Better Know A Blogger: Kendall Donaldson
By day, Kendall Donaldson is a harbinger of vintage cool and marauder of tradeshow planning at Dx3 Canada. By night, she's a much-loved fashion blogger who brings her trademark unpretentious narcissism to the world by way of her self-titled blog and self-taken editorial-style photos. She's only been blogging for two years and has already been named one of Canada's top 15 fashion bloggers and featured by Lucky Magazine and Nordstrom. More recently, Kendall was selected by MasterCard as one of three official bloggers for the Toronto Fashion Week companion site, Stylicity. Check out this chic chick below...
Describe your blog in 140 characters.
A Toronto-based narcissistic fashion blogger who rummages through her grandmother's vintage gems, gets dolled up and takes photos of herself!
Why did you start blogging?
It was supposed to be my portfolio from school, but my site quickly became a productive distraction while unemployed. I wanted to get back into photography, and while I tried to convince my friends to let me take photos of them (which they now deny ever refusing), I knew I only had one option: If I wanted to get back into it, I'd have to do it all myself. I had a closet full of amazing clothing, and I loved the idea of creating little editorial shoots – which I continue to do myself even now. I still like this approach, and take 90 per cent of my own photos. I find it's better that way.
How would you describe your style?
A mix of vintage and designer. Items on my blog stem from anything and everything – either real vintage from my grandmother (1950s to 1970s), thrift finds from Value Village or my Mum that range between the 70s and 80s, and vintage-esque designer pieces that are usually inspired, again, by the early boho 1970s. Clearly, I have a thing for the 70s. I'm a modern bohemian.
Some people have called you a narcissist. Do you think that's true?
Definitely! I'm an only child, so some may say that I was born a narcissist, although I hate that there seems to be this negative connotation that goes along with it. Freud said that narcissism was a natural part of the human makeup. I believe that my so-called "narcissistic traits" come from being confident and extroverted. By no means do I feel that I am elite, or that I am better than anyone. I'm not. I just like to take photos of myself frolicking in a field! I'd love to change how people view a narcissistic approach, and fashion bloggers in particular, as well as help foster the belief that people in fashion can be nice and that they do actually smile!
What is Bloggers Night Out and how can people get involved?
BNO is a company that I formed this past September along with four other fashion bloggers. We are an event planning company which specializes in networking bloggers with big and small retail brands that are looking to partner and interact with their target demographic. Fashion week is no longer just for magazine editors and the elite, and we've found a way to capitalize on that. Especially now that the blogosphere has exploded, bloggers are becoming powerful influencers. We provide the platform for these brands and bloggers to network, all while sipping on delicious, free cocktails!
We launched BNO during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, and were all blown away by the outcome. We've since worked with some of the biggest and most amazing brands, held two holiday events in conjunction with Bloomingdale's and organized another BNO in New York City for fashion week in February. We just wrapped up Charleston Fashion Week last week and are now in the middle of planning Miami Swim Week as well as our biggest event yet, our one-year anniversary, that's slated for September in New York City.
I am eager to bring BNO home to Toronto. I'm the only Canadian on our team, and none of the girls have been here before, so it's something that we are looking forward to organizing someday soon.
The one thing I can't live without is...
My mum.
If someone was visiting your site for the first time, three posts you'd want them to see are...
First, whatever is the newest – I think I get better with each post.
Second, my most outrageous outfit in terms of mixing texture and print: Autumn Light.
Third, my most coveted outfit – a dress handed down three generations – in I Got a Love That Keeps Me Waiting.
