Grasie Interview

DW__(What's your name? How old are you, where do you live and what are you doing in your life?) 

Grasie Mercedes, Los Angeles CA, I'm an Actress, Host and Fashion Blogger.

DW__Where would you love to live? 

I love living in Los Angeles actually. I was born and raised in NYC and loved every minute of it but there is something special about LA. It's a big city but there's also so much beautiful nature around with all the great hills and beaches. vWhen did you started blogging? About 2 1/2 years ago. 

DW__How did you come up with the idea? 

When you're an actress, you usually have to have some sort of "day job" to sustain your living between gigs or before you get your "big break". Most people wait tables, but I waited tables all through high school and college and was over it, so I got into styling. Once I started styling, I learned about fashion blogging and got addicted. Then, one day, I thought "I should do that!". That's when I turned my personal "actor" website into a blog. It keeps me busy and gives me a creative outlet, plus it's fun to see how my blog and style has evolved over the years. I love it!

DW__What does fashion mean to you? 

I don't like to take fashion too seriously...it's just a fun expression of me! I think fashion should make you feel great about yourself and confident...it should never be intimidating or unattainable. 

DW__How would you discribe your style? Where do you get your ideas from? 

I like to describe my style as "Lazy chic" - vintage, colorful, fun and simple. My style tastes change often but it's always fun and not too complicated. I get my ideas from other style bloggers and magazines. I'll see how a model was styled in a campaign and if it catches my eye, ill see how I can take elements of the look and work it into my own wardrobe. 

DW__What is your greatest inspiration? 

In life? My mom. In acting? The greats like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett, In fashion? Photography. 

DW__You made a video for Forever21 few weeks ago, tell us more about this feature with the others bloggers. 

It was a super fun video project and the 2 girls I worked with Marie from Blame It On Fashion and Bethany from Snake's Nest were so sweet and cool to work with. We had a blast shooting and the video played on a huge TIMES SQUARE digital billboard in NY, which was beyond exciting. 

DW__Who is your favorites designer? 

Hmm, I have soooo many! Unfortunately, I can't afford to pay for my favorite designers (not yet at least!) but I still look to them for inspiration. They are Chanel, Isabel Marant, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Phillip Lim. Chain store wise my favorites are Zara, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and Top Shop.

DW__What is your favorite material? 

Nothing better than good ol' denim! I mean, could we really live without jeans?! :)

DW__What is your greatest inspiration? 

Answered above.

DW__Who would qualify to be an icon? 

There are so many icons in the world in different fields and I say an icon is anyone who excels at their craft. Someone who embodies it. For me icons are Coco Chanel (fashion), Michael Jackson (music) and Meryl Streep (acting) to name a few. 

DW__Your ideal female or male would have what style? What would he/she be wearing? 
Individual style! I admire anyone who has a unique sense of style that they pull off like nobody's business! It's all about working with what you got and I absolutely love when someone turns my head because they are fierce and confident in what they are wearing. 

DW__Websites? blogs? other links? 

My 3 favorite style bloggers who's fashion sense I love are Natalie Off Duty, Song Of Style and Because I'm Addicted...I would literally wear any and everything these ladies own. 

DW__One last/final word? 

Thank you. (technically 2 words, I know :)

Grasie's blog

Charlotte Interview

DW__Présente toi en quelques mots.

Je m’appelle Charlotte, j’ai 31 ans, je tiens le blog Balibulle.com, j’habite à Paris, j’ai un carlin qui s’appelle Tartine, et je suis journaliste en presse quotidienne.

DW__Pourquoi avoir créé un blog mode? depuis quand existe t-il?

Dès que j’ai découvert l’existence des blogs mode en 2006, j’ai eu envie de me lancer. Mes copines n’étaient pas trop branchées fringues donc j’étais seule avec mes états d’âme vestimentaires et mes coupures de magazines. Quand j’ai compris que tout cela pouvait se partager, j’ai créé Balibulle. Deux fois d’ailleurs : la première en novembre 2006, puis la seconde en avril 2008, avec quelques mois d’interruption dans l’intervalle. J’ai pensé, à un tournant de ma vie personnelle il y a cinq ans, pouvoir m’en passer. Mais l’envie de bloguer est revenue au galop.

DW__Pour toi, qu'est ce que la mode?

C’est moi... en mieux !

DW__Que penses-tu de l'influence des blogueurs/blogueuses mode dans le monde de la mode?

Je la trouve naturelle. Le monde de la mode a toujours été le trait d’union entre le rêve et la rue. Et la rue a toujours fait de la mode ce qu’elle voulait.

DW__Crois-tu qu'un jour ils vont remplacer les magazines de mode ou penses-tu que c'est juste éphémère?

Ni l’un ni l’autre, parce que les blogs n’ont rien à voir avec la presse mode. Un blog n’engage que celui qui l’écrit, il reste une sorte de journal intime, foncièrement subjectif, que l’on suit au quotidien, comme une conversation (surtout quand il y a un dialogue par le biais des commentaires). Un magazine, lui, garde une fonction d’information, et se construit collectivement. Pour le lecteur, on n’est évidemment pas dans le même type de contenu, mais surtout, pas dans le même type de lien.

DW__Selon toi, quelle époque est la plus marquante pour la mode féminine? Pourquoi?

Les années Folles, parce qu’elles ont définitivement libéré le corps des femmes et que toutes les créations de cette époque-là sont encore d’une modernité et d’une allure inouïes.

DW__Es-tu du genre à suivre la mode au "tissu" près ou l'adaptes-tu à ton style personnel?

Comme tout le monde, j’adapte ! Les tendances sont une boîte à idées dans laquelle je suis toujours curieuse de plonger, de fouiller... que j’y trouve mon compte ou non. Et puis je peux mettre beaucoup de temps à porter mes nouvelles acquisitions, mon rythme intérieur est assez mystérieux, même pour moi ! Comme beaucoup de gens de ma génération, qui ont grandi sans Internet, je suis une boulimique d’images... tout en étant lente à les digérer. Les effets de telle influence se font parfois ressentir des mois plus tard.

DW__Décris le en quelques mots.

De plus en plus “mix and match”. Et un peu plus graphique qu’avant. J’ai adopté, pour longtemps j’espère, une coupe de cheveux elle-même très graphique, du coup les fringues un peu bohèmes, que j’adore et possède en nombre, me flattent moins bien. Donc je dois réajuster le tir.

DW__Où puises-tu tes idées?

De plus en plus sur les photos de streetstyle et les blogs mode. J’ai un quotidien très auto-boulot-dodo, donc j’ai besoin du Net pour “voir le monde”. Et c’est quand même là, davantage que dans la presse mode ou sur les looks des célébrités, qu’on peut se projeter physiquement.

DW__Est-ce important pour toi d'être bien habillé pour chaque occasion, que ce soit à une soirée entre amis, à la terrasse d'un café ou bien pour aller chercher le pain tout simplement?

Dans l’absolu, oui, j’aimerais être au mieux de moi-même à chaque instant. Mais la flemme ou le manque de temps m’en empêchent de temps à autre. J’admirerai toujours les femmes qui se font un devoir d’élégance en toutes circonstances. Comme disait Coco Chanel “Ne sortez jamais de chez vous, même pour cinq minutes, sans que votre mise soit parfaite. C’est peut-être le jour où vous allez rencontrer l’homme de votre vie.” J’ai toujours vu ma mère sortir avec au moins le “minimum syndical”, pour moi la normalité, c’est ça.

DW__Selon toi, quel est le “crime de mode” par excellence?

La fadeur. Qu’au moins, on se marre un peu!

DW__Quel est ton accessoire fétiche?

Un foulard. Parce qu’absolument aucun autre vêtement ou accessoire (et vous pouvez chercher) ne concilie autant de style et de confort à la fois.

DW__Ton designer préféré, pourquoi?

Zara. Parce que c’est là que je retrouve tous mes designers préférés!

DW__Ton idéal féminin ou masculin aurait quel style ? Porterait quoi?

Masculin, il aurait un caban avec un col relevé et un beau jean. Le chic décontracté absolu et éternel.

Féminin, un mélange d’imprimés, forcément.

DW__Aujourd'hui c'est shopping. Ton lieu must du must?

Tout dépend quel budget j’ai à disposition... Disons le Bon Marché. Bien approvisionné et souvent désert.

DW__Qui qualifierais-tu d'icône?

Taylor Tomasi. Parce que je n’arrive pas à analyser comment elle fait (même si je n’aime pas tous ses looks) donc elle a un mystère très attractif. Je la trouve imprévisible et j’adore quand la mode est aussi libre, créative et surprenante sans jamais virer au déguisement.

DW__Site(s)? Blog(s)? Autre(s) lien(s)?

Mes deux coups de coeur sur la blogo française ces derniers mois :

Le blog “De la sape” de ma copine Marina (http://maifreakinlipstick.blogspot.fr), parce que je suis juste aux anges qu’elle se soit lancée sur la blogo pour de bon, elle est un peu ma Taylor Tomasi : on n’a pas toujours les mêmes goûts mais elle est super inventive et je me “nourris” de son énergie, tel un vampire !

Et Aurore (www.a-certain-romance.fr) dont j’aime la cohérence et le putain de bon esprit.

DW__Mot de la fin ?

Oser, oser, oser ! Parce que c’est long, qu’il faut du temps pour enfin se jeter à l’eau, alors autant se mettre au boulot tout de suite.

Charlotte's blog

Géraldine Interview

DW__Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I was Born, raised and educated in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, and I've been living in Dallas Fort Worth for the last eight years. I'm an artist and former model in my thirties, married, with a handful of children. 

DW__When did you started blogging?.

I first started blogging about my art in 2005 and in 2008 about all my other passions, specially my passion for shoes. When I moved to Tx and didn't have the same environment to express and share my talents, blogging became the outlet to share what I enjoy, my passions, my art, myself.

DW__How did you come up with the idea?.

I grew up always fascinated by beautiful aesthetics in architecture, photography, couture, art. As a little girl I believe many things influenced me to appreciate the beauty of art and most came from my maternal grandparents.

DW__Where does your passion for shoes come from?.

Things, people and places I can remember are for example my very well mannered grandfather, my grandmother's beautiful 50's dresses, her exquisite jewelry, her gold mirrored tray with Chanel #5 and vintage Shalimar (the one with the red dot) perfume bottles on her dresser... and because of their house, I'm utterly biased towards mid century furniture and architecture.

From my first vivid memories of beautiful things and shoes, I can remember an alluring vintage bootie mounted on a perfect piece of wood. Later I discovered it was the first shoe they made at Van Raalte, they had open a factory in the island and my grandfather was the general manager for Puerto Rico & the Caribbean. 

Also I remember towering models in very high heels, dresses and sequins at my late godfather's atelier, he was a very talented and well known fashion designer in the island. He gave me my first easel and art set as christmas present.

Another important influential memory, of course, is my first heels, it was a pair of 4" tall Pedro Garcia pumps, my mom got them for me when I was 15. Also my mom was a seamstress who got a lot of knowledge from my godfather and from them I learned how to design and sew.

DW__What's your favorite brand for shoes?.

Favorite shoes designers... wow this one is difficult because I have many,... Balenciaga, Givenchy, Miu Miu, Marsell. I also like some young shoe designers like Sophie Gittins, Alexander Wang and Raphael Young.

DW__How many pair do you have?.

How many pairs do I own? :) ...I got to count a hundred and fourteen and then I got tired, so lets say, over a hundred pairs.

DW__How important is it for you to look your best and why? .

I consider appearance as an avenue to manifest your own personal statement. To express with and for you or with others.  Owning your style is important because is part of your personality. Besides that, my motto is, better overdressed never underdressed!

DW__What is fashion for you?.

There is a quote from Lauren Hutton that states my vision for fashion...  “Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” I believe in style and to have a great style you must play and create unusual juxtapositions with what fashion gives you.  If I like something I wear it and style it but I don't believe or follow trends.

DW__How would you describe your style?.  
I don't think I can categorize my style under one name... I love the 50's therefore I love feminine silhouettes, full skirts, hats, lace! lots of lace. But sometimes I like to add certain androgynousness to an outfit, there I apply my belief in juxtaposing the unusual. Lush and elegant, tough & soft, masculine & feminine, it also depends on how I feel every day and dressing up usually starts with what shoes I want to wear.


DW__Where would you like to see your blog go in the future? .

Looking forward I hope a lot of people still like my blog, It's nice to share what I love and it makes me happy when others enjoy it.

DW__If you had to choose only one pair of shoes what would it be?.

Choose one pair of shoes, Oh no! That's tough!! :) I can't choose just one pair!... I just can't live without high heels,... I guess if  had to pick just one pair of high heels I would say my Balenciaga lace up booties.

DW__One word to describe fashion?.

My word to describe fashion would be art.

DW__A fashion advice?.

Fashion advice, I would say follow your instincts not what everyone else is wearing. Learn what compliments you and create your style, have fun. And always remember that it is all about the shoes they can make an inexpensive outfit look like a million bucks or an expensive outfit look like misery.

DW__Websites? blogs? other links?.

I have many links and websites I like, it would be a very long list... lets see...for shoe shopping I like yoox.com, for vintage and artisan accessories I like atlantisdrygoods.com,  architecture I like freshome.com or dwell.com. In art I like abduzeedo.com and artlog.com and for other blogs, I like all the ones I have on my blog's star list.

DW__One last/final word?.

Create! Be stylish not fashionable and of course... better overdressed, never underdressed!

And to you ladies, thank you very much I had a great time with your interview. 

Géraldine's blog

Justin Interview

DW__When did you started blogging?

I started blogging my personal style in November of 2011.

DW__How did you come up with the idea?

I was always approached for fashion "advice" and shopping questions so I figured I would start giving some outfit inspiration to friends and colleagues. It ended up becoming something so much more than I could have imagined.

DW__Discribe your personal style in a few words.

Classic with a colorful twist.

DW__According to you, what is the most significant period for men's fashion?

The 1980's were a defining period for menswear worldwide. Both men's and women's fashion have been greatly influenced by the menswear techniques of the 1980's. Oversized silhouettes, pinstripes and dropped crotch defined this colorful era in fashion... something that we've seen have a big influence on designers of today.

DW__In your opinion, what makes fashion an amazing world?

Fashion is much more than just an article of clothing. There is a personality behind every piece and an interesting story waiting to be discovered. Style is something that is very personal and subjective. Every one can have amazing style as long as it is backed by rock-solid confidence in yourself. Fashion allows you to express yourself creatively and being able to see this creativity on a daily basis is so very inspiring.

DW__What is your favorite accessory lately?

I'm a "shoe guy"... and one of my favorite styles has always been a classic brogue.

DW__Who would qualify to be an icon?

While Icon status would be lovely, it's not exactly what I'm reaching for. I want to give people a reason to feel great about themselves and realize fashion is so much than being "on trend".

DW__Who is you favourite designer? why?

Both SUNO and Proenza Schouler are at the top of my list right now. Both brands have a definitive attention to detail and create beautiful pattern-mixed silhouettes season after season.

DW__Your ideal female or male would have what style? what would he/she be wearing?

If they have confidence in what they are wearing - they could dress however they like. Although I'm not terribly convinced of the "goth look"... that may be where I draw the line :)

DW__What is your greatest inspiration?

I'm addicted to the natural, carefree style of residents in Nordic countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

DW__How important is it for you to look your best and why?

As a fashion blogger and stylist, I'm being looked at as an "authority" in matters of style. It's like any role you take one, you have to LOOK the part to GET the part. While I'm not as focused on what I'm wearing every hour of every day, it's still extremely important that I look put together.

DW__Websites, blogs, link?

I'm currently posting all of my looks on my blog: www.munrowe.com.

DW__One last/final word?

The pursuit of style as an artistic expression of who you are is a great story. I can't wait to read yours. If any readers ever have style questions, I'm available by email or Twitter (my handle is @justinliv).

Justin's blog