- how would you describe your style?
I think my style's pretty old-fashioned and romantic since I wear mostly dresses and skirts and I'm always being drawn to florals and ruffles and pretty colors. I do wear mostly vintage too since in most cases it's less expensive than buying new, but also I just like it. It's nice to be able to wear a dress that has history in it--also I never have to worry about showing up to a party and having on the same dress as another girl! Which sounds really corny, but it's true! In summer my style pretty much consists of pretty vintage dresses and tall, ugly-ish shoes; I love the mix of pretty and ugly, I guess.
- what is your most cherished possession in your wardwrobe?
Meet Ashley Moe, young married darling, beautiful woman with a nack for good style. She is a model for vintage clothing stores, such as 1918 Vintage. You can find her on here http://www.sleepyfawn.blogspot.com.
- how do you define true beauty?
I think someone is truly beautiful when they're kind. It has nothing to do with your outward appearance, as long as you're sweet to others. I can barely believe how some "pretty" girls have friends, when so many of them aren't very nice. The loveliest people I can think of are the very sweetest to everyone.
- as you mature, do you find it is easier to be more yourself?
I definitely think that as I've been growing up, it's been easier. As you get older, your friends start to change and you're no longer identical to the group of people you've spent so much time with. I didn't really notice myself becoming the way I am until I noticed how my friends have greatly changed. I got married and moved away from my friends a year and a half ago, and that took a lot of growing up. My old best friend and I were exactly the same, but now we're going very different directions, and I can clearly see how I'm really becoming my own person.
I'm sure I'll always be inspired by others, but as I'm maturing, I'm building a strong foundation for myself!
- how would you describe your style?
I think my style is feminine and simple. Dresses and high waist skirts are staples in my wardrobe, and although I love accessories, I rarely ever have them. I can hardly stand to wear a t-shirt with jeans, but I do love to wear them with skirts and cardigans. I just feel too slobbish without some romantic femininity!
- who is your fashion icon?
Oh gosh, I don't think there's one person in particular. I'm really inspired of lovely ladies from the past, pre-1970's. I just love how women used to wear dresses everyday, and even make masculine pieces seem feminine. I really adore the styles of Audrey Hepburn, Jane Birkin, Francoise Hardy, Zelda Sayre, and as for present day, I love Kiera Knightley's style. My mom's style is also an inspiration to me. She always taught me to dress and act classy, and be a lady!
- what would you tell young girls who are struggling with accepting themselves for who they are?
I think young girls should know that God made them perfectly, exactly how they are. I'd tell them that everyone is meant to be different and special in their own way, and just think of how boring it'd be if we were all the same! Even as you get older, there will always be people who judge you for superficial reasons, and there will always be a standard that girls feel they have to reach. All material things will eventually perish though...what matters is that you can love and accept yourself, and you'll find real friends and quality people who will do the same.
It's hard for me too, at 20, sometimes, because there are so many beautiful people that us girls think we have to live up to. I used to compare myself to others, until I realized how much time I was wasting on something so vain and silly. The odd traits you have only add to your character, and can make you even more lovely if you only learn to accept them. We're all made so uniquely, and we're all beautiful on the outside if we are on the inside. Like Sara from The Little Princess said, 'I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us."
- what inspires you the most?
I'm really inspired by colors and shapes. If I see a certain silhouette I like in a magzine, I try to search for it to incorporate into an outfit or art piece. I'm also inspired by music and stories that make me feel a certain way, that make me want to dress and create things in a certain way. The book Le Petit Prince as been so inspiring to me. It reminds you that all growups were once children ("although few of them remember it") and to always keep that childlike heart.
This is Emma Kavan, a lovely and talented photographer with excellent style. She is my first interview, so this is like, historic! You can find her here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmatakesphotos/
-what inspires you the most?
I get most of my inspiration from my environment, and the beautiful things about our planet- like evening sunlight or the sky or long shadows on dusty roads. With my photography and writing, the world around me inspires my pictures totally- if its a cloudy day where the light is dim and the world is grey, I am usually totally at a loss for ideas. It's when I'm walking at sunset, and the world is bathed in gold that I am at my most inspired. There's a poem by Herman Hesse which goes
'What is mine belongs to no one,
The plunging brook behind the veil of the woods,
The frightening sea,
The bird whir of children at play,
The weeping and singing, lonely in the evening, of a man secretly in love.'
and I think that is so applicable to my life, the things I treasure the most, that inspire me the most, are things like that. Things that belong to no-one.'
-who is your fashion icon?
I really have to say Alexa Chung! To me, she is the perfect representive of British indie style. I'm glad she's popular in America now, because she's showing the best of our fashion abroad. I got really excited the other day because i saw a picture of her wearing a cardi i also own! haha! I admire Hayley Williams, because she seems so comfortable in her own skin. I remember reading a quote from her ages ago saying that she wasn't one to be wearing cleavage flashing tops or whatnot, and i think she proves you can be totally sexy and confident without being like LOOK I'VE GOT MY BOOBS OUT! haha.
- how would you describe your style?
My style changes on a daily basis! I guess I typically fit into the more indie/alternative category. I love to mix vintage clothes with new ones, and unusual jewelery to create edgy, individual looks. I love bargains and second hand shops.
- what is your favorite item in your closet?
Right, I'm going to run and loook through haha! Well, I have these topshop jeans with studs running down the legs which I LOVE. my best friend bought me them, so I guess they are kind of sentimental too :) But other than those, there's this skirt which I wanted for AGES from Topshop. I wasn't sure if I should buy it or not, because it was like 30 odd pounds which is like $50. And I'm such a cheap skate haha! But, when i got to the till, it turned out to be only £15 :D
- if you had one store to shop at, what would it be?
Well, it depends on how much money i had! Let's say I have unlimited money ;D! I think Urban Outfitters because it is so so nice, or Topshop. The only thing with Topshop is that a lot of the stuff you have to think 'Who else do I know who has this?!' because like ALL my friends shop there. Love it though.
- what gives you confidence?
Hmm. I think that confidence should come from within, as opposed to how you look -be comfortable with who you are, and your confidence will flow naturally (cheesy, I know!) But I realised lately that, things about us which make us feel unconfident, like scars or birthmarks or spots really really shouldn't, because we are all human and we all have these things. You shouldn't let them hold you back from being confident. Of course though, the support I get from everyone on flickr and all my friends and family when it comes to photography is amazing, and it really makes me confident in my ability to do better
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