Interview  and photos by Amiee Wu

http://www.urbanebloc.com/
eye of the blogger

1. Originally, why did you start urbanebloc?
I started the blog because I needed a creative outlet. When I was designing for a specific brand or association, or in school and in personal life I didn’t have a place to put all the designs and things that I found. It just seemed like a good home for it. I wanted to be a journalist growing up and I love graphic design so it was a good way to mash everything together and to produce something that was uniquely my own. I officially started it August 2007, but I became more active a year and a half ago.

2. How do you think fashion media has evolved? And the role of fashion bloggers in the industry?

It has evolved in the sense because people have become more accepting, because you have that imagery that fashion is elite and only caring about the who’s-who in fashion. Now, a lot of power has shifted towards these people that are self-created. People have not only accepted but recognized it as a new form of creativity and something that is original.

3. What do you consider when your blogging and preparing material? What are some suggestions you can give for aspiring bloggers?

I just kind of pick and chose whatever catches my eye. Blogging is pretty instantaneous, I don’t like to think “too-too” much about it because by the time you decide, it’s done and gone. I like to talk about things that are current and things that are really unique that will make people take a double-take. I try to incorporate things from all over. I don’t want to focus specifically on fashion because there is a lot of stuff in music, fashion technology, up and coming things, local Toronto fashion. I think that makes it more unique and meeting inspiring people. In terms of tips for inspiring
bloggers, I think blogging is not overthinking it because it’s not like print media. It’s being able to look at a lot of different things and self editing and really figuring out what your own style of writing is. A lot of people can just spit out the facts, but it’s putting out your voice that really makes a difference.
It takes a lot of passion. People can see through if you’re not genuine about it. What makes a good blog is someone that knows what they like and knows how to share it. And someone that has a creative take like Yulanda from little thoughts has incredible photography that I’ve seen in fashion blogging that deserves to be recognized.

4. Who are your favorite designers?

From last fashion week, I liked Katrina Tuttle. Evan Biddell and Greta Constantine are great. I like looking
at designers that have beautiful focus on their craftsmanship and coming up with something really original and new. I liked Nada lace Victorian style clothes from last season. It was very beautiful and amazing because it was such delicate material.

5. Who is your fashion icon?

I like Rumi from FashionToast. I really like the things that she pulls because some of them are classics and put together outfits that you never thought about. I really like people that mix in vintage.

6. How would you describe your personal style? And where are you favorite places to shop in Toronto?

I like to mix things that are really girly to things that are more boyish. I try to mix different concepts. I like a lot of patterns and I shop vintage sometimes. For vintage, I recommend 69 Vintage Depot on Bloor. I like it when vintage is merchandised in a very beautiful way and organized and it’s almost like you’re going to a boutique. I like buying a lot of local designers like Jessica Jensen and sometimes shop at the clothing show. I also recommend Blossom Lounge on Unionville and The Rage Toronto.

7. What do you think Canadian fashion industry has to offer?

I think it has a lot offer. There are a lot of different types of culture and it’s so multicultural that it really pulls from different elements. There is a lot of potential and opportunity for people to make a name for themselves in the industry. We have great retailers like Holt Renfrew that have their support in Canadian fashion.

8. What does a typical day look for you?

I work full time uptown but there are a lot of events going on. It’s kind of a day and night contrast, in the day you’re focused on something completely different from fashion and in the night all the other stuff emerges. I try to fit in a lot of different things like shopping, surfing the internet, twitter, and meeting a lot of people.

9. Coming from a business background, what made you choose what you are doing right now instead?

I always was a creative kid. I think I had an origami business when I was in grade six. I was always the type that really liked to somehow figure out how I can combine both. Business is a good foundation, it’s really good to be aware of what going on and how things function, but you need the creative element to take you to the next level. Having the understanding of both worlds has been very helpful and beneficial to what I am doing.

10. Aside from blogging and writing, what do you do in your spare time? How do you de-stress?

As of lately, I’m trying to do snowboarding, to remove nothing to do with anything kind of thing. A lot of what I blog about are my hobbies. I like to go to live events, I like reading random books and discovering new music. I like wandering downtown and take photos and learning about videos. I have a couple of art projects on the go and I also event plan. I’m trying to start Lip-Dub TO where you dub over videos with people singing to it- just a lot of fun random things.

11. What are some of your favorite blogs and websites?

I really like looking at clothing related lookbooks. I like local sites like 1LOVETO that create a lot of amazing culture-based content, blog TO, Yulanda’s little thoughts, and Danielle’s final fashion. And also other blogs like FashionToast and the Satoralist. I like it when people send me new things and getting connected with people.

12. What are your plans and goals for 2010?

This is the year to do things bigger and better- I hope. I want to step out a little more out on my own and try to travel more and capture things that aren’t just local. I want to experiment a little more with personal style and international things. Also to get out there more and meet people that are not only just in fashion but also in music or technology.