Mermaidens // Voilé

http://mermaidens.blogspot.com/

Blogger (C)RUSH // An interview with Susanna of Desperate Hell

What is Desperate Hell? 

Desperate Hell is my personal and secret place to share inspiration , thoughts, pictures and feelings. It's secret 'cause I never told anyone that I started writing of a blog.... and oops now I have followers around the world!

How would you describe your own personal style? 

My style changes and lives all the time with me. Right now I like simple black outfits. Someone could describe it nu-goth, but I don't want to put my style on any box. It's strongly goth-influenced and sometimes even punk.

When did you start your blog Desperate Hell and what was the reasoning behind it?

I found  some random lifestyle blogs from the Internet and at first I thought  "Oh my satan, those guys are super superficial when they take pictures of themselves every day and share them to the whole world... they don't have life at all." Somehow I addicted to reading them and in the end I decided to create  Desperate Hell. It happened in April 2009, six years ago!  I was sure that I stop writing it after the first month, but obviously I was wrong. In the beginning it felt stupid and too superficial, but then I learned to enjoy it. This is actually my second blog. I created my first blog in 2002 or 2003, but it was private diary and I shared it only with a few people. It was more profound and didn't contain pictures etc, but it was my first touch with the blogs.  

What are some of your favourite pieces you cannot live without? 

My leopard pants which I only wear when I'm home alone :D They are over worn, but so comfy to wear. 

Where are your favourite places to shop and who are some of your favourite brands that you continue to revisit? 

I don't have any favorite brand or shop. I like to do my clothes myself and I visit a lot flea markets.

Who are some of your personal style icons?

This is really difficult question. I like to follow different styles and I take influences from the movies, blogs etc. But if I need to name someones I say that I adore Dita Von Teese and  Siouxsie Sioux. 

Where do you draw your influences and inspirations from?

From everywhere. From the blogs, streets, movies... 

There's a strong sense of dark style and sleekness to your style and your content on your site. What is it you love so much about dark fashion and aesthetics? And how do you decide what is worth of Desperate Hell? 

I have loved dark fashion since I was a little girl! I remember when I was about 8-years-old and I had "a goth dress" which was made of black velvet and violet satin. It was the only dress I accepted to wear. I remember when I tried to put it on although it was too small for me. I don't know why I love dark fashion so much. Black is such a happy color and it feels cozy. I don't like colors so much. 

What are some of the key things to remember when putting together winning 'outfits' or looks? 

Accessories. Simple dress can look really different if you change your jewelry, hats, shoes, bags..

As a style blogger have you thought about doing work with specific sites and/or brands and has Desperate Hell opened up new opportunities to you professionally?

Yep it has opened  up the new opportunities and I've met many new people  over my blog. Right now I do collaboration with Queen of Darkness!

What are some of your favorite websites and blogs that you frequent?

Most my favorite blogs have quit days ago and I should find something new to follow. I follow my friends' blogs and some alternative blogs. 

Favourite/least favourite fashion trend right now?

Favorite is witch style (watch AHS coven and you know more.. ) Least favorite.. hmm pastel goths. Who the hell likes pastels?

What can we expect from you and Desperate Hell in the next twelve months?

I would like to launch my own clothing collection finally! I have had this dream since I was 15 and if some of you don't know I'm fashion designer  by education. Right now I'm fairly busy and I have a plenty of plans for my future so I'm not sure if I have time to implement this in the next twelve months. Desperate Hell continues on its own way as it is now.  


Desperatehell.blogspot.fi
Instagram: desperatehell

Blogger (C)RUSH // An interview with Marie of Agent Lover

Photo © Robyn Von Swank http://www.vonswank.com/

What is Agent Lover?

Agent Lover is an online slumber party destination for misfits and troublemakers. Watch out, it may make you horny.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I’ve always said my style was like “1960's satanic French schoolgirl with just a touch of baby hoodrat.” While that’s still pretty accurate, I feel like the schoolgirl ran away to join a hippie cult so she traded in some of her Peter Pan-collared dresses for bell sleeves, psychedelic prints, and head-to-toe lace. But I’ll never give up my chola goth leanings...

When did you start your blog Agent Lover and what was the main aim?

I officially launched it in 2008. I had the domain name since 2006, but it was more of a personal blog–a sort of extension of my Livejournal. I became inspired by a lot of the fashion bloggers that were coming out back then like Susie Bubble and the now-defunct Fops and Dandies, and wanted to have some sort of legit focus like that on mine, but my interest in fashion had more to do with its relation to film rather than runway (aside from Luella Bartley, Betsey Johnson, and Rossella Jardini.) I guess I am more of a costume designer groupie. Agent Lover was my place to do whatever I wanted. A part of that was the deconstruction of the fashion in my favorite movies. Basically it is a place where my cult movie tastes and style obsessions meet.  

What are some of your favourite pieces you cannot live without?

I will always love me some black knee socks and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of sexy suspender tights. I hope those never go away. Pretty Polly and Pamela Mann make my favorite. I love a good leather motorcycle jacket because it can bring an outfit to a whole new level. Look at John Waters’ Crybaby. All those girls are wearing polkadot dresses and pencil skirts. Throw on a leather jacket and it’s AUTOMATIC BAD GIRL. I collect novelty purses. Cat eye sunglasses are my signature. Finally, I like a shit tonne of rings. I’ve always been Liberace-slash-Walter Mercado status with them. Not too long ago, I saw a photo of me in high school and noticed I was wearing three rings on each finger. PADOW! I’ve cut down a bit but that’s definitely something I’ve always been into.

Where are your favourite places to shop and who are some of your favourite brands that you continue to revisit?

In my neighborhood in LA there are a ton of vintage stores and I found one of my favorite dresses (a pink ruffled mini) from this place called Vintage Vortex. Ironically, I tried staying away from the shops at first because it’s so dangerous for my wallet! But I end up lurking hard for vintage on Etsy anyway, haha. I’m not a big brand name person! One time, MANY YEARS AGO LET ME MAKE THAT CLEAR, I bought a fake LV bag out of the back of some Thousand Oaks soccer mom’s SUV. I can’t believe I’m telling this embarrassing story to the world. Anyway, soon after I realized how dumb that was. Around that same time (maybe that was my brand name whora majora era) I bought a pair of $300 Chanel sunglasses that became discolored for no reason. I was like, “Fuck this designer brand shit! Not even made well!” So that’s when I stopped caring so much about that kind of thing. The only designer I probably have in my closet currently is Betsey Johnson, but it’s a lot less now that her brick and mortar stores are gone. CRYFACE. Girl you know I miss that Betsey Johnson at the Camarillo Outlet!!!!! Honestly, makeup is more of an addiction. Makeup and vintage. Ooh, but I do love Lazy Oaf. They are fun. And I love what Rachel Antonoff, Vivetta, Deer Creatures, Samantha Pleet, and Romance Was Born does. I also would definitely not turn down an Olympia Le-Tan purse for my collection.

Who are some of your style icons?

Elvira, Jayne Mansfield, Mary Quant, Dolly Parton, Peg and Kelly Bundy, Wanda Woodward, the cholas that I went to school with in the seventh grade, Mona May, Miss Piggy, valley girls, Julie Brown, Selena Quintanilla, and my boyfriend (who has way more vintage than me.)

Where do you draw your influences and inspirations from?

My BFF Emi who runs Pygmy Hippo Shoppe has always been a great influence and inspiration to me in so many different ways, whether its style, creative endeavors, or feeding my brain with some wild ass knowledge. All of that. The staff at Rookie inspires me. My parents. I love knowing about people’s lives and all the adventures they’ve been on. That is always inspiring. I especially like people who love to talk. Someone once told me that they realized that about me, that I like….knowing about people. I was like, “oh this person is clocking me..BUT SHE RIGHT.” Maybe that’s why I love reading famous people’s autobiographies. Or maybe I’m just a big ol’ chismosa snoop. I’m on the Lena Dunham book now and have a Mary Quant bio next. Angelica Huston has one out soon and I also heard Marilyn Manson wrote a second one too. Okay, that was a weird tangent on celebrity biographies. Sorry!

The fashion and style of your site is very bright, bold and unique. It's kind of like a huge pop culture fashion beacon of sorts. What is it you love so much about fashion and style? And how do you decide what is worthy of Agent Lover?

I’m an extremist. I love wild, psychedelic farts of color and I love black. I said FARTS OF COLOR! (It’s 2AM.) I hate neutrals. I’d rather go nude. I love fashion because it’s the easiest way to express yourself. You can channel your favorite fictional character through an outfit or if you’ve had a certain tune on repeat, you can actually dress like that song. Does that make sense? I just think personal style is a really wonderful canvas for creativity. As long as its genuine, of course. I also love how you can make embarrassing mistakes in fashion and its forgivable later. Trends are so funny. Can you imagine if I was wearing my 40-inch wide-leg JNCO jeans from the year 2000 right now? Since they covered my whole foot, I looked like fucking Gumby in those things. Fuck, I wish Heelys existed back then. I’d just be gliding around looking like a technotronic raverwitch.

What are some of the key things to remember when putting together winning 'outfits' or looks?

I think it’s great to have a solid main piece that you feel super comfortable and hot in. Let’s say for example, the perfect, if I may use this mainstream fashion term–LBD– that fits your bod right and looks good with either a heel or a boot. From there you just build from it, adding accessories and what not. It’s really all about finding your signature wardrobe pieces. Then you can embellish. Even the right nail polish can make your look go next-level status. After a while you find out what works on you and what doesn’t. It takes time and it will definitely change over the years. I’m also really into breaking rules and being contradictory, and wearing whatever the fuck you want. We only live once, boo! Going with your gut when it comes to dressing–whatever feels right to you and makes you walk tall and not give a shit about what anybody else thinks–that’s how you get the winning look.

Has Agent Lover opened up new opportunities to you professionally and if yes, how so?

It definitely has! I started out as a blogger. Agent Lover was my sanctuary; a place where I could write whatever the hell I wanted to. It never got super big like some of the other bloggers which was always fine with me. I didn’t care about that shit. I guess I think of what I do as a particular taste for particular peeps...perhaps a sort of CULT CLASSIQUE. lols. From Agent Lover I started writing for Rookie, which I’ve been on staff at since their launch in 2011. That opened up so much for me, writing-wise, everything-wise. Even just being in constant cohorts with Tavi and that group of wildly talented women is super inspiring and motivating every single day. I’ve written for Beautylish, Refinery29, Hello Giggles, and The Hairpin, where I do a monthly period foods column called Bloodfeast. My dad is a chef, so being able to do something cooking related is a lot of fun. I’ll ask him for tips and stuff.

What are some of your favorite websites and blogs that you frequent?

My forever favorite is Uncle Tnuc. His love for everything 80s is the best thing in the world, especially during Halloween. Honestly, the blogging world has become kind of a bore in the past few years. Everyone and their grandpa is a fashion blogger these days. They all look the same! A lot of my old blog favorites are long gone, like White Lightning and Cat Party. I was excited when I found this one (non-fashion blogger) girl on Instagram whose blog I was obsessed with. At least you can see them on Instagram but it’s not the same you know? I always love seeing what Jasmin’s wearing and Mermaidens is a super cute blog.  I’m also really happy to see that The Coveted is back, and Thrift Eye is also a longtime favorite of mine. I definitely have been reading blogs again a lot more this year than in the past couple of years when there was the SHIFT (a lot of the old school bloggers leaving and new ones coming in.)

One of the great things about Agent Lover is that its not just about images, fashion and style but its also about attitude and girl love and downright cool stuff. You even write for Rookie now! (we salute you). How did you find your writing voice and what do you love about being able to share the world of Agent Lover with others?

I guess I have always written the same way that I talk and about whatever I wanted to! That’s what worked for me, and I’ve been lucky that people have connected with that. Thinking about all the humans I’ve met just through my little blog makes me super happy. It’s seriously the most amazing thing when you meet people who understand the way you think, or are into the same weird ass movie as you, or get your sense of humor. It’s like you feel less lonely in the world, you know? CORNY BUT TREW.

Photo © Robyn Von Swank http://www.vonswank.com/

What can we expect from you and Agent Lover in the next twelve months?

I’m focusing a lot more on my blog now. I’ve missed it! It had definitely been neglected a big part of last year, but I’ve got some fun posts planned. I’m hoping to finally do a makeover on it also. I’ll still be doing plenty of things at Rookie, and you can keep tabs on my other work at marielodi.com. There’s some other projects too, but I’m superstitious so I’ll save that for later!

http://www.agentlover.com/blog/

http://www.rookiemag.com/author/mariemadlodi/

https://twitter.com/agentlover

https://www.facebook.com/agentloverblog

Instagram : agentlover

Blogger (C)rush | An interview with Ros of Dullife Lingerie

Who is Ros? 

 106 year old potty mouthed, ragtime gal reincarnate.

When did you start your blog Dullife Lingerie and what was the reasoning behind it?

It started really as a creative outlet early this year when I started fully feeling the stagnation of not being at uni anymore, or having access to a studio space where I could actually make anything with my hands. I’d just commenced a vague apprentice position with a diamond setter/jeweller here in Melbourne who wanted me in charge of creating his whole social media presence. When I started up his company instagram and he asked me to follow my own account was when I realised it was probably not going to be fun having a guy I sat three feet away from everyday seeing the kind of material I had started posting.

How would you describe your own personal style?

 Little bits of lots of things? I do often subscribe to the mantra of “all black err’ything” but have absolutely no qualms with going out in public dressed like a space age disco cowboy. I tend to think either no colours, or all the colours at once is a decent rule to live by.

What is it about Lingerie that you love so much and how/when did the obsession begin?

      I’ve pretty much always been interested in intimates, Let me tell you, not having boobs (like srzly, none at all) until the age of 15 was fucking excruciating whenever both my mum and older sister went bra shopping. But probably in mid high school (when I began to actually necessitate the support of a bra and decided to stop wearing boys jocks) was when it got a bit more serious for me. During some of my more hardcore bouts of ocd I wouldn’t be able to leave the house unless all my lingerie matched what I was wearing. For me it almost felt like, if I couldn’t have a ‘perfect’ feminine figure, I needed to compensate for it or distract from it with some nice lacy shit. 

I guess it really turned full blown when I started studying sculpture and jewellery, and thinking about how both lingerie and jewellery related to the body and to concepts of preciousness and intimacy. The parts of the human form that are considered overtly “sexual” and other areas that, to me, can be just as beautiful as the curve of an ass or the apex of a breast. In my final year I think I really went down the rabbit hole with it and it’s still all whirling around in my head.

What are some of your favourite pieces you cannot live without?

Definitely my Nichole de Carle ‘Westminster’ briefs, which I had lusted over for probably 18+ months before I just sucked it up and dropped the $$$ on them, my collection of Hopeless pieces that are slowly claiming their own set of drawers in my dresser and some plain ole high waisted, black cottontails for comfort.

Where are your favourite places to shop and who are some of your favourite brands that you continue to revisit?

For sneaky bargains, Bendon is the shit, I rarely walk out empty handed, even if I’m just doubling up on some Stella McCarney pieces I get a lot of wear out of. Passionfruit down in Richmond is like a second home to me and Hopeless Lingerie (stocked there as well as via her online store) is a mainstay in my lingerie wardrobe. For online shopping I love Dolci Follie, Mise En Cage and Baby Likes To Pony for high end, well made “investment” items.

How often do you buy new pieces and what do you look for in a good piece of lingerie?

 Haha, when I had a job ie: steady source of income, I’d by pieces anywhere from once to three or four times a fortnight, which is totally unsustainable in terms of still eating/surviving. Basically I need to avoid all sources of temptation, as I don’t currently have the disposable cash to throw down on something I find and neeeed to own. But when something does catch my eye I tend to fall for pieces that have a strong aesthetic point of difference, solid construction (especially handmade stuff) and are made from really high quality or unique materials. Also if it’s completely different to anything else I own, then that’s a big draw card.

Who are some of your style icons?

 Unghhhhhh! So many people! This is going to suck. Should I try and alphabetize or just go ham on it?

Because I see style as something way more than just an exterior appearance, a lot of these people are on this list not only because of their “physical style” but because of their attitudes towards living, doing what they want and not giving a single iota of fuck, I look up to everyone from Lou Reed, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Johnny Thunders and Marc Bolan, to Jane Lane, Marchesa Luisa Casati (seriously, if you don’t know her, look her up,) Veronica Lake, Louise Brooks, Helena Bonham Carter, Vivien Leigh, Tank Girl and Marlene Dietrich.

What is the best part about being a woman?

Probably gonna go with “having boobs.”

Yep lock it in Eddie, boobs are the shit.

Femininity, pop culture and sexuality inform much of your style and your blog. What is it you love so much about these aesthetics?

I never really intended to adhere to or present a particular aesthetic, I guess it’s just who I am. Maybe parts of my identity that, unconsciously were being a bit repressed or something are taking hold there hahaha. I think it really kind of shows in my follower demographic though, the kind of people it appeals to, I mean, I do get rashes of seedy old guys who just want to show me their junk every now and then, but for the most part, my followers are other women (and some dudes too) just like me, interested in the same things as me and with pretty similar tastes and attitudes (towards femininity, pop culture and sexuality) as me, which I think is really a really cool thing to be able to express and share and occasionally have some laughs over.

Like a lot of style bloggers you post your "outfits" being worn by your number one model - you. Was it hard at first to pose for photographs in lingerie and not be self confident about it and how has the experience changed your perceptions or pre-conceived notions about beauty and confidence?

 As much as I feel it should have been (hard), It wasn’t really, at all. I’ve always been a really shy and fucking awkward person and have all the self-esteem of a shaved guinea pig but in my last year of uni I couldn’t afford to pay models and am way too disorganized to schedule shit like that and realized when I wanted images of my work, portrayed how I envisioned it, for my folio, that I’d have to do it myself. I guess through that I just became more comfortable with showing myself basically naked because I didn’t want clothing to distract the eye from my work and it was really important to me that I be able to present an accompanying visual with my work that would help me get my ideas across as a lot of my development work was quite conceptual.

I think my determination to get my ideas across was just stronger than my fear of what people would think.

Since then I’ve become a lot more at ease with my body and think putting it out there has played a really integral part in me accepting it as it is. Obviously, being the Internet, there’s always trolls with some shitty remark to make, but I have to say for the most part it’s made me more comfortable with what my mama gave me.

What are some of your favourite websites and blogs that you frequent?

I go through phases of reading shit loads of blogs to barely any, Bloglovin keeps my email inbox up to date with new posts without having to check a gazillion different blogs but currently I’m loving Anna Gensler’s ‘instagranniepants’ tumblr (it’s amazing, check it out) and Straight White Boys Texting (also on tumblr and also hilarious) because of how totally relatable they are and the lack of actual lols I have in my life right now. On the daily though, the top pages I visit, (according to my browsing history) are The Bureau of Meteorology (zing, weather geek!), Acclaim Mag, The Hundreds, Vice (do’s and don’ts are the best), Reddit and Cracked.com

What can we expect from you and Dullife Lingerie in the next twelve months?

 Hopefully figuring out what the fuck I’m actually doing with my life, Although making some stuff, starting my own business, launching my website and taking more pictures of my butt would also be a plus.

http://dullifelingerie.tumblr.com