Interview with Mrs. M from Slacker Chic

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.