Fashion Be Late

An insightful and fun interview from model, photographer, and blogger Heidi from Fashion Be Late.

What are your signature pieces / traits?
I wear a lot of black & white pieces, high-waisted skirts, floral dresses & cute platforms.

What does your current wishlist consist of?
Thigh-high leather boots, a beige trench coat & leopard print high-waisted shorts.

Whose wardrobe would you steal besides the magical one in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"?
Kate Moss, definitely! I am in awe over everything she wears.

Fashion inspirations?
Kate Moss, Abbey Lee, Gemma Ward, Marloes Horst,

Favorite online shops?
Nasty Gal, ASOS, Topshop & Bardot.

Favorite local shops?
The local Westfield's & vintage markets.

How long have you been blogging?
I created my blog in November 2009 & have been blogging regularly ever since.

What made you decide to start blogging?
I have followed fashion & celebrity blogs for years now, came across Chictopia & decided that I would like to share my personal fashion & work as well.

How do you think you became so loved in the fashion blogging world?
I wouldn't say I am so loved, haha, but it's great to support each other & our blogs by leaving feedback, commenting, encouraging the people you follow.

How do your friends and family support your blogging?
My sister has a blog of her own, my cousins often check up on mine & my mum also likes to read through every now & again. They are very supportive & believe it's just me showing my creativity side.

How long have you been interested in fashion? How did your interest develop?
In the last few years I have become more interested in fashion the more I have started to model. I began to love shopping & putting together outfits. I was a tomboy growing up, but once I began modeling I started to create an open mind on outfits & over time my love has grown immensely for fashion & creativity.

Where did you pick up your style?
I think that over time I have just experimented with lots of different styles & picked out what I'm most comfortable in & what I love to wear. I still love to experiment though & always willing to try new things!

Has blogging affected your career? Has it lead you in a new direction in life?
I have been a photographer prior to blogging & since I started blogging, it has only increased my interest & passion for it. It has lead me more into fashion photography & given me far more inspiration & ideas.

Best advice to fashion lovers, bloggers and non bloggers?
Experiment with different styles & tastes of fashion. Wear clothing that compliments & is best for your figure. Do some research & get inspiration from fashion magazines, celebs, etc.

Personal benefits to blogging.
Blogging allows you to express your creative side, as well as allow you to keep up to date with people you admire. You can also make great friends in the fashion world.

Clara Smiles

An interview with the stunning blogger Maria, from Clara Smiles.

What are your signature pieces/ traits?

Love vintage clothes and recycled pieces, if I have to choose, it could be the Clasic Black Leather Jacket, Motorcycle Leather Boots and Long Sleeve Shirts.

What does your current wishlist consist of?
I'm not used to having wishlists, I prefer to surprise myself by finding wonderful things without planning, but some of my favourites this year could be the Stylestalker's Vulture Dress and the Cat-Eyed Sunglasses by Alexander Wang!

Whose wardrobe would you steal besides the magical one in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"?
Generally I get influenced by many different places, around on the web or magazines that I wouldn't choose someone specifically, mixing is more Fun!

Fashion inspirations?
As I have a family background of Rock/Techno musicians, I prefer Edgy looks, part trashy, part trendy.

To name a few, David Bowie, Robert Smith, Jay Kay, Deborah Harry, Alexa Chung, Chloe Sevigny, the whole psicodelic acid age, the punk movement too.

Favorite online shops?
I usually buy locally, so I don`t have a favorite online shop.

Favorite local shops?
I enjoy much buying my clothes on vintage markets (sometimes i have to re-adapt stuff to the look i like).

So my favorite treasure shops are flea markets.

How long have you been blogging?
Less than a year.

What made you decide to start blogging?
I wanted to make something personal, just for myself, had many pictures that I had taken and I wanted to put them on a kind of album, never expected the world liked my stuff.

How do your friends and family support your blogging?
They are very happy with it, and proud, they always show it to their friends.

How long have you been interested in fashion? How did your interest develop?
As a child I remember seeing my father singing in his PopRock band with all the make up and wardrobe for the shows. Those images, and seeing other band shows made an impact on me. My house allowed us, my brother and me, to dress the way we liked, which was generally different from the other kids and always music influenced.

Where did you pick up your style?
I think style is a work in progress, I never think about it. When I take pictures, I start with a simple idea but never know how it will end up, most of the times is just me with my clothes at home with the camera. I`m surprised that most of the people find a Style and Defined Ahestetic on my work, I think everybody has their own Style and exploration is the key to find it.

Has blogging affected your career? Has it lead you in a new direction in life?
In my country blogging is not as popular to properly affect your life or career, but it has opened my mind in new directions certainly.

Best advice to fashion lovers, bloggers and non bloggers?
Just believe in yourself, follow your heart, develop your own style.

Personal benefits to blogging?
I`m happy to show my little world and receive instant feedback from many marvellous bloggers. As i`m the photographer in most of the shots, it`s also great to share my personal view of my things and my place. I have known many wonderfull people (virtually) which I wouldn´t if it wasn`t for the blog.

Lulu and your mom

Lulu and your mom

What are your signature pieces/ traits?
Jewelry is probably my signature. I wear a mix of Pamela Love and Yves Saint Laurent, and my red cord bracelets that my mom made for me (they're for good luck). My mom is very superstitious.
I'm also into loose fit tees and dresses.

What does your current wishlist consist of?A Pamela Love cross necklace, these American Apparel striped tights, and sheer socks, and this Limi Feu dress (isn't it amazing?)

Whose wardrobe would you steal besides the magical one in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"?
Mary-Kate, Erin Wasson

Aside from that, Celia Birtwell, wife of Ossie Clark. I bet she had the most amazing collection of 60's Ossie. And Courtney Love. Because... well... wouldn't you figure she'd hoard some crazy good shit?

Fashion inspirations?
Movies. Hot women. Japan.

Favorite online shops?
Bonadrag.com
Topshop.com
Shopbop.com

Favorite local shops?
I love Barneys (haha I know it's not really a "local shop", but we have one). And my friend Jenny's store Acrimony. She has a strong affinity for jewelry as well. And the Litter girls make gorgeous chains and shoe jewelry. They were kind enough to lend me a bunch for a cover shoot I did.

How long have you been blogging?2 years.

What made you decide to start blogging?I was creating content for a fashion networking start up. I took a bunch of pictures of myself and wrote up a few funny things. And I had all this extra material left over so...
my friend was like, "you should start a blog, I think people would really like you."

How do you think you became so loved in the fashion blogging world?
When I started my blog, the "blogging world" was relatively small. I kind of became the face of this start up, and I think a lot of young girls came to associate me with helping to grow this community.

How do your friends and family support your blogging?
My friends dig it. It's a great way for friends who live far away to keep up with me. My family doesn't really get it. They've never been that supportive of it, and I still struggle to make them understand. In a way, it's good, because they keep me grounded. It's bad, because... of the obvious.

How long have you been interested in fashion? How did your interest develop?
I've always been interested in fashion. It's the only thing I've ever been sure of. When I was younger, I used to lurk on AOL fashion message boards and other forums - total creep.

Where did you pick up your style?Right now, I'm settling into what I feel most comfortable wearing. I think I've tried every single look out there - goth, rock, girly, vintage, etc. And I always go back to the same look. Kind of Japanese, kind of street, with lots of slouchy elements, and tons of jewelry.

Has blogging affected your career? Has it lead you in a new direction in life?
It's given me so many wonderful opportunities. But moreso, it's helped me develop who I am and what I want to do with the rest of my life. This year will be very exciting, as I'm currently working on several deep rooted projects. I can't wait to share it with everyone!

Best advice to fashion lovers, bloggers and non bloggers?
Don't blog to get famous.

Personal benefits to blogging (can be immaterial or material).
I get to collaborate with publications and designers I admire a lot, such as POP magazine and Burberry. It also pushes me to learn layout, a little html, and other technical aspects. Learning is fun.