This week FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Claire from Fashion Bomb. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Claire?
Claire: I was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and now live in Brooklyn, New York. I’m a bit of a bookworm, but I have a veritable and passionate love for writing and fashion. I love French, blazers and bling!

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Claire: I’ve always loved clothes and truly discovered I liked fashion during my first magazine internship, at Upscale Magazine. By chance I was placed in the fashion and beauty department, and found out I had a flair for writing–and enjoyed playing in clothes.

Jenny: How did Fashion Bomb start?
Claire: It started in August 2006 as a personal blog about me shopping in the city. People started asking me for tips on what to wear, and our whole Mail Bombs section started. I began including celebrities little by little, and found out that it worked well with readers. Showcasing readers, like in our Bombshell of the Day section, started because I decided to move to Paris, but couldn’t find enough fashionable people of color to photograph. So I started asking readers to submit pictures, and one of our most popular features was born!

Jenny: So what is Fashion Bomb about?
Claire: We’re a one stop online destination for everything related to people of color in fashion. We profile industry insiders, take pictures of people on the street, look at celebrity style, and report on fashion news.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Fashion Bomb?
Claire: I want women of color in fashion to know there is a place for them online where they come first. I want to continue to blaze trails in the fashion industry, similar to how Robin Givhan and Andre Leon Talley have done before me.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Claire: I like classic pieces, but play everything up with statement jewelry and sometimes saucy short hems.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Claire: In terms of style, I love Jackie O, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, J.Lo, and Kerry Washington. In terms of my career,  I look up to fashion writers and editors like Robin Givhan, Andre Leon Talley, Cathy Horyn, and Suzy Menkes.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Claire: I’ve been wearing a lot of Diane von Furstenberg lately simply because her clothes represent simple, easy, functional, yet feminine dressing.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Claire: I love the asymmetrical hi-lo movement. Hi-lo skirts and dresses are interesting and add a bit of drama to every look. I also adore high slits! I could do away with midi skirts.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Claire: Know your body and dress for it. If you have a belly, don’t wear a skin tight dress. If you have legs, show ‘em off!

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Fashion Bomb, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Claire: In five years, I’d love to be the host of a television show that brings what I blog about to life on the small screen. Of course the blog will still be around, but I’d love to just be involved from an editor standpoint, allowing younger writers to do the bulk of the blog’s everyday maintenance.

This week FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Brandi from Blicious. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Brandi?
Brandi: Hi, I’m Brandi. Yes, Brandi with an “i”. I’m a 28 year old living in beautiful sunny California. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. I am a valley girl. I recently became a wife and couldn’t be happier! Hubby’s name is Brandon. I know..Brandi and Brandon–awwwww. I married my best friend on Sept 3, 2011. Husband and I have been dating for almost 9 years, met when we were 12, bought our condo 4 years ago and have two amazing kitties. I work for Guess handbags in the heart of downtown LA and have been for the past 4 years. I love dancing, traveling, baking, photography, thrifting, making things, panting my nails almost every day, shopping, smiling, laughing and I’m a serious emotional basket case and cry at everything. I love all things fashion and I love being inspired by other bloggers.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Brandi: I started blogging and didn’t really know what I wanted to talk about. I love all things fashion and working in the fashion industry has really taught me a lot about trends, seasons and to be more expressive. I love writing about my experiences, what I’m wearing and how much I adore my husband.

Jenny: How did Blicious start?
Brandi: It started when a fellow blogger/ old friend told me about her blog. I loved the idea of being able to write about whatever I wanted on my own site. I’ve been hooked ever since and it is now my therapy. My blog shows all of my emotions good, bad, sad and cheesy. My readers will know the real me after they read Blicious.

Jenny: So what is Blicious about?
Brandi: Blicious is all about ME. I love to post about my passions, my wants, my needs, my loves, my heartaches, my dreams and everything else in between.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Blicious?
Brandi: I truly love everything I have achieved so far. I have been able to meet amazing people along the way and my readers are so great! I love receiving their comments/ emails/ fb posts etc. I love being able to talk to people across the country about things we have in common. All of their support means the world to me. I love all the awesome giveaways I have been fortunate to be a part of. I hope to keep my readers interested in my life, do more product reviews/ giveaways, get people to shop my Blicious shop (www.shopblicious.com) and to simply make people smile.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Brandi: I’m a simple girl. I dress for my mood. I love the basics and flats as much as I love the heels, sequins and fur. I’m all over the place just like my moods.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Brandi: I am influenced by so many and am o b s e s s e d with other bloggers. Their style, accessories, poses, photos etc. I am so inspired by my fellow bloggers. I am constantly influenced through magazines, dance, blog posts, traveling, books and walking the streets of downtown.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Brandi: Stella McCartney is a fav! The blazers, colors, prints! Have you seen the Spring 2012 line? Lanvin is so chic, Marc Jacobs never ceases to amaze me, and i am currently loving Rachel Zoe’s line. perfection!

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Brandi: I am currently loving anything that sparkles. Sequins skirts, shirts, cardigans, pants, shorts, dresses, nail polish..sighhhhhh loving it all! I am not a fan of the doc marten inspired boots in every color. so 97′.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Brandi: Be yourself, feel great and take risks. Don’t wear the same things,change it up and always feel comfortable! Accessories are a key item so a nice scarf, colorful necklace or a wrist full of bracelets will look great with all basics. and..don’t wear uggs with skirts.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Blicious, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Brandi: I’m hoping to continue writing about the journey I’m taking through life. I feel better when I blog and it feels GREAT when people care about what I write. I want to encourage people to always be themselves. I want to continue to inspire. and…maybe become the next Rachel Zoe one day.

This week FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger, TV host, author and fashion designer La Carmina from http://www.lacarmina.com/blog. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is La Carmina?
La Carmina: I’m a Gothic-meets-cute Japan fashion blogger, pop culture journalist, travel TV host, and author of 3 books — including Cute Yummy Time (Penguin) and Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (Random House). My blog – http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/ – has led to incredible adventures — trips around the world, modeling for punk brands, clothing design collaborations. My “First Mate” and I started a Tokyo TV fixing, hosting and coolhunting firm, called “La Carmina & The Pirates.” (http://www.lacarmina.com/pirates) I also host my own travel show for AOL / Huffington Post. Right now, my focus is on television presenting; I’ve appeared on The Today Show, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern for Travel Channel, NHK Japan, Fuel/Discovery/National Geographic, Food Network, Pepsi Netherlands, Norway TV, CNN and more.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
La Carmina: I constantly traveled in Asia with my parents as a child. In my early teens, I visited Japan and my mind was blown open by the wild Jrockers, Gothic Lolitas and Harajuku Punks I saw. When I began my blog in September 2007, I was studying at Yale Law but wanted to move to a more creative field. Blogging was the perfect way to share my love of Tokyo street style and youth culture. Upon graduation, I had book contracts and TV work, so I decided to pursue this road instead. And never turned back. I never thought fashion blogging could become a full-time career in a range of creative mediums. The adventures keep growing, beyond my belief.

Jenny: How did La Carmina start?
La Carmina: I started La Carmina Blog (www.lacarmina.com) in September 2007, as a personal tribute to Japanese Goth. I fell in love with blogging and wrote nonstop. Gradually, this built up a readership and led to life-changing opportunities. There was no set plan. Whenever an opening presented itself, I tried to take the bull by the horns, and ride it as far as I could.

Jenny: So what is La Carmina about?
La Carmina: It’s a chronicle of my spooky-cute world: my flamboyant friends, favorite Gothic stores, alt travel tips, underground clubs, and of course — my adorable Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow! As you can gleam from my blog posts, I’m around a lot of decadent people and places… S&M clubs and jail-themed restaurants are the tip of the iceberg.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with La Carmina?
La Carmina: I frequently receive emails from young readers who feel marginalized because of their clothing or lifestyle. They say they find strength in the world I’ve created. No matter what, I can’t let them down. I hope my site’s a space where they feel supported, and can see there are opportunities for people who walk a topsy-turvy path.

Jenny: How did you end up working with television?
La Carmina: My site organically led to TV hosting, arranging and consulting offers. Relatively soon after launching my blog, I received publishing deals for my books, Cute Yummy Time (http://www.lacarmina.com/cookingcute.php) and Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo (http://www.lacarmina.com/tokyorestaurants.php)(http://www.lacarmina.com/tokyorestaurants.php). After I did a few TV appearances, I was invited to be the guide on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods in Tokyo. This opened the floodgates to gigs with Discovery, CNN, NHK, Travel Channel, Canal Plus, Sony Australia, Dutch Pepsi and more. My First Mate, Naomi, is invaluable as a translator and fixer on Tokyo TV shoots. So the logical next step was to establish our own company: La Carmina & The Pirates. (http://www.lacarmina.com/pirates/) We also offer coolhunting, youth trend consulting, translation… you name it.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
La Carmina: Uncanny Japanese Goth doll. Spiked boots, frilled skirts, embroidered corsets, ripped tights, zombie hair clips, Day of the Dead bracelets, layers of eyelashes.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
La Carmina: I am inspired by my fellow creatures of the night, who congregate at alternative / underground parties (especially in Japan). I like to mix styles, so I draw inspiration from Goth, Victorian, Lolita, steampunk, retro and other alt fashion. Perhaps the thread that holds it together is curiosity and courage in my individual style, regardless of what others might think.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
La Carmina: Impossible to pick a favorite. I love Japanese Elegant Gothic and Aristocrat brands, like Alice & the Pirates, Atelier Pierrot, Putumayo and h.NAOTO.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
La Carmina: I wouldn’t say anything is a fashion do or don’t, since the choice depends on how it reflects the individual. However, I’m not a fan of predictability. I feel a lot of fashion bloggers champion the same brands and styling. It’s uninteresting to me.

Jenny: You have been designing clothing for different brands, which collection would be your favorite?
La Carmina: I recently released two design collaborations to benefit Japan: a HOPE benefit t-shirt with Like Atmosphere, and a panda bear necklace with Soho Hearts. Both are for sale here (http://www.lacarmina.com/main.php) (http://www.lacarmina.com/main.php), with funds going to the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims. These charity collections are meaningful to me because they’re an artistic response to the disaster; a way to raise awareness and rebuild.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
La Carmina: Be a rock star. Radiate confidence, boldness, experimentation. It looks good on everyone.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of La Carmina, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
La Carmina: Five years ago, I couldn’t possibly have imagined this career. Or that it’d lead to dream opportunities in TV presenting, coolhunting and writing books. I’m going to keep riding the tech tide, and dipping my feet in new, challenging creative ventures. I hope that five years from now, I’ll have evolved as much. Or more.

This week FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Betsy from A Few Goody Gumdrops. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Betsy?
Betsy: Betsy is a fashion blogger and editor of A Few Goody Gumdrops! I am an older fashion blogger and my taste is pretty seasoned although as I get older I lean more towards edgy and cool! I love fashion but my main focus is truly my family! I also love humor and try to add that aspect into my posts!

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Betsy: In my other life I was a Speech and Language Pathologist. I have always loved fashion! When I was in college…decades ago, each grandmother sent me money for Valentine’s Day for a good meal, I borrowed a car and drove to Louis Vuitton and bought my first LV bag. (the bags were a lot less then!) That was the start!

Jenny: So what is A Few Goody Gumdrops all about?
Betsy: AFGG is an upscale fashion blog featuring emerging trends and a coveted list of this season’s most desired goodies. We scoop on all the latest fashion forward pieces. We do a lot of fabulous giveaways with handbag and jewelry designers. We also try and provide the best places to find these ever-so cool pieces. We try and show our reader’s how to dress great every day!

Jenny: How did A Few Goody Gumdrops start?
Betsy: My girlfriend Laura Bean who is an artist said to me, “You have great taste. You should write a fashion blog! I said, “What’s a blog”?

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with A Few Goody Gumdrops?
Betsy: I have tried to use AFGG as a platform to address causes. One in particular that is important to me is Thyroid Cancer which is more prevalent in women. September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month and every year I write about how “fashionable” it is to get your neck in check! We also try and provide information on the latest trends. I remember when Japanese denim was just being introduced. The jeans were very distressed and ripped but we were wearing them right away and got a few “what are those” looks! I want my readers to have fun reading my blog.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Betsy: My personal style is simple, sophisticated and slightly edgy. I used to wear a lot of Armani and Chanel but my look has changed. I love The Row, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang, Jil Sander, Balmain, Pucci, Blumarine and Roland Mouret. Christian Louboutin, Roger Vivier and Lanvin for shoes. I have indulged myself with some fabulous Hermes bags! I also am obsessed with Azzendine Alaia!

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Betsy: My Mom and my daughter! They both have incredible style although very different. My Mom’s style is elegant and chic and my daughter’s style is edgy and very trendy. Funny thing…we all wear The Row! My grandmother also had fabulous taste…runs in the family!

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Betsy: I would have to say The Row, although it is very pricey the clothes and style just work for me. I love the leather leggings, the tops, dresses and coats! There is nothing I wouldn’t buy blindfolded! It fits my life style and always looks great! I also love Pucci. They’ve been a favorite for years because they continue to change with the time.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Betsy: I love leopard! I think leopard is here to stay. One of my favorite pieces from 15 years ago are my leopard Maud Frizon gloves that I still wear. (I am dating myself) I hate when women over-do a look…like wearing three key pieces of leopard at one time. I like to buy more classic so I can wear my outfits and accessories in season’s to come. I’ve always been a fan of suede and leather.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Betsy: Never try and look too cool. Don’t over-do your look with too many trendy and key pieces. My daughter talked me into thick heavy black frame eye glasses. I hope I’m not trying to look too cool!

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of A Few Goody Gumdrops, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Betsy: Hmmmm….that’s a tough question. I’ve often wondered that myself. Happy, healthy (that wish for my family, too) and sold out for millions!

FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Kori from Fashion-y Blog. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Kori?
Kori: I’m a writer, blogger, poet, and college student living in the Boston area. I love art in all forms, whether written on a page, performed, or (of course!) sewn into a piece of clothing. My favorite things to buy are books, boots, and handbags. By “favorite things to buy” I mean, “this is why I’m broke.”

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Kori: I really like fashion, and I wanted to tell people about it! I find the industry really exciting because it’s constantly shifting and there’s always something fresh and new. Plus, I love to write and interacting with my readers is a blast. Making fashion a conversation is what I love to do.

Jenny: So what is The Fashion-y Blog all about?
Kori: My philosophy when it comes to fashion is that it can be whatever you want it to be – a piece of art, a political statement, or just a pair of shoes. I don’t think we should take it too seriously; getting dressed in the morning should be fun! When I post on my blog, I try to keep these things in mind. I’m all about affordability, but I like to admire pieces I can’t afford. I try to make fashion accessible, but if I’m being perfectly honest, a lot of the time I just want to share my excitement over some new discovery with like-minded people!

Jenny: How did The Fashion-y Blog start?
Kori: I’ve been blogging for a long time. In 2007, I was very ill and had to take my junior year off from high school. I was too sick to participate in most of my favorite activities, so I started fooling around on the Internet and sort of serendipitously stumbled upon the world of fashion blogs. When my family got tired of hearing about the new Rodarte collection they just HAD to see, or the dress at the Gap that I REALLY wanted to try my hand at styling, I decided it was time to create my own blog. It gave me an outlet to interact with people who were as exuberant about fashion as I was, and since I’d always been a writer, it seemed like the obvious choice.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with The Fashion-y Blog?
Kori: I have no lofty goals, really. This blog has been around for a long time, and back in the day I was full of plans and high-minded ambitions. My blog was my baby, and I was always pushing myself to make it bigger and better. These days, I take a much more relaxed approach. The blog is there if I need it (and sometimes I do!), but college classes take up a lot of my time. I’m writing a book of poetry. I’m studying constantly. Sometimes, I take a break to attend a few fashion shows or check out the new designer collection at Target or even scroll through fashion Tumblrs, and when I do, I blog.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Kori: Lazy bohemian grunge. Lots of plaid flannel, lace-up boots, ripped tights, loose dresses, and the occasional floral print. My hair is always messy, and if I can add chandelier earrings or something studded (I’m obsessed) to my outfit, well that’s even better! Above all else, I like to be comfortable. No tall heels for me! I’m allergic to spending the day wobbling around with bruised toes.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Kori: Street style blogs. Have you SEEN what people wear out there?  I would kill to spend a day learning styling tricks from them. Also, blogs in general. People are so creative!

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Kori: Anna Sui has been my favorite designer for about 5 years now. I think she’s amazing. When you look at her collections, you can tell she doesn’t get too caught up in trying to shock people or do what’s never been done before. Instead, she references past fashions while making them her own. Lots of beautiful prints and colors. Very bohemian, yet very chic. And when you walk into one of her boutiques, it’s like walking into a magical museum where you’re allowed to touch anything you want. It doesn’t get better than that!

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Kori: I like a lot of the current trends. My favorite is probably mixing hard pieces with soft ones. Like a pair of tough-looking studded heels with a sheer, flowy dress, or a black leather motorcycle jacket with a ladylike skirt. The look has been in for a while, but I’m happy to see it picking up momentum and gaining popularity.

As for something I dislike…well, I guess this is a beauty trend, but fashion and beauty are so closely connected. I see a lot of girls around with feather extensions in their hair, and I’m honestly not feeling it. Every now and then, I think it looks really cool and hippie-chic when paired with tangled hair, a braid or two, and the right outfit, but most people really don’t pull it off so well. And when it’s not pulled off correctly, it kind of looks like you’ve been rubbing your head in a chicken coop or something! But I’m just being snarky. If you want feather extensions, go for it! Half the fun of fashion is wearing something because you love it so much you don’t care what anyone else thinks of it. Go prove me wrong – teach me to love the look!

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Kori: Step one: Buy a good pair of boots. Flat, some kind of neutral color (black or brown), and made of unbelieeeevably gorgeous supple leather.
Step two: Wear boots everywhere. Even when it’s kind of warm out and you know you’ll imagine everyone is staring at you when they actually aren’t because, hey, it’s summer, and you’re the crazy girl wearing boots.
Step three: Repeat.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of The Fashion-y Blog, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Kori: I have no clue. Like I said, the blog is my baby and I feel very fondly towards it. It pretty much saved me back when I was very sick, and I love having it as a medium to express myself. But I’ve grown up a lot since I started it (I was just a wee teenager!) and I’m coming realize that my future is a complete mystery to me. I know I’ll be writing, of course, but will I be writing on my blog? I don’t know. I’m excited to find out!

FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Emily from eStyleChat to hear more about her blog and her thoughts about fashion.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Emily?
Emily: I’m a social media guru from Denver, CO. I love hiking, running and yoga and really hate office jobs but know they are necessary to pay the bills! I live in the LoDo area of Denver with my wonderful boyfriend and my adorable dog.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Emily: Two things prompted me to start eStyle Chat. First, I saw a need for a blog where women who shop at JCrew over Bergdorfs and Banana over Saks could find clothes they love. And second, I realized how hard it is to have confidence in your online purchases when you can’t feel, see and try on the clothes. That’s truly why eStyle was born: to help women navigate the world of online shopping and buying.

Jenny: So what is eStyleChat all about?
Emily: We primarily focus on clothes under $300. But we’ll admit to occasionally falling in love with something special that’s closer to $500! eStyleChat is essentially online personal shopping. We review clothes, make fitting recommendations and comment on quality and style. You’ll also notice we focus a lot on shipping policies in our posts because when you shop online, everything comes in the mail!

Jenny: How did eStyleChat start?
Emily: eStyle started for me on a vacation with my boyfriend. Our vacations are pretty leisurely and “coffee hour” lasts until about noon so I had plenty of time to develop the concept and start the blog. I’d been thinking about a blog that combined personal shopping with online shopping and realized how many brands don’t have reviews, multiple views of an outfit or a personal shopper who can live chat with the customers while they shop online.

So I had known the need existed for eStyleChat for a few months before I actually had time to sit down and start writing. On vacation, I set up the blog and wrote the first few posts!

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with eStyleChat?
Emily: I hope more women see us as a resource to find the right clothes online. How often have you filled your online shopping cart and thought, “Well, maybe this weekend I’ll go to the store and try that on.” I used to do that all the time! Women can leave links on the blog and we’ll check out the clothes and give personalized style advice.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Emily: I’m not a trendsetter by any means, but I do think I’m good at picking trends that work on me! If something won’t look good on my 5’4”, I skip it. I love color and like to layer colors like caramel and purple or teal and orange.

I always try to think of Miuccia Prada when I’m dressing up to go out. She said clothes should be “tight enough to show you’re a woman but loose enough to show you’re a lady.”

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Emily: I love it when women pair crisp, clean, feminine pieces with classic, investment pieces. I always think of Katherine Hepburn and her menswear-like style. In modern day I love Anne Hathaway and, of course, Kate Middleton. They don’t bend to every fashion trend and always look so beautiful!

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Emily: This is such a good question. I have a lot of Michael Kors clothing from his line at Macy’s. It’s affordable, versatile and fits me so well! And for a super mainstream brand, I love Ann Taylor clothes. They aren’t just your mother’s clothes, I promise!

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Emily: This time of year means one fashion item comes out of closets that I wish would die: Ugg boots! I know, I know, they’re so comfortable and I’m sorry to talk bad about them but they are potentially the least-flattering thing you can put on your feet. Plus, they start looking dirty so fast.

Instead, I’m loving the two-tone riding boots that are coming out. Whether it’s herringbone or plaid fabric with brown leather or black leather with cream leather straps and boot pulls, I love the mix of fabrics and leathers on this season’s riding boots. Some of my favorite boots are from Anthropologie.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Emily: Pick what you think is your best asset and choose clothing that really highlights it. Whether it’s your legs, arms, waist or bust, don’t follow trends unless they will look great on your favorite body part.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of eStyleChat, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Emily: This is such an exciting question because with blogging, there is such a world of possibilities! In 5 years I would like eStyle to grow and provide online chat services to ecommerce clothing websites. I really think this is the future in online customer service and online shopping!

As for the blog, I’d love women to visit and leave their favorite clothing in the comments or share their thoughts on clothing with other women. It can be hard to shop online and know how something will look on you so we’re here to help.

FashionZest got a chance to interview fashion blogger Monica from
Miss at la Playa to hear more about her blog and her thoughts about fashion.

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Monica?
Monica: I live in Madrid, I love fashion and movies.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Monica: I really liked fashion photography. At first I only read the magazines because of the editorials, but I started to like the collections too, as I saw they were a vital part of the editorials and began checking every collection.

Jenny: So what is Miss at la Playa all about?
Monica: I write whatever comes to my mind, in terms of fashion and art. I like to offer a positive point of view, interviews, insider anecdotes, photos from the backstage of the fashion shows, do it yourself tutorials…

Jenny: How did Miss at la Playa start?
Monica: I had previously tried other web tools, like creating a forum, a journal at Livejournal, a proper website… and then I created an account at blogger and started writing my thoughts. I realized that it was the best way to update regularly and kept posting every week. Now I make a new post everyday.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Miss at la Playa?
Monica: At the moment I only do it because I enjoy it. I’d like to work in journalism in a magazine in the future, maybe.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Monica: Elegant and casual. Lots of jeans and t-shirts.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Monica: Movies. You can find almost every style in the movies. From The Great Gatsby to Almost Famous.

Jenny: Which is your favourite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Monica: Right now I really like Alber Elbaz, because he’s extremely elegant and knows how to combine different colours very beautifully. I also like Stefano Pilati, Stella McCartney and Riccardo Tisci.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Monica:I like the feathers trend, the (fake) fur trend, the capes… I dislike the “too much lingerie showing” trend,

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Monica: Wear what you like, but take care of colours and proportions.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Miss at la Playa, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Monica: I don’t know if I’ll still write for Miss at la Playa! It’s too much time… I think it’ll have evolved to something better.

FashionZest got an opportunity to interview fashion stylist and blogger Vanessa Valiente from V-Style , to hear more about her blog and her view on fashion!

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Vanessa Valiente?
Vanessa: I am a wardrobe stylist and fashion writer with a love of humor.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Vanessa: I have always loved fashion, how cliche, and although I began with a communications degree in college I changed it to Film with an emphasis in Costume Design to reflect that love. From there I jumped into Television and film, then added print styling and personal styling to the roster of what I do.

Jenny: So what is V-Style all about?
Vanessa: V-Style is all about fashion and beauty including news about up & coming lines as well as twists to the long standing brands, product reviews, where to find what a celebrity wore, fashion how to’s, outfit ideas, cheap and fabulous, stylish eco friendly finds and so on. It’s the blog you go to to find out about everything fashion from the mouth of a successful fashion stylist.

Jenny: How did V-Style start?
Vanessa: I started V-Style for my clients as a personal stylist. This was a way for my clients who I don’t always see get advice and my opinions daily. It also gave my services great exposure. From there it became this popular fashion blog that lots of people love and read.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with V-Style?
Vanessa: I want people to think of V-Style has an honest blog. This is a conversation between a personal stylist and the reader. I want V-Style to be the blog women turn to for positive, personal and professional fashion advice and news.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Vanessa: My personal style is incredibly diverse. One day I am chic and sophisticated, another day I am funky casual, but generally my look is very clean (not overly complicated.) I usually wear dresses or leggings. I favor rich colors and wild prints and you will rarely see me in jeans – I find jeans to be uncomfortable. I mix old and new and never buy basics. I am attracted to items I feel I will never see again. I love an untraceable look where you don’t know who made it or where it came from.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Vanessa: Movies are my greatest fashion influence. I don’t have one person I look to or think of when I imagine great fashion, instead I picture outfits. Audrey Hepburn dancing in her cigarette pants in Funny Face, Meg Ryan throughout the movie Addicted To Love, Sarah Jessica Parker in numerous moments throughout the Sex And The City series, Sharon Stone in Casino, Angelina Jolie in Hackers, and so on.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Vanessa: I hate to name one designer because I never love all their designs, and once again it is about moments. Every designer has their moments (and their flubs). Put me in any store, ANY store, and I will find something marvelous, but right now I am loving Jonathan Saunders and Jason Wu for their colors, patterns, lines and fun.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Vanessa: It’s hard for me to think of what I dislike because I am always focusing on what I am drawn to versus what I am not, but I would have to say I dislike the sky high heel trend that has been going on for some time. It’s not comfortable so I want everyone to get over it. I dress fashionably because of the way to makes me feel. If I feel uncomfortable or restricted from the pace I want to walk, I do not feel stylish or sexy. I am way too busy to waddle around on 4 inch heels and deal with blisters.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Vanessa: Balance your look. If you have volume on the bottom, put on a slim fitting top and vice versa. If you are wearing statement earrings, best bet is to skip the necklace, etc.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of V-Style, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Vanessa: In 5 years I see V-Style as being more popular than the rag blogs. I see negativity and celebrity gossip obsession giving way to an appreciation of real fashion advice and news with a positive edge.

This week, FashionZest got an opportunity to interview fashion blogger Elana Pruitt from Good Girl Gone Shopping, to hear more about her and her blog and her view on fashion!

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Elana Pruitt?
Elana: Wow…how can I sum up who I am without writing a book? I suppose you could say, in a nutshell, that I am a dreamer who is living her dreams as a writer, editor, and personal shopper. I am someone who believes in hard work and paying your dues. A 29 year-old with youthful energy and old, contemplative soul, I believe that inspiration comes from within.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Elana: As a kid, I always loved playing dress up. Mixing and matching colors, prints, and accessories was so exciting! So that passion always stayed with me. In junior high and high school, sometimes I was criticized for looking too ecclectic and “weird.” The dress-up girl in me was always there, in which I never have truly believed in fashion rules. (Of course, some don’ts are truly don’ts!). When I was in college, I worked at Nordstrom, which was a great experience. I became familiar with tons of amazing designer lines and gained a big clientele. At that time, I also interned at Hollywood Scriptwriter magazine where I learned the ins and outs of journalism and entertainment. To make a long story short, I gained a truly inspirational contact who invited me to come onto her magazine as a fashion columnist – Kaylene Peoples of Agenda Magazine played a huge role in my involvement with the fashion industry. Through her and the mag, I attended numerous fashion shows and events. My blog and business, Good Girl Gone Shopping, developed soon thereafter – just over a year ago. And now I am a contributor and editor for several other blogs and websites, and publications. It all came full circle.

Jenny: So what is Good Girl Gone Shopping all about?
Elana: Good Girl Gone Shopping is all about finding your true style and fashionable, affordable finds. I am a one-woman business, and I cater to the needs of all individuals needing assistance in uncovering the best fashion pieces for their personality, style, size, shape, and lifestyle.

Jenny: How did Good Girl Gone Shopping start?
Elana: My blog started first, which was originally titled, “Diary of a Personal Shopper.” I then created my business, called Good Girl Gone Shopping. I decided to rename my site after my business to help promote my brand. It’s also catchier! Trends come and go, but my business and blog are dedicated to providing individuals with options, tips, and good finds. I pride myself as the ‘Good Girl’ because I help others unveil there true personality through fashion. And I do so without allowing them to spend their entire life savings on a new wardrobe.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Good Girl Gone Shopping?
Elana: I hope to grow my business into a full-fledged corporation one day, where I have personal shopping appointment setters, package deliverers, large, fancy fitting rooms, an in-house, accessible complimentary coffee bar, and a private car for dropping off and picking up clients. The Rachel Zoe brand is a huge influence, as she built her business based on her passion with a dedicated team (including her hubby!)

I also hope to work with diverse fashion stylists and image consultants, one day. I would love to combine talents and produce amazing, collaborative results.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Elana: I enjoy chic style with an edge. I love all black with a pink heel as well as a men’s blazer combined with a pair of jeans and booties. I never tried to impact the lives of other women, but I began giving out tips and advice to friends and colleagues who needed help with uncovering their true personality through fashion. My own sense of style, I believe, was a big, contributing factor as to why I developed Good Girl Gone Shopping; I realized the need for my services!

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Elana: My mother’s 60s vibe with a mix of ethnic “Chico”-ish style continues to make me smile, influencing me to always stay true to who I am. Playing with colors, fabrics, and trends have always been in her vocabulary – mine as well. All of the scarves I wear in my hair today are from her big box in the closet, which have become one of my signature looks.

I also adore Gwen Stefani’s innate, fierce style. From the No Doubt “Beacon Street Collection” to her solo albums and L.A.M.B. collection, she knows no boundaries and consistently redefines a trend and what it means to be a stylish woman.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Elana: Betsey Johnson will always rock my world.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Elana: I am still unsure as to how I feel about over-the-knee boots. There is such an obvious “Look at me, I’m making a sext fashion statement” that is a little unnatural. On the other hand, I love thigh, high flat boots and ankle boots. Men’s blazers for women and the Sgt. Pepper-inspired navy and olive-colored jackets are exciting trends that look to last for some time.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Elana: Never follow trends. Rather, make them your own by putting your own twist to it based on your personality.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Good Girl Gone Shopping, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Elana: I plan to continue writing about fashion, talking about fashion, and providing my personal shopping and wardrobe consulting skills to the public. I would like to travel more, and gain a bigger national clientele while continuing to work with my local clientele and appearing in the media regarding my business (I am regularly featured as a fashion consultant on “Southern California Life,” a local cable television show). I am determined to make Good Girl Gone shopping a household name.

FashionZest got an opportunity to interview Karine, who is the creator of the inspirational fashion blog The Fashion Economist. We learned more about her blog and her thoughts of fashion.

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Karine?
Karine: I’m a girl in my twenties who’s based in Oslo and have a passion for for many things in life: Fashion, photo, web communication, design, home decor, cooking, travelling, yoga. A glimpse of that is expressed through my blog.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Karine: For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to beautiful clothes and glossy magazines. When I was a student, I got a part time job at the head office of a clothing retailer, and learned a lot about clothing production as well as the commercial part of it. I think that was wen I really got my eyes up for the world of fashion. I started to open up for inspiration and developing a more personal style.

Jenny: So what is The Fashion Economist all about?
Karine: The Fashion Economist is a blog aimed at demonstrating that style doesn’t nesessarily have to break the bank. I share my personal styling tips, post bargain alerts, like tips to sample sales, promotion codes and other good fashion and beauty buys. This mixed with outfit pictures, inpirational star – or street style pics, as well as shopping advice from travels and experiences pretty much make the framework of my blog.

Jenny: How did The Fashion Economist start?
Karine: Well, I’m an economist by profession, and probably more than averagly concerned with handling money wisely. On the other side, I don’t want to compromise my style. As I’m a rumoured bargain hunter, friends often came to me for smart shopping advice. I started to think of a way to share this with a bigger audience, and that’s how I came up with The Fashion Ecnonomist: a guide to save money without sacrifising style.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with The Fashion Economist?
Karine: Besides from sharing bargain tips, I hope to give some inspiration and share a part of my world. And of course, I love to get feedback and get to know likeminded in the blogsphere. Blogging is a great way of interacting with the world within your field of interest.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Karine: My style is playful, feminine and mood driven. I try to put an effort in every outfit and make my own styling rules:)

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Karine: I cant’ name one specific source of influence, but I pick up bits here and there. I get inspired by people on the street, photo spreads in magazines, fashion bloggers (of course), as well as friends and my sister. My favourite city is Paris, and that’s indeed an inspirational haven!

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Karine: I loved Christopher Bailey’s Burberry Prosrum s/s 2010 show at London Fashion Week. those tulle drapings and glamourous shoulders… loved it all! Alexander Wang is on everyone’s lips these days, but I can see why. I love his bags and simple, but sexy dresses.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Karine: I’ve become a great fan of mixing sloppy with glamour – like snake printed leggings paired with an oversized printed t-shirt, a tailor cut blazer of trophy jacket and platform pumps. I also adore the revised Chanel look: A ladylike cardigan and a classic chanel bag combined with distressed jeans and loads of jewelry!
I’m not that comfortable with harem trousers, though. I shall never say never, but you will hardly see me in those hang loose pants and high heels!

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Karine: I would say don’t be afraid to combine your wardrobe in unusual ways. Dress down your evening dress for daytime wear, and use accessories to bring an old piece of clothing back into style. And above all: When in doubt, dress up! The worst that will happen? You will be the party’s best dressed:)

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of The Fashion Economist, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Karine: Oh… 5 years time! I haven’t really mapped out a five year blog plan. Hopefully, I will have the chance to spend more time on my blog to improve its quality i nthe future. And if people still like my work, I’ll sure keep going:)

FashionZest got a chance to interview Michelle Taylor from Tallulah Love. Michelle, who is Managing and Creative Director of Tallulah Love Luxury Lingerie, has ten years of experience in the lingerie industry and she is the former design director or Playboy Intimates. Tallulah Love is due to launch the fabulous and newly formed brand at the Paris lingerie show, Salon de International de la lingerie, this month. The lingerie line is elegant and contemporary with a touch of vintage. FashionZest were very excited to hear more about this new brand and the creator.

Jenny: How did you get into fashion design?
Michelle: I have always loved art, drawing and design. I went to Art college after school and realised that I enjoyed graphics and fashion…. I then did a degree in Fashion Marketing at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (uk). This gave me a great grounding for my future career and enabled me to see all sides of the fashion industry. Helping me realise that the design area was the one where I had the most passion and skill.

Jenny: Why did you choose to design lingerie?
Michelle: Initially just after university a friend of mine was working for one of the largest suppliers to Marks and Spencer…a junior position came up and I went for interview. I love working with laces/fine fabrics and find it a challenge to keep creating new exciting design on something which is so small scale. Trends are still important in lingerie yet not so directly linked as outerwear. I love expressing my creative self through fabrics and colour.

Jenny: How would you describe the style of your fashion design?
Michelle: My style is very detail orientated and draws on historical/vintage references. I like to combine unusual prints/colours/fabrics to create something different though over the last few years have realised that making something commercial and marketable is obviously also very important.

Jenny: What inspires your design?
Michelle: I get so excited by colour and can design a lingerie set having been inspired by the colours on a decaying door/building on holiday in Morocco or from amazing interiors in a fabulous new hotel. People on the street inspire me…especially around London city when I go down adn visit. I love seeing how people put things together in their own way.

Jenny: How do you want women to feel when they are wearing Tallulah Love labeled clothing?
Michelle: When women wear Tallulah Love Lingerie and want them to feel elegant, sexy and sophisticated. I think Tallulah Love Luxury Lingerie can create a quiet confidence.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with the label?
Michelle: Short-term I hope that the brand will be well received in Paris and throughout Europe at the Salon International Lingerie. We will be looking for select stockists in the US aswell. Eventually we would like to open our own Tallulah Love boutiques that will sell not only lingerie but at some point swim-wear, interiors and lounge wear.

Jenny: What advice do you have for a young woman who wants to become a fashion designer?
Michelle: My advice would be to work hard, be very enthusiastic and always believe in your abilities.
Never give up and always be open to take on work experience. Many designers are lloking for enthusiastic young people to help them in the early stages and this can be a great experience for a young designer. Be proactive..email/call local design offices and offer your services…always be yourself, friendly and reliable.

Jenny: If you could choose to work with/for any fashion designer in the world, who would it be and why?
Michelle: I would love to work with Chantal Thomas as her lingerie is absolutely stunning. I love her whole brand and the way she manages to evolve with the decades while keeping things looking exciting, fresh and modern. I would love one day to have a collaboration!

Jenny: What are you working on at the moment?
Michelle: Im working on my 2010/2011 winter collection. They are all made of silk and printed with my own prints that I have designed exclusively for the collection. I am working with a fabulous factory and am waiting for my photo shoot samples to come in later this week. Im also organising the photo-shoot and sourcing models for it!! My photographer that I use is sooo talented. She’s one of the best in UK. Her name is Lara Jade…we have a similar idea about styling and colour and light and so I am soo excited to work with her again.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Michelle: As fashion tips go I would always say..wear what is great for your body shape not just what is “in fashion” then use accessories and nice lingerie to finish your look.
Never be afraid to experiment with colour!

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Michelle: I love the whole vintage look that Dior worked on the Runways earlier this year…the large petticoat skirts and little pale pink/peach basques etc. Love anything romantic/feminine. Also loving all the very fitted tailoring though too!!
Don’t like the whole ’80’s vibe, I know its a strong trend however it doesn’t work for me!!!;-)

Jenny: Do you sell your pieces? If so, where can people buy your stuff?
Michelle: We will begin selling our range from mid January this year through our Website….www.tallulahlove.com. The range will also be available from luxury boutiques and select department stores from February 2010 too.“Show some Love…show some Tallulah Love!!.xx

FashionZest got a chance to interview Mrs. M, blogger and creator of the inspirational fashion blog SlackerChic. She told us more about her blog, the future and of course.. fashion!

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Mrs M.?
Mrs. M: Mrs. M is the creator of Slacker Chic, a fashion devotee and someone who usually doesn’t talk about themselves in third person, I swear!

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Mrs. M: I have always had such an extreme appreciation for the art of fashion-especially the women that pushed the limits and made a statement with their clothes.  Chicks like Kat Bjelland, Theo Kogan, and Wendy O. Williams really opened the doors and the minds of girls like me.  Just by looking at them you could tell they were strong, independent and totally original. Fashion wasn’t about Chanel or Prada.  It was about the freedom of expression, and that’s what did and continues to stimulate my love affair with style.

Jenny: So what is Slacker Chic all about?
Mrs. M: I think it’s about a different type of woman.  Whenever people ask me what Slacker Chic is I tell them to picture the girl in the Balenciaga dress that’s bumming smokes from the valet outside an awards show.  She’s Mary-Louise Parker, Zoe Kravitz, Cat Power, Shannyn Sossamon-Sexy and stylish without trying.   I think that type of woman is underrepresented because she doesn’t fit in a certain category.  So I made one!

Jenny: How did Slacker Chic start?
Mrs. M: Well, originally I had wanted to work for a fashion magazine, perhaps intern somewhere, work my way up the ladder.  However my husband is in the military and moving away from our home (in Upstate New York) was pretty much out of the question.  I had interviewed for the local paper in my area, but without even reading my work (on the corporate infrastructure of fashion’s biggest labels) the editor deemed it “fashion fluff” and condescendingly dismissed me.  At first I felt defeated and then I thought, screw this guy.  I’m not going to have some stranger convince me I was inadequate without merit.  So I began the site because I realized I didn’t need someone’s permission to start my life.  Looking back almost two years later I’m really proud of the fact that I took the initiate. I’ve learned so much not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  From the fashion to the writing to all the stuff I’ve learned from my fellow bloggers, starting the site was one of the best decisions I’ve made.  The old saying “Where there’s a will there’s a way” is so cliché but so true!  The way might be long, but if you’ve got the will it’s worth it.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Slacker Chic?
Mrs. M: Honestly I hope to entertain my readers.  I’ve already achieved more than I had hoped for-getting to attend Fashion Week, interviewing cool people and honing my skills as a writer.  Everything from here on out is just the cherry on top.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Mrs. M: Ha, definitely Slacker Chic!  I coined the phrase about ten years ago because I didn’t like any of the other terms.  Boho, punk, preppy, I was none of those things.  I remember in 12th grade I came to school-the little punk rock lover that I was-wearing a Wu Tang Clan shirt.  This guy came up to me and was like “What are you?”  He asked if I had stopped being a punk and started being hip hop.  What a stupid question!  There are no boundaries to style.  Just the stuff that speaks to you and the stuff that doesn’t.  Same with music, movies, or any other form of art.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Mrs. M: Courtney Love was huge.  Lately I’ve been super inspired by the 70’s though.  Exploitation films, Pam Grier, the clone look of the 70’s.  Like Freddie Mercury’s “Mr. Bad Guy” cover.  If I could sew I’d create a whole line based on that simple cover alone!

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Mrs. M: I am such a worshipper of Alexander McQueen.  I think he will forever and all time be my absolute favorite.  However I’m also really into this smaller label 1Aeon at the moment.  They make the most delicious graphic prints that are great with a pair of jeans.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Mrs. M: I hate shirts as dresses!  Unless you are a tiny peanut like Mary-Kate Olsen or totally certifiable you just can’t get away with not wearing pants in public.  And wearing sheer tights underneath does not count as pants.  The trend I do love though is sky high shoes.  The more like stilts, the better.  Right now is such an exciting time for fashion though.  One good thing that came out of the recession was the revival of so many different styles, people recycling their closets.  At the moment it seems like anything goes, and that’s really amazing.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Mrs. M: Definitely to just be yourself.   I think a lot of times we get so wrapped up in the things that we like about each other that we forget to be ourselves.

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Slacker Chic, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Mrs. M: Gosh, hopefully with an even bigger kick ass cult following!  I try and make the site someplace for the fashion misfits.  You don’t have to look or act or be a certain way.  Just come as you are, be who you will and you’ll always be welcome.

This week FashionZest interviewed Melissa, who is the creator of the inspirational fashion blog FashionTrendGuide, to hear more about her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Melissa?
Melissa: I would describe myself as a fashion-obsessed blogger from southern California with a penchant for cheap chic shopping, a background in trend forecasting and trendspotting, and a love for staying active.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Melissa: When I graduated from UCLA in my early twenties, I had a degree in Psychology but no idea what I really wanted to do as a career. After working in jobs that I wasn’t passionate about, I decided it was time for some introspection, and that led me to return to school for a degree in Fashion Merchandising. I’ve had a passion for shopping and style since the age of three, so it made perfect sense to study fashion so I could do what I love. I’m most interested in trend forecasting, which involves all of the things I enjoy – traveling, photography, shopping, reporting on trends, and determining what will be the next big thing.

Jenny: So what is Fashion Trend Guide all about?
Melissa: Well my blog is an expression of all things fashion-related that inspire me. So on my blog, I might include: store window photos, my own personal style, trends on the rise, book reviews, shopping reports, mini DIY projects, museum exhibitions, events and sales, or collages of things I want. I think it’s important to have a balance of interesting images and well-written content in order to attract and retain readers.

Jenny: How did Fashion Trend Guide start?
Melissa: I always wanted to have my own fashion website, but I didn’t have any web design skills. One day in early 2007, I used Blogger to create Fashion Trend Guide when I had some extra time on my hands. At the time, I was inspired by many of the street style blogs that I had recently discovered, and I originally intended to post Santa Barbara street style, but my blog’s direction changed away from that once I began updating it.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Fashion Trend Guide?
Melissa: My aim is to inspire, educate, and hopefully, to entertain my readers. It’s also a great avenue for interacting with like-minded people and for sharing my passion.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Melissa: I don’t have a signature style, but I use several factors to guide me when I’m getting dressed. For instance, the weather, my mood, my activities, and recent inspirations help me decide what to wear. This season, I’m gravitating toward layered bangles, chunky wedge boots, cross body bags, prom skirts, faux leather, animal prints, Breton stripes, and body con dresses.

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Melissa: I draw a lot of inspiration from the many fashion blogs and magazines that I read. I tend to gravitate towards Scandinavian street style blogs and British magazines when seeking ideas for new looks. I also browse dozens of websites such as: style-bazaar.com, lookbook.nu, refinery29.com, whowhatwear.com, topshop.com, missselfridge.com, and asos.com.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Melissa: I don’t have one favorite designer, however, three of my recent favorites include Richard Chai for his polished and sophisticated looks, Ashish Gupta for his bold colors and fun prints, and Isabel Marant for her understated, French-chic vibe.

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Melissa: I’m enamored with the big-shoulder silhouette this season, as it reminds me of growing up in the ’80s. Also, anything with sequins or beading is on my style radar right now – so perfect for the festive holiday season. As for trends that I dislike, UGG boots and graphic sweatpants would probably be my least favorite.

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Melissa: Dress in pieces that make you feel comfortable, beautiful, and confident. Know what colors and shapes flatter you, and don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun!

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Fashion Trend Guide, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Melissa: I can’t tell exactly what the future will bring, but with the increasing popularity of fashion blogs, I hope that my site will grow and open up doors for future opportunities and collaborations.

This week FashionZest interviewed Todd, who is the creator of the successful fashion blog TheFashioniste.com. We got to learn more about him and his blog.

Jenny: Let’s start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Todd?
Todd: Todd is the curator and editor of TheFashioniste.com, which is an online museum of Fashion, Art, and Literature, aimed at showing how similar definitions of beauty and style have appeared throughout the centuries, and right up to today. The site presents unique sets of parallels that it refers to as “style-alikes,” which are pairs or groups of images and/or insights in which the vision of two or more designers, artists, or thinkers share an uncanny similarity. By “uncanny,” I mean that these connections point to a certain subconscious tradition of creativity, a sort of “creative subconscious” that I think is shared by the most inventive and influential people working in those realms. That may sound quite heavy, but the site exists for no reason but to inspire, and it is filled with gorgeous pictures, thought-provoking quotations, and surprising facts, which are all arranged with that goal in mind!

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Todd: My formal background is actually in language and literature, and although some people think of classical (as in, let’s say, pre-1950) literature as not having much relevance to their day-to-day lives, the fact is that there is a very long and rich history of poetry, myths, novels, and stories that overflow with ecstatic praise for female beauty–and of so many kinds–and that expression has been rightly identified as love, a phenomenon that people are still experiencing today, and which most of us spend a lot of time thinking about, talking about, and working for, in whatever sense you can imagine.
In my college thesis as an English major, I collected various beauty-related quotations from dozens of great authors and philosophers, in order to show how these profound minds had certainly not been impervious or indifferent to the power of physical beauty, and that their enthusiasm for it articulates and reflects the way that so many of those who are in love feel right now (and those quotations can be found throughout my site, especially in the updates categorized as “Literary Stuff”). The Muse, or muses, hailed by so many poets are an undeniable testament to that, and those who work in the now $300-billion-a-year fashion industry are the ones who define female “beauty,” which is still intended to have that same overwhelming effect on everyone who sees it.
When a designer’s pencil is making an initial sketch, or a makeup artist’s pencil is extending an eyebrow just one more tiny bit before the model steps onto the runway or poses for the camera, both are defining our very conception of beauty in one way (namely, fashion), just as a painter’s brush or a poet’s pen define it in another way (namely, art and literature)–and all of these different individuals contribute to how we perceive, understand, and talk about beauty in society. So, you could say this is truly a site to behold [laughs].
And classical art (again, let’s say, pre-1950) indeed fits in with all of this: classical portrait paintings of women, almost all painted by men who were enthralled by the beauty of their subjects, are analogous to the romantic love poems that were inspired by, and which feature, and were written for women who were personally known to the poets in real life. As for the link to fashion, to bring this all together, it is not surprising that many of the most successful designers working today, like Galliano, Gaultier, McQueen, and Lacroix, study and reference these portraits–which are almost always of queens and princesses–in the looks and dresses that they design. And what I would like to be is the “historian of style” who shows just how! Thus, with the advent of the Web, and the subsequent ease with which these connections can be seen and made between fashion, art, and literature, I just had to create this site and start presenting these discoveries to the world!

Jenny: So what is The Fashioniste all about?
Todd: The Fashioniste’s Mission Statement sums it up in a few lines, namely:
“Building a Bridge from High Fashion to the Works of Great Artists and Authors,
Renewing the Meaning of Culture and Contemporizing the Classical Spirit,
And Proving that Beauty and Genius are Two Sides of the Same Coin.”
It uses contemporary fashion as the starting point for an exploration of style in multiple forms, and is ultimately intent on showing that classical art and literature are just as timely and relevant to our lives as are television, film, and, yes, modern fashion! [laughs.] Just as the World Web Wide has been called “the information superhighway,” the bridge that is being built by this site is what The Fashioniste refers to as “The Culture Superhighway.”
I want to create a path along which all people are encouraged to cultivate their individuality as much as they please, and, in seeing so many definitions of beauty and style, people will be introduced to many definitions they probably have never seen before! Thus, the Fashioniste aims at paving the Culture Superhighway through the age of information. Data, or information, is what is stored on and provided by computers, but culture is what makes humans human, and all cultures have very specific and complex rules about beauty and fashion, though it is the breaking or bending of those rules that constitutes uniqueness, which is what we call “style,” and the style becomes fashion when it is copied by enough people, which, of course, happens all the time.

Jenny: How did The Fashioniste start?
Todd: I would say I have an actual “addiction” to learning, and the vast range of research than can be done online makes the hours go by very quickly for someone like me, or should I say someone with a “habit” like mine [laughs]. So, in addition to the stacks of bookmarked and self-annotated books I have in my home, there are also the many bookmarked and self-annotated websites and webpages, folders of images yet to be posted, lists of links and copied and pasted material that I learn from as well–and even this very concept behind the site is an amalgamation of ideas from authors I have read (and I name those authors and their books in the site’s defining essay, titled “Introducing The Culture Superhighway”).
It is funny to consider that the word “multitasking” was coined in reference to computers, not people, yet when someone has this kind of restless, multimedia, encyclopedic appetite that I have, that’s really the only feasible way to live [laughs]. And my site is the materialized result of all that time: it consists of exactly the stuff I most often search for and save when I use the Web. Therefore, with the mission to find more and more “style-alikes” to illustrate these ideas and to build this multi-directional bridge, the words “link” and “connection” take on an obvious double meaning.
In more basic terms, I started the site because I had been saving certain images into folders, and certain pieces of text into Microsoft Word documents, and I soon realized that I wanted to share that selected content with an audience, and present each collection of pictures and text in its own distinct format, rather than using a consistent pre-made layout. I would also like to make it clear that the site is a personal, non-commercial, academic research site, and as such, it contains no advertising. But if you happen to buy an outfit, a picture, or a book because of something you saw on the site, great!

Jenny: What current fashion trends do you like and dislike the most at the moment?
Todd: [Laughs] It’s funny you should ask that, because I actually did a whole update that was about the very notion of passing judgment on someone else’s taste, and I quoted various designers and models who have been asked that question (and compiled those answers in the update titled “A Fashion Policeman? No Way!”). I do not seek to be an arbiter of style, imposing an authoritative viewpoint, but rather a historian of style, making connections between the past and present, and between one medium and another. The site is thus intended as a resource of knowledge and a source of inspiration; I want to inspire people to express themselves more fully, in whatever form they choose, and to know, as the German writer Goethe (pronounced “Gurtah”) said, that “Personality is everything in art and poetry,” and that “Individuality of expression is the beginning and end of all art.”

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of The Fashioniste, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Todd: I see myself as having posted hundreds more pairs and groups of style-alikes, and as having introduced these connections–and the overarching concept–to many more people all over the world. I maintain that if more people got to see what has been done by the greatest minds in fashion, art, and literature (and there are so many, from all different nations and time-periods!), then those people will be able to develop their own individuality more highly, more distinctly, and, I believe, more enjoyably. But there has to be someone responsible for introducing and identifying those works to them–and who will provide that service without any objective other than the love of learning and the appreciation of art, beauty, and culture. And that is exactly what I am striving to do.
So if you go to my site and decide that you would like to be notified when the next update is posted, just send a request to one of my profiles (MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter), which is where I announce every update! I am always trying to do something fresh, different, and not merely informative, but inspirational and yes, educational — and I really hope you enjoy it!

Take a look at the The Fashioniste – www.thefashioniste.com – and see what it’s all about!

This week FashionZest got a chance to interview Joann who is the creator of the successful fashion blog BudgetChic.org,which inspires women all over the world how to stay fashionable and stylish without spending a fortune. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Joann?
Joann: You know now that my only child has flown the coup, I’m just getting a chance to re-define myself and get back to the person I was before I started my family. This is an exciting time for me because I get to focus on some of the things I’ve been wanting and waiting to do but put on hold to raise my son. I get to re-discover myself…and I’m more in tune with myself now then I’ve ever been in my life.

Being older and wiser I’m feeling like I’m really on top of my game as far as being able to represent myself to other people in a confident and strong way. I can hold my own in any setting and in any environment. I’ve learned how to interact with others so they walk away feeling good about our meeting, be it relative, friend, associate, co-worker, client, whatever.

This in my opinion, is a huge part of a person’s success in life, however they define “it”. It’s the success one can have relating to other people and making that other person’s experience with them a positive one; one they remember and smile about when they think about you.

That to me precedes all of the other pieces and elements that one would combine to achieve success in whatever industry that may be in.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Joann: I really don’t consider myself being part of the industry in and of itself. A part of the fashion blogging community, definitely…but more slanted toward interacting with the average consumer and less about the industry as a business.

The fashion blogger in my opinion, is now really a voice and force to be reckon with. The worm is turning and “real women are now starting be heard and they are setting the tone, the trends and opening up ideas by way of “street style photography”. There are a lot of fashion savvy women out here in the blogsphere and retailers, manufacturers and designers are starting to recognize that. It’s not just about the industry professionals (magazine editors, model agents, PR for designers, etc.) that are always without question setting the pace each season – in the future it could be anybodies game. I like that the script is being flipped so now your everyday fashionista has a voice. A very influential voice because of the internet and how technology is starting to shift and change things around and as far as I’m concerned change is good!

Jenny: So what is Budget Chic all about?
Joann: I wanted to showcase outfits that a woman on a super-tight budget would be able to afford and still look well put together. In other words, no need to break the bank, there are tons of affordable and very stylist options out here from major retailers that just about everybody in the U.S. has access to. What makes it even more exciting for fashionista’s on a budget is the new retail ventures that established designers are doing with stores like Kohls and Macys.

Also, instead of showcasing one-of-a-kind vintage pieces on my blog, which a lot of blogger do; I wanted to use clothing offers by affordable retailers such as Target, Kohls, JC Penneys etc., so that any woman would be able to view my outfit that day and if they decided to replicate the look, they would have no problem finding these items in their local retail stores. I have also done a designer look-for-less and inspired celebrities style outfits. I continue to get really great feedback from my fashion blogging peers and the wonderful women who visit my blog on a daily basis. That’s why I keep doing what I do.

Jenny: How did Budget Chic start?
Joann: Budget Chic was a blog I started after leaving mystylediary.net. I had alot of very positive feedback about the outfits I styled from that website over a two year period. So in late ‘07 I decided to just branch out and showcase my style through a blog posting method instead. I was able to use larger images and give more details about the clothing and accessories I was able to find from bargain shopping.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Budget Chic?
Joann: I really had no expectations, I just had this need to visual display the things that I like as far as fashion was concerned and maybe…..just maybe someone else would be able to relate to my style. I think it’s better not to go into something expecting anything out of it. My thing is “just do what you love because YOU want to do it”! Be natural, be yourself, let things flow and people will be drawn to that. Grassroots is so much more “relateable” then something overly thought-out for a specific purpose or result. No doubt I have been very pleased with the responses I’ve received and continue to receive and I’m just all about letting things happen as they happen.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Joann: I feel that one’s personal taste in clothing is an extension of their personality and it’s a very powerful, obviously personal and visually influencing thing. That’s why I find it hard to get my head around why other people allow someone else to “select and define” what their personal style should be.

It’s taken me a long time to come into my own personal style, I’ve had to learn what works and what doesn’t work and I’m still experimenting! However, now that I feel like I “own it” I can “work it” with insane confidences!!

I have a style quote on my blog that says “simplicity is everything” it’s all about balance. Ramp it up when the occasion calls for it but know how to “smooth it out” and make it all work.

Let the piece that needs to shine, shine by pulling back on other items within in your outfit. That way your pieces are not fighting with each other. I believe the clothes should never wear you, they should draw attention to you by way of your skin, hair, eyes, curves, legs, etc. When that happens you know that outfit is a stunner and your locking into and honing that technique call “personal style”!

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Joann: To date – absolutely love Patricia Field for her zany and kooky play on fashion and Dita Von Teese for her love of all things retro and structured.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Joann: I’m really loving Donna Karan right now for her beautiful s/s 2010 collection. She showed some very flowly and kinda of unstructured pieces but she wrapped and shaped the fabric to compliment a woman’s body. She use the softest brush of pastels from lilac and peach to willowy gray to create ruffle, draping and pleating but still maintaining a fitted silhouette. Just about everything can go from the runway to the store racks. Love it, right up my alley!

Jenny: What trends to you like and dislike?
Joann:

Dislike

1) Mini dresses and skirts, ready for this to so go away
2) Spandex or rubberized leggings
3) Excessive layering with unstructured pieces

These are the trends that I think only a few select body types with the correct height could pull off. It’s not something that every women could embrace or is forgiving on most body types like a wrap dress. Every woman should be able to feel incredible whether she wears a 2 or a 22! Some trends are just not well-thought out and can isolate a lot of different body types.

Like

1) Muted / pastel neutrals
2) Bold pop colors
3) Nose Bleed Platforms

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Joann: Know your body type! What works for YOUR specific body type based on your height, weight and bone structure, very important.

Try everything on and buy your size, not what you think your size should be but what fits you whether you are 5 pounds heavier or lighter that month.

Only do trends if they work with the above mentioned if not – leave ‘em alone!

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Budget Chic, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Joann: I hope that Budget Chic will continue to offer women an alternative to styling a pricey wardrobe. Dressing chic on a budget is the “new black” right now but for many women like myself it’s something we will continue to do regardless of economy conditions. We are fashionable women that love a bargain and we love a challenge!! We want to continue to show you how to “shut it down” and look incredible and well styled without spending excessive amounts of money to do it. I want to take that idealogy and expand and improve on the site and give my readers more information, more options, more bargains, more ways to save and last but not least more FASHION!!