. Do you have any tips for making good purchases, so they don’t end up in a pile under the bed? I would say, think really hard about your purchases. If you think it’s too expensive for what you getting, don’t buy it. Also look on the internet for what you want to see if you can find it cheaper. If you see something you want but your are unsure, try leaving it and walking out of the store :p I know it’s hard but it works! What celebrity do you think has the best style? Kate Bosworth. What has been the highlight of your blogging experience to date? Going to different international fashion weeks, and being part of the ‘style the summer campaign’ for the New Yorker. Where do you see yourself in the future? Still blogging and hoepfully a really good stylist! If you could go back to the beginning of your blogging journey and tell yourself one thing, what would it be? If your thinking about blogging, just go for it! It’s a once in a life time chance.
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KENDRA JEFFERY 19, NEW ZEALAND
Firstly, tell us about yourself. My name is Kendra, I’m 19 years old, from New Zealand, I’m a design student and I guess you could say I’m a fashion blogger too. What inspired you to start up your own blog? I’ve always been a tech girl. Years ago my friend and I became really interested in fashion and then she introduced me to blogging and it honestly is the perfect fit for me. Have you always been interested in fashion? I definitely have enjoyed fashion for as long as I remember but I probably didn’t think of it as anything more until I was around 14. Now I can’t see me working in any other industry after uni. Describe your style in 3 words. Random, Casual, Mismatched. What do you do when you are not blogging? At the moment I’m a full time university student but other than that just seeing friends, reading, shopping, going for coffee. Just everything I would do if I didn’t have a blog, it really doesn’t take up as much time as you’d think. 32
Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence? To be honest there really isn’t just one person. I’d have to say all of the bloggers I follow have definitely influenced more than anything else. How do you manage time between school and your blog? The only time it becomes tricky is around hand in week but other than that it’s just a part of my routine now so I don’t even notice the time that I do spend blogging. What are your favorite stores/ websites to shop at? I love online shopping, I swear I never buy clothes from the store anymore. How good is Asos though and free shipping just tops it off. Other than that I just shop anywhere like Topshop, Nastygal and Pixiemarket etc. What are some of the best and worst aspects of running your own blog? The best would probably be that I feel like I’m achieving something while I’m at uni because it’s so easy to feel like you’re just waiting for life to
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If you post what you love and are passionate about it, it really shows...
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start. I think the worst is that sometimes it’s so weird to think people read it, I get really awkward when people I don’t know talk to me about it because it honestly started as more of my ‘fashion diary’. I just really didn’t expect so many people would read it. Other than that I haven’t found a bad aspect yet. Do you have any favorite brands/designers? I love Stolen Girlfriends Club, Alexander Wang, Unif, Ann Demeulemeester but the list really is endless. If you could time travel to a different decade, what would it be and why? The 60’s is definitely the decade I would of loved to be in. Everything seemed so laid back, everyone so carefree. I love that, I hate when people take themselves too seriously and can’t let loose. Also, the clothes are great and wasn’t going to music festivals mandatory? Which colours, patterns and trends are you most excited about for this summer? I’m not big on following trends but what I am looking forward to is wearing white on white. I’ve got a ridiculous amount of prints that don’t match in my wardrobe so I think it’s about time to embrace minimalism. I think denim shorts and baggy white tops is a definite give in for Summer, I can’t wait! What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? At the moment I love my new Unif tye-dye dress, it’s perfect for Summer. So bright and happy, I can’t wait for it to be warm enough to wear. Looking ahead to the future, what direction are you looking to take your blogging in? My friends and I were talking and it would be awesome to start an online magazine of sorts. It really just was a passing conversation but it’s great to think that it’s possible to do something like it if we wanted to in future. For now I want to start taking more photos because that’s what I really love to do so we will see, I am now on a 4 month holiday so there’s heaps of time to fill in! For now I want to focus on posting more of my own outfit posts because that’s what I really want to do. What tips/advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own blog? I’d say just have fun and do it because you love it. I really hate how people start blogs to get freebies because honestly it defeats the purpose. If you post what you love and are passionate about it, it really shows and you’ll soon gain followers that are similar to you and that’s really cool. Don’t take yourself too seriously and just be creative and have fun. 35
6. AMANDA
WATSON
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24, Sweden
Tell us about yourself. My name is Amanda. I’m 24 years old, from Sweden. I’ve been living here since I was 15. I was born in Costa Rica but I grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m an international relations student that dreams about working with human rights in the near future, while having a serious love affair with fashion.
When did you first fall in love with fashion? I would like to say that my relationship with fashion grows every day. I‘ve always been interested in fashion but it was a long distance relationship. I felt in love fashion when I was 19, and the one thing that made me fall in love with fashion was that I was able to share my individuality and personality with it.
Why did you initially decide to start your blog? I started to blog because I wanted to share my experiences and my thoughts, like about moving away from home, university experiences and life in general, so at the beginning my blog was only like a personal diary. But I’ve always been interested in being creative. Being creative has always been an outlet and great self-therapy for me. So a couple of months after I started my blog I started sharing some daring make-up looks, but then I re-discovered my love for fashion so I started sharing my personal style more. Today I know that blogging about my personal style was the thing that I wanted to all along, but I just didn’t know that from the beginning. I love that my blog has been like a plant or flower that grows and evolves and that has given me the opportunity to do things, like this interview.
Have you always had the same style or has it changed/evolved since you started your blog? I always believed that style is something we are born with, and its up to us to share it and put a signature on it. When I was in high school I used to dress like my peers and I was afraid of being an individual and sharing my inner style. But today, style for me is all about being an individual. My style is something that I always had, but now I feel like I’m actually sharing it. My blog has given me the opportunity to share it and it is also has giving me the chance to make it stronger. So I don’t feel like it has change but its definitely more defined.
Describe your style in three words. Feminine / masculine and edgy
Which colours, patterns and trends are you most excited about this summer? Oh, I cannot wait for SS/13.
Where do you find your inspiration? Fashion magazines, Tumblr, other blogs and amovies.
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I’ve always believed that style is somthing that we are born with, and its up to us to share it and put a signature on it.
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I’m looking forward to building up my wardrobe, with neons, florals, pastels and metallics. When it comes to patterns, I heard abstract patterns are going to be a hit. What item in your wardrobe makes you instantly feel like a million bucks? For me it’s actually all about the shoes and the way you accessorise. I could be wearing the simplest dress, but if I’m wearing a great pair of heels or shoes I’m in love with, I instantly feel like a million bucks. So you recently got back from London. How’s fashion over there compared with what its like in Sweden. Well, because of the weather right now, the fashion is pretty similar, but I feel like in London people are a little bit more daring and also there is more variation in style. What are some of the best and worst aspects of running your own blog? The best thing about it is that you can do what ever YOU want with it… Running your own blog gives you a lot of freedom. The most rewarding thing is the feedback that you get from your readers. But running a blog takes a lot of planning and I really don’t want to say this but it’s all 40
about commitment. So the only bad thing for me is lack of TIME I wish I could put more hours into my blogging.. What is your favorite website or app right now? http://heartifb.com is a great site if you want to get blogging tips, fashion tips and inspiration in general. Where do you do most of your shopping? Lately, I haven’t been shopping that much… But if I had to pick, I would say Gina Tricot and Bikbok. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years… I’m probably done with my master’s degree and probably working for an NGO that works with human rights, and womens issues. I also see myself working against human trafficking. I think I’m still going to be blogging. Although I don’t know if those things go together, but I will figure it out when I get there! Do you have any tips or advice you would give to someone new to the blogging world? Don’t try to copy every other blogger you see out there. Look for inspiration in others work, but be you in every way. Engage with your readers and have fun.
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Fashion for me is very much a creative outlet. It visually allows me to reflect my mood and personality.
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JASMIN HOWELL
25, Australia
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Tell us about yourself? I’m Aussie fashion blogger, Friend in Fashion. I love sundresses, high heels, and am an eternal wanderlust. My blog shares my personal style, my travels and my inspiration. What lead you to start up your own fashion blog? To be honest, I didn’t really know much about blogs or the blogging community when I started, but soon people started reading and commenting on my blog, which got me interested in finding out more, I discovered favourite blogs, and made great friendships with people who share similar interests/ passion to me. Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence? I would has to say my Mum first inspired my love of fashion, I have fond memories vintage shopping with my mum and forever trawling through her wardrobe. Today my travels around the world fuel fashion obsession. I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled
many parts of the world, and every time I love absorbing the distinct culture and style of each place I visit. What does fashion mean to you? Fashion for me is very much a creative outlet. It visually allows me to reflect my mood and personality. How would you describe your personal style? My style changes from day to day, depending on my mood, but my favourite style of dressing is tailored, feminine and elegant. What do you do when you are not blogging? I run my own digital marketing company, Mama Zuzu, which allows me to work with fashion brands and designers day in and day out. I love the freedom and creativity of running my own business. What current fashion trends are you loving or hating most at the moment? As we’re coming into summer I really love neon colours, and florals are always a winner for the warmer months. 45
What are your favorite online stores to shop at? I can always find something at Shopbop, Net a Porter is also a favourite, then I also have lots of local online boutiques, like zoie.com.au and Market HQ What is the best fashion advice you have ever received? Confidence and comfort transcends trends What would be your dream job? I’m doing it! I get to work with fashion brands on their online marketing. I’d also one day love to become a travel reporter. What are your 3 summer essentials? A fantastict pair of denim shorts - loving an Insight pair I recently bought, a Vamastyle maxi dress & a great pair of shades - Nick Campbell are my favourites at the moment. Do you have a favorite outfit from your blog? I have lots of favourites, but as for my most favourite, I can’t go past my custom made wedding dress that I featured. If you had to be stuck on a desert island with only 3 things, what would they be? - My iphone! I can’t seem to go anywhere without it emails, photos, blogs sorted. - An endless supply of Zimmermann bikinis - so that i’m always fabulously chic - My husband - someone to catch the fish Where do you see ‘Friend in Fashion’ in 5 years time? I always struggle forecasting too far ahead, as I always like to take each day as it comes. I’d like to still see Friend in Fashion in one form or another 5 years down the track, but I can’t predict how it might evolve by then.
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RACHEL & NICOLE 23 & 19, USA
Tell us about yourselves and what your motivation was for starting your own blog. We started our own blog because we used to spend hours on Skype with our mother while she approves (or disapproves) of our outfits of the day. Obviously, it became too time-consuming so we decided to have a blog and post up our outfits there instead. Lucky for us, it started gaining more readership within months of its launch and that was how we turned it into a full-fledge fashion blog. Have you both always shared a love for fashion? Yes! We basically grew up around fashion. Our mother was a bespoke designer back in the day and we grew up around needles, threads and fabric imported from Paris. Why did you decide to share the same blog? We grew up doing everything together so it was only natural that we would both work on the blog. Besides, as both of us have such distinct styles, it gives our reader a larger fashion spectrum. What makes your blog successful? We like to think that we offer something fresh and unique to our readers out there. Through our street-style photos and DIY editorials, we show our POV in style and creative direction. Do you share similar views on fashion or are your opinions completely different, with rules etc? We share similar rules of thumb when it comes to fashion but style-wise, we cannot be any more different. 50
What does fashion mean to you both? It’s an expression of self. It’s like playing dress-up (granted, it costs a little bit more than when we were younger) and experimenting with different looks. Has fashion blogging given you a lot of opportunities within the fashion scene? Most definitely! We get to work with huge brands and designers and incorporate it into our DIY editorials. What are the perks of having such a successful fashion blog? We’re still grappling with the fact that our blog is “successful”. We’re still surprised when we meet people on the street who do read our blog or when we get emails from our readers. The best part of where our blog is right now is the multitude of opportunities that are presented to us - meeting more designers, meeting influential people in events etc. Where do you see yourselves in 5 years? We’d love it if we can be heavily involved in the creation of creatives - images, video, shows etc. We’re into conceptualizing and creating things, and being able to do so in our career would mean the world to us. If you could go back to the beginning of your blogging journey and tell yourself one thing, what would it be? Never compromise your views for anyone. It’s important to keep your POV, no matter how different it is, because if you don’t bring anything fresh to the table, you might as well not bring anything at all.
you don’t bring “...if anything fresh to
the table, you might as well not bring anything at all.
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NICOLE Describe your style in 3 words. Ethereal, Romantic, Child-like (at times) Describe Nicoles style in 3 words. Sex, Structure, Edgy Who are your fashion icons? Miroslava Duma! What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? My Rugby Ralph Lauren Fenella Tartan Kilt When you are not blogging, what are you doing? Eating- most definitely eating! Haha! (and attending classes at my university) What current fashion trends do you like or dislike at the moment? Currently, I am loving glitter. You see it more in shoes and bags, but as a girly girl, I LOVE GLITTER! I don’t know how I feel about peplum anymore. I use to love it, but I think it’s time is over. Do you have any favorite stores or websites where you shop for clothes? I love Opening Ceremony and Topshop! It gives me a good mix of basics and that magical piece that allows me to be different. If you could time travel to a different decade, what would it be and why? i think i would like to travel back to the Victorian era. I think ladies back then regarded the clothes that wear with much more respect. And although it may have been troublesome to be layered with corsets and tulle, I think I would have thoroughly enjoyed it. What are your three summer essentials? SUNSCREEN, A good bathing suit, and A HEALTHY LOOKING BODY!!! hahaha :) What has been the highlight of your blogging experience? The highlight so far is definitely meeting influential people in the industry and being able to attend fashion events. 52
RACHEL Describe your style in 3 words. Feminine/Masculine, Rebel, Structure Describe Rachels style in 3 words. Princess, Pink, Pretty Who are your fashion icons? Jean-Paul Gaultier. What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? A pair of gold cross Topshop earrings! I wear it with everything! When you are not blogging, what are you doing? Sleeping. It’s a disease. What current fashion trends do you like or dislike at the moment? I’m over peplums!!! Time for some new, fresh looks people! What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? A well cut denim top from (believe it or not) Forever 21. It fits me like a glove, you have no idea how long it’s taken me to find the right cut and shade of blue! If you could time travel to a different decade, what would it be and why? The 1940s, where pin-ups ruled the world and subtle flirtiness was in. What are your three summer essentials? Sunblock, My Miu Miu Shades and a good drink. What has been the highlight of your blogging experience? Definitely meeting influential people in the industry. We got to meet (and share a good laugh) with Bill Cunningham over the fashion week last season - definitely one of my most treasured memories!
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NORELLE RHEINGOLD 22, GERMANY
Firstly, tell us about yourself. I’m Norelle Rheingold, a 22 year old fashion blogger, photographer, musician, passionate artist and performer living in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. I also create images for tattoos, album covers and posters. What was your motivation for starting your own fashion blog? I’m a real thrift store junkie, but I also like to sew on my own threads. When I was a teenager I got really into DIY and I started making my own clothes. Last year I decided to create a fashion blog called “Fashion Can Not Die” because I thought it would be the best way to share my unique creations and my love for nostalgic pieces with the world. It is mainly filled with thrifted gems, vintage pieces, second hand clothes and my own creations. I believe that Fashion always runs in cycles - most trends come back! That’s why I named my blog Fashion Can Not Die! Does anyone remember the buffalo platform shoes which were very popular in the 90s? Well, today they are looking kind of fresh and cool again. So keep your favorite pieces, you’ll certainly need them again!
9. Describe your style in 3 words. Nineties, Alien, Queen.
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Who and/or what has been your greatest fashion influence? I grew up in the 90s and as a child I was very coined by the fashionable diversity. Today I’m still totally digging their trends. I even love the trashy ones. My 90s style heroines were, and still are, The Spice Girls (the coolest things on platform sneakers), Courtney Love (Grunge goddess) and Gwen Stefani (purely iconic rocker princess). I also get inspired by some of the girls and boys in my favorite movies, music videos and television programs from that era. What do you do when you’re not blogging? I spend most of my time editing photos, composing music and creating stuff like images, clothes and objet d’art (Fine Art Prints). I also enjoy time sleeping, eating and hanging out with people. What are your favorite stores/websites to shop at? My favorite places to shop are vintage boutiques, second hand shops, flea markets and thrift stores. The fact is you can always find unique and outstanding stuff at very low prices, and each piece has its own history. My favorite online stores are etsy.com, shop.thecobrasnake.com and discountuniverse.com.au.
“Feel
free to wear whatever you want and don’t give a f***k what people say! 57
If your blog had a mission statement what would it be? It is simply the name of my blog. I think it is human nature to create fashion and trends. As long as people exist, there will always be fashion. And keeping with that questions, if your style had a mission statement what would it be? Feel free to wear whatever you want and don’t give a f***k what people say!
Has fashion brought you a lot of opportunities within the fashion scene? Of course! I have gotten to know so many great people around the world. If I wasn’t part of this scene, I would have never become acquainted with them.
What is your favorite item in your wardrobe right now? Lately I’ve been wearing my white creepers by Demonia quite often. I absolutely love them because they match almost every outfit.
What has been the highlight of your blogging experience so far? I have gotten several offers from companies who are impressed by my creations. Most of them are asking me, if I can design stuff for them. That’s so cool!
What is your go to outfit if all else fails? A Beanie, an old band shirt, a flannel, cut-offs shorts, stockings and Creepers.
Where do you see ‘Fashion Can Not Die’ in five years time? You never know what will happen. Maybe “Fashion Can Not Die” will turn into a very successful fashion label or my blog might not even be relevant anymore.
If you could time travel to a different decade, what would it be and why? I don’t really want to travel to any decade because I’m actually very satisfied with the one I’m living in now! Although, I’m collecting nostalgic stuff, I could never live in recent decades. I always would miss the modern technology. 58
Do you plan your outfits or are they just what you are wearing that day? I have to admit, I always plan my outfits in the evening for the next day.
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JYSLA KAY
19, australia
Tell us about yourself and why you decided to start up your own blog. Hey RAG - I’m a photographer and blogger from Sydney. I had been following a few favourite bloggers for a while before I decided I wanted to officially start blogging. It’s been an incredible journey so far and I’ve met so many amazing people. How would you describe your style in 3 words? Relaxed, slightly androgonous. When did you first fall in love with fashion? As far as I can remember, I’ve always loved styling my outfit for the day and was always fussy when my mum tried to dress me. But in retrospect, I think I truly fell in love with fashion when I started blogging. It was only when I began to see more and more of the world of fashion that I started to see blogging and fashion as a form of expression, not too different to music. Where do you find inspiration for your outfits? Although I do enjoy flicking through a magazine now and then, I’m not an avid reader. I like to find inspiration from life around me. On quiet mornings, I’ll drink coffee and let my mind wander and although it sounds silly, it helps me to focus and gets the creative juices going. Music is also something I always turn to because I find that choosing outfits comes naturally when I feel a certain way.
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“We are all
sharing something in common and puting our own twists on it.
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What is your dream job? There would be nothing better than to work for myself doing something that I am passionate about - to travel and explore whenever I wanted, to challenge myself, and to be in control of what I love but at the same time, to be unrestricted and free. If I could paint well, that would be my dream job. What is your favorite thing about have your own fashion blog? That there are so many bloggers out there with their own unique sense of style. It’s incredible when you think about it - we are all sharing something in common and putting our own twists on it. I follow bloggers from all around the world! What do you do aside from blogging? I usually get asked this question in reverse, “What do you do besides uni?” or “What do you do in your spare time?”. Blogging is only a small fraction of my life, although I certainly wouldn’t mind if I had more time to devote to it. I’m at uni 25 hours a week, doing an intense engineering/commerce course which doesn’t leave me much spare time to do anything really but I manage to squeeze in some photography, reading and shopping. I think I spend most of my time eating too. I’m a really slow eater. What are your staple items in your wardrobe? Black wax-coated jeans, ankle boots (in tan, nude, black), boyfriend blazer, slip (for all those sheer pieces), knit dresses (basically oversized jumpers that are worn as dresses) and a watch. What is your go to outfit if all else fails? A basic shirt dress paired with ankle boots.
If you could time travel to a different decade, what one would you pick and why? The 1800s! I’m a little in love with Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) and Mr Rochester (Jane Eyre). What has been a favorite outfit from your blog so far? My favourite outfit is from a while ago - where I’m wearing a lace top, shorts and a khaki jacket with boots (the post is called “military & lace”). It’s a personal favourite because it’s a simple, practical outfit that I feel is an accurate reflection of my style. What are your favorite clothing brands/designers? Zara, Witchery, Bec & Bridge, Milk From A Thistle and Stylestalker just to name a few. What was the last thing you bought for your closet? A black One Teaspoon dress. It was on sale! Where do you see your blog in the future? Hopefully my blog grows with me and becomes somewhat of a photo diary. My goal is just to create content that people enjoy reading and can see as a source of inspiration. What advice would you give some one wanting to start up their own fashion blog? Know what you want and pursue it with a passion. It’s always easy to feel intimidated by others that are already blogging but your fashion blog is exactly that - your own blog that records your own unique experiences, words and style. Don’t doubt yourself and keep challenging yourself because it’s not only a great experience but you learn so much about yourself in the process.
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