Better Know a Blogger: Fashionotes
What makes a blog stand out from the crowd? In less than two years, Julia Che, founder of FASHIONOTES.com, and Marni Zaretsky, FASHIONOTES editorial director, found out. Their blog has already been featured on various websites, including Refinery29, The Huffington Post, NYLON and Trendhunter. The girls have had the opportunity to meet admired industry insiders and front-runners. Their success has also led them to launch their “Fashionable Faces” posters, available via the website, featuring sketches of famous fashion designers accompanied by a legendary quote. Wondering how they managed to push through the riffraff, create something that stands out and begin living the bloggin’ high life? Read on...
How do you differentiate FASHIONOTES from other fashion blogs?
Julia: FASHIONOTES.com has been a part of the online media landscape for nearly two years, but only now are we launching the site as a platform focusing exclusively on fashion and technology. While Net-A-Porter, Polyvore, Lookbook.nu, Everlane and Gilt Group are just a few of the major players disrupting the digital horizon on the fashion front, FASHIONOTES is the first of its kind as the go-to source for fashion, beauty and digital news from around the world. FASHIONOTES is Your Digital Fashion Feed.
Blogging about fashion gets you invited to awesome parties, which were your favorites?
Julia: We consistently receive invitations to product launches, fashion shows and industry events. New York Fashion Week events are always insane.
Marni: We’ve definitely had our share of rubbing shoulders with industry A-listers, but the best parties have been with good friends and great art. This year, we took part in the Dr. Martens #FIRSTANDFOREVER campaign launch event. Hanging out with the likes of Fashionista, Highsnobiety, the Airplane Boys, Marcus Troy, the crew at FashionIndie, the Grungy Gentleman and the Beckerman Sisters – to name a few – was icing on the cake.
Where do you like to go after dark?
Julia: A good night out always starts with cocktails (Tom Collins with a twist of lime for Marni) and great food, and there are so many fantastic places in Toronto. Foxley, GUSTO101 and Guu are FASHIONOTES favorites. Other venues we love are the Thompson Rooftop and the Spoke Club. We’re also really looking forward to Soho House opening up in Toronto later this summer!
What are your personal style icons?
Julia: Carine Roitfeld, Chloë Sevigny, Kate Moss, Lou Dhillon, and Anna Dello Russo. These women epitomize style through their creativity of dress, fierce confidence, and fearless sense of self-expression. They so obviously have a deep passion and appreciation for not only fashion and design, but style itself. I think Anna said it best, "I don't want to be cool, I want to be fashion.”
Any local designers we should be keeping an eye on?
Julia: Rad Hourani, Wings & Horns, Smythe and La Fée Verte are definite front-runners, but when it comes to up-and-comers, Maryam Keyhani and Erin Kleinberg are two designers to look out for.
